META, INSTAGRAM
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 3, 2025

Suspect Convicted After ‘Pop And Dip’ Instagram Post Led Police Right to Him

A man was convicted three years after posting his plans to "pop and dip" on a customer.

A murder suspect has been convicted three years after his “pop and dip” Instagram post led authorities to him.

Shamel Crowder, 24, was found guilty in Clayton County Superior Court on Dec. 30, following a trial that ended 10 days prior and exactly three years to the day he fatally shot Geoffrey Canty, 19, Law and Crime reports. Crowder was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 25 years. Two eyewitnesses to the crime were also arrested and prosecuted as co-defendants.

On Dec. 20, 2021, Crowder met Canty in the parking lot of Canty’s workplace to allegedly sell him a firearm for an agreed price of $300. However, after Canty handed over the money, Crowder shot him three times in the stomach with the very gun he had promised to sell. Crowder then took both the money and the weapon, leaving Canty to die in the parking lot.

Crowder was arrested in Henry County in January 2022, and his co-defendant, Christopher Joel Dejeinett, was apprehended in Savannah.

Just minutes before meeting Canty, Crowder posted to Instagram that he planned to “pop and dip,” alluding to his intention to “pop” Canty and “dip” by fleeing the scene of the crime. The post was used as part of the state’s evidence against Crowder.

He was charged with multiple felonies and found guilty of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of firearm possession during the commission of a felony. The DA stated that the only eyewitnesses to the murder were the suspects charged in the case. Seven individuals testified in support of the State.

“The Clayton County District Attorney’s Office remains steadfast in its commitment to securing justice for our citizens,” Clayton County DA Tasha Mosley said. “We hope this conviction brings peace to the family of Mr. Canty.”

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Stormzy,
by Kandiss Edwards

January 3, 2025

Stormzy Banned From Driving Due to Illegal Tint And Cell Phone Usage

The British rapper cannot operate a vehicle for the next nine months.

British rapper Stormzy, whose real name is Michael Ebenazer Owuo Jr., has been banned from driving for nine months after using his cellphone while behind the wheel, the BBC reported.

The offense occurred in March 2023 and was addressed by Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court. District Judge Andrew Sweet criticized the rapper’s actions, calling them “dangerous and irresponsible.”

Stormzy initially denied the charges but later changed his plea, accepting responsibility for the incident. His defense lawyer, Peter Csemiczky, represented him in court.

In addition to the driving ban, Judge Sweet fined Stormzy £2,010 ($2,500) and added six points to his driving record. The 34-year-old rapper already had six points on his license due to a previous speeding violation.

A London police officer observed Stormzy driving his Rolls-Royce in the city while using his cellphone. They also cited him for having illegal window tint. An off-duty officer who spotted the violations approached the artist and advised him to “get rid of your tints and get off your phone.”

The illegal tint on Stormzy’s vehicle only allowed 4% light visibility, well below the 70% required by London law. After pleading guilty to the tint violation, Stormzy received six points, which, combined with the cellphone offense, resulted in the driving ban.

Stormzy may need to hire a driver for the foreseeable future, a minor detail for the hugely popular British artist.

Stormzy began his career in 2015 as a grime artist and quickly rose to international fame, breaking barriers at British award shows and headlining the UK’s largest festival, Glastonbury. His album Gang Signs & Prayer became the first grime album to reach No. 1 on the UK charts and later won British Album of the Year at the 2018 BRIT Awards.

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Ja Rule, record deal
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 3, 2025

Ja Rule Takes Shots At 50 Cent After Critic Calls Vegas Show ‘Worst Live Performance’

Ja continues longstanding beef by laughing at critics review of 50's Vegas show

“Power” executive Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson just started a Las Vegas residency, and after a critic labeled his show the “worst live performance” she had ever seen, his biggest rival, Ja Rule, took the opportunity to throw shots at his sworn enemy.

After the first night of 50’s residency at Planet Hollywood’s PH Live, Jen G., who has a million followers on Instagram, gave a scathing review of the G-Unit boss’ performance. In her review, she did not hold back criticism of what she viewed that night on Dec. 27. After giving him props for earlier performances in his career; she stated the flaws she noticed with not only his performance but also finding fault with the sound, stage design, and even the graphics.

“I’ve seen 50 Cent perform in warehouses in Memphis, TN (where I’m from) decades ago, and it was pure magic. His limited-time residency in Las Vegas was the opposite of that. The sound was balanced poorly, making it impossible to hear the performance.”

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jen G. (@vegasstarfish)

Once she posted, the “Holla Holla” rapper commented on the concertgoer’s critique, which was reposted on X (formerly Twitter).

“Not the worst… #ICONN“

Although it’s been years since the rivals went at each other during their infamous beef in the 1990s, it seems to be brewing back up. Right before the new year, after an X user commented on the rumor that 50 allegedly bought several front-row seats at one of his shows years ago to give the appearance that Ja couldn’t sell out a venue, Ja called “cap” on the rumor. He offered anyone $10,000 if they could show proof of 50 buying the tickets and showing where it took place.

50 Cent will be at Planet Hollywood’s PH Live until Jan. 6.

Ja Rule was recently seen with Doug E. Fresh, Fat Joe, and DJ Cassidy for the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve show.

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capital one
by Sharelle B. McNair

January 3, 2025

Capital One Customers At Risk of Not Being Able To Use Credit Card Overseas With Discover Merger 

Pay attention to the changes....

Capital One credit card customers are at risk of not being able to use their funds for international travel following a pending merger with Discover, Daily Mail reported. 

Capital One wanted to take over Discover’s payment processing network, and regulators quietly started the approval process of the $35.3 billion takeover shortly before the Christmas 2024 holiday, competing against Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. However, with Discover being less popular outside of the U.S., experts warn that travelers may have issues. “In most cases in the US, Discover is more or less accepted everywhere that Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are,” LendingTree’s chief credit analyst, Matt Schulz, said. 

“Where you may run into more issues is with international travel because Discover may not be as widely accepted.”

Capital One’s CEO, Richard Fairbank, said the company has plans to move all of its debit cards and some credit cards onto Discover’s network starting in the second quarter of 2025. In the meantime, it is recommended that travelers remain vigilant on potential changes and consider backup options regarding international spending. “In total, across debit and credit, we expect to add over 25 million Capital One cardholders and over $175 billion in Capital One purchase volume by 2027,” Fairbank said.

“This injection and volume in the network will help Discover be competitive with the leading network.”

According to Fortune, Capital One and Discover customers shouldn’t worry about too many changes in the meantime, while the approval process will take a while, on top of determining if the deal passes potential antitrust scrutiny from Congress. If the merger goes through, Capital One will be the largest card issuer in the country surrounding outstanding credit card loans, beating out JPMorgan Chase.

For travelers who are looking for other sources of international funds, there are several credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees and have a wide variation of acceptance overseas. The average international fee can range from 3% or more for each purchase made, such as hotel rooms or rental cars. Some credit cards even provide rewards that can be beneficial when back on US soil. 

A number of Capital One cards, like its Venture Rewards credit card, are listed. The Venture Rewards was named the best travel reward card, while the Savor Cash Rewards is looked at as the best for dining benefits. Venture X is named for hotel rewards, but the Discover it Miles card was named best for no annual fees – a way to combat the growing percentage fees.

NYC Subway, 125th street
by Kandiss Edwards

January 3, 2025

Man Arrested In Attempted Murder Of Ex-Girlfriend At Subway Station

Convicted rapist apprehended after alleged intimate partner violence.

A New York City man was arrested on Dec. 29 on charges of attempted murder after allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend in front of her two teenage daughters at a subway station, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said.

Michael Blount, 29, is accused of slashing the woman’s neck with a razor blade on Nov. 5 at the 125th Street station for the A train. When he couldn’t sever her neck, he allegedly stabbed her in the face and pushed her onto the subway tracks.

One of the victim’s daughters intervened, pulling her mother to safety.

https://twitter.com/benstanton77/status/1874952578171294084?s=46
Blount attempted to speak with the victim before the attack as she and her children shopped at a nearby deli, but she did not respond and left the store. He then followed the family to a nearby train station, apparently to assess their location. Surveillance footage shows him returning to the deli to purchase the razor blade used in the attack.

“As alleged, Michael Blount brutally slashed his ex-girlfriend before pushing her onto the train tracks in front of her teenage daughters,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement. “Despite what must have been a terrifying attack, one of her daughters was able to pull her mother from the tracks, likely saving her life.”

Blount also allegedly stalked and harassed the 37-year-old victim and her children with phone calls and text messages.

He is charged with attempted murder in the second degree. Assistant District Attorney Charlotte Armour of the Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Bureau is handling the prosecution.

Blount has a history of violence, including a 2013 conviction for raping a 12-year-old girl; he would have been 19 years old at the time of the rape. The rapist and alleged murderer was out on parole at the time of the alleged attack.

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Teedra Moses
by Mitti Hicks

January 3, 2025

Teedra Moses Threatens Woman After Claims She Supports R.Kelly

Teedra Moses said R. Kelly's' song, "Greatest Sex” is one of the greatest R & B songs of all time on the R & B Money Podcast.

“I will slap piss from u!!” This is what Teedra Moses told a woman on X who condemned her for appearing to support R. Kelly.

X user, trixietheepixie, voiced her concerns after watching the R & B Money Podcast hosted by Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Tank and his business partner, J. Valentine. Tank asked Moses her picks of the top five R&B songs.

One of the songs she picked was “Greatest Sex” by R. Kelly.

“You can close your eyes and see everything he’s saying,” Moses told the co-hosts, explaining why she picked his song as she and Tank mouthed the lyrics.

“It’s just so beautiful, and then, the production is amazing,” Moses added.

Her interview didn’t sit well with X user, trixietheepixie. The user stated, “I sincerely would like to say f**k her,” talking about Moses after watching the podcast episode. “Idk how many times we have to REPEAT that Robert Kelly was writing songs about having sex with TEENAGERS, and the reason why it’s so visual is bc it’s teaching kids how to f**k.”

Moses replied in a series of now-deleted tweets on X with expletives, before stating, “You don’t know me! But those that do know what I’m about.”

Moses added, “Coming on this app w dat bulls**t. I will slap piss from u!!” (sic).

The woman doubled down even when people criticized how she originally came at Moses.

“What you’re missing is, I don’t have to say, ‘don’t support a convicted pedophile who we ALL have identified is a danger to EVERYONE, not just kids! Grown women too!” in a nice tone.’”

R. Kelly Convicted on Exploitation of Children

R. Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison on June 29, 2022, following six weeks of a trial the year before. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal jury convicted Kelly on all nine counts of a superseding indictment, charging him with racketeering predicated on criminal conduct. The charges included sexual exploitation of children and forced labor. He was also convicted of Mann Act violations involving the coercion and transportation of women and girls in interstate commerce to engage in illegal sexual activity.

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Meghan Markle, Archewell Foundation, Prince Harry
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 3, 2025

Meghan Markle Criticized By Haters For ‘Out of Touch’ Netflix Series

Meghan Markle's new Netflix series seems wholesome in nature, but that hasn’t stopped critics from voicing their outrage.

Meghan Markle can’t catch a break among her critics, with the trailer for her new Netflix series further reigniting their wrath.

The Duchess of Sussex kicked off the new year by debuting an Instagram page to share the official trailer for her first solo Netflix series, With Love. The show highlights her hosting skills as she entertains friends and guests, showcasing her talents in cooking and home decor.

Despite the series’ wholesome premise, Markle has faced a small wave of criticism, with detractors accusing the show of appearing elitist and disconnected from everyday life. The Duchess knew to turn the comments off on Instagram, which prompted her critics to take to X, formerly known as Twitter, to express their outrage.

“Now that she wants to be American again instead of British aristocracy what she seems to forget is Americans want real, raw, uncensored,” Meghan McCain tweeted in response to the Netflix trailer. “All of this, even in the trailer, is highly curated, produced, and out of touch.”

“The world is on fire, but Meghan Markle is here to teach us how to make gourmet donuts and fancy flower arrangements,” said another critic who recorded a video ripping the new show.

The hate was even worse on YouTube, prompting Netflix to remove the dislike view. However, one viewer with an extension was able to see the thousands of people who disliked the video over the number of those who showed their support.

“Ohh my…Meghan Markle’s Netflix show trailer was posted 2 hours ago, and the number of DISLIKES 👎 already doubled up the upvotes!!! 😳,” they tweeted.

https://twitter.com/TheFakeDuchess/status/1874902988432740529

Markle is well aware of the public criticism she faces, which is one reason it took her seven years to return to Instagram. She originally deleted her account in January 2018, shortly before her royal wedding to Prince Harry in May of that year.

The California native has spoken openly about being the “most trolled person in the entire world” on social media.

“I don’t care if you’re 15 or you’re 25 if people are saying things about you that aren’t true, what that does to your mental and emotional health is so damaging,” she said on the Teenager Therapy podcast in October 2020. “We all know what it feels like to have our feelings hurt.”

Despite her efforts to be transparent about the impact of criticism on her mental health, Markle continues to face harsh judgment from some critics in both the UK and the US. Perhaps her new series, set to premiere on January 15, will offer a more positive perspective on her life.

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man dead, July 4, Birmingham, partner missing, MASS SHOOTING, baddies
by Kandiss Edwards

January 3, 2025

Mass Shooting Leaves 10 Wounded In Queens

Mass shooting at Amzura Event Hall in Queens, New York leaves four men and six women wounded.

Police are still searching for four suspects in the Queens, New York, mass shooting that injured 10 people on New Year’s Day.

The shooting occurred at 11:20 p.m. near the Amazura Event Hall at 91-12 144th Place in Jamaica, Queens. Authorities said the venue was near capacity, with 90 people inside, and 15 others were waiting outside to enter, according to WAFB. 

As the would-be partygoers stood in line, the suspects allegedly approached and opened fire on the crowd, wounding ten people.

“Four males opened fire more than 30 times in the direction of the group standing outside the event space, striking multiple victims. The males fled on foot westbound on 91st Street toward 143rd Place, where they entered a light-colored sedan with out-of-state plates,” NYPD Chief of Patrol Philip Rivera said during an early morning press conference. “Officers responding to multiple 911 calls found 10 victims — six females and four males — who were taken to local hospitals. All of the victims are expected to recover.”

The private event was being held in honor of a teenager who had been a victim of gun violence.

The Amzura Event Hall conveyed its sympathies for the harm caused to its patrons, via its Instagram account. The statement stated the venue does not regularly experience such violence and that the act was a singular event. 

“We are deeply saddened by the recent and unfortunate isolated incident that occurred,” the venue said. “Our hearts go out to all those affected by this senseless act.”

Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the violence and expressed her outrage at the incident.

“This can’t be our normal,” Hochul said in a statement. “We must continue to fight the violence plaguing New York.”

New York authorities are urging the public to report any tips related to the incident. Chief Rivera is encouraging New Yorkers to “say something” if they have information that could help curb the violence affecting the city.

Tips can be submitted to the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA) or online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org.

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cybertruck
by Mary Spiller

January 3, 2025

Matthew Livelsberger Identified As Alleged Driver Of Cybertruck That Exploded Outside Trump Hotel

The explosion left seven people injured and the valet area of the Trump Hotel damaged.

An active-duty US Army Green Beret, Matthew Alan Livelsberger, has been identified as the driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that exploded outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday, January 1.

According to CNN, Livelsberger was an Army Special Forces operations master sergeant, a senior enlisted rank, and he was on active duty in Germany with the 10th Special Forces Green Beret Group. He was on leave at the time of the explosion, officials stated.

A former colleague in the Army with Livelsberger described their shock over his alleged connection to the explosion. They described him as a decorated combat veteran with an extensive background in both Special Forces and explosives, which seemed disjunctive with the nature of the crime. They added that Livelsberger seemed to support Trump as well.

“When President Trump was in office, [Livelsberger] would comment on his Facebook page about the things President Trump had said or done or how he’s helping the military,” the colleague told CNN.

“Matt had a lot of respect for Mr. Trump – he just loved the guy.”

Kevin McMahill, the Las Vegas Sheriff, stated at a news conference the next day that the driver of the Tesla Cybertruck used in the explosion shot himself in the head in the wake of the blast that injured at least seven people outside of the Trump hotel.

McMahill explained that although authorities have not officially identified Livelsberger as the person who was found inside the Cybertruck, as the body was burned beyond recognition, the department believes it to be Livelsberger because of identifying marks.

The motivations behind the explosion have not been identified yet.

Authorities have created a timeline for the explosion in the days following the incident. It began after the Cybertruck was rented by who they believe to be Livelsberger on December 28 in Denver and traveled to Las Vegas after making stops at Tesla charging stations in Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. After the truck entered the city early on the morning of New Year’s Day, it arrived at the Trump Hotel. Inside the vehicle, fireworks, gas tanks, and camping fuel were placed inside the bed of the truck and detonated by a remote-controlled device.

The explosion, although powered by amounts of flammable and volatile fuel, was not as devastating as it could have been. The explosion left marks outside of the Trump Hotel in the valet area, and seven people were injured. However, the damage could have been much worse if not for the vehicle’s tough and nearly indestructible body construction.


Experts stated that the Cybertruck actually contained much of the blast within it, and most of the blast was directed upwards from the roof of the body, protecting the building from more damage.

McMahill said, “The fact that this was a Cybertruck limited the damage that occurred inside of the valet because it had most of the blast. Up through the truck and out.”

He explained, “You’ll see that the front glass doors at the Trump Hotel were not even broken by that blast, which they were parked directly in front of.”

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Jimmy Butler, media day, hairdo
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 3, 2025

Jimmy Butler Requests Trade From Miami Heat

The guard wants to go to another team so he can get 'joy back playing basketball.'

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler has asked for a trade from the team, citing his desire to enjoy playing basketball again, “wherever that may be,” he said.

According to ESPN, Butler, who has been disgruntled for some time, has made his desire known to Heat brass. Although he wants out, he has said that he will continue to be involved in team activities and do whatever the organization wants him to do.

“I want to see me getting my joy back playing basketball. Wherever that may be, we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said. “I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant; I want to hoop, and I want to help this team win, and right now, I’m not doing it.”

The relationship between the team and the former Chicago Bulls player soured at the end of last season when team president Pat Riley decided against extending Butler’s  contract. He was eligible to get an extension for up to $113 million over the next two years. He is in the final year of the contract, which is paying him $49 million, but he also has a player option for next season for $52 million.

“I’m going out there to compete either way; whether I score nine points or 29 points, I will compete,” Butler said. “You won’t say I’m not out there playing hard. It may look like that because my usage is down, and I don’t shoot the ball a lot, but [you can’t say] I’m not playing hard.”

The 35-year-old guard has led the Heat to the playoffs for the past five years, marking two trips to the NBA Finals. This season, he is averaging 18 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. He is also shooting a career-high 55.3% from the field this season.

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