Mercedes-Benz reveals the G63 AMG 6×6, a six-wheel-drive luxo SUV

The inevitable has happened.

 

There are only so many possible permutations of a metal box on four wheels designed to go fast over any terrain, and from the Jeep Wrangler to the Range Rover, all of them have been explored in some degree with varying levels of ability and luxury. It was only a matter of time before a group of mad engineers gathered together and said "Screw it, let's go six-wheel-drive."

Those engineers work for Mercedes- Benz, and this creation, the  G63 AMG 6x6, isn't a concept, but a luxury SUV that the German automaker will build for a handful of wealthy customers.

Six-wheel-drive trucks have been in military and commercial use for decades; Mercedes made a few for use before World War II, and its commercial division has supplied a 6x6 version of the old Gelandewagen to Austrian forces since 2011.

But that truck features a bare metal cabin and power from a 185-hp diesel. The AMG engineers swapped the drivetrain from the G63 AMG, featuring a 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V-8 good for 536 hp, mated to a seven-speed transmission, good enough to hustle the 8,300-lb. juggernaut to 60 mph in about six seconds. Inside, there's room for four passengers to ride in a tableau of luxury, from the quilted white leather seats and carbon-fiber accented dash to the bamboo-lined cargo area.

  

As for the six wheels, they're not just for show. AMG splits the torque 30/40/30 among the axles from front to rear for maximum traction, with locking differentials for all 37-inch wheels; the 6x6 can ford water more than three feet deep and its 52-degree approach angle means it will climb most anything short of a sheer cliff face. For desert travels, the tires can be inflated and deflated from a panel in the cabin.

According tp Autoweek, Mercedes plans to build about 20 to 30 of these behemoths starting in October for a price just below the $457,000 AMG will charge for an all-electric SLS, and if you have to ask about miles per gallon, then clearly you don't own enough oil wells to afford one.

Exclusive: Joan Rivers: I’m Not Apologizing for Heidi Klum Holocaust Joke

When discussing  Heidi Klum's super-sexy Oscar night gown on E!’s “Fashion Police,” the79 year old joked, "The last time a German looked this hot was when they were pushing Jews into the ovens." Needless to say, the line was met with lots of jeers.

But Rivers refuses to say she’s sorry. During an interview with “omg! Insider” that airs on Friday evening, Rivers balked when asked if she planned to apologize.
“Apologizing for what?” she exclaimed. “For what?! … Heidi didn't mind it. That's the joke, Heidi Klum didn't mind it. We didn't mind it. So somebody else minded, you know, then don't watch ‘Fashion Police.’ Next.”

Rivers also explained that using the Holocaust in a joke, she’s raising awareness … even if that particular joke wasn’t met with the reception she expected. “I make points with humor and you want to talk about the Holocaust? That's how I talk about the Holocaust,” the former late-night host added. “I remind people there was a Holocaust and someone should wake Mel Gibson up to watch ‘Fashion Police.’”

As for an omg! poll, in which 66 percent of readers voted that she had crossed the line this time, well, the comedian has a message for them, too. “You live in the dark ages,” she continued. “Learn what comedy's about, tell that Richard Pryor, tell that to Chris Rock, tell it to Louis C.K., go back to Lenny Bruce. I'm very proud to be a part that group.”




 “On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” ― Thomas Jefferson

Health: Scary Facts About Microwave Popcorn

   

In its truest form, popcorn really is a smart, healthy snack--even a superfood. Its purity went up in flames, though, once food manufacturers got hold of the beloved snack and created convenient, microwavable popcorn bags. Americans woof down a whopping 52 quarts of popcorn a year, and much of that is from microwavable versions. But before you nuke one more bag, you need to know the health risks involved. 



 
 Like many fast-food packaging, most microwavable popcorn bags are coated with perfluorochemicals, or PFCs, a class of chemicals linked to various cancers and reproductive system damage. Food manufacturers add the obesity-promoting chemicals to bags to make them more greaseproof, even though these chemicals have been linked to thyroid disease and ADHD, among other ills. Once ingested, PFCs remain in our bodies for a long time, which is another area of concern for these troubling chemicals.

So how do you know if your favorite brand uses these chemical-laden bags? It's tough to know for sure. "Typically, packaged food manufacturers, organic or otherwise, buy their food packaging from another supplier, and they themselves might not know what is the exact composition of food packaging," explains Olga Naidenko, PhD, senior scientist at Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit human and environmental health watchdog group. "This is an area where consumers should be calling for more information."


 
It's not just the popcorn bag chemicals public health experts are concerned about, either. Harsh chemicals are often applied to popcorn and other pre-packaged foods to fool our taste buds into thinking it's freshly made fare. One of the most acutely toxic popcorn chemicals--diacetyl, the fake flavor used to create a buttery flavor--has been linked to lung damage in microwavable-popcorn factory workers and, in rare cases, in consumers, too. "Researchers from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health discovered that workers inhaling this chemical, as was happening in microwave-popcorn manufacturing, develop severe lung disease, literally losing the ability to breathe," 

The bad PR prompted many manufacturers to phase out this "natural flavoring," although diacetyl replacements are similar chemicals that may also damage lungs. 

 
Genetically engineered food ingredients have never been tested for long-term impact on human health, and some preliminary animal studies suggest GMOs could cause digestive disease, food allergies, and even tumors. If your popcorn is not organic, you're running the risk that the oils and flavoring agents used could contain GMO material. 

 

 
Industrialized fats like trans fats are a horror to your heart and have even been linked to reproductive problems like endometriosis. Food manufacturers love them because they help keep products shelf-stable, but the dangerous fats aren't always easy to ID on the label.

Even if the nutrition label on your favorite popcorn brand reads "0% trans fat," you may want to take a closer look. Any hydrogenated oils on the label indicate the presence of trans fats. The loophole? If it's less than 0.5 percent, food manufacturers don't have to post trans fat percentage on the label.



 Some of the world's leading public health experts will tell you this simple health tip: Never heat up plastic. That's because heating the petrochemicals will accelerate leaching of harmful chemicals into your food. In fact, in 2010, the President's Cancer Panel suggested avoiding plastics to lower your risk of cancer. Unfortunately, plastic liners are now popping up in some microwavable popcorn.



Way to a more healthy pop corn snack

Pop it manually.
Good old-fashioned stovetop popcorn really isn't all that inconvenient. Purchase plain organic popcorn kernels at your favorite natural food store and add to a bit of oil or butter in a pot (coconut oil and grass-fed ghee or butter are delicious and contain healthy fats). Cover the pot with a lid and gentle shake over the flame until most of the popping stops. Afterward, add healthy seasonings that suit your taste buds, including non-GMO nutritional yeast, lemon juice, or inflammation-fighting turmeric.
"Manually popping is still the most reliable method to know exactly what's in your food," says EWG's Naidenko.



Try DIY microwavable popcorn.
Add plain organic popcorn kernels to a plain brown paper lunch bag, fold the top down a few times, and heat up in the microwave. Take the popcorn out when the popping slows down to just a few pops every five seconds.



Go for a more progressive pop.
Quinn Popcorn is changing the world of microwavable popcorn--and for the better. This newer brand features organic, Non-GMO Project Verified kernels, no harmful additives, and compostable bags with no chemical or plastic liners, and cold-pressed natural oils. The brand is available at select Whole Foods and natural foods stores. If you're looking for a bag of pre-popped popcorn, try Skinny Pop--it's delicious and Non-GMO Project Verified.






 “When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.” ― Herophilu

Arrest Made in the Death of Usher’s Stepson: Suspect Charged With Homicide by Vessel

                   
 
Nearly eight months after the death of Usher’s stepson, 11-year-old Kile Glover, justice is finally being served.
On Friday morning just after 7 a.m. ET, Jeffrey Simon Hubbard was arrested “without incident” at his mother and father’s home in Georgia and was “cooperative,” the arresting officer Sgt. Mike Burgamy, of Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources said!.



 

Hubbard’s arrest comes just one day after a grand jury in Hall County, Georgia, indicted him on a slew of charges – including Homicide by Vessel, Serious Injury by Vessel, and Reckless Operation of a Vessel. In July 2012, Kile and another young girl were struck by a jet ski operated by Hubbard, a family friend of his father’s, as they rode in an inflatable raft. While the girl suffered minor injuries, Kile spent 10 days in a coma before he finally succumbed to his brain injuries on July 21.

Although Sgt. Burgamy would not go into detail of why Hubbard was charged, he did tell newsmen! the investigation into Kile’s death had been ongoing and once complete, evidence was brought before a grand jury, which indicted him on Thursday.
Hubbard is currently being held without bail and is expected to appear before a judge this weekend.

 

Kile’s mother, Usher’s ex-wife Tameka Raymond, has been fighting to make sure her son did not die in vain. On February 21, Raymond, who has two other sons with the “Numb” singer, was at the State Capitol to propose “Kile’s Law” to improve boat safety, which she documented on her Instagram page. “I won't stop,” she wrote that day. “Nope! My best friend and favorite person will never be forgotten #kileslaw.






Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.-William James

Uche Jumbo and husband at her movie premier

Pictures at Uche's Movie Premier

Ozone cinema was last night, Friday March 1, 2013, filled with several Nollywood stars, who gathered for the premiere of Uche Jombo Rodriguez’ much anticipated movie, My Life, My Damage.

Although the event which started with a red carpet session began behind schedule, guests in attendance seemed to have had fantastic moments at the premiere

Kenny Rodriguez excited about Nigeria

Being his first time in Nigeria and the heart city of Lagos, Kenny Rodriguez beamed with smiles all through the event attesting to his joy and content with his stay in Nigeria. Right from the chauffeur driven automobile that brought himself and his wife, Uche Jombo, Kenny couldn’t just keep his eyes off his surroundings as he keeps asking one or two things about what he saw.

On Uche Jombo’s eye popping dress

Delectable actress, script writer and producer, Uche Jumbo was looking smashing in her dress, which was a flowing black and silver studded gown. The dress, which seemed to have been specifically made for the occasion had the nods of many celebrities in attendance. Findings revealed that the dress was designed by a new designer simply known as Damilola.

The Rodrigoezs and the Idahosas

Justin Bieber Returns To His Hotel Shirtless

  

Teen singing sensation Justin Bieber pictured arriving back at his London, UK Hotel shirtless after performing at a Birmingham gig on February 28, 2013. Teen singing sensation Justin Bieber pictured arriving back at his London, UK hotel shirtless after performing at a Birmingham gig on February 28, 2013.

  

Immigrant taxi driver's death, South Africa has suspended eight police officers

South Africa has suspended eight police officers after the death of a man they tied to the back of a police van and dragged along the road while bystanders looked on.

Video footage showing the treatment of Mido Macia, in Daveyton, east of Johannesburg, has once more focused attention on South Africa's police force, already dogged by allegations of brutality, corruption and incompetence.

In the amateur video footage published by South African newspaper, the Daily Sun, Macia's hands are tied to the rear of a police van behind his head before it moves off. Just over two hours later he was found dead in a local police cell, according to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). A postmortem gave the cause of death as head injuries with internal bleeding.

The video provoked outrage with President Jacob Zuma labeling it "horrific, disturbing and unacceptable. No human being should be treated in that manner." He has instructed the minister of police to investigate the matter.

Police chief Riah Phiyega said the eight officers involved had been suspended and the station commander would be removed from his duties. "We would like to assure the country and the world that what is in the video is not how the South African police service in a democratic South Africa goes about its work," she said.

The IPID responded by launching an inquiry and giving details of the police version of events. The police account alleged that Macia, 27, a taxi driver from Mozambique, assaulted an officer and took his firearm after officers asked him to move his taxi because it was obstructing traffic. They admitted only that there was a "struggle" to get the taxi driver into the police van.

But a further video published by the Daily Sun and provided to the Guardian casts doubt on the account. The new footage suggests Macia did not grab the gun or use violence against police, only struggling to free himself as police seized him and lifted him off his feet.

Amnesty International's human rights organisation's southern Africa director, Noel Kututwa, said the incident was "the latest in an increasingly disturbing pattern of brutal police conduct in South Africa". It comes after a series of setbacks for the South African police force, struggling to demonstrate that its low paid, reputedly poorly-trained, officers can be trusted to uphold – or even obey – the law. Last week, the case against Oscar Pistorius, accused of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, was undermined when the lead investigating detectives was removed from the case after being charged with seven counts of attempting murder himself. Last year's Marikana shootings, in which police opened fire on a crwoed os srticking miners, killing 34 at a platinum mine northwest of Johannesburg, are being investigated by a judicial commission.

Macia's case also evoked memories of the death of Andries Tatane, a mathematics teacher and community activist in 2011, which was also captured on video. Tatane was attacked at a peaceful protest march by 12 policemen who beat him with batons, kicked him and shot rubber bullets into his chest at close range.

The dispute between Macia and police officers began just before 7pm on Monday. Video shows him gesticulating at an officer but, although there are small gaps in the footage, there is no indication that Macia laid a hand on him. Daily Sun publisher Jeremy Gordin denounced the police account as "a tissue of lies".

Other officers move in and Macia is dragged away, being lifted head-over-heels as police attempt to get him into the police van. He is eventually tied to the van. Onlookers shout that they are going to film the incident and a bystander can be heard shouting in Zulu: "What has this guy done?"

The van moves off while Macia tries in vain to keep step. It then stops, two police officers pick up his legs and drop them to the ground as the vehicle picks up speed and drives off, beyond the view of the camera. The IPID said Macia was found dead in a police cell at 9.15pm.

South African police said the national commissioner, Riah Phiyega "strongly condemned" what had happened and urged people "to remain vigilant and continue to report all acts of crime irrespective of who is involved".

As well as provoking further soul-searching about state violence, Macia's death may also raise fresh concerns about the country's treatment of immigrants. In 2008, Mozambicans were among migrants targeted by rioters, and attacks against foreigners have continued, including allegations of police brutality.

Amnesty's 2012 annual report documented allegations against the South African police of excessive force, torture, rape and "extrajudicial executions". It said the IPID received 720 new cases for investigation of suspicious deaths in custody or in other policing contexts from April 2011 to March 2012.

The Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria has reported that the number of people shot dead by police doubled in the four years to 2010. Deaths in police custody or resulting from police action numbered 860 in 2009-10, against an average of 695 deaths a year from 2003-2008.