News Roundup 02/25/19

1. 91st Academy Awards

Hollywood’s biggest night was held at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on Feb. 24. This year, the award ceremony was host-less for the first time since 1989. The big winners of the night were "Black Panther," "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Green Book" and "Roma." Olivia Colman won the lead actress award for "The Favourite," Rami Malek won the lead actor award for “Bohemian Rhapsody," and Mahershala Ali and Regina King won awards for supporting actors. Alfonso Cuaron was awarded best director for “Roma” and “Green Book" took home the awarded for best picture.

Source: Los Angeles Times

2. New England Patriots Owner, Robert Kraft, Is Charged with Solicitation

It has been less than a month since the Patriots were in the news for winning the Super Bowl, now New England is back in the spotlight, but this time for the owner, Robert Kraft. On Friday Feb. 22, Kraft was charged with two counts of soliciting prostitution in Florida. Detective Andrew Sharp with Jupiter Police Department, mentioned that the police have months worth of footage (that had been recorded by secret cameras) of Kraft in “the midst of a sexual act.” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy stated in an email, "The NFL is aware of the ongoing law enforcement matter and will continue to monitor developments."

Source: NPR

3. Snowfall in the Most Unexpected Areas in Southern California

On Feb. 21, before 2 p.m. reports of snow were documented throughout various cities in Southern California such as: Rancho Cucamonga, Riverside, Pasadena, North Hollywood and Malibu. Cold winds were brought in by a storm that was passing through Southern California which caused the snowfall. The correct term for the “snow” that came down that day is graupel, described as melted flakes.The unexpected weather forced many highways to close down and reopen a couple of hours later. According to California Highway Patrol, there were reports of mudslides and avalanches near Highway 38. One of the many places that received snow was the Chaffey Rancho campus.

Source: Inland Valley Bulletin

4. R. Kelly Charged with Sexual Abuse

On Feb. 22, the R&B singer turned himself in to Chicago Police Department and was charged with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. For over two decades, allegations of sexual impropriety have followed Kelly and before Friday’s arrest, he had been in custody and charged with 21 count of child pornography, that he was later acquitted of in 2008. Kelly has been under investigation since Lifetime’s television series, “Surviving R. Kelley” debuted earlier this year. The series consisted of young women detailing the physical, mental, and sexual abuse Kelley put them through. Since the series aired, Kim Foxx, Cook County’s State Attorney, pleaded with new accusers to come forward to begin an investigation which has lead them to 4 women accusing him of sexual abuse.

Source: Chicago Sun Times

5. Venezuela Border Standoffs

Four people have been killed and hundreds of others have been injured in attempt to get aid during clashes at the Venezuela-Colombia border and the Venezuela-Brazil border. Nicolás Maduro, the current president of Venezuela has been working to block the aid and had troops fire teargas and rubber bullets to people trying to deliver the aid. None of the shipments made it past border blockades. Tensions have been high in the country ever since Juan Guaidó invoked the constitution to act as interim president in attempts to remove Maduro, who has been president since 2013.

Source: The Guardian