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Omar Mateen’s Wife, Noor Salman, Arrested: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Omar Mateen’s wife, <a href="http://heavy.com/news/2016/06/omar-mateen-wife-noor-zahi-salman-mother-son-children-photos-pictures-facebook-married/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;">Noor Salman</a>, was arrested today by the FBI, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/us/politics/noor-salman-arrested-orlando-shooting-omar-mateen.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The New York Times reported.</a> Her husband killed 49 people and wounded 53 others at Pulse, a gay nightclub, in June. At the time, she said that she had driven him to Pulse before and had tried to talk him out of the attack, but also hadn’t warned anyone.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here’s what you need to know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. Noor Salman Was Charged with Obstruction, One Source Said</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The FBI took Salman into custody in connection with the Pulse shooting. An unnamed source familiar with the arrest told The New York Times that she was charged with obstruction. Prosecutors had been “weighing charges” against her in connection with the shooting for a while.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mateen and Salman had been married since at least 2013 and had a 3-year-old son together. At the time of the shooting, the current status of their relationship wasn’t clear. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/ex-wife-of-suspected-orlando-shooter-he-beat-me/2016/06/12/8a1963b4-30b8-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Washington Post reported</a> that Salman may have left Mateen before the shooting, but other reports said they were still living together. But it later became known that they were still together as a couple before the shooting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. Omar Mateen’s Wife Was Arrested Outside Her San Francisco Home</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The arrest was made Monday morning outside her home in San Francisco, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/16/us/politics/noor-salman-arrested-orlando-shooting-omar-mateen.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The New York Times reported</a>. Her husband had been killed during the attack. She was interviewed by investigators afterward, and some believed she wasn’t telling the truth. Her first appearance will be on Tuesday in San Francisco federal court.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/02/us/politics/orlando-shooting-omar-mateen-noor-salman.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">In an interview with the New York Times in November</a>, she said that Mateen was a “gentle spirit” before they were married, but after they married he became angry, sometimes punching her, pulling her hair, or even choking her. She was afraid to leave him, she said, because she worried he would get custody of their son.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. There Were Rumors that Omar Mateen’s Wife Was Missing After the Pulse Shooting</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At one point, there were rumors and conspiracy theories floating around the Internet that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/the-orlando-shooter-reportedly-gave-his-wife-access-to-his-bank-accounts-before-the-attack-and-now-shes-disappeared-2016-6" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Omar Mateen’s wife, Noor Salman, was missing</a> or in witness protection. Mateen had added her to his life-insurance policy and given her access to his bank accounts. In June, shortly after the shooting, Omar Mateen’s dad, Seddique Mateen, told press that Salman was “<a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-orlando-shooter-fort-pierce-wednesday-20160615-story.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">no longer here</a>” and no longer in the area, when people approached the Fort Pierce home where the family had lived. Deputies who came to the house didn’t comment. <a href="http://www.inquisitr.com/3234498/noor-salman-lost-attorney-general-confirms-that-orlando-shooters-wife-is-missing-out-of-sight-of-authorities/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">In a press conference that week</a>, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said that Salman’s location wasn’t known. A reporter asked if she had left Florida, and Lynch said: “Right now, I don’t know exactly the answer to that. I believe she was going to travel but I do not know exactly her location right now.” The statement sparked an Internet rumor that she had left the country.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">4. Salman Had Told FBI The She Drove Mateen to Pulse Once Before, But Later Said She Didn’t Know His Plans</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Salman had told FBI that she had driven Mateen to the nightclub before the shooting and had tried to talk him out of the attack. <a href="http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-international/Wife-claims-she-tried-to-talk-Omar-Mateen-out-of-attack-382958401.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_CTBrand" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Officials in June told NBC News</a> that they were thinking about filing criminal charges against Salman for not reporting her husband’s plans. NBC said she had been with Mateen when he bought ammo and a holster.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, in November <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/02/us/politics/orlando-shooting-omar-mateen-noor-salman.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">in an interview with The New York Times</a>, Salman said she had no idea that Mateen had plans to attack the nightclub.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">5. She Moved Many Times After the Shooting, Trying to Hide from the Media</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because of all the press surrounding her husband’s attack, Salman moved and tried to keep her new location quiet. In an interview <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/02/us/politics/orlando-shooting-omar-mateen-noor-salman.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">with The New York Times in November</a>, Salman said she had moved three times since the attack in an attempt to avoid the media. She asked them to keep her newest location secret. She said she lived in fear of what she would see on the TV and had to rely on family members to take care of her son.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We will update this story as we have more information.</span></div>

Omar Mateen’s Wife, Noor Salman, Arrested: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Omar Mateen’s wife, Noor Salman , was arrested today by the FBI, The New York Times reported. Her husband killed 49 people and woun...

10:31 AM

Drive By Truckers: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/drive-by-truckers" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Drive By Truckers</a> are an anomaly in the music world. The band is from the deep south of Georgia and Alabama and offer fans a cool, rustic, and fresh sound from the depths of <a href="http://ultimateclassicrock.com/top-southern-rock-songs/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Southern Rock</a>. Drive By Truckers are a revolving band with singer/songwriter, <a href="http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a49069/patterson-hood-interview-drive-by-truckers-american-band/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Patterson Hood</a>, and singer/guitarist <a href="http://www.drivebytruckers.com/pdfs/cooleybio.pdf" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Mike Cooley</a> the only original members of the group left since its inception in 1996. They have since built a loyal fan base through incessant touring, and 11 albums that canvas rock, blues, country, and alternative, with a skewed, political bend.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">Drive By Truckers recently released their 11th record, titled</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/country/features/inside-drive-by-truckers-controversial-american-band-w442758" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">American Band</a></em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">in September of 2016. The critically acclaimed album is the band’s most political to date, railing against Trump-era politics with nearly half of the songs written with lyrics speaking to gun violence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">In honor of the Drive By Truckers serving as musical guests on the</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://teamcoco.com/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Conan O’ Brien </a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">show this coming Monday, January 16th, here are 5 Fast Facts that you should know about the band:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1. Drive By Truckers Sound Varies with a Southern Rock Vibe and a Tongue-In-Cheek Sense of Humor</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Throughout the bands <a href="http://www.drivebytruckers.com/records.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">11 albums</a> there is a clear Southern Rock presence. But the band has never played by the rules; throwing in blues, pure country, alternative rock, and punk influences.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The band’s first record, 1996’s</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11721-gangstabilly-pizza-deliverance/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Gangstabilly</a></em><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">, was their most country-centric record, but given the tongue-in-cheek title of the album, their sense of humor shone through immediately with Hood calling the song “The Living Buddha” the best song he has ever written. The bands third record, and commercial breakthrough, 2001’s</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-rock-albums-every-country-fan-should-own-20141112/drive-by-truckers-southern-rock-opera-2001-20141112" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Southern Rock Opera</a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">, is a double album that imagines every topic within the songs through the context of</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><a href="http://lynyrdskynyrd.com/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Lynyrd Skynyrd</a><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2010’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Big To-Do</em> offered a more alternative sound with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers serving as an influence. 2011’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Go-Go Boots</em> pushed soul music to the listener. The band has never conceded to popular music and has pushed the boundaries of their songs even further with 2016’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">American Band </em>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Drive By Truckers Discography:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1998 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Gangstabilly</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />1999 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pizza Deliverance</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2001 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Southern Rock Opera</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2003 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Decoration Day</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2004 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Dirty South</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2006 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">A Blessing and a Curse</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2008 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Brighter Than Creations Dark</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2010 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">The Big To-Do</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2011 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Go Go Boots</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2014 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">English Oceans</em><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />2016 – <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">American Band</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2. Drive By Truckers have Collaborated with Multiple Musicians</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Drive By Truckers have worked with a list of varied musicians in their 20 year career. In 2007, Drive By Truckers served as the back up band for soul legend <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/10/showbiz/music/bettye-lavette-memoir/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Bettye LaVette </a>on her record <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scene_of_the_Crime" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Scene of the Crime</a></em>. The record sees LaVette reimagine songs by Elton John, Willie Nelson, and Don Henley among others turning them into soul-filled surges of passion. The record was nominated for a Grammy Award in the “Best Contemporary Blues” category.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The band also played as <a href="http://bookert.com/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Booker T.Jones</a> backup band on his 2009 record <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://www.anti.com/releases/potato-hole-2/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Potato Hole</a>.</em> Drive By Truckers were nominated, alongside Jones, for another Grammy Award in the “Best Pop Instrumental Album” category and played live with Booker T. Jones at the 2009 <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwit4u3bqcPRAhXKllQKHavMCDcQFggaMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bonnaroo.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNH1_alX0na3tS2EbZSZhQd3l0M0Ag&bvm=bv.144224172,d.cGw" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Bonnaroo Festival</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Patterson Hood was born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He is the son of David Hood who played bass in the <a href="http://www.alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/1995/muscle-shoals-rhythm-section/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section</a>. He works hard writing and touring with the Truckers, but Hood has also released three solo albums throughout his career including; 2004’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/3982-killers-and-stars/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Killer and Stars</a></em>, 2009’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/13106-murdering-oscar-and-other-love-songs/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs)</a></em>, and 2012’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17023-heat-lightning-rumbles-in-the-distance/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Heat Lighting Rumbles in the Distance</a></em>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3. Patterson Hood is One of the Lead Singers and Main Songwriters for the Band</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Hood works closely with co-founder Mike Cooley to craft the band’s songs. He an extremely prolific, and socially conscious, writer dealing with subjects as diverse as political corruption, police brutality, and corporate crime. Hood exclaimed in an <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/patterson-hood-drive-truckers-wants-bring-trump-down-517163" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">interview with <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Newsweek</em></a> that he, and Cooley, “grew up feeling like part of the loyal opposition in our home state, and watching our state deal with its own history.” In 2015, Hood was featured in an article for<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> the New York Times</em> titled “The South’s Heritage is so Much More Than a Flag.” speaking very eloquently about the Confederate flag and it’s constant misrepresentation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4. The New Record <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">American Band</em> was Inspired by Rapper Kendrick Lamar and Author Ta-Nehisi Coates</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For the <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">American Band</em> record Drive By Truckers found influence with <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/author/ta-nehisi-coates/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ta-Nehisi Coates</a>‘ award winning book <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Between the World</em> and <a href="http://www.kendricklamar.com/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kendrick Lamar’s <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">To Pimp a Butterfly</em></a>. Patterson Hood called <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">To Pimp a Butterfly</em> “the greatest musical work of our current time.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">He goes onto say: “It’s an inspiring album and one that made me question myself,” “I’m a white guy from the South, do I have the right to be singing about this stuff? What can I do? The only conclusion I could come up with was maybe white guys, with Southern accents, who look like rednecks, need to say Black Lives Matter too.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">5. Drive By Truckers Latest Politically-Charged Record, <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">American Band</em>, has been a Critical Success</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">American Band</em> is the seventh Drive By Truckers album in a row to chart on the Billboard 200 with it’s highest chart position at number 26. Multiple media outlets have put the record on their best of 2016 lists including the<em style="box-sizing: border-box;"> <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/kot/sc-drive-by-truckers-american-band-review-ent-1014-20161014-column.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune</a></em> (7), <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/09/drive-by-truckers-american-band-review.html" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Paste Magazine</a></em> (48), and <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2016-w451265/drive-by-truckers-american-band-w451271" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Rolling Stone</a></em>(24).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Nico Lang of <em style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://www.salon.com/2016/10/12/the-new-american-idiot-why-drive-by-truckers-american-band-is-essential-listening-in-the-trump-era/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Salon</a></em> called American Band “the best protest album in years”, and “to 2016 what American Idiot represented for the Bush era – a protest album that rages against the political machine.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Drive By Truckers are a force to be reckoned with in Americana, Country, and Blues circles. They have earned their keep through their tour schedule, and very vocal political perspectives. <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">American Band</em> is a natural progression for the band, and fans should be on the edge of their seats for what comes from them next.</span></div>
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Drive By Truckers: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Drive By Truckers are an anomaly in the music world. The band is from the deep south of Georgia and Alabama and offer fans a cool, rusti...

9:48 AM

Liz Phair - 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Alt-Rock music icon <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Phair" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Liz Phair</a> is arguably one of the living legends of rock & roll, especially for her critically acclaimed album, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://musicmp3.ru/artist_liz-phair__album_exile-in-guyville.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Exile in Guyville</a></i>, which skyrocketed her into the realm of superstardom. So why haven’t we heard from the singer and guitarist in ten years, since her most recent and self-release record, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnevyvpPuLfPrzIbHQryRZt7TkMq8MUen" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Funstyle</a></i>? No matter the reasons, she’s returning to the studio for an epic double album, set for release in 2017, co-written and produced by the critically acclaimed songwriter, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Adams" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ryan Adams</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Though we’re certainly excited about this new release from the acclaimed artist, we know there are some of you out there that don’t need any reminders of why Liz Phair is one of the coolest musicians on the planet. For the rest of you though, we’ve got you covered.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here, we take a look at five fast facts about Liz Phair that we feel that you need to know.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">1. Liz Phair is Recording a Double Album with Ryan Adams for a 2017 Release</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The big news this week that has us all happily reestablishing our love for Liz Phair is her big announcement of a double album. This yet-to-be-titled record sees Phair teaming with acclaimed songwriter Ryan Adams, who has worked with a number of other artists in similar ways. For instance, he helped write and produce <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Lewis" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jenny Lewis</a>‘ 2014 hit album, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vot30mijtmo&list=PLc-yhhlJxAmq18iz89hww17brUaijGizF" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Voyager</a></i> – which is a great example of just how exciting this new Phair album is for indie and alt-rock fans.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As excited as we’re sure you all are for this new record, it’s also great to see that a big fan of Phair and her new material is Ryan Adams. He hasn’t shied away from expressing his excitement about working with the Alt-rocker in his LA-based <a href="http://paxamrecords.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pax-AM Studios</a>, which is clearly evident on his <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRyanAdams" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/misterryanadams/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Instagram</a> accounts.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Honestly, Adams’ excitement around this project is infectious. He shared some of the studio musician credits and other information about the record in a <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRyanAdams/status/820559033543245824" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter post</a>, and also teased a <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRyanAdams/status/820144328961966080" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">brand new Liz Phair song</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. Liz Phair’s ‘Exile in Guyville’ Still Tops Countless Critics’ ‘Best of’ Lists to This Day</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Phair’s debut album, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Exile in Guyville</i> (a play on the <a href="http://heavy.com/music/music-video/rock-music-videos/2012/10/the-rolling-stones-release-first-new-song-in-six-years-doom-and-gloom/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Rolling Stones</a>‘ <i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uDH-7T3F4w" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Exile on Main Street</a></i>), is still considered one of the best records released in the 1990s. It all came together when Phair contacted co-president of <a href="http://www.matadorrecords.com/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Matador Records</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Cosloy" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Gerard Cosloy</a>, and sent him a tape of earlier recordings.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“The songs were amazing. It was a fairly primitive recording, especially compared to the resulting album,” Cosloy said of the demo tape he received from Phair, in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20091027155035/http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Towers/8529/autobiography/whipsmart.htm" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">an oral history</a> of the making of the album. He called the demo songs “really smart, really funny, and really harrowing, sometimes all at the same time.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cosloy offered the singer a $3,000 advance for a single. She then produced an 18-track album we all know now as <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Exile in Guyville</i>, a crass, brash and catchy alternative rock staple in the history of music.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. Liz Phair was Blasted for ‘Selling Out’ with Her 2003 Self-Titled Album</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fast-forward ten years after her debut album on Matador Records, Phair released a self-titled album, which was her first record on Columbia Records. It was also her most polarizing collection of songs, garnering plenty of lackluster reviews aimed at Phair’s new “selling out” sound, according to music critic <a href="http://meghanorourke.net/bio" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Meghan O’Rourke</a>‘s review of the album for The New York Times. The review was entitled, “<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/22/arts/music-liz-phair-s-exile-in-avril-ville.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; outline: 0px;" target="_blank">Liz Phair’s Exile in Avril-ville</a>,” comparing Liz Phair, the alt-rock queen of the ’90s, with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avril_Lavigne" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Avril Lavigne</a>, pop music’s nail-in-the-coffin for alternative music.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">To be fair, <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Liz Phair</em> gave us one of the singer’s biggest hits, “Why Can’t I?” (the music video for which is featured above), which was co-written by the album’s producers, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Matrix_(production_team)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Matrix</a>. This production team had previously worked with pop acts Britney Spears and (unsurprisingly) Avril Lavigne. The song reached the Top 40 in North America, with another single from the album, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I2i5cPHgW8" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Extraordinary</a>,” acquiring licensing placements in commercials and TV shows.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">After the backlash of her new foray into the pop world, Phair ended her contract with Columbia Records with the release of her fifth studio album, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjamXCPyKrQ" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Somebody’s Miracle</a></i>, in 2015. Fans would have to wait five more years for her next release, and then an addition seven for her 2017 release.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">4. Liz Phair’s Lyrics Don’t Shy Away from Vulgarity</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">While listening to Phair’s music, you understand that she isn’t shy at all. The talented songwriter has grabbed the attention of audiences for years through vulgar lyrics that don’t negate the earnestness of the sentiment. While mixing her unique alt-rock and indie influences into a more pop sound, Phair got away with a lot of lyrics that would’ve ended others’ careers.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A great example of these types of lyrics is evident in her <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Exile on Guyville</i> song, “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTa4G6IeZ5U" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Flower</a>.” Those familiar with the song are probably chuckling right now. Here is an example of some of the lyrics … and these are the opening lines, mind you:</span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every time I see your face I get all wet between my legs<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />Every time you pass me by, I heave a sigh of pain</span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">5. Liz Phair had a Short Career Making Music for Popular TV Shows</span></h2>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">While it definitely didn’t threaten her day job, from 2008 to 2009, Phair had a successful, albeit brief career in the TV realm. As you can see from the YouTube video above, Phair co-wrote the theme song to the rebooted <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">90210</i> series for The CW. She <a href="http://pitchfork.com/news/30119-liz-phair-writing-music-for-new-90210/" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">provided music</a> for this show, as well as The CW’s other series, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/video-100-season-2-opening-744339" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The 100</a>.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Phair’s other work on the small screen includes CBS’s <i style="box-sizing: border-box;">Swingtown</i> and ABC’s short-lived <i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFqrGorNQjA" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Super Fun Night</a>, </i>for which Phair received the <a href="https://www.ascap.com/playback/2010/08/radar_report/liz-phair.aspx" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Top Television Composer</a> at the 2014 ASCAP Awards.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She’s also provided her talents as a guest and backup vocalist on a number of recordings. One of these songs is “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC587OXtsAY" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Work</a>” by Jimmy Eat World, off of their 2004 record, <i style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF9E61F0FFB8F95A1" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Futures</a>.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Though she’s currently working on her double album with Ryan Adams, Phair’s long career shows us that the performer is not showing signs of slowing down any time soon. Expect some tour dates and other announcements soon.</span></div>
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Liz Phair - 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

Alt-Rock music icon Liz Phair is arguably one of the living legends of rock & roll, especially for her critically acclaimed album,...

11:24 PM

Vanessa Long, Eddie’s Wife - 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">First Lady Elder Vanessa Griffin Long was the wife of <a href="http://heavy.com/news/2017/01/bishop-eddie-long-cause-of-death-dies-funeral-dead-wife-vanessa-photos-cancer-illness-age/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;">Bishop Eddie Long</a>, the pastor of the New Birth Missionary Church in Lithonia, Georgia. The megachurch announced on Sunday that Long died from cancer at age 63.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">Long and Vanessa were married in 1990. The 57-year-old was his second wife after Dabara S. Houston, to whom he was married from 1981 to 1985. Long and Vanessa had three children together, Eric, Jared and Taylor. Long also had a son with Houston, Edward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">The couple nearly split in 2011, after allegations that Long tried to use his influence to have sexual relationships with young boys. However, in 2012, she called off the divorce and they remained married until Long’s death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">Here’s a look at Vanessa and Long’s relationship.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #111111; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Vanessa Says She’s Confident Long is in a Better Place After His Death</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="embed-youtube" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In a statement after New Birth announced Long’s death, Vanessa Long said she was confident that her husband is in a better place.</span></span><span class="embed-youtube" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="embed-youtube" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I am confidant through my belief in God that my husband is now resting in a better place. Although, his transition leaves a void for those of us who loved him dearly, we can celebrate and be happy for him, knowing he’s at peace,” Vanessa said on January 15.</span></span><span class="embed-youtube" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="embed-youtube" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The church only said that Long fought a “gallant private fight with an aggressive form of cancer,” but did not specify what form of cancer it was,</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/local/bishop-eddie-long-dies-aggressive-form-cancer-church-says/K7oodHbeXnjyOc3JgVuyVI/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">notes the Atlanta Journal Constitution</a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">.</span></span><span class="embed-youtube" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span class="embed-youtube" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: block; text-align: left;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">2. She Almost Divorced Long After He Was Accused of Trying to Have Sexual Relationships Young Boys</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In 2010, Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg and Jamal Parris accused Long of sexually abusing them as teenagers. Long denied these allegations, but in December 2011, Vanessa filed for divorce. <a href="http://www.cbs46.com/story/16172531/bishop-eddie-longs-wife-files-for-divorce" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">According to CBS46</a>, Vanessa said in a statement that she filed for divorce on December 1, 2011, claiming that their marriage was “irretrievably broken” and there was “no hope of reconciliation.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">Vanessa’s statement on the divorce read:</span><br />
<i style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">“After a great deal of deliberation and prayer, I have decided to terminate my marriage to Bishop Eddie L. Long. Accordingly, I authorized my attorneys to file for divorce on December 1, 2011.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">“It is my sincere hope that this matter can be resolved expeditiously, harmoniously, and fairly. I ask that you respect my privacy and that of my family, as my attorneys and I have agreed that we will not try this case in the media, and I do not intend to make any further statements concerning this matter.</i><br />
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<i style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">“I also ask that the public pray for my entire family during this difficult period of transition.</i><br />
<i style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">“Thank you, and may God continue to bless and keep each of you.”</i><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">But later that month, Vanessa and her lawyers released contradictory statements. At first, she said that she withdrew her petition for divorce, but then her lawyer said that she “determined that dismissal of her divorce petition is not appropriate at this time.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">However, by September 2012, she </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Long" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">decided</a><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"> against divorcing and remained married to Long until his death.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">Flagg, Parris, Robinson and Spencer LeGrande accused Long of using his influence and buying them gifts to coerce them into having a sexual relationship with them. Long denied the charges, but settled out of court. The settlements were not publicly disclosed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">3. She Pulled the Divorce to Help Others ‘Going Through a Storm’</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In August 2012, Vanessa explained to the Heart to Heart women’s ministry why she had not divorced her husband, <a href="http://www.christianpost.com/news/eddie-long-divorce-storm-discussed-by-wife-vanessa-long-81141/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">reports the Christian Post</a>. “I was in the middle of a storm, and I got off the ship,” she said of her decision to pursue a divorce at first.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">When Long finally spoke out about the divorce that didn’t happen, she argued that by not getting it, she can help others dealing with crises in their lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">“I realized that the best thing I could do was to let you see me as a woman, just like you. A woman capable of making good decisions and a woman capable of making bad decisions,” she explained. “Instead of condemning myself, I can use what happened as an opportunity to minister myself to someone else going through a storm.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">According to the above video, created in 1995, Vanessa was a native of Columbus, Georgia and graduated from Carver High School. She was also crowned Miss Carver High and was described as a quiet student who made her presence known. After high school, she attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta and got a B.S. in Office Management. Her first job after college was with the federal government. A mutual friend introduced her to Long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">4. She Was By Long’s Side When He Announced He was Healed in October 2016</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Recently, Long looked thin and there was speculation that he was ill, <a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/local/bishop-eddie-long-dies-aggressive-form-cancer-church-says/K7oodHbeXnjyOc3JgVuyVI/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">notes the Atlanta Journal Constitution</a>. He never talked about his illness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">However, in October 2016, he told the church that god has healed him, as seen in the video above. Vanessa was by his side when he made that announcement. He then had a healing service to help those in the congregation also suffering from pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">5. Long & Vanessa Had 3 Children Together</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vanessa and Long had three children together – sons Eric and Jared and daughter Taylor. Long also had a son with his first wife, Dabara S. Houston, named Edward.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">In 2012, </span><a href="https://praisecleveland.hellobeautiful.com/1433481/bishop-eddie-longs-son-edward-long-making-headlines/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Praise 94.5 noted</a><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"> that Edward Long recorded a song called “Da Dirty Bird” as a dance for Atlanta Falcons fans. Edward Long continues to perform under the name </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/IAmEDwardLong/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1177aa; font-family: times, "times new roman", serif; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">ED</a><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">Long also had three grandchildren.</span></div>
</div>

Vanessa Long, Eddie’s Wife - 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

First Lady Elder Vanessa Griffin Long was the wife of Bishop Eddie Long , the pastor of the New Birth Missionary Church in Lithonia, ...

11:34 AM

Ringling Bros. Circus to Close After 146 Years The "Greatest Show on Earth" will conclude its two tours with final performances on the East Coast.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf_iY2YgDSDmNwOPs2Z3k0HKvXiwFZpwDzwkJiPeTatIckHuv0kBXCZjkRnJdlScW7_87lHQfixEp-ChvV-IQaIVXgW12xV1BoX1vSRX51iXlSq9anmzq1u48FrBh8-8oFdm_R0OEl4c/s1600/ringling-1484490709-4500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCf_iY2YgDSDmNwOPs2Z3k0HKvXiwFZpwDzwkJiPeTatIckHuv0kBXCZjkRnJdlScW7_87lHQfixEp-ChvV-IQaIVXgW12xV1BoX1vSRX51iXlSq9anmzq1u48FrBh8-8oFdm_R0OEl4c/s320/ringling-1484490709-4500.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The famed Ringling Bros. circus is closing down for good after a 146-year run, Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, said in a statement posted to the circus website.<br /><br />The circus will hold its last shows in May with the Circus XTREME concluding its tour at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., on May 7 and the Out Of This World production concluding with a final show at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. In the statement, Feld cited high operating costs and declining ticket sales, which apparently saw a further drop after the circus stopped using elephants responding to growing pressure from animal rights activists.<br /><br />"Nearly 50 years ago, my father founded our company with the acquisition of Ringling Bros. The circus and its people have continually been a source of inspiration and joy to my family and me, which is why this was such a tough business decision to make," Feld said in the statement. "The decision was even more difficult because of the amazing fans that have become part of our extended circus family over the years, and we are extremely grateful to the millions of families who have made Ringling Bros. part of their lives for generations. We know Ringling Bros. isn’t only our family business, but also your family tradition."<br /><br />The 500 employees or so that work for the circus were told of the decision to close the show Saturday night, The Associated Press reported. Some of those employees will be given jobs at the company's other shows but most will be out of a job, according to the AP report. And as for the animals, the circus said they will find homes for them.<br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 1.2em;">Along with the final shows, both circuses will perform a total of <a href="https://www.ringling.com/tickets-schedules/" style="background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0a74c6;" target="_blank">30 shows</a> with major stops including Atlanta, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston and Brooklyn.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18.2px; margin-bottom: 1.2em;"><b><span style="color: red;">The Idiotic Animal rights group PETA hailed the closing of what they dubbed, "the saddest show on earth."</span></b></div>

Ringling Bros. Circus to Close After 146 Years The "Greatest Show on Earth" will conclude its two tours with final performances on the East Coast.

The famed Ringling Bros. circus is closing down for good after a 146-year run, Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, said in...

8:29 AM

Little faggot Looking Dem Rep Gutierrez: Trump Is a ‘Threat to Me’ ‘And to America’

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Dem Rep Gutierrez should have been indicted already... shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars from his campaign fund to his wife and daughters and also shaking down the U of I Village for a condo for his daughter that they flipped for a large profit.... DONALD TRUMP INDICT THIS ASSHOLE! </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1i6yhxeMlsDbJrkPOg7PX0iwquJhYrJTEEbJ2GYwR5OVRw8L7-nvPfHtB-5uDyJ61aUR6hzwfs5niKBoKtnNa-OlbD5VixXBlgkfn0YHKQW8hZpMFetWaQ4Hllf38dO5wmp6RDZa-4s/s1600/%257E%257E%257EIllegal-beaner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1i6yhxeMlsDbJrkPOg7PX0iwquJhYrJTEEbJ2GYwR5OVRw8L7-nvPfHtB-5uDyJ61aUR6hzwfs5niKBoKtnNa-OlbD5VixXBlgkfn0YHKQW8hZpMFetWaQ4Hllf38dO5wmp6RDZa-4s/s640/%257E%257E%257EIllegal-beaner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">During an <a class=" x5l" href="http://radio.foxnews.com/2017/01/13/gutierrez-president-elect-trump-is-a-threat-to-me-my-family-america/" rel="noopener" style="border: 0px; color: #0088bb; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">interview</a> on Friday’s “Alan Colmes Show” on Fox News Radio, Representative Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) characterized President-Elect Donald Trump as “a threat to me, my country, my grandson, my daughters, my wife, to all the important people in my life, and to America.”</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gutierrez said, “I never thought of a President of the United States as a threat to me, my country, my grandson, my daughters, my wife, to all the important people in my life, and to America. I was never — this one is different.”</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b><a href="http://www.breitbart.com/video/2017/01/13/dem-rep-gutierrez-trump-is-a-threat-to-me-and-to-america/" target="_blank">CLICK FOR MORE</a></b></div>

Little faggot Looking Dem Rep Gutierrez: Trump Is a ‘Threat to Me’ ‘And to America’

Dem Rep Gutierrez should have been indicted already... shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars from his campaign fund to his wife and ...

8:27 AM

Tinley Park Police Chief Steve Neubauer - TINLEY PARK - Uptick in Ruse Burglar Targeting the Elderly

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HHx39Ngh0DC_c11EsRhZGPbs-M0dzBW_YyrGrWcYZ1YArQY7L7Z8YDnT_3p54JBPd5Z3Tz0DGmhW0bHuHKf7ok3CBrCSUZJKUpswTWK3EBZ74hSmY-Fm6GVAyomS4suDaEScvqscvsA/s1600/gypsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HHx39Ngh0DC_c11EsRhZGPbs-M0dzBW_YyrGrWcYZ1YArQY7L7Z8YDnT_3p54JBPd5Z3Tz0DGmhW0bHuHKf7ok3CBrCSUZJKUpswTWK3EBZ74hSmY-Fm6GVAyomS4suDaEScvqscvsA/s640/gypsy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park police are reminding residents to be vigilant after a report of a ruse Gypsy burglar preying on a local senior citizen.<br /><br />On Friday, January 6, a senior citizen in the 16800 block of Oketo received a visitor who said "he was sent by the victim’s son to discuss landscaping options." The victim let the subject into the home. Police said the suspect then "made small talk while searching the house."<br /><br />The subject left the house and the victim noted he was missing some cash, said Tinley Park Police Chief Steve Neubauer. The victim was not harmed in any way. The intruder is described as a dirty filthy Gypsy male, about 5-foot-10 and possibly in his 30’s.<br /><br />The Tinley Park Police Department notes these types of criminals typically target senior citizens.<br /><br />Residents are reminded not to let uninvited people into their home. Call 9-1-1 to report any suspicious people or activity.

Tinley Park Police Chief Steve Neubauer - TINLEY PARK - Uptick in Ruse Burglar Targeting the Elderly

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park police are reminding residents to be vigilant after a report of a ruse Gypsy burglar preying on a local senior...

8:24 AM

Black College - Talladega College “Great Tornados” - Resists Calls to Withdraw From Performing at Inauguration and Raises Thousands as a Result

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMi_eDD2B3ETi3O_BLvxf-PDbw3rMh6ESZOgMvcvhLYzS-_mzlsI-ZoolfOXFHF74xTj8a2jaFg1vWNRhv_rJ4VokS0u2Wn6T44xyoCDwOsKq-WUPDFkPdrvjjhcBVVQU0gDQhcxby-U/s1600/Screen-Shot-2017-01-14-at-1.11.04-PM-1024x338.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMi_eDD2B3ETi3O_BLvxf-PDbw3rMh6ESZOgMvcvhLYzS-_mzlsI-ZoolfOXFHF74xTj8a2jaFg1vWNRhv_rJ4VokS0u2Wn6T44xyoCDwOsKq-WUPDFkPdrvjjhcBVVQU0gDQhcxby-U/s640/Screen-Shot-2017-01-14-at-1.11.04-PM-1024x338.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: FreightText; font-size: 19.2px; margin-left: 2rem !important; margin-right: 2rem !important;">The Talladega College “Great Tornados” received more good news this week.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: FreightText; font-size: 19.2px; margin-left: 2rem !important; margin-right: 2rem !important;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: FreightText; font-size: 19.2px; margin-left: 2rem !important; margin-right: 2rem !important;">The historically black college band from Alabama that <a href="http://ijr.com/2017/01/768585-historically-black-colleges-band-is-set-to-perform-at-trump-inauguration-despite-getting-push-back/" style="color: #0288d1; text-decoration: none;">agreed to participate</a> in Trump's inauguration parade will officially be able to perform on January 20th.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: FreightText; font-size: 19.2px; margin-left: 2rem !important; margin-right: 2rem !important;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: FreightText; font-size: 19.2px; margin-left: 2rem !important; margin-right: 2rem !important;">Despite a few weeks of public outcry and backlash, Talladega College announced Wednesday that they have far exceeded their fundraising goal of $75,000. Currently, the black college band has raised more than $359,486 through a <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/great-tornado-to-inaugural-parade" style="color: #0288d1; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">GoFundMe.org</a> page — and the donations keep pouring in.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: FreightText; font-size: 19.2px; margin-left: 2rem !important; margin-right: 2rem !important;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: FreightText; font-size: 19.2px; margin-left: 2rem !important; margin-right: 2rem !important;"><b><a href="http://ijr.com/2017/01/778246-college-resists-calls-to-withdraw-from-performing-at-inauguration-and-raises-thousands-as-a-result/" target="_blank">CLICK FOR MORE</a></b></div>

Black College - Talladega College “Great Tornados” - Resists Calls to Withdraw From Performing at Inauguration and Raises Thousands as a Result

The Talladega College “Great Tornados” received more good news this week. The historically black college band from Alabama that agreed to p...

8:17 AM

Getting Reports of more Oak Lawn Armed Robberies by Feral Negroes - Huntington Bank, 10240 S. Cicero Ave & an unconfirmed report of Andy's Frozen Custard 9507 S Cicero Ave

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYVlpekp_UaO05PeMozP-S9ZHAbnrO0VR3Pd6KJc2tO-uL42gfJgadAMX1an9XVGh85vAawUK9WDA5Kg7IOuJtX9iOUCt8CwVlbv5YgOzElnTPvp1i0p9De2893952R-SY4MhMPsIL3Q/s1600/alert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYVlpekp_UaO05PeMozP-S9ZHAbnrO0VR3Pd6KJc2tO-uL42gfJgadAMX1an9XVGh85vAawUK9WDA5Kg7IOuJtX9iOUCt8CwVlbv5YgOzElnTPvp1i0p9De2893952R-SY4MhMPsIL3Q/s400/alert.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>OAK LAWN, IL — Authorities are investigating a bank robbery Friday morning in Oak Lawn.<br /><br />The crime occurred at 10:52 a.m. at Huntington Bank, 10240 S. Cicero Ave., according to FBI spokesman Garrett Croon.<br /><br />The suspect is described as a feral Negro, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-11, wearing black clothing and black sunglasses, the FBI said. He fled southbound on foot.

Getting Reports of more Oak Lawn Armed Robberies by Feral Negroes - Huntington Bank, 10240 S. Cicero Ave & an unconfirmed report of Andy's Frozen Custard 9507 S Cicero Ave

OAK LAWN, IL — Authorities are investigating a bank robbery Friday morning in Oak Lawn. The crime occurred at 10:52 a.m. at Huntington Bank,...

8:09 AM

Three executed in Bahrain

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Three men were executed by firing squad in Bahrain this morning (15th) according to the Attorney General.</div>
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The three men executed were Ali Al-Singace (21), Abbas Al-Samea (27) and Sami Mushaima (42).<br />
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Commenting, Maya Foa, a director of international human rights group Reprieve, said:</div>
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"It is nothing short of an outrage - and a disgraceful breach of international law - that Bahrain has gone ahead with these executions. The death sentences handed to Ali, Sami and Abbas were based on 'confessions' <a href="http://deathpenaltynews.blogspot.com/2017/01/bahrainis-protest-over-fears-for-three.html" target="_blank">extracted through torture, and the trial an utter sham</a>.</div>
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"It would be shameful if the UK continued to support Bahrain's security apparatus and Ministry of Interior in the face of such terrible abuses. The British Government must urgently review its close relations with the Kingdom, and make clear that it condemns these appalling crimes."</div>
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"The execution of these torture victims was made possible by various actors in Bahrain's criminal justice system, and the UK is providing assistance to all of them. In the last four years, the UK government has paid more than 5 million pounds to train Bahraini police officers, prosecutors, judges, prison guards in the death row prison where these men were held, and a supposedly 'independent' torture watchdog which declared one of these men was lying about his torture allegations without ever conducting a medical examination.”</div>
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The three men are the first people executed in Bahrain since <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde11/003/2010/en/" target="_blank">2010</a>, and the first Bahrainis executed since <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde11/007/1996/en/" target="_blank">1996</a>. </div>
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The execution came less than a week after Bahrain's highest court <a href="http://www.reprieve.org.uk/press/three-executions-bahrain-imminent-without-urgent-action/" target="_blank">upheld</a> their death sentence on Monday 9 January 2017. </div>
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There are now concerns about two other men on Bahrain's death row who are also at imminent risk of execution, <a href="http://www.reprieve.org.uk/case-study/mohammed-ramadan/" target="_blank">Mohammed Ramadan</a> and Husain Moosa. Both say they were tortured into providing false confessions at the same police station as the three men who were executed today.</div>
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 Torture</h3>
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The executions went ahead despite serious concerns that their convictions were based on evidence obtained under torture.</div>
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A UN Special Rapporteur, Dr Agnes Callamard, has called them “<a href="https://twitter.com/agnescallamard" target="_blank">extrajudicial killings”</a>.</div>
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During his police interrogation, Mr Mushaima was beaten, electrocuted and sexually assaulted. Although he was illiterate, he was forced to sign a document that he could not read.</div>
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Mr al-Samea, a school teacher, was also tortured during his interrogation, including electric shocks to his genitals and suspending him from the ceiling. He was sentenced to death even though his school provided an alibi letter.</div>
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The third man, Ali al-Singace, was just a teenager when he was convicted in absentia. His mother says he was also tortured into making a false confession after police arrested him.</div>
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Their families were summoned to Bahrain's Jau prison on Saturday for their final visit, although jail authorities refused to tell them that this was what was happening. They describe being surrounded by over 50 police officers and heightened security procedures at Jau.</div>
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 UK complicity</h3>
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The UK Foreign Office has spent over £5 million in aid money on reforming Bahrain's human rights record since protests swept the Gulf kingdom in 2011.</div>
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However, Reprieve has evidence that this aid program failed to protect the three men from torture and execution, and actually contributed to their abuse.</div>
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Documents obtained by Reprieve, and reported in the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/14/uk-links-bahrain-torture-prisons-yarls-wood" target="_blank">Observer</a> today, reveal that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jan/14/uk-links-bahrain-torture-prisons-yarls-wood" target="_blank">Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons</a> helped plan inspections of custody facilities in Bahrain, including the CID station where all three men were tortured (both before and after the inspection.) The six-page inspection report failed to mention their allegations of torture.</div>
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Bahrain's police has received repeated training from the UK's <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2016/aug/29/british-police-criticised-for-lack-of-transparency-in-bahrain-training-deal" target="_blank">College of Policing</a>, which refuses to publish full details about its work.</div>
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Hundreds of prison guards at the death row jail where the executed men were detained have been trained by a Stormont-owned body, <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ni-company-urged-to-stop-training-bahrain-security-forces-1.2811018" target="_blank">Northern Ireland Co-operation Overseas</a> (NI-CO).</div>
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NI-CO also trained two oversight institutions in Bahrain, an Ombudsman and a <a href="http://bna.bh/portal/en/news/656189">Special Investigations Unit</a>, which rejected Mr al-Samea's torture complaint without conducting a proper investigation.</div>
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➤ Reprieve’s research into UK support for Bahrain is available <a href="http://www.reprieve.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/BelfastToBahrain.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, while further detail about the cases is available on request.</div>
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➤ A pre-recorded video interview of Ali al-Singace's mother is available on request</div>
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Source: Reprieve, January 15, 2017</div>
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Boris Johnson's Bahrain response 'woefully inadequate' - Reprieve</h2>
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International human rights organization Reprieve has criticised the response of the UK Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, to Bahrain's execution this morning of three men . </div>
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The three men, Ali Al-Singace (21), Abbas Al-Samea (27) and Sami Mushaima (42), were executed by firing squad after being convicted on the basis of forced 'confessions'. </div>
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A <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/15/bahrain-three-men-death-sentence-shia-muslims-gulf" target="_blank">statement</a> from the Foreign Secretary did not confirm whether the Government took steps to prevent the executions. The statement also did not address concerns, raised by Reprieve, over the risk of UK complicity in the executions and other abuses such as torture. </div>
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Mr Johnson said: "The UK is firmly opposed to the death penalty, and it is our longstanding position to oppose capital sentences in all circumstances. The Bahraini authorities are fully aware of our position and I have raised the issue with the Bahraini Government."</div>
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The UK Foreign Office has spent over £5 million in aid money on reforming Bahrain's human rights record since protests swept the Gulf kingdom in 2011. Reprieve has gathered information that suggests the assistance programme failed to protect the three men from torture.</div>
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Commenting, Maya Foa, a director of international human rights group Reprieve, said:</div>
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"The UK is one of Bahrain's biggest backers - last year Boris Johnson's Department oversaw £2m of support to the Kingdom's prisons and wider criminal justice system. Unfortunately, the Bahraini bodies trained by the UK repeatedly failed to properly investigate appalling torture allegations lodged by the men who were executed today. Given this fact - and the grave miscarriages of justice that have taken place today - the Foreign Secretary's statement is woefully inadequate. It fails even to confirm whether HMG had opposed the imminent executions during recent high level meetings with Bahraini officials.</div>
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"The Government should immediately suspend its involvement with Bahrain's criminal justice system and Ministry of Interior, and make clear to the Kingdom's leaders that the UK unequivocally condemns its actions."</div>
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Source: Reprieve, January 15, 2017<br />
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Three executed in Bahrain

Three men were executed by firing squad in Bahrain this morning (15th) according to the Attorney General. The three men executed were...

7:54 AM