Son sang so the singer was fined

BERLIN-- A Bavarian court found a folk singer guilty Friday of violating Germany's strict child labor laws for having his 4-year-old son perform on stage with him during an evening concert. Angelo Kelly, 39, was fined 3000 euros ($3,600) by the Hassfurt administrative court for the 2019 appearance at an open air summer concert with his son William, who sang "What a Wonderful World." The boy is the youngest of Kelly's five children. "During this performance, the child William stood for at least 30 minutes on the stage where he played along, sang along and interpreted his own song," the court said, according to the dpa news agency. "This is considered work by the Youth Labor Protection Act." Kelly, who is popular in Germany, said on his Facebook page that he would appeal the verdict. "As a father, the well-being of my children is the most important thing for me," he wrote. "William was and is never obliged to appear with us at our shows. If he did it, it was because he wanted to." Children ages 3 to 6 can take part in musical performances under German law for up to two hours a day, but only with official approval of an exception and only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., dpa reported. William, who is now 5, appeared on stage until 8:20 p.m., according to authorities. Kelly's attorney, Julian Ackermann, blasted the ruling, saying that interpreting a "brief appearance on the stage in the presence of one's mother and siblings at a concert given by one's own father" as child labor was legally wrong and "far removed from the facts."

Man proposes with stolen rings

ORANGE CITY, Fla. -- A Florida man stole an engagement ring and wedding bands from a girlfriend and used them to propose to another girlfriend. Volusia County Sheriff's deputies issued an arrest warrant for Joseph Davis, 48. Their investigation started earlier this year when a woman from Orange City told detectives she had discovered her boyfriend was actually engaged to someone else. When she looked up the fiancee's Facebook page, she noticed a photo of her wearing a wedding band and engagement ring that was identical to her own from a prior marriage. When the Orange City woman checked her jewelry box, she found her rings were missing, as were several other pieces of jewelry, including a diamond ring that belonged to her grandmother. The total value of the stolen property was about $6,270. Orange City is located halfway between Orlando and Daytona Beach. The Orange City woman reached out to the fiancee, who returned some of the items, and they both called it off with Davis, who also went by the names "Joe Brown" and "Marcus Brown." The fiancee, who lives in Orlando, told detectives she had been duped too. Davis once took the fiancee to a house that actually belonged to the Orange City woman, while she was at work, and claimed it was his. He then asked the fiancee to move in with him, but he then disappeared. By that time, the fiancee discovered her laptop computer and jewelry were missing. Even though they did not have his real name, the jilted women remembered he had a relative in North Carolina who identified Davis.

Timberlake says sorry, so sorry

NEW YORK -- In a lengthy social media post, Justin Timberlake says that he wants to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson "because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed." "I've seen the messages, tags, comments, and concerns and I want to respond. I am deeply sorry for the times in my life where my actions contributed to the problem, where I spoke out of turn, or did not speak up for what was right. I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism," he wrote Friday. Timberlake's social media post comes a week after the release of "The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney," the FX and Hulu documentary that takes a historical look at the circumstances that led to Spears' conservatorship in 2008 and highlights the #FreeBritney movement of fans who want to see her released from it and given control of her life. The documentary aired an old interview when Timberlake spoke about sleeping with his former girlfriend and indicated that he ridiculed her by hiring a look-a-like for his "Cry Me a River" music video. Fans called out Timberlake for contributing to Spears' very public breakdown and controlling the narrative about the end of their relationship. More backlash hit Timberlake as social media began to recall the wardrobe malfunction with Jackson that caused a national controversy at the 2004 Super Bowl.

Ex-spokesman kills himself

IRVING, Texas -- A former campaign spokesman for freshman Rep. Beth Van Duyne, of Texas, shot and killed himself outside of the Irving Republican's home, police said Thursday. The congresswoman was inside her home when she heard a gunshot Wednesday afternoon, looked outside and saw Richard Christian Dillard's body, Officer Robert Reeves said. The police department said investigators had not determined a motive. Dillard was the communications director for Van Duyne's campaign until last April. He also was a public affairs officer for the Texas State Guard. Van Duyne said Dillard was a longtime friend who had been in her home numerous times for holiday parties, fantasy football drafts and other occasions. "I am still shocked and grieving that Chris would take his life," she said. "I've spoken with Chris's mother to offer my condolences and asked her how to support her during this difficult time. I'm devastated for her, his daughter and grandchildren, we are praying for Chris's family and loved ones and ask that everyone please respect their privacy," Van Duyne, a former Irving mayor, added. In her statement, she did not speculate as to why Dillard might have killed himself or why he chose to do it in front of her home.

White House aide suspended

WASHINGTON -- White House deputy press secretary T.J. Ducklo has been suspended for a week without pay after he reportedly issued a sexist and profane threat to a journalist seeking to cover his relationship with another reporter. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday that Ducklo's conduct was "completely unacceptable." Psaki said while she had not spoken about the incident with President Joe Biden, Ducklo and aides "at the highest levels" of the White House's communications team had apologized for the incident. "No one wants anyone to feel uncomfortable, to be put in an uncomfortable position," Psaki said. Psaki said in a statement earlier Friday that Ducklo had been suspended without pay with the approval of White House chief of staff Ron Klain. Ducklo's personal life came under scrutiny earlier this week when Politico reported on his relationship with a reporter for the news outlet Axios who was assigned to cover the Biden campaign and its transition. Before Politico broke the story Tuesday, People Magazine published a glowing profile of the relationship. It was the first time either one had publicly acknowledged the relationship. On Friday, Vanity Fair published a report citing two unnamed sources that Ducklo had threatened the Politico reporter to try to suppress the story, telling her "I will destroy you." Psaki said that when Ducklo returns, he won't be assigned to work with any Politico reporters.

Violation of the cancel culture

BEIJING -- Chinese state TV included dancers in blackface portraying Africans in a holiday gala for the second time in three years, prompting criticism online, as Asia welcomed the Year of the Ox with muted festivities amid travel curbs to contain renewed coronavirus outbreaks. The "African Song and Dance" performance Thursday came at start of the Spring Festival Gala, one of the world's most-watched TV programs. It included Chinese dancers in African-style costumes and dark face makeup beating drums. The five-hour annual program, which state TV has said in the past is seen by as many as 800 million viewers, also included tributes to nurses, doctors and others who fought the coronavirus pandemic that began in central China in late 2019. On Twitter, Black Livity China, a group for people of African descent who work in or with China, called the broadcast "extremely disappointing." It noted CCTV's 2018 Spring Gala featured performers in blackface with a monkey.

Man leaves $5M to pet dog

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- It won't be a dog's life for a Tennessee canine whose owner recently died. Lulu, an 8-year-old border collie, will be living the good life in Nashville after inheriting $5 million in her owner's will. Martha Burton, Lulu's caretaker, told the station Lulu's owner, Bill Dorris, was a successful businessman who wasn't married and died late last year. His will states the money should be put into a trust for Lulu's care. It allows for Burton to be reimbursed for reasonable monthly expenses in the care of Lulu. "He just really loved the dog," said Burton, who was friends with Dorris and would take care of the dog when he traveled. She says she doesn't know if she could ever spend $5 million on Lulu. "Well, I'd like to try," she said with a smile. Dorris owned land along Interstate 65 where a controversial statue of Confederate Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest is located. The fate of the statue and the rest of the estate may be determined in probate court.

Re-enacting chicken found

CULLMAN, Ala. -- A Mississippi teen who lost his Civil War-re-enacting pet chicken Peep outside a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Alabama was reunited with the bird courtesy of a farmer who helped find the fowl. Thomas Ramsey, who founded a military reenactment group for youth, told The Cullman Times he was headed home from a weekend event at Spring Hill, Tennessee, when he stopped with a friend at the restaurant in Cullman on Jan. 31. He left Peep, a rooster that participates in simulated battles, tied to his truck in the parking lot. Ramsey, 18, said he and his friend walked out about an hour later to discover the chicken had flown the coop and was nowhere to be seen. "I went back into the Cracker Barrel and it was very hard for me to say this with a straight face, even though I was panicking: 'Do you have cameras in the parking lot? I think someone stole my chicken,'" said Ramsey, of Copiah County south of Jackson. Someone overheard and said they had seen Peep wandering in the parking lot. An animal control officer got involved in the hunt and "missing chicken" photos of Peep soon spread on social media pages around Cullman, a city of about 16,000 people 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Birmingham. With no sign of Peep, Ramsey continued the drive home. Then he got a message that the bird had been found outside the Cracker Barrel and farmer John Watson, who posted advice on catching Peep, had the rooster and was headed to Birmingham to meet Ramsey for a reunion. "I believe in paying it forward," said Watson. "God has blessed my family so much throughout the years, I believe we should be kind to our fellow man. Yes, it was 'just a chicken,' but it was his and he clearly cared for it." Ramsey said Civil War soldiers sometimes had animals with them on the battlefield, so he takes Peep to reenactments. During the first one Peep attended, he said, the bird got out of a bag and wandered around during simulated battle. "There's about 10 cannons just blazing and all the rifle fire and he's not going crazy. He's pretty chill," Ramsey said.

Explosions in fireworks factory

NEW DELHI -- Several explosions at a private fireworks factory in southern India killed at least 15 workers and injured 26 others on Friday Ten fire engines were called to fight the fire, which destroyed four sheds at the factory. The explosions occurred while chemicals were being mixed by the workers to make fireworks. Fireworks manufacturing is a big business in India, where fireworks are often set off at festivals and weddings.

Fake heir released from prison

NEW YORK -- Anna Sorokin, a grifter convicted of paying for a lavish lifestyle by impersonating a wealthy German heiress, has been released from a New York prison. A Manhattan jury found the 29-year-old Sorokin guilty in April 2019 of grand larceny and other charges. Prosecutors had accused her of tricking people into believing she was an heiress with a fortune of about $67 million by claiming her father was a diplomat or an oil baron. They said she used the funds to cover her high-end clothing, luxury hotel stays and trans-Atlantic travel. In one instance, prosecutors said she forged financial records in an application for a $22 million loan to fund a private arts club. She was denied the loan but persuaded one bank to lend her $100,000 she failed to repay.

No execution without pastor

ATMORE, Ala.-- An Alabama inmate won a reprieve from a planned lethal injection after the U.S. Supreme Court said the state must allow his personal pastor in the death chamber. Thursday's scheduled execution of Willie B. Smith III was called off by Alabama officials after the justices maintained an injunction issued by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, saying he could not be executed without his pastor present in chamber. Alabama has maintained that non-prison staff should not be in the room for security reasons. Twenty years ago, Smith abducted a woman at gunpoint from an ATM, stole $80 from her and then took her to a cemetery where he shot her in the back of the head. The victim was the sister of a police detective. "Willie Smith is sentenced to death, and his last wish is to have his pastor with him as he dies," Justice Elena Kagan wrote in an opinion joined by three other justices, including Amy Coney Barrett. "Alabama has not carried its burden of showing that the exclusion of all clergy members from the execution chamber is necessary to ensure prison security. So the State cannot now execute Smith without his pastor present, to ease what Smith calls the 'transition between the worlds of the living and the dead,'" Kagan wrote.

Mardi Gras crowds not welcome

Crowds are usually welcome and even encouraged in tourist-dependent New Orleans in the days leading up to Mardi Gras but as the final weekend of the 2021 season began Friday, police warned that crowds won't be tolerated amid efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Police chief Shaun Ferguson held a news conference with state police and the New Orleans sheriff to drive home the point, saying a bar closure order that took effect Friday would be enforced through Fat Tuesday, the end of the annual pre-Lenten festivities. All parades in the city have been canceled. Ferguson emphasized that Bourbon Street would be closed to cars and pedestrians from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. each day, with access limited to residents, business employees, hotel guests and restaurant patrons. Restaurant capacity will be limited as it has been throughout the pandemic. And bars, including those that have temporary food permits enabling them to operate as restaurants, will be closed -- not just in the French Quarter but throughout the city -- until Ash Wednesday. Other popular entertainment areas, including Decatur Street in the French Quarter and Frenchmen Street in the nearby Marigny neighborhood were to be shut down during what are normally peak hours. And a popular corridor outside the French Quarter that is a gathering spot for locals was being put off limits with fencing.

Timing of next flight up in air

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A window is set to open for Virgin Galactic to make another attempt at a rocket-powered flight from New Mexico to the fringe of space, but the company announced Friday it would be holding off on a new effort. Virgin Galactic said t that during pre-flight preparations, it was decided more time was needed for technical checks and the team would be working to identify the next opportunity to hit what would be a key milestone as the promise of commercial flights continues to loom. The last attempt in December was cut short when computer trouble prevented the spaceship's rocket from firing properly. Instead of soaring toward space, the ship and its two pilots were forced to make an immediate landing by gliding back down to the runway at Spaceport America in New Mexico.

Twitter posing professor quits

A white, male University of New Hampshire chemistry professor has resigned after being accused of posing as a female immigrant of color on Twitter to make racist and sexist comments. The university, which has not named the professor and described the person only as a faculty member, confirmed the resignation Friday after a four-month investigation. The person behind the account also detailed fighting efforts from an unnamed police department to speak out on racial injustice following the death of George Floyd. The person also routinely mentioned a fake background to criticize users who were pushing for greater diversity in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. Several people also accused the user of attacking mostly women of color who disagreed and encouraging his followers to do the same.

Arctic blast chills Europe

BERLIN -- Aid workers are warning that the sharp drop in temperatures across parts of northern Europe this month has put homeless people at serious risk. German homeless aid group BAGW said Friday that four people have been found frozen to death since a blast of Arctic air brought freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall to much of the country last week. Icy temperatures have also led to numerous accidents on roads and waterways. Police in southwestern Germany said a 49-year-old man was crushed to death Thursday when the tractor he was driving slid and toppled over on an icy field. In western France, freezing rains turned roads into chutes of treacherous ice. Authorities in Brittany said smaller roads that tie together towns and villages in the largely rural region were unusable. They urged people to stay home. Large trucks were banned from circulation.