All posts by She Seeks Serene

My Journey of Reimagining Life, Love and Education

Tributes: Google Honors The Life Of Singer Luther Vandross (1951-2005)

Google celebrated the life of Luther Vandross with an animated Doodle by Atlanta-based guest artist Sam Bass, on what would have been his 70th birthday.

Vandross was born in 1951 and began performing and writing songs while in high school, singing at the 1969 pilot of Sesame Street with the Apollo Theater’s performing arts group. His first big break came when his song Everybody Rejoice featured in the 1974 Broadway musical The Wiz.

Vandross went on to record 14 studio albums that went either platinum or multi-platinum, and he was nominated for 33 Grammy Awards, of which he won eight. Vandross suffered from diabetes and hypertension and had a severe stroke in 2003 that left him in a wheelchair. He died of a heart attack on 1 July 2005 at the age of 54.

Read more here: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-en…

Morning News Podcast: Chauvin Jury Deliberates, European Soccer Wars

The jury is deliberating whether or not to convict former Minneapolis police Derek Chavin over the death of George Floyd.

Presiding Judge Peter Cahill will allow the jury to deliberate every day until 7pm, and if they reach a decision after sunset, the decision will be read the following morning.

  • Plus, a strong start to earnings season.
  • And, European soccer goes to war.

Guests: Axios’ Nick Halter, Aja Whitaker-Moore and Kendall Baker.

Previews: ‘The Monocle Book Of Italy’ (Video)

Allow us to introduce you to our new publication, The Monocle Book of Italy. Our latest title celebrates the much-loved Mediterranean nation through fantastic photography, witty illustrations and plenty of insightful writing. Join us for a colourful tour.

Politics Monday: Tamara Keith And Amy Walter On Infrastructure Plan (PBS)

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Lisa Desjardins to discuss the latest political news, including the Biden infrastructure plan, fundraising efforts inside the Republican Party, and how Americans perceive the government.

Analysis: Why Lumber Prices Have Boomed (WSJ)

Demand for lumber has skyrocketed during the pandemic, sending prices to all-time highs. This video explains what’s driving the lumber boom, who’s profiting, and why those growing the trees aren’t reaping the benefits. Illustration: Liz Ornitz/WSJ

Wildlife View: Protecting Columbia’s Jaguars (Video)

Jaguars roam the rainforests of South America silently and well camouflaged. But their habitat is dwindling and ranchers see them as a threat. Yet two brothers are fighting misconceptions and want to project them.

News: Five Top Stories For April 19, 2021 (Reuters)

Five stories to know for April 19: Shooting in Louisiana, Shooting in Austin, Texas, Derek Chauvin trial, Alexei Navalny and UEFA statement on the breakaway Super League.

1. Five people were hospitalized after being shot and injured in Shreveport, Louisiana, in the third multiple shooting reported in the United States with 24 hours.

2. After an Austin, Texas shooting, police searched for a former deputy sheriff believed to be the suspected gunman. Three people died.

3. Derek Chauvin trial: jurors will hear closing arguments before they begin deliberating on whether the way former Derek Chauvin knelt on the neck of a dying George Floyd in last year’s arrest was second-degree murder.

4. An ally of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny said she was braced for bad news on the health of the hunger-striking opposition politician when his lawyers see him again, after they were kept away over the weekend.

5. European soccer’s governing body UEFA will hold a crisis meeting, hours after 12 of the continent’s leading clubs shocked the football world by announcing the formation of a breakaway Super League.

Beach Walks: ‘Ölüdeniz – Southwest Turkey’ (4K)

Ölüdeniz is a resort village on the southwest coast of Turkey. It’s known for the blue lagoon of Ölüdeniz Tabiat Parkı and the wide, white Belcekız Beach. Overlooking the village is Babadağ mountain from where paragliders take to the skies. The Lycian Way is a long-distance marked footpath starting in Ölüdeniz, and has coastal views. To the south, Butterfly Valley is a nature reserve with a secluded bay.