Ken Shepherd

China could soon legislate how ‘March of the Volunteers’ national anthem is sung: Report

Draft legislation being considered by the ruling Communist Party in Beijing would sanction individuals who fail to sing the country's national anthem in a sufficiently respectful manner, Sky News is reporting.

May 9, 2017

‘American Idol’ will get a new home on ABC: Report

"American Idol" has been picked up by Disney-owned ABC, and executives are promising fans of the former Fox network singing competition a magical experience showcasing "inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams."

May 9, 2017

Antonio Sabato Jr., Trump-backing celebrity, is running for Congress: Report

Soap opera star and Donald Trump celebrity endorser Antonio Sabato Jr. is throwing his hat in the ring for a congressional seat, the Daily Beast reported Tuesday.

May 9, 2017

Apple, Amazon close to deal to bring Amazon video app to Apple TV: Report

Apple is close to finally getting an Amazon video app on its Apple TV streaming-video platform, according to a report by tech-news website Recode.

May 5, 2017

Trump-inspired BigglyBank undertakes Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign

A standup comedian and a venture capitalist are looking to KickStarter to crowdfund a piggy bank that looks and sounds like President Donald Trump.

May 5, 2017

WGA leaders back new contract, which goes to a vote of membership

Labor union leaders representing television-show writers have approved a three-year contract, Variety reports. Barring an unexpected rejection of the deal at a ratification vote of the membership, a feared writers' strike now seems unlikely.

May 5, 2017

Chris Pratt apologizes for posting video some deaf people found offensive: Report

His admonition to fans to turn up the volume on a social-media video has proven controversial enough to cause actor Chris Pratt to apologize to the deaf community and remove the ostensibly offensive video, Entertainment Weekly reported.

May 5, 2017

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson gets kudos from both Michael Moore, National Review

Wrestler-turned-action-movie star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson just earned his first endorsement for president in lefty filmmaker Michael Moore. But what makes the seal of approval even more interesting is it coming as it does when "The Rock" graces the cover of the conservative magazine National Review.

May 4, 2017

Coast Guard investigating laser attacks on cargo ships in Chesapeake Bay: Report

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating what appear to be a series of laser attacks on commercial shipping vessels in the Chesapeake Bay, the Annapolis Capital reported Thursday.

May 4, 2017

Trayvon Martin to receive posthumous bachelors degree from Florida Memorial University

Trayvon Martin, the Florida teenager who was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in February 2012, will be awarded a bachelor's degree in aviation from Florida Memorial University, a historically black university which counts Martin's mother Sybrina Fulton among its alumni.

May 4, 2017

Santa Fe voters reject soda tax at ballot box: Report

Voters in Santa Fe, New Mexico, voted down a proposal that would slap a tax on sugary drinks.

May 4, 2017

Wild horses on federal land put at risk by omnibus provision, American Wild Horse Campaign warns

An interest group devoted to protecting the nation's wild horses is warning that a change in federal law tucked into the omnibus spending package could lead to exploitation of the creatures and a diminishing of their number on federal lands.

May 2, 2017

Celebrities ignore New York City smoking ban at annual Met Gala: Report

Actress Dakota Johnson was just one celebrity caught on camera disregarding the Big Apple's smoking ban during a star-studded event held Monday night in New York City.

May 2, 2017

San Diego is the best U.S. city to vacation with your kids: Survey

In a survey, travel website Reward Expert found sunny San Diego to be the best city to vacation with children.

May 2, 2017

Billy Ray Cyrus, country musician, changes his name: Reports

The "Achy Breaky" musician will no longer identify by his full name, legally changing it to the mononym Cyrus.

May 2, 2017

Guinness finally vegan-friendly with the phaseout of isinglass complete: Report

Ireland's perhaps most iconic beer is now vegan-friendly, as Guinness reportedly has finished its phaseout of a material used in the brewing process that involved fish parts.

April 28, 2017

Police search for David Watson, escaped convict, in woods near Maryland prison: Reports

Police in Maryland are searching for a convict who escaped from custody during transport by sheriff's deputies.

April 28, 2017

A Churchill quote on U.K.’s new 5-pound note is stirring controversy: Report

It seems missing quotation marks on the new PS5 note being introduced in the United Kingdom has caused some Britons to complain about Her Majesty's Government not upholding the high standards of the Queen's English.

April 28, 2017

Khloe Kardashian sued by paparazzi photo agency for violating copyright with Instagram posting

Khloe Kardashian might be out a few thousand bucks and all for posting a picture of herself on Instagram.

April 27, 2017

‘13 Reasons Why,’ controversial drama about teen suicide, gets strict new rating in New Zealand

Netflix's "13 Reasons Why" may well get renewed for a second season, but the controversial drama about a teenage bullying victim who commits suicide has garnered a stricter rating by authorities in New Zealand over concerns that the subject matter is inappropriate for teenagers.

April 27, 2017