WI Web Staff
James, Durant Come Together to Prepare for International Competition
The opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics will take place on July 27, and is expected to be viewed by approximately 4 billion people worldwide. It will mark the beginning of a 17-day event that will display some of the greatest athletes in the world. Held in London, this will be the 30th Summer Olympic Games.
It is an international competition that allows participants from all over the world to showcase their talents on a world stage. Regardless of country size, custom, or culture, the world will come together in what amounts to a two-week international sports festival. From the Olympic Village to the actual sports venues, all those in attendance will have the opportunity to taste the flavor of the world.
Just last week, LeBron James and Kevin Durant opposed each other in the NBA Finals. In a few weeks, they will be Olympic teammates, representing the United States, as they participate in Men's Basketball.
James and Durant recently wrapped up a delayed, abbreviated season. Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder captured game one of the NBA Finals, however, James' Miami Heat won the next four, successfully ending his pursuit of his first world championship. In the first week of July, they will join forces as they begin Olympic training camp in Las Vegas before traveling to London later in the month.
Last year in the NBA Finals, the Miami Heat was defeated by the Dallas Mavericks. James gave himself only two weeks off before getting back to the gym. He asked Durant to join him. At that time, he didn't realize they would be on a much larger stage than his Ohio home so quickly.
"I envisioned it, but I didn't know it was going to happen, James said. "But to see a few months later that we were going to meet each other in the finals, it was a great moment for myself and for him."
Get ready. The Heat and Thunder could very well be in the NBA Finals again, perhaps as soon as next year. In which case, James will experience what it feels like to defend his title, and Durant will take on the role as the best player in the league without one.
"This won't be the last time we see them in the finals," James said referring to the Thunder.
5 Keys to Help Unlock the Door to a New Home
Saturday, 30 June 2012 02:30 Published in Financial Literacy
Wells Fargo Provides Tips to Help Perspective Homebuyers Get in Position for Mortgage Loan Approval
Interest rates remain at historic lows. Yet, many buyers are sitting on the fence unsure whether now is the right time to buy, and if they would even qualify for a loan. There's no magic bullet to get you the loan you want, but there are few things you can do to help get you on the right path. Here are some helpful tips to make you look your best in the eyes of a lender:
1. Check your credit – Know where your credit stands before you apply for a loan. A borrowers' credit history can impact the amount required for a down payment, the interest rate or the amount of money they can borrow in relation to their income. Wells Fargo prices competitively and lends across the credit spectrum, but having a credit score of 720 or above is not only going to help you look better to a lender for loan approval, it may also help you get a better interest rate. Once per year, you are able to obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three credit bureaus by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. In addition to viewing your report, you may also want to consider getting your credit score. There may be a small fee to get your credit score. If you're interested in understanding and working to improve your credit standing, visit the Wells Fargo Smarter Credittm Center found at www.wellsfargo.com/smarter_credit. The site has advice on establishing, improving and protecting credit as well as tips on paying down debt.
2. Decrease your debt – An important factor that lenders look at when qualifying borrowers is their debt-to-income ratio. This is the relationship between your income and expenses, amount of debt a person carries compared to how much income they make. The smaller your debt-to-income ratio is, the more attractive you are as a borrower. While debt to income requirements vary by mortgage programs, a good rule of thumb is to keep your total debt level at or below 36% of your gross monthly income.
3. Save for a down payment – In the current mortgage environment, borrowers need to have a down payment. Having 20% down is not a must but it will help get the best interest rate available and help you avoid private mortgage insurance. If you need help coming up with a down payment, try to find a down payment assistance program that might be able to assist you.
4. Show proof of all income– Can you repay the loan? That's what lenders want to know when they consider your application. You must be able to verify a stable source of income. Lenders will review your employment history and will require current W2s or tax returns if you are self-employed. If you have any other income you should bring proof of that to share with the lender.
5. Have some money in the bank – In addition to being able to show you can make your monthly mortgage payments and other responsibilities, lenders want to know that you have cash reserves . Some of us call this cushion a "rainy day fund" to handle those unexpected expenses that come with homeownership such as certain repairs.
CBC Foundation 42nd Legislative Conference Sept. 19-22
Saturday, 30 June 2012 02:19 Published in National
Work of CBC Foundation to be Highlighted during Four-Day Session
WASHINGTON - The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) will host its 42nd Annual Legislative Conference (ALC) from September 19-22 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. This year's conference theme is "Inspiring Leaders| Building Generations." U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore of Wisconsin and Andre Carson of Indiana are serving as honorary co-chairs of the conference.
ALC provides an outlet to highlight the mission of CBCF - to develop leaders, to inform policy and to educate the public. It also provides dozens of forums to address the critical challenges facing the African-American community. The Foundation will offer numerous session tracks to present high level, thought-provoking, engaging and useful information. The town hall discussion will center around conversations about voting rights and voter suppression. The third installation of the research report Breaking Barriers 3 will be released during ALC and further define academic success for school-aged African-American males. CBCF Fellows will return to present their popular Alumni Series and the popular Black Party networking affair will return.
In addition, scholarship recipients in the performing arts will be recognized during the Celebration of Leadership, and CBC members and spouses will join together for a community outreach project. The conference will culminate with its awards/fundraising dinner. Proceeds from ALC are used to fund educational opportunities and program outreach.
"The Annual Legislative Conference brings together policy-makers, educators, business and industry leaders, celebrities, media, emerging leaders and everyday Americans to discuss and solve issues that are important to all Americans," said Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer for CBCF. "The conference is recognized as one of the most important gatherings of African-American leaders in the nation. In addition, attendees recognize the importance of what CBCF accomplishes in the community and have supported our efforts to provide scholarships, internships and fellowships, and to improve economic parity and reduce health disparities."
At-large Council member Michael Brown issued a statement Thursday indicating that he'd stumbled upon a spate of unauthorized spending from one of his re-election campaign's bank accounts.
Brown said in the statement that he discovered the expenditures last week during a personal review of the campaign's finance records. He said an assistant who had worked for his campaigns for more than five years was responsible and that turned the matter has been turned over to the Metropolitan Police Department.
"As the one who discovered the alleged theft, I have decided to personally take over as the treasurer of my re-election campaign," Brown said. "To demonstrate my commitment to operate the campaign books transparently and ethically, I will bring in an independent auditor to ensure that all campaign finance activities meet the strictest fiduciary standards."
Brown added that no further comment would be made while the investigation remains ongoing.
House Republicans essentially ignored the Congressional Black Caucus' (CBC) vow of a boycott Thursday, having proceeded with a vote to hold U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder in criminal contempt for terminating the "Fast and Furious Operation," described as an unfortunate operation that began under the Bush Administration.
In an expression of its opposition to partisan activity aimed at Holder, the CBC which had the support of other Democrats as well as Hispanic, Asian Pacific American and Progressive caucuses, maintained that Congress's decision to forge ahead with a vote, had been regarded as a "political stunt," and that a contempt hearing would distract both the Congress in its duty to pass legislation as well as interfere with the Department of Justice in its duty to investigate and pursue real crimes.
The precedent-setting vote -- marking the first time a sitting Cabinet member has been held in contempt -- came after Holder had adamantly refused to hand over nearly 8,000 documents related to the botched gun-tracking operation.
The CBC comprises more than 40 members. Its boycott was reminiscent of similar action taken in 2008 by Republicans after Democrats -- then in control of the House -- voted to hold two top Bush Administration officials in contempt of Congress.
In a letter to supporters this week, the CBC had sought wide-spread unity in its pursuit of justice for Holder, saying that over the past 15 months, the Justice Department had cooperated with the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform's requests for information on "Fast and Furious."
The CBC's letter stated in part that:
"In its history, the United States House of Representatives has never held a United States Attorney General, or any other Cabinet official, in contempt. "
Prior to Congress's vote, the CBC had insisted that instead of Republicans being focused on holding Holder in contempt, their time would be better spent creating jobs.
Nationals Ryan Zimmerman slides into third base safely before Rays Ben Zobrist could tag him during baseball action between the Nationals and Tampa on Thursday, June 21 at Nationals Park in Southeast.
Former Redskins star Darrell Green threw out the ceremonial pitch on Thursday, June 21 as part of the Black Heritage Night program.
Members of the Ridge Road Recreation Center Baseball Team along with their coach, Kenya Stroughter Sr., participate in the Black Heritage Night Festivities at Nationals Stadium in Southeast on Thursday, June 21. The Ridge Road Recreation Center in Ward 7 and home to the Titans, offers youth basic baseball instruction in a competitive environment and promotes sportsmanship, integrity and respect for authority.
Nigeria's President Fires Security, Defense Chiefs
Thursday, 28 June 2012 19:32 Published in International
Amid mounting violence in the north, Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has fired his national security adviser and defense minister.
While it has remained unclear who will replace Defense Minister Bello Mohammed, the president's security aide Owoye Azazi will be replaced by Sambo Dasuki, a retired colonel from the Muslim North.
The announcements were made recently following a spate of attacks that targeted at least three churches, and in which about 150 people were killed.
Reports also state that new incidences of rioting occurred later, and that curfews have since been imposed in both northeastern cities of Kaduna and Damaturu.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan has faced mounting criticism over the manner in which growing insurgency has been responded to, with analysts noting serious concern that residents could increasingly take the law into their own hands if the authorities do not tackle the problem.
Louisiana Judge Faces Backlish Over High Court Seat
Thursday, 28 June 2012 18:15 Published in National
Bernette Joshua Johnson, an associate justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court for nearly two decades, is poised to assume the post of chief justice early next year when the current judge Catherine D. Kimball, retires in January.
But Johnson, who was first elected to the state's highest court in 1994, is the second longest serving jurist on the bench and is next in line for the post, faces opposition.
Kimball has not only called for a hearing to determine her successor, she has also issued an order recusing Johnson from sitting on the panel that will determine how the issue will be resolved.
Ron Wilson is one of the attorneys who successfully sued Louisiana in 1986 for Voting Rights Act violations surrounding the state's manner of selecting Supreme Court justices. "The constitution says who the chief justice will be, not the state Supreme Court," Wilson was quoted as saying a National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) report.
Marc H. Morial, National Urban League president and an original plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed on Johnson's behalf, has likewise responded saying any efforts to derail Johnson's a appointment is an affront to the Voting Rights Act.
Another plaintiff, Ron Chisom, stated his support.
"Justice Bernette Johnson isn't a token judge; she's a real judge," Chisom said in the NCBCP report. "I'm honored to play any role in fighting for her."
Meanwhile, Johnson just one of just a few African-American jurists to serve on Louisiana's high court. The others include Justice Jesse Stone who was appointed to briefly serve in 1979 and Justice Revius Ortique, who was elected to a seat on the court in 1992.
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