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Vikings' Asher Allen retires at age 24
DETROIT, May 7 (UPI) -- Rapper Jay-Z's possible purchase of the New Jersey Nets has given its playoff series against the Detroit Pistons a unique buzz in the sports world.
Jay-Z was not scheduled to be at the Palace of Auburn Hills Friday night as the Nets took on the Pistons. He's scheduled for two concerts in London and a talk with Prince Charles.
But the hip-factor is upped for the series with the shadow of this iconic, influential 34-year-old rapper, born Shawn Carter, hovering over the basketball games. The excitement quotient is further enhanced by Jay-Z's girlfriend, R&B superstar Beyonce.
Jay-Z recently joined a group led by New York real estate developer Bruce Ratner as it prepared to purchase the New Jersey Nets with a $300 million bid. Jay-Z did not disclose what financial stake he has in the purchase, but he is not the lead investor.
"It's the first time that a rapper has had his hands in any professional sports. It's a good thing for the community," says Nets star Kenyon Martin, a Saginaw native who has hung out with the rapper on several occasions.
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DETROIT, May 31 (UPI) --
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom announced his retirement Thursday, ending a 20-year career.
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LONDON, May 31 (UPI) --
The London house where singer Amy Winehouse died of alcohol poisoning last summer is being sold for $4.2 million, the New York Post reported.
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NASHVILLE, May 31 (UPI) --
"Supervolcano" eruptions with potential to cause widespread extinctions of life may have surprisingly short fuses, U.S. earth scientists say.
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NORTHAMPTON, Mass., May 31 (UPI) --
A Massachusetts woman said she investigated bird sounds in her yard and discovered a baby cardinal with two heads and three beaks.
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