Career News 24/7: Britney Spears' Ex Killed by Taliban (Newser Happy Hour 6-pack)

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Britney Spears' Ex Killed by Taliban (Newser Happy Hour 6-pack)

The day's six most popular stories, in time to unwind.

Britney Spears' Ex Killed by Taliban

(Newser) - A man Britney Spears dated during her darkest days has been fatally shot down by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the Mirror reports. Spears met John Sundahl at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in 2007, and he was credited with helping her overcome her drinking problems—he was in her life during... More »

Gen. Sherman's War Spoils May Sit at Bottom of SC River

(Newser) - In 1954, a gas-producing plant closed near the Congaree River in Columbia, SC. But its presence lingers, in the form of roughly 40,000 tons of "taffy-like" black tar that need to be removed from the river. The State reports on a most unusual side effect of damming the... More »

Couple, 4 Grandkids Feared Dead in Mansion Fire

(Newser) - Technology exec Don Pyle, his wife, and four grandchildren are feared dead in a huge blaze that destroyed a mansion in Annapolis. Some 85 firefighters spent hours early Monday morning battling the fire at the 16,000-square-foot castle-like home, using tanker trucks and a fire boat because there were no... More »

Woman Lives on Cruise Ship, for $164K a Year

(Newser) - As far as repeat cruisegoers go, you'd be hard-pressed to beat the record of Lee Wachtstetter. The 86-year-old Florida woman logged 89 cruises with her husband of 50 years, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. After he died of cancer in 1997 (making her promise to... More »

Latest Viral Prank: 'Put 'Em in a Coffin'

(Newser) - The latest prank that all the kids are into is a little more destructive than the toilet paper of yesteryear: Called "Put 'em in a coffin" and based on a Vine video from May that's gone viral, it involves throwing yourself back-first onto the tops of cars... More »

ISIS Gives Japan 72 Hours to Pay $200M Ransom

(Newser) - In a video released online today, ISIS threatens to kill two Japanese hostages unless it receives a $200 million ransom in the next 72 hours. The video, posted on militant websites associated with the extremist group, mirrors other hostage threats it has made. The militant in it also directly addresses... More »