NBC nixes Cosby project after new assault allegations
NBC nixes Cosby project after new assault allegations
NEW YORK — NBC has scrapped a Bill Cosby comedy that was under development, the second outlet within a day to put off or abandon a project involving the long-beloved comic as a sexual assault scandal continues to spiral around him.
NBC spokeswoman Rebecca Marks said Wednesday the Cosby sitcom “is no longer under development.”
Both the NBC sitcom and Netflix’ Cosby standup comedy special, which has been indefinitely postponed, were halted within a day after actress Janice Dickinson, in an interview with “Entertainment Tonight,” became the third woman in recent weeks to allege she’d been assaulted by Cosby — charges strongly denied by the comedian’s lawyer.
The developments, which involve allegations that were widely reported on a decade ago as well as new accusations, have threatened the 77-year-old comedian’s reputation as America’s TV dad at a time when he was launching a comeback. A year ago a standup special — his first in 30 years — aired on Comedy Central and drew a hefty audience of 2 million viewers. His prospective new series was announced by NBC in January.
Cosby has never been charged in connection with any of the allegations.
Police: Bodies believed to be of Miss Honduras, sister
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Two bodies believed to belong to Miss Honduras 2014 and her sister have been found buried near the spa where they disappeared six days ago, the Honduras National Police director said Wednesday.
Authorities were awaiting confirmation from forensic officials that the victims are Maria Jose Alvarado, 19, and her sister, Sofia, 23, said Gen. Ramon Sabillon.
Sabillon said Sofia’s boyfriend, Plutarco Ruiz, confessed to killing the sisters and led authorities to the bodies buried in a river bank in a mountainous area of Santa Barbara, about 240 miles west of Tegucigalpa.
They were found near La Aguagua spa, where they had gone Thursday to celebrate Ruiz’s birthday.
Both women, who grew up in the area, were shot to death and appeared to have been killed the night they disappeared, Sabillon said.
Green cards can’t be uploaded on health care website
WASHINGTON — Healthcare.gov is working better, but immigrants are running into what looks like an obvious slip-up.
Call it the green card glitch: The website has no clear path to upload the government identification document that shows they are legal U.S. residents, and entitled to benefits under President Barack Obama’s health care law.
It’s a baffling omission, say consumers and counselors assisting with this year’s sign-up drive.
Aide: Obama is open to limits on duration of IS war
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is open to limits on the duration of its military efforts in Iraq and Syria and on the potential use of ground forces in a new war authorization against the Islamic State, a top presidential adviser said Wednesday.
Tony Blinken, President Barack Obama’s deputy national security adviser, said discussions would continue with Congress on updating the legal basis for the U.S. intervention.
There has been no progress on an authorization in the two weeks since Obama vowed to coordinate with lawmakers on establishing a stronger legal basis for military action.
By wire sources