Moats to Traffic-Stop Cop: Apology Accepted

(NEWSER) - The Dallas police officer who was suspended after stopping NFL player Ryan Moats, keeping him from his mother-in-law's deathbed, has resigned, the Dallas Morning News reports. Robert Powell said he made the decision “with a heavy heart and great sadness” and hopes the move will allow people “to better reflect on this experience.” Powell had said the scrutiny over his actions was tough on his family, and that he was “terrified” of being fired. More»

(NEWSER) - A Dallas police officer who pulled out a gun on an NFL running back rushing to see his dying mother-in-law apologized today, the Dallas Morning News reports. "I wish to publicly and sincerely apologize to the Moats family... and to all those who have been rightfully angered by my actions," said officer Robert Powell, who has been suspended. Powell said he has been unable to reach Moats to personally apologize. More»

Don't worry about 91-year-old's reduced schedule: grandson

(NEWSER) - Nelson Mandela is increasingly out of the public eye, raising questions about his health. The first black president of South Africa “recently decided to cut back his engagements even further and spend more time with his family,” the head of his foundation tells the Guardian . Rumors that he is in the hospital abound, but don’t fret: “Mr. Mandela is as well as anyone can expect of someone who is 91 years old,” says the official. More»

(NEWSER) - Every time a cop pulls someone over, he or she is liable to hear an excuse. And every so often, a driver manages to surprise even the most jaded ticket-writer, the San Jose Mercury News reports. Like the pair of Frenchmen one officer caught speeding on Highway 101. They’d studied US driving laws and were sure speed limits were posted on white signs with black numbers—like the one reading “101.” The cop let them off. More»

(NEWSER) - Michael Jackson's family held a quiet vigil beside his casket last night before the singer is interred today, reports the Times of London. Jackson's sister La Toya, brother Randy and daughter Paris were spotted at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park soon after Jackson's casket was transported there for a private service this morning. Jackson will be buried near the tombs of Sammy Davis Jr., Humphrey Bogart and Clark Gable. More»