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Time of India
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Haunted America: Eerie legends and paranormal truths from Louisiana
Louisiana's long and storied history is full of ghostly sightings and paranormal encounters. Some of the most haunted sites are available for a visit across the state. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans Voodoo priestess (or mambo) Marie Laveau is one of the many famous residents buried in and said to haunt New Orleans' oldest cemetery. Hoards of followers have left offerings and marked three 'X's' on her crypt in hopes of having their wishes granted. Built in 1789, the cemetery spans only a block but supposedly houses 100,000 of the city's dead, many of whom are thought to still walk the cemetery's grounds. Take a cemetery tour to get insider knowledge and a glimpse into New Orleans' past. LaLaurie Mansion, New Orleans Mystery, intrigue and bone-chilling true crime stories have surrounded this home since the 1830s. The influential, French-Creole Delphine LaLaurie was a well-respected member of society known to throw lavish parties. When fire engulfed the house, Madame LaLaurie's image crumbled, revealing horrifying secrets of tortured slaves whose souls are said to still haunt the mansion. Future owners, plagued by ghosts, each left soon after buying the property. Oak Alley Plantation, Vacherie In Oak Alley Plantation, the staff has seen a ghostly shadow gazing out of a window and heard the distinct sounds of an invisible horse and carriage coming up the alley. Perhaps the strangest experience occurred when 35 visitors touring the mansion saw a candlestick fly across the room. The TV show Ghost Hunters was filmed on location there in August 2008. Louisiana's Old State Capitol, Baton Rouge Great orator and defender of the common people, Avoyelles Parish Legislator Pierre Couvillon suffered a heart attack in the capitol's chambers after a spirited speech about corrupt politicians. Couvillon's large footprints have appeared on the Senate floor, and a rumpled bed in the exhibit hall could have been his resting spot for the night. While making rounds, a security guard felt a tap on his shoulder and heard invisible people moving around in the dark. Others have seen the motion detectors going off but when they went to investigate no one was there and nothing was caught on security tapes. Arnaud's Restaurant, New Orleans The ghosts at this upscale restaurant are some of the most popular ghostly entities in New Orleans. Count Arnaud, who is said to appear in the main dining room dressed in his tuxedo, surveying the guests and smiling at the energetic atmosphere. Guests have reported seeing a woman in a hat stroll through the dining room only to disappear into a wall, apparently seeking to ascend the staircase that was once there before the wall was added. Another group of well-dressed ghostly gentlemen enjoys themselves at the bar after hours. Calcasieu Courthouse, Lake Charles Toni Jo Henry's crime of passion to break her new husband out of prison made her the only woman ever executed in Louisiana's electric chair. 75 years after her death, jail officers think Toni Jo's spirit still hangs around the holding cell in Calcasieu Courthouse. Workers encounter unexplained electrical malfunctions, random wafts of burnt hair and cheap perfume, and some have claimed to have heard the screams of a woman echoing from the stairs. Magnolia Plantation, Natchitoches During the 2009 investigation by Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures, investigators heard chanting of voodoo rituals, tapping noises, and unexpected lights while filming in a former slave cabin. Those who live and work here tell a story of an overseer murdered by Union soldiers when they took over the main house. Meanwhile, the spirits of former slaves haunt the plantation's hospital and a cabin where anthropologists have found evidence of voodoo. Today, the mansion is a private residence, but the National Park Service owns the remainder of the complex and it is open for tours. Loyd Hall Plantation, Cheneyville The black sheep in his London-based family, the original owner of Loyd Hall Plantation brought his money stateside around 1820. He did well for himself until the Civil War when his dealings as a double spy led to his hanging by Union soldiers. He was the first of several tragic deaths on the property, including a Union soldier deserter discovered in the attic and a slave nanny reputedly poisoned. Their spirits show up to ring doorbells, move tableware and play the violin during a full moon. Bed and breakfast guests are in for a spooky surprise. Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, Shreveport Watch out, ladies! 'Sarge' loves to play with women's hair, ruffling shorter hair in an upward pattern, while longer hair is stroked. Another young girl runs around the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium arena floor and opens and closes doors. This occurrence has been caught on video by visiting guests on a tour. 'Mary' walks about on stage, and others have shown up in photographs sitting in the otherwise empty arena seats. Dauphine Orleans Hotel, New Orleans Tales of twisted fates are retold through the generations at the Dauphine Orleans Hotel and its bar, May Bailey's Place. Through sightings, paranormal research and documented letters, there seem to be four main characters who keep establishing their presence from beyond the grave. Do not miss May Bailey's, it has been the site for two different & overnight lockdowns & by the hosts of Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures TV series. The Mortuary, New Orleans The Mortuary, originally built in 1872, is a mansion that operated for about 80 years as an actual mortuary. Since it first opened its doors as a haunted attraction in 2007, it has been featured on top ghost-hunting shows including Discovery Channel's Ghost Lab, Syfy Channel's Ghost Hunters; Ghost Hunters's International, and The Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures. While the venue is famous for its Haunted Mansion during the Halloween season, you can get your chills and thrills year-round at the Mystere Mansion and play live escape games at the Mystere Escape Rooms. The Hanging Jail, DeRidder Built in 1915, the Gothic Jail of DeRidder is believed to be haunted by the two men hanged for the slaying of their taxi cab driver – hence the nickname 'The Hanging Jail.' After murdering taxi driver Joe Brevelle and dumping his body in Pickering Mill Pond, Genna and Brasseaux were convicted and hanged in 1928. The jail features a spiral staircase circling around a noose that hangs ominously and an underground tunnel that allows prisoners to get to the courthouse next door. It has even been featured on The Travel Channel because of its peculiar reputation. Myrtles Plantation, St. Francisville It is said the hauntings began with Chloe who was a slave punished for eavesdropping on the family. For her revenge, she baked a poisoned birthday cake, killing three family members. Chloe's ghost is still reported to haunt the Myrtles Plantation. Subsequent owners suffered death and murder tragedies in the years that followed. The ghosts of these former residents have been documented in photos, featured in national TV shows, and witnessed by residents and tourists alike. Stay the night in one of the most haunted homes in the country or take a mystery tour on Friday or Saturday evening.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Is Mangadex shutting down? Popular Manga Scan site kills ‘700 Titles' after massive DMCA notices
MangaDex, popular manga scanlation website, was compelled to delete 'approximately 7,000 titles' in select languages after a series of DMCA takedown demands last week. It has now addressed a number of community concerns, including the handling of takedown pleas and the procedure for contesting a takedown request on MangaDex. Numerous Japanese production companies and publishers have attempted to curb the illicit circulation of manga and anime in recent years. For instance, Shueisha has taken numerous steps to prevent leaks and piracy of its well-known manga magazine, Shonen Jump (One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen). Many firms have joined forces to shut down prominent websites in an effort to fight piracy. In Japan, this effort is linked to the founding of CODA. However, just shutting down websites is not a simple solution to the problem of piracy. Governments and numerous associations have been collaborating to prosecute pirates. Also Read: 'Demonic' Annabelle continues to scare locals: Strange noises, pet behavior changes, fire at Marie Laveau's house MangaDex confirmed it will not be shutting down, stressing that it will keep enhancing the site's functionality, and will not turn into Crunchyroll. This highlighted how Crunchyroll started out as a pirate website before taking down the majority of its titles and obtaining a legal license. MangaDex also described how it has partnered with NamiComi, a rapidly expanding platform for manga and comics submissions, which "accepted to take management of the site and its domain; no transaction was performed." MangaDex explained that its core team was small, which contributed to the delay in the release of this FAQ. 'The recent shutdown of various aggregators has driven an accelerated growth of MangaDex. While we have historically received low volumes of takedown requests, that number has increased to such a degree that we can no longer handle it ourselves. NamiComi has the necessary legal framework to move forward and ensure the long-term sustainability of MangaDex,' it said, as per Anime Corner. According to Similarweb, MangaDex received 68.8 million monthly visitors in April, a 31% increase over the 52.6 million visits in February. Additionally, MangaDex described the recent regulation modifications it made to combat 'excessive profiteering.' Notably, Reaper Scans, a well-known webtoon and web book website, recently shut down after receiving a cease and desist notice from Kakao Entertainment. Reaper Scans was chastised for paywalling content that was illegal.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Beyond Bourbon Street: A Whirlwind Week in New Orleans
New Orleans is one of the most culturally significant cities in the United States, and it's been on my must-visit list for years, inspired by some of my favorite films (Interview With the Vampire; A Streetcar Named Desire, Princess and the Frog) and L.A. friends who fell in love with it and moved there. Many visit for the revelry of Mardi Gras in February —but the beads, booze and tourists can overshadow some of the city's warmth and are other events to plan trips around, Jazz Fest which just wrapped up, for example, but I chose to go during the French Quarter Festival, which focuses on local music and food. With virtually every major restaurant in the area participating and serving the region's signature dishes — from crawfish and po-boys (Acme Oyster House) to alligator nuggets, beignets (Café Du Monde) and jambalaya — popping in and out of this particular event makes for a multifaceted immersion and sampling of NOLA's cultural mojo, and a week I'll never forget. Whimsical architecture blends French, Spanish and Caribbean styles, from colorful Creole townhouses to charmingly narrow 'shotgun' homes with Victorian touches. Airbnb might be your first thought for a stay, but the hospitality-driven services at area hotels make a getaway feel a bit more special. There are plenty of Vegas-y accommodations here as gambling is legal, Caesars and Boomtown being the most popular. For my trip, the One11 Hotel is a perfect choice. Just outside the French Quarter, the small boutique destination is housed in a century-old former sugar refinery and features exposed brick walls, wood beams and large steel structural bones. Melding its industrial past with its trendy present, it's got a great bar — including happy hour — and continental breakfast in the morning, plus an 8th-floor deck with scenic views of the Mississippi River. New Orleans has always conjured exotic images and alluring activities that piqued my imagination. Voodoo, ghosts, cemeteries, swamps, the bayou, art, music, bars … all are on my to-do list. I start with historic graveyard environments — the Metairie Cemetery, where Vampire author Anne Rice is entombed inside a beautiful stained glass-adorned mausoleum, and the Greenwood Cemetery, featuring an array of historic Civil War monuments. Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau is interred in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, the city's oldest, which many consider NOLA's most haunted grounds. Speaking of spooky stuff, voodoo dolls make cute souvenirs, and I snatch some great ones at the Voodoo Museum and Voodoo Authentica, which also sell other mystical merch. In the French Quarter, on Magazine Street and in the Garden District, a host of unique mom-and-pop shops and fascinating exteriors beckon from every corner. A jaunt to the Hotel Saint Vincent reveals a classic Southern Gothic environment and two thematic cocktail spaces, one red-hued and sexy, the other green, bright and friendly. Considered the birthplace of jazz, NOLA might have more musicians per capita than anywhere in the world. For an authentic immersion into its instrumental soul, visit Preservation Hall, where local legends go to jam. In general, though, NOLA residents steer clear of Bourbon Street and go to bars on Frenchman Street. Also in the Garden District, there's Tipitina's famous for Cajun and Zydeco music as well as fais do-do dancing; and the , not far from Tulane University, which also draws a college crowd. There are also street players everywhere, including the French Market, a farmers market for locals and tourists alike with food, art and activities.A visit to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) reflects the city's spirit as well, with an impressive showcase of international and local works, including, through Aug. 10, 'New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations,' a collection that feels very Mardi Gras-adjacent in terms of costuming and pageantry. I also recommended the on the museum grounds for a lovely and eye-grabbing statue-specked art stroll. When the Super Bowl was at Caesars Superdome (home of the New Orleans Saints) in February, NOLA got a lot of attention, especially for its dining scene. Fanciful French eaterie Lilette is where Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift had a hot date night, so my partner and I follow suit, enjoying the white-tablecloth hotspot's succulent steaks and inviting atmosphere. The next night, the old-school scene at Brennan's in the Quarter is even more my speed. The pink-and-green-schemed restaurant is where the iconic Bananas Foster dessert was invented, and the tableside demo/history lesson is fiery fun. My favorite dining discovery, the Vampire Apothecary, makes for a fanciful lunch, delicious sandwiches and soothing tea drinks amid seductive decor like dried flowers and witchy natural furnishings. NOLA staples like spicy beet-pickled eggs are served with Vampire brand tea to wash it down. Also deserving of note, though I couldn't fit them in this time: Deanie's Seafood in the Quarter for crawfish; , which nurtured chefs Paul Prudhomme and Emeril Lagasse and is renowned for its weekend Jazz Brunch and 25-cent martinis on certain weekdays; Antoine's, founded in 1840, the oldest restaurant in the city; and Algiers Central Market, home of the muffaletta, an Italian sandwich made with round sesame seed bread, cured meats, provolone and mozzarella and a tangy olive salad Orleans allows drinking in public, and you'll see a lot of it on Bourbon Street via plastic drinking vessels, often from Pat O'Brien's, which created the notorious Hurricane. (Cannabis, though, is still illegal.) But beyond touristy takeout sippers, a bar tour is a must, whether you're looking for dive vibes or award-winning mixology. Jewel of the South, which won the James Beard Foundation's award for best bar program, is aptly named, while Latitude 29, makes the tastiest tiki drinks in town, as created by the king of tropical cocktails — Beachbum Berry. For down-and-dirty atmosphere, locals love , a dark hovel with a heavy metal soundtrack, with live music and campy themes nightly, and , a gritty and gregarious hangout with a free jukebox that rocks, which is where I end the whirlwind all goes by far too fast, and I still feel like I'm under the city's spell, which is likely to pull me back sooner than later. In the meantime, here are a few more Big Easy bullet points to note for your next trip, below. - Get an up-close and personal look at the local swamps and gators! - Like San Francisco's cable cars, they're an exciting and organic way to travel around the city. (The St. Charles line is the one featured in A Streetcar Named Desire). - Family fun with botanical gardens, rides and National WWII Museum - Everything you ever wanted to see and learn about World War II in one mind-blowing, multi-building facility. - The creamiest sno-cones you'll ever get a brain freeze from, and where all the locals go. Prepare to wait in a long Daiquiris- There are plenty of walk-up outlets, but for a cold buzz in your car, roll though a drive-thru. A version of this story appeared in the May Travel issue of Los Angeles magazine, on stands now. See the photo gallery below for images of everything mentioned above and much more. (Photos 1-14 by Lina Lecaro; photo 15-37 courtesy Visit New Orleans. View the 37 images of this gallery on the original article
Boston Globe
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Terry Bradshaw talks Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and country crooning ahead of Foxwoods show
A four-time Super Bowl Champ, he's also a passionate singer: He had a top 20 country With a handful of Sport Emmys as a personality/analyst under his belt, he channels his energy now into 'The Terry Bradshaw Show' — a mix of stories, laughs, and song — that comes to New England for one night at Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'I want everybody leaving there going, 'Oh my god, Joe, this guy's really good!' That's what I'm shooting for' Bradshaw, 76, says with a laugh. Advertisement Q: Tell me about the show you're bringing here. A: It's a high-energy show, off-the-cuff, lots of humor, songs, crowd-interaction. Originally, we created dialog for the show, which opened in Vegas. Then the pandemic hit, that show [stopped]. Which was good, because I didn't like the show. It was too structured. And I'm not necessarily a structured human being. I live life by the seat of my pants. The show needed to reflect that. I took out all the dialogue. Now it's freewheeling, whatever comes to my mind. There are stories I tell, some I forget to tell, songs I sing, some I forget to sing. [laughs] I laugh, have fun. Advertisement Q: Nice. What songs will you sing? I know you've covered Hank Williams. A: I added three Hank Williams songs. One Glenn Campbell, I got a Brooks & Dunn. I do—ohh! I just added a Bobby Bare song. You heard of Bobby Bare? Q: I love him. A: I cover [breaks into full verse of 'Marie Laveau'] Q: That's a classic. A: Sometimes we'll just crack out a couple of gospel songs. I'll talk. Where it ends up, nobody knows — including us. Q: Tell me about the 'personal stories' you mentioned. A: I'll talk about my grandfather, my upbringing, the Steelers, Tom Brady, Louisiana Tech. I cover my life, my football career. Q: What's a Brady story? A: I can't tell you because you'll write it. [laughs] But I'll [tell you one joke]: He's gone from MVP to AARP. Stuff like that. [laughs] Q: I read you had elbow surgery in 1983 A: Isn't that something? I snuck into the hospital under an alias, but we wanted the TB initials. So I came up with Thomas Brady. Q: That's wild. Have you talked to him about that? A: I haven't. I don't know him that well; I'll never know him that well. I just won't. I'm too old. I'm old enough to be his father. I'm in Advertisement Terry Bradshaw brings his show to New England this week. BOEHM LISA Q: What did you think of the Patriots last season? A: I like their quarterback, [Drake] Maye. He showed me something. I like Maye a lot. I've spent some time with Q: What did you think of Bill Belichick going to coach at UNC? A: Oh my gosh! Shocked. Shocked ! I'm not an insider, so I don't know what all happened, but I'm so surprised he didn't land [an NFL] coaching job. But I don't know— Bill's probably got all the money he wants. Maybe he thought: my dad coached at the Naval Academy. He can go and not have to deal with agents. I don't know. I find it hard to believe that he won't be back in the NFL. And I'd think that if any team beats North Carolina, they're gonna go 'Hey! We beat Belichick!' Q: [laughs] True. So you've also acted in so many things. What do you like about acting? A: Nothing. I just did it to meet Burt Reynolds, Sammy Davis, Sally Fields, Matthew McConaughey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Bates — the list goes on. That's why I did movies. I don't have any interest in it. I love to sing. I'm doing what I love now. Q: Have you loved to sing since you were a kid? A: I have. I used to put a Victrola — oh. Is a Victrola where you crank it? [bursts out laughing] Well, I'd put a record on and sing to Advertisement Q: Did you always want to be a football player? A: Since I was 7. I'll never forget it: It was after church, mother was cooking dinner, my dad was in his chair reading the morning paper, he had the football game on, I told him, 'Dad, I'm gonna play in the NFL one of these days.' I got a football for Christmas, fell in love with it, and had a football in my hand ever since. I worked at my craft. I'm no different than you, maybe always wanting to be a writer. Maybe you were a little bitty girl writing poetry. Q: True. A: We all get exposed to things as a child, you try something and go: 'Oh! That is me.' When I got a football, the love affair started. It's never stopped. Q: I love that. Any New England connections? A: Yes, all my doctors are in Connecticut. I go to Yale for everything but dentistry. My Q: Are you really? A: I am! I'd love to tell you it's on phylogenetics or something, but it's about cancer and how it affected my life as a patient. I wish I hadn't told you that. I wish I'd just left it at 'I'm lecturing at Yale.' All your readers would go, 'Yeah. Ooookay.' Interview has been edited and condensed. Lauren Daley can be reached at Advertisement Lauren Daley can be reached at
