Lunch Time Links 8/17

Alabama Authorities Put Real Life Walter White On Most Wanted List

"The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office has placed Walter White on their priority list of the county's most wanted," The Tuscaloosa News reports. "White, 55, was on probation for a 2008 charge of making methamphetamine when he was arrested on similar charges in Bibb County earlier this year." 

Russian Court Imprisons Pussy Riot For Hooliganism

Three members of Russian female punk rock band Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in prison Friday after they were found guilty of hooliganism for performing a song critical of President Vladimir Putin in a church. 

The five months they have spent in detention since their arrests in March count toward the sentence, Judge Marina Sirovaya said.

More Than 30 Killed In Police Crackdown At South African Mine

Police opened fire on thousands of machete-wielding workers on strike at a South African mine, killing more than 30, authorities said Friday, in one of the bloodiest post-apartheid attacks in the nation. 

South African police said 34 people were killed and 78 others wounded in the attacks Thursday. The National Union of Mineworkers said 36 were killed.

Robin van Persie, Man U Ink 4-Year Deal

Dutch striker Robin van Persie on Friday completed his move to Manchester United in a four-year deal, saying it was an "honor" to sign with the club. 

"I am looking forward to following in the footsteps of so many great strikers, bringing my experience and playing my part to help the team compete for the biggest trophies in the game. I can't wait to get started," he said Friday. 

United confirmed the club had agreed on a fee with Arsenal on Wednesday evening, and the Dutch striker underwent a successful medical exam on Thursday before the final elements of the transfer were wrapped up. The deal, reportedly worth 24 million pounds ($38 million), has been done in time for Van Persie to go straight into Sir Alex Ferguson's squad for Monday's opening Premier League clash at Everton.

Lunch Time Links 8/16

Here are today's Lunch Time Links:

Diplomatic Fury As Ecuador Grants Asylum To Wikileaks Founder Assange

Ecuador granted asylum to Julian Assange on Thursday, expressing fury at a threat by Britain to seize the WikiLeaks founder at its London embassy.

 Powerball Ticket Worth $337 Million Sold In Michigan

A winning ticket in the $337 million Powerball drawing has been sold in Michigan. 

The winning numbers in the Wednesday night drawing were 6, 27, 46, 51, 56 and Powerball 21.

The Michigan Lottery says the ticket was sold a Sunoco gas station in Lapeer, about 45 miles north of Detroit. 

There was no immediate word about the identity of the buyer.

 Mortgage Rates Up For A Third Straight Week

Average U.S. rates on fixed mortgages ticked up for the third straight week, staying slightly above record lows. Cheap mortgages have helped fuel a modest housing recovery this year.

Former Georgia Coach Charged With Running Ponzi Scheme

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has announced that Jim Donnan, a former University of Georgia head coach is being charged with conducting an $80 million Ponzi scheme which includes other coaches and former players among its victims. 

Seven American Soldiers Killed In Afghan Chopper Crash

Seven American soldiers were killed Thursday when the Black Hawk helicopter they were traveling in crashed in southern Afghanistan, U.S. officials told NBC News. 

Three Afghan soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were also killed, bringing the total number of dead to 11, officials said. 

Two Deputies Killed, Two Wounded In Louisiana Shooting

Two law enforcement officers died and two were injured in a series of apparently linked shootings early Thursday in LaPlace, Louisiana, authorities said. 

The first shooting happened in a parking lot at a steel plant, Sheriff Mike Tregre said. The second happened when officers went to a nearby trailer park to investigate the first shooting and were ambushed by a man armed with what the sheriff described as an assault rifle, he said.

And I have some big news myself!