The Social Climber: World's Oldest Man Credits Longevity to Anacin, Bananas

July 26, 2013— -- quicklist: 1

Title: World's Oldest Man Says He Owes Longevity to Anacin Tablets, BananasText: Salustiano Sanchez-Blazquez of Grand Island, N.Y., has been bestowed the title of the world's oldest man by Guinness World Records at the ripe age of 112.

Sanchez-Blazquez was crowned Thursday after the record-keeping franchise scoured the globe, as well as countless census reports, immigration papers, marriage records and news reports, for the next title-bearer after the former record-holder, 116-year-old Jiroemon Kimura of Japan, died June 12, according to a news release.

The world's oldest man, whose hobbies include crossword puzzles, gin rummy matches and gardening, chalked up his success to Anacin tablets and one banana a day, the news release said.

While Sanchez-Blazquez said he "does not feel he has accomplished anything special because he happens to be living longer than other men," the Social Climber is betting that the makers of Anacin, an over-the-counter analgesic that contains aspirin and caffeine, are working furiously to throw together a new ad campaign to capitalize on the supercentenarian market.

media: 19783195

quicklist: 2

Title: Plague-Infected Squirrel Prompts Campground ClosureText: Never has one squirrel had so much power.

A squirrel has closed a California campground for at least a week after it tested positive for the bubonic plague, according to Los Angeles County health officials.

The squirrel, trapped July 16 in the Table Mountain Campgrounds of Angeles National Forest, tested positive for the infection Tuesday, prompting the closures and a health advisory, according to a Los Angeles County Department of Public Health news release.

Investigators are testing other squirrels and dusting the area for plague-infected fleas, which can transmit the infection to humans through bites and cause fever, chills and enlarged lymph nodes -- known as buboes -- near the bite, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on its website.

While there have only been four cases of human plague in Los Angeles since 1984, and there are no known cases related to this latest re-emergence, campers and visitors are being asked to take precautions to minimize risk.

media: 19776841

quicklist: 3

Title: DEA Agents Descend on Washington State Pot Dispensaries Text: Federal agents cracked down on marijuana dispensaries in Washington, raiding a number of pot shops in the state's Puget Sound region.

The operation ended Wednesday evening, Drug Enforcement Administration spokeswoman Jodie Underwood told The Associated Press. While Washingtonians voted to legalize adult possession of pot up to 1 ounce in November, it is still illegal under federal law.

Underwood did not disclose details about the investigation to the AP, but one customer believes it was a move to rein in illegal dealings within the fledgling industry.

"I think the action today is a good indication that the federal government doesn't want drug dealers inside a holistic industry," customer Micah Anderson told ABC News affiliate KOMO-TV. "And this is the first step in the right direction to limit these drug dealers and put holistic health care where it belongs with patients helping patients out."

media: 19781219

quicklist: 4

Title: Travyon Martin's Mother Calls Juror B29's Confession "Devastating" Text: Trayvon Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton, said it was "devastating" to hear a juror in the George Zimmerman case say she thought the former neighborhood watchman "got away with murder."

"It is devastating for my family to hear the comments from juror B29, comments which we already knew in our hearts to be true," Fulton said in a statement released Thursday through The Trayvon Martin Foundation.

Fulton's comments came hours after juror B29 broke her silence in an exclusive interview with "Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts. The juror, who only wanted to be identified as Maddy, said she believes she owes Martin's parents an apology because she feels "like she let them down."

"It's hard for me to sleep, it's hard for me to eat because I feel I was forcefully included in Trayvon Martin's death. And as I carry him on my back, I'm hurting as much [as] Trayvon Martin's mother because there's no way that any mother should feel that pain," B29, who is the mother of eight children, said.

media: 19770711

quicklist: 5

Title: DJ Khaled's Emotional Proposal to Nicki Minaj Text: Hip-hop DJ and producer DJ Khaled got candid on MTV, pouring his heart out and popping the question to rap superstar Nicki Minaj.

The Grammy award-winning track maker went on the music network and spoke candidly about his love and respect for the "Super Bass" songstress. He then popped open a box to reveal a 10-karat stunner with an estimated $500,000 price tag.

"I love you. I like you. I want you. I want you to be mine," he said. "I feel like you need a man like me in your life that's going take care of you and respect you. If you have to take your time and think about it, I understand. But I know I have to be here today to let you know how serious I am and how serious this is to me."

It is unclear whether Minaj will consider taking him up on the offer.

media: 19780048

quicklist: 6

Title: O.J. Simpson Makes Plea in Court Before Parole Board Decides His FateText: Former NFL star and white Ford Bronco driver O.J. Simpson went before a parole board and pleaded for a shortened prison term for his role in robbing sports memorabilia dealers of items from his glory days.

"I just wish I never went into that room," Simpson said during his appearance in court Thursday, The Associated Press reported.

Simpson, who has been behind bars for five years, is serving a sentence of up to 33 years in jail following his 2008 conviction.

Simpson made the case that he was trying to get back items stolen from him after his 1995 trial when he was acquitted for the murder of his ex-wife and her friend.

"My crime was trying to retrieve for my family my own property," he said during his 15-minute court appearance. "Make no mistake I would give it all back to these guys. They can have it all to get these five years of my life back."

media: 19779896

quicklist: 7

Title: Shakira's Enviable Post-Baby BodyText: Shakira is upping the ante for celebs looking to make a statement with their post-baby body reveals.

The 36-year-old "She Wolf" singer was spotted frolicking in a skimpy pink bikini with her boyfriend and Spanish soccer star Gerard Pique. The couple welcomed their son, Milan, in January.

The Columbian superstar seems to have put in the extra time to get her abs -- and her hips -- back into fighting shape. Back in May, she told The Associated Press she had "a long way to go."

"I still have a few pounds over to lose," she said. "I look decent."

media: 19771207

quicklist: 8

Title: Social Climber: Top Search + Social Trends Explained