WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • Gwyneth Paltrow Separates From Rock Star Hubby Chris Martin

    Another Hollywood marriage bites the dust.

    Celebrity power couple Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin made a huge announcement Tuesday – they have decided to end their 11-year marriage. The statement, which was entitled “Conscious Uncoupling”, was published on Paltrow’s lifestyle website GOOP.

    The 41-year-old Oscar-winning actress spoke on her and Martin’s behalf, writing that “it is with hearts full of sadness” that they both have decided to part ways. The couple further revealed that they had been trying for more than a year to salvage their marriage before they finally decided to separate. According to the article, they both spent time together and apart “to see what might have been possible” between them while trying to work things out.

    A spokesperson for the Coldplay frontman also confirmed the separation.

    The message, which both parties signed, expressed the importance of their roles as parents to nine-year-old Apple and seven-year-old Moses, and requested the media and the public for “space and privacy” as they deal with the split. The post also included an old photo of Paltrow and Martin relaxing together in the countryside as well as some articles on how to effectively handle a separation.

    The Iron Man actress has faced a fair amount of controversy since the start of the year. Paltrow was recently embroiled in a feud with Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter due to rumors about the magazine’s plans of “exposing” the actress’ alleged infidelity. Paltrow retaliated by sending a mass e-mail to her friends in showbiz, informing them of Vanity Fair’s “threat” to feature her on the magazine without her consent or participation. The actress also advised them to boycott the publication.

    Paltrow, who was voted Most Beautiful Woman by People Magazine in 2013, wed the Grammy-winning British singer-songwriter in a private ceremony in December 2003. As one of the most high-profile couples in Hollywood, they spent most of their decade-long marriage eluding the paparazzi in an effort to keep their privacy.

    Image via YouTube

  • Arnold Schwarzenegger Dons Apron At ‘The Tonight Show’ With Jimmy Fallon

    It’s not every day that one gets to see The Terminator in an apron, but that’s just what Arnold Schwarzenegger did when he appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 24.

    The 66-year-old actor dropped by the show to promote his new movie Sabotage, which opens in theaters on March 28. Fallon started with casually telling Schwarzenegger that he could have sworn he had seen the actor on QVC, the television network that specializes in home shopping.

    Sabotage trailer

    Schwarzenegger admitted it was a possibility. Though it sounds unusual, when he sees a product that he really loves, he wants get behind the product and be part of the action—selling it, marketing it, “the whole thing—that’s just me,” he said. At this point Fallon expressed a keen interest: enter the skit.

    The skit was a spoof of a QVC show and was titled Now We’re Cookin’ With Zach Striker, in which Fallon played the titular host and Schwarzenegger was a guest. The skit also featured a couple of the actor’s iconic movie lines. Fallon—as Zach—introduced the actor as “a renowned foodie” and a guy “who really knows his way around the kitchen—Arnold Schwarzenegger!”

    “It’s good to be here, Zach,” said Schwarzenegger in greeting.

    “What would you say if I told you that we have not one but two products here today?” Fallon said.

    “I would say, ‘Wow!’ This is really incredible. What are they?” replied Schwarzenegger.

    “Zach” answered that they had two: a blender and a vegetable chopper. Fallon started discussing the blender’s fine qualities, and how it is the perfect product to make milkshakes and other cold beverages: “you name it, that’ll blend it.”

    “We all know that it’s a blender, now let’s get to the chopper,” suggested Schwarzenegger—but Zach wasn’t finished. He continued to rave about the blender’s “high-octane features.”

    “We know what the blender does, but let’s get to the chopper,” insisted Schwarzenegger, looking quite impatient now.

    Watch the skit

    Image via YouTube

  • Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Plays ‘Hercules’ In Brett Ratner Film [Trailer]

    There are only a few actors in Hollywood that could effectively portray the mythological hero Hercules, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is definitely one of them.

    The former pro-wrestler turned actor appeared at CinemaCon Tuesday for the promotion of his upcoming action flick, Hercules. Johnson screened the newly-released trailer for select members of the press on Monday during a brunch hosted by Paramount Pictures, in which he also entertained questions from the participants.

    The highly-anticipated film adaptation of the Ancient Greek legend has taken 10 years to conceptualize and put together. However, it was with the arrival of Rush Hour director Brett Ratner that the project started to come into focus. The film features English actor Ian McShane, who also narrated the trailer, theater actor Reece Ritchie as Hercules’ nephew Iolaus, and Russian model Irina Shayk as Hercules’ love interest Megara.

    Apart from playing the title role, Johnson also plays the role of Greek thunder god Zeus as well as Trojan hero Achilles.

    The film is based on the graphic novel entitled Hercules: The Thracian Wars, in which the plot revolves around the events following Hercules’ twelve labors. According to the movie’s official synopsis, Hercules turns into a mercenary due to being “haunted by a sin from his past”. Hercules serves as a hireling of sorts and sells his services for gold along with five other companions, but returns to being “the hero he once was” toward the end of the story.

    Johnson went through eight months intensive training and bodybuilding to prepare himself for this role. The hulking 6-foot-5 actor revealed that he idolized Hercules in his youth and considered the character as “the first superhero”.

    The semi-retired WWE star, whose real name is Dwayne Douglas Johnson, is no stranger to playing mythological figures. He also starred in the 2001 adventure film The Mummy Returns as the terrifying Scorpion King.

    Hercules premieres in US theaters July 25.

    Hercules: A First Look

    Image via YouTube

  • Shaq Under Investigation For Assaulting TNT Co-Worker Robert Williams

    Basketball great Shaquille O’Neal is the subject of an investigation for an attack that occurred last May.

    O’Neal, 42, played for six different teams during his almost two-decade career in the NBA. Originally from Newark, New Jersey, he was drafted by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 NBA Draft. The four-time NBA champion and three-time NBA Finals MVP retired in 2011, first making an announcement on Twitter, and then holding a press conference at his home in Orlando. A month later, he announced that he was going to join Turner Network Television (TNT) as an NBA Analyst.

    His TNT co-worker Robert Williams claims that in May of 2013 the seven-foot-one O’Neal tackled him from behind, knocking him down, resulting in neck and back injuries that required surgery. O’Neal claims it was only horseplay. His counsel Dennis Roach adds that there was never any intention to cause injury. Williams’ camp heavily opposes this claim, and says that the permanent injuries sustained were not due to any form of horseplay.

    Williams immediately reported the incident to TNT security, but the company did not file a police report until July last year. The investigation has become more complicated over time, according to Sergeant Greg Lyon, Atlanta P.D. The case was eventually transferred to the departments’ complex case team. Police still cannot tell when the decision will be reached as to whether O’Neal will be prosecuted or not.

    Pending the investigation, O’Neal has continued to appear on TNT’s Inside the NBA.

    In 2005, O’Neal was a witness to an assault. He reported the incident and helped Miami-Dade police track down the offenders. This resulted in the arrest of two suspects for aggravated battery, assault, and a hate crime. In 2006, he participated in a home raid in Virginia. O’Neal had been made an “honorary deputy” by the local sheriff’s department.

    Best of Shaq on TNT

    Image via YouTube

  • Ralph Wilson, Owner Of The Buffalo Bills, Passes Away At 95

    American Football League co-founder and owner of the Buffalo Bills, Ralph Wilson, died in his home on Tuesday.

    The official announcement was made by Russ Brandon, the Buffalo Bills’ president, during the yearly National Football League owners’ meeting held in Orlando, Florida. Wilson said that when he died, he wanted his co-owners to learn of the news first. The group observed a moment of silence after the announcement was made.

    At 95 years old, Wilson was the oldest team owner in the National Football League. He also held the record for the longest tenure at 54 years. In 2009, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

    Wilson died at about 1:40 p.m. in his Grosse Pointe Shores home in Michigan where he had been getting home hospice care.

    After learning of Wilson’s passing, Brandon said that the death is tough for him to handle. “I worked for him for 18 years and talked to him every day for 18 years – sometimes multiple times a day.”

    Before his death, Wilson said that his family had no interest in running the Buffalo Bills after he dies, and that the team will be sold. In a statement, Brandon said that they are in a midst of tremendous loss, and plans regarding the team’s ownership will be discussed in the near future.

    Many of the members of Buffalo Bills paid their respects to Wilson.

    C.J. Spiller, the team’s running back said that Wilson was a great leader. “I will not let you down, Mr. Wilson. May God be with you and your family always,” he said.

    Stevie Johnson, the team’s wide receiver, expressed his grief through Twitter saying that he is forever indebted to Wilson for everything he has done for his family.

    Marv Levy, Buffalo Bills’ Hall of Famer coach, said, “He wasn’t my boss, he was my friend.”

    Wilson is survived by his wife, Mary, and two daughters named Edith and Christy.

    NFL owners reflect on Ralph Wilson

    Image via YouTube

  • USS Mahan: Shooting Investigation Continues

    On Monday night, two people were reportedly killed onboard the USS Mahan, a guided-missile destroyer. The Navy ship was docked at the Naval Station in Norfolk. It has been there since September after it spent over eight months in deployment.

    According to reports from the U.S. Navy, the incident happened at about 11:20 p.m. when a civilian went onboard the ship and approached the Quarterdeck. He was then reprimanded by security. The suspect was able to disarm the petty officer and the gun was used to shoot and kill the sailor who responded to help.

    Security personnel who responded to the scene were able to kill the suspect.

    The identities of the sailor and the suspect have not yet been released due to the ongoing investigation.

    According to sources, the suspect did not have the authority to be on the base at all. However, he had TWIC or Transportation Worker Identification Credential. This allowed the suspect to have access to Pier 1, but not aboard the USS Mahan where the incident happened.

    The Transportation Security Administration said that not just anyone can have the TWIC. Applicants must submit to security threat assessment and they must also provide fingerprints. Those who have the TWIC are typically the ones who need unsupervised access to vessels and maritime facilities that are secure from civilians.

    NCIS has already completed the physical investigation of Pier 1 and the Navy has taken over. However, the NCIS is still taking statements and interviewing people.

    In a press conference, base commander Capt. Robert Clark said that the Navy will be looking into their security measures. He also said that the Navy’s thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased sailor.

    “We are in the process of notifying the sailor’s next of kin, and I would ask that you please respect their privacy at this very difficult time.” The Captain refused to give specific information about the sailor, saying that it was not appropriate to do so at the present time.

    Main image via YouTube, image of ship via Wikimedia Commons

  • Barkhad Abdi: ‘Captain Phillips’ Star Stopped From Re-Entering US Over Criminal History

    Actor Barkhad Abdi is set to meet with the United States customs officials for a hearing after he was detained at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport on February 17. The actor had just come back from London where he received a Best Actor in a Supporting Role award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) for his performance in the 2013 film Captain Phillips.

    The Somali-born actor has a permanent residency status in the U.S. If he didn’t, Abdi would not have been permitted to enter the country at all because of his criminal history. Abdi’s most recent case was in August 2012, when he and four of his friends were arrested and charged with drug possession by the Black Hawk County Sheriff’s Office in Iowa. The charge was dismissed by the Iowa Court.

    Abdi’s rap sheet contained incidents starting from 2004. On February 2 of that year, he was sentenced to 90 days in jail, a year of probation, and a fine of $1000 after providing false information to a police officer and for buying liquor below the age limit. He was only 18 at that time.

    In Minnesota on June 1, 2005, Abdi was charged with credit card fraud and sentenced to 200 days in prison with two years of probation and a $500 fine. He also has a number of traffic violations.

    Abdi’s criminal history was brought to light some weeks ago in a British tabloid. The actor responded by saying that he made mistakes in order to satisfy some of his friends. The mistakes shaped who he is now, and that he had already paid the price for his actions. Little did he know that those mistakes called for a check-in interview with customs officials years later.

    This week’s hearing is standard procedure and Abdi may only be asked to demonstrate that he is admissible into the U.S. It is unlikely that the BAFTA winner would be deported since the agency usually only does that in serious cases.

    Before winning the role of Abduwali Muse in Captain Phillips, Abdi worked as a limousine driver and also sold mobile phones in the 24 Mall in Minneapolis.

    Barkhad Abdi’s story

    Image via YouTube

  • Colorado River Flows Into Mexico Again Due To Minute 319

    American and Mexican scientists teamed up to create an engineered spring flood to allow the Colorado River to flow into Mexico again for the first time in six decades.

    The Colorado River is the main river of the Southwestern United States, encompassing seven states. Famous for carving the Grand Canyon and for having intense whitewater rapids, the river is also a major source of water for agricultural and urban areas. While historically the river flowed into Mexico, numerous dams built over the last six decades have caused a massive rerouting and drying of the Colorado River delta.

    Officials from the International Boundary Water Commission authorized the release of water from Lake Mead towards the delta. The manmade flood released on March 23 was a result of Minute 319, a 2012 agreement between the U.S. and Mexico as an amendment to their 1944 Water Treaty. It aimed primarily to resurrect the dried delta, but will also be used as a basis for the implementation of a five-year program that will extend the water flow to more areas.

    Farmer Juan Butron Mendez, 63, recalls his childhood memories of the river’s rapid current. When his family returned to the area in the 1960s, there was barely any flow. The elders of the indigenous Cupacapa group—Cupacapa translating to “people of the river”—remember the river being deep and wide enough to carry boats. Now they can barely catch fish good for eating.

    The flood is expected to provide habitat for various species of wildlife, including endangered birds. It will also benefit trees like cottonwood and willow, which have been dying off in the past few decades because of the lack of floodwater to carry their seeds.

    The engineered flood is still a far cry from the natural current that used to flow into the Colorado River delta. Officials concede that it cannot be restored to how it was a hundred years ago.

    Bringing Back the Colorado River


    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Houston Fire: Man Saved From 5-Alarm Blaze [Video]

    A large apartment complex with 396 units that was under construction caught fire on Tuesday in Houston. The fire was first reported at 12:30 local time, and firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene.

    There is no report on how the fire started, but it quickly spread with the help of strong wind gusts that were said to reach a speed of 25 mph. Within a few minutes, the fire had grown from a three-alarm to a four-alarm situation, and it even reached a five-alarm situation around an hour after the fire started.

    Black smoke and fire could be seen from several miles away and more than 200 fire department personnel and 80 units were there at the scene.

    Check out the size of this fire

    According to the authorities, the fire was heavily driven by the strong winds and they were working hard to contain the fire within the affected area to prevent it from spreading to the nearby structures.

    Capt. Ruy Lozano of the Houston Fire Department says that construction workers were the only ones present in the building when it caught fire, and their count indicates that everyone survived the blaze. They only had to rescue one man who was ready to jump from the third floor to get away from the large flames.

    Man on verge of jumping from third floor, saved

    There were also no reports of injuries.

    Some people from the neighboring building say that they saw a construction worker attempting to extinguish the flames, but the fire quickly spread across the roof.

    The firefighters were able to keep the fire under control around two-and-a-half hours after the fire had started.

    This is not the first time the residential building at W. Dallas and Marconi Street gained attention.

    According to reports, the building was erected just a few steps from the Magnolia Cemetery, which had headstones that were centuries old. Trisha Keel, a Houston resident, says that she could sit on the building’s patio and place her feet on a gravestone, as the building was that close to the cemetery.

    Now, some local residents believe the fire may have been arson, resulting from opposition to the building being constructed so close to the gravesite.

    Authorities are investigating.

    Image via YouTube

  • Girl Scout Breaks National Record For Number Of Cookies Sold

    A Girl Scout from Oklahoma City broke the organization’s record for Girl Scout cookies sold last Sunday.

    Katie Francis, a sixth grade student, sold 18,107 boxes in seven weeks. The previous record-holder was Elizabeth Brinton, who sold 18,000 boxes back in the 1980’s.

    Katie credits her three ingredients to successful sales: a lot of commitment, a lot of time, and asking everyone she meets to buy her cookies.

    Last year, she sold 12,428 boxes of cookies.

    Katie plans to aim for a new record of 20,000 boxes sold by the end of the month. According to her mom, she hopes to sell 100,000 boxes by the end of her Girl Scout career.

    Katie sings Girl Scout cookie song

    Katie’s schedule is filled with selling cookies, from weeknights after school to 12 to 13 hours on weekends. She says that she is happy selling cookies and that she has a lot of fun doing it.

    She also says that compliments help keep her going, and that she has learned business and money management skills.

    DeLee Francis describes her daughter as a “go-getter” who likes to work long hours. In the last two years, the 12 year old held the state record for the most cookies sold.

    According to her mother, Thin Mints are the top seller, with Samosa as “a definite second.”

    Girl Scout cookies are a snack food sold by the Girl Scouts of the USA to raise funds for local Scout units. They are made by commercial bakeries under the license of the Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts often get prizes and badges, and sometimes money. Most of the profit from sales supports the local troops.

    Katie’s troop will receive a share of the profits from her record-breaking sales and donate it to breast cancer research.

    National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend

    Jaimie Siegal, marketing and communications director of the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma says that they will wait for the end of the selling period at the end of the month to authenticate Katie’s record.

    How are these delicious cookies made?

    Image via YouTube

  • US Retail Giant Wal-Mart Admits Dependence On Food Stamps To Keep Margins Up

    US Retail Giant Wal-Mart Admits Dependence On Food Stamps To Keep Margins Up

    Wal-mart Stores, Inc. declared an interesting factor in their bottom line when they filed their Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday. The world’s largest retailer officially admitted that certain changes in government assistance programs, especially the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP, could affect its profit margins.

    Wal-mart’s 10-K stated that their business is affected by a number of domestic and international factors and risks, which are beyond their control. It added that “any one, or a combination” of these factors and risks could  significantly affect the overall financial performance of the company.

    The form singled out modifications in the “amount of payments under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” which is more popularly known as the Food Stamp Program. Federal aid policy on these types of assistance plans also include eligibility requirements for potential beneficiaries. In addition, Congress has yet to renew the policy on extended jobless benefits that ended at the end of 2013.

    Web-based international news provider International Business Times reported that this is Wal-mart’s first admission of its dependence on government assistance programs as a crucial factor in its revenue. On the other hand, Wal-mart has mentioned the effects of the Food Stamp Program in the past. At the beginning of 2013, the company said that their profits declined after the stimulus boost to SNAP benefits expired in November.

    Wal-mart is known for its low prices, which caters mostly to customers with below-average incomes. According to research studies, one-fifth of American Wal-mart customers do not possess a bank account. As a result, a huge chunk of Wal-mart’s customer base makes use of food stamps to purchase items from the store. Moreover, although the store is known as one of the largest retailers, most of their employees tend to rely on welfare.

    This SNAP program is the largest nutrition assistance plan in the U.S., which has served approximately 40 million poor Americans in the past years.

    A discussion about Wal-mart and SNAP

    Image via YouTube

  • Mark Sanchez: Former Jets Quarterback May Have A Future With Eagles, Rams, Browns, Or Titans

    NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez is currently a free agent after being released on Friday by the New York Jets, but it appears that he won’t be one for long. On Tuesday, ESPN reported that Sanchez may join the Philadelphia Eagles if he gets the thumbs up after the Eagles’ medical evaluation.

    The Eagles is not the only team to show interest in Sanchez. According to the Daily News, the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and St. Louis Rams have also expressed their interest in the 27-year-old quarterback.

    Coach Jeff Fisher of the Rams confirmed this on Sunday, saying that their team is in need of a “backup with experience.” The team’s current roster includes Austin Davis, who lacks experience, and Sam Bradford, who was injured in October with a torn ACL.

    Being a backup seems to be Sanchez’s best position at the moment. The player struggled with performance consistency in the 2011 and 2012 seasons before a preseason shoulder injury landed him on the injured list last season.

    Sanchez, who played college football at the University of Southern California, was the Jets’ fifth overall pick during the first round of the NFL Draft in 2009. He was immediately placed in the starting lineup and he proved to be a great player, due in part to his team’s strong defense.

    In the first two seasons that Sanchez was with the Jets, they were able to make it to the American Football Conference championships. However, when the running game faltered and their defense slipped, Sanchez’s performance also went down hill. On April 2013, the Jets drafted quarterback Geno Smith. Just this month the team signed Michael Vick.

    The probability that Sanchez may sign up with the Rams increases with the fact that he has worked with the Rams’ offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer before, when Schottenheimer had that position with the Jets during Sanchez’s first two seasons in New York.

    Sanchez gave his thanks to fans and the Jets via WhoSay, which was linked to his Twitter account. In his post, he said that playing quarterback for the Jets had been a thrill for him. “I want to thank the guys in the locker room…I’ll miss you guys and I’ll miss the good times we shared.”

    The infamous “Butt Fumble” by Mark Sanchez

    Other less than flattering plays by Sanchez

    Image via Mark Sanchez, Twitter

  • Dave Brockie Of GWAR Found Dead In Richmond Home

    Founder and lead vocalist of the thrash metal band GWAR, Dave Brockie, was found dead in his Richmond home on Sunday.

    According to Dionne Waugh of the Richmond Police, the authorities were called to Brockie’s residence at around 6:53 p.m. for a reported death. The authorities discovered the lifeless body of 50-year-old Brockie when they arrived at the scene.

    Detectives do not suspect any foul play, and the official cause of death is soon to be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

    GWAR’s manager, Jack Flanagan, has issued a statement saying that more information surrounding Brockie’s death will be released as soon as details have been confirmed. He also said that his focus is to look after Brockie’s family and the rest of the band.

    GWAR was formed in 1984 in Richmond, Virginia. The band is known for their heavy music and theatrical performances. Each band member has his own persona and alias, as well as out-of-this-world costume.

    The band just came back from shows in Japan to celebrate their 30th anniversary in the music business. They also released their 13th studio album just last year.

    Mike Bishop, the former bassist for the band, says that Brockie was one of the smartest and funniest guys that he has ever known. “He was brash sometimes, always crass, irreverent, he was hilarious in every way. But he was also deeply intelligent and interested in life, history, politics, and art.”

    Brockie, who was known as Oderus Urungus, was the only GWAR character who has ever existed in every incarnation of the band. He started out as the band’s guitarist, then moved on to playing the bass, and eventually ended up being the band’s vocalist. He also contributed to the Fox News Channel as Oderus Urungus.

    Oderus Urungus on Fox News

    The death of Brockie came three years after the death of their guitarist Cory Smoot. Smoot died due to a heart attack that he had while they were on their 2011 tour.

    GWAR rocks the show

    Image via YouTube

  • Quinton Ross, Former New Jersey Net, Erroneously Reported Dead

    On Monday afternoon, readers and followers of the New York Post were informed that ex-NBA player Quinton Ross had been found dead. The headline claimed that the athlete’s remains were “stuffed into a garbage bag” and buried underneath a shallow grave.

    Unfortunately, it was a different person with the name of Quinton Ross who was discovered dead, and not the former New Jersey Nets guard-forward. The New York Post updated their story about 10 minutes after the erroneous report was released. The victim, who shared his name with the former ball player, was found dead and “hidden in a patch of weeds” in the Far Rockaway beach area.

    Despite The Post’s retraction, the false news was picked up by several other news sites. The new Post headline now includes a disclaimer stating that their initial reports involving Quinton Ross, the basketball player “are incorrect”, according to police authorities. However, The Post has yet to make editing changes to the original story itself.

    Police are currently investigating the gruesome crime.

    Quinton Ross, the player, is a native of Dallas, Texas and earned a degree in Economics from Southern Methodist University. He started his professional basketball career with Belgian basketball team Telindus Oostende, while his career in the NBA began in 2004 with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 32-year-old player then signed a contract with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2008 and stayed there for a year. Ross then moved to the Dallas Mavericks in July 2009, but was traded to the Washington Wizards in February 2010. In July of the same year, Ross was traded for Chinese player Yi Jianlian and cash to the New Jersey Jets. He played a total of 36 games with the franchise.

    After Ross’ release by the New Jersey Nets in 2011, he went on to play for the Developmental League in France.

    Image via YouTube

  • BASE Jumper Dies At Zion National Park In Utah

    Another BASE jumper was killed after jumping off from one of the peaks at the Zion National Park in Utah. This is the second BASE jumping fatality recorded in the park.

    Zion National Park is Utah’s most popular park, and is known for narrow canyons and sandstone cliffs. Many BASE jumpers visit the park even though BASE jumping is banned there. BASE is an acronym for “building, antenna, span, and earth.” BASE jumpers leap off from high locations with their parachutes including tall buildings, bridges, and cliffs.

    On Sunday, a helicopter spotted the unnamed man who was killed. Reports indicate that the body was in a treacherous and steep area where crosswinds are strong. The body has not yet been recovered, and it may take a few days before they get to it. A search team will be dispatched to the area, where rappelling and climbing is required to reach the body’s location. Alyssa Baltrus, the park service spokesperson, also said that they would be using a helicopter if possible.

    BASE jumping is an activity that is illegal in all national parks in the United States. However, BASE jumpers still find a way to carry on with their activity in the park without being noticed. Authorities are always on the lookout for BASE jumpers and issue tickets to those who are caught.

    The incident is not the first death in the park. Just a month ago, Amber Bellows, 28, was killed when she jumped 2,000 feet from Mount Kinesava in the Zion National Park and her parachute did not open.

    BASE jumper Amber Bellows tragically lost her life in February when her parachute failed to open.

    Another death was reported on Friday when Kevin Morroun, 35, fell from “The Sweet Spot,” a canyon near Moab. He fell roughly around 400 feet.

    Authorities are still waiting for the body to be recovered before releasing a statement and declaring name of the BASE jumper who died.

    Incredible BASE Jumping. Watch.

    Here’s what can happen when a jump goes wrong

    Image via YouTube

  • Oso Washington Landslide: Number Of Casualties Raised To 14

    Fourteen people have been confirmed dead at the giant landslide that occurred last Saturday at the Darrington and Oso areas of Washington, after six more bodies have been discovered. However, the identities still need to be verified.

    Aside from the confirmed dead, many residents were also injured and more than 100 properties were destroyed. A mile-long stretch of land in Route 530 was also blocked due to debris.

    The towns were hit by a 1-square mile slide that tore through the rural area 55 miles northeast of Seattle. The landslide was caused by a hillside that collapsed after being soaked in rain.

    Snohomish County Fire District 21’s Chief, Travis Hots, says that “the situation is grim” and that they have not found anybody alive since Saturday.

    On Monday, 108 names of missing and unaccounted for have been submitted to emergency officials. Most of the people missing are residents, construction workers, and people driving by.

    The list of missing people contains detailed information, but many are also vague, with some descriptions saying, “I met him once. I think he lived over there.”

    Officials are encouraging people to call a Snohomish County hotline so they can update their database.

    There are over 100 emergency responders at the scene, but additional state and federal resources like technical rescue experts and search dogs are joining to help the recovery efforts. The Washington State Department of Transportation is sending heavy equipment to clear the mud.

    President Barack Obama ordered US government assistance after signing an emergency declaration.

    The search for victims continued on Monday as quicksand-like conditions affected relief works on Sunday. Some workers had to be pulled to safety as the mud reached the armpits. Movement along a stretch of earth near the slide area was also detected.

    The Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management remains optimistic, and believes that the number of people missing would “drop dramatically.”

    Aerial view of Oso landslide

    Image via Twitter

  • “Sunday Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo” Launches Sunday On Fox News

    A new show by veteran news reporter Maria Bartiromo will premiere on March 30 at 7 a.m. Pacific Time. Titled Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, it will takes the time slot of America’s News HQ Weekend, which will be run at different times over the weekend. The new show comes after Fox & Friends Weekend. After Bartiromo’s show, MediaBuzz hosted by Howard Kurtz follows.

    The new program aims to provide viewers with an in-depth view at preparing financially for the future, and putting a spotlight on “the intersection of commerce and news events,” according to a statement released by the network.

    Bartiromo will also interview newsmakers and industry leaders for an inside look in their respective fields, and bring up topics on investment opportunities and the creation of jobs. The reporter’s analysis will be applied to the economic issues and developments of the week, giving audiences her expert perspective on various areas covering job forecasts, the state of the economy, and financial markets.

    Maria Bartiromo has a new show on Fox News

    Michael Clemente, the Executive Vice President of News for Fox, said that Bartiromo’s expertise “has helped define her as one of the finest business journalists in the industry,” adding that he is confident that Bartiromo will increase the value to the network’s weekend programming.

    Bartiromo is also the anchor of Fox Business Network’s Opening Bell with Maria Bartiromo, a program which runs weekdays from 6 to 8 am PT. The business journalist is also the network’s Global Markets editor, as well as the author of several books, including The 10 Laws of Enduring Success and The Weekend That Changed Wall Street.

    Prior to joining Fox in February, Bartiromo worked for rival network CNBC for 20 years, where she anchored the program “Closing Bell” and hosted On the Money with Maria Bartiromo.  She is the first reporter to conduct a live broadcast from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Before CNBC, Bartiromo spent five years working for CNN.

    Maria Bartiromo talks about her career

    Image via YouTube

  • Montana Murder Case: Colorado Man Suspected Of Murder Seeks To Avoid Trial

    Michael Keith Spell, 24, was charged with the attempted kidnapping and murder of Sherry Arnold, a 43-year-old high school teacher who was found in a shallow grave. On January 2012, Arnold never came back from her morning jog. Her body was discovered two months after her disappearance.

    On Monday, the defense testified that Spell is not fit for trial, as he is suffering from a mental condition wherein he tends to twist the past. They also said that he has the intelligence of an 11-year-old child, and will not be able to comprehend the case brought against him.

    However, testimonies from doctors at the Montana State Hospital said that Spell was only “pretending” not to understand questions during his mental fitness evaluation.

    Judge Richard Simonton will have to decide if the defense claims hold true.

    Co-defendant  Lester Vann Waters Jr. has already pleaded guilty to the charges in exchange for a plea deal. Prosecutors dismissed the attempted kidnapping charge and instead will push for a 100-year prison sentence, instead of the death penalty. This, however, may result in the death sentence for Spell, if he is convicted. On the other hand, if he is able to avoid trial due to his supposed mental condition, he will be avoiding the death sentence and will instead be housed in a state institution.

    Greg Olley, a clinical professor and psychologist, is testifying for the defense. He said that he has already interviewed Spell two times and according to those interviews, he found that Spell is “mentally retarded,” as he was capable of answering routine questions, but failed to answer fundamental ones. Olley also stated that Spell is not a smart person, and that he has a bad memory that is not capable of retaining a lot of information.

    Prosecutors say that Olley’s testimony should not be taken into consideration, as there was no written report submitted.

    Craig Beaver, a neuropsychologist based in Idaho also testified that Spell’s condition can be proven to exist since he was 5 years old.

    Spell’s competency is more difficult to determine, as his case is not severe. Spell has functioned in society, fathering a child and even having worked at different jobs. However, his representatives say that he always scored below 75 on various IQ tests.

    Sherry Arnold went for a jog and never returned home

    Image via Denver Channel, Twitter

  • Gordon Fox Resigns As Rhode Island’s Speaker Of The House

    Rhode Island Speaker of the House, Gordon Fox, announced his resignation on Saturday following the raid of his home and office on Friday. Law enforcement officials were reportedly looking for evidence in a criminal investigation regarding an undisclosed issue.

    Fox, 52, is Rhode Island’s first openly gay Speaker of the House. A spokesperson for Fox said that he will no longer be carrying out official duties as a speaker. However, he will still serve as the state’s representative for the remainder of his term for House District 4 on the East Side of Providence.

    There are no detailed reports of the allegations on Fox, but it is not the first time he has been involved in issues concerning ethical misconduct. At the start of the year, Fox paid a $1,500 fine for neglecting to report more than $40,000 that he earned while organizing loan documents for the economic development agency of Providence from 2007 until 2009.

    Another report states that Fox was under inspection for his contribution to a deal that was made in 2010, wherein video game company 38 Studios was given a $75 million loan. The company then declared bankruptcy two years after. Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation’s failed investment left taxpayers with the burden of a $100 million bill.

    Rhode Island State Police superintendent Steven O’Donnell did not say if the evidence collected had something to do with an investigation on Fox, or if it is an evidence for an investigation on another person.

    After the announcement of Fox’s resignation, speculations on who will be taking his seat quickly rose. Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston, has already stated his interest in seeking to replace Fox with Rep. John De Simone, D-Providence, becoming his majority leader.

    Mattiello said that he wishes Fox well, and that he is eager to move forward with Rhode Island.

    Fox also said that he does not have any intention on running another term in the House.

    RI House Majority Leader Nicholas Mattiello comments on Gordon Fox

    Image via YouTube

  • Lionel Messi Now El Clasico’s All-Time Leading Goal Scorer

    Lionel Messi has just become El Clasico’s all-time leading goal scorer, after scoring three goals in the game between Futbol Club Barcelona and Real Madrid Club de Futbol last Sunday. Messi is FC Barcelona’s forward and considered by many as the greatest footballer of all time.

    The El Clasico is any match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

    The match, held at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, closed with FC Barcelona winning 4-3.

    The El Clasico game was heated, and Barca struck first due to a pass from Messi to Andres Iniesta. Iniesta put Barcelona in the lead by the 7th minute.

    However, Real Madrid managed to catch up in the 20th minute when Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria crossed off Barca’s Victor Valdez. Soon, Benzema and Di Maria scored another goal in the 24th minute, making the score 2-1.

    Messi’s agility matched the score at 2-2, and later won the game with a completed hat-trick, using a penalty kick over goalie Diego Lopez.

    A hat-trick is used to describe three points made in a single game by a player.

    Real Madrid’s team had a big improvement from last year, with Luka Modric’s top shape and Gareth Bale’s addition being highlights of the team. However, Real Madrid’s plan to outscore and overpower FC Barcelona failed, with two Barca penalties shooting through the goal.

    The victory puts FC Barcelona one point ahead of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in La Liga’s title race.

    FC Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino believed that “it was over for us” if they lost the match. According to him, the team will now fight until the end.

    Messi’s record-breaking scoring comes after winning three consecutive FIFA Ballon d’Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year awards. At 25, he is also the youngest player to score 200 La Liga goals.

    Image via Facebook

  • James Rebhorn, Veteran Character Actor, Passes Away At 65

    Prolific film and television actor James Rebhorn died at his home in South Orange, New Jersey on Friday. According to his wife, Rebecca Lin, Rebhorn succumbed to a long battle with melanoma, with which he was diagnosed in 1992. The actor was 65 years old.

    Rebhorn, who has been a professional actor for nearly five decades, has appeared in more than a hundred movies and TV shows over his illustrious career. He was most recently known as Frank Mathison, the father of Claire Danes’ character in the hit political TV thriller “Homeland”. Rebhorn also starred in the 1999 psychological thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley as shipping magnate Herbert Greenleaf and in the 1992 comedy film My Cousin Vinny as an expert witness.

    The versatile actor, was however, known for playing stringent and serious characters given his tall and slim stature, as well as his piercing expression. He can also be remembered for his role as the headmaster in the 1992 dramatic film Scent of a Woman and the Secretary of Defense in the 1996 science fiction disaster film Independence Day.

    Philly-native Rebhorn was a devout Lutheran who finished a degree in political science and a Master of Fine Arts in acting from Columbia University in New York City. He played the lead roles at his university’s production of Aristophanes’ Lysistrata and Moliére’s Tricks of Scapin.

    Several well-known names in Hollywood like Tom Arnold and Patton Oswalt paid their respects to Rebhorn through messages posted on Twitter. Arnold’s tweet said “you didn’t know him, but trust me, you knew him”, while Oswalt declared on behalf of movie fans everywhere that Rebhorn would “always be there and be great”.

    Rebhorn was also active in the theater scene, appearing on Broadway in several plays including the successful revival of the 1954 television play 12 Angry Men in 2004. He also played an Alzheimer-stricken character in Too Much, Too Much, Too Many at New York City’s Roundabout Theatre Company.

    An interview with James Rebhorn

    Image via Wikimedia Commons