Russell Brand fined $700 after “attacking” an iPhone

While in New Orleans, actor Russell Brand has been fined $700 after “attacking” the iPhone of a photographer.  According to the police declaration on Thursday, the “Get Him to the Greek” star grabbed the man’s phone and tossed it through a window, Reuters reports. 

British actor Russell Brand can have quite a temper. Sometimes that’s what builds up his eccentric image, other times…he ends up in court. This time, he got mad at a paparazzo and, instead of grabbing him by the neck he took it out on his iPhone. So he threw the device through a window.  New Orleans police spokesman Officer Garry Flot told the press that Brand is suspected of “simple criminal damage” and has to pay a fine of $ 700 for the “good deed”. 

More details on the incident were reported by TMZ, who photographed Brand pulling a phone off a man’s hand in a car and then photos of a broken window, the one that the iPhone reportedly went through. 

Russell Brand could not be reached for comment and it is yet unknown whether he is still in New Orleans. Either way, he will have to show-up in court in the near future.

“Stupid” Kim Kardashian vs. “careless” Jon Hamm

In case you got the chance of reading the latest issue of Elle UK, you might have noticed that Jon Hamm does not think highly of reality stars. The actor indirectly called Kim Kardashian “stupid” and “idiot”. She replied to him on Twitter calling him “careless”. Too bad he does not have a Twitter (or a Facebook) account.

“Mad Men” star Jon Hammond, who plays Din Draper in the series, wanted to express his true emotions and thoughts regarding the rise of the reality stars.  Like other actors who spent countless hours working on being in the limelight, perfecting their skills and knowledge on acting, he feels really irritated by the socialites like Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian, who, in his opinion, are far from rightfully gaining the celebrity status. “Whether it’s Paris Hilton or Kim Kardashian or whoever, stupidity is certainly celebrated”, Hamm says, adding that “being a f*cking idiot is a valuable commodity in this culture because you’re rewarded significantly”. 

Hamm is not the pioneer in reality-star-slamming. A few months ago, in November 2011, James Bond star Daniel Craig (whom you could have seen at the beginning of this year in “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”) called the Kardashians “f*cking idiots”. He had told British GQ magazine: “You see [their show] and you think, 'What, you mean all I have to do is behave like a f*cking idiot on television and then you'll pay me millions?'"

After reading Hamm’s comments on her, Kim tweeted that she respected Jon and that she expects the same amount of respect from him, adding: “Calling someone who runs their own businesses, is a part of a successful TV show, produces, writes, designs, and creates, “stupid,” is in my opinion careless.” Her message was primarily for her followers, as Hamm does not have a Twitter account.

Coca-Cola and Pepsi, forced to change recipes. Will they taste the same?

Two of the most powerful brands in the world, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, are about to get a makeover. And no, we are not referring to rebranding or even changing the color of their logo. The changes go much deeper, to a recipe level. According to Discovery News, the scientists have discovered that a key-ingredient used in the two sodas if potentially cancerous. 

Recently, the state of California put 4-methyli-midazole ( 4-MEI) on the list of products that could lead to the deadliest disease of this century: cancer. According to the researchers, the ingredient is part of the recipe for good ol’ Pepsi and Coke, giving them the unique color. The maximum daily intake of 4-MEI should not exceed 29 micrograms, whereas a soda can contains 142 to 146 micrograms.

Pepsi and Cola-Cola have no choice now, but to change their original recipe.  If not, the companies will be forced to label their products as cancerous. Reps of the Coca-Cola company said that the changes will not affect the taste of the drink.

Creepy fake doctor uses cement in plastic surgery

In November 2011, the news about a fake doctor who performed creepy plastic surgery on clients using, among other illegal and unheard of fillers, cement, was busted.  The case of one of Mrs. Morris’ latest patients ended up in the ER. But if you think that was enough for him to stop, think again. Lately, another patient came forward, complaining about disastrous results following an implant. 

Oneal Ron Morris is a 30-year-old transgender who has a personal view on beauty and a quite different approach.  Even though not a licensed doctor, Morris presents herself as one, accepting patients for different types of plastic surgeries.  The problem is not only of legal matter but also of medical matter. Not only did Morris “operated” on people without a medical license, but the fillers used were unheard of before. Among them, cement, fix a flat inflator, super glue, mineral oil and sealant.

Morris first came to the attention of the large public last year in November, when one of the patients, a stripper who wanted to get a better-paid job, but was not willing to pay the price asked in a real medical facility, sued Morris for injecting cement into her buttocks, in May 2010. Just minutes after the filling, for which was paid 700 dollars, started giving the patient excruciating pain and hours later, her mother rushed her to the hospital in a critical state.  

After the news of the creepy cement implant surfaced, other victims of Morris started speaking. Among them there was transsexual Rajee Narinesingh, who asked for cheek implants and got a disfigured face instead. 

Morris was arrested, but denied all allegations, claiming she did not know any of the so-called victims. With the case development, it turned out she had an accomplice, a man who was playing her assistant. He also denies the accusations. 

The first two victims were invited on one of Dr. Phil’s December shows and the lawyer, also invited said that the more victims come forward, the more severe the charges and the sentence of Morris will be.

Scientists may have found the God particle

According to the ABC News, scientists may have found the “God” particle. The Large Hadron Collider specialists are studying the recent findings related to Higgs boson, a particle that may be part of a field that gives mass matter. At the moments, its attributes are only suppositions. Future experiments will reveal if the particle is really able to materialize energy.

Here we were thinking that God may not be far from Santa Claus myth. As is may turn out, we may be able to see God before we get to see Santa in flesh and bones. At least, to some extent, this is what the science promises for the near future. The scientists operating the Large Hadron Collider are studying the particle called Higgs boson, which is part of the same field which that gives mass matter. They had organized a meeting in mid-January to discuss on the subject. 

Several laboratory tests have been started in order to see if the discovery is valid. If so, this would be a major breakthrough. According to the team of scientists involved in the project, the results of the experiments will be based on definitely more data that they discussed at the Summer conference, “sufficient to make significant progress in the search for the Higgs boson, but not enough to make any conclusive statement on the existence or non-existence of the Higgs”.

Higgs boson is an elementary particle that was theorized by several scientists, such as F. Englert, P. Higgs and C. R. Hagen, but was never discovered. It is often referred to in the media as “the God particle” after Len Lederman’s book called “The God Particle: If the Universe Is the Answer, What Is the Question?”

Health - “Pink slime” filler used in everyday food

It came out about a week ago and has caused a huge stir: a beef additive, lately best known as “pink slime” has been used for decades in food products found in a variety of places, from grocery stores to restaurants, to children’s school cafeterias. Read more to find out what pink slime is made of and health concerns it poses.

Originally, pink slime, otherwise known as “lean finely textured beef” (LFTB) was only used in dog food. Over time, and especially since the ‘90s, the beef trimming, the main ingredient of LFTB, has made its way into our everyday food. Made out of the worst beef parts, the product is then treated with ammonia hydroxide in order to kill all bacteria and other pathogens, a treatment that causes the meat to turn pink. 

Debbie Zemanek, director of Child Nutrition for the Conroe Independent School District states that the treated beef is used at a large scale in the food industry.  “The products we buy ... it’s already cooked and in the product. We don’t buy raw meat”, Zemankek explains, adding that according to the USDA reports 6.5 percent of the total beef volume is pink slime.  

More than that, 70 percent of the beef sold at supermarkets is LFTB, and ABC News report says.  

In regard to the effects on the health state of people consuming it (which is actually the majority of the world population), they are the same as the ones of any other product containing additives. In addition to that, the amount of meat ingested is far less nutritive, contain more fat and less vitamins and minerals, thus making it important to complete the meals with supplements on a regular basis.

Ashton Kutcher has a new girlfriend

Just weeks after the infamous break-up from Hollywood icon Demi Moore, actor Ashton Kutcher was seen in the company of screenwriter Lorene Scafaria. The “Two And A Half Men” star spent his winter holidays with his new girlfriend in Italy.

Last year in December, just weeks after Demi Moore announced the split between them, Ashton Kutcher was spotted in the company of a new woman, whom, at the time, was said to be just a friend. Screenwriter Lorene Scafaria accompanied Kutcher in an exotic winter holiday in Italy. Since then, rumors have started that the two are more than just friends and a few days ago, a certain behavior led to the belief that it’s not just rumors. Kutcher, 34, and Scafaria, 33, were spotted wearing face paint, laughing and enjoying each other’s company, while heading to a party bus to Ultrazone in Los Angeles. 

Lorene Scafaria is not only a screenwriter, but also an actor and a singer, even if she is less known for those activities. In 2008, she recorded an album called “Garden Party” and one year later, her song “28” was part of the movie “Whip it!”’s soundtrack.  As a screenwriter, she is best known for the adaptation of “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist”, a book written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, into a movie. 

Scafaria is good friends with screenwriters Diablo Cody and Dana Fox (who wrote “What Happens in Vegas”, a movie in which Ashton Kutcher starred) and has dated actor Adam Brody.

Whitney Houston’s fortune: Bobbi Kristina – all, Bobby Brown – nothing

Whitney Houston’s will, amended in April 2000, states that all the singer’s fortune will go to her daughter, Bobbi Kristina, while her ex, Bobbi Brown will get nothing. The late pop start had decided to leave her only daughter all her money, clothes and estates, Us Weekly informs.

Bobbi Kristina is the daughter of one of the most iconic singers on the planet. Sadly, the pop icon, Whitney Houston, passed away on February 11, at the young age of 48, leaving behind a huge fortune that, apparently, will all be inherited by her only child. 

According to Houston’s will, amended on April 14, 2000, daughter Bobbi Kristina will inherit her mother’s everything:  from real estates and cars, to jewelry, clothing and money. Being only 19 at the moment, she won’t be able to benefit from the money just yet.  The finances will be placed in a trust fund until she will turn 21. Then, she will receive a part of the inheritance and, at the age of 30, she will be able to manage all the fortune her mother has left her. 

It may not be a shock to most of Whitney’s fans that her ex-husband, Bobbi Brown, has received nothing, although he was mentioned in the will. Cissy, Houston’s mother, is the executor of the will and Michael, the singer’s brother, along with his wife, are the trustees.

Venus Williams adopts vegan lifestyle

Tennis star Serena Williams says that after receiving the Sjoren’s Syndrome diagnosis, she decided to adopt a vegan lifestyle. Even though she loves a good steak, the seven-time Grand Slam winner says that being healthy is more important.

Venus Williams is struggling with a terrible diagnosis that she received in the summer on last year. The tennis star has Sjoren Syndrome, an autoimmune system disorder which has no cure.  Since August, she withdrew from the U.S. open and started making changes in her lifestyle.  The advice of her sister, Serena Williams, that of looking into holistic medicine in order to better manage the symptoms, was the helping hand she needed. Venus gave up meat and dairy and adopted a vegan diet. 

The Sjoren Syndrome is characterized by a series of symptoms: neurological problems, brain fog, dry eyes and nose, corneal infections, recurrent sinusitis, nose bleeds, dry and sore mouth, chewing and speaking difficulties, heartburn, esophagitis, recurrent bronchitis, pneumonia, lung disease, dry skin, muscle pain, abnormal liver function, stomach upset, vaginal dryness, numbness and tingling in the extremities. 

Looking back, Venus remembers that she has been experiencing the symptoms for years and no doctor was able to put a label on her condition. “I would go to the doctor and start crying. I couldn't help it”, she told People magazine a short time after being diagnosed. So when she finally received the diagnosis, as terrifying as it was, she felt it was also a relief.