Cleto Escobedo III, Jimmy Kimmel's bandleader and childhood friend, dies at 59
Jimmy Kimmel is mourning the death of his longtime friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III. Escobedo was 59. Kimmel announced the news Tuesday on Instagram and expressed deep heartbreak. The two met as children in Las Vegas and grew up across the street from each other. Escobedo became a professional saxophonist, touring with Earth, Wind and Fire and Paula Abdul. When ABC's “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” began in 2003, Kimmel chose Escobedo to lead the house band. Kimmel said they had unmatched chemistry. Escobedo is survived by his wife Lori and their two children. Kimmel asked for prayers for Escobedo’s family.
'Mellon Blue' diamond sells for $25.6 million at Swiss auction
GENEVA (AP) — A blue diamond weighing nearly 10 carats has sold at auction in Switzerland for $25.6 million including fees. The “Mellon Blue” is named for the late American arts patron Rachel “Bunny” Mellon. It had been expected to fetch $20-$30 million at the Christie’s auction on Tuesday. The house said the stone came in on the estimated range. The final price includes the “buyer’s premium” and other fees. The auction was the first installment of two days of jewelry auctions in Geneva. On Wednesday, rival Sotheby’s will put up the “Glowing Rose” pink diamond that’s expected to draw bids of around $20 million.
Christian missionary father and daughter died when plane bound for Jamaica crashed in Florida
A Christian missionary father and his daughter were killed when a small plane bound for a hurricane relief mission in Jamaica crashed in a South Florida neighborhood. Christian missionary organization Ignite the Fire identified the two victims of the Monda morning crash as the group’s founder, 53-year-old Alexander Wurm and his daughter 22-year-old Serena Wurm. The organization says the pair was bringing humanitarian aid to Jamaica. The Beechcraft King Air plane they were flying in crashed into a pond in a residential area of the Fort Lauderdale suburb of Coral Springs, narrowly missing homes. As of Tuesday morning, investigators had not reported any other victims.
Thieves steal Roman statues from Syria's national museum
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Officials say thieves have broken into Syria's national museum in Damascus and stolen several ancient statues from the Roman era. Officials said Tuesday the theft was discovered early Monday and led to the museum's brief closure. The museum had reopened in January after the fall of the Assad family's rule the previous month. It houses priceless antiquities from Syria's long history, and many had been moved to the museum during Syria's long civil war. Security had been boosted with metal gates and surveillance cameras. An official says six marble statues were stolen, and that an investigation has begun.
Cleveland pitcher Luis Ortiz appears in court on allegations he took bribes to rig bets
BOSTON (AP) — Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz has appeared in court on charges accusing him and teammate Emmanuel Clase of taking bribes to help associates in their native Dominican Republic win prop bets placed on pitches they threw. U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell in Boston granted Ortiz his release during Monday's hearing but with several conditions, including that he surrender his passport. According to prosecutors, the two hurlers took several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two unnamed gamblers in their home country win at least $460,000 on bets placed on the speed and outcome of certain pitches. Ortiz was arrested Sunday, while Clase wasn't immediately taken into custody. Lawyers for the pitchers say their clients are innocent.
Calisthenics are making a comeback. Is body weight enough to get a good workout?
Calisthenics is an age-old form of fitness that uses little or no equipment and relies on body weight for resistance. It's making a comeback. In July, President Donald Trump even reestablished the Presidential Fitness Test, intending that youth across the country will again practice old-school exercises like situps, pushups and pullups. Some experts say the no-frills moves of calisthenics speak to our overscheduled lives when it might be hard to go to a gym. It's also cheaper than going to a gym. But is performing these exercises an effective way to work out? It depends what your goal is. Experts say calisthenics can improve everything from muscle strength to aerobic conditioning. But they also say weight machines and dumbbells have their advantages too.
'Predator: Badlands' tops box office with $80 million worldwide
NEW YORK (AP) — "Predator: Badlands" has topped the North American box office with a $40 million debut, according to studio estimates. This marks a new high for the franchise, surpassing the $38.3 million opening of 2004’s "Alien vs. Predator." The film, written and directed by Dan Trachtenberg, also earned $40 million overseas. Despite a challenging box office climate, "Predator: Badlands" has performed well, receiving positive reviews and an “A-” CinemaScore. Other new releases, like "Die My Love" and "Christy," struggled to make a significant impact, while "Sarah’s Oil" emerged as the best performer among newcomers.
Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens, who coached the most games in NBA history, dies at 88
SEATTLE (AP) — Lenny Wilkens, a three-time inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame, has died at 88, his family announced on Sunday. Wilkens was honored as both a player and a coach. He was known as one of the finest point guards of his era and later became a renowned coach. He coached 2,487 NBA games, a record that still stands. Wilkens was also inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 1992 U.S. Olympic team. He also coached the U.S. to a gold medal in the Atlanta Games in 1996.
Cyndi Lauper calls for courage and Salt-N-Pepa romp through 'Push It' as they join Rock Hall of Fame
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Cyndi Lauper has turned “True Colors” into a powerful anthem at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. On Saturday, she led an all-star jam with artists like Chris Robinson and Bryan Adams to honor fellow Rock Hall inductee Joe Cocker. Lauper acknowledges the women who paved the way for her and those who follow. Salt-N-Pepa also celebrated women's power in music, performing hits like “Push It” and “What a Man.” Outkast doesn't perform together, but Big Boi and Andre 3000 share heartfelt speeches. Soundgarden's segment includes emotional tributes to Chris Cornell. The White Stripes and other rock legends received rousing tributes, making the night unforgettable.
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree arrives in Manhattan, kicking off New York's holiday season
NEW YORK (AP) — The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree has arrived in Manhattan, marking the start of New York City's holiday season. This year's tree is a 75-foot Norway spruce from East Greenbush, a suburb of Albany. It traveled about 150 miles on a flatbed truck to reach its new home. On Saturday workers used cranes to position the 11-ton tree at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The spruce will soon be decorated with over 50,000 LED lights and a Swarovski star. It will be lit Dec. 3 during a live TV broadcast. The tree was donated by Judy Russ and her family.
