‘The Winds of Winter’ Release Date News, Update: George R.R. Martin to Skip Upcoming Comic-Con to Give Way for TWoW

It would certainly be an “excuse granted” for the famed fiction author George R.R. Martin to be absent at the World Fantasy Convention in Saratoga as he would allot the time to work on the “long overdue” continuation of his popular book series, “A Song of Ice and Fire.”

Geore R. R. Martin (Photo: Reuters/George Lucas)

Christian Post Report – George R. R. Martin.

Citing the AV Club, a report from Enstarz.com confirmed that Martin won’t be joining the fans at not one but two conventions as he will be bust at work on the sixth novel “The Winds of Winter” of which he often nicknamed “Son of Kong.”

Going to his official live journal site, the author expressed his desires to attend the World Fantasy Con. However “I’ve just had to scratch Saratoga off my list of 2015 appearances. For no reason having to do with the con itself. I am sure it will be terrific. It’s just a matter of time.”

The reason, as he revealed, would primarily be about the book.

“I have too much to do. Too many things on my plate. Son of Kong foremost amongst them,” he said.

To make the matters worse for the fans that are eager to see the 66-year-old author in person, he also decided to scratch off this year’s San Diego Comicon from his list.

“Same reason. But since Comicon was never listed on my Appearances page, scratching it is not as big a deal,” he went on to say.

As for the slated release of the highly anticipated sequel novel, Business Insider speculated that with the progress “going well” for TWoW, it can be surmised that the story could be “realistically completed this year.”

Source : Christian Post

‘Vikings’ Season 3 Spoilers: What Tragic News Awaits the Returning Victors in Kattegat?

The last episode of the hit historical drama series “Vikings” Season 3 saw the demise of one of the most interesting characters of the show. This, according to spoiler reports, would just be one of the tragic aspects that await the returning victors of Kattegat.

Vikings Facebook/ Vikings

Christian Post Report – The official season 3 poster of Vikings

Despite her strong and cunning characteristics, Jessalyn Gilsig’s beloved character Siggy wasn’t able to survive from the hands of the mysterious Wanderer, Harbard (Kevin Durand).

Although it doesn’t directly imply that Harbard was responsible for her death, fans were strong to speculate that he could be the reason for the tragedy that occurred in Kattegat.

Siggy was one of the women who foresaw the arrival of the Wanderer. But unlike Ragnar’s (Travis Fimmel) wife, Queen Aslaug (Alyssa Sutherland), and Floki’s (Gustag Skarsgard) Helga (Maude Hirst), Siggy was too suspicious about who Harbard is.

For those who missed it (spoiler), Rollo’s (Clive Standen) lover died trying to save Ragnar’s kids from drowning while their mother was out with Harbard for a tryst.

How will Rollo and the rest of the townsfolk react to the tragedy that befalls in Kattegat? What about its King who will soon find out the dirty deeds his wife did while he was away conquering lands for his people?

A short synopsis for this week’s segment titled “The Usurper” indicates “the fleet returns to Kattegat to discover tragic circumstances await.”

The episode title could also mean that Lagertha (Katheryn Winnick) will also have to deal with the “usurper” in the person of Kalf (Ben Robson) with whom she bestowed the responsibility of running Hedeby in her absence.

“Vikings” season 2 episode 5 airs this Thursday, March 19 on the History Channel.

Source : Christian Post

Malaysian Flight MH370 News, Latest Update: Aviation Expert Discusses Russian Hijacking Possibility

The Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 is still missing up to this day. With over a year since its disappearance, countless theories and speculations arise pointing out to the reason behind its seemingly mysterious dematerialization.

Malaysia's acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein (PHOTO: REUTERS)

Christian Post Report – Malaysia’s acting Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein answers questions during a news conference about the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 plane at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 12, 2014.

The most recent analysis indicates the involvement of Russia which as what this aviation expert claims was carried out by its natives.

A report from Express U.K. cited Jeff Wise, who looks back at the existing data and re-evaluates them. It leads him to believe that “someone with ‘sophisticated’ knowledge” may have gotten their hands on the plane’s flight data.

His suspicions particularly fell on Russia who, as Wise believes, has advanced knowledge in the aviation industry. With this at hand, it would be easy for them to make alterations on MH370’s flight data.

Wise went on to specify that the three Russian nationals who were reportedly seen boarding the missing aircraft could have executed the plan of gaining access to the aircraft’s satellite transmission and maybe took over the flight controls.

“There were three ethnically Russian men aboard MH370,” Wise told South China Morning Post. “They definitely struck me as the sort who might battle Liam Neeson in mid-air.”

The tampering, as he explained, would serve the purpose of confusing search operatives.

“That would require an almost inconceivably sophisticated hijack operation, one so complicated and technically demanding that it would almost certainly need state-level backing,” he said. “This was true conspiracy-theory material.”

Jan. 29 of this year, the Malaysian Department of Civil aviation ruled out the disappearance of the Boeing 777 aircraft as an “accident based on international aviation rules,” The Malaysian Insider wrote. All of its 239 passengers and its in-flight crew were declared by the agency as dead.

The search for the missing flight was funded by multiple countries including Australia, China, and Malaysia.

Source : Christian Post

Windows 10 Release Date: Upcoming OS to Come for Free Even on Pirated Windows Copies

Recent Windows 10 release date news indicate that Microsoft is planning to roll out the highly anticipated Operating System this summer and that the update will arrive free of charge for all devices running on Windows, regardless of the authenticity of the software copies.

Microsoft Windows 10 REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz

Christian Post Report – A worker adjusts a logo on the Microsoft stand at the CeBIT computer fair in Hanover in this February 27, 2011 file photo.

A report from ReCode indicated that the move from the Redmond, Wash.-based tech company would “legitimize” all versions of its software being run onto the hundreds of millions of units in China.

Microsoft’s operating system Chief Terry Myerson said that the company is “upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10.” He added that the plan is really to “re-engage” users in China who currently utilize the OS through pirated means.

It was reported that illegal versions of Windows are proliferating in China wherein the number of unlicensed software comprised about 75 percent of the total PCs in the country.

Myerson added that the update is expected to roll out “this summer.”

Although it isn’t clear if the new OS upgrade would only be limited to China or not, a report from Gizmodo points out The Verge saying that it will be available for all users “globally.”

In a statement released to the publication, it was further confirmed that “anyone with a qualified device can upgrade to Windows 10, including those with pirated copies of Windows.”

“We believe customers over time will realize the value of properly licensing Windows and we will make it easy for them to move to legitimate copies,” the company continued.

Back in China, Window’s anti-piracy software campaign will be aided with PC manufacturing giant, Lenovo; security company Qihoo 360 Technology; and social networking firm, Tencent Holdings.

Source : Christian Post

LeToya Luckett Glorifies God After Getting New Role in NBC Drama

  • LeToya Luckett
    (Photo: LeToya Luckett/Instagram)
    LeToya Luckett is a singer and an actress formerly of “Destiny’s Child.”

LeToya Luckett is glorifying God after earning a role in the NBC drama “Love Is a Four Letter Word.”

Luckett, the 34-year-old singer and actress, will co-star in the drama as Tandi, a happily married woman who is experience issues with trying to have her second child. The show explores three diverse couples dealing with modern marriage while exploring themes of race, sexuality and gender roles, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Colin Donnell will star as Tandi’s husband Sean, with the rest of the cast consisting of Brian Tee, Nadine Velazquez, Monet Mazur, Lauryn Hardy, Alex Henderson and Iyanna Arrigo in the drama written by Diana Son. Luckett currently stars on Centric’s “Single Ladies,” and took to Instagram to glorify God amid the good news.

“TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! That’s all I can say about this,” she wrote before thanking those who were responsible for giving her the part. ” I can’t forget my family & beautiful friends for praying me thru! God bless u! I’m beyond excited about this new venture!! #Godis #nevergiveup #Pilotseason #Breakthrough #NBC #Fox.”

Luckett previously spoke to The Christian Post about speaking her acting career into existence.

“I’m still going through those auditions and I always pray before I go in,” she told CP. “I leave it in His hands. I say if this role is for me than even I can’t go in this room and mess it up, it will be for me. And that’s just how I continue to do things.”

Luckett believes that her decision to speak things into existence has had an impact on her acting career.

“People go through times where you’re not getting roles one after the other and I definitely went through that. I was like can I just please do one film this year,” Luckett recalled. “Now we’re looking at three coming out in one year, I did speak it into existence. I said last year, ‘God I want to do no less than three films next year and I want to be on a t.v. show.'”

Source : Christian Post

‘Do You Believe’ Star’s Bizarre Response to Criticism of Women’s Roles in ‘God’s Not Dead’ Follow-Up

  • do you believe

The star of PureFlix’s “Do You Believe” Ted McGinley offered his take on the female roles in the follow-up to “God’s Not Dead,” citing that women are “closer to God” but prone to fighting amongst themselves.

Christian Post Report – In select theaters across the nation today, “Do You Believe” follows a dozen different people whose lives unexpectedly intersect by the power of God, whether they believe it yet or not. Following the staggering success of “God’s Not Dead,” “Do You Believe” stars McKinley as Matthew, a pastor who learns to be bold in his beliefs and take spiritual action. However, other roles in the drama offer only weak female characters. The film, which stars actresses including Cybill Shepherd, portrays four different Christian wives; each of whom require convincing and even coercion from their husbands on any major realization or decision.

Although each Christian wife is portrayed as a slow learner in comparison to their husband in “Do You Believe,” McGinley defended the film by citing two instances of a female character “coming around first” to both the suffering of a soldier with PTSD as well as the occurrence of a miracle. Furthermore, the former “Happy Days” star linked the miracle of childbirth to being close to God while speaking to The Christian Post.

“When I compare myself to my wife, my mom, to women in general, I don’t come close to their level of being in touch with the world and the miracle of life,” McKinley explained to CP. “I look at my two kids – I have two boys that came out of my wife! That is a miracle, for me that’s all I need. The way the human body works and functions, that is a living miracle. My wife – her level of connection – that to me is where women stand in relation to men. I feel that I’m a step below. As far as closer to God.”

McKinley then went on to make a bizarre reference to the findings of an evolutionary psychologist, including an idea surrounding women’s interactions with other women.

“I was reading something years ago from an evolutionary psychologist and he was talking about how women can eat each other alive,” the actor stated. “You put them in a room and pretty soon they’ll find an issue. Even though they love each other, eventually, there will be a problem, right? Give them a project to do, eventually there will be an issue.”

The actor compared the behavior of men and women before relating female conduct to early humanity and the primal drive to procreate.

“Guys – we understand there is a pecking order: where do I stand, tell me what to do, fine, I’ll do it,” McKinley explained. “Women sometimes, I don’t know why, I think it comes back to in early cave man [days]. Basically, in order to procreate, women had to find a way to separate their man, they had to get the male away from the other women, so that they could procreate. So the problem of keeping each other out was part of that procreation process. It was kind of an interesting argument that this guy was making and I thought, ‘This kinda makes sense that sometimes they can’t play nice’ – it’s part of that process. Now you see a huge movement where women really want to work together and change how it works. I’m anxious to see how it goes.”

As for the actor’s wife, actress GiGi Rice allegedly enjoyed “Do You Believe” after she was allowed to see it.

“She loved it,” McKinley said. “I didn’t let her see it – I wouldn’t do the PR until I saw the film, and so I watched it, but I wouldn’t let her watch it with me because I wanted her to see it at the premiere and I could really get that experience.”

Nevertheless, “Do You Believe” encourages Christians to be bold in their faith, and McKinley’s role held a special significance to him.

“The cross means forgiveness, it means everlasting life,” he told CP. “I believe it is the way and it is the truth. For me personally, it means I’m never alone. As a man, as you go through your life, there’s no way anybody gets out without being bloodied. But even in the deepest darkest moments I realize that I’m not alone and I feel bad for people without faith because they don’t have that comfort. Before I do anything, there is a connection, God knows and I know, that’s all I need.”

Watch the trailer for “Do You Believe” here.

Source : Christian Post

Virginia Cavaliers vs Belmont Bruins Live Stream: Watch NCAA March Madness Online

The Belmont Bruins face an uphill battle as they play the Virginia Cavaliers at Time Warner Cable Arena in the second round of the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament. Tip-off is at 3:10 PM ET on March 20, 2015.

Cavaliers Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Christian Post Report – Justin Anderson (L) speaks to coach Tony Bennett (R)

The Cavaliers finished with a 29-3 record, securing the top spot in the ACC standings. They also went 16-2 in the conference, beating out teams like Duke, Louisville and Syracuse. Virginia won 10 of their last 12 matches, but their most recent match ended in a 71-67 loss to the University of North Carolina. In that upset, Malcolm Brogdon scored 25 points for Virginia, but also had three turnovers to his name.

Anthony Gill and London Perrantes both had 12 points in the loss, as Virginia allowed North Carolina to shoot 55 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc to secure the victory.

Virginia have three players averaging double figures in scoring, with Brogdon leading the way with 13.9, while Justin Anderson converts 12.3 per game. Gill is not far behind with 11.5 per contest.

The Bruins finished the season 22-10, leading the East in the Ohio Valley.

They’ve won seven straight matches, capped off with an amazing upset of Murray State in the conference final. In the 88-87 win, Taylor Barnette hit a clutch three-pointer with only three seconds left to give the Bruins a one-point lead.

This also marks their return to the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time since 2013.

Craig Bradshaw leads the team in scoring with 18.1 per contest, while also averaging 3.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. Evan Bradds scores over 14 points per contest, while shooting with an average of 69 percent from the field.

For live scores and updates of this match, visit ESPN.com. For live streaming, click here.

Source : Christian Post

Scott Boras Rips the Chicago Cubs for Their Handling of Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant reuters.com

Despite tearing up Spring Training Kris Bryant may start the 2015 in the minor leagues

Scott Boras is at odds with the Chicago Cubs. The main point of contention is Kris Bryant and if he will start the season with the Cubs’ Triple A affiliate in Iowa. It would be easy to write this off as a team bringing along a guy who is very likely to be a big star in this league slowly. However, the fact remains if Bryant starts the season in Iowa, the Cubs organization would gain a full season worth of control of the young star. Whether of not that plays into their decision no one but they can say.

Boras, Bryant’s agent, is already taking to his microphone to call out the Cubs for this.

“Cubs ownership has a choice. Are they going to present to their market that they are trying to win? Tom Ricketts said they were all about winning. When someone says it’s the system, no, it’s a choice — the choice of winning,” he told Comcast Sportsnet Chicago.

“Everybody in baseball is saying he’s a major-league player ready for the big leagues,” Boras continued to USA Today. “I have players call me. Executives call me. The Cubs’ people want him there. Everyone says, ‘They cannot send this guy down.’ It’s too obvious.”

In 23 at bats in Cactus League play so far, this spring Bryant has six home runs and two doubles that seem to indicate that he is more than ready to play on the big club, but even if the Cubs are keeping him down for a few weeks to get an extra year of service out of him. It is the club responsibility to protect its assets as much as it is Boras’ job to get his star talent to the free agent market as quickly as possible.

Source : Christian Post

NFL Proposes Rule Changes to Instant Replay System

NFL NFL

The NFL wants to expand its playoff tournament

Yesterday the NFL announced the various rule change proposals they will discuss at this year’s league meeting to be held in Phoenix, Arizona. Many of those rule changes involve tweaks to the current instant replay system and how plays are challenged and how many challenges a team will have per game, and exactly which plays are challengeable. All of these rule changes were proposed by one of the 32 NFL teams, with none coming from the league itself. That raises serious questions if any meaningful changes will happen.

Outside of the somewhat odd proposal put forward by the Indianapolis Colts about a potential opportunity to add a third point after a successful two point conversion some of the instant replay proposal are actually pretty good. The Detroit Lions proposed a rule that would allow teams to challenge penalty calls. Of all the proposals it is the most simply worded “all fouls identified by a game official.” Meaning a head coach could challenge any penalty call.

However, the Lions do not think they will get enough support to get that rule changed.

On the whole most of the 32 team proposed changes to the instant replay system that would expand the types of calls that are challengeable. The Colts also proposed a rule that would not charge a team a timeout for a unsuccessful challenge.

More than any tweaks to the roster, tweaks to instant replay and well before they add a three point conversion rule the NFL needs to clarify to its fans what constitutes a catch. There is a large disconnect between what the rulebook says a catch is and what a reasonable fan sitting in his man cave with his high definition TV expects a catch to be. If any one rule is to be tweaked this offseason it would behoove the NFL to seriously alter what its rulebooks defines as a catch.

Source : Christian Post

Cleveland Cavaliers Roster, News: Cavs-Heat Series Could Be a Battle for the Ages

Miami Heat vs Cleveland Cavaliers Reuters/Photo

The 2014-15 NBA season began with a number of interesting storylines.nThere was Carmelo Anthony looking for a new home team to play for, Jeremy Lin and Carlos Boozer getting picked up by the Lakers, Kevin Love being traded to the Cavs, and so on.

Christian Post Report – However, the biggest news of the off-season was LeBron James’ decision to return to Cleveland and join Kyrie Irving in his quest for a first title for the Cavaliers.

The move left Miami devastated, and Heat president Pat Riley immediately weaved his magic in order to come up with a decent team to compete. Several months later and both teams are on opposite situations – Cleveland inching closer to the top spot in the East, while Miami struggles to make it to the playoffs.

But just in case the Heat make it, and the NBA Playoffs would begin today, they would be facing James and the Cavs, and all the pent-up drama throughout the season will definitely make for one of the most-watched playoff series this year.

The interesting thing to point out about this “would-be” match-up is that Miami actually leads Cleveland in their regular season match-ups.

In the Heat’s two victories against the Cavs, James exploded for more than 25 points for each game. But aside from him, Irving and sometimes, Love, there were no other significant scorers for Cleveland.

Interestingly, in Cleveland’s sole win against the Heat, James only scored 18 points, but his seven assists were testament of the team’s unified play. In that win, seven Cavs players were in double figures.

So if there’s one thing the Cavs should do in case they face the Heat in the playoffs, that is to play team basketball, and not just focus on one or two players.

Source : Christian Post