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HSBC helped wealthy clients across world evade hundreds of millions of dollars

Clyde K. Valle
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HSBC helped wealthy clients across world evade hundreds of millions of dollars

According to new reports, HSBC helped wealthy clients across the world evade hundreds of millions of dollars worth of tax.

Accounts from 106,000 clients in 203 countries were leaked by whistleblower Herve Falciani in 2007.

HSBC admitted that some individuals took advantage of bank secrecy to hold undeclared accounts. But it said it has now “fundamentally changed”.

The banking giant now faces criminal investigations in the US, France, Belgium and Argentina.

HSBC said it is “co-operating with relevant authorities”. However, in the UK, where the bank is based, no such action has been taken.

Offshore accounts are not illegal, but many people use them to hide cash from the tax authorities. And while tax avoidance is perfectly legal, deliberately hiding money to evade tax is not.

India’s finance minister Arun Jaitley has said that all Indian names on the list will be investigated, although he cautioned that some accounts might be legitimate. A current inquiry looking into more than 600 people who hold accounts overseas, will now be widened to look into the current list of names.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

The French authorities concluded in 2013 that 99.8% of their citizens on the list were probably evading tax.

The thousands of pages of data were obtained by the French newspaper Le Monde. In a joint investigation, the documents have now been passed to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, The Guardian and more than 50 media outlets around the world.

HSBC did not just turn a blind eye to tax evaders – in some cases it broke the law by actively helping its clients.

The bank gave one wealthy family a foreign credit card so they could withdraw their undeclared cash at cashpoints overseas.

HSBC also helped its tax-dodging clients stay ahead of the law.

When the European Savings Directive was introduced in 2005, the idea was that Swiss banks would take any tax owed from undeclared accounts and pass it to the taxman.

It was a tax designed to catch tax evaders. But instead of simply collecting the money, HSBC wrote to customers and offered them ways to get round the new tax.

HSBC denies that all these account holders were evading tax.

Meanwhile, HSBC said it has completely overhauled its private banking business and has reduced the number of Swiss accounts by almost 70% since 2007.

In a statement, the bank said: “HSBC has implemented numerous initiatives designed to prevent its banking services being used to evade taxes or launder money.”

HSBC said it now puts compliance and tax transparency ahead of profitability.

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Rosie O’Donnell explains why she leaves The View

Lisa.Felice
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Rosie O’Donnell explains why she leaves The View

In a recent interview, comedian Rosie O’Donnell has explained why she leaves The View.

According to her rep, Rosie O’Donnell leaves the show to concentrate on her family after splitting with her second wife, Michelle Rounds.

Rosie O’Donnell, 52, told Entertainment Tonight on February 7: “Stress is a major contributing factor to heart disease and heart attacks. You can’t really minimize it. I’m having a lot of stressful situations in my family life at the moment and having stressful situations in my work environment, so something had to give. The most easy way to accomplish the lessening of the stress is to not go to work for right now.”

The comedian also said that her decision was not driven by any on-set conflict.Rosie O'Donnell leaves The View

On February 6, her rep confirmed the news that Rosie O’Donnell and her wife of three years, Michelle Rounds, had split in November 2014.

In 2012, Rosie O’Donnell had a near-fatal heart attack. At the time, she described it as a wake-up call and said she had missed the warning signs.

ABC has yet to announce who will fill Rosie O’Donnell’s seat on The View.

Rosie O’Donnell will still appear on a five-episode arc of ABC Family’s drama The Fosters.

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The human cost of war in Ukraine

Roy Siemens
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The human cost of war in Ukraine
  • 5,358 people killed and 12,235 wounded in eastern Ukraine
  • Fatalities include 298 people on board flight MH17 shot down on July 17, 2014
  • 224 civilians killed in three-week period leading up to February 1, 2015Ukraine war human cost 2015
  • 5.2 million people estimated to be living in conflict areas
  • 921,640 internally displaced people within Ukraine, including 136,216 children
  • 600,000 fled to neighboring countries of whom more than 400,000 have gone to Russia

Source: Figures from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, February 3, and UN report, January 21, 2015

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Vladimir Putin: Ukraine crisis caused by West

Roy Siemens
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Vladimir Putin: Ukraine crisis caused by West

President Vladimir Putin has renewed the blame on the West for the Ukrainian crisis, as he works on Franco-German proposals to end fighting between the government and pro-Russia rebels.

Western countries had broken pledges not to expand NATO and forced countries to choose between them and Russia, Vladimir Putin told an Egyptian newspaper.

The comments come amid new hopes of a peace deal on February 11.

Russia denies accusations of sending troops and supplying the rebels.

The fighting in eastern Ukraine has claimed more than 5,300 lives and driven 1.5 million people from their homes.

At least nine Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the past 24 hours, officials say.

Photo RT
Photo RT

Fighting is said to be intense around the town of Debaltseve, near the rebel-held city of Donetsk.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is due to brief President Barack Obama in Washington on February 9 on the peace plan Germany and France have tried to reach with Ukraine and Russia.

The Washington talks come as the US considers sending weapons to the Ukrainian government.

Angela Merkel told a security conference at the weekend that she could not “imagine any situation in which improved equipment for the Ukrainian army leads to President Putin being so impressed that he believes he will lose militarily”.

Secretary of State John Kerry has denied any rift with EU leaders, saying: “I keep hearing people trying to create one. We are united, we are working closely together.”

Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande have been leading efforts to revive the Minsk peace plan, which collapsed amid fighting over the winter.

The detailed proposals have not been released but the plan is thought to include a demilitarized zone of 50-70km (31-44 miles) around the current front line.

The four leaders have announced plans to meet in Minsk on February 11 – provided agreement is reached in the meantime in talks in Berlin.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on February 9 there were hopes for a settlement but nothing had been agreed.

At the start of a visit to Egypt, President Putin renewed his attack on Western countries for their “hollow” promises not to expand NATO to include former Soviet countries, and therefore ignoring Russian interests.

There had been attempts, Vladimir Putin told Egypt’s al-Ahram newspaper, “to tear states which had been parts of the former USSR [Soviet Union] off Russia and to prompt them to make an artificial choice <<between Russia and Europe>>”.

“We repeatedly warned the US and its Western allies about harmful consequences of their interference in Ukrainian domestic affairs but they did not listen to our opinion,” the Russian leader said.

Vladimir Putin went on to accuse them of supporting a “coup d’etat in Kiev” – a reference to the ousting of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych last year.

Viktor Yanukovych lost power amid protests over his decision to scrap a deal that would have seen Ukraine establish closer ties with the European Union.

Since then, Russia has annexed Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula and rebels in the east have sought to establish full control over the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

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Cairo stadium clashes: Egypt authorities halt football league matches after deaths

Clyde K. Valle
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Cairo stadium clashes: Egypt authorities halt football league matches after deaths

Egypt has suspended football league matches indefinitely after clashes at a stadium in Cairo left at least 22 people dead.

People were crushed after police fired tear gas at supporters of Zamalek who were trying to force their way in for a match against city rivals ENPPI.

The fans blamed the authorities for opening only a single gate.

An arrest warrant has been issued for the leaders of the Zamalek supporters group, the White Knights.

The last time the league was suspended was in 2012 after 74 fans died in rioting at a game in Port Said.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

At least 20 people were also injured in Cairo on February 8 at the Air Defense Stadium, witnesses say.

Despite the violence, the match went ahead.

Egyptian football fans are often deeply politicized and played a role in the overthrow of former President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

Many people believe police in Port Said stood by in revenge for the fans’ role in anti-Mubarak unrest. Police deny the accusation.

Recently lifted restrictions on the numbers attending football matches, imposed after the deaths at Port Said, will now be re-imposed.

Egypt’s public prosecutor has ordered an investigation into the Cairo clashes.

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Grammys 2015: Full list of winners

Sonia Pantiss
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Grammys 2015: Full list of winners

Complete list of winners and nominees at the 57th Grammy Awards:

GENERAL

Album of the Year

WINNER: “Morning Phase,” Beck
“Beyoncé,” Beyoncé
“X,” Ed Sheeran
“In the Lonely Hour,” Sam Smith
“Girl,” Pharrell Williams

Record of the Year

“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX
“Chandelier,” Sia
WINNER: “Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” Sam Smith
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift
“All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor

Song of the Year

“All About That Bass,” Kevin Kadish & Meghan Trainor (Meghan Trainor)
“Chandelier,” Sia Furler & Jesse Shatkin (Sia)
“Shake It Off,” Max Martin, Shellback & Taylor Swift (Taylor Swift)
WINNER: “Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” James Napier, William Phillips & Sam Smith (Sam Smith)
“Take Me to Church,” Andrew Hozier-Byrne (Hozier)

New Artist

Iggy Azalea
Bastille
Brandy Clark
Haim
WINNER: Sam Smith

POP

Pop Solo Performance

“All Of Me (Live),” John Legend
“Chandelier,” Sia
“Stay With Me (Darkchild Version),” Sam Smith
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift
WINNER: “Happy (Live),” Pharrell Williams

Pop Duo/Group Performance

“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX
“A Sky Full of Stars,” Coldplay
WINNER: “Say Something,” A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera
“Bang Bang,” Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
“Dark Horse,” Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J

Traditional Pop Vocal Album

WINNER: “Cheek to Cheek,” Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
“Nostalgia,” Annie Lennox
“Night Songs,” Barry Manilow
“Sending You a Little Christmas,” Johnny Mathis
“Partners,” Barbra Streisand With Various Artists

Pop Vocal Album

“Ghost Stories,” Coldplay
“Bangerz,” Miley Cyrus
“My Everything,” Ariana Grande
“Prism,” Katy Perry
“X,” Ed Sheeran
WINNER: “In the Lonely Hour,” Sam Smith

DANCE/ELECTRONIC MUSIC

Dance Recording

“Never Say Never,” Basement Jaxx
WINNER: “Rather Be,” Clean Bandit Featuring Jess Glynne
“F for You,” Disclosure Featuring Mary J. Blige
“I Got U,” Duke Dumont Featuring Jax Jones
“Faded,” Zhu

Dance/Electronic Album

WINNER: “Syro,” Aphex Twin
“While (1 < 2),” Deadmau5
“Nabuma Rubberband,” Little Dragon
“Do It Again,” Röyksopp & Robyn
“Damage Control,” Mat Zo

CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Contemporary Instrumental Album

“Wild Heart,” Mindi Abair
“Slam Dunk,” Gerald Albright
“Nathan East,” Nathan East
“Jazz Funk Soul,” Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb, Everette Harp
WINNER: “Bass & Mandolin,” Chris Thile & Edgar Meyer

ROCK

Rock Performance

“Gimme Something Good,” Ryan Adams
“Do I Wanna Know?” Arctic Monkeys
“Blue Moon,” Beck
“Fever,” The Black Keys
WINNER: “Lazaretto,” Jack White

Metal Performance

“Neon Knights,” Anthrax
“High Road,” Mastodon
“Heartbreaker,” Motörhead
“The Negative One,” Slipknot
WINNER: “The Last in Line,” Tenacious D

Rock Song

WINNER: “Ain’t It Fun,” Hayley Williams & Taylor York (Paramore)
“Blue Moon,” Beck Hansen (Beck)
“Fever,” Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton & Patrick Carney (The Black Keys)
“Gimme Something Good,” Ryan Adams (Ryan Adams)
“Lazaretto,” Jack White III (Jack White)

Rock Album

“Ryan Adams,” Ryan Adams
WINNER: “Morning Phase,” Beck
“Turn Blue,” The Black Keys
“Hypnotic Eye,” Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers
“Songs of Innocence,” U2

ALTERNATIVE

Alternative Music Album

“This Is All Yours,” Alt-J
“Reflektor,” Arcade Fire
“Melophobia,” Cage the Elephant
WINNER: “St. Vincent,” St. Vincent
“Lazaretto,” Jack White

R&B

R&B Performance

WINNER: “Drunk In Love,” Beyoncé Featuring Jay Z
“New Flame,” Chris Brown Featuring Usher & Rick Ross
“It’s Your World,” Jennifer Hudson Featuring R. Kelly
“Like This,” Ledisi
“Good Kisser,” Usher

Traditional R&B Performance

“As,” Marsha Ambrosius & Anthony Hamilton
“I.R.S.,” Angie Fisher
WINNER: “Jesus Children,” Robert Glasper Experiment Featuring Lalah Hathaway & Malcolm Jamal Warner
“Nobody,” Kem
“Hold Up Wait a Minute (Woo Woo),” Antonique Smith

R&B Song

WINNER: “Drunk in Love,” Shawn Carter, Rasool Diaz, Noel Fisher, Jerome Harmon, Beyoncé Knowles, Timothy Mosely, Andre Eric Proctor & Brian Soko (Beyoncé Featuring Jay Z)

“Good Kisser,” Ronald “Flip” Colson, Warren “Oak” Felder, Usher Raymond IV, Jameel Roberts, Terry “Tru” Sneed & Andrew “Pop” Wansel (Usher)

“New Flame,” Eric Bellinger, Chris Brown, James Chambers, Malissa Hunter, Justin Booth Johnson, Mark Pitts, Usher Raymond IV, William Roberts, Maurice “Verse” Simmonds & Keith Thomas (Chris Brown Featuring Usher & Rick Ross)

“Options (Wolfjames Version),” Dominic Gordon, Brandon Hesson, William Roberts & Jamaica “Kahn-Cept” Smith (Luke James)

“The Worst,” Jhené Aiko Chilombo, songwriter (Jhené Aiko)

Urban Contemporary Album

“Sail Out,” Jhene Aiko
“Beyoncé,” Beyoncé
“X,” Chris Brown
“Mali Is …,” Mali Music
WINNER: “Girl,” Pharrell Williams

R&B Album

“Islander,” Bernhoft
“Lift Your Spirit,” Aloe Blacc
WINNER: “Love, Marriage & Divorce,” Toni Braxton & Babyface
“Black Radio 2,” Robert Glasper Experiment
“Give the People What They Want,” Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings

RAP

Rap Performance

“3005,” Childish Gambino
“0 to 100/The Catch Up,” Drake
“Rap God,” Eminem
WINNER: “I,” Kendrick Lamar
“All I Need Is You,” Lacrae

Rap/Sung Collaboration

“Blak Majik,” Common Featuring Jhené Aiko
WINNER: “The Monster,” Eminem Featuring Rihanna
“Tuesday,” I Love Makonnen Featuring Drake
“Studio,” Schoolboy Q Featuring BJ The Chicago Kid
“Bound 2,” Kanye West & Charlie Wilson

Rap Song

“Anaconda,” Ernest Clark, Jamal Jones, Onika Maraj, Marcos Palacios & J. Solone-Myvett (Nicki Minaj)

“Bound 2,” Mike Dean, Malik Jones, Che Pope, Elon Rutberg, Sakiya Sandifer, John Stephens, Kanye West, Charlie Wilson & Cydel Young (Kanye West & Charlie Wilson)

WINNER: “I,” K. Duckworth & C. Smith (Kendrick Lamar)

“We Dem Boyz,” N. Fisher & C. Thomaz (Wiz Khalifa)

“0 To 100 / The Catch Up,” A. Feeney, Aubrey Graham, A. Hernandez, P. Jefferies, M. Samuels & Noah Shebib, (Drake)

Rap Album

“The New Classic,” Iggy Azalea
“Because the Internet,” Childish Gambino
“Nobody’s Smiling,” Common
WINNER: “The Marshall Mathers LP2,” Eminem
“Oxymoron,” Schoolboy Q
“Blacc Hollywood,” Wiz Khalifa

COUNTRY

Country Solo Performance

“Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
“Invisible,” Hunter Hayes
“Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
WINNER: “Something in the Water,” Carrie Underwood
“Cop Car,” Keith UrbanGrammys 2015 winners

Country Duo/Group Performance

WINNER: “Gentle On My Mind,” The Band Perry
“Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert With Carrie Underwood
“Day Drinking,” Little Big Town
“Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw Featuring Faith Hill
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church

Country Song

“American Kids,” Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird and Shane McAnally (performed by Kenny Chesney)
“Automatic,” Nicolle Galyon, Natalie Hemby and Miranda Lambert (Miranda Lambert)
“Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church and Luke Laird (Eric Church)
WINNER: “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” Glen Campbell and Julian Raymond (Glen Campbell)
“Meanwhile Back at Mama’s,” Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston and Jeffrey Steele (Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill)

Country Album

“Riser,” Dierks Bentley
“The Outsiders,” Eric Church
“12 Stories,” Brandy Clark
WINNER: “Platinum,” Miranda Lambert
“The Way I’m Livin’,” Lee Ann Womack

NEW AGE

New Age Album

“Bhakti,” Paul Avgerinos
“Ritual,” Peter Kater & R. Carlos Nakai
WINNER: “Winds of Samsara,” Ricky Kej & Wouter Kellerman
“Symphony Live in Istanbul,” Kitaro
“In Love and Longing,” Silvia Nakkach & David Darling

JAZZ

Improvised Jazz Solo

“The Eye of the Hurricane,” Kenny Barron
WINNER: “Fingerprints,” Chick Corea
“You & the Night & the Music,” Fred Hersch
“Recorda Me,” Joe Lovano
“Sleeping Giant,” Brad Mehldau

Jazz Vocal Album

“Map to the Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro,” Billy Childs & Various Artists
“I Wanna Be Evil,” René Marie
“Live in NYC,” Gretchen Parlato
WINNER: “Beautiful Life,” Dianne Reeves
“Paris Sessions,” Tierney Sutton

Jazz Instrumental Album

“Landmarks,” Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band
WINNER: “Trilogy,” Chick Corea Trio
“Floating,” Fred Hersch Trio
“Enjoy the View,” Bobby Hutcherson, David Sanborn, Joey DeFrancesco Featuring Billy Hart
“All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller,” Jason Moran

Large Jazz Ensemble Album

“The L.A. Treasures Project,” The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
WINNER: “Life in the Bubble,” Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band
“Quiet Pride: The Elizabeth Catlett Project,” Rufus Reid
“Live: I Hear the Sound,” Archie Shepp Attica Blues Orchestra
“OverTime: Music of Bob Brookmeyer,” The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

Latin Jazz Album

“The Latin Side of Joe Henderson,” Conrad Herwig Featuring Joe Lovano
“The Pedrito Martinez Group,” The Pedrito Martinez Group
WINNER: “The Offense of the Drum,” Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
“Second Half,” Emilio Solla y la Inestable de Brooklyn
“New Throned King,” Yosvany Terry

GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC

Gospel Performance/Song

“Help,” Erica Campbell Featuring Lecrae; Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell, Hasben Jones, Harold Lilly, Lecrae Moore & Aaron Sledge
“Sunday A.M. [Live],” Karen Clark Sheard; Rudy Currence & Donald Lawrence
“I Believe,” Mali Music; Kortney J. Pollard
WINNER: “No Greater Love,” Smokie Norful; Aaron W. Lindsey & Smokie Norful
“Love on the Radio,” The Walls Group; Kirk Franklin

Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

“Write Your Story,” Francesca Battistelli; Francesca Battistelli, David Arthur Garcia & Ben Glover

“Come as You Are,” Crowder

WINNER: “Messengers,” Lecrae Featuring For King & Country; Torrance Esmond, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson, Kenneth Chris Mackey, Lecrae Moore, Joseph Prielozny, Joel Smallbone & Luke Smallbone

“Shake,” MercyMe; Nathan Cochran, David Arthur Garcia, Ben Glover, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Soli Olds, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer

“Multiplied,” Needtobreathe; Bear Rinehart & Bo Rinehart

Gospel Album

WINNER: “Help,” Erica Campbell
“Amazing [Live],” Ricky Dillard & New G
“Withholding Nothing [Live],” William McDowell
“Forever Yours,” Smokie Norful
“Vintage Worship,” Anita Wilson

Contemporary Christian Music Album

“If We’re Honest,” Francesca Battistelli
WINNER: “Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.” For King & Country
“Hurricane,” Natalie Grant
“Welcome to the New,” MercyMe
“Royal Tailor,” Royal Tailor

Roots Gospel Album

“Forever Changed,” T. Graham Brown
WINNER: “Shine for All the People,” Mike Farris
“Hymns,” Gaither Vocal Band
“A Cappella,” The Martins
“His Way Of Loving Me,” Tim Menzies

LATIN

Latin Pop Album

WINNER: “Tangos,” Rubén Blades
“Elypse,” Camila
“Raíz,” Lila Downs, Niña Pastori and Soledad
“Loco de Amor,” Juanes
“Gracias por Estar Aquí,” Marco Antonio Solís

Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album

WINNER: “Multiviral,” Calle 13
“Behind the Machine (Detrás de la Máquina),” Chocquibtown
“Bailar en la Cueva,” Jorge Drexler
“Agua Maldita,” Molotov
“Vengo,” Ana Tijoux

Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)

“Lastima Que Sean Ajenas,” Pepe Aguilar
WINNER: “Mano a Mano — Tangos a la Manera de Vicente Fernández,” Vicente Fernández
“Voz y Guitarra,” Ixya Herrera
“15 Aniversario,” Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea
“Alegría del Mariachi,” Mariachi los Arrieros del Valle

Tropical Latin Album

“50 Aniversario,” El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico
“First Class to Havana,” Aymee Nuviola
“Live,” Palo!
“El Asunto,” Totó la Momposina
WINNER: “Más + Corazón Profundo,” Carlos Vives

AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC

American Roots Performance

“Statesboro Blues,” Gregg Allman & Taj Mahal
WINNER: “A Feather’s Not a Bird,” Rosanne Cash
“And When I Die,” Billy Childs Featuring Alison Krauss & Jerry Douglas
“The Old Me Better,” Keb’ Mo’ Featuring the California Feet Warmers
“Destination,” Nickel Creek

American Roots Song

WINNER: “A Feather’s Not a Bird,” Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal (Rosanne Cash)

“Just So Much,” Jesse Winchester (Jesse Winchester)
“The New York Trains,” Woody Guthrie & Del McCoury (The Del McCoury Band)

“Pretty Little One,” Edie Brickell & Steve Martin, songwriters (Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers Featuring Edie Brickell)

“Terms of My Surrender,” John Hiatt (John Hiatt)

Americana Album

WINNER: “The River & The Thread,” Rosanne Cash
“Terms of My Surrender,” John Hiatt
“Bluesamericana,” Keb’ Mo’
“A Dotted Line,” Nickel Creek
“Metamodern Sounds in Country Music,” Sturgill Simpson

Bluegrass Album

WINNER: “The Earls of Leicester,” The Earls of Leicester
“Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe,” Noam Pikelny
“Cold Spell,” Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
“Into My Own,” Bryan Sutton
“Only Me,” Rhonda Vincent

Blues Album

“Common Ground — Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy,” Dave Alvin & Phil Alvin
“Promise of a Brand New Day,” Ruthie Foster
“Juke Joint Chapel,” Charlie Musselwhite
“Decisions,” Bobby Rush With Blinddog Smokin’
WINNER: “Step Back,” Johnny Winter

Folk Album

“Three Bells,” Mike Auldridge, Jerry Douglas & Rob Ickes
“Follow the Music,” Alice Gerrard
“The Nocturne Diaries,” Eliza Gilkyson
WINNER: “Remedy,” Old Crow Medicine Show
“A Reasonable Amount of Trouble,” Jesse Winchester

Regional Roots Music Album

“Light the Stars,” Bonsoir, Catin
“Hanu ‘A’ala,” Kamaka Kukona
“Love’s Lies,” Magnolia Sisters
WINNER: “The Legacy,” Jo-El Sonnier
“Ceremony,” Joe Tohonnie Jr.

REGGAE

Reggae Album

WINNER: “Fly Rasta,” Ziggy Marley
“Full Frequency,” Sean Paul
“Back on the Controls,” Lee “Scratch” Perry
“Out of Many, One Music,” Shaggy
“The Reggae Power,” Sly & Robbie & Spicy Chocolate
“Amid the Noise and Haste,” Soja

WORLD MUSIC

World Music Album

“Toumani & Sidiki,” Toumani Diabaté & Sidiki Diabaté
WINNER: “Eve,” Angelique Kidjo
“Our World in Song,” Wu Man, Luis Conte & Daniel Ho
“Magic,” Sérgio Mendes
“Traces of You,” Anoushka Shankar

CHILDREN’S

Children’s Album

“Appetite for Construction,” The Pop Ups
WINNER: “I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up for Education and Changed the World (Malala Yousafzai),” Neela Vaswani
“Just Say Hi!” Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
“The Perfect Quirk,” Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
“Through the Woods,” The Okee Dokee Brothers

SPOKEN WORD

Spoken Word Album

“Actors Anonymous,” James Franco
“A Call to Action,” Jimmy Carter
“Carsick: John Waters Hitchhikes Across America,” John Waters
WINNER: “Diary of a Mad Diva,” Joan Rivers

“A Fighting Chance,” Elizabeth Warren
“We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration, and the Power of Song,” Gloria Gaynor

COMEDY

Comedy Album

WINNER: “Mandatory Fun,” “Weird Al” Yankovic
“Obsessed,” Jim Gaffigan
“Oh My God,” Louis C.K.
“Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time,” Patton Oswalt
“We Are Miracles,” Sarah Silverman

MUSICAL THEATER

Musical Theater Album

“Aladdin”
WINNER: “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder”
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
“West Side Story”

MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media

“American Hustle”
WINNER: “Frozen”
“Get On Up: The James Brown Story”
“Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1”
“The Wolf of Wall Street”

Score Soundtrack for Visual Media

“Frozen,” Christophe Beck
“Gone Girl,” Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
WINNER: “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Alexandre Desplat

“Gravity,” Steven Price
“Saving Mr. Banks,” Thomas Newman

Song Written for Visual Media

“Everything Is Awesome!!!” Joshua Bartholomew, Lisa Harriton, Shawn Patterson, Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer & Jorma Taccone (Tegan and Sara Featuring the Lonely Island, “The Lego Movie”)

“I See Fire,” Ed Sheeran (Ed Sheeran, “The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug”)

“I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond (Glen Campbell, “Glen Campbell, I’ll Be Me”)

WINNER: “Let It Go,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez (Idina Menzel, “Frozen”)

“The Moon Song, Spike Jonze & Karen O (Scarlett Johansson & Joaquin Phoenix, “Her”)

COMPOSING/ARRANGING

Instrumental Composition

WINNER: “The Book Thief,” John Williams (John Williams)
“Last Train to Sanity,” Stanley Clarke (The Stanley Clarke Band)
“Life in the Bubble,” Gordon Goodwin (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
“Recognition,” Rufus Reid (Rufus Reid)
“Tarnation,” Edgar Meyer & Chris Thile (Chris Thile & Edgar Meyer)

Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella

“Beautiful Dreamer,” Pete McGuinness (The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra)
WINNER: “Daft Punk,” Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstie Maldonado & Kevin Olusola (Pentatonix)
“Get Smart,” Gordon Goodwin (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
“Guantanamera,” Alfredo Rodríguez (Alfredo Rodríguez)
“Moon River,” Chris Walden (Amy Dickson)

Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

“All My Tomorrows,” Jeremy Fox (Jeremy Fox Featuring Kate McGarry)
“Goodnight America,” Vince Mendoza (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
WINNER: “New York Tendaberry,” Billy Childs (Billy Childs Featuring Renée Fleming & Yo-Yo Ma)
“Party Rockers,” Gordon Goodwin (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
“What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” Pete McGuinness (The Pete McGuinness Jazz Orchestra)

PACKAGE

Recording Package

“Formosa Medicine Show,” David Chen & Andrew Wong (The Muddy Basin Ramblers)
“Indie Cindy,” Vaughan Oliver (Pixies)
WINNER: “Lightning Bolt,” Jeff Ament, Don Pendleton, Joe Spix & Jerome Turner (Pearl Jam)
“LP1,” FKA Twigs & Phil Lee (FKA Twigs)
“Whispers,” Sarah Larnach (Passenger)

Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

“Cities of Darkscorch,” Leland Meiners & Ken Shipley (Various Artists)
“A Letter Home (Vinyl Box Set),” Gary Burden & Jenice Heo (Neil Young)
WINNER: “The Rise & Fall Of Paramount Records, Volume One (1917-27),” Susan Archie, Dean Blackwood & Jack White (Various Artists)
“Sparks (Deluxe Album Box Set),” Andy Carne (Imogen Heap)
“Spring 1990 (The Other One),” Jessica Dessner, Lisa Glines, Doran Tyson & Steve Vance (Grateful Dead)

NOTES

Album Notes

“Happy: The 1920 Rainbo Orchestra Sides,” David Sager (Isham Jones Rainbo Orchestra)
“I’m Just Like You: Sly’s Stone Flower 1969-70,” Alec Palao (Various Artists)
WINNER: “Offering: Live at Temple University,” Ashley Kahn (John Coltrane)

“The Other Side of Bakersfield: 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers From ‘Nashville West,'” Scott B. Bomar (Various Artists)
“Purple Snow: Forecasting the Minneapolis Sound,” Jon Kirby (Various Artists)
“The Rise & Fall of Paramount Records, Volume One (1917-27),” Scott Blackwood

HISTORICAL

Historical Album

“Black Europe: The Sounds and Images of Black People in Europe Pre-1927,” Various Artists

WINNER: “The Garden Spot Programs, 1950,” Hank Williams
“Happy: The 1920 Rainbo Orchestra Sides,” Isham Jones Rainbo Orchestra
“Longing for the Past: The 78 RPM Era in Southeast Asia,” Various Artists
“There’s a Dream I’ve Been Saving: Lee Hazlewood Industries 1966-1971 (Deluxe Edition),” Various Artists

PRODUCTION, NON-CLASSICAL

Engineered Album, Non-Classical

“Bass & Mandolin,” Richard King & Dave Sinko, engineers; Robert C. Ludwig, mastering engineer (Chris Thile & Edgar Meyer)

“Bluesamericana,” Ross Hogarth & Casey Wasner, engineers; Richard Dodd, mastering engineer (Keb’ Mo’)

WINNER: “Morning Phase,” Tom Elmhirst, David Greenbaum, Florian Lagatta, Cole Marsden, Greif Neill, Robbie Nelson, Darrell Thorp, Cassidy Turbin & Joe Visciano, engineers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Beck)

“The Way I’m Livin’,” Chuck Ainlay, engineer; Gavin Lurssen, mastering engineer (Lee Ann Womack)

“What’s Left Is Forever,” Tchad Blake, Oyvind Jakobsen, Jo Ranheim, Itai Shapiro & David Way, engineers; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer (Thomas Dybdahl)

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

Paul Epworth
John Hill
Jay Joyce
Greg Kurstin
WINNER: Max Martin

Remixed Recording, Non-Classical

WINNER: “All of Me (Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment Remix),” Tijs Michiel Verwest (John Legend)
“Falling Out (Ming Remix),” MING (Crossfingers Featuring Danny Losito)
“Pompeii (Audien Remix),” Audien (Bastille)
“The Rising (Eddie Amador Remix),” Eddie Amador (Five Knives)
“Smile (Kaskade Edit),” Ryan Raddon (Galantis)
“Waves (Robin Schulz Remix),” Robin Schulz (Mr. Probz)

SURROUND SOUND

Surround Sound Album

“Beppe: Remote Galaxy,” Morten Lindberg, surround mix engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer (Vladimir Ashkenazy & Philharmonia Orchestra)

WINNER: “Beyoncé,” Elliot Scheiner, surround mix engineer; Tom Coyne, surround mastering engineer; Beyoncé Knowles, surround producer (Beyoncé)

“Chamberland: The Berlin Remixes,” David Miles Huber, surround mix engineer; David Miles Huber, surround mastering engineer; David Miles Huber, surround producer (David Miles Huber)

“The Division Bell (20th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set),” Damon Iddins & Andy Jackson, surround mix engineers; Damon Iddins & Andy Jackson, surround mastering engineers (Pink Floyd)

“Epics of Love,” Hans-Jörg Maucksch, surround mix engineer; Hans-Jörg Maucksch, surround mastering engineer; Günter Pauler, surround producer (Song Zuying, Yu Long & China Philharmonic Orchestra)

“Mahler: Symphony No. 2 ‘Resurrection,'” Michael Bishop, surround mix engineer; Michael Bishop, surround mastering engineer; Elaine Martone, surround producer (Benjamin Zander & Philharmonia Orchestra)

PRODUCTION, CLASSICAL

Engineered Album, Classical

“Adams, John: City Noir,” Richard King, engineer; Wolfgang Schiefermair, mastering engineer (David Robertson & St. Louis Symphony)

“Adams, John Luther: Become Ocean,” Dmitriy Lipay & Nathaniel Reichman, engineers; Nathaniel Reichman, mastering engineer (Ludovic Morlot & Seattle Symphony)

“Dutilleux: Symphony No. 1; Tout un Monde Lointain; The Shadows of Time,” Dmitriy Lipay, engineer; Dmitriy Lipay, mastering engineer (Ludovic Morlot & Seattle Symphony)

“Riccardo Muti Conducts Mason Bates & Anna Clyne,” David Frost & Christopher Willis, engineers; Tim Martyn, mastering engineer (Riccardo Muti & Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

WINNER: “Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem; Symphony No. 4; The Lark Ascending,” Michael Bishop, engineer; Michael Bishop, mastering engineer (Robert Spano, Norman Mackenzie, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus)

Producer of the Year, Classical

Morten Lindberg
Dmitriy Lipay
Elaine Martone
WINNER: Judith Sherman
David Starobin

CLASSICAL

Orchestral Performance

WINNER: “Adams, John: City Noir,” David Robertson, conductor (St. Louis Symphony)

“Dutilleux: Symphony No. 1; Tout un Monde Lointain; The Shadows Of Time,” Ludovic Morlot, conductor (Seattle Symphony)

“Dvorak: Symphony No. 8; Janacek: Symphonic Suite From Jenufa,” Manfred Honeck, conductor (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)

“Schumann: Symphonien 1-4,” Simon Rattle, conductor (Berliner Philharmoniker)

“Sibelius: Symphonies Nos. 6 & 7; Tapiola,” Robert Spano, conductor (Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)

Opera Recording

WINNER: “Charpentier: La Descente d’Orphée aux Enfers,” Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, conductors; Aaron Sheehan; Renate Wolter-Seevers, producer (Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble; Boston Early Music Festival Vocal Ensemble)

“Milhaud: L’Orestie d’Eschyle,” Kenneth Kiesler, conductor; Dan Kempson, Jennifer Lane, Tamara Mumford & Brenda Rae; Tim Handley, producer (University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble & University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra; University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers, University of Michigan University Choir & UMS Choral Union)

“Rameau: Hippolyte et Aricie,” William Christie, conductor; Sarah Connolly, Stéphane Degout, Christiane Karg, Ed Lyon & Katherine Watson; Sébastien Chonion, producer (Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment; The Glyndebourne Chorus)

“Schönberg: Moses und Aron,” Sylvain Cambreling, conductor; Andreas Conrad & Franz Grundheber; Reinhard Oechsler, producer (SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden Und Freiburg; EuropaChorAkademie)

“Strauss: Elektra,” Christian Thielemann, conductor; Evelyn Herlitzius, Waltraud Meier, René Pape & Anne Schwanewilms; Magdalena Herbst, producer (Staatskapelle Dresden; Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden)

Choral Performance

“Bach: Matthäus-Passion,” René Jacobs, conductor (Werner Güra & Johannes Weisser; Akademie Für Alte Musik Berlin; Rias Kammerchor & Staats-Und Domchor Berlin)

“Dyrud: Out of Darkness,” Vivianne Sydnes, conductor (Erlend Aagaard Nilsen & Geir Morten Øien; Sarah Head & Lars Sitter; Nidaros Cathedral Choir)

“Holst: First Choral Symphony; The Mystic Trumpeter,” Andrew Davis, conductor; Stephen Jackson, chorus master (Susan Gritton; BBC Symphony Orchestra; BBC Symphony Chorus)
“Mozart: Requiem,” John Butt, conductor (Matthew Brook, Rowan Hellier, Thomas Hobbs & Joanne Lunn; Dunedin Consort)

WINNER :“The Sacred Spirit of Russia,” Craig Hella Johnson, conductor (Conspirare)

Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance

“Dreams & Prayers,” David Krakauer & A Far Cry
WINNER: “In 27 Pieces — The Hilary Hahn Encores,” Hilary Hahn & Cory Smythe
“Martinu: Cello Sonatas Nos. 1-3,” Steven Isserlis & Olli Mustonen
“Partch: Castor & Pollux,” Partch
“Sing Thee Nowell,” New York Polyphony

Classical Instrumental Solo

“All the Things You Are,” Leon Fleisher
“The Carnegie Recital,” Daniil Trifonov
“Dutilleux: Tout Un Monde Lointain,” Xavier Phillips; Ludovic Morlot, conductor (Seattle Symphony)
WINNER: “Play,” Jason Vieaux
“Toccatas,” Jory Vinikour

Classical Solo Vocal Album

WINNER: “Douce France,” Anne Sofie Von Otter; Bengt Forsberg, accompanist (Carl Bagge, Margareta Bengston, Mats Bergström, Per Ekdahl, Bengan Janson, Olle Linder & Antoine Tamestit)

“Porpora: Arias,” Philippe Jaroussky; Andrea Marcon, conductor (Cecilia Bartoli; Venice Baroque Orchestra)

“Schubert: Die Schöne Müllerin,” Florian Boesch; Malcolm Martineau, accompanist

“Stella di Napoli,” Joyce DiDonato; Riccardo Minasi, conductor (Chœur De L’Opéra National De Lyon; Orchestre De L’Opéra National De Lyon)

“Virtuoso Rossini Arias,” Lawrence Brownlee; Constantine Orbelian, conductor (Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra)

Classical Compendium

“Britten to America,” Jeffrey Skidmore, conductor; Colin Matthews, producer
“Mieczyslaw Weinberg,” Giedre Dirvanauskaite, Daniil Grishin, Gidon Kremer & Daniil Trifonov; Manfred Eicher, producer
“Mike Marshall & The Turtle Island Quartet,” Mike Marshall & Turtle Island Quartet; Mike Marshall, producer
WINNER: “Partch: Plectra & Percussion Dances,” Partch; John Schneider, producer
“The Solent – Fifty Years of Music by Ralph Vaughan Williams,” Paul Daniel, conductor; Andrew Walton, producer

Contemporary Classical Composition

WINNER: “Adams, John Luther: Become Ocean,” John Luther Adams (Ludovic Morlot & Seattle Symphony)

“Clyne, Anna: Prince of Clouds,” Anna Clyne (Jaime Laredo, Jennifer Koh, Vinay Parameswaran & Curtis 20/21 Ensemble)

“Crumb, George: Voices From the Heartland,” George Crumb (Ann Crumb, Patrick Mason, James Freeman & Orchestra 2001)

“Paulus, Stephen: Concerto For Two Trumpets & Band,” Stephen Paulus (Eric Berlin, Richard Kelley, James Patrick Miller & UMASS Wind Ensemble)

“Sierra, Roberto: Sinfonía No. 4,” Roberto Sierra (Giancarlo Guerrero & Nashville Symphony)

MUSIC VIDEO/FILM

Music Video

“We Exist,” Arcade Fire; David Wilson, video director; Jason Baum, video producer

“Turn Down for What,” DJ Snake & Lil Jon; Daniels, video directors; Judy Craig, Candice Ouaknine, Jonathan Wang & Bryan Younce, video producers

“Chandelier,” Sia; Daniel Askill & Sia, video directors; Jennifer Heath, video producer

WINNER: “Happy,” Pharrell Williams; We Are From LA, video director; Kathleen Heffernan, Roman Pichon Herrera, Jett Steiger & Cedric Troadec, video producers

“The Golden Age,” Woodkid Featuring Max Richter; Chis Clayton & Yoann Lemoine, video directors; Roman Pichon Herrera, Christine Miller, Susan Porche & Annabel Rosier, video producers

Music Film

“Beyoncé & Jay Z: On the Run Tour,” Beyoncé & Jay Z; Jonas Åkerlund, video director; Svana Gisla, video producer

“Ghost Stories,” Coldplay; Paul Dugdale, video director; Jim Parsons, video producer

WINNER: “20 Feet From Stardom,” Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer & Judith Hill; Morgan Neville, video director; Gil Friesen & Caitrin Rogers, video producers

“Metallica Through the Never,” Metallica; Nimród Antal, video director; Adam Ellison & Charlotte Huggins, video producers

“The Truth About Love Tour: Live From Melbourne,” Pink; Larn Poland, video director; Roger Davies, video producer

Grammys 2015: Sam Smith triumphs with four Grammy wins

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Grammys 2015: Sam Smith triumphs with four Grammy wins

Sam Smith was the big winner at last night’s Grammy Awards ceremony, taking four prizes including record and song of the year and best new artist.

The 22-year-old British soul singer was rewarded for being the only solo artist to sell more than a million albums in both the UK and US in 2014.

Pharrell Williams, Beyonce and Rosanne Cash, daughter of country legend Johnny Cash, won three awards each.

Beck won two, including best album.

Madonna, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney were among those performing at the Los Angeles ceremony.

Sam Smith has cemented his place as one of pop’s biggest stars just nine months after the release of his debut album In the Lonely Hour.

Accepting the trophy for record of the year, he said: “I want to thank the man who this record is about, who I fell in love with last year.

“Thank you so much for breaking my heart because you got me four Grammys.”

Sam Smith also performed his hit Stay With Me on stage with Mary J. Blige.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

As well as record and song of the year for Stay With Me and best new artist, Sam Smith won best pop vocal album.

He lost out on the best album award to long-serving indie troubadour Beck, who was honored for his 12th studio LP Morning Phase. It also won best rock album.

“We made this record at my house for the most part, so I would like to thank my kids for letting me keep them awake a little bit longer,” he said.

Pharrell Williams’ Girl won best urban contemporary album, while Happy won best music video and best pop solo performance. He performed that hit on the night with pianist Lang Lang and composer Hans Zimmer.

Drunk In Love, Beyonce’s collaboration with her husband Jay-Z, was named best R&B performance and best R&B song. Beyonce also won best surround sound album.

The other triple winner, Rosanne Cash, picked up the best American roots performance and song awards for A Feather’s Not A Bird and best Americana album.

Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne won best dance recording, while Aphex Twin won best dance/electronic album for Syro, his first album for 13 years.

Ed Sheeran, who had three nominations, went home empty-handed, but did join ELO’s Jeff Lynne on stage to perform at the ceremony.

Other performers on the night included Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna, who teamed up to play their joint composition FourFiveSeconds.

Madonna was joined by male dancers wearing glittering masks and horns to perform Living For Love, from her new album Rebel Heart.

There were also duets between Jessie J and Tom Jones; Hozier and Annie Lennox; and Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.

The ceremony departed from pure entertainment for a segment in which President Barack Obama sent a recorded video message in support of a campaign against domestic violence.

An abuse victim from Texas then delivered a poignant message about her own experiences.

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Zhang Ziyi receives marriage proposal from Wang Feng via drone

Lisa.Felice
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Zhang Ziyi receives marriage proposal from Wang Feng via drone

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actress Zhang Ziyi has received a marriage proposal from her musician boyfriend via a drone, Chinese media report.

At Zhang Ziyi ‘s 36th birthday party, Wang Feng sent her a white drone carrying a diamond ring before getting on one knee to ask her to marry him.Zhang Ziyi receives marriage proposal from Wang Feng via drone

The Chinese actress said “yes” amid tears and applause from a crowd of onlookers at the event.

Zhang Ziyi is best known for her role in the hit martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

The day after the proposal, Zhang Ziyi posted a picture of fireworks on a social media account with the words “I do”.

Wang Feng is a popular rock star in China and has been married twice before.

Zhang Ziyi has starred in almost 30 films, including The Grandmaster, Memoirs of a Geisha and House of Flying Daggers.

BAFTAs Winners 2015: Full List

Sonia Pantiss
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0
BAFTAs Winners 2015: Full List

Full list of winners at the 68th British Academy Film Awards:

Best film

Boyhood, Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland

Leading actress

Julianne Moore, Still Alice

Leading actor

Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

Director

Richard Linklater, Boyhood

The EE rising star award (voted for by the public)

Jack O’Connell

Costume design

Milena Canonero, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Adapted screenplay

Anthony McCarten, The Theory of Everything

Film not in the English language

Ida, Paweł Pawlikowski, Eric Abraham, Piotr Dzięcioł, Ewa PuszczynskaBAFTAs 2015 winners

Original screenplay

Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel

Outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer

Stephen Beresford (writer), David Livingstone (producer), Pride

Cinematography

Emmanuel Lubezki, Birdman

Supporting actress

Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Supporting actor

JK Simmons, Whiplash

Special visual effects

Interstellar, Paul Franklin, Scott Fisher, Andrew Lockley

Animated film

The Lego Movie, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

Sound

Whiplash, Thomas Curley, Ben Wilkins, Craig Mann

Editing

Whiplash, Tom Cross

Short animation

The Bigger Picture, Chris Hees, Daisy Jacobs, Jennifer Majka

Short film

Boogaloo and Graham, Brian J Falconer, Michael Lennox, Ronan Blaney

Makeup and hair

The Grand Budapest Hotel, Frances Hannon

Production design

The Grand Budapest Hotel, Adam Stockhausen, Anna Pinnock

Documentary

Citizenfour, Laura Poitras

Original music

The Grand Budapest Hotel, Alexandre Desplat

Outstanding British film

The Theory of Everything, James Marsh, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten

BAFTA Fellowship (announced earlier)

Mike Leigh

Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema (announced earlier)

BBC Films

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BAFTAs 2015: Eddie Redmayne wins best actor prize for The Theory of Everything role

Sonia Pantiss
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0
BAFTAs 2015: Eddie Redmayne wins best actor prize for The Theory of Everything role

Eddie Redmayne has won the best actor prize at this year’s BAFTA Film Awards for his role as in The Theory of Everything.

The Theory of Everything was also named outstanding British film and won a third award for its adapted screenplay.

Age drama Boyhood – shot over 12 years with the same cast – was named best film, with Richard Linklater picking up best director prize.

Patricia Arquette also won the best supporting actress BAFTA for her role in Boyhood.

The ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House on Sunday night was hosted by Stephen Fry.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

Julianne Moore won the leading actress prize for her performance as a linguistics professor with early-onset Alzheimer’s in Still Alice.

Wes Anderson’s comedy The Grand Budapest Hotel won the most awards on the night – a total of five including costume design, production design, make-up and original music; with Anderson winning his first BAFTA for original screenplay.

Jazz drumming drama Whiplash also took three awards – for editing, sound and supporting actor for JK Simmons, who thanked director Damien Chazelle for “the gift of this character”.

World War Two drama The Imitation Game, with Benedict Cumberbatch as codebreaker Alan Turing, won nothing despite its nine nominations.

Showbiz satire Birdman, staring Michael Keaton as a washed up superhero actor, took only one award – for Emmanuel Lubezki’s cinematography.

The obituary section also paid tribute to Robin Williams, Billie Whitelaw and Lauren Bacall – among others – who died in the past year.

The Lego Movie, which caused a shock by being snubbed by the Oscars, was named best animated film.

Unbroken actor Jack O’Connell won the Rising Star award, the only one of the awards to be voted for by the public.

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Alexis Tsipras: Greece seeks bridge loan rather than bailout extension

Clyde K. Valle
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Alexis Tsipras: Greece seeks bridge loan rather than bailout extension

Greece is seeking a bridge loan rather than an extension of its bailout, PM Alexis Tsipras has said.

In an address to parliament, Alexis Tsipras also promised measures to cut bureaucratic spending and said his government would stick to all its pre-election pledges.

Alexis Tsipras’s far-left Syriza party won elections last month on a promise to end austerity measures.

EU officials have rejected his efforts to renegotiate Greece’s bailout terms.

“The bailout failed,” Alexis Tsipras said told parliament on February 8.

“The new government is not justified in asking for an extension … because it cannot ask for an extension of mistakes.”

The prime minister said that Greece wanted to service its debt.

“If our peers want so too, they are invited to come to the table of dialogue so we can discuss how to make it viable,” he added.

Greece’s current program of loans ends on February 28. A final €7.2 billion is still to be negotiated, but the new government does not want to extend the program and has already begun to roll back austerity measures.

Greek debt stands at more than €320 billion, or about 174% of the country’s economic output.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

In last month’s elections Syriza fell just short of an outright majority and formed a coalition government with the centre-right Independent Greeks.

In his speech, Alexis Tsipras said the government’s “irreversible decision is to implement in full our pre-elections pledges”.

The first priority, he said, was “tackling the big wounds of the bailout, tackling the humanitarian crisis”.

That includes giving free food and electricity to those worst affected by the economic crisis, and ending an unpopular annual levy on private property.

Among other commitments outlined by the prime minister on February 8 were:

  • a gradual rise in the minimum wage to €751 by 2016
  • reinstatement of public sector employees “fired illegally”
  • creation of a new national broadcaster.

A number of measures aimed at cutting costs or raising revenue were also announced, including:

  • a new tax on large properties
  • a special portfolio to oversee fight against corruption and tax evasion
  • a pension fund using revenues from natural resources
  • cutting ministry cars and government planes.

Alexis Tsipras also repeated demands that Germany pay reparations for World War Two and repay a loan that the Nazis forced the Bank of Greece to pay when they occupied Greece.

Greece had “a moral obligation to our people, to history, to all European peoples who fought and gave their blood against Nazism”, Alexis Tsipras said.

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Powerball winning numbers drawn as jackpot soars to $394 million

Nancy Clayson
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0
Powerball winning numbers drawn as jackpot soars to $394 million

Powerball jackpot soared to $394 million on Saturday night after the previous drawing failed to produce a winner.

The winning numbers were 5, 10, 21 34 and 58, lottery officials said. The Powerball was 33. It was not yet known whether anyone had won.

Powerball jackpots start at $40 million and grow until at least one player comes up with the winning number at a drawing.

The jackpot winners receive either payments over 29 years or a smaller cash lump sum. The cash option for the jackpot was in excess of $250 million.

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

The biggest Powerball jackpot awarded by the Multi-State Lottery Association was $590.5 million and went to the holder of a single winning ticket in 2013. The association also operates the Mega Millions jackpot, which awarded a top prize of $656 million three years ago.

Game drawings for Powerball, played in 44 states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands, are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m. in Tallahassee, Florida.

Powerball ticket costs $2. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are one in 175 million.

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Justin Bieber’s Nike basketball shoes fetch $62,000 at eBay charity auction

Lisa.Felice
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0
Justin Bieber’s Nike basketball shoes fetch $62,000 at eBay charity auction

A pair of Justin Bieber’s Nike basketball shoes has sold for more than $62,000 in an eBay auction to benefit a food bank in his hometown of Stratford, Ontario.

Justin Bieber’s grandparents, Diane and Bruce Dale, donated some of the singer’s personal items to raise money for the Stratford House of Blessing food bank.

The auction started January 31 and closed at noon on February 7.Justin Bieber shoes eBay auction

Justin Bieber’s Toronto Maple Leafs comforter sold for more than $6,000, his pillow case went for more than $3,000, and his ceiling light came in at just under $2,000.

The charity says on its website that Justin Bieber and his mother chose to donate the items “because they were helped by us in their time of need.”

Organizers say Justin Bieber autographed the items when he was in the area over the holidays, and each came with a certificate of authenticity signed by his grandmother. The winning bids aren’t finalized until confirmed by eBay.

Kim Kardashian unveils new haircut before Grammys 2015

Lisa.Felice
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0
Kim Kardashian unveils new haircut before Grammys 2015

Kim Kardashian has unveiled her new haircut, a long bob, just before the Grammys.Kim Kardashian haircut 2015

The reality star tweeted alongside a new selfie: “I cut my hair short today.”

Kim Kardashian’s style shakeup comes just two days before she’s set to hit the 57th Annual Grammy Awards red carpet with Kanye West, who will be performing with Rihanna and Paul McCartney and is nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song.

Bruce Jenner involved in deadly car crash after paparazzi chase

Lisa.Felice
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0
Bruce Jenner involved in deadly car crash after paparazzi chase

Bruce Jenner has been involved in a deadly car crash and he reportedly told police he was being chased by paparazzi.

The former Olympian crashed his Escalade into another car on the Pacific Coast Highway, triggering a fatal multi-vehicle accident on February 7.

The unidentified female driver of the white car into which Bruce Jenner slammed is believed to have been the person who died in the chaos.

According to authorities, three vehicles were involved in the crash.

Several other people were injured, although the nature of those injuries has not been disclosed.Bruce Jenner car crash 2015

Bruce Jenner was seen walking around and is reportedly unharmed after the accident.

A rescue helicopter transported one person from the scene of the crash to Pepperdine University. It is not clear whether the victim was dead or merely among the injured.

Eyewitnesses told TMZ that Bruce Jenner, allegedly trying to evade paparazzi, rear ended the white car, sending it into oncoming traffic, where it was destroyed by a Hummer, killing the white car’s driver at the scene.

The gossip website cites family sources who say Bruce Jenner told responders that as many as five paparazzi photographers were following him when the crash occurred.

Bruce Jenner’s Escalade was hauling a Polaris UTV at the time.

Police gave Bruce Jenner a sobriety test, which he is said to have passed.

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Ukraine peace: Vladimir Putin to discuss with Francois Hollande, Angela Merkel and Petro Poroshenko by phone

Roy Siemens
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Ukraine peace: Vladimir Putin to discuss with Francois Hollande, Angela Merkel and Petro Poroshenko by phone

Vladimir Putin is to discuss a peace plan for east Ukraine with French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian leaders by phone.

Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande are pushing a plan to end bloody fighting between government and rebel forces.

Meeting the Russian president in Moscow on February 6, they agreed to four-way talks with Ukraine’s Petro Poroshenko on February 8.

More than 5,000 people have been killed in the east since April.

Thousands more have been injured and more than a million have fled their homes.

Ukraine’s military reported continued shelling on February 7, accusing the rebels of preparing new offensives, while the rebels accused the government itself of attacking along the line dividing their forces.

Petro Poroshenko has called on the West for support up to and including weapons.Ukraine peace plan Vladimir Putin, Francois Hollande, Angela Merkel and Petro Poroshenko

He made the plea at a security conference in Munich on February 7, when he brandished passports that he said were those of Russian troops in Ukraine.

Russia denies intervening directly in eastern Ukraine.

Angela Merkel told the conference in Munich that there was no guarantee diplomacy would succeed but it was “definitely worth trying”.

The plan is thought to be an attempt to revive a failed ceasefire deal signed in Minsk, in Belarus, in September. Since then, the rebels have seized more ground, raising alarm in Kiev and among Ukraine’s backers.

Francois Hollande said it would include a demilitarized zone of 31-44 miles around the current front line.

The French leader has described the Franco-German plan as “one of the last chances” to end the conflict.

“If we fail to find a lasting peace agreement, we know the scenario perfectly well – it has a name, it is called war,” Francois Hollande said.

The US is said to be considering pleas to send weapons to Ukraine.

Angela Merkel, however, said she could not “imagine any situation in which improved equipment for the Ukrainian army leads to President Putin being so impressed that he believes he will lose militarily”.

The statement put Angela Merkel in opposition to NATO’s top military commander, US Air Force general Philip Breedlove, who told reporters that Western allies should not “preclude out of hand the possibility of the military option”.

Vice-President Joe Biden said the US would “continue to provide Ukraine with security assistance not to encourage war, but to allow Ukraine to defend itself”.

“Let me be clear – we do not believe there is a military solution in Ukraine,” Joe Biden said.

“But let me be equally clear – we do not believe Russia has the right to do what they’re doing.”

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Nigeria elections 2015: Electoral commission delays vote by six weeks over security fears

Diane A. Wade
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Nigeria elections 2015: Electoral commission delays vote by six weeks over security fears

Nigeria has postponed the February 14 presidential election to March 28 over concerns about the security situation.

The country’s electoral commission chief Attahiru Jega said he had been told troops would not be available to help patrol the ballot because they would be fighting Boko Haram militants in the north-east.

Nigeria and four other states plan to deploy a joint force of 8,700 soldiers.

Both the Nigerian opposition and the US criticized the delay.

The head of the party of former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari, who is challenging incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, said the “provocative” move was a “major setback for Nigerian democracy”.Nigeria elections 2015 postponed

Secretary of State John Kerry said the US was “deeply disappointed”, adding: “Political interference with the Independent National Electoral Commission is unacceptable, and it is critical that the government not use security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process.”

Officials from the main opposition party accuse the military of forcing the electoral commission into the delay to help the sitting president’s campaign.

It looks set to be a tight race between Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari and the postponement may well increase the tension which is already palpable.

“The commission cannot lightly wave off the advice of the nation’s security chiefs,” said Attahiru Jega.

“The risk of deploying young men and women and calling people to exercise their democratic rights in a situation where their security cannot be guaranteed is a most onerous responsibility.”

Parliamentary elections due to take place on February 14 have also been postponed to March 28.

Elections for state governors and assemblies slated for February 28 have been moved to April 11.

John Odigie-Oyegun, chairman of Muhammadu Buhari’s All Progressives Congress, said: “I strongly appeal to all Nigerians to remain calm and deist from violence and any activity which will compound this unfortunate development.”

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Brian Williams quits NBC Nightly News for several days after false Iraq story

Diane A. Wade
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Brian Williams quits NBC Nightly News for several days after false Iraq story

NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams says he is taking himself off air “for several days”, amid questions over false claims he came under fire in Iraq.

Brian Williams said it had become “painfully apparent” that he was too much a part of the news.

The anchor repeatedly told a story about being shot down in a chopper in Iraq but veterans disputed his account.

Brian Williams, the most-watched network anchor in the US, blamed the “fog of memory” for the lapse.

He said he would not be presenting his nightly NBC show for several days while the network investigated his claims.Brian Williams quits NBC

“Upon my return, I will continue my career-long effort to be worthy of the trust of those who place their trust in us,” Brian Williams said in a statement.

On February 4, Brian Williams made an apology on air over his Iraq story.

“I made a mistake in recalling the events of 12 years ago,” he said.

“I want to apologize. I said I was travelling in an aircraft that was hit by RPG [rocket-propelled grenade] fire. I was instead in a following aircraft.”

Brian Williams’ apology came after veterans who were on the helicopter that was hit challenged his version of events.

One of them, Flight engineer Lance Reynolds, wrote: “Sorry dude, I don’t remember you being on my aircraft. I do remember you walking up about an hour after we had landed to ask me what had happened.”

Questions have also been raised about Brian Williams’ coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, with one health official challenging a claim he contracted dysentery reporting on the event.

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Bobbi Kristina Brown: Arrest warrant issued before drowning incident

Lisa.Felice
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Bobbi Kristina Brown: Arrest warrant issued before drowning incident

According to new reports, three days before Bobbi Kristina Brown was found unresponsive in a bathtub at her Atlanta home, a judge had issued a bench warrant for her arrest after she failed to appear in court for a traffic violation hearing.

Signed by Alpharetta Municipal Court Judge Lee Whiteside, the warrant states that for failure to appear on January 14 any bond paid had been forfeited and Whitney Houston’s daughter would also be responsible for any further costs to the court, the Daily Mail reported.

The issue stemmed from Bobbi Kristina Brown being pulled over September 9, 2014, for allegedly driving without a valid tag on her Lexus IS250. The maximum penalty she could have faced was having her vehicle impounded and being ordered to pay a fine of up to $2,500.

Photo Twitter
Photo Twitter

Meanwhile, the warrant has since been dismissed, the Alpharetta Polic Department announced on February 6.

“In light of recent events involving Ms Bobbi Kristina Brown, we are not focused on the warrant issue. In fact, we requested the court to recall the warrant and dismiss it -which they did,” Police spokesman George Gordon said in a statement, according to the Daily Mail.

“The important issue is we hope her friends and family find a measure of comfort during this difficult period.”

Bobbi Kristina Brown, 21, remains on life support at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

Nick Gordon under investigation for foul play as Bobbi Kristina Brown has unexplained injuries

Lisa.Felice
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Nick Gordon under investigation for foul play as Bobbi Kristina Brown has unexplained injuries

Nick Gordon is under investigation as authorities try to pinpoint how Bobbi Kristina Brown ended up facedown in her bathtub on January 31.

Meanwhile it was reported that Bobbi Kristina Brown, 21, has unexplained injuries.

Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown’s daughter was found unresponsive at her Atlanta, Georgia, home by Nick Gordon and the couple’s friend Max Lomas.

Photo Instagram
Photo Instagram

Bobbi Kristina Brown was placed in a medically induced coma and was moved from North Fulton Hospital to Emory University Hospital on February 3.

As many family members have been filing in and out of the hospital over the last couple of days, including dad Bobby Brown and grandmother Cissy Houston, Nick Gordon has not returned to visit Bobbi Kristina in days.

Following Bobbi Kristina Brown’s hospitalization, it was also revealed via Bobby Brown’s lawyer that Whitney Houston’s daughter and Nick Gordon are not married despite announcing their supposed nuptials in January 2014.

Si Robertson explains why wife Christine and kids are not on Duck Dynasty

Sonia Pantiss
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Si Robertson explains why wife Christine and kids are not on Duck Dynasty

In a recent interview with In Touch magazine, Duck Dynasty’s Si Robertson opens up about why his family stays out of the limelight.

Uncle Si, who is happily married to Christine Robertson since 1971, told the publication: “One woman’s got my heart. Her name is Miss Christine. We’ve been married for 43 years.”

Si and Christine Robertson have who have two children together – Trasa Cobern and Scott Merritt Robertson – and eight grandkids.

However, neither his wife nor the kids have appeared on Duck Dynasty show.Si Robertson and wife Christine

Si Robertson, 66, also revealed that Christine could be on the show, but “she’s got better sense than all the rest of us”.

“We’ve lost our privacy. I don’t really like that part of it, to be honest. But I guess that’s the cost of being famous!” he told the publication.

Si Robertson said he asked Christine Raney to marry him “at least 100 times” but she resisted because doctors told her she couldn’t have kids.

The Duck Dynasty star explained: “I said, <<Hey, the doctors don’t have the final word. I believe in a higher power>>.

“And I got two miracle babies who gave me four grandsons each.”

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Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s tweet on Chinese accent sparks outrage

Nancy Clayson
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Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner’s tweet on Chinese accent sparks outrage

Twitter users in Argentina and China have ridiculed President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner for poking fun at how the Chinese speak.

During a visit to China, the Argentine leader made reference to how some Chinese struggle to pronounce the letter “r”.

Tweeting in Spanish, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner wondered whether those at an event about trade were there for “lice” and “petloleum”.

Her supporters said it was a light-hearted joke, but others disagreed.Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Twitter Chinese accent

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner suggested that the Chinese struggled to pronounce “rice”, “petroleum” and “Campora”, the Spanish name given to the youth wing of her political party.

“More than 1,000 participants at the event… Are they all from the Campola and in it only for the lice and petloleum?” she tweeted.

It was a play on a domestic political joke: her critics accuse her supporters of attending party events only so they can get a free sandwich and a soft drink.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, a prolific Twitter user, later added: “Sorry. You know what? The levels of ridiculousness and absurdity are so high that they can only be digested with humor.”

Campola and China became trending topics on Twitter in Argentina and the episode filled the front pages of all newspapers.

Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was in China to boost trade with Argentina.

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Venice flooding 2015: Carnival season clashes with unusually high tides

Nancy Clayson
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Venice flooding 2015: Carnival season clashes with unusually high tides

Venice has kicked off Carnival season with more flooding than usual.

High tides have flooded Venice, leading Venetians and tourists to don waterproofs and wellies and use wooden walkways to cross St Mark’s Square and other areas under water.

In other parts of the city, knee-high water forced visitors to wade carefully through the streets.

Despite the high water, thousands of tourists are expected to visit the city during this festive season. This year, there will reportedly be more security throughout the city.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

The Italian city, which sits on a cluster of small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges, is experiencing higher than average water levels.

Flooding is common at this time of year and today’s peak of 55 inches (140 cm) is below the record of 63 inches.

Venice suffered its worst “acqua alta” on November 4, 1966, when it was submerged by 160 cm (63 in) of water amid catastrophic flooding throughout Italy.

Carnival of Venice ends with the beginning of Lent on Shrove Tuesday, February 17. The pre-Lent party that traces its roots back to 1162 and attracts tourists from around the world.

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Michelle Rounds: Who is Rosie O’Donnell’s second wife?

Lisa.Felice
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Michelle Rounds: Who is Rosie O’Donnell’s second wife?

Rosie O’Donnell and her wife Michelle Rounds have announced their separation after less than three years of marriage.

The couple exchanged vows on June 9, 2012, in a private ceremony in New York.

Rosie O’Donnell, now 52, announced her engagement to Michelle Rounds on her OWN show in December 2011. Her publicist later confirmed the news, saying that the two got engaged weeks ago and intend to split their time between homes in New York City and Chicago.

Michelle Rounds, now 43, is a headhunter at a New York IT company who Rosie O’Donnell met in a Starbucks in 2011. They first went public with their relationship in September 2011, walking the red carpet at the Building Dreams for Kids Gala in New York City.

Photo Twitter
Photo Twitter

Rosie O’Donnell jokes that when she met Michelle Rounds, she thought that the 40-year-old was actually 28.

Michelle Rounds was diagnosed with desmoid tumors, a rare disease that only affects three out of every million people.

In 2012, O’Donnell’s rep Cindi Berger revealed: “It is such a rare tumor. It took them quite a while to get an accurate diagnosis. She had several gastrointestinal surgeries to remove the desmoid turmors. She is now on the road to recovery.”

The comedian has four children from her marriage to ex wife, Nickelodeon marketing executive Kelli Carpenter. They divorced in 2007.

Rosie O’Donnell and Michelle Rounds have adopted a baby girl named Dakota.

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Julian Assange policing costs reach $15 million

Nancy Clayson
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Julian Assange policing costs reach $15 million

The UK has spent about £10 million ($15 million) providing a 24-hour guard at the Ecuadorean embassy in London since WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange claimed asylum there, Scotland Yard figures show.

Julian Assange, who denies allegations he assaulted two women in Sweden, faces arrest if he leaves the embassy.

A WikiLeaks spokesman said the policing costs were “embarrassing”.

Deputy PM Nick Clegg said Julian Assange should go to Sweden and “face justice”.

Between June 2012 and October 2014, direct policing costs were £7.3 million ($11 million), with £1.8 million ($2.8 million) spent on overtime, police said.Julian Assange policing Ecuador embassy

Scotland Yard confirmed the cost of the operation to UK taxpayers in the first 28 months, until October 31, 2014, had reached £9 million ($13.5 million).

According to British police, the costs were covered by the budget for diplomatic protection, which provides policing for embassies in the UK.

The cost of a further three months policing is now expected to have taken the total bill to about £10 million ($15 million).

“It is embarrassing to see the UK government spending more on surveillance and detaining an uncharged political refugee than on its investigation into the Iraq war, which killed hundreds of thousands,” WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson said.

Julian Assange has attacked Sweden, saying the country had “imported Guantanamo’s most shameful legal practice – indefinite detention without charge”.

In August 2014, Julian Assange indicated he would “soon” leave the embassy, where he has now been for more than 950 days, but he remains inside.

Swedish authorities want to question Julian Assange over allegations that he assaulted two women while he was in Stockholm to give a lecture in 2010.

A Swedish appeal court upheld an arrest warrant against Julian Assange in November 2014.

UK courts have repeatedly ruled that he should be extradited to Sweden to face questioning.

But Julian Assange fears he could be extradited to the US to face charges over the release of top-secret documents by WikiLeaks.

He entered Ecuador’s embassy in London after the UK’s Supreme Court dismissed his bid to reopen his appeal against extradition. He was then granted asylum by Ecuador in August 2012.

Julian Assange has been warned he will be arrested if he leaves the embassy, prompting the 24-hour guard by Metropolitan Police officers.

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