A top A & E executive revealed that the network’s management carefully considered whether to suspend Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty reality show over his anti-gay comments.
According to the executive, Nancy Dubuc, the CEO of A&E Networks, ultimately reached the suspension decision because Phil Robertson’s remarks were in conflict with “the fundamental values of the company.” Nancy Dubuc was responding in part to the concern of employees within the company, the executive said.
“She gathered all the information, assessed it, thought seriously about this,” the executive told TheWrap.
Phil Robertson has been suspended from Duck Dynasty reality show over anti-gay comments in GQ magazine
“It’s a dilemma.”
Nancy Dubuc is one of the most powerful TV executives in Hollywood, overseeing A & E, Lifetime and History channels. Her dynasty is powered largely by Duck Dynasty, the highest-rated reality show on the air.
The executive also said that arguments that A & E had somehow taken Phil Robertson’s free speech away were ridiculous, as a suspension from a television show did not curtail his ability to speak out freely.
The source said that any notion that A & E had a conflict with Christianity was also absurd, considering A & E’s History just aired the hit miniseries, The Bible.
Phil Robertson has been suspended Wednesday night, hours after an early-morning phone call between A & E executives and GLAAD, the civil rights group told TheWrap.
Robin Wright got engaged to Ben Foster after almost two years of dating, according to a report.
Robin Wright, 47, officially ended her 14-year marriage to Sean Penn in July, 2010 and began dating Ben Foster, 33, in early 2011 after meeting on the set of movie drama Rampart.
A source tells Life & Style magazine: “She’s been talking all about her upcoming wedding and how excited she is for it.”
Robin Wright got engaged to Ben Foster after almost two years of dating
Robin Wright was also married to actor Dane Witherspoon for two years from 1986.
US Air Force Major-General Michael Carey was sacked for conduct “unbecoming of a gentleman” during a business trip to Russia in July, a report says.
Before being sacked, General Michael Carey was in charge of 9,600 people at three operational wings, had served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and had received 13 major awards.
The newly-declassified document says General Michael Carey drank too much and met “suspect” foreign women.
He could not recall significant events or was “untruthful”, the report says.
Michael Carey’s removal came days after the Navy sacked an admiral overseeing nuclear forces over illegal gambling.
The two dismissals follow several other incidents affecting the US military’s nuclear establishment.
In August, a nuclear missile unit at Malstrom Air Force base in Montana failed a safety and security inspection, after which a senior security officer was relieved of duty.
In May, it was reported that 17 officers in charge of maintaining nuclear missiles were sidelined over safety violations at Minot Air Force base in North Dakota.
US Air Force Major-General Michael Carey was sacked for conduct “unbecoming of a gentleman” during a business trip to Russia
Michael Carey, a two-star general in the 20th Air Force, was responsible for maintaining intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at three bases across the US – a total of 450 missiles.
He is now special assistant to the commander of Air Force Space Command.
No details were given when he was removed in October.
The internal report by the Inspector General of the Air Force is based on interviews with the general and members of the US delegation to a nuclear security training exercise.
“Maj-Gen. Carey consumed alcoholic beverages to the extent that it impacted his conduct,” the report says. It adds that this included briefings, banquets and other events.
It goes on: “Maj-Gen. Carey engaged in inappropriate or improper behavior when he chose to meet up with and continued to associate with the foreign national women… especially given his own acknowledgement that the women were suspect.”
He had met them at a restaurant and danced with one of them a day after, it says.
The investigators interviewed General Michael Carey, but he appeared to have forgotten substantial parts of what had happened in Russia.
Their conclusion was that the general “either had a poor recall of significant events, perhaps due to his alcohol consumption, or was untruthful during the interview”.
The general had been rude to the Russian hosts and to members of the delegation, they said.
And he had complained that his forces “suffered from low morale”.
General Michael Carey has made no comments following the release of the report – the result of a Freedom of Information request.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been released from jail following a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin, his lawyers say.
Vladimir Putin signed a decree earlier pardoning former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky on the basis of “the principles of humanity”.
He said on Thursday that Mikhail Khodorkovsky, 50, had asked him for clemency because his mother was ill.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky – in custody for a decade – was jailed for tax evasion and theft after funding opposition parties.
The pardon comes after Russian MPs backed a wide-ranging amnesty for at least 20,000 prisoners.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been released from jail following a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin
Analysts say Vladimir Putin may be trying to ease international criticism of Russia’s human rights record ahead of February’s Winter Olympics in Sochi.
A document published by the Kremlin on Friday said the decree would come into force from the day of its signing.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s lawyer Vadim Klyuvgant said prison officials had confirmed that had left the he penal colony where he was being held in the Karelia region of north-western Russia.
The former tycoon had eaten lunch at the prison in Segezha as normal on Friday while his release papers were being drawn up, Russian news website Lenta.ru reports quoted an official as saying.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky was jailed after being convicted of stealing oil and laundering money in 2010. He had been in prison since 2003 when he was arrested and later convicted on charges of tax evasion. He was due to be released in August 2014.
Andy Warhol’s Farrah Fawcett portrait belongs to actor Ryan O’Neal, a California jury has decided.
The University of Texas at Austin had sued Ryan O’Neal, claiming Farrah Fawcett left them the painting as part of a donation.
Farrah Fawcett, who died in 2009 aged 62, attended the university in the 1960s.
Ryan O’Neal, 72, had an 18-year relationship with Farrah Fawcett and removed the painting from her home after her death.
The actor said the portrait was a treasured memento of their relationship.
The portrait is one of a pair created by Andy Warhol in 1980, when he took Polaroid photos of the actress and added splashes of color to a monochrome canvas.
One version is currently on display at the university’s Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, while Ryan O’Neal has hung the other over the bed at his Malibu beach house.
Farrah Fawcett portrait is one of a pair created by Andy Warhol in 1980
The university launched its legal case in 2011 after the portrait was spotted in the actor’s home during an episode of reality TV show Ryan and Tatum: The O’Neals.
University lawyer David Beck had urged jurors to give the school the portrait in accordance with Farrah Fawcett’s wishes.
“You’ve seen Farrah. You’ve heard from Farrah,” David Beck said on Monday during closing arguments.
“Please, please, speak for her.”
David Beck had also questioned whether Ryan O’Neal had ever discussed removing the portrait with anyone, including a trustee charged with carrying out Farrah Fawcett’s final wishes.
Ryan O’Neal, who removed the portrait outside her bedroom, said: “Of course I did. I’m sure I did. It wasn’t a secret.”
He told jurors that if he is allowed to keep the Warhol portrait, he will never sell it, and that his estate documents call for it to be passed down to his and Farrah Fawcett’s son, Redmond O’Neal.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are to visit New Zealand and Australia next April, Kensington Palace has said.
It is thought likely their baby son, Prince George, will also accompany them but a final decision will be made nearer the time.
If he attends, Prince George will be eight months old and on his first official overseas tour.
Prince William has made a number of official trips to Australia and New Zealand in the past.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are to visit New Zealand and Australia next April
While Kate Middleton is yet to pay an official visit to either country, she and her husband were in the media spotlight when they flew to Brisbane airport to catch a flight home at the end of their South Pacific tour in September 2012.
Their visit in April will echo the Prince and Princess of Wales’s visit to Australia and New Zealand in 1983 when the couple took William, then aged nine months old, with them.
Kensington Palace confirmed the visit but released no further details about the itinerary or how long it would last.
The statement said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit New Zealand and Australia in April 2014.
“Their royal highnesses have been invited to visit by the New Zealand and Australian governments. Further details on the exact dates and itinerary will be issued in due course.”
Katie Couric and producer The Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday the Katie show will wrap after this season.
They say shuttering the show after its second season was a mutual decision.
Katie show will continue to air through next summer
Katie show will continue to air through next summer.
Katie Couric announced last month she’s joining Yahoo to anchor an expansion of its video news initiative. She’ll serve as the Sunnyvale, California-based company’s global anchor.
Katie Couric announced at the time she was leaving ABC News, which she joined in 2011.
Kristen Johnston revealed via her Facebook page that she’s been battling a serious health problem for several months – leading to two weeks at the Mayo Clinic and two missed episodes of her TV Land sitcom The Exes.
Kristen Johnston, 46, wrote: “I’ve been really, really sick since early Sept. Full body muscle weakness to the extent that just walking difficult, stairs impossible and I even need a neck brace to hold my head up.”
“Lying down I’m fine, which is great for writing or killing time on social media (thank you all!!), but it’s kind of disastrous when you’re in a sitcom that requires tons of physical comedy.”
Kristen Johnston revealed via her Facebook page that she’s been battling a serious health problem for several months
“After 4 months & 17 Drs (no lie) I’ve FINALLY been diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disorder,” the TV star explained.
“Meaning my immune system has decided to go rogue & attack my muscles. The good news: I’m finally on the right treatment, feeling better & back at work!”
“I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want people overreacting (on twitter & FB?? NOO!!),” she told her fans.
“I know many of you have experienced similar issues or know people who have, but please try to refrain from diagnosing me. (I do it too!!)”
“I gotta say, TV Land and everyone at ‘the exes’ have been just amazing, all of them…so patient, understanding, loving & supportive,” Kristen Johnston continued.
Target has confirmed it was hit by a major data breach involving 40 million of shoppers’ credit and debit card information.
Customers who visited any of Target’s stores between November 27 and December 15 are at risk of having their credit and debit card information stolen.
Target said what to do if you visited one of their stores during that timeframe:
Closely monitor your credit and debit card statements for any suspicious activity.
Target has confirmed it was hit by a major data breach involving millions of shoppers’ credit and debit card information
If you find anything suspicious, immediately contact your bank. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission to report incidents of identity theft or call the FTC at (877) 438-4338.
Check your credit report. If you find information that appears to be fraudulent, request that the credit reporting agency delete that information from your credit report file. You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year from one of the three credit reporting agencies including Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.
Add a fraud alert to your credit report file with one of the three credit reporting agencies. That means creditors will be extra vigilant in protecting you, though it may delay your ability to obtain credit.
To reach Target directly concerning the breach and precautionary steps you should take, call (866) 852-8680. The company says as many as 40 million credit and debit card accounts may have been compromised. Information that may have been stolen includes customers’ names, card numbers and three-digit security codes.[youtube pom42RDo_wE 650]
“Whatever” was rated the most annoying word of 2013 by 38% of respondents of a recent survey.
A number of 1,173 Americans have been surveyed in early December by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, based in Poughkeepsie, New York.
The new result is up from 32% in 2012, pollsters said.
What’s more, “whatever” has topped the annoying word charts for five straight years.
“The word can be very dismissive and rude,” said Mary Griffith, media director for Marist.
“Whatever” was rated the most annoying word of 2013 by 38 percent of respondents of Marist poll
“It’s a put-down to some extent and it can signal to the other person that what they are saying is not important.”
Americans also do not like the word “like,” which ranked second in the survey of most annoying words, at 22%. The term “you know” pulled 18%, “just sayin” 14%, and “obviously” 6%. Two percent of respondents were unsure.
Marist began polling on annoying words five years ago. The word choices are provided to the respondents based on Marist research and prior surveys, Mary Griffith said. While most Marist surveys focus on politics, the poll on annoying words is enlightening, she said.
“We like to keep a finger on the pulse of popular culture,” she added.
In the same survey, Marist pollsters wanted to know what political word or phrase Americans would like to see disappear in 2014.
“Obamacare” was mentioned by 41% of respondents as a word they do not want to hear next year.
Americans are also averse to and would like to eliminate the Washington terms “shutdown” and “gridlock,” which got votes from 30% and 11%, respectively.
“Fiscal cliff” got 10% of the vote and “sequestration” 4%. Four percent of respondents were unsure.
Duck Dynasty stars have issued a statement regarding the indefinite suspension of family patriarch Phil Robertson, who was pulled from the A&E reality show on Wednesday after making anti-gay comments in a GQ magazine interview.
In the statement, posted on the Duck Commander website, the Robertson family says that it “cannot imagine” going forward with the show if Phil isn’t aboard, and that it’s “in discussions” with A&E Networks to determine what his suspension means for the future of the show.
The family asserted that Phil Robertson “would never incite or encourage hate” and that they were “disappointed” in the suspension.
The Robertson family cannot imagine going forward with Duck Dynasty reality show if Phil isn’t aboard
They also said that Duck Commander’s expression of his faith is his “constitutionally protected right.”
The statement read: “We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E’s decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: <<Love the Lord your God with all your heart>> and <<Love your neighbor as yourself>>. Phil would never incite or encourage hate. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right. We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of <<Duck Dynasty>>. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.”
Cuba has decided to ease restrictions on people buying foreign-made new and used cars, according to state media.
Cubans will no longer need government permits to buy modern cars from state sellers.
Until new regulations in 2011, people could only sell cars built before the 1959 revolution.
Private property has been severely restricted on the Communist country since 1959. The changes are part of a shake-up of Cuba’s struggling economy.
Following reforms adopted two years ago, Cubans can buy and sell used cars from each other, but must request authorization from the government to purchase a new vehicle or a second-hand one from state-controlled retailers.
Priority for the permits was given to people “in positions of benefit to the government”, such as doctors and diplomats.
Cuba has decided to ease restrictions on people buying foreign-made new and used cars
But the Communist Party newspaper, Granma, said the Council of Ministers approved new regulations on Wednesday that “eliminate existing mechanisms of approval for the purchase of motor vehicles from the state”.
As a result, the paper said: “The retail sale of new and used motorcycles, cars, vans, small trucks and mini buses for Cubans and foreign residents, companies and diplomats is freed up.”
People who already have permits are expected to be given priority, however. And buyers will still need to purchase vehicles through state retailers.
Cubans and foreigners will not be able to import their own cars.
The new regulations will be published in the official Gazette in the coming days and become law 30 days later, according to Reuters.
The move is part of a series of reforms driven by President Raul Castro aimed at updating the Cuban economic model.
President Raul Castro has championed limited free-market reforms since taking the reins of power from his brother Fidel in 2008.
Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson released his own statement in response to the controversy over his anti-gay comments early Wednesday.
The Louisiana family patriarch said: “I myself am a product of the ’60s; I centered my life around s**, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”
Phil Robertson released his own statement in response to the controversy over his anti-gay comments
Phil Robertson, 67, was placed on indefinite suspension by A & E Networks because of anti-gay remarks he made in a recent interview with GQ magazine.
Faith Driven Consumer – an organization connecting Christian consumers with faith-compatible companies – asks A&E Networks to immediately reinstate Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson to the hit show and also is seeking a formal apology to him, his family and the show’s viewers.
To support Phil Robertson, the Christian organization has launched theIStandWithPhil.com petition drive.
The petition calls for A&E Networks to immediately reinstate Phil Robertson to the hit reality show, after he was placed on indefinite suspension because of anti-gay remarks he made in an interview with GQ magazine interview.
“Simply put, Phil Robertson is being censored and punished for quoting the Bible, and A&E’s treatment of him is punitive and highly discriminatory,” said Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer.
Faith Driven Consumer asks A&E Networks to immediately reinstate Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson to the hit show
“Everyday people will not stand for this; they know bullying and violation of religious freedom when they see it. A&E’s actions are censoring faith-driven consumers and eliminating them from an entertainment choice that they have overwhelmingly supported.”
The IStandWithPhil.com online petition drive calls out the A&E network’s “intolerant, discriminatory, and punitive treatment” of the Duck Dynasty star, reading: “A&E’s position, which in your own words is <<championing>> the gay and lesbian community … excludes the views of Faith Driven Consumers and effectively censors a legitimate viewpoint held by the majority of Americans.”
The petition calls for respecting the millions of viewers of Duck Dynasty reality show, and demands that the network immediately reinstate Phil Robertson and “formally apologize to him, his family, and the millions of viewers who tune in every week, stand by him, and share his worldview”. Up to now, the petition had collected more than 4,000 signatures.
Phil Robertson’s anti-gay comments have since been slammed by GLAAD, but the reality star has drawn support from Sarah Palinand Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal.
Fox News Channel hosts and commentators came to the defense of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson on air Wednesday.
A&E Networks placed Phil Robertson, 67, on indefinite hiatus after he made anti-gay remarks in an interview with GQ magazine, causing an uproar and sparking criticism from gay advocacy groups GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign.
On Hannity, host Sean Hannity said it was a “slippery slope” to begin firing people over things they said, adding he never advocated for the firings of liberals — including AlecBaldwinand Martin Bashir – who got in trouble for controversial comments.
Megyn Kelly said on The Kelly File that Phil Robertson’s indefinite hiatus preemptively stopped any conversation that might have arisen from his comments.
“He is a Christian man – I grant you he did not say in the kindest way – but why can’t there be a debate about it? Why can’t there be a discussion … instead of <<you are fired>>.”
Fox News Channel hosts and commentators came to the defense of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson on air
Later, Megyn Kelly said the clash between fundamentalist Christians and the gay and lesbian community has yet to reach resolution, implying this could be because the discussion never takes place.
“Fundamentalist Christians don’t believe in homos**uality and they’ve been so critical of it. And the gay and lesbian community has said <<that’s intolerance>> and then they [Christians] say <<well you’re being intolerant of our beliefs>>.” she said.
“We’ve seen this clash over and over. [It’s] yet to be resolved.”
But several of Megyn Kelly’s panelists sided with A&E and its decision.
Democratic pollster Bernard Whitman told Megyn Kelly that Phil Robertson’s comment’s were “disgusting” and said it “flies in the face of what it means to be Christian.” He applauded A&E for its response.
Conservative commentator Monica Crowley said she was “not a fan of the word police,” but said A&E was within its rights to take action.
“You should be able to say what you want short of inciting violence,” Monica Crowley said.
“A&E, though, has certain standards in practices. As an employee of A&E, A&E then has a right to say <<what he said doesn’t suit us>>.”
Earlier in the day, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin tweeted her own defense of Phil Robertson.
Phil Robertson will likely appear in Duck Dynasty Season 4, which premieres on January 15, as production is largely wrapped.
Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has defended Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson after A&E placed him on indefinite hiatus for making anti-gay remarks.
Sarah Palin tweeted her support of the reality star: “Free speech is endangered species; those ‘intolerants’ hatin’ & taking on Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing personal opinion take on us all.”
Sarah Palin has defended Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson after A&E placed him on indefinite hiatus for making anti-gay remarks
Phil Robertson came under fire Wednesday for comments he made in a recent interview with GQ magazine.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal jumped to the defense of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson, who was indefinitely suspended from the show Wednesday after making anti-gay comments.
In a statement, Bobby Jindal praised 67-year-old Phil Robertson and his family as “great citizens” of Louisiana state, where the lucrative show is filmed, and he slammed the “politically correct crowd” for criticizing his comments.
“I don’t agree with quite a bit of stuff I read in magazine interviews or see on TV. In fact, come to think of it, I find a good bit of it offensive,” Bobby Jindal said.
“But I also acknowledge that this is a free country and everyone is entitled to express their views. In fact, I remember when TV networks believed in the First Amendment. It is a messed up situation when Miley Cyrus gets a laugh, and Phil Robertson gets suspended.”
At first glance, the Indian-American convert to Roman Catholicism with a national political profile and Phil Robertson wouldn’t seem to be completely natural allies.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal jumped to the defense of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson
However, some conservative Christians are arguing that Phil Robertson, a self-described “Bible-thumper,” was singled out for expressing a religious belief that homos**uality is wrong.
Asked in an interview with GQ magazine what he believes in sinful, Phil Robertson replied: “Start with homos**ual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”
A&E said in a statement that Phil Robertson’s “personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community”.
Bobby Jindal was not the only prominent GOP political figure to weigh in on the controversy.
Former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin expressed her support for Phil Robertson in a Facebook post.
“Free speech is an endangered species. Those “intolerants” hatin’ and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us,” Sarah Palin said.
And Texas Senator Ted Cruz posted on his Facebook page that Americans should be “deeply dismayed” about Phil Robertson’s treatment.
“Phil expressed his personal views and his own religious faith; for that, he was suspended from his job,” Ted Cruz said.
“In a free society, anyone is free to disagree with him–but the mainstream media should not behave as the thought police censoring the views with which they disagree.”
President Vladimir Putin has announced he will soon pardon jailed former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
The Russian president said he had received a request from Mikhail Khodorkovsky – in custody for a decade – to pardon him on humanitarian grounds as his mother is ill.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s representatives said they needed to meet him before commenting but that the family would be “elated to see him finally freed”.
On Wednesday, MPs backed a wide-ranging amnesty for at least 20,000 prisoners.
Speaking to reporters after his annual news conference in Moscow on Thursday, Vladimir Putin confirmed the amnesty would apply to the two members of punk band Pussy Riot still in prison and Greenpeace activists detained for their protest at a Russian oil rig in the Arctic.
Analysts say Vladimir Putin may be trying to ease international criticism of Russia’s human rights record ahead of February’s Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, 50, and fellow defendant Platon Lebedev were convicted of stealing oil and laundering money in 2010. They were already serving time for tax evasion.
As head of the now defunct oil giant Yukos, Mikhail Khodorkovsky was once Russia’s richest man.
President Vladimir Putin has announced he will soon pardon jailed former tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky
Vladimir Putin said he had not received a request from Mikhail Khodorkovsky in the past.
“And then quite recently he wrote such a document and addressed a request for a pardon to me,” Vladimir Putin said.
“He has already been in detention more than 10 years, this is a serious punishment and he is referring to humanitarian circumstances as his mother is ill.
“I think given the circumstances we can take the decision and very soon the decree to pardon him will be signed,” Vladimir Putin said.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told AFP news agency the request had been personally “signed” by Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s mother, Marina, said she did not know about any clemency request by her son.
“I spoke to Mikhail last Saturday for about three minutes, but we did not discuss this. He only asked about my health,” she said.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky is currently scheduled to leave jail next August. His supporters have long argued he is a political prisoner.
A statement from his press centre reads: “Until his legal team can meet with Mikhail Khodorkovsky, it cannot be commented on whether a request on a pardon was made, by whom and for what reasons.
“All of his family and supporters would of course be elated to see him finally free after 10 years of imprisonment.”
The amnesty passed in the State Duma on Wednesday covers at least 20,000 prisoners, including minors, disabled people, veterans, pregnant women and mothers.
Demi Lovato has confirmed she is quitting as a judge on The X Factor to focus on her music career.
“I started the show being a singer and a musician, and so I’m going to go back to that,” the singer said on the show’s red carpet on Wednesday evening.
“It’s been really great but I’m so excited for 2014. I’m going to dedicate it completely and entirely to music, touring and making a new album.”
Demi Lovato also told The Hollywood Reporter she would most miss her fellow female judges.
“Being able to sit next to Kelly [Rowland] and Paulina [Rubio] and see them twice a week, and also helping mentor the contestants,” she said.
Demi Lovato has confirmed she is quitting as a judge on The X Factor to focus on her music career
Series creator Simon Cowell added: “I always knew she wasn’t coming back because she’s touring, so I knew that.”
Demi Lovato, 21, joined the show in 2012 and took part as a judge and mentor for two series.
On Monday, Simon Cowell revealed he was planning changes to the format of The X Factor USA.
The series has suffered record low ratings this year, but Simon Cowell told reporters in a teleconference that he expected it to return in 2014.
The music mogul said the judging panel would change, but declined to comment on who he wanted to recruit.
Simon Cowell also said he envisioned a “different kind of role” for himself, but gave no specifics.
American Jeffrey Gonano has won a $1 million painting by Pablo Picasso after paying just 100 euros for a ticket in an online charity raffle.
Jeffrey Gonano, 25, said he was looking for a picture to hang on his wall when he read an article about the painting being raffled by Sotheby’s in Paris.
L’Homme au Gibus (Man with Opera Hat) had been bought by a charity working to save the ancient Lebanese city of Tyre.
The charity issued 50,000 tickets at 100 euros each, hoping to raise $5 million.
Jeffrey Gonano’s winning ticket was picked by a computer system on Wednesday.
“I was looking for art and I thought I might as well,” said Jeffrey Gonano, a project manager at a fire sprinkler firm in Pennsylvania.
Pablo Picasso’s L’Homme au Gibus had been bought by a charity working to save the ancient Lebanese city of Tyre
Despite the enormous value of his new acquisition, he says he will not sell the artwork, at least for the time being.
Organizers said buyers from all over the world had taken part in the raffle, with a large number from the US.
The 1914 artwork had been bought from a New York gallery by the UNESCO-registered charity the International Association to Save Tyre with the help of a large bank loan.
Raffle organizers say they paid slightly less for the work than the $1 million estimate given by Sotheby’s experts.
Pablo Picasso’s grandson, Olivier Picasso, was among those drumming up interest in the tickets.
He said his grandfather would have approved of his work being put to good use.
“My grandfather was a pioneer in everything, in his love life, in his artwork, so tonight I’m sure he would have helped the cause,” Olivier Picasso said.
Rebels in South Sudan have taken over the key town of Bor, the military has said, as fighting continues after Sunday’s reported coup attempt.
“Our soldiers have lost control of Bor to the force of Riek Machar,” said army spokesman Philip Aguer.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has accused Riek Machar, the former vice-president, of plotting a coup – a claim he denies.
The unrest, which began in the capital Juba, has killed some 500 people and sparked fears of widespread conflict.
Since independence, several rebel groups have taken up arms and one of these is said to have been involved in the capture of Bor.
The UN estimates 20,000 people have taken refuge in UN compounds in South Sudan’s capital
The UN has expressed concern about a possible civil war between the country’s two main ethnic groups, the Dinka of Salva Kiir and the Nuer of Riek Machar.
The organization has called for political dialogue to end the crisis, and the Ugandan government says its president has been asked by the UN to mediate between the two sides.
The UN peacekeeping mission says it is sheltering civilians in five state capitals, including Juba, Bor and Bentiu, the main town of the oil-producing state of Unity.
The US and The UK have both sent planes to airlift their nationals out of the country, and a US defense official described the situation as “getting ugly”.
Bor is the capital of Jonglei state, and even before the current unrest, it was seen as one of the most volatile areas of South Sudan.
Overnight there were reports of gun battles in the town, as renegade officers fought with troops still loyal to President Salva Kiir.
Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych has said he strongly opposes Western politicians intervening in the crisis in his country.
Asked about their recent visits to the protest camp in Kiev, Viktor Yanukovych said: “I am categorically against anybody coming and teaching us how to live.”
The opposition is furious after Viktor Yanukovych accepted a Russian bailout, seen as a reward for rejecting EU integration.
President Vladimir Putin said he was defending the Russian economy.
“We just want to defend our gates,” Vladimir Putin told journalists in Moscow, days after Russia gave Ukraine a $15 billion (10.9 billion euros) bailout and gas discount.
Ukraine, Vladimir Putin said, was a fraternal state with close industrial ties to Russia.
Protests have gripped much of Ukraine since President Viktor Yanukovych suspended the EU deal last month.
The opposition has been demanding to know what, if any, conditions the Kremlin attached to its decision to buy $15 billion in Ukrainian government bonds and slash the gas price from more than $400 per 1,000 cubic metres to $268.5.
Viktor Yanukovych has said he strongly opposes Western politicians intervening in the crisis in Ukraine
Russia’s financial help averted a debt crisis for Ukraine in the short term.
At a news conference in Kiev on Thursday, Viktor Yanukovych was asked about visits to the pro-EU protest camp by foreign politicians who have included US Republican Senator John McCain, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, former German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and others.
“What is very important is that this is our internal matter, and that other countries do not intervene in our internal affairs,” he said.
He said the deal with Moscow did not run counter to Ukraine’s course towards European integration and blamed Ukraine’s current economic problems on the policies of his predecessors, the leaders of Ukraine’s pro-Western Orange Revolution.
Asked why the Ukrainian economy was in such trouble, Viktor Yanukovych said the gas contract signed with Russia by former PM Yulia Tymoshenko in 2009 had incurred a loss of $20 billion.
Another problem, he said, was the repayment of an IMF loan of $16.4 billion negotiated in 2008, and a third factor was the recent fall in trade with Russia and other ex-Soviet states.
Asked about his position on the Customs Union led by Russia, Viktor Yanukovych said that Ukraine only had observer status but he suggested that it could adopt certain clauses.
“Ukraine’s government is studying these clauses and, once conclusions are drawn, the corresponding transparent decisions will be taken on which clauses we will adhere to,” he said.
Ukraine’s pro-EU protesters have rejected any move to join the Customs Union, which was set up in 2010 and includes Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Hosni Mubarak’s sons, Gamal and Alaa, and his last prime minister, Ahmed Shafiq, have been acquitted of charges of embezzlement by an Egyptian court.
Ahmed Shafiq, who has been living in the United Arab Emirates since losing the presidential election to Mohamed Morsi in 2012, was tried in absentia.
Gamal and Alaa Mubarak have been involved in a series of trials since their father’s fall from power.
All three men are still facing other corruption charges.
Hosni Mubarak’s sons, Gamal and Alaa, have been acquitted of charges of embezzlement
Ten other defendants were also cleared in Thursday’s verdicts in Cairo.
The case examined whether Ahmed Shafiq had enabled the Mubarak sons – both of whom were prominent businessmen – to buy land belonging to the Egyptian pilots’ association at a cheaper price than the market rate.
Egypt’s Al Ahram reports that the verdict in the second corruption case against Ahmed Shafiq will be announced later on Thursday.
Egypt’s former President Hosni Mubarak is being held under house arrest following his release from detention in August.
His retrial on charges of complicity in the killing of demonstrators in 2011 is under way, after his conviction in June 2012 was overturned on appeal in January 2013.
Hosni Mubarak is also charged in a further three corruption cases.
