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Choi Soon-sil Scandal: Samsung VP Lee Jae-yong to Be Questioned as Suspect

Clyde K. Valle
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Choi Soon-sil Scandal: Samsung VP Lee Jae-yong to Be Questioned as Suspect

Samsung Electronics’ vice-president and heir-apparent Lee Jae-yong is to be quizzed as a suspect in a corruption scandal surrounding the impeached South Korean president, Park Geun-hye.

The tech giant is accused of giving donations to non-profit foundations operated by Choi Soon-sil, a close friend of President Park Geun-hye.

Samsung’s donations were allegedly made in exchange for political support of a controversial merger.

Lee Jae-yong will face special prosecutors on January 12, officials said.

Samsung declined to comment.

Since his father, Lee Kun-hee, suffered a heart attack in 2014, Lee Jae-yong, 48, is considered de facto chief of the entire Samsung Group conglomerate.

Image source Wikimedia

On December 9, the South Korean parliament voted to impeach President Park Geun-hye over the scandal – a decision the country’s constitutional court has six months to uphold or overturn. Until then Park Geun-hye remains formally president but stripped of her powers, which are handed to the prime minister, a presidential appointee.

The claims circle around a merger between Samsung’s construction arm, Samsung C&T, and an affiliate company, Cheil Industries.

Prosecutors allege that Samsung gave €2.8 million euros ($3.1 million) to a company co-owned by Choi Soon-sil and her daughter, in return for Park Geun-hye’s support for the deal.

Lee Jae-yong has already given evidence to politicians over the scandal, but this is the first time he will be interviewed as a suspect by investigators.

At the parliamentary hearing last month, Samsung admitted giving a total of 20.4 billion won ($17.46 million) to the two foundations, but denied seeking favors.

Lee Jae-yong also confirmed Samsung gave a horse and money to help the equestrian career of Choi Soon-sil’s daughter, Chung Yoo-ra, something he said he now regretted.

Earlier this week two other Samsung executives were questioned by the special prosecutors, but were treated as witnesses rather than suspects.

Park Geun-hye’s position began to unravel in October last year when details of her friendship with Choi Soon-sil began to emerge. They included revelations that the president had allowed her old friend – who holds no government role – to edit political speeches.

Since then, hundreds of thousands of protestors have gathered every weekend to demand President Park Geun-hye to resign.

Park Geun-hye denies wrongdoing but has apologized for the way she managed her relationship with Choi Soon-sil, who also denies committing criminal offences.

Choi Soon-sil has been charged with coercion and attempted fraud.

Barack Obama’s Farewell Address: “Americans Should Defend Their Democracy”

Diane A. Wade
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Barack Obama’s Farewell Address: “Americans Should Defend Their Democracy”

In his farewell speech in Chicago, President Barack Obama has called on Americans to defend their democracy.

He told thousands of supporters: “By almost every measure, America is a better, stronger place than it was eight years ago.”

However, Barack Obama warned “democracy is threatened whenever we take it for granted”.

The incumbent president implored Americans of all backgrounds to consider things from each other’s point of view, saying “we have to pay attention and listen”.

Barack Obama, who is America’s first black president, was first elected in 2008 on a message of hope and change.

His successor, Donald Trump, has vowed to undo some of Barack Obama’s signature policies.

Photo White House

Donald Trump will be sworn into office on Friday, January 20.

Raucous chants of “four more years” from the crowd were brushed aside by the president.

“I can’t do that,” Barack Obama said with a smile. US presidents are limited to two terms by the constitution.

“No, no, no, no no,” he said, when the crowd booed the prospect of Donald Trump replacing him.

Striking an upbeat tone, Barack Obama said that the peaceful transfer of power between presidents was a “hallmark” of American democracy.

However, Barack Obama outlined three threats to American democracy – economic inequality, racial divisions and the retreat of different segments of society into “bubbles”, where opinions are not based on “some common baseline of facts”.

“If you’re tired of arguing with strangers on the internet, try to talk with one in real life,” he said to laughter and applause.

In his closing remarks, Barack Obama said he had one final request for Americans as president: “I am asking you to believe. Not in my ability to bring about change – but in yours.”

Returning to Chicago, where he first declared victory in 2008, Barack Obama delivered a mostly positive message to Americans after a divisive election campaign which saw Donald Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Barack Obama said that young Americans – including those who worked on his campaigns, and who believe “in a fair, just, inclusive America” – left him feeling “even more optimistic about this country than I was when we started”.

In choosing Chicago, Barack Obama had earlier said he wanted to return to “where it all started” for him and First Lady Michelle Obama, instead of delivering the speech from the White House.

Barack Obama said that it was in Chicago as a young man, “still trying to figure out who I was, still searching for purpose in my life”, that he “witnessed the power of faith and dignity of working people in the face of struggle and loss”.

“This is where I learned that change only happens when ordinary people get involved and they get engaged and they come together to demand it,” he said.

“After eight years as your president I still believe that.”

Some 18,000 people attended the farewell address at McCormick Place, the largest convention centre in North America and the venue for Barack Obama’s speech after he defeated Mitt Romney in the 2012 election.

The tickets were given out free, but were selling online for more than $1,000 each hours ahead of the speech.

As he leaves the Oval Office, President Barack Obama is viewed favorably by 57% of Americans, according to an Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll, a similar level to Bill Clinton when he left office.

VW Agrees A Draft $4.3 Billion Settlement over Emissions Scandal

Clyde K. Valle
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VW Agrees A Draft $4.3 Billion Settlement over Emissions Scandal

German automaker Volkswagen has agreed a draft $4.3 billion settlement with the Department of Justice and US Customs over the emissions-rigging scandal.

VW also said it would plead guilty to breaking certain US laws.

The company said it was in advanced discussions with the DoJ and US Customs about the deal.

The final agreement has yet to be approved by VW’s management and supervisory board, which could happen later on January 11.

The company said it had negotiated a “concrete draft” of a settlement with US authorities that included criminal and civil fines totaling $4.3 billion, as well as appointing an independent monitor for the next three years.

The fine means that the total costs associated with the emissions cheating scandal are set to exceed the $19.2 billion VW has set aside to deal with the issue.

Volkswagen has already agreed to a $15 billion civil settlement with environmental authorities and car owners in the US.

The scandal erupted in September 2015 when the EPA found that many VW cars sold in America had a “defeat device” – or software – in diesel engines that could detect when they were being tested and adjust the performance accordingly to improve results.

VW subsequently admitted cheating emissions tests in the US and many countries throughout the world.

On January 9 it emerged that VW executives knew about emissions cheating two months before the scandal broke, but chose not to tell US regulators, according to court papers.

The executives involved include Oliver Schmidt, who was in charge of VW’s US environmental regulatory compliance office from 2012 until March 2015.

On January 9, Oliver Schmidt was charged with conspiracy to defraud and has been remanded ahead of a court appearance on January 12.

3 Ways to Rev up Your Business in 2017 With Mobile Payments and Marketing

Nancy Clayson
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3 Ways to Rev up Your Business in 2017 With Mobile Payments and Marketing

If you’re an entrepreneur or the manager of a business, it’s always important to spend time on a regular basis learning about the latest advances in technology which continue to change the way organizations sell to, interact with, and follow-up with customers.

As we have seen time and again, new tech doesn’t just destroy or create whole industries, but also leads to new and improved products and services, better processes for customers and businesses alike, and more information and power in consumers’ hands than ever before.

One piece of tech that has really changed the face of the retail sector and many others is the smartphone. In today’s market, shoppers regularly use their internet-enabled cells to research information, shop and pay for goods, interact with businesses, and receive personally-customized information. In turn, organizations now have better ways of marketing and selling to shoppers at a variety of touchpoints, as well as much more data about what people are looking for and how and when they like to shop.

If you want to rev up your business this year, mobile payments and marketing methods can really help you to do so. Read on for three key ways that you can make use of smartphones and related apps for your venture today.

Accept Mobile Payments

The first, most obvious, thing to do for your business when it comes to mobile is to start accepting payments via mobile devices. There are multiple benefits to doing this. For starters, doing so allows you to increase sales because you can process transactions anywhere, and at any time.

Rather than being confined to completing transactions through your typical point-of-sale machine, you can use your smartphone or tablet to accept payments at places such as conferences, markets, in-home consultations, tradeshows, pop-up shops, food trucks, and various events. Mobile payments these days are incredibly affordable for businesses to implement, and don’t require much time or effort at all to set up.

Furthermore, if you integrate mobile payments into your firm’s operations, you will find that you not only have a broader range of customers to sell to, but that you can also increase your conversion rate. This is because so many consumers these days prefer to pay by card or using mobile wallets and platforms (such as PayPal, Apple Pay, Square, and PayAnywhere) rather than cash. By catering to this demand, you can quickly increase your revenue.

Mobile payment options also come in really handy in traditional store environments such as retail outlets and hospitality firms (like cafes and restaurants) during peak periods. By adding smartphone payments to your operations, you don’t have to keep customers waiting in long lines to pay. You can therefore process more transactions every hour, turnover more payments, and keep customers happier because they get to finish up their transactions sooner rather than later.

Better Market to Customers by Using Mobile Information

Your firm’s marketing can also be bettered by using mobile information to your advantage. Now, because of the development of mobile technology, you can market to both current and potential clients more easily by making use of the information and applications that are available to you.

Loyalty programs are a prime example of this. While these are used by many businesses as a marketing and sales tactic, they often aren’t as effective as they could be due to the fact that most shoppers struggle to keep track of their key-ring tags, punch cards, shopper dockets, and other loyalty devices, and as such don’t end up remembering to, or being able to, accumulate points, discounts and other rewards.

With mobile payment systems and marketing apps though, it is much easier and more convenient for consumers to enjoy the added value that should come with a loyalty program, and for firms to get more repeat business as a result.

Today, loyalty information can be stored and tracked directly through mobile applications when people purchase using smartphone applications, which means that shoppers don’t have to worry about having loyalty info with them. This then means that customers will be more likely to return to a store again and again, because they can enjoy a seamless loyalty experience with “no mess, no fuss.”

Provide More Comprehensive Customer Service and Fulfilment

Lastly, companies can also provide better customer service and fulfilment when they take advantage of mobile apps. For example, using “product locator” mobile technology, customers can find what they’re looking for much more quickly when they’re in stores, or find out about stock levels and other helpful information. As well, mobile apps can give customers suggestions about other items they might like or provide detailed information on products they’re browsing.

Fulfilment can be enhanced too through mobile apps, because the tech makes it simpler for businesses to track inventory levels and to take note of shopping trends. Firms can see at a glance which products are selling best during a particular period, and can increase or relocate stock to better suit the needs of shoppers as a result.

While New York Outlaws Ridesharing, the Rest of the Country Celebrates Ride Share Safety

Clyde K. Valle
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While New York Outlaws Ridesharing, the Rest of the Country Celebrates Ride Share Safety

Just before New Year’s Eve – easily the booziest holiday of the year – New York State uncovered a litany of insurance laws that effectively outlaw the practice of ride sharing. This comes at a devastating loss to a vast group of people, from app owners, who are losing a significant area of service, to regional drivers, who lose another opportunity to earn cash, to riders, who no longer have a fast, convenient means of transport.

Around the country, city and state legislatures are beginning to question whether ridesharing is safe. However, users of ridesharing apps consistently clamor that the service is the transit of the future. Fortunately for business owners, drivers, and ride share users, it seems that ride sharing is indeed a smart and safe means of transportation, and it should continue to be as policies and technologies develop.

Ride Sharing Engenders Road Safety

The more cars there are on the roads, the more chances there are for disastrous collisions. The simple concept of probability is why automobile accidents are so much more common than plane crashes: While there are at most about 5,000 planes, the global number of cars and trucks has already surpassed 1 billion. On average, there are over 3,000 deaths and 50 million injuries on the road every day, so every automobile is a potential health hazard.

Ride sharing helps cut down on the number of cars on the road, decreasing congestion, and limiting the possibilities for harmful collisions. In fact, ride sharing is particularly popular amongst the intoxicated, which means communities that allow ride sharing business to operate are likely to have fewer drivers under the influence. Inarguably, providing intoxicated people an alternative to driving home drunk and high is a significant boon for the ride sharing service.

Some regions are concerned less with overall road safety and more with individual security of passengers. For example, Austin was among the first cities to pass legislation mandating extensive criminal background checks for ride share drivers in the hopes of reducing the likelihood of kidnapping, theft, or assault on passengers. Yet, emerging studies on the issue have found that risks to passengers are no greater than they are in traditional taxis; if anything, their cashless payment system and digital documentation lower the risk of violent crime.

Ride Sharing Is More Sustainable

Additionally, fewer cars and more ride sharing is a remarkable win for the environment. As concern over climate change climbs, more citizens are becoming interested in any way they can cut down on their environmental impact. Carpooling has long been touted as one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions, but rarely have carpooling initiatives found much success. Ride sharing is effectively paid carpooling since users are riding in a shared vehicle instead of driving their own. Ride sharing requires less fuel and emits fewer pollutants than the most likely alternative – everyone driving a private vehicle – which is unequivocally good for the environment.

Some ride sharing companies have even more progressive plans for sustainable services. For example, RideCell has developed software to help ride sharing businesses build their apps, but thanks to a partnership with BMW, the company might become a pioneer of autonomous fleets in the coming years. Autonomous vehicles are dramatically more efficient than human drivers for a dozen reasons, including their superior engines and their attention to fuel use. Though the widespread use of driverless cars often raises more questions about safety, it is likely that autonomous fleets will have less environmental impact than traditional automobiles.

Ride Sharing Is a Smart Market

Ride sharing has always been by and for the people. Long before startups like Uber and Lyft developed apps to facilitate (and profit from) the service, citizens and cities built their own low-tech ride sharing organizations to combat traffic and other harmful effects of commuting.

Though businesses have built ride sharing into a larger market, it is still largely controlled by average people. Not only do users choose whether they will ride share or not, but they also decide when they need a ride and which app to use.

Meanwhile, drivers have control over their vehicles and their routes, and they can even decide whether they will accept a certain passenger. It is this degree of individual power that has allowed ride sharing to nearly overtake other forms of transit. Cities can hardly expect citizens to accept the prohibition of ride sharing when it promises such outstanding opportunities for growth.

3 Ways to Use Social Networks to Boost Your Career

Nancy Clayson
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3 Ways to Use Social Networks to Boost Your Career

While most people around the world have been using social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn and the like for fun, communication, and relationship-building over the years, it’s important not to forget just how useful the networks can also be for your career, whether you’re actively searching for a new position right now or not.

In fact, the various online platforms where people go to share data, exchange ideas, make comments, and meet new connections can be the ideal place for you to increase your network of contacts and raise your professional profile. In turn, this can help you to land an exciting new role when you need to (or even when you least expect it), or to expand your customer base for your own venture.

To make your profiles more effective though, you will first need to make sure that your information is as complete as possible and always up to date, with full descriptions and quality, professional photographs used at all times. You must maintain a professional manner on each site (no pictures of you looking drunk or taking part in illegal or otherwise frowned-upon activities!) and you need to be careful about only ever posting accurate, truthful information.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career today, read on for three handy ways in which you can take advantage of social media.

Networking

One of the first things you should start doing if you want to boost your career is network online. Social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook are fantastic for this, and will help you to “meet,” and develop connections with, other professionals in your industry.

To do this well, it is important to firstly ensure you have put up a comprehensive profile on LinkedIn, as this is one of the most popular and beneficial social networking spots for people who want to find a new job or make good contacts.

On the site, you need to post your resume in an online format. It must not only be accurate and up-to-date, but also well written and properly formatted. As such, it pays to organize a resume evaluation service to check out your information so that you can be sure that you’re not making any mistakes.

Your LinkedIn profile should include things such as:

  • Your relevant skills and achievements
  • Recommendations from people you have worked with or consulted to in the past
  • A business-appropriate photograph of yourself (no social pics here!)
  • Some relevant examples of your work where possible
  • Keywords that relate to your industry and job area

Once you have all the necessary info posted online, it’s time to start working on building more connections. There are multiple ways to do this. It is a good idea to post regular updates about your career successes, new skills you’ve gained, training you’ve completed, events you’ve attended, or any other relevant news that will help to generate interest in your profile.

As well, make sure you join some of the LinkedIn groups which are relevant to your position or sector. Once this is done, take part in online discussions whenever you feel you can add a unique view on the topic or some useful information. This will help you to chat and engage with potential and current contacts and to develop relationships further.

Build Your Brand

Next, keep in mind that, no matter the industry you’re in, it is always a good idea to work hard on building your brand. Branding is not just for businesses, as many people think, but rather is also important for individuals too.

Most social media sites, but particularly Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, are fantastic avenues to help people promote themselves by consistently demonstrating their brand. The updates you post online and the profiles you set up for yourself can go a long way to create an image that will help to stand you in good stead throughout your career.

Recruiters, employers, and clients typically check out social media sites when conducting research, and can use the information they see to determine if you will be a good fit for a company or position.

On your online profiles, make sure that you are always consistent when it comes to branding elements such as the images, logos, font, and language you use. This will help you to develop your own particular “voice” that can set you apart from your competition. The image and summary details that you put on one social media platform should be used across them all, so that your style becomes easily and quickly identified and gives people an accurate idea of who you are and what you represent.

You can also further your brand by using social media sites to become an industry expert. Your posts are the perfect platform for promoting your skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as a variety of content that you write or collate, such as blog posts and articles, quotes, infographics, e-books, pictures, and the like. By regularly posting information that helps others in your industry and demonstrates your expertise, you will see your standing as an industry expert rise.

5 Ways to Start the New Year Right

Kathryn R. Bown
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Starting the New Year with resolutions has in recent times become more of a ritual rather than an intention or call to action like it used to be. This is because, for most people, resolutions do not survive the first month of the year. It is a fact that the beginning of anything would determine how the end will turn out to be. On this note, if you start the year right, you would have a lot less to worry about as the months goes by. Hence, we’ve put together five (5) ways you can start your New Year right.

Image source Pexels

1. Get Rid of anything holding you back: The first thing you need to do is, to begin on a clean slate. You should get rid of anything that is holding you back. I mean negative and unproductive things – things that only wasted your time in the previous year – bad relationships, habits, addictions, and the likes. Some daily routines are also very unproductive so you should work on that too. The New Year is a great time to start afresh so this step is very critical to moving forward.

2. Maintain healthy habits: Once you’ve gotten rid of all the bad omens in your life, the next thing you should do is to begin and maintain healthy habits. For example, you should endeavor to get your full 8 hours sleep at night. You should also be mindful of what you eat. Do not go about eating for the whole town because you would put on some very undesirable weight which is bad for your health and self-esteem too. So for the New Year, you should maintain a healthy diet. Another important aspect of staying healthy is exercise. Get a bike, do a sport, join a dance class, go to the gym or purchase home gym equipment, just ensure that you exercise regularly in this New Year.

3. Start healthy

Staying healthy is one key to a happy life, you cannot go about your plans and goals on a sick bed. Staying healthy does not necessarily mean you changing your entire diet plan. Take up fitness goals, Cut down on your intake of fats, make sure you have enough time to sleep, and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before eating or touching your face just to keep the germs away and I’d also advice you get a medical check-up to know your health status and how to maintain it .

4. Wear a new look

Aside from wearing a new smile, a new posture, complementing these with a cool dress sense is a slam. Find cool stuffs without the prices making you frown. Be smart by checking stores, Mamma.com/us for instance, that offers coupons and promo codes to help you get more. By using discount ways, shopping for cool wears should not be a burden.

5. Choose a theme or focus word for the year: Finally, you should choose a theme for your New Year and work with it. Let’s say for instance you pick ‘Integrity’ or ‘Strength’ as your focus word for the year, it will help you grow in such areas. You would also learn to apply them in every situation you find yourself and at the end of the year; you would have grown in such areas. It is really great exercise and it has worked for me over the years.

Many people think of starting the year right but that is all it is, a thought. To get results you would have to be deliberate and take practical steps that would make your new year better than the former. It’s your commitment that matters. Start the year right today and have a splendid year ahead.

The Top 3 Destinations for a Luxury Honeymoon

Kathryn R. Bown
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The Top 3 Destinations for a Luxury Honeymoon

As one of the most important holidays you’re likely to take as a couple, getting your honeymoon right is very important. All couples are different and one couple’s idea of the perfect honeymoon can be very different to someone else’s but with this in mind, we’ve picked 3 completely different destinations for a luxury honeymoon you’ll never forget.

Here are 3 destinations you should seriously consider if you’re planning a luxury honeymoon vacation:

Bora Bora

As part of the French Polynesia islands, Bora Bora is one of the most talked about islands in the world. Incredibly beautiful, the island is favoured by honeymooners year after year thanks to its powder white beaches and crystal clear waters. With the chance to stay in an overwater bungalow, there’s opportunities for snorkelling, diving, cruising, fishing and paddle boarding all available to take advantage of. For the ultimate in luxury, experience a spa treatment on the beach or dine at some of the island’s finest restaurants.

Image source Wikimedia

Paris

The city of love for a reason, Paris is the ideal city break honeymoon destination for lovers who enjoy life on the go. From a romantic river cruise along the Seine, to dining in a world famous restaurant as the Eifel tower twinkles in the distance, Paris is as romantic as a city gets and ideal for a luxury honeymoon. From the impressive architecture of the city to the lavish designer boutiques, cute cobbled streets and amazing bars and beautiful landmarks, it’s the best city destination for a luxury honeymoon.

Cape Town

A destination which combines luxury, outdoor activities and once in a life time wildlife spotting opportunities, Cape Town is an incredible location to consider for your luxury honeymoon. Visit South Africa with Exsus Travel, specialists in organising luxury tailor made honeymoons. From exploring table mountain to the cosmopolitan wine bars in the city, Cape Town’s diversity is what makes it such a desirable luxury honeymoon destination. The harbour is stunning with a real inner city feel but once you head out into the winelands you’ll be able to experience the beautiful natural beauty of South Africa, providing two different types of luxury holiday in one.

With these 3 destinations all offering the perfect backdrop to enjoy a luxury honeymoon, no matter what type of couple you are you’ll be able to find the right holiday for you to enjoy celebrating your nuptials together.

Jeff Sessions Hearing: Donald Trump’s Pick for Attorney General Denies KKK Sympathies

Diane A. Wade
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Jeff Sessions Hearing: Donald Trump’s Pick for Attorney General Denies KKK Sympathies

In a tough Senate confirmation hearing, Jeff Sessions – Donald Trump’s pick to be the new attorney general – has denied sympathizing with the Ku Klux Klan.

The 69-year-old Alabama senator also pledged to recuse himself from any investigation into former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

A Democratic senator expressed “deep concern” about Jeff Sessions’ nomination.

However, Democrats do not have the power in the chamber to block his confirmation.

The attorney general, America’s top prosecutor, leads the DoJ and acts as the main adviser to the president on legal issues.

Beginning two days of hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Jeff Sessions testified that allegations he had once supported the KKK were “damnably false”.

Image source Flickr

“I abhor the Klan and what it represents and its hateful ideology,” he added.

Jeff Sessions also acknowledged “the horrendous impact that relentless and systemic discrimination and the denial of voting rights has had on our African-American brothers and sisters”.

Protesters repeatedly disrupted January 10 hearing, including a couple dressed in KKK white robes who chanted: “No Trump, No KKK, No Racist USA.”

“Stop this racist pig from getting into power,” shouted an African-American demonstrator as she was led out of the hearing by police.

Senator Dianne Feinstein voiced her concern over “fear in this country, particularly among the African-American community”.

She noted Jeff Sessions had voted against an amendment affirming that the United States would not bar people entering the US on the basis of their religion.

However, Jeff Sessions said he did not support the “idea that Muslims as a religious group should be denied admission to the United States. We have great Muslim citizens”.

Republican Senator Chuck Grassley described Jeff Sessions as a “man of honor and integrity”.

The nominee also promised to remove himself from any investigation into Hillary Clinton, as well as her family’s charitable foundation.

Jeff Sessions said his past criticism of her private emails and the Clinton Foundation “could place my objectivity in question”.

“We can never have a political dispute turn into a criminal dispute,” he told the committee.

When asked whether he ever chanted the anti-Clinton slogan “lock her up”, Jeff Sessions said: “No I did not… I don’t think.”

Donald Trump had pledged on the campaign trail to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Hillary Clinton, but he has since retracted that threat.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt to Use Private Judge to Keep Divorce Proceedings Confidential

Lisa.Felice
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Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt to Use Private Judge to Keep Divorce Proceedings Confidential

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have decided to use a private judge to keep their divorce proceedings confidential.

They released a joint statement saying they would keep all divorce documents and proceedings under seal in order to “preserve the privacy rights of their children and family”.

The statement says: “The parents are committed to act as a united front to effectuate recovery and reunification.”

In recent years, private judges have become more popular in the United States.

They are most often used by wealthier clients in family law cases, civil cases and breach of contract disputes.

Private judges have the same authority as public judges but the main advantages are that personal information remains private, as meetings and hearings are held outside of the public court system, the process is often quicker and you can select your own judge and schedule court dates to suit your schedules.

Angelina Jolie cited “irreconcilable differences” when she filed to end the marriage in September.

In November, court papers revealed Brad Pitt was seeking joint custody of his six children in his split from Angelina Jolie. The actress had previously asked for full custody of all the children.

In the same month, an investigation into whether Brad Pitt was abusive towards his son in September ended with no finding of wrongdoing. Social workers in LA had been examining claims Brad Pitt hit his 15-year-old son Maddox on a private jet.

Angelina Jolie filed for divorce the day after the incident. They had been married for two years, but together for more than a decade.

Women’s March: Stars Join Protest Planned for Day after Donald Trump’s Inauguration

Sonia Pantiss
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Women’s March: Stars Join Protest Planned for Day after Donald Trump’s Inauguration

A number of Hollywood stars will join a women’s march on Washington on January 21, the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration as president.

America Ferrera, who backed Democrat Hillary Clinton, is helping to organize the protest.

Other actresses taking part include Amy Schumer, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand and Zendaya.

In a statement, America Ferrara said: “Since the election, so many fear that their voices will go unheard.

“As artists, women, and most importantly dedicated Americans, it is critical that we stand together in solidarity for the protection, dignity and rights of our communities.”

Scarlett Johansson, who has criticized the Donald Trump’s incoming administration for “attacking” reproductive rights, said she was taking part to make her voice heard and “stand up for what I believe in”.

The protest organizers say they expect more than 100,000 people to turn out for the march on January 21, the day after Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Chelsea Handler will lead a sister march in Park City, Utah, one of more than 150 solidarity marches planned around the US and the world next Saturday.

Other stars who have said they will take part in the Washington march include Uzo Aduba, Lea DeLaria and Diane Guerrero.

According to organizers say a number of other celebrities will either participate in the march or express solidarity with the marchers in other ways.

They include Katy Perry, Julianne Moore, Cher and Debra Messing.

Not many Hollywood stars have said they will be attending Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.

2010 America’s Got Talent runner-up Jackie Evancho will perform the national anthem at the inauguration ceremony.

Jared Kushner: Democrats Challenge Donald Trump’s Son-In-Law White House Job

Diane A. Wade
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Jared Kushner: Democrats Challenge Donald Trump’s Son-In-Law White House Job

A number of Democrats have called for Donald Trump’s naming of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, as a top adviser to be reviewed over concerns of nepotism and conflict of interest.

The group wants the Justice Department and Office of Government Ethics to scrutinize “legal issues” related to the appointment of Jared Kushner.

His lawyer says the post does not breach anti-nepotism laws.

Jared Kushner, 36, is married to Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka.

The millionaire will step down as boss of his family’s real estate business and publisher of the New York Observer newspaper in order to comply with ethics laws, his lawyer Jamie Gorelick said.

Jared Kushner will also divest “substantial assets”, she said.

Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th US president on January 20.

Several of his cabinet picks have business interests that will be scrutinized at confirmation hearings taking place this week.

Donald Trump’s selection for attorney general, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, is the first to face Senate confirmation hearings on January 10. He was turned down for a federal judgeship in 1986 because of alleged racist remarks.

Unlike cabinet positions, advisers are considered part of White House staff and do not require approval from Congress.

Jared Kushner is a vastly wealthy property developer and publisher who played an influential role in Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and has been included in key meetings with foreign leaders during the transition period.

Image source Wikimedia

An Orthodox Jew whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors, Jared Kushner was raised in Livingston, New Jersey, and went on to study sociology at Harvard.

His father, also a property mogul, was jailed for tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions and witness tampering in 2005 by Chris Christie – then the US attorney for New Jersey.

Jared Kushner is said to have played a key role in the ousting of Chris Christie, by then New Jersey governor, from Donald Trump’s presidential campaign team last year.

In his new role, Jared Kushner will initially focus on trade policy and the Middle East, according to officials from the transition team.

On January 8, Jared Kushner and Donald Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon met UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

The nepotism rule, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967, prevents public officials from promoting a relative “to a civilian position in the agency in which he is serving or over which he exercises jurisdiction or control”.

It is thought to have been prompted by JFK’s appointment of brother Robert to the post of attorney general in 1960.

The law would stop a president from giving a cabinet job to a relative – but it is unclear whether it applies to positions in the White House team.

Those that say it does not point to President Bill Clinton’s appointment of First Lady Hillary Clinton as chair of his health care reforms package in 1993.

In their letter, the Democratic lawmakers, all members of the House Judiciary Committee, argue that a “strong case” can be made that the 1967 federal anti-nepotism statute applies to staff working in the White House, a position rejected by Donald Trump’s team.

They also raise questions about how, even with significant divestment, Jared Kushner could completely avoid conflicts of interest in his White House role.

Concerns have been raised about his relationships with foreign investors.

The New York Times reported on January 7 that Jared Kushner met the head of an insurance group with links to the Chinese government over development plans for his skyscraper, 666 Fifth Avenue, just days after Donald Trump won the presidential election. His spokeswoman, quoted by the paper, said the timing of the meeting was a coincidence and he had already decided to sell his stake in the building.

As his appointment as special adviser was announced, Jared Kushner’s lawyer, Jamie Gorelick, said he was committed to complying with federal ethics laws and had consulted with the Office of Government Ethics about what steps to take.

She added that he would not be paid for the advisory role.

Jared Kushner’s wife, Ivanka Trump, will step down from executive roles at the Trump Organization as well as her own fashion brands.

However, she will not be taking an official role in her father’s government – for now at least – and instead will focus on raising her children.

Reports said last week that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner and their children would be moving into a $5.5 million home in Washington DC’s wealthy Kalorama neighborhood – at least for some time.

The Obama family is due to be moving to the same area after leaving the White House.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump announced in November that his wife, Melania, would be staying in New York – at least initially – after his inauguration to allow their youngest son, Barron, to finish the school year.

Barack Obama Blacklists Five Prominent Russians Including Alexander Litvinenko Suspects

Diane A. Wade
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0
Barack Obama Blacklists Five Prominent Russians Including Alexander Litvinenko Suspects

Five prominent Russians have been blacklisted by the Obama administration, just 11 days before the president leaves office.

Chief federal investigator Alexander Bastrykin and two men wanted in the UK for the murder of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko are among them.

The US sanctions come amid worsening ties, including claims Russia ran a cyber campaign to influence the November 8 election.

President-elect Donald Trump is seeking to restore closer relations with Russia.

According to officials, the sanctions are not related to the hacking but come under a 2012 law designed to punish human rights violators.

Under the act named after Russian tax fraud whistleblower Sergey Magnitsky, who died in a Moscow prison in 2009, people on the list have their US assets blocked and are banned from travelling to the United States.

It originally targeted officials implicated in Sergey Magnitsky’s death, but has since been broadened to cover other human rights cases.

Image source Moscow Times

The five persons to be blacklisted are: Alexander Bastrykin, a close aide to President Vladimir Putin and head of the federal investigative agency, who has led campaigns against domestic dissidents and foreign NGOs working in Russia. US officials say he was complicit in the Magnitsky case; Gennady Plaksin, former head of the Universal Savings Bank, and Stanislav Gordiyevsky, former investigative agency official. Both are said to be involved in covering up Magnitsky’s death; Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun, the main suspects in the poisoning of former KGB agent and London exile Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.

Alexander Litvinenko died after drinking tea laced with a rare radioactive substance at a hotel in London.

Both Andrei Lugovoi and Dmitry Kovtun deny any involvement in the killing, and efforts to extradite the men to the UK have failed.

Last month, Washington expelled 35 Russian diplomats following allegations by US intelligence services that Russia had ordered the hacking of Democratic Party emails to damage Donald Trump’s Democrat rival for the presidency, Hillary Clinton.

Russia denies the allegations and on January 9 described them as a witch-hunt, but has so far not responded to the expulsions.

After the 35 were thrown out, Russia declined to respond in kind, with President Vladimir Putin saying his country would not stoop to “irresponsible diplomacy”.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, is said to have accepted the findings of the report but has declined to single out Russia as the source of the hacking.

Don’t Tip Black People: Virginia Waitress Kelly Carter Is Left Racist Note by White Couple

Nancy Clayson
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Don’t Tip Black People: Virginia Waitress Kelly Carter Is Left Racist Note by White Couple

A black waitress from a Virginia restaurant received a racist note instead of a tip at the weekend.

Kelly Carter said a couple had written on the receipt: “Great service don’t tip black people.”

People are rallying to support the waitress and have been dropping by the restaurant to give her cash. A YouCaring campaign has raised over $300 for her.

Kelly Carter’s regular customers have been dropping by to give her hugs.

Image source Twitter

Tipping is customary in the US, where restaurant servers often earn less than the minimum wage, with tips supposed to make up the difference in pay.

The white couple who left the note appeared to be in their mid-20s, and left after spending $30.52 on food.

Kelly Carter told local media that one of the diners had even complimented the breakfast she served them on January 7.

She says that she would gladly serve the pair again, adding “one hateful remark cannot stop me” and that she would recognize them if they returned to Anita’s New Mexico Style Cafe.

Kelly Carter says she really does hope to see the couple again: “Just me serving them will let them know they did not get the best of me. And I truly mean that.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrB6meO_t0Q

Top Things to See at the 2017 Auto Show

Dana R
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Top Things to See at the 2017 Auto Show

There are several huge auto shows that take place throughout the country. Most of these auto shows take place in large cities such as Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles. And while the exact line-up of cars and events vary slightly based on the location, they all follow the same model and have the same basic set up. If you plan on attending any of these auto shows throughout the nation, here are a few of the top things to see or participate in.

The Displayed Cars

Obviously when you attend an auto show, you have come to see the cars. As such, you want to be sure you do not miss the displayed cars. However, the auto shows have taken great car this year to sort the cars into grouping and have designated areas for different types of cars, helping you to hone in on the ones that most interest you quickly. Some of the different groupings include new models of cars, classic cars, luxury cars, exotic cars, all exemplified in defensive driving courses and concept cars. If you are on a limited time schedule, bee line it for the car type that most interests you. If you have plenty of time, be sure to check out the various groupings on display.

LA-autos-show

The Test Drive Area

Another not to be missed feature to check out at 2017 auto shows is the test drive area. Looking at cars can be fun, but let’s face it; you want to get behind the wheel of the car and give it a spin. Many car shows are giving you the opportunity to do just this in their test drive area. The exact models of cars available to drive will vary from show to show, and you can expect some waiting before you get behind the wheel. However, this gives you an opportunity to test cars that you may not ever have the opportunity to drive again, making it well worth it.

The Interactive Opportunities

If you are tagging along to the auto show with someone else, looking at cars may not be your thing. But don’t worry, there are some unique offerings as well as learning the basic mechanics of a car that you will want to check out. The interactive opportunities section of a car show gives you the opportunity to play video games or virtual reality games to drive a car in a variety of settings. This area provides a lot of fun for both car enthusiasts and those who tag along with them to shows.

The Black Tie or Gala Events

The last thing you may want to check out if you are planning on visiting a 2017 auto show is the black tie or gala events. Most large auto shows have one of these events at least one night during the duration of the show’s schedule. These are upscale events that allow you to get dressed up and check out the auto show while being feed champagne and hors d’oeuvre. These events are typically not very crowded, allowing you to see cars up close and personal and from a unique perspective.

If you are a car enthusiast, you may be planning on attending one or more of the large 2017 auto shows. Regardless of whether this is your first time attending, or you are experienced, you want to make sure that you check out some of the top offerings at these shows. These include the displayed cars area, the test drive section, the interactive opportunity and any black tie or gala events that the show is offering.

Andrey Malanin: Russian Consul in Athens Found Dead in His Apartment

Diane A. Wade
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Andrey Malanin: Russian Consul in Athens Found Dead in His Apartment

Andrey Malanin, the head of the consular department at Russia’s embassy in Greece, has been found dead in his flat in Athens, Greek police say.

According to police, initial signs suggested 55-year-old Andrey Malanin died of natural causes, but they were investigating the death.

Andrey Malanin had failed to report for work on January 9 and did not answer his phone, Greek media said. He lived alone on a heavily guarded street.

Russian officials confirmed the consul’s death.

Image source Reuters

According to the Proto Tema website, Andrey Malanin’s colleagues accompanied by police went round to the apartment to check on the consul, but found the door locked from the inside.

Andrey Malanin was found lying on his bedroom floor. Police said the body had no visible injuries and there had been no obvious break-in.

Last month, Moscow’s ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, was assassinated, apparently in protest at Russian involvement in the bombardment of the Syrian city of Aleppo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlltc7uOKZo

Snake on Plane Grounds Emirates Flight to Dubai

Nancy Clayson
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Snake on Plane Grounds Emirates Flight to Dubai

Emirates flight EK0863 from Muscat, Oman, to Dubai was canceled after staff found a snake on the plane.

The plane was grounded after baggage handlers found the snake in the cargo hold.

An Emirates spokesperson, quoted by Dubai-based media, said the serpent was found before passengers boarded the plane.

Image source WIkimedia

The plane was searched before re-entering service and arriving at its destination several hours later.

The airliner did not specify the species of snake, nor whether it was potentially dangerous.

This is not the first time when a snake has tried to travel free of charge on planes from warm climates.

In November 2016, passengers on a Mexico domestic flight were panicked by the appearance of 3ft-long snake which dropped from the overhead compartments.

A 10ft scrub python was spotted clinging on to the wing as a plane made its way between the Australian town of Cairns and Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea in 2013.

Donald Trump Reacts to Meryl Streep’s Golden Globes Speech

Diane A. Wade
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0
Donald Trump Reacts to Meryl Streep’s Golden Globes Speech

President-elect Donald Trump has reacted to Meryl Streep’s criticism during her acceptance speech at this year’s Golden Globes.

Meryl Streep received a lifetime achievement award at the 74th Golden Globes ceremony.

Donald Trump has responded on Twitter: “Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesn’t know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes.

“She is a Hillary flunky who lost big.”

Meryl Streep had referred to Donald Trump during her Globes acceptance speech without naming him.

The three-time Oscar-winning actress told the Golden Globes audience in Beverly Hills on January 8: “It kind of broke my heart.

“This instinct to humiliate, when it’s modeled by someone in the public platform, by someone powerful, it filters down into everybody’s life. Because it kind of gives permission for other people to do the same thing.”

Image source Getty Images

Meryl Streep said she had been stunned by the president-elect mocking a disabled reporter during a campaign appearance.

Donald Trump tweeted: “For the 100th time, I never <<mocked>> a disabled reporter (would never do that) but simply showed him <<groveling>> when he totally changed a 16 year old story that he had written in order to make me look bad. Just more very dishonest media!”

The president-elect, who is due to be inaugurated on January 20, performed an impression of Serge Kovaleski, who has a congenital joint condition, at a rally in South Carolina during the presidential campaign trail in November 2016.

Meryl Streep also referred to immigration, saying: “Hollywood is crawling with outsiders and foreigners and if you kick them all out, you’ll have nothing to watch but football and mixed martial arts, which are not the arts.”

Donald Trump is considered by many to have a hard-line stance on immigration policy.

Europe Freeze: Cold Weather Kills at Least 20 Across Continent

Nancy Clayson
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Europe Freeze: Cold Weather Kills at Least 20 Across Continent

At least 20 people are now known to have died as the extreme cold weather continue to grip much of Europe.

According to authorities, 10 people died of cold in Poland on January 8.

The bodies of three refugees, two Iraqi and one Somali, were found near the Turkish-Bulgarian border.

Deaths have also reported in Italy, the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

Meanwhile, dozens of flights have been halted. In Turkey, the Bosphorus is closed to shipping after a snowstorm. Even Greece’s islands are covered in snow.

In Serbia, all river transport is suspended on the Danube.

Image source EPA

In some regions of Russia temperatures have plunged to more than -40C (-40F).

Normally milder Greece has witnessed temperatures of -15C (5F) in the north, where an Afghan refugee died of cold last week and roads were closed.

In capital Athens, the temperature failed to rise above 0C over the weekend and many of the islands were covered in snow.

Some of the Greek islands are home to thousands of refugees and many are being moved to temporary housing and heated tents.

Italian homeless hostels are opening their doors day and night as the weather has been blamed for the deaths of seven people, five of them living out in the open.

Airports in Italian cities of Sicily, Bari and Brindisi closed over the weekend.

The Italian capital, Rome, too, saw freezing temperatures.

In Russia, Moscow experienced its coldest Orthodox Christmas in 120 years on January 7.

Dozens of flights have been canceled or delayed in Moscow.

Schools in several regions of Russia are closed on January 9, however officials say milder temperatures are expected in the coming days.

Czech capital, Prague, had its coldest night so far this winter, officials say, with three deaths reported, two of them homeless people.

With the ten deaths confirmed in Poland on January 8, officials say country’s death toll from winter weather has risen to 65 since November 1.

On January 9, Warsaw and Krakow are providing people with free public transport as the authorities try to tackle high smog levels linked to the cold weather.

Kim Kardashian Paris Robbery: Sixteen People Arrested in France

Lisa.Felice
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0
Kim Kardashian Paris Robbery: Sixteen People Arrested in France

French authorities have arrested 16 people in connection with October 2016 armed robbery of Kim Kardashian in Paris, officials say.

According to officials, at the time that Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint by at least two men dressed as police officers.

The men entered her luxury apartment before tying her up and locking her in the bathroom.

They escaped with an estimated €10 million ($10.5 million) in jewellery.

The people arrested on January 9 are believed to be mostly in their 50s, with the oldest aged 72, French media report.

French police said that traces of DNA left at the scene led to the arrests.

Image source Instagram

The individuals were held in early morning raids in the Paris region, Normandy and the French Riviera following three months of investigations.

“One of the DNA samples matched an individual known to police for robbery and criminal offences,” French police said.

Kim Kardashian, who is married to Kanye West, said she feared she was going to be killed at the time. The reality star was left badly shaken but unhurt.

“They’re going to shoot me in the back,” Kim Kardashian is heard telling her sisters in a promotional clip for the new season of the Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

The 36-year-old reality star, who became a household name thanks to the reality TV series, was in the French capital at the time of the robbery for Paris Fashion Week, with her mother Kris Jenner and her sister Kendall Jenner.

Kanye West was overseas in New York, performing on stage at the Meadows Music and Arts Festival, when the robbery happened on October 3. He abruptly ended his set, telling fans: “I’m sorry, family emergency. I have to stop the show.”

The robbery caused a storm on social media with a number of celebrities sharing messages of support.

Golden Globes 2017: Meryl Streep Strongly Criticizes Donald Trump in Acceptance Speech

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Golden Globes 2017: Meryl Streep Strongly Criticizes Donald Trump in Acceptance Speech

Meryl Streep strongly criticized President-elect Donald Trump as she received a lifetime achievement award at this year’s Golden Globes ceremony.

The Hollywood star did not name Donald Trump, but she used almost the entire speech to say the president-elect’ actions legitimized bullying.

Image source Getty Images

In a phone interview with the New York Times, Donald Trump, who is due to be inaugurated in less than two weeks, dismissed Meryl Streep as “a Hillary lover”.

Meryl Streep was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award by Viola Davis.

Watch Meryl Strep’s Golden Globes speech here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpsiwSmy4mg

 

Golden Globe Awards 2017 Winners: Full List

Sonia Pantiss
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Golden Globe Awards 2017 Winners: Full List

The 74th Golden Globe Awards ceremony was led by nominations for La La Land, The Crown, Moonlight and Westworld – and La La Land delivered, winning a record seven prizes.

Best film supporting actor

Mahershala Ali, Moonlight
Jeff Bridges, Hell or High Water
Simon Helberg, Florence Foster Jenkins
Dev Patel, Lion
WINNER: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Nocturnal Animals

Best actor in a TV series (drama)

Rami Malek, Mr. Robot
Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul
Matthew Reese, The Americans
Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan
WINNER: Billy Bob Thornton, Goliath

Best actress in a TV series (musical/comedy)

Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep
Sarah Jessica Parker, Divorce
Issa Rae, Insecure
Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin
WINNER: Tracee Ellis Ross, Black-ish

Best TV series (comedy)

Black-ish
Mozart in the Jungle
Transparent
Veep

WINNER: Atlanta

Best actress in a miniseries or TV movie

Felicity Huffman, American Crime
Riley Keough, The Girlfriend Experience
WINNER: Sarah Paulson, American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson
Charlotte Rampling, London Spy
Kerry Washington, Confirmation

Best miniseries or TV movie

American Crime
The Dresser
The Night Manager
The Night Of
WINNER: American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson

Best supporting actor in a series, limited series or TV film

Sterling K Brown, American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson
WINNER: Hugh Laurie, The Night Manager
John Lithgow, The Crown
Christian Slater, Mr. Robot
John Travolta, American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson

Best film score

Moonlight
WINNER: La La Land
Arrival
Lion
Hidden Figures

Best original song

Can’t Stop the Feeling, Trolls
WINNER: City of Stars, La La Land
Faith, Sing
Gold, Gold
How Far I’ll Go, Moana

Best supporting actress in a motion picture (drama)

WINNER: Viola Davis, Fences
Naomie Harris, Moonlight
Nicole Kidman, Lion
Octavia Spencer, Hidden Figures
Michelle Williams, Manchester by the Sea

Best supporting actress in a series, limited series or TV film

WINNER: Olivia Colman, The Night Manager
Lena Headey, Game of Thrones
Chrissy Metz, This Is Us
Mandy Moore, This Is Us
Thandie Newton, Westworld

Best actor (comedy/musical)

Colin Farrell, The Lobster
WINNER: Ryan Gosling, La La Land
Hugh Grant, Florence Foster Jenkins
Jonah Hill, War Dogs
Ryan Reynolds, Deadpool

Best screenplay

WINNER: La La Land
Nocturnal Animals
Moonlight
Manchester by the Sea
Hell or High Water

Best animated film

Kubo and the Two Strings
Moana
My Life as a Zucchini
Sing
WINNER: Zootopia

Best foreign language film

Divines
WINNER: Elle
Neruda
The Salesman
Toni Erdmann

Best actor in miniseries or TV movie

Riz Ahmed, The Night Of
Bryan Cranston, All the Way
John Turturro, The Night Of
WINNER: Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager
Courtney B Vance, American Crime Story: The People v OJ Simpson

Best actress in a TV series (drama)

Caitriona Balfe, Outlander
WINNER: Claire Foy, The Crown
Keri Russell, The Americans
Winona Ryder, Stranger Things
Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld

Best TV series (drama)

WINNER: The Crown
Game of Thrones
Stranger Things
This Is Us
Westworld

Best film director

WINNER: Damien Chazelle, La La Land
Tom Ford, Nocturnal Animals
Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight
Kenneth Lonergan, Manchester by the Sea

Best actor in a TV series (musical/comedy)

Anthony Anderson, Black-ish
Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle
WINNER: Donald Glover, Atlanta
Nick Nolte, Graves
Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

Best actress in a film (comedy/musical)

Annette Bening, 20th Century Women
Lily Collins, Rules Don’t Apply
Hailee Steinfeld, The Edge of Seventeen
WINNER: Emma Stone, La La Land
Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins

Best film (comedy/musical)

20th Century Women
Deadpool
WINNER: La La Land
Florence Foster Jenkins
Sing Street

Best actor (drama)

WINNER: Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
Joel Edgerton, Loving
Andrew Garfield, Hacksaw Ridge
Viggo Mortensen, Captain Fantastic
Denzel Washington, Fences

Best actress (drama)

Amy Adams, Arrival
Jessica Chastain, Miss Sloane
WINNER: Isabelle Huppert, Elle
Ruth Negga, Loving
Natalie Portman, Jackie

Best film (drama)

Hacksaw Ridge
Hell or High Water
Lion
Manchester by the Sea
WINNER: Moonlight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHTdScZHYI8

McDonald’s Sells 80% of Its Business in China and Hong Kong

Clyde K. Valle
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0
McDonald’s Sells 80% of Its Business in China and Hong Kong

McDonald’s is selling 80% of its business in China and Hong Kong, as part of plans to franchise more of its restaurants worldwide.

China’s state-owned investment group Citic, and Ameircan private equity firm Carlyle Group, will take control of the operations in a deal valued at $2.1 billion.

The fast-food giant owns and operates about 65% of its 2,000 China outlets.

Franchising allows McDonald’s to take a slice of sales while cutting operating costs.

Image source Wikimedia

The company is trying to streamline its global operations, and changing its ownership structure to revolve more around franchises is a major part of that revamp.

In March 2016, McDonald’s said it was seeking partners to help it add more than 1,500 restaurants in China, Hong Kong and Korea over the next five years.

Under the agreement signed on January 9, the McDonald’s will keep a 20% stake in its China business. Citic will hold a 52% share in the partnership while Caryle Group takes 28% of the new business.

Competitor Yum Brands, the owner of KFC and Pizza Hut, is also restructuring its China business.

McDonald’s and Yum Brands have been facing increasing competition from cheaper local rivals, particularly in China, where they are trying to recover from food safety scares.

Golden Globes 2017: La La Land Breaks Record after Winning Seven Awards

Sonia Pantiss
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0
Golden Globes 2017: La La Land Breaks Record after Winning Seven Awards

La La Land has broken the record for the most Golden Globe Awards after winning seven prizes.

The musical won every award it was nominated for – including best musical or comedy film, best director, screenplay, score and song.

Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling also won in the acting categories.

The Globes are always seen as pointers to the Oscars.

Moonlight was named best drama film, while Casey Affleck and Isabelle Huppert won other acting prizes.

Casey Affleck was named best actor in a film drama for his role in Manchester By The Sea and Isabelle Huppert was the surprise winner of the award for best film drama actress.

Isabelle Huppert’s performance in thriller Elle – which was also named best foreign language film – beat contenders including Natalie Portman, who had been considered the favorite for playing Jackie Kennedy in Jackie.

Viola Davis was named best supporting film actress in Fences – a role she first played on Broadway six years ago.

Fences is an adaptation of the August Wilson play, which explores race relations in post-war America.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson was named best supporting actor for his role in Nocturnal Animals – a prize that had been widely expected to go to Mahershala Ali for Moonlight.

Zootopia was named best animated feature film at January 8ceremony, which was hosted by Jimmy Fallon.

Jimmy Fallon’s opening monologue was less risqué than those of some of his predecessors, but he still found time to make light of the divisive year in US politics.

He joked that the Golden Globes ceremony was “one of the few places left where America still honors the popular vote” – a reference to Donald Trump beating Hillary Clinton in the recent election despite getting fewer votes overall.

Jimmy Fallon also described grief-stricken film Manchester By The Sea as “the only thing more depressing than 2016”.

This year’s Golden Globes ceremony featured several references to Donald Trump – not least when Meryl Streep launched an attack on the president-elect while accepting the Cecil B. Demille award for outstanding contribution to entertainment.

Meryl Streep referred to Donald Trump’s mocking of a disabled reporter and said: “Disrespect invites disrespect, violence incites violence. And when the powerful use their position to bully others we all lose.”

The Golden Globe Awards, which are run by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, honor the best in TV and movie from the past year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRTwaiXZPro

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Dies Aged 82

Diane A. Wade
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0
Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani Dies Aged 82

Former Iranian President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has died aged 82, local media say.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a dominant figure in Iran’s politics since the 1980s, was the country’s president from 1989 to 1997.

He suffered a heart attack.

Rafsanjani played a pivotal role in the 1979 revolution but later in life became a counterpoint to hard-line conservatives.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei hailed a “companion of struggle” despite their differences, saying that the loss was “difficult and overwhelming”.

“The different opinions and interpretations at time in this long period could never entirely break up the friendship between us,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The government declared three days of national mourning.

Image source Wikimedia

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was admitted to the Shohadaa Hospital in Tehran on January 8, where doctors tried unsuccessfully for an hour to save him, media said.

A TV broadcaster broke into programs to bring the news, saying the former president “after a life full of restless efforts in the path of Islam and revolution, had departed for lofty heaven”.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani had warm relations with President Hassan Rouhani, who was seen at the hospital shortly before the death was announced. A crowd reportedly gathered at the hospital later to mourn.

He was born in 1934 in south-eastern Iran to a family of farmers.

He studied theology in the holy city of Qom with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini – who went on to lead the Islamic revolution of 1979 – and was imprisoned several times under the Shah.

In the last year of the 1980-1988 war with Iraq, Ayatollah Khomeini appointed Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani acting commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

He was seen as the main mover behind Iran’s acceptance of the UN Security Council resolution that ended the war.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani was also a key player in the development of Iran’s nuclear program.

He was a man known for a sharp wit but who could also be ruthless.

He advocated progressive economic policies, encouraging private businesses and improving infrastructure. His own business holdings were reported to be widespread.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani ran for a third time for president in 2005 but lost to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

He became openly critical of the victorious president and in 2009, he sided with reformers who disputed that year’s elections. Nevertheless, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a second term.

Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani continued to champion moderate causes, such as the release of political prisoners and greater political freedoms for parties prepared to work within the constitution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4UoSyl9z-Q

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