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SOTU 2016: Barack Obama Strikes Optimistic Note for America’s Future

Diane A. Wade
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SOTU 2016: Barack Obama Strikes Optimistic Note for America’s Future

President Barack Obama has given his last State of the Union address last night defending his legacy while striking an optimistic note for America’s future.

Barack Obama criticized the negative tone of the current presidential race, arguing the US has the “strongest, most durable economy in the world”.

“Anyone claiming that America’s economy is in decline is peddling fiction,” he told lawmakers in Washington.

The speech to Congress highlighted Barack Obama’s accomplishments such as health reform.

He adds that with just a year to go and a Republican Congress, there is neither the time nor the votes to get much done.

Republicans attacked many of Barack Obama’s assertions, with South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley saying in the party’s official response his record “had fallen short of his soaring words”.

“For my final address to this chamber, I don’t want to talk just about the next year. I want to focus on the next five years, 10 years, and beyond,” Barack Obama said.

“I want to focus on our future.”Barack Obama final SOTU 2016

The president rejected suggestions by politicians and commentators that America’s economy is getting weaker.

However, Barack Obama added: “What is true – and the reason that a lot of Americans feel anxious – is that the economy has been changing in profound ways.”

He focused on the need to tackle income inequality, use technology to combat climate change and maintain national security while not becoming mired in foreign conflicts.

The president called on voters and politicians to change the divisive tone of politics and to “change the system to reflect our better selves”.

Barack Obama said a major regret of his presidency was that Republicans and Democrats had become more hostile towards each other.

“Our public life withers when only the most extreme voices get all the attention,” he said.

He took indirect aim to Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump who has been criticized for his comments about Muslims and immigrants.

“When politicians insult Muslims, when a mosque is vandalized, or a kid bullied, that doesn’t make us safer,” BarackObama said.

“That’s not telling it like it is. It’s just wrong… And it betrays who we are as a country.”

For 2016, Barack Obama said he wanted to: close the Guantanamo Bay prison; achieve meaningful criminal justice reform; address rising tide of prescription drug abuse; authorize the use of military force against ISIS and lift the embargo on Cuba.

He also announced a new national cancer research initiative that Vice-President Joe Biden will be leading.

Barack Obama only mentioned guns briefly, despite a recent policy push for executive actions on gun control, though a chair was left empty in the chamber to symbolize victims of gun violence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPS_58oxXCc

Samar Badawi: Saudi Activist Waleed Abu al-Khair’s Wife Arrested

Diane A. Wade
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Samar Badawi: Saudi Activist Waleed Abu al-Khair’s Wife Arrested

Samar Badawi, the wife of jailed prominent Saudi human rights campaigner Waleed Abu al-Khair, has been arrested, activists say.

She was detained for allegedly managing a Twitter account calling for the release of her husband.

Amnesty International called the arrest “the latest example of Saudi Arabia’s utter contempt” for human rights.

Waleed Abu al-Khair was jailed for 15 years for “undermining the regime” in 2014. He is the founder of the Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia group.

Samar Badawi is also the sister of imprisoned Saudi blogger Raif Badawi, who in 2014 was sentenced to 1,000 lashes and 10 years in prison for insulting Islam.Samar Badawi arrested

Raif Badawi’s wife, Ensaf Haidar, also reported the arrest in her tweet: “Urgent: #Samar_Badawi was arrested on the charge of directing @WaleedAbulkhair twitter account.”

Samar Badawi was arrested on January 12 in Jeddah and transferred along with her two-year-old daughter to a police station, Amnesty International USA quoted local activists as saying.

After questioning, Samar Badawi was sent to prison and is expected to appear before a prosecutor on January 13, it says.

Amnesty’s Philip Luther said the arrest “demonstrates the extreme lengths to which the authorities are prepared to go in their relentless campaign to harass and intimidate human rights defenders into silent submission”.

Saudi officials have not publicly commented on the issue.

Lego Reverses Bulk Purchase Policy after Ai Weiwei Controversy

Sonia Pantiss
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Lego Reverses Bulk Purchase Policy after Ai Weiwei Controversy

Lego has announced it is reversing its policy on bulk purchases and will no longer ask customers what they want to use the bricks for.

The U-turn follows a recent controversy involving Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.

In October 2015, Ai Weiwei accused Lego of censorship when it refused to sell its bricks directly to him.

Lego said its policy was to reject requests if it believed the bricks would be used to make a political statement.

Ai Weiwei wanted to make an artwork on political dissidents.

The artist ended up using bricks donated to him by the public for an exhibition in Melbourne, Australia.Lego and Ai Weiwei controversy

In a statement posted on its website on January 12, Lego said it used to ask customers ordering bulk purchases for the “thematic purpose” of their project, as it did not want to “actively support or endorse specific agendas”.

“However, those guidelines could result in misunderstandings or be perceived as inconsistent, and the Lego Group has therefore adjusted the guidelines for sales of Lego bricks in very large quantities,” it said.

As of January 1, 2015, Lego will instead ask that customers make clear the group does not support or endorse their projects, if exhibited in public.

Lego’s decision to refuse Ai Weiwei’s request angered the artist, who accused the company of censorship and discrimination, and of attempting to define political art.

Ai Weiwei also linked Lego’s stance with plans for a new Legoland in Shanghai.

The controversy sparked a public backlash resulting in supporters around the world offering to donate toy bricks.

Ai Weiwei set up “Lego collection points” in different cities, and ended up making a new series of artworks based on the incident as a commentary on freedom of speech and political art.

State of the Union 2016: Barack Obama to Deliver Final Address

Diane A. Wade
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State of the Union 2016: Barack Obama to Deliver Final Address

President Barack Obama will give his final State of the Union address.

The president will focus on cementing his legacy rather than unveiling new policies, officials have said.

Barack Obama is expected to frame some of the key issues in a way that fellow Democrats can embrace during campaigning for the upcoming election.

However, recent polls suggest that seven in 10 people in the US do not share their leader’s optimism.

A response by the GOP will be delivered by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley.

Barack Obama’s aides have avoided characterizing the speech as a victory lap, but say it will highlight his accomplishments over the past seven years.

They say that it will present an optimistic alternative to the dire narratives put forward by Republican presidential candidates.

Among the events and developments that Barack Obama will tout as successes are: nuclear deal with Iran; rapprochement with Cuba; Paris climate change deal; positive economic indicators; budget deal with Republicans; recent gun control reforms.State of the Union 2016

Barack Obama will also continue his public messaging campaign aimed at improving the image of his strategy against ISIS.

Keeping with tradition, the president will speak about what he would like to see Congress work on and his vision for the US beyond his last year in office.

While Barack Obama is not expected to offer a large list of policy proposals, he could urge action on a number of items he feels have been left undone or could be accomplished with bipartisan support during his remaining year in office.

Among the items that could be on Barack Obama’s to-do list are: criminal justice reform; closing Guantanamo Bay prison camp; approving the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal.

Also keeping with tradition, First Lady Michelle Obama will host several guests that reflect the president’s vision for US society.

In 2016, an empty chair will be featured in remembrance of gun violence victims.

Among guests are: Syrian refugee Refaai Hamo, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, first female US Army Ranger Lisa Jaster, Supreme Court plaintiff Jim Obergefell, Muslim US Army Veteran Naveed Shah, Mexican immigrant and science proponent Oscar Vazquez.

The speech is expected to begin around 21:00 local time, and has – in the past – had a duration of about an hour.

Barack Obama’s remarks mark the fulfillment of a constitutional mandate that requires the president to “from time to time give the Congress information on the State of the Union”.

Historically, the update has usually been given annually, in January, as a speech to a joint session of Congress.

VW Emissions Scandal: EPA and CARB Reject Recall Plans

Clyde K. Valle
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VW Emissions Scandal: EPA and CARB Reject Recall Plans

VW’s recall plan for diesel cars equipped with emissions “cheat” devices has been rejected by US regulators.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) said VW’s proposals did “not adequately address overall impacts on vehicle performance, emissions and safety”.

The CARB also said the proposed fix was not fast enough.

It said it would continue its investigation as well as talks with VW to find a suitable solution.

The head of the CARB, Mary Nichols, said: “Volkswagen made a decision to cheat on emissions tests and then tried to cover it up.

“They continued and compounded the lie and when they were caught they tried to deny it. The result is thousands of tons of nitrogen oxide that have harmed the health of Californians. They need to make it right.”EPA rejects VW recall plans

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also said the VW plan for cars with 2 liter diesel engines was not acceptable.

The rejection comes ahead of a meeting between VW CEO Matthias Muller and EPA chief Gina McCarthy on January 13 to discuss the emissions scandal.

Volkswagen said in response: “Today’s announcement addresses the initial recall plans Volkswagen submitted to CARB in December. We are committed to working co-operatively with CARB and other regulators, and we plan to continue our discussions tomorrow when we meet with the EPA.”

The issue affects almost 600,000 cars in the United States and up to 11 million worldwide.

The scandal has severely damaged VW’s reputation and sparked investigations in several countries.

In the US alone VW is facing fines that could run into tens of billions of dollars.

The Department of Justice is suing Volkswagen on behalf of the EPA with a lawsuit that was filed on January 4 in a federal court in Detroit, Michigan.

The DoJ said the filing was the first step in “bringing Volkswagen to justice”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWgPc-xBkDM

Title loans: best option for fast cash

Dana R
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Title loans: best option for fast cash

Sacramento title loan is one of the fastest, easy and most convenient ways to access cash with just the title of your car which you use as collateral; your credit score is usually not taken into account.

The size of your title loan largely depends on the amount of money you require, the value placed on your car as well as your ability to pay back the loan. A title loan in Sacramento gets you as much cash at the time you need it. We also help you keep your payment manageable.

Our online application makes the process of accessing this loan faster and a lot easier. Soon as you begin the process online, you would just be a step away from getting the cash.

Wondering how you would get a car title loan in Sacramento title loan

With an illustrious history of customer satisfaction, Sacramento title loan has made the process of getting title loans simple and fast. For instance, we accept all sorts of credits so long as our esteemed clients possess a car that has been paid for in full and has a title to show for it; you can get your car title loan approved for you very quickly.

In addition, we understand the value you place on time and for this reason, we specifically tailor the process of accessing this loan to be smooth and efficient. From the beginning up to the end, you would end up spending less than 3o minutes and by this time, you would have the cash you seek. With the Sacramento title loans, you get to go home with the money the very day you apply. We would not make you go through unnecessary twists and bends that would delay the process. Other lenders may do this, but it is not our style. One of our most important missions is to provide the best title loan experience for our clients. Our desire is to be your resource for title loans and that fast cash you need.

Now, why wait when we provide the best option for fast cash? All that is required is that you fill out an online application form and then bring your car, the car’s title, along with government issued identification to your nearest Sacramento title loan location. We would do an appraisal of your vehicle and then determine reasonable transaction amount that is based on your need along with our appraisal of your vehicle.

Once the application is approved, you would get the cash you need while you retain the use of your vehicle. This whole process, as earlier stated takes the duration of 30 minutes. Once you complete servicing the loan, you get back your car title.

Some great benefits of dealing with Sacramento title loans

There are some great benefits that come with getting title loans in Sacramento. These includes:

  • Fast approval for title loans.
  • Accepts all credit types.
  • Simple application process.
  • Cash in hand within 30 minutes.
  • Needs no car insurance.
  • Accepts all makes and models.
  • You get to keep your car and continue driving it
  • Flexible payment option.

Getting a title loan in Sacramento is a lot faster and easier compared to borrowing cash from other sources. With a title loan you are able to get the cash you need depending on your car value.

Even when you have collected the money, you still get to keep your car for the duration of the loan. You do not need a job, but you need to have some kind of income. Without doubt title loan in Sacramento is one of the fastest ways to get cash.

David Bowie Memorial Gig Planned in New York

Sonia Pantiss
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David Bowie Memorial Gig Planned in New York

A David Bowie memorial gig is to be held at New York’s Carnegie Hall on March 31.

The Music of David Bowie was originally billed as a tribute show featuring his songs, but organizers changed it to a memorial in the wake of his death.

David Bowie producer Tony Visconti’s house band will perform, along with artists including Cyndi Lauper.

A statement on the concert organizer’s website said: “The show is taking on many more emotions. RIP David.”

Tickets had only gone on sale on January 11, just as news of David Bowie’s death was filtering through, and have already sold out. He died of cancer at the age of 69.

“The unexpected death of David Bowie has turned this tribute, which we have worked on for the past seven months, into a memorial concert,” the show’s organizers said.David Bowie memorial concert

“This year’s concert will certainly be remembered as a poignant celebration of his music by his friends, peers, and fans. We are all deeply saddened by this news. The timing of our public on-sale date is bizarre in its timing… may God’s love be with you.”

The concert, organized by Michael Dorf and City Winery, will feature 20 artists, each performing songs by David Bowie. The concert is a benefit for a variety of music education programs for underprivileged young people.

Other performers will include The Roots, Bettye Lavette and Robyn Hitchcock.

As yet there has been no official confirmation of the type of cancer David Bowie had.

However, Ivo van Hove, who directed David Bowie’s current off-Broadway play Lazarus, told Dutch public radio broadcaster NOS that he had suffered from liver cancer.

“He told me more than a year and three months ago just after he had heard himself… he said it was liver cancer,” Ivo van Hove said.

Meanwhile, on the US iTunes albums chart, David Bowie’s most recent album Blackstar – released on his birthday on January 8 – peaked at No 1 on January 11.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unoA7phQdKE

Sultanahmet Explosion: At Least 10 Killed and 15 Injured in Istanbul Blast

Roy Siemens
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Sultanahmet Explosion: At Least 10 Killed and 15 Injured in Istanbul Blast

At least 10 people have died and other 15 injured in an explosion in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district near the Blue Mosque, the city authorities say.

Foreign tourists are reportedly among those hurt in the blast.

Some reports suggest the explosion was caused by a suicide bomber.

Turkish police have sealed off the area and the authorities are investigating the type of explosive used, the governor’s office said.Sultanahmet explosion January 2016

Norway’s foreign ministry said a Norwegian man injured in the blast was receiving treatment in hospital, Reuters reported.

Germany’s foreign ministry is investigating reports that German citizens have been hurt in the blast, German media reported.

The ministry has on its website urged German tourists in the city to avoid large crowds and tourist attractions and warned that further violent clashes and “terrorist attacks” are expected across Turkey.

In recent months there have been sporadic attacks by a far-left group in Istanbul, while violence has soared between Turkish forces and PKK Kurdish militants, mainly in southeast Turkey, after a ceasefire broke down.

Turkey has also been hit by bomb attacks blamed by prosecutors on ISIS.

Two suicide blasts in the capital Ankara in October killed more than 100 people and more than 30 people were killed in an attack near the border with Syria in July.

Wanda to Buy Controlling Stake in Legendary Studios for $3.5 Billion

Clyde K. Valle
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Wanda to Buy Controlling Stake in Legendary Studios for $3.5 Billion

Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group will buy a controlling stake in Hollywood film studio Legendary Entertainment in a deal valued at $3.5 billion.

The announcement, made at a press conference by both companies in Beijing, comes after a week of rumors about a possible deal.

Wanda is the world’s biggest movie theatre operator with a majority stake in the US chain AMC.

The rapidly growing group is led by China’s richest man Wang Jianlin.Wanda buys Legendary studios

Wang Jianlin has been looking to buy a Hollywood studio for several years and was reported to be in talks with DreamWorks Animation in 2015, but a deal was not announced.

Legendary is the maker of blockbuster hits such as Jurassic World, the Dark Knight Batman trilogy and Godzilla.

Chairman and CEO Thomas Tull, who also started the company, will remain as the head of the studio.

Wanda described the deal as “China’s largest cross-border cultural acquisition to date”. It is aimed at increasing ties between Hollywood and the world’s fastest growing movie market, China.

The Chinese conglomerate said that Legendary’s films have grossed over $12 billion globally.

Wang Jianlinsaid he plans to pair the Hollywood studio with its in-house film production unit and make a stock market listing. A timeline for the launch an initial public offering (IPO) was not given.

Wanda had released its earnings report a day earlier and said that its revenue rose 19% in 2015 from a year ago on a surge of sales in its leisure and financial businesses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-luYTchFBM

Paris Attacks: Images of Fugitive Suspect Salah Abdeslam Emerge

Roy Siemens
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Paris Attacks: Images of Fugitive Suspect Salah Abdeslam Emerge

Footage of the fugitive Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam are said to have emerged, according to French news channel BFM TV.

The images were captured on the morning of November 14 by CCTV cameras at a French petrol station, a day after the attacks in which 130 were killed.

In them, Salah Abdeslam seems relaxed, walking with his hands in his pockets.

Salah Abdeslam is thought to have been in charge of logistics for the groups of gunmen who carried out the attacks.

He is said to have called his two friends, Mohammed Amri and Salah Hamza Attou, from Paris early on November 14 to come and pick him up and take him to Belgium.

En route from Paris to Brussels, the three men stopped at a petrol station near the Belgian border for about 15 minutes, where a CCTV camera filmed them, BFM reports.

Photo Reuters
Photo Reuters

At that point, the three men had already been through three police checks, but had not been stopped as Salah Abdeslam had not yet been connected to the Paris attacks.

Mohammed Amri and Salah Hamza Attou later dropped off Salah Abdeslam in the district of Laeken in Brussels.

The two were arrested in Molenbeek the next day and face terror charges, while Salah Abdeslam is still on the run.

The Paris attacks are believed to have been at least partly planned in Brussels. Belgian police have arrested 10 people as part of their investigation.

The suspected ringleader was Abdelhamid Abaaoud, a Belgian national. He and his cousin Hasna Aitboulahcen died in a fierce gun battle five days after the attacks, when police raided a flat in Paris where they were hiding, heavily armed.

Sean Penn Has No Regrets regarding Interview with El Chapo Guzman

Nancy Clayson
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Sean Penn Has No Regrets regarding Interview with El Chapo Guzman

Sean Penn says he has no regrets regarding his secret interview with Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

The actor has been asked by the AP if he was worried about images that claimed to show Mexican officials watching him before the visit.

“I’ve got nothin’ to hide,” Sean Penn wrote back in an email.

Mexican drug lord El Chapo Guzman was captured on January 8, three months after their meeting and six months after escaping from prison.

Sean Penn did not answer questions about whether he should have let El Chapo Guzman read his story in advance of publication, or whether he did enough to protect his source.

The actor was criticized for the interview – a White House spokesman said it was “maddening”, while Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio said it was “grotesque”.El Chapo Guzman and Sean Penn

The US has filed a request for El Chapo Guzman to be extradited to face charges of smuggling vast amounts of drugs into the country.

On January 11, Mexican officials said the process to extradite El Chapo Guzman to the US could take at least a year.

Sean Penn’s interview with El Chapo Guzman was conducted in the Mexican jungle, and unnamed Mexican officials have said the meeting helped them catch the 58-year-old boss of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

El Chapo Guzman has been returned to the maximum-security Altipano jail.

In July, he had escaped from there via a tunnel dug to the shower in his cell.

In the Rolling Stone magazine article, El Chapo Guzman said he was the world’s leading supplier of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.

The Mexican authorities have not said whether they would investigate Sean Penn and Mexican actress Kate del Castillo who arranged the interview with El Chapo Guzman.

Baghdad Attack: Gunmen Kill at Least 17 at Al-Jawhara Shopping Center

Roy Siemens
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Baghdad Attack: Gunmen Kill at Least 17 at Al-Jawhara Shopping Center

At least 17 people have been killed in an attack on a shopping center in Baghdad, during which people were taken hostage.

About 20 gunmen stormed the al-Jawhara shopping center in the mainly Shia al-Jadeda area on January 11, after a car bomb exploded outside.Baghdad shopping center attack

Security forces sealed off the area and then stormed the building, killing the assailants and freeing their hostages, an interior ministry spokesman said.

It is not clear who the gunmen were.

However, Sunni jihadist militants from ISIS have frequently target Shia districts of Baghdad.

According to police, two of the assailants detonated explosive belts they had been wearing, killing several hostages.

Two other gunmen were shot dead, and another four arrested, police say.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcziVgeO8NE

Oscar Pistorius Seeks Appeal in Reeva Steenkamp Murder Case

Clyde K. Valle
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Oscar Pistorius Seeks Appeal in Reeva Steenkamp Murder Case

Oscar Pistorius on January 11 made a last-ditch attempt with South Africa’s top court to overturn his murder conviction for shooting dead his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The double-amputee athlete killed Reeva Steenkamp in February 2013 after firing four times through a locked toilet door.

A manslaughter verdict was overturned last month and a murder verdict introduced in its place.

Oscar Pistorius’ defense has lodged papers at the Constitutional Court, urging a review of his murder conviction.

The champion is currently under house arrest after spending one year of his original five-year sentence in jail.Oscar Pistorius appeal in murder case

South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in December that the lower court had not applied correctly the rule of dolus eventualis – whether Oscar Pistorius knew that a death would be a likely result of his actions.

Last month, Justice Eric Leach said that having armed himself with a high-caliber weapon, Oscar Pistorius must have foreseen that whoever was behind the door might die, especially given his firearms training.

Oscar Pistorius has always maintained he believed he was shooting at an intruder.

His lawyers say the appeals court made fundamental errors, claiming in appeal papers that the court “acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally when it rejected the factual finding of the Trial Court and replaced it with a contrary factual finding of its own”.

Oscar Pistorius’ lawyer, Andrew Fawcett, says the appeal is now in the hands of the director of public prosecutions, who must decide whether there are grounds for appeal.

If so, the case will go before the Constitutional Court.

Oscar Pistorius made history by becoming the first amputee sprinter to compete at the Olympics, in London in 2012. He competed in the 400m, wearing carbon-fiber blades to run against able-bodied athletes.

Princess Cristina of Spain Tried for Embezzlement Scam

Diane A. Wade
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Princess Cristina of Spain Tried for Embezzlement Scam

Princess Cristina of Spain has become the first member of the country’s royal family to be put on trial.

The princess is charged with being an accomplice in an alleged embezzlement scam involving her husband Inaki Urdangarin and 16 other defendants, who all deny the charges.

Infanta Cristina, 50, faces eight years in jail if found guilty by a three-member panel of judges.

The trial in Palma, Majorca, is seen as an embarrassment for the royal family.

Princess Cristina arrived at the court in Palma on January 11 with Inaki Urdangarin, who is accused of embezzlement and money laundering.

They made no statement to reporters. A small group of anti-monarchists protested outside.

As the judges read out the charges, the princess sat at the back of a makeshift courtroom at the public administration school in Palma. Inaki Urdangarin sat in the same row but court rules prevented them from sitting together.

Three rows of six defendants sitting in court on blue chairs, facing the panel of judges.

Photo AP
Photo AP

In the third row, at one end, sits Princess Cristina, sixth in line to the Spanish throne.

It’s something many people in Spain thought they would never see – the powerful being held to account.

Princess Cristina’s lawyers will try to get charges against her dismissed. In a country where corruption has become a huge political issue, this is a big moment.

Inaki Urdangarin’s supposedly non-profit Noos Institute sports foundation was allegedly used as a vehicle to win falsely inflated contracts from regional government bodies, before channeling the money to personal accounts via tax havens.

Noos is alleged to have received more than €6 million ($6.5 million) of public money, most of it from the Balearic Islands and Valencia regional governments.

If found guilty, Inaki Urdangarin could face 19 years and six months in jail.

Princess Cristina was a board member at the foundation and, with Inaki Urdangarin, co-owned a real estate company called Aizoon, which prosecutors say was used to launder embezzled funds.

One of the allegations against Princess Cristina is that she made personal use of Aizoon funds for paying for clothes and dance lessons for the couple’s children as well as work on the couple’s Barcelona mansion.

The case was launched in 2010 by a judge investigating corruption among Balearic Islands officials. It has become highly symbolic of perceived corruption among Spain’s elites, including the royal family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POLBm1daTh0

El Chapo Guzman Extradition Process Launched in Mexico

Diane A. Wade
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El Chapo Guzman Extradition Process Launched in Mexico

Mexico has started the process of extradition to the United States of drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman.

According to the Mexican authorities, Interpol officers served El Chapo Guzman’s papers at the Altiplano jail, near Mexico City.

El Chapo Guzman, 58, escaped from the maximum security jail in July and was recaptured on January 8.

Mexico is also considering whether to investigate Sean Penn, who interviewed El Chapo Guzman soon after his jail break.

Unnamed Mexican officials have said Sean Penn’s secret meeting helped lead them to the fugitive.

In the Rolling Stone magazine’s article, where Sean Penn’s 7-hour interview with El Chapo Guzman was published, the actor and the fugitive discuss various topics, including drug trafficking.

Mexico began extradition proceedings in line with US requests from 2014.El Chapo Guzman extradition to US

In a statement, Mexico’s attorney general’s office said Interpol Mexico agents went to El Chapo Guzman’s prison to execute two arrest warrants.

The US filed extradition requests so he could face charges of smuggling vast amounts of drugs into the country.

El Chapo Guzman, who was named Public Enemy Number One by the Chicago Crime Commission in 2013, has been indicted by at least seven US federal district courts.

Mexico and the US have an extradition treaty – but the process can take months.

El Chapo Guzman’s lawyers can raise motions to try and block any extradition and the process has to go through the judicial system.

Many people believe he should face justice in Mexico first. But the case goes beyond sovereignty and national pride.

Joaquin Guzman, who was one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers, escaped from jail through a tunnel dug in the showers.

That was his second escape – he was first arrested in Guatemala in 1993 and escaped from Puente Grande jail in 2001, reportedly in a laundry basket after bribing officials.

El Chapo Guzman was on the run for 13 years before being held again in 2014. Previous extradition requests from the US have been turned down.

Should You Have a Poster Printed or Should You Make Your Own?

Dana R
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Should You Have a Poster Printed or Should You Make Your Own?

It isn’t hard to find a company that could print you a beautiful poster. What you need to think about, therefore, is whether you need a printer at all, or whether you could find a different, more affordable option. It all depends on what your personal and specific wishes are. You could pay a lot of money and have a poster printed professionally, for instance. Alternatively, you can print just one document, asking it to be ‘tiled’. If you do this on proper poster printer paper, you can then puzzle your pieces together to form a single poster.

You can use various software tools that are in place specifically to help you properly enlarge a tile. These are designed to make sure you can print pieces of your document on individual pieces of standard A4 paper. Some even enable you to choose your paper sizes. Once you have it printed, you can stick the pieces together. This is a very low quality but very affordable way of printing a poster. However, it can take quite a bit of time to complete the poster, particularly if you want to hang up multiple ones.

If you have decided that a proper poster printer is necessary, it is likely that your price will be calculated based on their square foot of printing that you want to have completed. Volume is the important thing here. The more you print, the less you will be charged per square foot of printing as well. Make sure you ask your printer for a volume discount as well. They are usually more than happy to help you out with this. Before you start, however, you need to read and proofread your poster properly. Once you have done that, check it again. If the printer makes a mistake, you will be reimbursed for this. However, if you make the mistake, then you will be held responsible for it and you would also to pay for a rerun of your print. A poster with spelling mistakes on it is completely useless, as it doesn’t advertise your services but rather, it makes you look very silly.

There are a few more little things you need to know in order to get the most out of your poster, whether you do it yourself or whether you have it printed. The most important thing is that people are usually about three feet away from a poster when they view it. This is why it is not a problem to spot some grain when you look at the poster up close. Very few people will actually study it that close and, if they do, it is because they know the graininess can happen.

A final thing to be aware of is that it is always a good idea to find a proper poster paper company. This is also because they generally offer many other types of services as well. This includes things such as business cards, flyers and other promotional materials.

From Bamboo to Bali – The Beauty of Wood Blinds

Dana R
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From Bamboo to Bali – The Beauty of Wood Blinds

Blinds can be made of a wide variety of woods. Elegant dark hard woods can complement traditional rooms, green grass materials are perfect for bringing the outdoor in, natural woven bamboo fits with everything. As you can see, you have lots of flexibility in terms of your design. Wood is a natural material and incorporating natural materials into a home creates a wonderful, warm feeling that has a lot more character than any other material out there. Let’s take a look at some wooden blinds options that are out there.

Natural Woven Shades

A lot of people think all blinds are made from slats. However, these are actually just the Venetians and verticals. Instead, you can use grasses and reeds, jute and bamboo to make beautiful woven shades as well. Each has certain practical benefits and they can suit any type of design.

If you want to filter light, then woven options are perfect. They come in ranges from translucent to opaque and they can be used all over your house, regardless of your personal light requirements. You can also add privacy or blackout liners if you want to put the blinds up in a bedroom without getting bothered by the sunlight. There are panel tracks, waterfall design, Roman styles and flat fold shades to name but a few.

A lot of woven materials, and particularly bamboo, are renewable sources. In order to harvest bamboo, the tree does not have to be destroyed. Each piece of bamboo is completely unique and this creates a wonderful design.

They are very versatile materials that come in a range of different patterns and designs, and they are particularly suited for light filtering. Their insulating properties are an added benefit.

Wooden Blinds

A lot of blinds are made from vinyl or aluminum. While this is affordable and enables the creation of some quirky designs, wood is so much more beautiful. It adds a bit of warmth and comfort to any room, which plastic simply cannot achieve. Plus, because it is natural, it goes as well with a classical look as with a modern look. Wood can also be painted or stained to give it a certain darkness, lightness or shades. Wood blinds are available in both horizontal and vertical slats, with the latter being perfect for glass doors and large windows.

Again, wood has many practical benefits. It is an excellent insulator, stopping light, sound and heat. This means you have more privacy and lower energy bills. Hardwood in particular is often thermal treated to make the slats harden. This means they won’t warp, crack or split due to the harmful UV rays of the sun.

The Problem with Wood

There is only one real problem with wood, which is that it does not like to come into contact with moisture. As a result, wood blinds are not suitable for kitchens or bathrooms. However, there are also various faux wood materials available, which can be used in lieu.

Different Options for Accessing Your Loft and Attic

Dana R
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Different Options for Accessing Your Loft and Attic

A lot of people build lofts or attics as a storage solution. They are perfect, as they are underneath the roof. As such, they are a very affordable option that avoids you having to build a shed. Additionally, it means you can always access whatever you have stored up there. Sometimes, however, loft stairs can be a bit of an issue. Many homes do not have the space to put a staircase into their loft in place, for instance. Luckily, however, they can choose to get loft ladders instead.

Structure building is always a costly thing. Just the materials for staircases are quite costly. And, unless you are an established carpenter yourself, you will really struggle with building a full staircase, even if you do have the money and the space. You can expect to fork out a few thousand dollars for a staircase. Ladders, on the other hand, cost a few hundred if that.

Loft ladders come in all sorts of materials. The most popular ones tend to be aluminum, because it is very durable yet lightweight. Steel models are more durable and can be more suitable for heavy use lofts. Wood is also popular, mainly because it is very beautiful. However, wood also tends to be more expensive.

Three Section Ladders

The three section ladder is one of most popular models. They are very easy to install, which goes a long way towards explaining their popularity. Usually, they have wide, comfortable and safe treads as well. They also exist with extra hand rails, which are perfect to make the ladder safer overall. Once people start to age, for instance, it is more important than ever to have safety procedures in place.

Concertina Ladders

Concertinas are also very popular types of loft ladders. They are perfect for those lofts that have very limited floor space or a very small loft opening. Usually, these ladders are attached to the actual loft. A user simply grabs the handle and pulls it down, at which point it expands.

Telescopic Ladders

Then, there are the telescopic ladders. These are very easy to store and retract in a small space. Usually, these are aluminum ladders, which makes it really easy to carry the ladder around.

Before you shop for your ladder, you have a few things to think about. The size of your loft entrance is very important. You need to make sure that the ladder is neither too large nor too small. This is why you should have measurements before you go shopping. Measure not just the size of your loft opening, but also the amount of floor space that you have available. Also check what the distance is from the loft entrance to the floor, so that your ladder is long enough to reach.

There are a few considerations to make, including material, safety features and, naturally, price. Take some time to study your options before you decide which one you want to purchase.

Golden Globes 2016: Full List of Winners

Sonia Pantiss
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Golden Globes 2016: Full List of Winners

Full list of winners at the 73rd annual Golden Globe awards in Los Angeles:

Film

Best motion picture – drama

Winner: The Revenant

Carol

Mad Max: Fury Road

Room

Spotlight

Best motion picture – comedy or musical

Winner: The Martian

The Big Short

Joy

Spy

Trainwreck

Best performance by an actor in a motion picture – drama

Winner: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant

Bryan Cranston, Trumbo

Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs

Eddie Redmayne, The Danish Girl

Will Smith, Concussion

Best performance by an actress in a motion picture – drama

Winner: Brie Larson, Room

Cate Blanchett, Carol

Rooney Mara, Carol

Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn

Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl

Best performance by an actor in a motion picture – comedy or musical

Winner: Matt Damon, The Martian

Christian Bale, The Big Short

Steve Carell, The Big Short

Al Pacino, Danny Collins

Mark Ruffalo, Infinitely Polar Bear

Best performance by an actress in a motion picture – comedy or musical

Winner: Jennifer Lawrence, Joy

Melissa McCarthy, Spy

Amy Schumer, Trainwreck

Maggie Smith, The Lady in the Van

Lily Tomlin, GrandmaGolden Globes winners 2016

Best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture

Winner: Sylvester Stallone, Creed

Paul Dano, Love & Mercy

Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation

Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies

Michael Shannon, 99 Homes

Best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a motion picture

Winner: Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs

Jane Fonda, Youth

Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight

Helen Mirren, Trumbo

Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina

Best director – motion picture

Winner: Alejandro G. Inarritu, The Revenant

Todd Haynes, Carol

Tom McCarthy, Spotlight

George Miller, Max Max: Fury Road

Ridley Scott, The Martian

Best screenplay – motion picture

Winner: Steve Jobs

The Big Short

The Hateful Eight

Room

Spotlight

Best animated feature film

Winner: Inside Out

Anomalisa

The Good Dinosaur

The Peanuts Movie

Shaun the Sheep Movie

Best foreign language film

Winner: Son of Saul

The Brand New Testament

The Club

The Fencer

Mustang

Best original score – motion picture

Winner: The Hateful Eight

Carol

The Danish Girl

The Revenant

Steve Jobs

Best original song – motion picture

Winner: Writing’s On the Wall, Sam Smith – SPECTRE

Love Me Like You Do, Ellie Goulding – Fifty Shades of Grey

One Kind of Love, Brian Wilson – Love & Mercy

See You Again, Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth – Fast & Furious 7

Simple Song #3, Sumi Jo – Youth

TV

Best television series – drama

Winner: Mr. Robot

Empire

Game of Thrones

Narcos

Outlander

Best television series – comedy or musical

Winner: Mozart in the Jungle

Casual

Orange is the New Black

Silicon Valley

Transparent

Veep

Best mini-series or motion picture made for TV

Winner: Wolf Hall

American Crime

American Horror Story: Hotel

Fargo

Flesh and Bone

Best performance by an actor in a TV series – drama

Winner: Jon Hamm, Mad Men

Rami Malek, Mr. Robot

Wagner Moura, Narcos

Bob Odenkirk, Better Call Saul

Liev Schreiber, Ray Donovan

Best performance by an actress in a TV series – drama

Winner: Taraji P Henson, Empire

Caitriona Balfe, Outlander

Viola Davis, How to Get Away with Murder

Eva Green, Penny Dreadful

Robin Wright, House of Cards

Best performance by an actor in a TV series – comedy or musical

Winner: Gael Garcia Bernal, Mozart in the Jungle

Aziz Ansari, Master of None

Rob Lowe, The Grinder

Patrick Stewart, Blunt Talk

Jeffrey Tambor, Transparent

Best performance by an actress in a TV series – comedy or musical

Winner: Rachel Bloom, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Jamie Lee Curtis, Scream Queens

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin

Lily Tomlin, Grace and Frankie

Best performance by an actor in a mini-series or motion picture made for TV

Winner: Oscar Isaac, Show Me a Hero

Idris Elba, Luther

David Oyelowo, Nightingale

Mark Rylance, Wolf Hall

Patrick Wilson, Fargo

Best performance by an actress in a mini-series or motion picture made for TV

Winner: Lady Gaga, American Horror Story: Hotel

Kirsten Dunst, Fargo

Felicity Huffman, American Crime

Sarah Hay, Flesh and Bone

Queen Latifah, Bessie

Best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for TV

Winner: Christian Slater, Mr. Robot

Alan Cumming, The Good Wife

Damian Lewis, Wolf Hall

Ben Mendelsohn, Bloodline

Tobias Menzies, Outlander

Best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, mini-series or motion picture made for TV

Winner: Maura Tierney, The Affair

Uzo Aduba, Orange is the New Black

Joanne Froggatt, Downton Abbey

Regina King, American Crime

Judith Light, Transparent

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

David Bowie Dead: Music Legend Dies of Cancer Aged 69

Sonia Pantiss
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David Bowie Dead: Music Legend Dies of Cancer Aged 69

David Bowie has died following a battle with cancer. He was 69.

The legendary singer’s official Facebook page posted the news tonight: “David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief.”

Photo Getty Images
Photo Getty Images

David Bowie’s son director Duncan Jones confirmed the news.

The singer only released his latest album Blackstar on his birthday on January 8.

His last live performance was at a New York charity concert in 2006.

Blackstar, which includes just seven songs, has been well received by critics.

David Bowie’s breakthrough came with 1972’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars.

Sean Penn’s Interview with El Chapo Guzman Criticized by Obama Administration

Diane A. Wade
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Sean Penn’s Interview with El Chapo Guzman Criticized by Obama Administration

Sean Penn’s interview with Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has been criticized by the Obama administration and Republican presidential hopeful Marco Rubio.

The interview was conducted in October in the Mexican jungle after El Chapo Guzman’s jail break, and published by Rolling Stone magazine.

A White House spokesman said Sean Penn’s “so-called interview” was “maddening”, while Marco Rubio said it was “grotesque”.

El Chapo (Shorty) Guzman, 58, was recaptured on January 8 after months on the run.

Unnamed Mexican officials say Sean Penn’s secret meeting helped lead them to the boss of the Sinaloa drug cartel.

El Chapo Guzman has now been returned to the maximum-security Altiplano jail, from where he escaped in July 2015 via a tunnel dug to the shower in his cell.

In the Rolling Stone article, the result of a seven-hour “sit-down”, El Chapo Guzman said he was the world’s leading supplier of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana.Sean Penn and El Chapo Guzman interview

White House chief of staff Denis McDonough told CNN: “One thing I will tell you is that this braggadocious action about how much heroin he sends around the world, including the United States, is maddening.

“We see a heroin epidemic, an opioid addiction epidemic, in this country… But El Chapo’s behind bars – that’s where he should stay.”

The Mexican authorities would not say whether they would investigate Sean Penn and a Mexican actress, Kate del Castillo, who apparently arranged the interview.

Denis McDonough declined to answer a question about whether the US would hand Sean Penn over to Mexico for questioning.

“Well, it poses a lot of very interesting questions both for him and for others involved in this-so-called interview, so we’ll see what happens on that – I’m not going to get ahead of it,” he said.

Marco Rubio told ABC: “If one of these American actors who have benefited from the greatness of this country, who have made money from our free enterprise system, want to go fawn all over a criminal and a drug trafficker in their interviews, they have a constitutional right to do it. I find it grotesque.”

Mexico has said it will begin the process of extraditing El Chapo Guzman to the US, in line with extradition requests from 2015.

He is charged with smuggling vast amounts of drugs into the US.

No detail has been given about the timeframe for extradition but experts say the process could take months.

Mexico and the US have an extradition treaty but there are many steps that need to be taken and officials who need to approve the request.

Previous requests from the US have been turned down.

El Chapo Guzman, who was named Public Enemy Number One by the Chicago Crime Commission in 2013, has been indicted by at least seven US federal district courts.

Sean Penn Met El Chapo Guzman in Secret Location after Jail Break

Diane A. Wade
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Sean Penn Met El Chapo Guzman in Secret Location after Jail Break

Sean Penn interviewed Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman at a secret location soon after his jail break.

The interview, conducted in October in the Mexican jungle, is published in January 9 edition of Rolling Stone magazine.

El Chapo (Shorty) Guzman escaped from the maximum security Altiplano jail in July and was recaptured on January 8.

According to Mexican officials, Sean Penn’s secret meeting helped lead them to the fugitive who is back in Altiplano.

Their comments chime with public pronouncements by Attorney General Arely Gomez, who said on January 8 that an important aspect of his recapture “was discovering Guzman’s intention to have a biographic film made”.

“He contacted actresses and producers, which was part of one line of investigation.”

In the Rolling Stone article, the result of a seven-hour “sit-down”, Sean Penn and El Chapo Guzman discuss various topics, including drug trafficking.

El Chapo Guzman, 58, is quoted as saying: “If there was no consumption, there would be no sales.”

Photo YouTube
Photo YouTube

The drug lord also rejects responsibility for drug addiction, saying “the day I don’t exist, it’s not going to decrease in any way at all”.

The meeting, apparently arranged by Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, took place in a remote part of Durango state, a Mexican official told Associated Press. Durango borders Sinaloa state, the center of El Chapo Guzman’s operations.

A picture of El Chapo Guzman in Rolling Stone shaking hands with Sean Penn is dated October 2. Two weeks later, the Mexican authorities reported that the cartel leader narrowly evaded recapture in northwest Mexico and suffered face and leg injuries as he fled.

The authorities said they could have fired on El Chapo Guzman at his hideout, but decided against because he was with two women and a child.

Another source, quoted by Reuters, said the Mexicans were considering investigating Sean Penn and Kate del Castillo.

Mexico meanwhile says it will begin the process of extraditing Joaquin Guzman to the United States, in line with extradition requests from 2014.

El Chapo Guzman, who was one of the world’s most wanted drug traffickers, escaped from jail through a tunnel dug in the showers.

That was his second escape – he was first arrested in Guatemala in 1993 and escaped from Puente Grande jail in 2001, reportedly in a laundry basket after bribing officials.

The drug lord was on the run for 13 years before being held again in 2014. Previous requests from the US have been turned down.

No detail was given about the time frame for an extradition but experts say the process could take months.

Mexico attorney general’s office said that lawyers for El Chapo Guzman would have three days to file objections and 20 more days to prove them, though that timeframe could be extended, AFP reports.

In a statement welcoming El Chapo Guzman’s recapture, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said he had caused “significant violence, suffering and corruption on multiple continents”.

The US filed requests in 2014 for his extradition so he could face charges of smuggling vast amounts of drugs into the country.

El Chapo Guzman, who was named Public Enemy Number One by the Chicago Crime Commission in 2013, has been indicted by at least seven US federal district courts.

He was recaptured in the north-western city of Los Mochis in his home state of Sinaloa – which he had come to dominate through his drugs cartel.

During the raid, El Chapo Guzman managed to flee through a drain but was later caught by marines in a shootout. Five suspects were killed in the operation and one marine wounded.

Lemmy Funeral Held In Los Angeles

Sonia Pantiss
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Lemmy Funeral Held In Los Angeles

Family and rock stars paid tribute to Motorhead frontman Lemmy at his funeral in Los Angeles.

Lemmy, who was born Ian Fraser Kilmister in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, died on December 28 at the age of 70, just two days after discovering he had an “extremely aggressive cancer”.

Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee, Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl, and Slash from Guns N’ Roses all spoke at the service.

Fans were asked not to attend but a live stream was put on YouTube.

A photograph of Motorhead was on display at the service chapel, together with a bank of speakers, Lemmy’s boots and an urn shaped like the singer’s trademark black brimmed hat.

The service at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery began with an introduction by the band’s manager Todd Singerman, who welcomed guests to the “celebration of Lemmy’s life”.

The singer’s son Paul Inder recalled his father’s life as a “stage warrior” and “free spirit”.

Lemmy, who lived in Los Angeles, had “felt something was wrong” in August 2015 and appeared frail, Paul Inder said.Lemmy funeral

“He wasn’t a religious man and praying for a miracle was something he would have viewed as a delusional act, but he was profoundly spiritual,” he said.

“Travel well, my dear father. You are back out on the road for a longest tour to the great gig in the sky.”

Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash told the service: “Lemmy was somebody I just feel so honored to have been friends with. He lived his life the way he wanted to… his music and personality will last forever.”

The service also heard from Robert Trujillo and Lars Ulrich from Metallica, Judas Priest singer Rob Halford and Anthrax frontman Scott Ian.

It ended with an emotional speech from Dave Grohl in which he recalled his first meeting with Lemmy more than 20 years ago. He described him as “my hero… the one true rock ‘n’ roller” but also someone who “set such a great example because he was so kind to everyone”.

Then Lemmy’s bass guitar was plugged in to a stack of amplifiers and the volume turned up, with the congregation applauding as feedback from the speakers filled the chapel.

Fans were urged to watch the service together in a bar, club or at home, and the YouTube broadcast attracted more than 250,000 views across the world.

A message from Motorhead ahead of the service said: “Wherever you are, please get together and watch the service with fellow Motorheadbangers and friends.”

Lemmy formed Motorhead in 1975 after being thrown out of space-rock band Hawkwind, and went on to record 22 studio albums with the band.

Since Lemmy’s death, more than 100,000 fans have signed an online petition for the singer’s nickname to live on through a newly discovered chemical element, which they have asked to be named “Lemmium”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM-nkqlRlNE

Catalonia to Elect New Regional President

Diane A. Wade
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Catalonia to Elect New Regional President

Catalonia’s assembly is due to choose a new regional president after Artur Mas stepped down and pro-independence parties reached an agreement to form a coalition.

The anti-capitalist CUP party and the Junts pel Si (Together for Yes) alliance are expected to elect Carles Puigdemont as regional president.

The two sides had disagreed over whether Artur Mas could continue as Catalan president following elections.

Artur Mas has stepped aside in favor of Carles Puigdemont to avoid new elections.

Disagreements between secessionist parties, which gained a majority in September’s regional polls, have blocked the formation of a new Catalan government.Carles Puigdemont Catalonia

Artur Mas has been in power since 2010 and heads Junts pel Si, which won 62 of the 135 seats. However, the CUP (Popular Unity Candidacy), which holds 10 seats, has refused to support him.

Carles Puigdemont is the mayor of the town of Girona.

Nationally, Spain faces weeks of political uncertainty after an inconclusive general election on December 20.

In November, the Catalan parliament voted to start the secession process – a move declared unconstitutional by Spain’s conservative Popular Party (PP), which ran the country before last month’s election.

Catalonia is a highly industrialized and populous region in Spain’s north-east that accounts for about a fifth of the country’s economic output.

Both the PP and the Socialists (PSOE), who came first and second respectively in Spain’s general election, oppose Catalan secession.

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

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