Tom Cruise has decided to drop the defamation lawsuit against In Touch and Life & Style magazines after reaching a settlement of $50 million.
Tom Cruise, 50, launched legal action against owners at Bauer Media Group in November over the magazines’ 2012 suggestions that he had “abandoned” his daughter Suri following his divorce from actress Katie Holmes last year.
At the time of the filing, his attorney Bert Fields said: “Tom doesn’t go around suing people. He’s not a litigious guy. But when these sleaze peddlers try to make money with disgusting lies about his relationship with his child, you bet he’s going to sue.”
Tom Cruise has decided to drop the defamation lawsuit against In Touch and Life & Style magazines after reaching a settlement of $50 million
Tom Cruise’s lengthy deposition made waves as personal details about his private life were revealed, including his admission that his devotion to Scientology had been “one of” the reasons behind his split from Katie Holmes.
The case was set to go to trial, but Tom Cruise has since managed to resolve the dispute and papers for a lawsuit dismissal were filed in California federal court on Friday.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the terms of the settlement are confidential, although each party will be responsible for its own legal costs.
In a new song, Kanye West blamed Chicago Bulls for ending Michael Jordan’s career.
At his Yeezus concert in Chicago’s United Center this week, Kanye West added in a special tribute to the NBA star, harping on his main point: “We should’ve never ever let Michael Jordan play for the Wizards.”
After retiring in 1999, Michael Jordan returned to the league a year later as part owner of the Washington Wizards – a team he’d suit up for in 2001.
“Why did that happen?” Kanye West chanted.
Kanye West blamed Chicago Bulls ownership for their decision.
“When a player that made the NBA wants to become an owner of the team that he brought so much glory to, a team he brought so much story to/a team that has his statue in the front of the m———ing building/But do you know what the owners of that team told MJ? You’re just a player, homeboy,” the rapper sang.
“I’m talking about one of the most important people in our civilization,” Kanye West concluded.
“And in order to make his point he had to put on a m———ing Wizards jersey.”
Kanye West blamed Chicago Bulls for ending Michael Jordan’s career
“Til I die, MJ represents the Bulls,” Kanye West finished.
After Phil Robertson’s suspension over controversial anti-gay comments in GQ magazine, Duck Dynasty clan is mulling options as Glenn Beck offers a slot on his startup network.
A&E Networks is facing a cold reality in the wake of its decision to indefinitely suspend Phil Robertson.
The Robertson is reportedly mulling ditching the highest-rated series in the network’s history in solidarity with Phil Robertson.
“They’re an extremely tight-knit family and they’re not going to let this get in the way,” a source close to the Robertsons told E! News.
“[Phil] is the reason for their success-they’re not going to abandon him. They’re also not about to let anyone threaten their religious beliefs.”
After praying on it, the Louisiana family united for a thinly-veiled salvo to A&E in its official statement Thursday night: “We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right.
After Phil Robertson’s suspension, Duck Dynasty clan is mulling options as Glenn Beck offers a slot on his startup network
“We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm.
“We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.”
With the specter of defecting advertisers or a boycott, A&E condemned Phil Robertson by putting him on an “indefinite hiatus from filming”.
A&E holds an exclusive rights contract with the Robertsons, but the network may have no choice but to severe ties, especially since neither conservative pundits nor gay rights activists have shown any sign of losing interest in the flap.
Given the success of Duck Dynasty reality show – Season 4 premiere drew a network record 11.8 million viewers – that would be a devastating loss.
But the Robertsons would be highly sought free agents. If nothing else, Glenn Beck offered the family a spot on his fledgling right-wing leaning network, The Blaze.
“[All the other networks] will fold to pressure,” Glenn Beck said on his radio show Thursday.
“They will all fold to money because they are all in over their eyeballs are debt … the only reason why Phil was put on hiatus and not the rest is because it is a money-printing machine.
“May I suggest: Make your stand. You will never have a better chance. And quite honestly, you’re our best shot as people.”
Mikhail Khodorkovsky flew to Berlin on board of a private jet, hours after being pardoned by Russian President Vladimir Putin and freed from a decade in jail.
In a statement Mikhail Khodorkovsky, 50, confirmed he had asked Vladimir Putin for a pardon due to “family circumstances” – his mother is suffering from cancer.
The former tycoon did not admit guilt and referred to those who were “unjustly convicted and continue to be persecuted” in his case.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky met German ex-foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher in Berlin, hours after being pardoned by President Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin earlier said he had signed the pardon on “the principles of humanity”.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the former head of the now defunct oil giant Yukos, was once Russia’s richest man and had used his wealth to fund opposition parties.
He was jailed for tax evasion and theft.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was “happy” that Mikhail Khodorkovsky had been freed.
New details of people and institutions targeted by the US and UK surveillance have been published by The Guardian, The New York Times and Der Spiegel.
The papers say that the list of around 1,000 targets includes a EU commissioner, humanitarian organizations and an Israeli PM.
The secret documents were leaked by Edward Snowden, now a fugitive in Russia.
They suggest over 60 countries were targets of the NSA and Britain’s GCHQ.
Edward Snowden left the US in late May, taking a large cache of top secret documents with him
The reports are likely to spark more international concern about the surveillance operations carried out by the US and the UK.
News that the National Security Agency (NSA) had monitored the phone of German Chancellor Angela Merkel triggered a diplomatic row between Berlin and Washington in October.
The New York Times that GCHQ monitored the communications of foreign leaders – including African heads of state and sometimes their family members – and directors of UN and other relief programmes.
The paper reports that the emails of Israeli officials were monitored, including one listed as “Israeli prime minister”. The PM at the time, 2009, was Ehud Olmert.
The Guardian wrote that GCHQ targeted the UN development programme, UNICEF, German government buildings and the EU Competition Commissioner, Joaquin Almunia.
Uganda’s parliament has passed a bill to toughen the punishment for gay acts to include life imprisonment in some cases.
The anti-gay bill also makes it a crime punishable by a prison sentence not to report gay people.
Uganda’s PM Amama Mbabazi opposed the vote, saying not enough MPs were present.
The bill has been condemned by world leaders since it was mooted in 2009 with President Barack Obama calling it “odious”.
The government knows there will be an international outcry, which could see some countries suspend aid to the country.
Uganda’s parliament has passed a bill to toughen the punishment for gay acts to include life imprisonment in some cases
Amama Mbabazi might follow up on his complaints about a lack of quorum, while it remains to be seen whether President Yoweri Museveni will sign the bill into law.
The private member’s bill originally proposed the death penalty for some offences, such as if a minor was involved or the perpetrator was HIV-positive, but this has been replaced with life in prison.
The MP behind the bill, David Bahati, told the AFP news agency: “This is victory for Uganda. I am glad the parliament has voted against evil.”
“Because we are a God-fearing nation, we value life in a holistic way. It is because of those values that members of parliament passed this bill regardless of what the outside world thinks,” he said.
The bill’s supporters say it is needed to protect traditional family values, which they say are under attack from Western-inspired gay rights groups.
Its critics say the bill has been pushed by some US evangelical Christians.
Holidaymakers and visiting foreigners are not immune from prosecution under Uganda’s existing anti-gay laws.
Dennis Rodman held tryouts Friday for a North Korean team to face a dozen NBA veterans in an exhibition game on leader Kim Jong-un’s birthday on January 8th, 2014.
However, the former NBA star hasn’t convinced all the players on the American team that it’s safe to come to Pyongyang.
Dennis Rodman said plans for the January 8th game are moving ahead but some of the 12 Americans he wants are afraid to come.
Some foreign analysts say the dramatic purge and execution of Kim Jong-un’s uncle less than a week ago has cast doubt on Kim’s future. But officials here say there is no instability and Kim Jong-un remains firmly in control.
“You know, they’re still afraid to come here, but I’m just telling them, you know, don’t be afraid man, it’s all love, it’s all love here,” Dennis Rodman told The Associated Press after the tryouts at the Pyongyang Indoor Gymnasium.
“I understand what’s going on with the political stuff, and I say, I don’t go into that venture, I’m just doing one thing for these kids here, and for this country, and for my country, and for the world pretty much.”
Dennis Rodman, who arrived in Pyongyang on Thursday, said he expects to announce the roster soon. He also said he is planning another game in June.
Dennis Rodman held tryouts for North Korean team to face NBA veterans in an exhibition game on Kim Jong-un’s birthday
He watched as a couple dozen local players took to the basketball court for the tryouts. After the session, he told the players that each of the 12 he chooses will get two new pairs of tennis shoes.
When asked why he liked basketball, North Korean player Kim Un-chol told Dennis Rodman he started playing the game because he was impressed by it on TV, and said he also wants to be good at the sport because it is a favorite of leader Kim Jong-un and his late father, Kim Jong-il.
Dennis Rodman asked all the players if they felt the same way. They nodded in unison.
“I want you guys to do one thing for your leader,” Dennis Rodman then told them.
“It’s his birthday. It’s a very special, special day for the country.”
Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong-un have struck up an unlikely friendship since he traveled to North Korea for the first time in February with the Harlem Globetrotters for an HBO series produced by New York-based VICE television.
The former NBA player remains the highest-profile American to meet Kim Jong-un since the leader inherited power from his father in 2011.
Dennis Rodman has mostly avoided politics in his dealings with North Korea and has avoided commenting on the North’s human rights record or its continued detainment of American Kenneth Bae for allegedly committing anti-state crimes.
On Friday, he stressed that he hopes the game will be friendly, without political or nationalistic overtones.
Dennis Rodman said the former NBA players will take on the North Koreans in the first half, but the teams will be mixed for the second half.
“It’s not about win or loss. It’s about one thing – unite two countries,” he said.
Nigella Lawson’s personal assistants, Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, have been cleared of fraud.
The TV cook said she “disappointed but unsurprised” by the court decision.
The trial of Francesca Grillo, 35, and sister Elisabetta, 41, heard they spent £685,000 ($1.1 million) on credit cards owned by Nigella Lawson and ex-husband Charles Saatchi.
They claimed Nigella Lawson allowed their spending to cover up her cocaine use.
Nigella Lawson’s personal assistants, Francesca and Elisabetta Grillo, have been cleared of fraud
Nigella Lawson, 53, said her experience as a witness was “deeply disturbing” and she had been “maliciously vilified”.
Following the verdict, Nigella Lawson said: “Over the three-week trial the jury was faced with a ridiculous sideshow of false allegations about drug use which made focus on the actual criminal trial impossible.
“When false claims about habitual drug use were introduced I did everything possible to ensure the CPS was aware of the sustained background campaign deliberately designed to destroy my reputation.”
Nigella Lawson added: “Even more harrowing was seeing my children subjected to extreme allegations in court without any real protection or representation. For this I cannot forgive the court process.”
A top A & E executive revealed that the network’s management carefully considered whether to suspend Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty reality show over his anti-gay comments.
According to the executive, Nancy Dubuc, the CEO of A&E Networks, ultimately reached the suspension decision because Phil Robertson’s remarks were in conflict with “the fundamental values of the company.” Nancy Dubuc was responding in part to the concern of employees within the company, the executive said.
“She gathered all the information, assessed it, thought seriously about this,” the executive told TheWrap.
Phil Robertson has been suspended from Duck Dynasty reality show over anti-gay comments in GQ magazine
“It’s a dilemma.”
Nancy Dubuc is one of the most powerful TV executives in Hollywood, overseeing A & E, Lifetime and History channels. Her dynasty is powered largely by Duck Dynasty, the highest-rated reality show on the air.
The executive also said that arguments that A & E had somehow taken Phil Robertson’s free speech away were ridiculous, as a suspension from a television show did not curtail his ability to speak out freely.
The source said that any notion that A & E had a conflict with Christianity was also absurd, considering A & E’s History just aired the hit miniseries, The Bible.
Phil Robertson has been suspended Wednesday night, hours after an early-morning phone call between A & E executives and GLAAD, the civil rights group told TheWrap.
Robin Wright got engaged to Ben Foster after almost two years of dating, according to a report.
Robin Wright, 47, officially ended her 14-year marriage to Sean Penn in July, 2010 and began dating Ben Foster, 33, in early 2011 after meeting on the set of movie drama Rampart.
A source tells Life & Style magazine: “She’s been talking all about her upcoming wedding and how excited she is for it.”
Robin Wright got engaged to Ben Foster after almost two years of dating
Robin Wright was also married to actor Dane Witherspoon for two years from 1986.
US Air Force Major-General Michael Carey was sacked for conduct “unbecoming of a gentleman” during a business trip to Russia in July, a report says.
Before being sacked, General Michael Carey was in charge of 9,600 people at three operational wings, had served in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and had received 13 major awards.
The newly-declassified document says General Michael Carey drank too much and met “suspect” foreign women.
He could not recall significant events or was “untruthful”, the report says.
Michael Carey’s removal came days after the Navy sacked an admiral overseeing nuclear forces over illegal gambling.
The two dismissals follow several other incidents affecting the US military’s nuclear establishment.
In August, a nuclear missile unit at Malstrom Air Force base in Montana failed a safety and security inspection, after which a senior security officer was relieved of duty.
In May, it was reported that 17 officers in charge of maintaining nuclear missiles were sidelined over safety violations at Minot Air Force base in North Dakota.
US Air Force Major-General Michael Carey was sacked for conduct “unbecoming of a gentleman” during a business trip to Russia
Michael Carey, a two-star general in the 20th Air Force, was responsible for maintaining intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) at three bases across the US – a total of 450 missiles.
He is now special assistant to the commander of Air Force Space Command.
No details were given when he was removed in October.
The internal report by the Inspector General of the Air Force is based on interviews with the general and members of the US delegation to a nuclear security training exercise.
“Maj-Gen. Carey consumed alcoholic beverages to the extent that it impacted his conduct,” the report says. It adds that this included briefings, banquets and other events.
It goes on: “Maj-Gen. Carey engaged in inappropriate or improper behavior when he chose to meet up with and continued to associate with the foreign national women… especially given his own acknowledgement that the women were suspect.”
He had met them at a restaurant and danced with one of them a day after, it says.
The investigators interviewed General Michael Carey, but he appeared to have forgotten substantial parts of what had happened in Russia.
Their conclusion was that the general “either had a poor recall of significant events, perhaps due to his alcohol consumption, or was untruthful during the interview”.
The general had been rude to the Russian hosts and to members of the delegation, they said.
And he had complained that his forces “suffered from low morale”.
General Michael Carey has made no comments following the release of the report – the result of a Freedom of Information request.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been released from jail following a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin, his lawyers say.
Vladimir Putin signed a decree earlier pardoning former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky on the basis of “the principles of humanity”.
He said on Thursday that Mikhail Khodorkovsky, 50, had asked him for clemency because his mother was ill.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky – in custody for a decade – was jailed for tax evasion and theft after funding opposition parties.
The pardon comes after Russian MPs backed a wide-ranging amnesty for at least 20,000 prisoners.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky has been released from jail following a pardon from Russian President Vladimir Putin
Analysts say Vladimir Putin may be trying to ease international criticism of Russia’s human rights record ahead of February’s Winter Olympics in Sochi.
A document published by the Kremlin on Friday said the decree would come into force from the day of its signing.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky’s lawyer Vadim Klyuvgant said prison officials had confirmed that had left the he penal colony where he was being held in the Karelia region of north-western Russia.
The former tycoon had eaten lunch at the prison in Segezha as normal on Friday while his release papers were being drawn up, Russian news website Lenta.ru reports quoted an official as saying.
Mikhail Khodorkovsky was jailed after being convicted of stealing oil and laundering money in 2010. He had been in prison since 2003 when he was arrested and later convicted on charges of tax evasion. He was due to be released in August 2014.
Andy Warhol’s Farrah Fawcett portrait belongs to actor Ryan O’Neal, a California jury has decided.
The University of Texas at Austin had sued Ryan O’Neal, claiming Farrah Fawcett left them the painting as part of a donation.
Farrah Fawcett, who died in 2009 aged 62, attended the university in the 1960s.
Ryan O’Neal, 72, had an 18-year relationship with Farrah Fawcett and removed the painting from her home after her death.
The actor said the portrait was a treasured memento of their relationship.
The portrait is one of a pair created by Andy Warhol in 1980, when he took Polaroid photos of the actress and added splashes of color to a monochrome canvas.
One version is currently on display at the university’s Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, while Ryan O’Neal has hung the other over the bed at his Malibu beach house.
Farrah Fawcett portrait is one of a pair created by Andy Warhol in 1980
The university launched its legal case in 2011 after the portrait was spotted in the actor’s home during an episode of reality TV show Ryan and Tatum: The O’Neals.
University lawyer David Beck had urged jurors to give the school the portrait in accordance with Farrah Fawcett’s wishes.
“You’ve seen Farrah. You’ve heard from Farrah,” David Beck said on Monday during closing arguments.
“Please, please, speak for her.”
David Beck had also questioned whether Ryan O’Neal had ever discussed removing the portrait with anyone, including a trustee charged with carrying out Farrah Fawcett’s final wishes.
Ryan O’Neal, who removed the portrait outside her bedroom, said: “Of course I did. I’m sure I did. It wasn’t a secret.”
He told jurors that if he is allowed to keep the Warhol portrait, he will never sell it, and that his estate documents call for it to be passed down to his and Farrah Fawcett’s son, Redmond O’Neal.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are to visit New Zealand and Australia next April, Kensington Palace has said.
It is thought likely their baby son, Prince George, will also accompany them but a final decision will be made nearer the time.
If he attends, Prince George will be eight months old and on his first official overseas tour.
Prince William has made a number of official trips to Australia and New Zealand in the past.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are to visit New Zealand and Australia next April
While Kate Middleton is yet to pay an official visit to either country, she and her husband were in the media spotlight when they flew to Brisbane airport to catch a flight home at the end of their South Pacific tour in September 2012.
Their visit in April will echo the Prince and Princess of Wales’s visit to Australia and New Zealand in 1983 when the couple took William, then aged nine months old, with them.
Kensington Palace confirmed the visit but released no further details about the itinerary or how long it would last.
The statement said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit New Zealand and Australia in April 2014.
“Their royal highnesses have been invited to visit by the New Zealand and Australian governments. Further details on the exact dates and itinerary will be issued in due course.”
Katie Couric and producer The Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday the Katie show will wrap after this season.
They say shuttering the show after its second season was a mutual decision.
Katie show will continue to air through next summer
Katie show will continue to air through next summer.
Katie Couric announced last month she’s joining Yahoo to anchor an expansion of its video news initiative. She’ll serve as the Sunnyvale, California-based company’s global anchor.
Katie Couric announced at the time she was leaving ABC News, which she joined in 2011.
Kristen Johnston revealed via her Facebook page that she’s been battling a serious health problem for several months – leading to two weeks at the Mayo Clinic and two missed episodes of her TV Land sitcom The Exes.
Kristen Johnston, 46, wrote: “I’ve been really, really sick since early Sept. Full body muscle weakness to the extent that just walking difficult, stairs impossible and I even need a neck brace to hold my head up.”
“Lying down I’m fine, which is great for writing or killing time on social media (thank you all!!), but it’s kind of disastrous when you’re in a sitcom that requires tons of physical comedy.”
Kristen Johnston revealed via her Facebook page that she’s been battling a serious health problem for several months
“After 4 months & 17 Drs (no lie) I’ve FINALLY been diagnosed with a rare auto-immune disorder,” the TV star explained.
“Meaning my immune system has decided to go rogue & attack my muscles. The good news: I’m finally on the right treatment, feeling better & back at work!”
“I didn’t mention it because I didn’t want people overreacting (on twitter & FB?? NOO!!),” she told her fans.
“I know many of you have experienced similar issues or know people who have, but please try to refrain from diagnosing me. (I do it too!!)”
“I gotta say, TV Land and everyone at ‘the exes’ have been just amazing, all of them…so patient, understanding, loving & supportive,” Kristen Johnston continued.
Target has confirmed it was hit by a major data breach involving 40 million of shoppers’ credit and debit card information.
Customers who visited any of Target’s stores between November 27 and December 15 are at risk of having their credit and debit card information stolen.
Target said what to do if you visited one of their stores during that timeframe:
Closely monitor your credit and debit card statements for any suspicious activity.
Target has confirmed it was hit by a major data breach involving millions of shoppers’ credit and debit card information
If you find anything suspicious, immediately contact your bank. You can also contact the Federal Trade Commission to report incidents of identity theft or call the FTC at (877) 438-4338.
Check your credit report. If you find information that appears to be fraudulent, request that the credit reporting agency delete that information from your credit report file. You can get a free copy of your credit report once a year from one of the three credit reporting agencies including Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.
Add a fraud alert to your credit report file with one of the three credit reporting agencies. That means creditors will be extra vigilant in protecting you, though it may delay your ability to obtain credit.
To reach Target directly concerning the breach and precautionary steps you should take, call (866) 852-8680. The company says as many as 40 million credit and debit card accounts may have been compromised. Information that may have been stolen includes customers’ names, card numbers and three-digit security codes.[youtube pom42RDo_wE 650]
“Whatever” was rated the most annoying word of 2013 by 38% of respondents of a recent survey.
A number of 1,173 Americans have been surveyed in early December by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, based in Poughkeepsie, New York.
The new result is up from 32% in 2012, pollsters said.
What’s more, “whatever” has topped the annoying word charts for five straight years.
“The word can be very dismissive and rude,” said Mary Griffith, media director for Marist.
“Whatever” was rated the most annoying word of 2013 by 38 percent of respondents of Marist poll
“It’s a put-down to some extent and it can signal to the other person that what they are saying is not important.”
Americans also do not like the word “like,” which ranked second in the survey of most annoying words, at 22%. The term “you know” pulled 18%, “just sayin” 14%, and “obviously” 6%. Two percent of respondents were unsure.
Marist began polling on annoying words five years ago. The word choices are provided to the respondents based on Marist research and prior surveys, Mary Griffith said. While most Marist surveys focus on politics, the poll on annoying words is enlightening, she said.
“We like to keep a finger on the pulse of popular culture,” she added.
In the same survey, Marist pollsters wanted to know what political word or phrase Americans would like to see disappear in 2014.
“Obamacare” was mentioned by 41% of respondents as a word they do not want to hear next year.
Americans are also averse to and would like to eliminate the Washington terms “shutdown” and “gridlock,” which got votes from 30% and 11%, respectively.
“Fiscal cliff” got 10% of the vote and “sequestration” 4%. Four percent of respondents were unsure.
Duck Dynasty stars have issued a statement regarding the indefinite suspension of family patriarch Phil Robertson, who was pulled from the A&E reality show on Wednesday after making anti-gay comments in a GQ magazine interview.
In the statement, posted on the Duck Commander website, the Robertson family says that it “cannot imagine” going forward with the show if Phil isn’t aboard, and that it’s “in discussions” with A&E Networks to determine what his suspension means for the future of the show.
The family asserted that Phil Robertson “would never incite or encourage hate” and that they were “disappointed” in the suspension.
The Robertson family cannot imagine going forward with Duck Dynasty reality show if Phil isn’t aboard
They also said that Duck Commander’s expression of his faith is his “constitutionally protected right.”
The statement read: “We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E’s decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: <<Love the Lord your God with all your heart>> and <<Love your neighbor as yourself>>. Phil would never incite or encourage hate. We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right. We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of <<Duck Dynasty>>. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.”
Cuba has decided to ease restrictions on people buying foreign-made new and used cars, according to state media.
Cubans will no longer need government permits to buy modern cars from state sellers.
Until new regulations in 2011, people could only sell cars built before the 1959 revolution.
Private property has been severely restricted on the Communist country since 1959. The changes are part of a shake-up of Cuba’s struggling economy.
Following reforms adopted two years ago, Cubans can buy and sell used cars from each other, but must request authorization from the government to purchase a new vehicle or a second-hand one from state-controlled retailers.
Priority for the permits was given to people “in positions of benefit to the government”, such as doctors and diplomats.
Cuba has decided to ease restrictions on people buying foreign-made new and used cars
But the Communist Party newspaper, Granma, said the Council of Ministers approved new regulations on Wednesday that “eliminate existing mechanisms of approval for the purchase of motor vehicles from the state”.
As a result, the paper said: “The retail sale of new and used motorcycles, cars, vans, small trucks and mini buses for Cubans and foreign residents, companies and diplomats is freed up.”
People who already have permits are expected to be given priority, however. And buyers will still need to purchase vehicles through state retailers.
Cubans and foreigners will not be able to import their own cars.
The new regulations will be published in the official Gazette in the coming days and become law 30 days later, according to Reuters.
The move is part of a series of reforms driven by President Raul Castro aimed at updating the Cuban economic model.
President Raul Castro has championed limited free-market reforms since taking the reins of power from his brother Fidel in 2008.
Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson released his own statement in response to the controversy over his anti-gay comments early Wednesday.
The Louisiana family patriarch said: “I myself am a product of the ’60s; I centered my life around s**, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together. However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”
Phil Robertson released his own statement in response to the controversy over his anti-gay comments
Phil Robertson, 67, was placed on indefinite suspension by A & E Networks because of anti-gay remarks he made in a recent interview with GQ magazine.
Faith Driven Consumer – an organization connecting Christian consumers with faith-compatible companies – asks A&E Networks to immediately reinstate Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson to the hit show and also is seeking a formal apology to him, his family and the show’s viewers.
To support Phil Robertson, the Christian organization has launched theIStandWithPhil.com petition drive.
The petition calls for A&E Networks to immediately reinstate Phil Robertson to the hit reality show, after he was placed on indefinite suspension because of anti-gay remarks he made in an interview with GQ magazine interview.
“Simply put, Phil Robertson is being censored and punished for quoting the Bible, and A&E’s treatment of him is punitive and highly discriminatory,” said Chris Stone, founder of Faith Driven Consumer.
Faith Driven Consumer asks A&E Networks to immediately reinstate Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson to the hit show
“Everyday people will not stand for this; they know bullying and violation of religious freedom when they see it. A&E’s actions are censoring faith-driven consumers and eliminating them from an entertainment choice that they have overwhelmingly supported.”
The IStandWithPhil.com online petition drive calls out the A&E network’s “intolerant, discriminatory, and punitive treatment” of the Duck Dynasty star, reading: “A&E’s position, which in your own words is <<championing>> the gay and lesbian community … excludes the views of Faith Driven Consumers and effectively censors a legitimate viewpoint held by the majority of Americans.”
The petition calls for respecting the millions of viewers of Duck Dynasty reality show, and demands that the network immediately reinstate Phil Robertson and “formally apologize to him, his family, and the millions of viewers who tune in every week, stand by him, and share his worldview”. Up to now, the petition had collected more than 4,000 signatures.
Phil Robertson’s anti-gay comments have since been slammed by GLAAD, but the reality star has drawn support from Sarah Palinand Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal.
Fox News Channel hosts and commentators came to the defense of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson on air Wednesday.
A&E Networks placed Phil Robertson, 67, on indefinite hiatus after he made anti-gay remarks in an interview with GQ magazine, causing an uproar and sparking criticism from gay advocacy groups GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign.
On Hannity, host Sean Hannity said it was a “slippery slope” to begin firing people over things they said, adding he never advocated for the firings of liberals — including AlecBaldwinand Martin Bashir – who got in trouble for controversial comments.
Megyn Kelly said on The Kelly File that Phil Robertson’s indefinite hiatus preemptively stopped any conversation that might have arisen from his comments.
“He is a Christian man – I grant you he did not say in the kindest way – but why can’t there be a debate about it? Why can’t there be a discussion … instead of <<you are fired>>.”
Fox News Channel hosts and commentators came to the defense of Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson on air
Later, Megyn Kelly said the clash between fundamentalist Christians and the gay and lesbian community has yet to reach resolution, implying this could be because the discussion never takes place.
“Fundamentalist Christians don’t believe in homos**uality and they’ve been so critical of it. And the gay and lesbian community has said <<that’s intolerance>> and then they [Christians] say <<well you’re being intolerant of our beliefs>>.” she said.
“We’ve seen this clash over and over. [It’s] yet to be resolved.”
But several of Megyn Kelly’s panelists sided with A&E and its decision.
Democratic pollster Bernard Whitman told Megyn Kelly that Phil Robertson’s comment’s were “disgusting” and said it “flies in the face of what it means to be Christian.” He applauded A&E for its response.
Conservative commentator Monica Crowley said she was “not a fan of the word police,” but said A&E was within its rights to take action.
“You should be able to say what you want short of inciting violence,” Monica Crowley said.
“A&E, though, has certain standards in practices. As an employee of A&E, A&E then has a right to say <<what he said doesn’t suit us>>.”
Earlier in the day, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin tweeted her own defense of Phil Robertson.
Phil Robertson will likely appear in Duck Dynasty Season 4, which premieres on January 15, as production is largely wrapped.
