News Blog: January 2015

Saturday, January 31, 2015

'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' sweeps Sundance Awards

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Sundance breakout “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl,” a quirky, heartfelt story about a pair of high school film lovers who befriend a girl with cancer, won both the U.S. dramatic audience award and the grand jury prize at the 31st Sundance Film Festival awards, announced Saturday.

Thomas Mann, R.J. Cyler, and Olivia Cooke lead the cast of the idiosyncratic tearjerker from director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, who dedicated the audience award to all the filmmakers and artists in his hometown of Laredo, Texas. Nick Offerman, Connie Britton, and Molly Shannon also star.

“My love goes out to the entire cast and crew,” said Gomez-Rejon. “This movie was about processing loss but really to celebrate a beautiful life and a beautiful man, which is my amazing father … to celebrate his life through humor.”

“The Wolfpack,” Crystal Moselle’s documentary about six movie-loving teenage boys isolated from society picked up the grand jury prize for best documentary.

“I stalked these kids on the street one day and here I am,” said Moselle.

Comedian Tig Notaro, whose documentary “Tig” premiered at the Festival, hosted the ceremony. She also told the audience that she used to volunteer at the Festival in the mid-’90s.

The 31st Sundance Film Festival wraps on Sunday.

Other winners Saturday:

— U.S. drama, grand jury prize: “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”

— U.S. drama, audience award: “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl”

— U.S. drama, directing: “The Witch,” Robert Eggers

— U.S. drama, special jury award for cinematography: “Diary of a Teenage Girl,” Brandon Trost

— U.S. drama, special jury award for collaborative vision: “Advantageous”

— U.S. drama, special jury award for editing: “Dope,” Lee Haugen

— U.S. drama, special jury award for musical score:

— U.S. drama, special jury award for breakthrough talent:

— U.S. documentary, grand jury prize: “The Wolfpack”

— U.S. documentary, audience award: “Meru”

— U.S. documentary, directing: “Cartel Land,” Matthew Heineman

— U.S. documentary, special jury award for social impact: “3 1/2 Minutes”

— U.S. documentary, special jury award for verite filmmaking: “Western”

— U.S. documentary, special jury award for cinematography: “Cartel Land,” Matthew Heineman, Matt Porwoll

— U.S. documentary, special jury award for breakout first feature: “(T)error”

— Alfred P. Sloan feature film prize: “The Stanford Prison Experiment”

— Waldo Salt screenwriting award: “The Stanford Prison Experiment,” Tim Talbott

— World cinema drama, grand jury prize: “Slow West”

— World cinema drama, audience award: “Umrika”

— World cinema drama, directing: “The Summer of Sangaile,” Alante Kavaite

— World cinema drama, special jury award for cinematography: “Partisan,” Germain McMicking

— World cinema drama, special jury award for acting: “The Second Mother,” Regina Case and Camila Mardila

— World cinema drama, special jury award for acting: “Glassland,” Jack Reynor

— World cinema documentary, grand jury prize: “The Russian Woodpecker”

— World cinema documentary, audience award: “Dark Horse”

— World cinema documentary, directing: “Dreamcatcher,” Kim Longinotto

— World cinema documentary, special jury award for unparalleled access: “The Chinese Mayor”

— World cinema documentary, special jury award for impact: “Pervert Park”

— World cinema documentary, special jury award for editing: “How to Change the World,” Jim Scott

___

Follow AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ldbahr

___

Online:

www.sundance.org/festival

'Me and Earl and the Dying Girl' sweeps Sundance Awards

Miliband would be catastrophe: boss

Ed Miliband is under fresh pressure after a series of attacks over his leadership and warnings by a leading business chief that he would be a “catastrophe” for Britain.

Boots boss Stefano Pessina said the Labour leader’s plans were “not helpful for business, not helpful for the country and in the end it probably won’t be helpful for them”.

It comes as Mr Miliband faced criticism from within the Labour fold, with donor John Mills launching a fresh attack on the direction the party is taking.

Mr Pessina, who oversaw the £46 million merger of Alliance Boots with American firm Walgreens and is now its acting chief executive, insisted Labour’s plans for the country would be damaging.

He told The Sunday Telegraph: “If they acted as they speak, it would be a catastrophe.

“The problem is would they act that way or not? One thing is to threaten and to shout but it is completely different to be in charge and to manage the country day to day.”

Mr Pessina also issued a warning over Britain’s role in the European Union, insisting pulling out would be a “big mistake”.

Prime Minister David Cameron has promised voters and in/out referendum by the end of 2017 if he is re-elected in May.

Mr Pessina told the paper: “Our main business is retail, so it’s a local business to a certain extent. But I believe it would be big mistake for the UK to leave Europe, because the economy will suffer a lot and Europe is by the far most important commercial partner for the UK. It would have been like Scotland leaving the UK.

“These things are not really rationally conceivable today. Business leaders are convinced that the common sense of the British people will drive the right solution, which is staying in Europe.”

Chancellor George Osborne was quick to seize on the comments made about Labour.

He said: “This is a clear warning from the head of one of Britain’s biggest employers about the economic catastrophe the UK would suffer if Ed Miliband’s policies were put into effect.

“The price of this catastrophe would be paid by families across the country who would see their jobs and incomes put at risk.

“It’s another reminder that this election is a choice between Conservative competence and the chaos of all the alternatives.”

But a Labour spokesman responded said: “Labour will cut and then freeze business rates for 1.5 million business properties including thousands of high street retailers.

“We will also ensure growing businesses get the lending and backing they need to succeed with a proper British Investment Bank and by boosting bank competition. In this way we will grow the economy so that it raises living standards for the many and not just a few at the top.

“The Tories would put British jobs, trade and investment at risk by flirting with exit from the European Union, which Mr Pessina has warned would be a ‘big mistake’.”

Earlier this week former health secretary Alan Milburn said Labour’s focus on extra funding for the NHS without plans to deliver the reforms that the services needed could prove to be a “fatal mistake”.

The warnings were endorsed by Mr Mills, founder of JML and Labour’s biggest individual donor, who also underlined his criticism of the party’s plans to introduce a mansion tax.

Mr Mills told the Mail on Sunday: “I agree with Milburn – if you look at the Continental model, they have a much greater mix of public and private provision.”

He added: “I am not convinced of the case for a tax on expensive properties. And it certainly should not be hypothecated for the NHS. It would be much better to introduce extra council tax bands and spend the money on local needs, such as affordable housing.”

Jason Cowley, editor of the left-leaning New Statesman, renewed his criticism of the party leader.

He told the Mail on Sunday the mood of Labour MPs is “not so much one of despair, it’s worse than that – resignation”, and claimed Labour appeared to be “willing itself to defeat”.

Meanwhile, the party said its election campaign would focus on issues, not personalities, and revealed that David Cameron would not feature on any of its billboard posters.

Election strategist Douglas Alexander claimed the Conservatives would “plumb new depths” over the coming weeks and were preparing to spread “falsehood, fear and smear”.

Instead, Labour will ditch old fashioned campaigning and take its message directly to voters in the run-up to polling day on May 7, the shadow foreign secretary insisted.

In a message to party members, Mr Alexander wrote: “The different approaches that the two main parties will take to this election has never been clearer.

“The Tories have now bought up hundreds of billboard poster sites on high streets across the country for the months of March and April to run their negative personalised adverts.

“It already seems clear that in their campaign the Tories intend to spread falsehood, fear and smear. They will seek to avoid open debate and scrutiny. The Tories will dig deep into their donors’ pockets – and plumb new depths – in their desperation to cling on in government.

“At the same time, we are making the following decisions about our campaign in the coming weeks: We’ll focus our campaign on issues not personalities – we won’t run any billboard posters with pictures of David Cameron on them. We’re ready, willing, and able to take part in the TV debates.

“We will not run an old fashioned campaign talking over voters’ heads. We will run a campaign with four million conversations at its heart.”

Miliband would be catastrophe: boss

Obama's choice as ambassador to Mexico withdraws her name

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama‘s choice to be U.S. ambassador to Mexico has withdrawn from consideration.

The White House says Maria Echaveste cites a prolonged confirmation process as well as her family’s best interests.

Obama nominated Echaveste last September. She had yet to receive a confirmation hearing in the Senate.

A graduate of Stanford University and Berkeley Law School, Echaveste was deputy chief of staff and a presidential assistant during the Clinton administration. When Hillary Rodham Clinton was secretary of state, she appointed Echaveste a special representative to Bolivia.

Echaveste is a partner in the consulting firm Nueva Vista Group in San Francisco. A native of Texas who grew up in California, Echaveste would have been the first American woman to be ambassador to Mexico.

Her withdrawal was first reported by Politico.

Obama’s choice as ambassador to Mexico withdraws her name
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Obama's choice as ambassador to Mexico withdraws her name

Pupils 'must recite tables by 11'

All schoolchildren in England will be forced to learn their times tables off by heart as well as carry out long division and complex multiplication by 11, Nicky Morgan has said.

Pupils will be expected to pass tough tests before leaving primary school as part of a “war on illiteracy and innumeracy”, the Education Secretary said.

Headteachers who fail to ensure the standards are met face being sacked if the Conservatives are returned to power, she indicated.

As well as demonstrating mathematical skills, pupils will have to pass a writing test by showing they can use “accurate punctuation, spelling and grammar”.

The move will build on demands already contained in key stage 2 tests.

In an article for The Sunday Times, Ms Morgan outlined plans to make England top of the class in European league tables for English and maths by 2020, as well as in the top five internationally – a significant leap from the current ranking of 23rd.

She said: “We will expect every pupil by the age of 11 to know their times tables off by heart, to perform long division and complex multiplication and to be able to read a novel.

“They should be able to write a short story with accurate punctuation, spelling and grammar. The new tests for 11 year olds we are introducing next year will be strengthened to ensure that every young person is meeting the mark.”

Source Article from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/pupils-must-recite-tables-11-002343718.html

Pupils 'must recite tables by 11'

Viral Campaign Raises £200K For Mugging Victim

Donations for a disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home have reached more than £200,000.

After reading about the mugging of 67-year-old Alan Barnes, beautician Katie Cutler set up an online fundraising page that went viral and has raised 400 times its original £500 target in just two days.

Mr Barnes, who has disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, broke his collarbone when he was pushed over by his attacker.

People were moved to help after hearing that Mr Barnes was too afraid to return to his home in Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Following reports of the attack, which police described as “disgraceful”, Ms Cutler set up the Help Alan Barnes online donation page on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe.

She wrote: “I was so upset that anyone could target a disabled pensioner and be so cruel.

“We can’t take away what has happened but with a little donation we can make the future a prettier one and help towards the cost of his new home. Thank you all.”

One online contributor, Lorraine Susan, said: “I really hope this fund helps him get settled somewhere nice & safe.

“At least he knows there are literally thousands on his side.”

Mr Barnes is a well-known figure in Low Fell and is renowned for being able to quickly calculate how many days old someone is from their date of birth.

Source Article from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/viral-campaign-raises-50-000-mugging-victim-235334482.html

Viral Campaign Raises £200K For Mugging Victim

There Is Going To Be A Custody Battle Over The ‘Zombie Cat’

by Ezra Marcus

1h ago

Earlier this week, Bart the Miracle Cat emerged from his grave after being hit by a car, and was found in a neighbor’s yard. After an intense surgery, it looked like his troubles were finally over.

more:
The Florida Zombie Cat Underwent Surgery, And He’s Gonna Be OK: See The Pics

Now the plot thickens. The Tampa Humane Society says that Ellis Hutson, Bart’s owner, is not fit to care for the animal, CNN reports.

Hutson was reportedly arrested in 1998 for cruelty to animals, although the charges were later thrown out. Sherry Silk, the Tampa Humane Society’s executive director, claims in a press release that details surrounding the cat’s “home environment and the circumstances leading up to his burial” have convinced her to keep the cat away from its original home.

“We don’t have any intention of returning the cat for lots of different reasons, and I’m hoping that [Hutson will] see the light and do the right thing for Bart,” Silk said.

The Tampa Humane Society is further concerned about a GoFundMe page set up by Hutson’s neighbor that has raised more than $7,000, even though the Society covered the cost of surgery with its own funds. The neighbor denies having a personal financial stake, and Hutson told Florida news channel WFLA, “Bart is our family pet. Of course I want him back.”

But Silk isn’t willing to hand Bart over. “I believe [Hutson] cares about the cat,” Silk said in response, but “we are prepared to fight to keep the cat.”

The good news? Silk notes that Bart “likes human beings and isn’t skittish at all,” so at least he’s doing OK for now.

There Is Going To Be A Custody Battle Over The ‘Zombie Cat’

'No PM pictures' on Labour posters

David Cameron will not feature on any of Labour‘s billboard posters during the general election campaign, the party has said as it vowed to focus on issues not personalities.

Conservatives will “plumb new depths” over the coming weeks and are preparing to spread “falsehood, fear and smear”, opposition election strategist Douglas Alexander claimed.

Instead, Labour will ditch old fashioned campaigning and take its message direct to voters in the run-up to polling day on May 7, the shadow foreign secretary insisted.

The move is a marked departure from the 2010 election, when Labour put the then opposition leader’s picture on a number of posters.

In one, they depicted him as detective Gene Hunt, from the television shows Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes, with the message “Don’t let him take Britain back to the 1980s” – a move that quickly backfired when the Tories hijacked it, re-branding it “Fire up the Quattro, it’s time for change”.

Another featured then prime minister Gordon Brown with the message “building a foundation” contrasted against Mr Cameron, who it claimed was “wearing it”.

It comes as cynicism with the major parties has seen voters turn to Ukip, the Green Party, the SNP and other smaller parties. Ukip leader Nigel Farage warned earlier this week that the general election campaign could be the ”dirtiest” Britain has seen.

In a message to party members, Mr Alexander wrote: “T he different approaches that the two main parties will take to this election has never been clearer.

“The Tories have now bought up hundreds of billboard poster sites on high streets across the country for the months of March and April to run their negative personalised adverts.

“We will not run an old fashioned campaign talking over voters heads. We will run a campaign with four million conversations at its heart.”

He added: ” We’re doing it this way not just because it is the best way to win votes in an election marked by high levels of cynicism and mistrust to all political parties.

” We’re doing it because we believe politics begins and ends with the people.

” Labour will give the British people a better campaign so that they – and Britain – can do better.”

'No PM pictures' on Labour posters

Obama condemns Islamic State's 'heinous murder' of Japanese hostage

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Barack Obama on Saturday condemned the “heinous murder” of Japanese hostage Kenji Goto by Islamic State militants and vowed that the United States would continue its actions to destroy the hardline Islamist group.

“The United States condemns the heinous murder of Japanese citizen and journalist Kenji Goto by the terrorist group ISIL,” Obama said in a statement released by the White House, using an acronym for the Islamic State group, which released a video on Saturday appearing to show the beheading of Goto.

“Standing together with a broad coalition of allies and partners, the United States will continue taking decisive action to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL,” Obama added.

(Reporting by Will Dunham; Editing by Alan Crosby)

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Obama condemns Islamic State's 'heinous murder' of Japanese hostage

PM condemns 'despicable' IS murder

Prime Minister David Cameron has condemned the murder of Kenji Goto after Islamic State (IS) released a video which appeared to show the beheading of a second Japanese hostage.

Freelance journalist Mr Goto, 47, is seen kneeling in front of the British-accented figure known as Jihadi John before gruesome footage of his decapitated body is shown.

Mr Cameron said: “I condemn what appears to be the despicable and appalling murder of Kenji Goto. It is a reminder that ISIL is the embodiment of evil.”

It comes less than a week after news of the beheading of another Japanese man, Haruna Yukawa. IS had demanded a 200 million-dollar (£130m) ransom for the two men.

PM condemns 'despicable' IS murder

Mad scramble to beat tax deadline

Nearly 360,000 people have filed self-assessment tax returns in a last-minute rush to meet the deadline.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said they were received between midnight and 9pm and almost 10.2 million had been filed in total.

The deadline for submitting an online self-assessment tax return and paying any tax due is midnight tonight.

Those in self-assessment who fail to meet this face an initial fixed penalty of £100, even if there is no tax to pay, plus interest on any tax not paid by the due date. All tax returns which are still outstanding must be submitted online, as the deadline for filing paper returns passed on October 31 last year.

On last year’s deadline day, 557,000 people scrambled to get their returns in online.

HMRC also noted that about 400,000 people every year are told they are unnecessarily filling out a self assessment form.

This is due to the mobile nature of the UK workforce which means that people move in and out of having to make a self assessment return all the time.

Giving up self employment or selling a property portfolio may be behind some of the reasons someone may move out of the self assessment category which rules out the need for a return to be filed.

An HMRC spokesman said: “We automatically review the self assessment system to ensure only those who genuinely need to complete a tax return have to do so.

“Anyone who thinks their circumstances have changed so that they don’t need to complete a return should let us know.

“We take around 400,000 people out of self assessment every year because they can be accurately taxed without filling in the return.”

Recent HMRC analysis suggests that women are more likely to get their tax returns in on time than men. For every 10,000 tax returns received last year by HMRC from men, 394 were after the relevant deadlines, compared with 358 late returns for every 10,000 received from women.

Some “terrible tax excuses” seen by the tax man in the past for people missing the deadline include: “My pet dog ate my tax return – and all the reminders,” as well as: “I was up a mountain in Wales, and couldn’t find a postbox or get an internet signal,” and: “I’ve been busy looking after a flock of escaped parrots and some fox cubs.”

One late filer tried to blame the president of the United States, saying: “Barack Obama is in charge of my finances.”

Another excuse from someone else which was also unsuccessful was: “I’ve been travelling the world, trying to escape from a foreign intelligence agency.”

If someone cannot pay because of an unforeseen, serious event outside of their control, they should get in touch as soon as possible, HMRC said.

Offering tips on submitting self-assessment returns, HMRC said people should gather all their information, such as P60s and bank statements, in one place, to make filling in the return more seamless. The system saves information as people go along, so they can take breaks and come back to complete their return.

Help on filing a return is available from the gov.uk website or the self-assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310. Customers with general tax queries can also tweet the @HMRCcustomers Twitter feed. Tweets should not include personal information.

Source Article from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/time-running-tax-returns-121951133.html

Mad scramble to beat tax deadline

Fabolous Takes Cosplay Seriously … And Just Became The New Marty McFly

by Andres Tardio

20m ago

Fabolous may not be starring in a new “Back To The Future” film reboot or anything, but he is looking a lot like a 2015 Marty McFly. That’s because the emcee is sporting the famous (and super expensive) Nike Mags on the set of his “You Made Me” music video.

The shoes are great and all, but what’s Marty McFly without the DeLorean? Well, Fab’s got one of those too. Add the cool vest and Nike goggles and he’s pretty much got the whole look down and updated.

“I think we all try to be good people, but it’s just things you go through that make you who you are,” Fab said, previewing the vid on Instagram. “Follow me back to the future. ‘You Made Me’ video on the way.”

more:
7 Things ‘Back To The Future: Part II’ Told Us 2015 Would Be Like

“You Made Me” is a cut off the emcee’s recently-released The Young O.G. Project album. In December, he told MTV News that the album would be focused on the 1990s.

[ video unavailable on this device ]

“It was a golden era in hip-hop to me,” Fab said. “It was where I fell in love with hip-hop and really admired everything that was going on within the culture.”

Of course, The Young O.G. Project is out now. But great, scott! When’s that video dropping?

Fabolous Takes Cosplay Seriously … And Just Became The New Marty McFly

Bangladesh opposition says leader's Internet, electricity cut

By Ruma Paul

DHAKA (Reuters) – Bangladeshi opposition activists accused the government of cutting the power, Internet and cable connections at their leader’s office on Saturday to pressure her into calling off a strike after days of violent anti-government protests.

The disconnections were reported soon after the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Khaleda, called another 72-hour strike from Sunday morning along with its ongoing blockades of roads, railways and water routes.

Senior ruling party member Hassan Mahmood earlier on Saturday warned that communications at Khaleda’s office would be cut if she did not call off protests before school exams on Monday. The electricity supply has since been restored.

“We have been asked to fix the line and we have restored the connection,” an employee of the Dhaka Electric Supply Company said.

At least two crude bombs exploded on Saturday evening near Khaleda’s office in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone without causing any injuries, police and witnesses said.

An autorickshaw passenger died in the northern district of Sirajganj after opposition activists hurled fire bombs at the vehicle.

At least 41 people have died and hundreds been wounded in protests that surged on Jan. 5, the first anniversary of national elections that the BNP boycotted, denouncing them as rigged.

Khaleda is at loggerheads with Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina and has called for her government to step down for a new vote under a caretaker administration.

Hasina has refused, instead tightening her grip by arresting key opposition leaders and clamping down on critical media.

“There has been no electricity … they have also cut Internet and cable television services to the office,” Khaleda’s Press Secretary Maruf Kamal Khan told reporters on Saturday.

The BNP has warned the government of dire consequences if it does not withdraw two arson charges against Khaleda and stop what it calls the oppression of its leaders and activists.

Analysts say the renewed political turmoil could threaten the country’s $24-billion garment export industry, already under pressure after a string of fatal accidents.

Hasina and Khaleda, both related to former national leaders, have alternated as prime minister for most of the past two decades in a fierce rivalry marked by bouts of political violence.

The United States, the European Union and Britain have voiced concern over the violence and urged all political parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the crisis.

(Reporting by Ruma Paul; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)

Bangladesh opposition says leader's Internet, electricity cut

Rap music mogul 'Suge' Knight arrested in fatal hit-and-run

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Marion “Suge” Knight, the impresario of gangster rap, has long been a perpetrator and victim of the violent life he promoted in song.

On Friday, he was portrayed as both.

Sheriff’s deputies booked the former hip-hop music mogul on suspicion of murder after they said he hit and killed a man with his pickup truck, injured another and then fled. His lawyer said he was an innocent victim who accidentally ran over his friend and the other man as he tried to escape an attack.

The incident was the latest in a long line of brushes with death and the law for the 49-year-old founder of Death Row Records, one of the genre’s leading labels.

Knight started the label that helped solidify West Coast rap with Dr. Dre, who had been a member of the legendary group N.W.A. The label also launched the career of Snoop Dogg and had Tupac Shakur in the last months of his life.

The fatal incident occurred a short while after Knight was told by deputies to leave a film location where he had argued with someone, authorities said.

The cast and crew were taking a break from filming a promotional video for the biopic “Straight Outta Compton,” about the rise of N.W.A., according to a person familiar with the project who was not authorized to speak about it publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The argument resumed and escalated a short while later at a fast-food restaurant about two miles away, with Knight and the man exchanging punches through his open window. Knight then struck the man and a friend with his vehicle and fled, said sheriff’s Lt. John Corina.

Terry Carter, 55, Knight’s friend who authorities do not believe was involved in the altercation, died at a hospital, Corina said. The other man was identified by his manager as Cle “Bone” Sloan, 51, an actor and film consultant. He was hospitalized in stable condition, said manager Jermaine Shelton.

Corina said Knight backed up his pickup truck and knocked Sloan down.

“Then he puts the truck in drive, drives forward, running over him, and then keeps going forward and keeps on driving, and runs over Carter, who is standing in the parking lot, and keeps on going after that,” Corina said.

He said witnesses told investigators it looked like an intentional act.

Defense attorney James Blatt said Knight was called to Tam’s Burgers in Compton for a meeting and was attacked by four people, including Sloan, as he slowed his truck. The men beat him through his window and threatened to kill him.

Corina said evidence thus far disputed Blatt’s account, saying only one man exchanged blows with Knight through the window before he got run over.

The incident comes less than six months after Knight was shot six times at a West Hollywood nightclub in August — the second shooting he’s survived. No arrests have been made.

Knight punched the gas and fled in fear, Blatt said. He had no idea he hit two men. Corina said that claim is hard to believe.

Knight surrendered early Friday and was booked on suspicion of murder. He was being held on $2 million bail.

At 6-foot-4 and weighing 325 pounds, Knight’s reputation as an imposing figure is credited, in part, with helping create Death Row Records when he strong-armed another label to release Dr. Dre from his contract, said Chuck Creekmur, CEO of allhiphop.com.

“You can’t separate Suge from the music that came out of Death Row Records,” Creekmur said. “He’s linked forever to a really, really great musical period of time. And that would be linked to a really horrific period when we lost several of our brightest stars.”

Knight was at the center of one of the most notorious rap conflicts of the 1990s, pitting rappers Tupac Shakur against Biggie Smalls in an East Coast versus West Coast rivalry.

Knight was sent to prison for nearly five years for badly beating a rival with Shakur at a Las Vegas hotel, just hours before Shakur was fatally shot while riding in Knight’s car just east of the Strip.

Smalls, whose real name was Chris Wallace, was shot to death in a similar attack six months later.

Many of the records Knight released helped immortalize Compton, the city south of LA where Thursday’s incident occurred, in hip-hop folklore as a gritty and violent urban environment, although crime there has dipped significantly there since its 1990s peak.

Knight and Dre later had a falling out and Dre left. The record company eventually declared bankruptcy and was auctioned off.

Dr. Dre and Ice Cube, another former N.W.A. member, were at the film location Thursday, but they didn’t see Knight, according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity. Filming was shut down for the day and not resumed Friday.

The history of Knight’s run-ins with the law goes back more than 20 years.

In November, Knight pleaded not guilty to a robbery charge filed over an incident in which a celebrity photographer accused him of stealing her camera in Beverly Hills. Because of prior convictions, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

He has felony convictions for armed robbery and assault with a gun and served time for probation violations. He pleaded no contest in 1995 to assaulting two rap entertainers at a Hollywood recording studio and was sentenced to five years of probation.

___

Associated Press writers Raquel Maria Dillon, Christopher Weber and Robert Jablon contributed to this report from Los Angeles.

Rap music mogul 'Suge' Knight arrested in fatal hit-and-run

Miss Marple actress McEwan dies

Actress Geraldine McEwan, known for playing Agatha Christie sleuth Miss Marple on television, has died aged 82.

McEwan starred in the role of the spinster consultant detective Jane Marple in 12 TV films aired on ITV.

The Bafta award winner had a long and successful career in theatre, television and films which saw her work with the likes of Laurence Olivier and Kenneth Williams.

Her son Greg and daughter Claudia said in a statement: “Following a stroke at the end of October and a period in hospital, Geraldine McEwan passed away peacefully on January 30.

“Her family would like to thank the staff at Charing Cross Hospital who cared for her incredibly well.”

Miss Marple actress McEwan dies

Player airlifted to hospital after injury in English game

LONDON (Reuters) – Tommy Smith, a footballer for second-tier English club Huddersfield Town, had to be taken to hospital by helicopter after suffering a head injury in their game against Leeds.

Smith, a 22-year-old defender, had to be taken off the pitch on a stretcher late in the Championship game after a collision with his own goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

Smith was treated for nine minutes before being given oxygen and taken off the field. Straight after the game, an air ambulance helicopter landed on Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium pitch to fly Smith to Leeds General Infirmary.

“He was in and out of consciousness for at least 10 minutes, but he is in good hands,” Huddersfield manager Chris Powell told BBC Radio Leeds.

“I am shocked after seeing that. I made sure I saw him and his family and hopefully everything will be OK.”

Huddersfield planned to give further updates after the former Manchester City academy player had undergone tests at the hospital.

(Writing by Ian Chadband, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

Player airlifted to hospital after injury in English game

Cyber Warfare: Army Creates 'Twitter Troops'

The British Army has formed a specialist unit of “creative” soldiers who will be tasked with fighting wars using unconventional methods.

Members of 77 Brigade have been trained to use guerrilla tactics and will be experts in psychological warfare operations.

The Army hopes the brigade will impact the traditional battlefield using non-lethal techniques including social media to reflect the digital age.

Using creative thinking it is hoped that 77 Brigade will influence the minds and shape the behaviour of the enemy and local populations.

This has led to the early nickname “Twitter troops” for the Brigade, which will be formally created on 1 April.

“The brigade consists of more than just traditional capabilities,” the head of the Army, General Sir Nicholas Carter, said.

“It is an organisation that sits at the heart of trying to operate smarter.”

The 77 Brigade has its origins in Orde Wingate’s famous Chindits – a group of elite soldiers unleashed behind enemy lines during the Burma Campaign in World War II.

They were officially called the 77th Indian Infantry Brigade.

The 77 Brigade will share the Chindits’ “spirit of innovation and offensive spirit”.

It will also display the same emblem – a golden Burmese dragon, worn on the arm.

Its members will support mainstream military tactics.

The 77 Brigade will be based in Hermitage, Berkshire, but small detachments will work across a wide range of sites.

It will draw its members from the regular and reserve forces across the Army, Navy and RAF – with 42% reservists – and will also seek civilians with specialist skills to work alongside their military colleagues.

An Army spokesman said: “77 Brigade is being created to draw together a host of existing and developing capabilities essential to meet the challenges of modern conflict and warfare.

“It recognises that the actions of others in a modern battlefield can be affected in ways that are not necessarily violent and it draws heavily on important lessons from our commitments to operations in Afghanistan amongst others.”

Source Article from https://uk.news.yahoo.com/army-creates-twitter-troops-digital-age-040908566.html

Cyber Warfare: Army Creates 'Twitter Troops'

James Franco Says Michael Shannon Was ‘Uncomfortable’ With Their Sex Scene

by Madeline Roth

1h ago

James Franco generated major buzz at the Sundance Film Festival this year for his performances in “True Story” and “I Am Michael.” But the latter film has one scene that audiences were particularly eager to see: a threesome involving Franco and his costars Zachary Quinto and Charlie Carver.

For Franco, the sex scene was NBD, which he attributes to his involvement in other movies about gay experiences — such as “Milk” and “Interior. Leather Bar.” — as well as his costars’ comfort with the material (both Quinto and Carver are gay).

When Vulture asked Franco about the threesome, he said it was way easier in comparison to another gay sex scene he filmed, for 2011’s “The Broken Tower,” with Michael Shannon.

“It was very different. I had to take [Shannon] to dinner before we shot it because he was so uncomfortable,” Franco dished. “He was like, ‘We’ve gotta talk about this.’ So I went in to New York, and as soon as we sat down, he was like, ‘Aw, now I feel stupid that I’m such a wimp. All right, I’ll do it, I’ll do it.’”

But once they got to set, Franco says, Shannon’s nerves kicked in again.

“We did one take, and if you look closely at the scene, you’ll see that I am pulling his face close to me because he [refused to get close], and we’re supposed to be passionately making out,” Franco told Vulture. “And he’s a strong dude! But in the end, it worked. Half-assed love scenes are the worst. Straight or gay! So I was just doing my job on [‘I Am Michael].’”

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more:
A Couple ‘Spring Breakers’ Are Reuniting For A New Movie

But what if it had involved someone like Danny McBride, who’s starred alongside him in raunchy comedies like “Pineapple Express” and “This Is The End?”

It may seem like an out-of-this-world possibility, but Franco revealed that it almost happened … for real. Franco said that he and McBride were initially attached to another Sundance flick, “The D Train,” which includes a sex scene between their would-be characters, but the roles eventually went to Jack Black and James Marsden.

“One of the reasons that I was originally interested in ‘The D Train’ is because Danny is uncomfortable with that kind of material, so there would be a real situation there, I thought, where he would actually be uncomfortable doing that sex scene and playing out the aftermath,” Franco said. “Not that he’s homophobic, but just engaging with that himself, he would just be uncomfortable, I know. There are things in ‘Your Highness’ that he wouldn’t do, even for a laugh!”

So, alas, we were all swindled out of a steamy Franco-McBride bedroom sesh. Guess this’ll be as close as we ever get.

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James Franco Says Michael Shannon Was ‘Uncomfortable’ With Their Sex Scene

‘Twilight’ Stars Reunite At A Sam Smith Concert, And He Instagrammed It

by Madeline Roth

33m ago

Judging by Sam Smith’s recent slew of celeb-filled backstage pics, it appears that anybody who’s anybody can’t resist the chance to see him sing his heart out in concert.

After hanging with the Kardashians after his first show at The Forum in Los Angeles, Sam cozied up to even more stars during his second night at the venue on Friday (January 30).

The Grammy-nominated crooner shared selfies with supermodel Cindy Crawford and model Shaun Ross, who both attended the show.

But the most buzzed-about backstage guests were former costars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner, who had a mini-“Twilight” reunion at the concert. The pair snapped this group shot alongside Sam, Kristen’s rumored GF Alicia Cargile and actress Katherine Hughes.

Sam captioned the pic, “❤️❤️❤️❤️,” which we can only assume means he’s totally Team Jacob.

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more:
Nikki Reed Tells Us If She’s Down For The ‘Twilight’ Mini-Movies

‘Twilight’ Stars Reunite At A Sam Smith Concert, And He Instagrammed It

Harriet Harman: DPP's stance on rape is in the interests of justice

Labour’s deputy leader says Sarah Vine is wrong to talk about rape in terms of men ‘making a mistake’.

The Director of Public Prosecutions is independent of politicians and her job is not to make the law but to enforce it. And that’s exactly what she is doing in respect of rape. She’s trying to ensure that victims of rape get justice. Too many don’t report at all – fearing they won’t be believed. Or drop out half way through the case because they can’t face reliving the ordeal. So the fact is that many rapists get away with it. That is not only unfair on the victim but its bad news for deterrence. Most of the evidence is that rape is a “repeat offence” i.e. he’ll do it again until he’s stopped.

We’re not talking about a man making a mistake here – as Sarah Vine does. We’re talking about a criminal offence. If I leave a window open an inch and someone breaks in steals everything I own and ransacks my house no one would say it wasn’t a crime or that the offender had “made a mistake”.

Rape is the crime of sexual intercourse without consent. If there is consent then it’s not a crime. What is at issue here is where there isn’t consent and how we make sure that women are protected from rapists and that they are brought to justice.

Tackling crimes by men against women is bedevilled by the culture of men’s excuses and blaming of their victims. It was only a few years ago that we managed to change the law so that a man who killed his wife could no longer blame her for provoking him – for example by having an affair. The so-called “nagging and shagging defence” which saw wife killers evade murder charges was abolished. But in rape the victim blaming is alive and well. Can’t we ever leave behind the blame culture which says to the victim that she brought it on herself and therefore the man is the victim because he is accused!

The DPP will carry on her work in the best interests of justice. And more power to her elbow. She’s doing the right thing and it’s long overdue. It’s not my job to prosecute rapists. It’s hers. But I for one am backing her all the way.

Harriet Harman: DPP's stance on rape is in the interests of justice

Wisconsin Gov. Walker previews likely White House theme

WASHINGTON (AP) — Criticizing Washington as a city of power-hungry elites, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker on Friday offered a preview of his likely White House message between private job interviews with those looking to help his expected presidential campaign.

“As much as I like coming here, I love going home even more,” Walker said during a speech delivered just a block from the White House complex.

Sounding familiar campaign themes of smaller government, greater accountability and general distaste for the nation’s capital, Walker looked to use his visit to build interest in his potential campaign. Privately, he was expanding his political operation as he fights for early momentum in the crowded field of GOP White House prospects.

“The best way we move this country is by transferring power from Washington out to the hardworking people of this country,” Walker said during his first address to a Washington audience this year.

It was his only speaking engagement in a day packed with private meetings and job interviews related to a possible 2016 bid. Earlier this week, Walker announced the formation a nonprofit group, Our American Revival, designed to raise unlimited amounts of money to boost his political ambitions.

The experienced Republican operative he hired to run that group, Rick Wiley, listened from the front row to a speech that savaged Washington and those who work here.

“Washington is kind of a dome. I like to call it 68 square miles surrounded by reality,” Walker said, borrowing a favorite description of his state’s capital, Madison.

Former Wisconsin Gov. Lee Sherman Dreyfus has said, “Madison is 30 square miles surrounded by reality.”

While he has yet to formally announce his intentions, Walker becomes the latest in a group of high-profile Republicans taking significant steps toward launching a presidential campaign. He is less known than some of his potential competitors — former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush or New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, for instance — but Republican officials say Walker is getting a second look, especially after Friday’s announcement that 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney would forgo a third campaign for the White House.

Asked about Romney’s decision, Walker declined to comment as he rushed to his next meeting.

“There’s a lot of admiration for Walker, but the skepticism was whether he had the charisma to excite people,” said Fred Malek, the Republican Governors Association’s chief fundraiser, who was hosting Walker at his home Friday night after spending most of the day with him. “He certainly demonstrated in Iowa that he did.”

Aides say Walker began Friday at a breakfast meeting with South Carolina state Rep. Phyllis Henderson, who recently organized a private South Carolina meet-and-greet for Christie.

Walker was also expected to sit down with two potential policy staffers — one focused on domestic issues and the other on foreign matters — who may join his campaign in waiting. Aides report that Walker has already hired a national finance director and plans to announce the hiring of a national communications director next week, but the aides declined to name them.

On Saturday he’ll attend the exclusive Alfalfa Club dinner as Malek’s guest.

Walker is also finishing plans to visit early voting states beyond Iowa, including New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.

Despite the aggressive steps, Walker isn’t expected to join the Republican presidential race formally until after his state budget is finalized around June. Walker this week said voters want the next president to be someone who hasn’t served in Washington, a fresh face with a proven record.

His speech Friday made clear he sees any ties to Washington as a negative attribute. He didn’t mention any of his likely rivals by name, but it was clear members of Congress were held in low regard.

“In Washington, it’s this top-down, government-knows-best approach,” Walker said. By contrast, Walker said his administration “took the power away from the big-government special interests.”

___

Associated Press writer Philip Elliott contributed to this report.

Wisconsin Gov. Walker previews likely White House theme
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Wisconsin Gov. Walker previews likely White House theme

Greek leader tamps down rhetoric, vows to pay off debts

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A day after Greece appeared on a collision course with its creditors, new radical left Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has tamped down the rhetoric by vowing to pay off debts and not act unilaterally.

Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, who had a tense meeting with Eurogroup leader Jeroen Dijsselbloem in Athens on Friday, has brought forward a trip to Paris, London and Rome to meet his counterparts.

Tsipras says he never intended to act unilaterally and expressed his certainty that Greece and the creditors will reach an agreement.

He also pledged to pay back Greece’s debt to the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund, which, along with the European Commission, form the “troika” of Greece’s creditors.