WORLD NEW! Airport killing seen on CCTV, probe strains Malaysia-North Korea ties

MAGAZINE
Published February 20,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Monday his government's investigation of the killing of the North Korean leader's half-brother, Kim Jong Nam, will be "objective", as tension rose between the countries.

 

Earlier on Monday, Malaysia said it has recalled its envoy from Pyongyang and summoned North Korea's ambassador in Kuala Lumpur, who again cast doubt on the impartiality of Malaysia's investigation into the murder and said the victim was not Kim Jong Nam.

"We have no reason why we want to do something to paint North Korea in a bad light, but we will be objective," Najib told reporters in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

CCTV footage obtained by Reuters appeared to show Kim Jong Nam being attacked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday last week by a woman, who is believed to have wiped a fast-acting poison on his face.

Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the video, and police officials were not immediately available for comment.

Kim Jong Nam, 46, who had been living in the Chinese territory of Macau under Beijing's protection, had spoken out publicly against his family's dynastic control of isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea.

South Korean legislators last week cited their spy agency as saying the young and unpredictable North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, had issued a "standing order" for his half-brother's assassination, and that there had been a failed attempt in 2012.

Malaysian police are hunting four North Koreans who fled from the country on the day of the attack, having already detained one North Korean man, a Vietnamese woman, an Indonesian woman, and a Malaysian man.

At least three of the wanted North Koreans caught an Emirates flight to Dubai from Jakarta late on the day of the attack, an immigration official in Indonesia told Reuters.

Malaysia's Star newspaper reported that all four had returned to North Korea.

North Korea had sought to prevent Malaysia from conducting an autopsy, insisting the body be handed over. Its envoy in Kuala Lumpur accused Malaysian authorities of "delaying" the release of the body.

"At the moment we cannot trust the investigation by the Malaysian police," ambassador Kang Chol told reporters after talks at the foreign ministry.

He said the embassy had only identified the victim as Kim Chol, based on the passport found on the dead man, and suggested a joint investigation with Malaysian authorities. Kim Jong Nam had been caught using fake travel documents in the past.

Malaysia's foreign ministry announced the withdrawal "for consultations" of its ambassador in North Korea and said the body would be handed over to the next of kin, although none had come forward.

Malaysia's health minister said autopsy results could be released by Wednesday.

Malaysia is one of the few countries that maintains ties with the reclusive state and the dispute could further isolate impoverished North Korea.

‘Getting bolder’

South Korea, acutely sensitive to events in its volatile neighbor, convened a meeting of its National Security Council.

Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn told the meeting that it was nearly certain that North Korea was behind the killing.

"The murder carried out in public at an international airport of a third country is an unforgivable and inhumane criminal act and clearly demonstrates the recklessness and brutality of the North Korean regime that will spare no avenues when it comes to perpetuating itself," Hwang said.

"The North Korean regime's terrorism tactics are getting bolder so we must be more vigilant."

South Korean and U.S. officials had earlier said the killing was probably carried out by North Korean agents.

The grainy CCTV images showed Kim, wearing a light-colored jacket and trousers and with a backpack on one shoulder, heading for an automatic check-in counter in the airport departure hall.

A woman approaches Kim from behind on the left and another - identified by Fuji as the Vietnamese woman, wearing a white shirt - walks rapidly up behind him from his right, before what appears to be a scuffle takes place.

In footage taken from another angle, the woman in the white shirt appears to lunge from behind and throw something over his head, locking her arms around him briefly.

As the woman in white quickly walks away, the second woman also moves off rapidly in another direction.

Later footage shows the portly, balding middle-aged man stumbling, wiping his face, and seeking help from people while gesturing to his eyes before being escorted to a clinic.

The mother of the detained Indonesian woman told Reuters that her daughter, Siti Aishah, had been duped into believing she was part of a television show or advertisement.

According to Malaysian media, the Vietnamese suspect, Doan Thi Huong, told police she had been tricked into taking part in what she thought was a practical joke.

There is speculation that China's patience with North Korea could be tested by the killing because Kim had been living in Macau, where he was headed when he was attacked.

China said on Saturday it had suspended coals imports from the North, a vital source of revenue.

China is seen to be irritated by the North's repeated aggressive behavior, including two nuclear tests since early 2016 and a Feb. 12 intermediate-range ballistic missile launch, the latest in a series of missile tests.

[source] 

file photo

 

LOCAL NEWS! Pres.Duterte goes to China for a new commercial alliance, amid deteriorating ties with longtime ally the US.

MAGAZINE
Published February 20,2017
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Duterte goes to China on Tuesday with at least 200 members of the Philippine business elite to pave the way for what he calls a new commercial alliance, amid deteriorating ties with longtime ally the United States.

On Sunday, Duterte said he would raise a controversial arbitral ruling on the South China Sea with China’s leaders and vowed not to surrender any sovereignty or deviate from the July award by the tribunal in the Hague.

The ruling dealt a blow to China’s extensive claims in the South China Sea. Beijing has refused to recognise the case and has chided any country telling it to abide by the ruling.

In the Xinhua interview published on Monday, Duterte said he wanted negotiation, not confrontation, over the South China Sea.

“There is no sense in going to war. There is no sense fighting over a body of water,” Duterte said.

In Brunei, Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said the South China Sea issue was not the sum total of the relationship between China and the Philippines, but the time was not yet right to discuss resolving it.

“We still have to build up the lost trust and confidence that was weakened or eroded during the past administration,” Yasay told reporters.

“But then we should not also miss out on the opportunities for trade and economic relationship that we would need as much as China.”

Duterte also expressed gratitude to China for not criticising his war on drugs, which has sparked concerns in Western capitals about extrajudicial killings, with Philippine police saying it has killed nearly 2,300 people.

“China never criticizes,” Duterte said in the Xinhua interview. “They help us quietly.”

The unpredictable president’s moves to engage China, just a few months after the arbitral award sparked fears in the region of a backlash by Beijing in the South China Sea, mark a striking reversal in Philippine foreign policy since he took office on June 30.

Duterte told Xinhua his grandfather is Chinese.

“It’s only China (that) can help us.”

China’s Foreign Ministry earlier sought to downplay Duterte’s Sunday remarks on the arbitration.

Asked about his comments, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Duterte would make his policy in the best interests of his country and people.

“China’s door has always been open to the Philippines, and I think you’ve also noticed that President Duterte has many times said he wants dialogue with China,” she added.

[source]

Pres.Duterte/file photo

 

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT! Angelina Jolie unveils Khmer Rouge film in ‘second home’ Cambodia

MAGAZINE
Published February 20,2017
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Angelina Jolie unveiled her new film on the horrors of the Khmer Rouge era on Saturday at the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, a country the star shares a deep affinity with through her adopted son Maddox.

Cambodia’s king and survivors of the communist regime were among hundreds of people invited to the debut screening of “First They Killed My Father”, directed by Jolie and based on the memoirs of Loung Ung.

Loung Ung was five years old when Khmer Rouge troops, led by Pol Pot, swept into Phnom Penh plunging her family into a harrowing ordeal that saw them sent to brutal labour camps before her eventual escape to the United States.

In its quest for an agrarian Marxist utopia, the regime killed up to two million Cambodians between 1975-79 through execution, starvation and overwork.

It is the second movie by Jolie to tackle the subject of genocide — in 2011 she made a film about the Bosnian conflict featuring mostly local actors.

But her latest silver screen offering is more personal.

Jolie adopted her first child Maddox from an orphanage in Cambodia’s western Battambang province in 2002 and she has been given Cambodian citizenship.

The Hollywood star previously said it was Maddox who pushed her to make the film.

At a press conference in Siem Reap, Jolie described Cambodia as a “second home”, adding that she chose Loung Ung’s book because she wanted to tell the story of the Khmer Rouge era “through the eyes of a child”.

It also brought her closer to her son, she said.

“I wanted to focus not just on the war but on the love of family and on the beauty of the country and in fact I wanted to understand what my son’s birth parents may have gone through. And I wanted to know him better and I wanted to know this country better,” she said.

Jolie’s six children, three of whom are adopted, accompanied their mother for an audience with King Norodom Sihamoni before the premiere.

LOCAL CAST AND LANGUAGE

In a tribute to those who survived the brutal regime, Jolie pushed to ensure the film would be both made by Cambodians and accessible to them.

Almost the entire film is in the Khmer language while the cast members and much of the crew were local hires, including the two child protagonists.

The film is also co-produced by Rithy Panh, Cambodia’s most acclaimed filmmaker.

He lost almost all his immediate family during the Khmer Rouge years but went on to produce searing documentaries that helped break the silence surrounding the genocide.

Loung Ung, who Jolie described as a “family friend”, said that while the film centred on her family’s experience, her story would be familiar to all Cambodians.

“I view it as the story of all of us,” she told reporters.

Despite the prosecution of a few top Khmer Rouge cadres, the genocide continues to be a controversial subject.

Strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen, who was a former regime cadre before he defected and has run the impoverished country for more than thirty years, is opposed to any new prosecutions of regime leaders.

But the Cambodian government has welcomed Jolie’s film so far.

Veteran foreign correspondent Elizabeth Becker, one of a handful of western journalists to visit Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge era, described Jolie’s film as “heartrending”.

Jolie said she hoped her film would remind viewers of the need to help children escaping war and persecution today.

“There are little Loungs all around the world today in many different countries, many different war zones where we have no access to them and we don’t know if they’re going to be alright,” she said.

The premiere will be followed by screenings across Cambodia, some seven months before the film is released to a global audience on Netflix.

Jolie’s arrival in Cambodia marks a rare public appearance since her high-profile split last year from Brad Pitt.

[source] 

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and
Angelina Jolie during the premiere of Jolie's new film

 

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT! Six Disney Princess aspirants for ‘I Dare to Dream’ web series bared

MAGAZINE
Published February 20,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

From hundreds of aspirants who participated in a series of highly competitive auditions last year, six young Filipino girls aged 9 to 16 years old emerged as finalists for “Disney Princess: I Dare to Dream,” a first-of-its-kind digital reality-series produced by Globe Studios in collaboration with Disney and Maker Studios.

The six lucky girls — namely Hya Leonardo, Sirach Catipay, Liana San Diego, Jaden Narvios, Stephanie Jordan, and Alexi Tan — were formally introduced to media in a news conference that also announced the web series premiere this coming February 25.

Among the six, at least two are familiar names.

Hya Leonardo was a daily winner in the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” singing contest of the noontime show “It’s Showtime.” She is also one of the talents of Kids Acts Philippines, a professional theater company that stages original and adapted youth and children’s oriented plays.

Not surprisingly, Hya’s dream is to become a Broadway actress and singer as she admits to be very passionate when it comes to performing in front of audiences.

Filipino-British Stephanie Jordan was also a contestant in the second season of “The Voice Kids Philippines” where she was mentored by Lea Salonga and made it as far as the battle rounds. Surprisingly, she now aspires to be a newscaster and TV host.

Alexi Tan is an aspiring animator whose impressive drawings can be seen in her Facebook page where she also calls herself “Awesome Person.” Liana San Diego is Dr. Dolittle in the making, being an animal lover and aspiring veterinarian who wants to learn more about her passions.

Sirach Catipay is an aspiring chef who realized she wants to share her dishes to other people after initially cooking for her mom.

But easily the most ambitious of them all is Jaden Narvious who wants to be no less than the president of the Philippines in the future. Just last December, Jaden created her own YouTube channel and uploaded an introduction video of herself where she promised to make more “interesting videos” for her subscribers.

Inspired by Disney’s iconic princesses and their incredible stories and qualities, “I Dare to Dream” is a 12-episode web series that will take viewers on a magical journey of these six girls with diverse interests as they pursue their dreams alongside popular vlogger and host Janina Vela and Disney legend and musical theater icon Lea Salonga.

The girls will also be mentored by Lea as well as by theater actress Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, social educator Efren Peñaflorida, veterinarian Dr. Nielsen Donato, animator Tito Romero, chef Jessie Sincioco, and YouTuber and host Charisma Star.

Filmmaker and Globe Studios head Quark Henares said throughout the duration of the web series that the girls will be staying in a house where they will be mentored by professionals in their chosen field of endeavor.

On the last stretch of the competition, the girls will perform in the “I Dare to Dream” concert happening on March 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena together with their coach Lea Salonga and other performers like Christian Bautista, Morissette and Tippy Dos Santos. 

Only one girl will be chosen for a special trip of a lifetime—to walk down the red carpet at the Tokyo premiere of the upcoming live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic “Beauty and the Beast.”

“Emma Watson will be there and it will be awesome,” added Lea.

“Every Disney Princess is the heroine of a unique adventure story inspiring kids with messages of hope and optimism. We hope this initiative with Globe, will inspire and empower a new generation of girls in the Philippines to pursue their dreams and aspirations,” says Amit Malhotra, general manager, Disney Media Networks, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.

Globe Telecom chief commercial officer Albert de Larrazabal said that “Disney Princess: I Dare To Dream” will be uploaded on Globe Telecom’s YouTube channel and on www.idaretodream.ph. The series will likewise be aired on Disney Channel and on the Disney Channel mobile app in May.

[source]

Stephanie Jordan, Hya Leonardo, Liana San Diego, Sirach Catupay, Jadine Narvios, Alexi Tan pose with their mentor, Disney legend Lea Salonga.

 

WORLD NEWS! Trump refers to non-existent Sweden terror incident

MAGAZINE
Published February 20,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

US President Donald Trump was speaking to supporters on Saturday when he apparently referred to the Scandinavian country as the site of a terror incident -- the latest example of his administration naming a non-existent attack.

The Republican was addressing a campaign-style rally in Florida when he launched into a list of places that have been targeted by terrorists.

"You look at what's happening in Germany, you look at what's happening last night in Sweden. Sweden, who would believe this? Sweden. They took in large numbers. They're having problems like they never thought possible," he said in an energetic stream-of-consciousness speech, defending his order last month that blocked refugees and travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the United States.

The order has been suspended by a federal appeals court, and Trump vowed to introduce a new order this week as a means of protecting Americans at home.

He went on to name Brussels, Nice and Paris -- European cities that have been struck by deadly terror attacks.

A Trump spokeswoman did not immediately respond to an AFP request early Sunday for clarification on the president's comment.

Users on Twitter, Trump's favorite communication platform, cracked jokes about the apparent miscue using the hashtags #lastnightinSweden and #SwedenIncident.

Former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt asked: "Sweden? Terror attack? What has he been smoking? Questions abound."

Gunnar Hokmark, a Swedish member of the European Parliament, retweeted a post that said "#lastnightinSweden my son dropped his hotdog in the campfire. So sad!" 

Hokmark added his own comment: "How could he know?"

Numerous internet wags responded with Ikea-themed tweets. Some posted photos of the impossible-to-understand instructions for assembling Ikea furniture, calling it "Secret Plans for the #SwedenIncident."

Nothing has happened

Posts flooded into @sweden, the country's official Twitter account which is run by a different Swede each week. 

This week's curator, Emma, who describes herself as a school librarian and mother, said the account had received 800 mentions in four hours.

"No. Nothing has happened here in Sweden. There has not (been) any terrorist attacks here. At all. The main news right now is about Melfest," she said, referring to the competition to pick the performer who will represent Sweden at the Eurovision singing contest.

Top Trump aides in his month-old administration have faced criticism and ridicule after speaking publicly about massacres that never took place.

White House counselor Kellyanne Conway -- who famously coined the term "alternative facts" -- referred to a "Bowling Green massacre" during an interview.

She later tweeted that she meant to say "Bowling Green terrorists" -- referring to two Iraqi men who were indicted in 2011 for trying to send money and weapons to Al-Qaeda, and using improvised explosive devices against US soldiers in Iraq. 

And White House spokesman Sean Spicer made three separate references in one week to an attack in Atlanta.

He later said he meant to say Orlando, the Florida city where an American of Afghan origin gunned down 49 people at a gay nightclub last year.

[source] 

US Pres.Donald Trump

 

LOCAL NEWS! Atienza: Death penalty bill draws line between rich and poor

MAGAZINE
Published February 20,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

The House majority has clearly drawn the line between rich and poor offenders, with moneyed defendants likely to receive mere prison terms, if they get convicted at all, while the destitute are bound to draw death sentences, according to House senior deputy minority leader and Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza.
“Death for the poor, lavish lives in prison for the rich. This is apparently what our colleagues in the majority want,” said Buhay party-list Rep. Atienza on Sunday.

Atienza was responding to the House majority’s last-minute decision to abandon mandatory executions, in favor of giving trial judges the leeway to hand out either the lighter sentence of reclusion perpetua, or the heavier punishment of death, to those found guilty of heinous crimes. While ssemingly a concession to death-penalty opposers, the flexibility could in fact work even more against poor litigants, said the lawmaker.

Reclusion perpetua means 30 years in prison, with the convict becoming eligible for possible conditional early release after serving just half of the term, or after 15 to 20 years.

“The death penalty is a travesty. Only indigent citizens inadequately represented at trial will receive it. Wealthy defendants who are able to retain the best criminal defense lawyers will always escape conviction, or get the lesser punishment,” Atienza said.

“If their expensive lawyers are not enough, the rich will simply buy their way out of death sentences, or even out of prison, by bribing corrupt prosecutors and judges,” he said.

“If they can’t buy their way out of incarceration, they will surely buy themselves extravagant lives in detention, as we’ve clearly seen in the cases of convicted big-time drug traffickers having the time of their lives at the New Bilibid Prisons,” Atienza said.

The House is set to advance the voting on the controversial bill reviving the death penalty.

House majority leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Farinas has called for a majority caucus Monday (Feb. 20) to discuss the possible early voting on the bill.

“We will now force a vote on this measure, and we will now close the period for debates,” Fariñas said earlier, though some House leaders told radio reporters Sunday they were reconsidering this decision and could allow for a final session for debates.

Atienza and other colleagues opposed to the death penalty have been trying to stall the passage of the bill by repeatedly questioning the lack of quorum during sessions.

Last week, Fariñas, irked by the questions of quorum - as many colleagues continued to stay from the session - threatened to stop altogether all further deliberations and call for a vote, blaming the death-penalty critics for effectively preventing further discussions on the highly divisive issue.

Though House leaders flaunt a supermajority that they say will support death penalty revival, the Senate is deeply divided on the matter. Senate President Koko Pimentel said Sunday he saw a 10-14 vote "either way" or even a "12-12" split down the middle of the 24-man chamber.

President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to kill many convicts once Congress reinstates the death penalty.

[source] 

Lito Atienza

 

LOCAL NEWS! MILF 'frees' 50 child soldiers

MAGAZINE
Published February 20,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has released about 50 children who were previously engaged directly or indirectly in armed confrontations, in a symbolic turn-over ceremony Sunday (Feb. 19, 2017) with the representatives of the government, UNICEF and MILF in Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

The children had been acting as couriers and support staff to their fathers and relatives who are members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF) of the MILF in Mindanao.

The turnover was witnessed by Presidential Peace Adviser on the Peace Process Sec. Jesus Dureza; Maj. Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr., Western Mindanao Command chief; Maj. Gen. Zamrose, Head of Mission of the International Monitoring Team; and some local officials of Mindanao.

The activity was facilitated by UNICEF and the MILF Vice Chairman Gadzali Jaafar along with the different Base Commanders of the BIAF.

Jaafar, who was representing MILF Chairman Al Hadj Murad Ibrahim, said that the MILF is doing this to show its sincerity in supporting the peace process and wants the next generation to benefit from today's peace efforts.

"We need to unite for a better tomorrow because we believe that there is a better tomorrow," said Jaafar.

On behalf of the President, Dureza lauded the efforts of the MILF, saying that "the government is happy that the endeavor has finally come to reality."

He said he will talk to the other secretaries on how the government can provide support to the children in order to improve their social well-being and their communities.

According to the UNICEF country representative Lotta Sylwander, the ceremony was a historical event since the BIAF is the first and only armed group in the world that successfully turned over children who were involved directly or indirectly in previous armed engagements.

The UNICEF, which is responsible in profiling and identifying children among the BIAF members, said that 60 percent of the children in their list are boys, while 40 percent are girls.

The group is actively helping countries which has internal and external conflicts, specifically looking into the welfare of the children who are commonly the victims of war.

The initial number of 50 is the first batch of children out of the 1,858 yet to be released from the statistical data of the international organization.

Galvez, who had been working closely with the MILF being the former Chairman of the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH), attended and witnessed the event.

"We must work hard today in order to ensure that the future will be peaceful. We must invest in the children because they are the ones who will be responsible for a peaceful and harmonious future," Galvez said.

"The Armed Forces sees this as a welcoming development and will be very supportive in the implementation of activities intended to develop the welfare of these children," he added.

Gadzali further commended Galvez for the tremendous achievements brought about by the successful collaborations made by the AFP and the MILF then and now.

"Major General Galvez is genuinely working closely and actively in understanding the problems and finding means to be able to contribute to its long-term solution," said Jaafar.

During the turnover, certificates of disengagement were also accorded to the children indicating their-in their release from the organization.

Next batches of children are expected to be turned over in the coming days after parents and relatives give their consent.


[source] 

MILF vice chairman Ghadzali Jaafar

 

WORLD NEWS! Kraft withdraws $143-B offer to merge with Unilever

MAGAZINE
Published February 20,2017
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US food company Kraft Heinz Co withdrew its proposal for a $143-billion merger with larger rival Unilever Plc, the companies said on Sunday, raising questions about whether Kraft could turn its focus to another target.

Kraft had made a surprise offer for Unilever to build a global consumer goods behemoth that was flatly rejected on Friday by Unilever, the maker of Lipton tea and Dove soap.

Kraft withdrew its offer because it felt it was too difficult to negotiate a deal following the public disclosure of its bid so soon after its approach to Unilever, according to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss confidential deliberations.

Kraft had not expected to encounter the resistance it received from Unilever, one of the people said. Some key concerns raised during talks included potential UK government scrutiny, as well as differences between the companies' cultures and business models, the person added.

“Kraft Heinz’s interest was made public at an extremely early stage," Kraft Heinz spokesman Michael Mullen said in a statement. "Our intention was to proceed on a friendly basis, but it was made clear Unilever did not wish to pursue a transaction. It is best to step away early so both companies can focus on their own independent plans to generate value.”

Kraft was forced to publicly disclose its offer on Friday to comply with Britain's takeover regulations, after rumors of its approach to Unilever circulated among stock traders.

Under UK takeover rules, Kraft's public withdrawal of its offer precludes it from reviving takeover talks with Unilever for six months.

The companies did not provide details of the reason for ending the discussion in a brief statement.

A combination would be the third-biggest takeover in history and the largest acquisition of a UK-based company, according to Thomson Reuters data. The combined entity would have $82 billion in sales.

A merger would have been put under the microscope by UK regulators.

Prime Minister Theresa May ordered top officials to investigate the proposed deal to see if it posed any potential threats to the country's economic interests, the Financial Times reported.

May has been adamant that the government should play a more active role in vetting proposed foreign acquisitions of UK companies. She had previously singled out Kraft's 2010 acquisition of another British household name, Cadbury Plc, as an example of a deal that should have been blocked.

A deal for Unilever would have marked the next installment of Brazilian private equity firm 3G Capital Management Inc's longstanding strategy of buying up food companies and slashing costs.

In 2013, 3G teamed up with billionaire investor Warren Buffett to acquire Heinz and then purchased Kraft two years later. It is now the second-largest shareholder in Kraft, behind Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

Kraft still hungry?

The breakdown in deal talks sparked speculation among analysts and investors about whether Kraft might attempt to purchase another large consumer goods company as a backup plan.

"We believe this announcement serves as a reminder – if needed – of [Kraft's] interest, capacity, and commitment to pursuing large-scale M&A in a potentially near-term time horizon," said Barclays analyst Andrew Lazar in a note.

Its bid for Unilever, where more than 60 percent of sales come from home and personal care products, signals a willingness to make big buys outside of its historic area of focus - food - said Sanford Bernstein analyst Ali Dibadj.

He cited Colgate-Palmolive Co as one potential target, noting that its stock popped 4 percent Friday on news that Kraft was eyeing Unilever.

However, the breakdown of the Unilever talks means that some food companies that have long been speculated as potential targets for Kraft, such as Mondelez, are still very much on the table, said an industry banker, who declined to be named because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

Kraft's move comes as low-interest rates and cheap debt have fueled big cross-border deals, making it the busiest start to the year for M&A activity on record. The bid also reflected a broader interest in UK companies as acquisition targets, in part due to the British pound, which has been under pressure since Britain announced plans to withdraw from the European Union.

Labor union representatives expressed relief that the deal talks broke down, citing concern about its potential effect on jobs and consumers.

"How many scares must the government put UK workers through before they actually do as they have promised, which is to make the takeover process socially responsible?" said Len McCluskey, general secretary at Unite, Britain's largest union.

 [source]

file photo

 

HEALTH! 10 Negative Side Effects of Birth Control Pills That You Should Know! FOR WOMEN

MAGAZINE
Published February 18,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

Birth control pills are one of the best methods in preventing pregnancy. It is to be taken once a day, everyday. These contraceptives contains hormones which actually stops the body from ovulating or changing the cervical mucus to make it hard for the sperm to find it's way to the egg. However, there are numerous negative side effects brought by these pills and most women aren't aware of these! 

Check out the list below:

1) Yeast Infection
Since there is a sudden disruption the balance of hormones in the body, the risk for yeast infection also doubles or sometimes triples.

2) Blood clots
Some studies prove that women who use contraceptive pills are at higher risk for blood clots.

3) Breast tenderness
Although this is a mild side effect, this can be bothersome as breasts can enlarge after some time.

4) Migraines and Headaches
Due to the lowering of natural estrogen in the body, this can lead to headaches and migraines but would later disappear once the body adjusts to the medication.

5) Gaining weight
Pills can increase appetite and water retention leading to weight gain. But this can be compensated through choosing pills with less estrogen or intensifying physical activities.

6) Breakthrough Bleeding
This can be a case for the first 3 months of taking pills. This is usually associated with low dose birth control pills.


7) Mood changes
Since pills gives off synthetic hormones, this may cause imbalance in the neurotransmitters which can greatly affect one's emotional state.

8) Nausea
Additional estrogen in the body can upset the stomach and can cause nausea at the first quarter of taking pills.

9) Losing Libido
The pills stops the production of testosterone which can lead to loss of interest in sexual life, particularly decreasing ability to orgasm and increasing pain.

10) Visual Changes
This can be a risk to women wearing contact lenses which can lead to glaucoma or ocular hypertension.

[source]

file photo

LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT! Sylvia Sanchez to Her Kids Arjo and Ria Atayde: 'Wag Muna Kayo Mag-Asawa, Mga 10 Years Pa.'

MAGAZINE
Published February 18,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

For an actress with a busy schedule, being a mother is quite difficult for Sylvia Sanchez as she rarely finds time to spend with her kids who are also equally busy.

Sylvia is currently working on 'The Greatest Love' as the show's lead star, while her son Arjo Atayde is the antagonist for 'Ang Probinsyano' and Ria Atayde is busy with 'My Dear Heart'.

Sylvia's schedule rarely fits her children's, so finding time even with just a simple activity such as renewing their passports is already a precious blessing for the actress.

"Ang saya-saya ko, kahit konting oras lang kami magkakasama, thank u passport at ikaw ang dahilan, hahaha," she wrote on Instagram.

Intagram photos/Sylvia Sanchez to Her Kids Arjo and Ria Atayde

"Good vibes lang with my kiddos."

Her "gwapong ogag ko" Arjo is 26 while her "potpot ko" Ria is 24.

With her two kids already in their mid-20s, the mother has admitted that the thought of them getting married has already crossed her mind.

She doesn't want them to get married yet. The 45-year-old Kapamilya actress emphasized her need to spend more time with her kids before she is ready to let them go.

"Wag muna kayo mag-asawa, mga 10 years pa at gusto ko pa kayo masolo. Seryoso ako! Ayoko pa talaga hahaha di pa ako ready."

In a separate post on Instagram, the proud mom expressed her joy with her "priceless" moments with her kids.

I was captioned with:

"It melts my heart to see my kids love and protect each other like this even though they're adults now."

"Oh GOD thank you so much for this wonderful, wonderful gift, my loving children. My heart overflows with love and emotion whenever I see them express their love for one another."

"Times like these make me feel like Art [her husband] and I did well."

Sylvia Sanchez to Her Kids Arjo and Ria Atayde: 'Wag Muna Kayo Mag-Asawa, Mga 10 Years Pa.'

Sylvia Sanchez to Her Kids Arjo and Ria Atayde: 'Wag Muna Kayo Mag-Asawa, Mga 10 Years Pa.'

Despite not being able to celebrate Valentine's day together, Ria surprised her mother with a bouquet of flowers. Arjo gave his mother a couple of simple treats, which she found really sweet.

[source]

WORLD ENTERTAINMENT! Director Roman Polanski in legal bid to return to U.S.

MAGAZINE
Published February 18,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

Fugitive filmmaker Roman Polanski plans to return to the United States and is seeking assurances he will do no further jail time over unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl.

The award-winning director of “The Pianist” and “Chinatown,” who has been on the run for almost 40 years, claims he reached a plea deal in the case that would keep him out of prison, his attorney Harland Braun told AFP.

Braun has written to Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Scott Gordon to unseal a secret transcript of the testimony of the prosecutor in the Polanski case, which he believes will confirm the deal.

The Paris-born director was accused of drugging Samantha Gailey — who now uses the surname Geimer — before raping her at film star Jack Nicholson’s house in Los Angeles in 1977.

Polanski, who also has French citizenship, admitted having unlawful sex with a minor, or statutory rape, and spent 42 days in Chino State Prison before being released.

But in 1978, convinced a judge was going to scrap the plea deal and hand him a hefty prison sentence, he fled for France.

Polanski was arrested in Switzerland in 2009 on a U.S. extradition request and spent 10 months under house arrest before Bern rejected the U.S. order.

The United States then asked Poland to extradite Polanski in January 2015, but the country’s Supreme Court ruled in December that he had served his time under the plea deal.

‘SAFE IN MY COUNTRY’

Braun believes the secret testimony of prosecutor Roger Gunson collected in 2010 in the U.S. supports Polanski’s claim that he had an agreement to serve just 48 days and that — taken with the Polish decision — it should convince the U.S. authorities Polanski has served his time.

“After we confirm the contents, we will urge the court to recognize the Polish decision resulting from a litigation initiated by the (district attorney) and in which the DA participated,” Braun told AFP.

“If the court accepts the principle of comity, Roman can come to Los Angeles and to court without fear of custody.”

Polanski’s French legal team told AFP the filmmaker was not intending to be present at a hearing scheduled for next week in Los Angeles to consider a request.

Polanski told the private news channel TVN24 after the Polish court had ruled in his favor that he was “happy this business is over once and for all.”

“I only regret that I had to wait so long. I’ll finally be able to feel safe in my own country.”

Polanski, who lives in France and had been avoiding Poland because of the case, said he planned to visit his father’s grave in the southern city of Krakow.

The filmmaker has been engaged in a decades-long cat-and-mouse game with U.S. officials seeking his extradition for trial, before a global audience split between continuing outrage and forgiveness for his acts.

Born in Paris in 1933 to Polish Jewish parents who later brought the family back to their native country, he saw his parents arrested by the Nazis in Krakow’s Jewish ghetto and sent to concentration camps.

BRUTAL SLAUGHTER

He roamed the countryside, trying to survive at the age of just eight, helped by Catholic Polish families, in a country occupied by German troops.

The experience lent a gripping autobiographical authenticity to his 2002 movie “The Pianist,” the story of a young Jewish musician trying to evade the Nazis in occupied Warsaw.

Lured to Hollywood in 1968, Polanski shot his first big international hit, “Rosemary’s Baby,” starring Mia Farrow as an expecting mother carrying the devil’s spawn.

But tragedy struck the following year when his heavily pregnant wife, the model and actress Sharon Tate, and four friends were brutally slaughtered in the director’s mansion by cult leader Charles Manson and his followers.

Devastated, Polanski left for Europe, then returned to achieve arguably his greatest triumph in 1974 with “Chinatown” — an atmospheric film noir starring Jack Nicholson nominated for 11 Oscars.

He has avoided the U.S. since the statutory rape case — not even returning to accept the Oscar for “The Pianist” — and jousted with the Justice Department for years after.

Geimer herself called for the charges to be dropped, complaining that in dogging Polanski for so long, antagonists had made him her co-victim in a case she wanted to put behind her.

“The publicity was so traumatic and so horrible that his punishment was secondary to just getting this whole thing to stop,” Geimer told CNN in 2003.

Polanski wants to visit Tate’s grave in Los Angeles, the celebrity news website TMZ reported. He has also not been able to visit his daughter in London, it said.

 [source] 

Roman Polanski/photo file.

 

WOLRD ENTERTAINMENT! Amid record betting on Oscars, ‘La La Land’ is seen as a lock

MAGAZINE
Published February 18,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

“La La Land” is set to sweep the Oscars, but the race to be crowned Hollywood’s leading man is going down to the wire, say bookmakers who are seeing record bets on the Academy Awards this year.

Casey Affleck, star of “Manchester by the Sea,” had been the favorite to win the best actor statue for several months. But his odds tightened as a flood of money flowed to Denzel Washington after he took home the Screen Actors Guild award in January for “Fences.”

Ladbrokes favors Affleck with 8/15 odds, compared with 13/8 for a Washington victory, but says it will be close.

“This is without a doubt the most competitive category of 2017,” said Ladbrokes spokeswoman Nicola McGeady, who said a rush of bets on Washington in recent weeks had moved the market significantly.

Bookmakers, however, are overwhelmingly confident that “La La Land” will take home the best picture statuette on Sunday, Feb. 26.

“At 1/7, we reckon there is an 87.5 percent chance it will win best picture,” said Feilim Mac An Iomaire, spokesman for Paddy Power Betfair.

The musical starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling has faced some recent competition from “Hidden Figures,” the tale of black female mathematicians in the 1960s space race. But at 12/1, it’s well behind the favorite.

Turnover on bets for novelty events such as the Academy Awards and other awards shows has doubled since 2014, said Mac An Iomaire.

“This year, we are expecting to end up 30 percent over last year, taking some 250,000 Euro ($270,000) in terms of the bets,” he added.

Casey Affleck in 'Manchester by the Bay' and Denzel Washington in 'Fences.'

Punters are finding several ways to put their money behind “La La Land.”

Ladbrokes has the film 3/1 to equal the record for most wins — currently 11 — held by “Titanic,” “Ben-Hur” and “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.” The odds for “La La Land” to beat the record for most wins is 10/1.

Alex, 31, of London, who did not want to give his surname, said he’d backed “La La Land” to win best picture in early December at 4/5.

“I also backed Emma Stone to win best actress at 7/4,” he said. “Unfortunately, I was restricted to only 70 pounds ($87) on the latter.

“I was tempted to back Denzel Washington for best actor but decided that would be my emotions making the bet. I try to keep my own feelings on the film well away from my actual bet.”

[source]

Ryan Gosling and Emma Watson in 'La La Land.'/photo file

 

 

LOCAL ENTERTAINMENT !Pinay singer looks forward to second straight PH win in Japanese singing contest !

MAGAZINE
Published February 18,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

Last year, Filipino singer Michael David Bodin won the popular singing competition show, “I Can Sing in Japanese!” which focuses on non-native Japanese speakers who have a passion for singing Japanese songs.

This year, Filipina singer Krissha Viage is looking forward to duplicate Bodin’s feat after she recently bested 11 other finalists from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines to advance to the final round of the unique talent search.

A native of Pasig City and currently a Star Magic artist, Krissha is no stranger to singing competitions, having won first runner-up in the now defunct talent contest show “Little Big Star” in 2006. From there, she went on to make her mark in television commercials, musical theater productions and as a solo artist with two albums under Universal Music Japan to her credit.

She was also a member of the group Oh My Girls with Ylona Garcia and Alexa Ilacad for the show “We Love OPM: The Celebrity Sing-Offs” and the GirlTrends of “It’s Showtime” also for ABS-CBN.

Krissha is a longtime fan of Japanese shows. In winning the invitational auditions held in Singapore, Krissha impressed judges at the audition with her soulful rendition of “Precious” by Yuna Ito, the theme song from the movie “Limit of Love Umizaru.”

Although the high calibre of the other finalists, including fellow Filipina Ana Marie Enriquez Alforte, made it a tough competition, Krissha stood out with her precise diction and expressive singing, which judges said they were immensely moved by.

“Singing in Japanese is not easy so we were surprised by the high quality of entries across South East Asia. The overwhelming response from aspiring singers reflects the popularity of Japanese pop culture in this region,” noted Virginia Lim, senior vice president and head of content, production and marketing for Sony Pictures Television Networks in Asia.

“We are very impressed by the immense talent we have seen in the entries from Asia. I believe that Krissha is the next big thing in the making and that the rest of the contestants are also ready to take on other global singing competitions,” added “I Can Sing in Japanese” creator and director Yuji Gobuichi.

Krissha Viage/file photo

For her part, Krissha was overwhelmed to be representing not only the Philippines but also the rest of Southeast Asia for the coming finals of the competition slated in Tokyo, Japan later this year.

“I am so excited for this chance and I cannot thank the judges enough for selecting me as the winner. I am looking forward to doing my country proud at the ‘I Can Sing in Japanese!’ competition,” she said shortly after her victory.

Krissha added that she had high hopes of winning, she was also very much aware that her fellow contestants in the Singapore auditions were also very good.

“But I think my strength lies in my passion for performing and I always sing from my heart,” she said.

The singer added that her victory has boosted her confidence in a big way and that she is counting on her Filipino supporters to cheer for her in the competition’s penultimate round.

“I will be bringing my best self to the competition in Tokyo so I hope all of you will continue supporting me,” she vowed.

A Nippon TV production, “I Can Sing in Japanese!” is available to Filipino audiences through the Asian entertainment channel GEM, which can be accessed on SKYCable Channel 116.

WORLD NEWS! North Korea female agents are regime's weapon of choice: defector

MAGAZINE
Published February 18,2017
http://magazinereaders.blogspot.com/

North Korean female assassins, armed with good looks and poison tools, are now the weapon of choice for a ruthless regime stalking its opponents, a high-profile defector told AFP on Thursday, after the latest apparent assassination.

 

Hardy male agents wielding guns or knives have been ditched in favor of their female counterparts, who strike fear into the hearts of enemies, said An Chan-Il, a North Korean defector and renowned critic of Pyongyang's one-man rule.

"We are always mindful of young women accosting us for possible revenge killings," An said.

His comments come days after the half-brother of the North's leader Kim Jong-Un died in a spy novel-style assassination that Seoul said was carried out by Pyongyang agents.

South Korean intelligence chiefs believe Kim Jong-Nam had toxins sprayed in his face as he walked through Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Two women have been arrested over the murder. 

An, a former North Korean commando who defected to the South in 1979, is now a leading researcher on North Korean affairs, and a harsh critic of the Stalinist state.

He is one of eight defectors who were given the highest degree of protection by the South. Following Jong-Nam's death, that number has increased to 20, he said.

In recent years, North Korean male agents have increasingly been sidelined into intelligence gathering or building contacts with other spies, An told AFP.

"Female agents are now being trained to do the killing, using poison", he said.

"They can easily hide mini poison injectors made of plastic, either in lipsticks, cosmetics or under their clothes," he said, adding that such plastic tools go undetected by airport security.

'Good looks are essential'

Agent candidates are carefully screened for their intelligence, physical attributes and family background.

"Good looks are essential but this is different from any beauty contest. A girl with a curvy body is not considered ideal to become an assassin who has to engage in physical contact with targets," he said.

Before beginning their careers, the women go through many months of training, including strength work, combat skills, surveillance and weapons use, as well as language courses, he added.

Malaysian police probing Kim's killing have detained a woman with an Indonesian passport and a 28-year-old woman with a Vietnamese passport, who reappeared at the same airport two days after Kim died.

An said that would be "bizarre" behavior for a Pyongyang spy, adding that "if she is a North Korean agent, she should have either disappeared or committed suicide when she was in danger of being arrested".

"Her behavior is simply unthinkable in the playbook of spies", he said.

Two North Korean agents attempted to commit suicide by biting cyanide capsules hidden in cigarettes when they were arrested in Bahrain in 1987 after blowing up a South Korean airplane.

The man died instantly but the other agent, Kim Hyon-Hee, survived. She was later brought to Seoul and confessed that the terror attack was aimed at hampering the 1988 Seoul summer Olympics.

[source]

A woman with the acronym 'LOL'/Kim Jong-Nam, the half-brother of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un.