Cover Media Video: Hugh Jackman can’t wait to sink claws into ‘Wolverine 3’ |
- Cover Media Video: Hugh Jackman can’t wait to sink claws into ‘Wolverine 3’
- Pot fallout! Oklahoma and Nebraska sue Colorado
- No more New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Centre, says Supreme Court judge
- Financial firms opt for smaller, less glitzy Christmas parties as market falls
- Cover Media Video: Celebrities express outrage at ‘The Interview’ cancellation
- Putin is in love, but refuses to reveal the identity of mystery partner
| Cover Media Video: Hugh Jackman can’t wait to sink claws into ‘Wolverine 3’ Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:56 PM PST Duration: 01:09, Published 19 Dec 2014 Hugh Jackman has revealed that he and director James Mangold are hard at work on the script for a third solo film starring that hairy mutant superhero, Wolverine. — Cover Media  |
| Pot fallout! Oklahoma and Nebraska sue Colorado Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:47 PM PST
"The State of Colorado has created a dangerous gap in the federal drug control system enacted by the United States Congress," said the 83-page lawsuit, published by the Denver Post. "Marijuana flows from this gap into neighboring states, undermining (their) own marijuana bans, draining their treasuries, and placing stress on their criminal justice systems," it added. Colorado became the first US state to legalize marijuana for recreational use in January, where it was already allowed for medicinal use. Washington state followed a few months later, while last month voters in the US capital backed the legalisation of marijuana in a referendum. Colorado Attorney General John Suthers said the legal action was not unexpected, but questioned the motives behind it. "Because neighboring states have expressed concern about Colorado-grown marijuana coming into their states, we are not entirely surprised by this action," he said. "However, it appears the plaintiffs' primary grievance stems from non-enforcement of federal laws regarding marijuana, as opposed to choices made by the voters of Colorado," he added. Mason Tvert of the Denver-based pro-legalisation group, the Marijuana Policy Project, said the lawsuit was "without merit." "These guys are on the wrong side of history. They will be remembered similarly to how we think of state officials who fought to maintain alcohol prohibition years after other states ended it," he said. — AFP |
| No more New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Centre, says Supreme Court judge Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:44 PM PST
The ruling was reached after the fashion extravaganza, run by IMG Worldwide Inc, was accused of misusing Damrosch Park, where trees and perennial plantings were removed. Under the decision, special events should be the exception rather than the norm, and so the twice-annual event will not be able to renew its five-year license when it expires in February. Neither will the park be able to host similar such events. The city is now working actively with IMG Fashion to find alternative locations for Fashion Week, which earns New York nearly US$900 million (RM3.12 billion), and which has been based at Lincoln Centre since 2010. "Upon the expiration of its sublicense agreement, IMG Fashion shall vacate the premises and remove all tents and other Fashion Week equipment from the park," said the settlement The agreement was signed by Margaret Chan, a New York state Supreme Court judge. New York Fashion Week has anyway increasingly moved away from Lincoln Centre, with some of the most prestigious designers choosing to hold catwalk shows in hotels or other prominent buildings. Damrosch Park will be replanted with shrubs and trees. — AFP |
| Financial firms opt for smaller, less glitzy Christmas parties as market falls Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:37 PM PST
Fearful of a public backlash if they revived the opulent festivities of the pre-crisis era, some banks and financial firms are opting for smaller, quirkier events that can be accounted for as a learning activity rather than just a staff perk. Treasure hunts, cocktail making, go-karting and wine tasting are some of the things companies are laying on for employees. Before the 2008 crisis, a specially erected marquee in London's Canary Wharf offered Christmas parties with sit-down dinner, free-flowing champagne and a band on stilts for banks such as Lehman Brothers and HSBC. "Every year budgets go down," said Pascale Miller, an event executive at London-based Precipuus Events, which organises parties for City firms such as HSBC Private Bank. "But because it's part of team building and because it's often a learning activity, they can mark that off in the budget as something separate from pure entertainment." Informal venues such as pubs are being chosen over ballrooms and the dress code is more sportswear than black tie. "We're seeing a lot more requests for something a little different, like ping pong (table tennis) — more team bonding activities," said Nick Telson, co-founder at website and events company DesignMyNight.com. "It's about team interactivity rather than finding a really special venue," he added. Some companies, however, haven't turned their back on holding bigger bashes. With a performance from Diana Ross, privately-held trading company CMC Markets threw one of the season's most talked about events, which doubled as its 25th anniversary celebration. "Everyone here has made a massive contribution to CMC's success — that is why this celebration is so important," said Chief Executive Peter Cruddas. "Introducing Diana Ross to lead the celebrations was amazing and something I hope everyone at CMC will always remember." Credit Suisse's London-based investment bank entertained around 200 staff in the Grade II listed Banking Hall in the City, while its private banking division headed to the Four Seasons in Canary Wharf for canapes and drinks. Credit Suisse declined to comment. Other industries have picked up the mantle from banks and asset managers, particularly the luxury goods sector and food companies, said Ruth Lawton-Owen, sales and marketing director for event firms Blue Strawberry and Table Talk. "This has been our best ever year. There is definitely confidence coming back," Lawton-Owen said. "The market is feeling comfortable to entertain again, but there is a sense of responsibility that has remained." — Reuters |
| Cover Media Video: Celebrities express outrage at ‘The Interview’ cancellation Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:36 PM PST Duration: 00:59, Published 19 Dec 2014 Actors, directors and filmmakers around Hollywood expressed sadness and outrage this week in the wake of Sony Pictures' decision to cancel the release of James Franco and Seth Rogen's new movie 'The Interview'. — Cover Media |
| Putin is in love, but refuses to reveal the identity of mystery partner Posted: 18 Dec 2014 04:34 PM PST
A young female journalist from a provincial television channel put the question to Putin, saying that "the friends of my aunt" had all badgered her to find out the relationship status of "Russia's top bachelor". "Give a big hello to your aunt's friends, thanks for such attention," Putin said smoothly, before going into a long spiel about mortgages. But he then returned to his love life, bizarrely recounting a conversation he had with a friend he described only as a top boss in Europe. "Listen, do you have a love?" the friend asked. "In what way?" Putin responded. "Well do you love someone?" "Well yes." "And does someone love you?" "Yes." "Well thank God." The friend was so pleased at the news that he "downed a vodka," Putin said. The Russian leader refused to give any more details, only reassuring his supporters: "Everything is in order. Don't worry." Putin has been linked to Alina Kabayeva, a former Olympic rhythmic gymnast 31 years his junior who until recently was an MP in Russia's ruling party. In 2008, a Moscow newspaper reported that Putin was on the point of marrying Kabayeva. Putin angrily denied the report and the intrusion into his personal life, as did Kabayeva. The Moskovsky Korrespondent newspaper shut down shortly afterwards. Its wealthy owner, Alexander Lebedev, later bought Britain's The Independent and Evening Standard newspapers. The 62-year-old Russian president last year announced he was divorcing from his wife of 30 years, Lyudmila, who shared his life as a spy in East Germany, and with whom he has two daughters. Putin said yesterday that he remained on good terms with his ex. "With Lyudmila Alexandrovna I have very good relations, friendly ones. We regularly see each other, I'm not even talking about our children, that goes without saying. Not as often as I'd like, but everything's all right." Putin in an interview last month revealed that his daughters Maria and Yekaterina—with whom he is never photographed in public—both live in Moscow and that he sees them at least once a month. — AFP |
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