Minggu, 31 Maret 2019

George Clooney calls for hotel boycott over Brunei LGBT death penalty - WLS-TV

Film star George Clooney has called for a boycott of nine hotels because of their links to Brunei, where homosexual acts will from next week be punishable by death.

In an opinion piece written for Deadline, Clooney decried Brunei's announcement that from April 3 the country will stone or whip to death citizens caught committing adultery or having gay sex.


"Let that sink in. In the onslaught of news where we see the world backsliding into authoritarianism this stands alone," Clooney said.

He called for the public to join him in immediately boycotting nine hotels -- three in the UK, two in the US, two in France and two in Italy.

They include the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Bel-Air in Los Angeles, the Dorchester in London and Le Meurice in Paris.

Clooney said the Brunei Investment Agency owns the hotels, which he described as some of the "most exclusive" in the world. He even admitted he had stayed in some, until he found out who owned them.

"Every single time we stay at, or take meetings at or dine at any of these nine hotels we are putting money directly into the pockets of men who choose to stone and whip to death their own citizens for being gay or accused of adultery," he said.

"Are we really going to help pay for these human rights violations? Are we really going to help fund the murder of innocent citizens?"

Many of the hotels have refrained from commenting directly on Clooney's call for a boycott.

"Dorchester Collection's Code emphasises equality, respect and integrity in all areas of our operation, and strongly values people and cultural diversity amongst our guests and employees. Inclusion and diversity remain core beliefs as we do not tolerate any form of discrimination," the company said in a statement.

Le Meurice in Paris, did not have a comment but said they wanted to "stress that we do value LGBTQ rights," according to the hotel's press manager, Alexandra Chlopek.


But other international figures have aligned against the law.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called the law "cruel and inhumane."

"I call on the Sultanate of Brunei to withdraw the death penalty by stoning f homosexual acts between consenting adults," he said on Twitter. "The same goes for other countries which have the same cruel + inhuman laws. No one should be criminalized based on their sexual orientation or gender identity."

Australian Sen. Penny Wong also tweeted that "Labor is deeply concerned by the Brunei government's plans to implement new laws that would see adultery and homosexual acts between consenting adults punishable by death."

Former US Vice President Joe Biden said stoning "people to death for homosexuality or adultery is appalling and immoral."

"Every single person on earth is entitled to be treated with dignity and to live without fear. There is no excuse -- not culture, not tradition -- for this kind of hate and inhumanity."

A penal code based on Sharia law

Brunei is a small oil-rich kingdom of just over 450,000 people on the island of Borneo, close to the more moderate Islamic nations of Indonesia and Malaysia.


In May 2014, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced he would be imposing a new penal code based on Sharia law, an Islamic legal system which outlines strict corporal punishments.

At the time, the government's website quoted the Sultan as saying that his government "does not expect other people to accept and agree with it, but that it would suffice if they just respect the nation in the same way that it also respects them."

A new statement from the Office of Brunei's Prime Minister says the country has "always been practicing a dual legal system, one that is based on the Syariah (Shariah) Law and the other on Common Law."

The two systems will run in parallel starting April 3, the statement said, and will "maintain peace and order and preserve religion, life, family and individuals regardless of gender, nationality, race and faith."

"The Syariah Law, apart from criminalizing and deterring acts that are against the teachings of Islam, it also aims to educate, respect and protect the legitimate rights of all individuals, society or nationality of any faiths and race."

The roll out of the new laws was at the Sultan's discretion and on December 29 it was quietly announced that capital punishment for homosexual sex would be imposed in April. Theft will be punished by amputation under the new laws.

"Brunei must immediately halt its plans to implement these vicious punishments, and revise its Penal Code in compliance with its human rights obligations. The international community must urgently condemn Brunei's move to put these cruel penalties into practice," Rachel Chhoa-Howard, Brunei Researcher at Amnesty International, said in a statement.

(The CNN Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. All rights reserved.)

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https://abc7chicago.com/society/george-clooney-calls-for-hotel-boycott-over-brunei-lgbt-death-penalty/5226883/

2019-03-31 05:26:53Z
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Sabtu, 30 Maret 2019

Jussie Smollett skips NAACP Awards, Chris Rock takes aim: 'What the hell was he thinking?' - USA TODAY

Despite support from Anthony Anderson, Jussie Smollett was a no-show at Saturday night's NAACP Image Awards in Hollywood.

The "Empire" actor was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, but lost out to “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jesse Williams. Williams won the award during the untelevised portion of the show at the awards dinner Friday, which USA TODAY confirmed Smollett also did not attend.  

But that didn't stop Chris Rock from taking aim.

"They said 'No Jussie Smollett jokes,' " said Rock, who was there to present Outstanding Comedy Series. But that didn't stop him. "What a waste of light skin," Rock cracked. "Do you know what I could do with that light skin? That curly hair? My career would be out of here! I'd be running Hollywood." 

"What the hell was he thinking? You're 'Jessie' from now on," Rock continued, as cameras showed Trevor Noah cracking up in the crowd. "You don't get the 'u' no more. That 'u' was respect. You ain't getting no respect from me!"

More: With criminal charges dropped, is Jussie Smollett's career ruined or can he recover?

Smollett flew from Chicago to Los Angeles on Wednesday, ABC News reported, fueling speculation he would attend the Image Awards, which honor entertainers and writers of color.

Organizers told USA TODAY that, to their knowledge, Smollett was not present Saturday. A rep for Smollett did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment. 

Anderson hosted the show, broadcast live on TV One, but did not mention Smollett in his opening monologue. Smollett's "Empire" co-star Taraji P. Henson won outstanding actress in a drama but was not present to accept her award.

Smollett did get support at least one time during the show. 

"I stand with Jussie," said Yara Shahidi, while helping the "Black-ish" cast accept their Outstanding Comedy award.

Smollett was accused of faking a racist, anti-gay attack on himself in January, but prosecutors decided to dismiss all 16 felony counts against the actor, sparking outrage. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson have been among those issuing strong rebukes, with the mayor calling the dismissal a ”whitewash of justice."

More: Experts: Jussie Smollett fiasco could taint Chicago prosecutors preparing to try R. Kelly

On Friday night, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx wrote in a Chicago Tribune editorial that she is open to an outside investigation into her office’s decision to drop all charges against Smollett.

Meanwhile, the "Empire" actor has continued to maintain his innocence.

“I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one,” Smollett told reporters after the charges were dropped. “It’s been an incredibly difficult time. One of the worst of my entire life. … Now I would like nothing more than to just to get back to work and get on with my life.”

This is the fourth consecutive year Smollett has been nominated for the Image Awards' Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category. He previously won in that category in 2017 and has also nabbed three different music-related Image Awards for his work on "Empire," according to IMDb. He's been in attendance for the last three award shows.

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2019/03/30/jussie-smollett-skips-naacp-image-awards-chris-rock-takes-aim/3323588002/

2019-03-31 02:22:00Z
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Rolling Stones Postpone Tour, Citing Mick Jagger’s Health Problems - New York Times

The Rolling Stones said on Saturday that Mick Jagger required medical treatment for an unspecified health problem and that the band would postpone its spring tour in the United States and Canada.

Jagger’s doctors advised him not to go on the remaining 17 shows of the tour but expected him to make a “complete recovery,” according to a statement from the band. Jagger, 75, apologized to fans.

“I really hate letting you down like this,” he said in a tweet. “I’m devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can.”

The band, which got its start more than five decades ago, performed the first two legs of its “No Filter” tour in Europe during fall 2017 and spring 2018. The final leg of the tour was scheduled to take the band through American cities including Miami, Houston, Denver and Chicago, as well as a venue north of Toronto. The Stones were scheduled to play at New Orleans Jazz Festival in May.

The statement from the band suggested that the shows would be rescheduled and recommended that fans hold on to their tickets.

Jagger is not the first 1960s-era music icon to show signs of slowing down in old age.

In February, the rock guitarist Peter Frampton announced that he had a degenerative muscle disease that could slow his fingers and his ability to move around; he said he would be staging a farewell tour. And last year, two major figures in the ’60s folk revival, Paul Simon and Joan Baez, played farewell concerts.

John Covach, a professor of music at the University of Rochester who has taught a course on the band, said that because the Stones remain a rock institution, they had been able to tour as much as they wanted in recent years and still pack stadiums and arenas. But these demanding and exhausting international tours can take a toll.

“Who can tour around the country when they’re 70 or 75 years old?” he said on Saturday.

He said that for avid fans of the Stones or other landmark ’60s bands, many of whom are baby boomers, news of farewell tours and rock stars dying of natural causes can remind them of their own mortality.

“It forces a lot of fans to come to terms with the fact that this music from their youth, the people who produced it, are passing from the scene,” he said.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/30/arts/music/rolling-stones-mick-jagger.html

2019-03-30 20:19:06Z
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Rolling Stones postpone U.S. tour dates for Mick Jagger's "medical treatment" - The A.V. Club

Photo: Kevin Winter (Getty Images)

According to Rolling Stone, the Rolling Stones have been forced to postpone an upcoming North American tour after Mick Jagger’s doctors advised him to stay home for “medical treatment.” The official word from the band is that Jagger will “make a complete recovery,” but it’s worth noting that nobody has actually said what Jagger’s medical treatment is for—Rolling Stone even says that a representative for the band “declined to elaborate on Jagger’s medical condition.” Jagger also released a statement of his own on social media, apologizing for letting fans down and saying he’ll be “working very hard to be back on stage” as soon as he can.

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The tour was supposed to start on April 20 in Miani and run through July 29 at a show in Canada. Reschedule dates, naturally, have not been announced yet.

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https://news.avclub.com/rolling-stones-postpone-u-s-tour-dates-for-mick-jagger-1833692198

2019-03-30 20:06:00Z
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Rolling Stones postpone tour on doctor's orders - CNN

The band will not be embarking on a 17-gig tour, scheduled to start on April 20 in Miami, due to singer Mick Jagger's health problems.
"Mick has been advised by doctors that he cannot go on tour at this time, as he needs medical treatment," reads a statement from the band.
Jagger, 75, made his own apology to fans on his personal Twitter account.
Mick Jagger will fulfill the tour dates once he has recovered.
"I really hate letting you down like this," he wrote.
"I'm devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can."
Doctors have told Jagger that he will make a "complete recovery so that he can get back on stage as soon as possible," according to the band statement.
"We apologize for any inconvenience this causes those who have tickets to shows but wish to reassure fans to hold onto these existing tickets, as they will be valid for the rescheduled dates, which will be announced shortly," reads the statement.
The Rolling Stones are one of the most recognizable names in music, still going strong after more than five decades in the business.
They have been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, winning three, and will reportedly fulfill their US and Canada tour dates once Jagger has recovered.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/30/entertainment/rolling-stones-tour-cancel-intl-scli-gbr/index.html

2019-03-30 18:37:39Z
52780255203950

Rolling Stones postpone tour on doctor's orders - CNN

The band will not be embarking on a 17-gig tour, scheduled to start on April 20 in Miami, due to singer Mick Jagger's health problems.
"Mick has been advised by doctors that he cannot go on tour at this time, as he needs medical treatment," reads a statement from the band.
Jagger, 75, made his own apology to fans on his personal Twitter account.
Mick Jagger will fulfill the tour dates once he has recovered.
"I really hate letting you down like this," he wrote.
"I'm devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can."
Doctors have told Jagger that he will make a "complete recovery so that he can get back on stage as soon as possible," according to the band statement.
"We apologize for any inconvenience this causes those who have tickets to shows but wish to reassure fans to hold onto these existing tickets, as they will be valid for the rescheduled dates, which will be announced shortly," reads the statement.
The Rolling Stones are one of the most recognizable names in music, still going strong after more than five decades in the business.
They have been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards, winning three, and will reportedly fulfill their US and Canada tour dates once Jagger has recovered.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/03/30/entertainment/rolling-stones-tour-cancel-intl-scli-gbr/index.html

2019-03-30 18:21:19Z
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Chicago prosecutor Kim Foxx open to outside investigation into Jussie Smollett case - Fox News

After intense public backlash, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said Friday night that she is open to an outside investigation into her office’s dramatic decision to dismiss all charges against "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett.

In an op-ed for The Chicago Tribune, Foxx admitted that a third-party review into the high-profile case would help maintain transparency.

The surprise decision to drop charges on Tuesday, followed by Smollett's claims of innocence and exoneration paired with an immediate rebuke from Chicago's mayor and police superintendent that it was a "whitewash of justice" put pressure on the state's attorney's office to defend its actions.

“I am not perfect, nor is any other prosecutor out there, but ensuring that I and my office have our community’s trust is paramount,” Foxx, who ran on a platform of transparency, wrote.

TRUMP SAYS DOJ, FBI TO REVIEW OUTRAGEOUS DECISION TO DROP CHARGES IN JUSSIE SMOLLETT CASE 

Smollett is accused of staging an anti-gay, racist attack on himself in January in order to promote his career. He has denied the charges from the start and says two men approached him, beat him, threw bleach on him and tied a rope around his neck before shouting, "This is MAGA country," in reference to President Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again."

In order to investigate the hate crime, the city removed 24 detectives from their regular cases, expending up to 1,000 hours to hunt down the truth.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants Smollett to reimburse the city $130,106.15 to cover the cost of overtime hours spent on the investigation.

“In determining whether or not to pursue charges, prosecutors are required to balance the severity of the crime against the likelihood of securing a conviction,” Foxx wrote. “For a variety of reasons ... my office believed the likelihood of securing a conviction was not certain.”

Foxx said Smollett’s “alleged unstable actions have probably caused him more harm than any court-ordered penance could.” But she added that jails should be reserved for those who commit violent crimes.

Her defense isn't swaying many people.

CHICAGO PROSECUTOR KIM FOXX CHIDED BY NATIONAL ATTORNEYS GROUP AFTER CHARGES DROPPED 

"Foxx could have distanced herself from this blunder given that her own blunder — emailing and texting with people close to Smollett early in the investigation — had prompted her to step away from the case and leave it to underlings," Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn wrote. "But she grabbed ownership of it Wednesday, giving interviews in which she expressed pride and confidence in the way her office had handled the case."

Zorn, like so many others in Chicago, believe Foxx "probably will and arguably should lose her job next year over her office's handling of the Jussie Smollett case."

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Foxx's actions also prompted both the National District Attorneys Association and the Illinois Prosecutors bar Association to sharply criticize her office.

President Trump even waded into the controversy, saying he'd asked federal law enforcement officials to look into Smollett's case.

“I think the case in Chicago is an absolute embarrassment to our country, and I have asked that they look at it,” Trump said.

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https://www.foxnews.com/us/chicago-prosecutor-kim-foxx-open-to-outside-investigation-into-jussie-smollett-case

2019-03-30 16:20:10Z
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