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DC5m United States music in english 20 articles, created at 2016-12-20 16:14 articles set mostly positive rate 4.4

1 3.8 Panthers’ Cam Newton says postgame suit a tribute to the late Craig Sager

(3.60/4) Cam Newton said his flamboyant postgame outfit was in honor of the late Craig Sager. 2016-12-20 02:59 1KB www.charlotteobserver.com

2 0.5 Tupac Shakur, Pearl Jam, Yes to be inducted into Rock Hall

(3.19/4) The late rapper Tupac Shakur and Seattle-based rockers Pearl Jam lead a class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees that also include folkie Joan Baez and 1970s favorites Journey, Yes and Electric Light Orchestra. 2016-12-20 09:21 4KB www.thenewstribune.com

3 2.8 Key issues for Japan's economy as BOJ monetary easing stays Japan's central bank issued an upbeat assessment of the world's third-largest (2.07/4) economy when it wrapped up its final meeting of the year Tuesday by keeping its ultra- lax monetary policy... 2016-12-20 04:50 3KB www.cbs46.com

4 2.8 Dick Latessa who starred in original Broadway production of dies at 87 (1.02/4) 'Hairspray (and Broadway) has lost a huge piece of its heart,' Hairspray composer Marc Shaiman wrote. 'We were lucky to have him in our lives, he was, truly, timeless.' 2016-12-20 04:14 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk

5 2.6 Upbeat central banks, Italian rescue plan halt bond yield slide (0.01/4) By John Geddie LONDON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Optimistic signals from two of the world's most influential central banks and a rescue plan for Italy's ailing lend... 2016-12-20 07:57 3KB www.dailymail.co.uk

6 0.0 Teng, Sollano go 1-2 in 2016 PBA D-League Draft As expected, AMA Online Education picked Jeron Teng first overall in the 2016 PBA D- League Draft on Tuesday at PBA Cafe in Metrowalk, Pasig City. The 6-foot-2 winger (0.01/4) from La Salle was nabbed by 2016-12-20 00:00 6KB sports.inquirer.net

7 1.6 Where's the donkey? Animal is hidden within a mind- boggling nativity scene The gift wrap depicts classic Christmas nativity scenes each features the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Three Wise Men, an angel, a bull, a pig, a sheep and a lamb. But can you spot the solo donkey? 2016-12-20 09:20 4KB www.dailymail.co.uk 8 4.3 'La La Land' review: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone enchant us with wondrous song and dance Expect Oscar nods for Damien Chazelle's unapologetic throwback musical. 2016-12-20 09:15 6KB www.mlive.com

9 3.7 Beyoncé, Kanye West headline the most scandalous songs of 2016 Music can lead to serious dis-chord — just ask Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Beyoncé. 2016-12-20 07:00 5KB feeds.nydailynews.com

10 1.9 Cody Simpson posts brooding laid-back selfie on Instagram He's the good-looking singer who isn't shy of flaunting his defined abs sans shirt. But Cody Simpson chose to pose for a brooding mirror selfie on Monday fully clothed in a creased white dress shirt. 2016-12-20 06:59 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk

11 30.9 Charleston City Council member dies of cancer A Charleston city councilman and real estate agent has died. 2016-12-20 06:29 1KB www.washingtontimes.com

12 2.2 Singer Marc Anthony and wife Shannon de Lima divorcing If you used an Optimum login , click the Connect Account button to use your Optimum login info to manage your Newsday subscription account. If you used a Newsday login , it looks like it's not connected to an active subscriber account. ... 2016-12-20 05:07 830Bytes article.wn.com

13 1.1 The day Mabala Noise (pretty much) signed EVERYONE On a sunny day in July, a by the name of Mabala Noise announced its arrival in the local music industry by signing, well, pretty much everyone. 2016-12-20 04:00 2KB www.timeslive.co.za

14 3.4 Novartis says reaches agreement to buy Texas- based Encore Vision ZURICH, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Novartis said on Tuesday it has reached a definitive agreement to buy Fort Worth, Texas-based Encore Vision, which... 2016-12-20 02:32 1KB www.dailymail.co.uk

15 3.6 WATCH: Mariah Carey ‘throws shade’ at Demi Lovato, Ariana live Mariah Carey frankly gave her first impressions of several pop stars and admitted that she never knew and Demi Lovato. 2016-12-20 00:00 2KB entertainment.inquirer.net 16 3.3 Potato chips sold in Va., Md. recalled Snyder of Berlin has recalled Buffalo Blue Kettle Cooked Potato Chips because they may contain salmonella. Effected bags were sold in Virginia and Maryland. 2016-12-20 02:11 1KB wtop.com

17 3.4 Celebrity birthdays for the week of Dec. 25-31 Dec. 25: Singer John Edwards of The Spinners is 72. Singer Jimmy Buffett is 70. Country singer Barbara Mandrell is 68. Actress Sissy Spacek is 67. Actress CC... 2016-12-20 02:02 6KB www.dailymail.co.uk

18 2.4 More gems from a breathtaking year in music 2016 has been one of the best years in memory for the variety and quality of music produced. Top releases include Childish Gambino's 'Awaken, My Love!' and Xenia Rubinos's 'Black Terry Cat.' 2016-12-20 02:00 2KB www.csmonitor.com

19 0.0 BNP Paribas: Why you should stop buying index funds now It’s time to buy actively managed funds, instead of index funds, as assets that long in lockstep will move to a different drum, BNP Paribas said. 2016-12-20 00:52 4KB www.cnbc.com

20 2.9 Vendee sailor limps for N. Zealand after collision Solo round-the-world sailor Thomas Ruyant was desperately trying to reach New Zealand Tuesday after a high-seas collision that split open his yacht's hull, M... 2016-12-20 00:15 2KB www.dailymail.co.uk Articles

DC5m United States music in english 20 articles, created at 2016-12-20 16:14

1 /20 3.8 Panthers’ Cam Newton says postgame suit a tribute to the late Craig Sager (3.60/4) Whether they are viral on social media as a punchline or in envy, Cam Newton’s postgame outfits always draw commentary.

This week, after the Panthers beat Washington in prime time, there was a deeper meaning behind Newton’s flourish.

He wore a light purple checkered suit with a bright pink velvet hat, and said it was a tribute to beloved sports broadcaster Craig Sager, who passed away last week after a fierce battle with leukemia.

“I didn’t know him personally,” said Newton. “I just admired him from afar. My heart goes out to him and his family for just a person that went against the grain.

“I respect him for that. Being a person that looks at fashion for represent yourself or be able to explain or have some type of expression without even opening your mouth.”

Sager was known for wearing colorful suits, ties and shoes.

“Craig Sager was a person who was the ultimate professional and he lit up the TV screen when he came on,” said Newton. “Like I said, from a person who never met him, I admire him from afar and much respect to him and his family.”

Redskins' Josh Norman Another week, another Carolina Panthers' Cam Carolina Panthers' Cam wanted more of a challenge questionable noncall on a Newton regrets taunting Newton regrets recation from Panthers' Cam Newton play involving Panthers QB penalty after helmet-hit non-call vs. rssfeeds.usatoday.com Cam Newton upi.com Washington Redskins charlotteobserver.com espn.com Cam Newton-led Carolina Cam Newton, Panthers deal Panthers roll past blow to Redskins' playoff Washington Redskins hopes upi.com rssfeeds.usatoday.com

2016-12-20 02:59 By Jourdan www.charlotteobserver.com

2 /20 0.5 Tupac Shakur, Pearl Jam, Yes to be inducted into Rock Hall (3.19/4) The late rapper Tupac Shakur and Seattle-based rockers Pearl Jam lead a class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees that also include folkie Joan Baez and 1970s favorites Journey, Yes and Electric Light Orchestra.

The rock hall also said Tuesday it would give a special award to , whose disco-era band Chic failed again to make the cut after its 11th time nominated.

Baez will be inducted only months after her 1960s paramour, Bob Dylan, was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

The hall's 32nd annual induction ceremony will take place on April 7 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. HBO will show highlights later, with SiriusXM doing a radio broadcast.

Shakur was shot and killed after attending a boxing match in Las Vegas in 1996, a murder that has spawned conspiracy theories but remains unsolved. "Changes," "Keep Ya Head Up," "Ambitionz Az a Ridah" and "Life Goes On" are among his best-known songs. Only 25 when he died, Shakur left behind a trove of music that was released posthumously.

Pearl Jam exploded in popularity from the start in the early 1990s behind songs like "Alive," "Jeremy" and "Even Flow. " After Nirvana, it is the second band with roots in Seattle's grunge rock scene to make the hall. Behind singer Eddie Vedder and other original members Mike McCready, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament, Pearl Jam remains active and is a popular live act.

Vedder is no newcomer to rock hall ceremonies, having given induction speeches for Neil Young and the Ramones.

Baez was a political activist and mainstay of the folk movement, performing at the first Newport Folk Festival at age 19 in 1959. She was known primarily as an interpreter of others' songs, introducing Dylan to a wider audience at the beginning of his career. Their affair ended badly in 1965, for which Dylan later apologized.

Baez's own "Diamonds and Rust" in 1975 was one of her biggest hits.

Journey's 1981 song "Don't Stop Believin'" was given new life by being featured in the closing scene of HBO's "" and became a favorite of a new generation. Its 6.8 million iTunes sales makes it the most-bought song on that platform from the pre-digital era, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Former singer Steve Perry, estranged from the band for many years, offers some potential rock hall drama: will he show up for his induction? Founding member Neal Schon was quoted in Billboard recently saying that there are so many non-rock artists in the hall that "I don't really care about being there. " He did allow that it would be nice for fans of the band, never a critical favorite.

Britain's Yes, known for its complex compositions, was a leader of the 1970s progressive rock movement. Yes' hits include "I've Seen All Good People," "Roundabout" and "Owner of a Lonely Heart," and its fans have waged a vociferous campaign to see them honored. Founding bass player Chris Squire, the one constant in many years of personnel changes, died in June 2015.

Electric Light Orchestra got its start melding classical influences to Beatles-influenced pop, and charted with "Evil Woman," "Mr. Blue Sky" and "Don't Bring Me Down. " The band essentially exists now in leader Jeff Lynne's imagination and home studio and had a mildly successful comeback a year ago.

Chic, led by Rodgers and the late Bernard Edwards, has become the rock hall's version of Susan Lucci and her long quest to win a Daytime Emmy. While Shakur, Baez, Pearl Jam and ELO were elected this year in their first time on the ballot, Chic has endured years of disappointment.

The hall's award for musical excellence to songwriter and guitarist Rodgers is no consolation prize. When disco cooled, Rodgers became one of the hottest producers in the business, behind the boards for some of the '80s most indelible : David Bowie's "Let's Dance," Madonna's "Like a Virgin" and the B-52's "Cosmic Thing. "

Tupac Shakur, Pearl Jam to Journey, Pearl Jam, Tupac The Rock and Roll Hall of Tupac, Yes, ELO, Journey be inducted into Rock Hall Shakur Among 2017 Rock & Fame is evolving — very, among Rock Hall 2017 rssfeeds.detroitnews.com Roll Hall of Fame Inductees very slowly inductees variety.com latimes.com latimes.com

2016-12-20 09:21 By DAVID www.thenewstribune.com

3 /20 2.8 Key issues for Japan's economy as BOJ monetary easing stays (2.07/4) TOKYO (AP) - Japan's central bank issued an upbeat assessment of the world's third-largest economy when it wrapped up its final meeting of the year Tuesday by keeping its ultra-lax monetary policy unchanged. The Bank of Japan kept its key policy interest rate at minus 0.1 percent. While the U. S. Federal Reserve is raising interest rates as the U. S. recovery gains momentum, Japan is still struggling to pull out of a slow-growth rut. The BOJ's assessment of the economy said exports, investment and industrial production had shown signs of improvement. Structural factors such as low productivity and a shrinking population are hindering the recovery, and BOJ Gov. Haruhiko Kuroda has called for broader economic reforms and government spending to supplement his monetary policy "bazooka. " Here are a few key indicators: ___ GROWTH: Japan's economy grew at a 1.3 percent annual pace in July- September, the third straight quarter of expansion but below most economists' forecasts. Quarterly growth was 0.3 percent. By comparison, the U. S. economy expanded at a 3.2 percent annual rate in the last quarter. ___ TRADE: Japan's exports fell 0.4 percent from a year earlier in November. That was better than forecast and the smallest decline in over a year. Mostly it was due to a weakening in the Japanese yen, which has lost value as the U. S. dollar surged after Donald Trump was elected president. ___ INFLATION: The BOJ said Japan's consumer price index would likely remain at zero or slightly negative for now, well below a 2 percent target set nearly four years ago. At the same time, surging costs for health care and fresh vegetables are causing consumers to hold back on spending. ___ UNEMPLOYMENT: Japan's jobless rate is at 3.0 percent, and many companies complain they cannot find enough workers. ___ INCOMES: Real incomes have been falling or flat, as employers resist raising wages out of fears they would be locked into higher labor costs in a downturn. ___ INVESTMENT: A weaker yen can boost earnings of Japanese companies that get a large share of their profits overseas. So far, however, strong profits have not resulted in a surge in corporate investment, which has been at best modest and often flat or slightly negative in the past year. ___ WILD CARDS: Apart from the slowdown in growth in key export markets like China, uncertainty over the outlook for global markets, the economy and trade once President-elect Trump takes office; Britain's plans to leave the European Union and broader geopolitical crises are also potential risks, the BOJ said. Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Key issues for Japan’s BOJ keeps monetary policy economy as BOJ monetary intact, says economy easing stays recovering wtop.com article.wn.com

2016-12-20 04:50 www.cbs46.com

4 /20 4 /20 2.8 Dick Latessa who starred in original Broadway production of Hairspray dies at 87 (1.02/4) Broadway veteran Dick Latessa died Monday at the age of 87. The news was first broken by composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman via his Facebook page. 'Hairspray (and Broadway) has lost a huge piece of its heart. RIP to the glorious, loving and much loved Dick Latessa,' Shaiman wrote. 'We were lucky to have him in our lives, he was, truly, timeless.' Latessa is best known for originating the role of Walter Turnblad on Broadway for which he won a Tony Award in 2003. His original Hairspray co-star Harvey Fierstein took to Twitter to pay tribute, sharing a YouTube video of himself and Latessa performing together. 'My heart is broke, he tweeted. 'Still, for 1,000 performances I had the best partner ever.' According to Broadway.com , Latessa was born on September 15, 1929 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was the sixth of seven children to parents and embarked upon a career as a musical actor after completing military service in the U. S. Army from 1951 to 1952. He began in his native Cleveland before moving to New York City in 1959. Former Will & Grace star Sean Hayes who worked with Latessa in the musical Promises, Promises in 2010 described the veteran actor as 'a class act.' 'My heart is broken tonight,' tweeted Glee star and Broadway regular Matthew Morrison. 'Lost the person who taught me so much about life, professionalism, and consistency. Dick Latessa was legendary.' Kristen Chenoweth said: 'From all my family from the Broadway revival Promises Promises, we love you Dick Latessa. RIP.' And actress and musical veteran Bernadette Peters said he would be 'deeply missed'. Latessa also appeared on the Great White Way in productions such as , and , and in the revivals of , A Funny Things Happened on the Way to the Forum and . He last appeared on Broadway opposite in 2012’s .

Dick Latessa Dead: 'Hairspray' Broadway Star Was 87 feedproxy.google.com

2016-12-20 04:14 Rachel Mcgrath www.dailymail.co.uk

5 /20 2.6 Upbeat central banks, Italian rescue plan halt bond yield slide (0.01/4) By John Geddie LONDON, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Optimistic signals from two of the world's most influential central banks and a rescue plan for Italy's ailing lenders halted sharp falls in euro zone government bond yields on Tuesday. Nerves around a faltering private sector recapitalisation for Italian lender Monte dei Paschi and apparently politically motivated killings in Germany and Turkey pushed yields on Europe's safe haven benchmark Bund to two-week lows on Monday. But comments by Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen on the strength of the U. S. jobs markets followed by a more upbeat view of the economy from the Bank of Japan, appeared to kick the rally into reverse on Tuesday. The Italian government's plan to borrow 20 billion euros to underwrite banks like Monte dei Paschi and comments from the Bank of Italy that national and European institutions are committed to helping the sector also soothed jittery markets. German 10-year bond yields were flat at 0.28 percent , steadying after a 10 basis point fall on Monday, while most other euro zone equivalents were broadly unchanged. "The market is changing focus nowadays quite quickly," DZ Bank strategist Daniel Lenz. "Yesterday we had a lot of focus on Italy and now it is more the economic assessment that is driving things. " While Yellen didn't mention monetary policy in her speech to university students on Monday, she said graduates were entering the strongest jobs market in nearly a decade. Some investors had been wary of Yellen potentially pouring cold water on market expectations for a faster pace of rate hikes next year, so her upbeat assessment of the economy brought relief. Yellen's remarks were followed by a positive assessment of Japan's economic prospects from the BOJ. While the central bank kept monetary policy on hold on Tuesday, its comments reinforced market expectations that its future policy direction could be an increase - not a cut - in interest rates. In the euro zone, a government bailout of Monte dei Paschi could come as early as this week, if the bank fails to pull off its own privately funded rescue plan. While that appears to have calmed investor nerves for now, it could be tough for the week-old administration of Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, given that investors are required to bear losses under EU bailout rules. Italy's bonds were the worst performers on Tuesday, as the prospect of additional funding for its banks pushed 10-year yields up 5 basis points to 1.88 percent. For Reuters new Live Markets blog on European and UK stock markets see reuters://realtime/verb=Open/url=http://emea1.apps.cp.extranet.thomsonreuters.biz/cms/? pageId=livemarkets (Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)

Upbeat central banks, Italian rescue plans halt bond yield falls dailymail.co.uk

2016-12-20 07:57 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

6 /20 0.0 Teng, Sollano go 1-2 in 2016 PBA D-League Draft

(0.01/4) As expected, AMA Online Education picked Jeron Teng first overall in the 2016 PBA D-League Draft on Tuesday at PBA Cafe in Metrowalk, Pasig City.

The 6-foot-2 winger from La Salle was nabbed by the Titans as they eye to finally break through the semifinals, a feat they have never achieved in their stint in the league.

“Once Jeron Teng joins us, we’ll immediately see improvements,” said coach Mark Herrera in Filipino. “We need [veterans] right now because we’re a young team. We also don’t have Fil-Foreigners so we’re rebuilding. This is a big morale boost for us.”

Tanduay, meanwhile, had the biggest surprise of the proceedings, selecting Letran big man Jom Sollano at second.

Racal went on and selected unheralded forward Jonjon Gabriel of Colegio de San Lorenzo at third, as Cafe France picked CEU standout Patrick Aquino at fourth.

Wangs Basketball selected Ateneo center G-boy Babilonia at fifth, Victoria Sports-MLQU got Jayson Grimaldo at sixth, and Cignal-San Beda plucked Davon Potts at seventh.

Batangas picked homegrown Wilmar Anderson to wrap up the first round.

Shockingly, Fil-Am guard Jason Brickman fell into the lap of Tanduay in the fourth round.

School-based squads Cafe France-CEU, Cignal-San Beda, and Victoria Sports-MLQU had to select their varsity players first before getting their hands in the draft pool.

The draft went on to the 18th round, where Batangas completed its roster full of native Batangueño ballers.

Jose Rizal University and guest team Blustar Malaysia opted not to participate in the proceedings as they already have their complete lineups locked.

The 2017 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup kicks off on January 19 next year at Ynares Sports Arena.

Here’s the complete list of rookies drafted in the proceedings:

First Round:

1. AMA: Jeron Teng (DLSU) 2. Tanduay: Jom Sollano (Letran)

3. Racal: Junjun Gabriel (San Lorenzo)

4. Cafe France: Patrick Aquino (CEU)

5. Wangs: G-Boy Babilonia (Ateneo)

6. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Jayson Grimaldo (MLQU)

7. Cignal-San Beda: Davon Potts (San Beda)

8. Batangas: Wilmar Anderson (UB)

Second Round:

1. AMA: Jeepy Faundo (UST)

2. Tanduay: Monbert Arong (FEU)

3. Racal: Jerrick Balanza (Letran)

4. Cafe France: Mishaal Veron (CEU)

5. Wangs: Justin Arana (UST)

6. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Nikko Lao (MLQU)

7. Cignal-San Beda: Robert Bolick (San Beda)

8. Batangas: Jon Macasaet (UST)

Third Round:

1. AMA: Mario Bonleon (UST)

2. Tanduay: Paul Varilla (UE)

3. Racal: Mac Tallo (SWU)

4. Cafe France: Orlan Wamar (CEU)

5. Wangs: Chris Lalata (St. Francis)

6. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Jaymark Mallari (MLQU)

7. Cignal-San Beda: AC Soberano (San Beda)

8. Batangas: Chris Dela Pena (Letran)

Fourth Round:

1. AMA: Renz Palma (UE) 2. Tanduay: Jason Brickman (Long Island)

3. Racal: Daryl Singontiko (Perpetual)

4. Cafe France: Alvin Capobres (San Sebastian)

5. Wangs: Michael Ayonayon (Sienna College)

6. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Juan Baliday (MLQU)

7. Cignal-San Beda: Calvin Oftana (SBC)

8. Batangas: Thomas de Guzman (Sacramento State)

Fifth Round:

1. AMA: PJ Barua (La Salle)

2. Tanduay: Andreas Cahilig (Amang Rodriguez)

3. Racal: Jon Sheriff (UST)

4. Cafe France: Allyn Bulanadi (San Sebastian)

5. Wangs: Ervin Lacsamana (St. Francis)

6. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Gianne Rivera (MLQU)

7. Cignal-San Beda: John Bahio (San Beda)

8. Batangas picks JR Yasa (PCU)

Sixth Round:

1. AMA: Sabah Cox (CDO College)

2. Racal: AJ Coronel (Perpetual)

3. Cafe France: Justin Mercado (San Sebastian)

4. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Justine Padua (MLQU)

5. Cignal-San Beda: Joe Presbitero (San Beda)

6. Batangas: Lucky Mangabang (UB)

Seventh Round:

1. AMA: Jason Riley (Marian U)

2. Racal: Thomas Torres (La Salle)

3. Cafe France: Caesar Ortega (USC) 4. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Allan Dela Cruz (MLQU)

5. Cignal-San Beda: Kenneth Alas (San Beda)

6. Batangas: Mark Carongoy (San Lorenzo)

Eighth Round:

1. AMA: Kim Pojol (Corson HS)

2. Racal: Regie Basibas (UST)

3. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Alexander Unsay (MLQU)

4. Cignal-San Beda picks Kyle Carlos (San Beda)

5. Batangas picks Greco Magbuhos (Lyceum)

Ninth Round:

1. AMA: Matthew Bernarbe (Letran)

2. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Miguel Plata (Manila)

3. Cignal-San Beda: Krenz Carlos (NSW)

4. Batangas: Justin Ada (LPU-Laguna)

10th Round:

1. AMA: Jay-Ar Gaco (Arellano)

2. Victoria Sports-MLQU: Harold Butron (Adamson)

3. Batangas: Earvin Mendoza (St. Clare-Caloocan)

11th Round:

1. Victoria-MLQU: Yankie Haruna (St. Benilde)

2. Batangas: Benhur Lascano (De Ocampo-Memorial)

12th Round:

1. Victoria-MLQU: Marvin Lee (UST)

2. Batangas: Kiervin Revadavia (St. Vincent)

13th Round:

1. Batangas: Cedric De Joya (UB)

14th Round: 1. Batangas: Don Carlo Fortu (UP-Batangas)

15th Round:

1. Batangas: Raymond Inciong (BSU)

16th Round:

1. Batangas: Jose Mari Bautista (Lyceum)

17th Round:

1. Batangas: Mark Cailao (LPU-Laguna)

18th Round:

1. Batangas: Dahrrel Caranguian (De Ocampo Memorial)

PBA D-League: Chongson says Brickman worth the gamble for Tanduay sports.inquirer.net

2016-12-20 00:00 Randolph B sports.inquirer.net

7 /20 1.6 Where's the donkey? Animal is hidden within a mind- boggling nativity scene Those hoping to get their wrapping done in a hurry might want to avoid this festive paper which features an infuriating brainteaser. The gift wrap depicts classic Christmas nativity scenes - but can you find one with an extra guest? Each features the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Three Wise Men, an angel, a bull, a pig, a sheep and a lamb. But only one includes the donkey which carried the family to the stable where Jesus was born. The topical teaser was created by SPANA ( www.spana.org ), a charity that works to improve the welfare of working animals in the world's poorest communities. A SPANA spokesman said: 'Even today, donkeys are part of a huge invisible workforce of working animals that support the world's poorest families. 'Worldwide, there are around 200 million working animals, such as donkeys, that do the jobs of trucks, tractors and taxis in developing countries. 'These hard-working animals make it possible for people in poor communities to earn a small income. But, unlike people in the UK, they don't get to enjoy holidays or time off, and neither do their owners.' The international animal charity provides free veterinary treatment to sick and injured working animals in developing countries. With Christmas less than a week away the web is currently awash with festive brainteasers to infuriate netizens. Finding a friend at a party can be difficult enough as it is but finding Santa among these revellers is even more challenging. In the latest brainteaser to hit the internet users are required to seek out the man in red among a busy crowd at a Christmas party. Shared on Playbuzz the puzzle proves fiendishly tricky as the other party goers make it nearly impossible to pick out Saint Nick. A colour palette of pastels and green also contribute to making it harder to seek out Santa's defining features. However, those with a keen eye should be able to spot the festive character peeping out from behind an igloo in front of the Xmas pudding shy. Last week the internet was left scratching its head over a puzzle asking users to find a discount voucher hidden among the baubles and tinsel in this Christmas tree. Candy canes, stockings, tinsel and fairy lights packed onto a Christmas tree make the voucher fiendishly tricky to spot. So can you find it? If you look carefully enough, you'll spot the tag near the bottom left corner of the tree - but blink and you'll miss it. A spokesman for Zeek.me, who created the latest brainteaser, said: 'We all know how difficult it is to make your money go further at this time of year but we reckon this puzzle is no walk in the park either.' Another 'Where's Wally' style challenge that swept the internet this week involves finding the toy robot hidden in the workshop where the elves are hard at work on the production line - and it's a lot tougher than you think. Teddy bears, jack-in-the-boxes, dolls houses, and toy planes, submarines and tanks are all trundling along the conveyer belt, making the robot fiendishly tricky to spot. RS Components created the puzzle, but there are festive brainteasers aplenty circulating on the web this winter. Another mind-bending puzzle challenges you to forget about Wally in a bid to find Dolly. In this eye-popping puzzle there is a solitary doll that is waiting to be found. But the children's toy is hidden among an enormous glut of teddies, dinosaurs, trains, cars and spaceships. pokeswoman said: 'At first glance, it looks like every mum's nightmare – the scene of living room chaos following the opening of the Christmas presents. 'It's very tricky, but it shouldn't take longer than your average wrapping paper clean-up.' Another puzzle that baffled the internet this week showed Good King Wenceslas becoming Good King Wences-lost. In the popular carol, the kind-hearted ruler and his page head out into the snow to deliver winter fuel to a poor villager. But in this brain-teaser he has lost his way amid a forest of pine trees, so can you spot him? His loyal page - at the bottom of the picture, by the village - is about to set out on his quest to find his master and the creators of the puzzle are calling for internet users to help him find the King.

2016-12-20 09:20 Martha Cliff www.dailymail.co.uk

8 /20 4.3 'La La Land' review: Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone enchant us with wondrous song and dance A lamppost, a sunset and a view. The scene is fertile soil for love, Hollywood-style, as Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone stroll into it, bantering playfully, like Bogart and Bacall, or Bergman and Grant. Or, more accurately, Astaire and Rogers: Nonchalant, he puts one hand on the post and hops up on the base. She sits on the bench and casually removes her pumps for a pair of, shall we say, softer shoes, which she just so happens to have in her handbag.

The scene that follows is one of wonder - clever choreography, cheeky performances, sparkling chemistry, captured in one masterful take. The film is "La La Land," Damien Chazelle's throwback musical, a paean to classic romances, built around swooning ballads and chirpy uptempo numbers. It's unapologetically beautiful, packed with purple twilights and fluttering flutes, grandly celebrating love, natural and effortless, amidst Los Angeles artifice, where the camera is a character, and the best characters excel at pretending it's not there.

Chazelle establishes the tone with an opening sequence set in L. A. highway gridlock. Commuters cease their impatient honking, and burst from their cars singing in chorus, "It's just another day of sun! " They dance on hoods and rooftops in an explosion of joy and color; the rear doors of a truck are thrown open to reveal a band playing. Of course. What else would it be? The number ends, and the camera rests on Stone's Mia, going over lines for an audition at the wheel of her Toyota. A horn blares from behind her. Gosling's Sebastian, in a boxy '80s convertible complete with functioning cassette deck, pulls aside her. They exchange birds, of the single-finger variety. He speeds off. This could be the start of something good.

Serendipity will bring them together again and again. Or maybe fate, the universe, a deus ex machina. Perhaps they know they're in a movie; Chazelle drops a few clever hints, and their reality is heightened, but it's important to note that they feel like real people with tangible feelings, not just winking archetypes. She's an actress, slogging through the cruel, thankless audition process when she's not working the coffeeshop counter on the Warner Bros. lot. He's a jazz pianist, plunking out corny Christmas carols in a cocktail lounge run by a curt, cameoing J. K. Simmons: "Stick to the set list. None of the free jazz! " he barks. Both clearly have the chops. Neither has gotten a break.

Review: 'Manchester by the Sea' is Casey Affleck's serious shot at an Oscar

Sebastian is a hard-copy guy in a digital age, dwelling in a cruddy apartment with bare stucco walls, past-due bills piling up next to his Coltrane vinyl. He dreams of opening his own jazz club, but experienced a setback after he got ripped off - "I was shanghaied! " is his appropriately old- timey proclamation. Mia's room boasts a wall-sized panorama of Ingrid Bergman's face, and her trio of bubbly, cheez-curl-munching roommates are aesthetically coordinated according to a primary-color palette. (Do they sing and dance? Of course they sing and dance.) She once wrote plays and loved watching classic cinema with her aunt - "Casablanca," "Notorious," "Bringing Up Baby. "

The godlike hand of the screenwriter will guide Mia to the cheesy cocktail lounge, where she's drawn inside by the same improvisational melancholy melody that gets Sebastian canned. She's complimentary, but he's cold. Months later, at a soul-crusher of an L. A. pool party, she spots him with a keytar in an '80s cover band, and savors his light humiliation. Before we, and they, know it, Mia sheds the shmuck talking up his awful "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" movie, and Sebastian sheds his red gloves and parachute pants, and they're dancing in the moonlight at a scenic overlook. For their first date, they go to a movie - an old one, of course - and follow it with a jaunt to the planetarium, where they levitate to the stars, waltzing like the only living creatures in the universe. The episode is elevating for us, too. In that moment, nothing is more marvelous than their giddy new love.

"La La Land" is Chazelle's follow-up to 2014 Oscar contender "Whiplash," a portrait of jazz as painful obsession. That film was brutal and complex where "La La Land" is more brazenly accessible. It's funny; it's got heart. Quarreling verbally with his concerned buttinsky of a sister (Rosemarie DeWitt), Sebastian jabs at her, "Why do you say 'romantic' like it's a dirty word? " In this movie, it's not. Not at all. It's the only word. Romance is the film's primary intangible component. It's in the music, in the choreography, in the color, character and script, in the editing, in the lighting, in the costumes, sets and art direction. It's in the air. We're breathing it, savoring it, loving it.

The film reminds us that music is everywhere if you just listen, and if it stops, be aware. That every projector shooting light needs a screen, that every song needs a melody or riff. Life hums along on dreams and desire, enchantment and heartbreak. And yet, life is not a crisp and pithy pop song. It's jazz, improvised, emotionally complex, brimming with conflict.

Of course movie critics love this film; shamelessly referential, it clearly loves movies as much as we do. But don't let that scare you. Chazelle's filmmaking is at once virtuosic and instinctive - "La La Land" builds to a shattering final sequence playing out with only music and pictures, an American dream built upon two quintessentially American art forms. You'll laugh and you'll cry, and you shouldn't be ashamed, because there isn't a damn thing you'll be able to do about it.

'Jackie' review: Natalie Portman gives a stalwart performance in unusual biopic

'Collateral Beauty' review: Will Smith anchors trite howler of a melodrama

2016-12-20 09:15 John Serba www.mlive.com

9 /20 3.7 Beyoncé, Kanye West headline the most scandalous songs of 2016 Music can lead to serious dis-chord — just ask Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Beyoncé.

Those three musical superstars each found themselves mired in massive controversies this year thanks to polarizing lyrics and behind the scenes drama that didn't always hit a high note with fans, critics and fellow artists.

Here are the most scandalous songs of 2016:

"Famous" by Kanye West feat. Rihanna Rihanna denies dissing Beyoncé over Grammy snub

West and Swift finally appeared to be on good terms after years of bitter feuding — until "Famous" happened.

The rapper sparked major drama in February by rapping in the shocking track that he and Swift "might still have sex" because he "made that b---h famous. "

West swore Swift approved the lewd lyrics. Her team instantly denied it. Swift then took a not-so- subtle shot at West when she lamented the people who try to "take credit for your accomplishments or your fame" during her Grammys of the Year acceptance speech days later.

But the narrative underwent an enormous plot twist in July when West's wife Kim Kardashian shared video of Swift giving her blessing to the first half of the lyric, calling it "obviously very tongue in cheek. "

Inside Kanye West’s chaotic year

Swift quickly pointed out in a heated Instagram missive that there's no evidence she consented to the "b---h" portion of the song. But the damage was done.

"This is What You Came For" by Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna

The Scottish DJ had only been broken up with Swift for a few weeks when the pop star's publicist revealed she actually wrote the wildly popular hit for Harris using a pseudonym while they were still dating.

Needless to say, Harris was furious after Swift went public with their secret, unleashing a fuming Twitter tirade against the singer within hours of the revelation.

Beyoncé puts on surprise ‘Lemonade’ performance at holiday party

"Hurtful to me at this point that her and her team would go so far out of their way to try and make ME look bad at this stage," he kvetched in a series of impassioned Twitter missives. "I wrote the music, produced the song, arranged it and cut the vocals though. And initially she wanted it kept secret, hence the pseudonym. "

He concluded the rant by declaring he wouldn't allow her to "bury" him like she tried to with her noted rival Katy Perry.

Bad blood, indeed.

"Sorry" by Beyoncé

Taylor Swift video channel launches on DirecTV, AT&T

Queen Bey left her rabid Beyhive fan-base buzzing after she implied her husband Jay Z cheated on her, most notably with the cryptic line "he better call Becky with the good hair. "

Naturally, hand-wringing fans went wild in trying to decode Beyoncé's mysterious lyric. They antagonized fashion designer Rachel Roy — who had previously been linked to Jay Z — on social media after she wrote "good hair, don't care" below an Instagram photo hours after "Sorry" dropped.

They did the same to Rita Ora when she wore a "J" necklace and a lemon bra — which many assumed was a jab at Beyoncé's new album, "Lemonade. "

But fans never got their answer. Both women starkly denied being Becky, and Jay and Bey remain radio silent.

Could this be what Kanye West's first shrink session is like?

"Formation" by Beyoncé

The politically charged anthem garnered tremendous acclaim for celebrating black culture and depicting African-American life in a manner that the mainstream media typically does not.

But the song certainly had its detractors. Some — including Rudy Giuliani — deemed it anti- police due to references to police brutality in the music video. The scenes in question include a black boy dancing around cops with their hands up and a wall emblazoned with "stop shooting us" in graffiti.

Beyoncé later scoffed at that notion.

Kim Kardashian 'didn't realize' Kanye West was having a breakdown

"Anyone who perceives my message as anti-police is completely mistaken," she told Elle. "I have so much admiration and respect for officers and the families of the officers who sacrifice themselves to keeps us safe. But let's be clear: I am against police brutality and injustice. Those are two separate things. "

She also inspired backlash after she and her backup dancers wore what appeared to be Black Panther-inspired outfits while performing "Formation" at the Super Bowl.

The outrage didn't seem to carry much weight in the eyes of The Recording Academy, though. "Formation" is up for Record of the Year at February's Grammys.

2016-12-20 07:00 Peter Sblendorio feeds.nydailynews.com

10 /20 1.9 Cody Simpson posts brooding laid-back selfie on Instagram His athletic physique was on display as he walked at the beach with a surfboard under his arm before taking to the waves. Cody took to Instagram with beachside snaps, including a candid picture of him playing guitar on the porch looking out at the sea.

2016-12-20 06:59 Candice Jackson www.dailymail.co.uk

11 /20 11 /20 30.9 Charleston City Council member dies of cancer

CHARLESTON, W. Va. (AP) - A Charleston city councilman and real estate agent has died. Media outlets report that 79-year-old Archie Chestnut died Sunday after a months-long battle with liver cancer. He was a Democrat who represented Ward 7 of Charleston.

Chestnut ’s term started in June 2015. He had previously served a term from 2003 to 2007.

Chestnut was also a co-owner of Chestnut Properties , a realty company in the Kanawha Valley. Mayor Danny Jones tells the Charleston Gazette-Mail (http://bit.ly/2hOWZkQ) that he plans on recommending Chestnut ’s wife, Rutha Chestnut , to fill the vacant seat on City Council. Any recommendation by the mayor must be approved by the council.

2016-12-20 06:29 By www.washingtontimes.com

12 /20 2.2 Singer Marc Anthony and wife Shannon de Lima divorcing If you used an Optimum login , click the Connect Account button to use your Optimum login info to manage your Newsday subscription account. If you used a Newsday login , it looks like it's not connected to an active subscriber account. ...

2016-12-20 05:07 system article.wn.com

13 /20 1.1 The day Mabala Noise (pretty much) signed EVERYONE The label had first made headlines when rapper Riky Rick announced that he had finally decided to sign to a record label by the name of Mabala Noise.

But while people were still scratching their head at the announcement and asking themselves who this new label was, it dropped a bombshell by announcing that it had signed a host of other artists.

Nasty C, DJ Finzo, Di Boiz, Major League DJs, Gigi Lamayne, Pro (former Pro Kid), Zakwe, L’vovo and Zola were all paraded at a glitzy ceremony.

But that’s not all! They also announced that they had signed radio and television personalities such as Khanyi Mbau, Kay Sibiya, Letoya Makhene and Mbali Nkosi.

Riky Rick said he decided to sign under Mabala Noise because he felt they are one of the few labels that are still fighting for local artists.

While Nasty C revealed that he had turned his back on a potential deal with Jay Z’s Roc Nation because of the contract he was offered by Mabala Noise

How have they done?

The label wasted little time in pushing out a number of new releases from its artists- including the highly-anticipated debut album from rapper Nasty C, which went straight to number one on the local music charts.

The label also gave Khanyi Mbau a second chance at a music career, with a single called Shake. The track garnered mixed reviews with some social media users labelling the lyrics as “horrible”.

The label then made history when it released three albums at the same time live on national radio. The launch was filled with technical difficulties, but cemented the label as one of the most exciting and innovative in Mzansi.

The artist has promised several more deals in the future and have in recent weeks added LeAnne Dlamini to the label.

But 2017 promises to be an exciting year for the label, and artists who are not yet signed to it might want to watch out, because they might be next to join the great Mabala Noise ship.

2016-12-20 04:00 TshisaLIVE www.timeslive.co.za

14 /20 3.4 Novartis says reaches agreement to buy Texas-based Encore Vision ZURICH, Dec 20 (Reuters) - Swiss drugmaker Novartis said on Tuesday it has reached a definitive agreement to buy Fort Worth, Texas-based Encore Vision, which is focused on developing a novel treatment in presbyopia, or far-sightedness. "There is a large need for innovative, effective and safe treatment options for people with presbyopia, and there is currently no disease-modifying treatment available at all," Vasant Narasimhan, Novartis' global head, drug development and chief medical officer said in a statement. Financial details of the transaction are not disclosed, Basel-based Novartis said. (Reporting by Joshua Franklin; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

2016-12-20 02:32 Reuters www.dailymail.co.uk

15 /20 3.6 WATCH: Mariah Carey ‘throws shade’ at Demi Lovato, Ariana live Mariah Carey frankly gave her first impressions of several pop stars and admitted that she never knew Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato.

In a segment called “Do You Know Her” on “Watch What Happens Live!” the chanteuse and “Mariah’s World” reality star answered queries from host Andy Cohen whether she knew or had met some of Hollywood’s grandest recording divas.

Carey told Corey that she knew Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Britney Spears, whom she described as someone she “loves.” She also revealed that she “never had a conversation” with Madonna and that she met Miley Cyrus “in a bathroom.”

Amusingly, Carey said that she never knew Ariana Grande, the “Side To Side” songstress who was once compared to Carey for her ravishing vocals. She elucidated, “I don’t know when early in the career was… Honestly, I’m not familiar, I listen to hip-hop more than I listen to pop music.”

When asked about Demi Lovato, who previously said Carey was “mean” for dissing Jennifer Lopez, Carey responded, “I don’t know her either, and so I wouldn’t say anything to her.”

Asked to comment on Lovato’s statement, Carey barefacedly “shaded” her. “She should come up, introduce herself to me, say here’s my opinion, ‘What do you think about it?’ That’s how you handle s**t, okay?” she lashed.

Other hard-hitting topics were raised during the quick interview, including her “break-up settlement” with her ex-beau, Australian billionaire James Packer, and her flirtation with backup dancer Bryan Tanaka, which was sensationalized by paparazzi outlets two weeks ago.

Carey evaded Cohen’s questions by asking her fans to watch her upcoming series. “I want people to watch the show…because when something is real and is a beautiful thing, some people just trash it,” she said. Gianna Francesca Catolico

2016-12-20 00:00 Gianna Francesca entertainment.inquirer.net

16 /20 3.3 Potato chips sold in Va., Md. recalled WASHINGTON — Virginia and Maryland consumers take note: A snack food maker is recalling potato chips that may contain salmonella.

Snyder of Berlin is recalling bags of Buffalo Blue Kettle Cooked Potato Chips after being informed by a supplier that milk powder used in the chips’ spice blend might contain the bacteria.

Consumers should not consume the recalled product with the product codes listed below:

The products were distributed in nine states, including Virginia and Maryland.

To date, there have been no reported illnesses associated with this product. No other Snyder of Berlin products were affected, the FDA said.

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps 12–72 hours after infection. Illness usually lasts 4–7 days, and most persons recover without treatment. However, in some cases it may require hospitalization.

Consumers should throw out or return these products to the point of sale for a full refund.

Consumers with additional questions may contact Snyder of Berlin Consumer Care by calling 888-257-8042.

The FDA has complete details about the potato chip recall. comments

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© 2016 WTOP. All Rights Reserved.

Need a break? Play a quick game of solitaire or Sudoku. Or take one of our fun quizzes!

Try these Christmas dinner recipes to please your holiday crowd.

2016-12-20 02:11 Jack Pointer wtop.com

17 /20 3.4 Celebrity birthdays for the week of Dec. 25-31 Dec. 25: Singer John Edwards of The Spinners is 72. Singer Jimmy Buffett is 70. Country singer Barbara Mandrell is 68. Actress Sissy Spacek is 67. Actress CCH Pounder is 64. Singer Annie Lennox is 62. Singer Steve Wariner is 62. Guitarist Robin Campbell of UB40 is 62. Singer Shane McGowan (The Popes, the Pogues) is 59. Guitarist Noel Hogan of The Cranberries is 45. Singer Dido is 45. Singer Mac Powell of Third Day is 44. Country singer Alecia Elliott is 34. Singer Jess and Lisa Origliasso of The Veronicas are 32. Dec. 26: Actor Donald Moffat ("Clear and Present Danger") is 86. Actor Caroll Spinney (Big Bird on "Sesame Street") is 83. Singer Abdul "Duke" Fakir of The Four Tops is 81. Phil Spector is 77. "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh is 71. Keyboardist Bob Carpenter with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is 70. Humorist David Sedaris is 60. Drummer James Kottak of Scorpions is 54. Drummer Brian Westrum of Sons of the Desert is 54. Drummer Lars Ulrich of Metallica is 53. Country singer Audrey Wiggins is 49. Guitarist J (White Zombie) is 49. Guitarist Peter Klett of Candlebox is 47. Singer James Mercer of The Shins is 46. Actor-singer Jared Leto of 30 Seconds to Mars is 45. Singer Chris Daughtry ("American Idol") is 37. Actress Beth Behrs ("2 Broke Girls") is 31. Actor Kit Harington ("Game of Thrones") is 30. Actress Eden Sher ("The Middle") is 25. Singer Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix is 24. Dec. 27: Guitarist Mick Jones of Foreigner is 72. Singer Tracy Nelson is 72. Actor Gerard Depardieu is 68. Actress Tovah Feldshuh is 64. Guitarist David Knopfler of Dire Straits is 64. Drummer Jeff Bryant (Ricochet) is 54. Actor Ian Gomez ("Felicity," ''The Drew Carey Show") is 52. Actress Eva LaRue ("CSI: Miami") is 50. Bassist Darrin Vincent of Dailey and Vincent is 47. Guitarist Matt Slocum of Sixpence None the Richer is 44. Actor Masi Oka ("Hawaii Five-O") is 42. Actress Emilie de Ravin ("Once Upon a Time," ''Lost") is 35. Guitarist James Mead of Kutless is 34. Singer Hayley Williams of Paramore is 28. Singer Shay Mooney of Dan and Shay is 25. Dec. 28: Comic book creator Stan Lee is 94. Actress Nichelle Nichols ("Star Trek") is 84. Actress Maggie Smith is 82. Saxophonist Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers is 78. Singer-keyboardist Edgar Winter is 70. Actor Denzel Washington is 62. Country singer Joe Diffie is 58. Drummer Mike McGuire of Shenandoah is 58. Actor Chad McQueen (the "Karate Kid" films) is 56. Country singer-guitarist Marty Roe of Diamond Rio is 56. Actor Malcolm Gets ("Caroline in the City") is 52. Comedian Seth Meyers is 43. Actor Joe Manganiello ("True Blood") is 40. Singer John Legend is 38. Actor Andre Holland ("Selma") is 37. Actress Sienna Miller is 35. Actress Mackenzie Rosman ("7th Heaven") is 27. "American Idol" runner-up David Archuleta is 26. Actor Miles Brown ("Black-ish") is 12. Dec. 29: Actress Mary Tyler Moore is 80. Actor Jon Voight is 78. Country singer Ed Bruce is 77. Flutist Ray Thomas (Moody Blues) is 75. Singer Marianne Faithfull is 70. Actor Ted Danson is 69. Singer-actress Yvonne Elliman is 65. Actress Patricia Clarkson is 57. Comedian Paula Poundstone is 57. Guitarist-singer Jim Reid of the Jesus and Mary Chain is 55. Actor Michael Cudlitz ("The Walking Dead") is 52. Singer Dexter Holland of The Offspring is 51. Singer- guitarist Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket) is 46. Actor Kevin Weisman ("Alias") is 46. Actor Jude Law is 44. Actress Maria Dizzia ("Orange Is the New Black") is 42. Actor Mekhi Phifer is 42. Actor Shawn Hatosy ("Reckless," ''The Faculty") is 41. Country singer Jessica Andrews is 33. Actress Jane Levy ("Suburgatory") is 27. Dec. 30: Actor Joseph Bologna is 82. Actor Russ Tamblyn is 82. Singer Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary is 79. Director James Burrows ("Cheers," ''Taxi") is 76. Actor Fred Ward ("The Right Stuff") is 74. Singer Mike Nesmith of The Monkees is 74. Singer Patti Smith is 70. Musician Jeff Lynne is 69. TV host Meredith Vieira ("Today," ''The View") is 63. Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph ("Moesha") is 61. Country singer Suzy Bogguss is 60. Actress Patricia Kalembar ("Sisters") is 60. "Today" show anchor Matt Lauer is 59. Actress-comedian Tracey Ullman is 57. TV host Sean Hannity is 55. Singer Jay Kay of Jamiroquai is 47. Drummer Byron McMackin of Pennywise is 47. Actress Meredith Monroe ("Dawson's Creek") is 47. Actor Jason Behr ("The Grudge," ''Roswell") is 43. Actress Lucy Punch ("Ben and Kate") is 39. Singer-actor Tyrese is 38. Actress Eliza Dushku ("Dollhouse," ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer") is 36. Guitarist Tim Lopez of Plain White T's is 36. Actress Kristin Kreuk ("Smallville") is 34. Singer-guitarist Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers is 34. Singer Andra Day is 32. Singer Ellie Goulding is 30. Actress Caity Lotz ("DC's Legends of Tomorrow") is 30. Drummer Jamie Follese of Hot Chelle Rae is 25. Dec. 31: Actor Anthony Hopkins is 79. Actress Sarah Miles is 75. Guitarist Andy Summers of The Police is 74. Actor Ben Kingsley is 73. Actor Tim Matheson is 69. Singer Burton Cummings of The Guess Who is 69. Bassist Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith is 65. Actor James Remar ("Dexter") is 63. Actress Bebe Neuwirth ("Cheers") is 58. Singer Paul Westerberg is 57. Actor Val Kilmer is 57. Guitarist Ric Ivanisevich of Oleander is 54. Guitarist Scott Ian of Anthrax is 53. Actor Lance Reddick ("Fringe," ''The Wire") is 47. Singer-actor Joe McIntyre of New Kids on the Block is 44. Cellist Mikko Siren of Apocalyptica is 41. Singer Psy is 39. Drummer Bob Bryar (My Chemical Romance) is 37. Actor Erich Bergen ("Madam Secretary," ''Jersey Boys") is 31. Musician Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers is 27.

2016-12-20 02:02 Associated Press www.dailymail.co.uk

18 /20 2.4 More gems from a breathtaking year in music December 20, 2016

— 2016 has been a very weird year in so many ways, but it’s been one of the best in memory for the breathtaking variety and quality of music produced in the past 12 months. Since our space for music reviews is limited, I present a baker’s dozen of worthy releases that “shoulda been contendahs” for inclusion.

Perhaps the funkiest retro/modern album in years comes from a multitalented artist with the out-there name of Childish Gambino. “Awaken, My Love!” simply has to be heard. Go ahead, I’ll wait...

Fellow funkster Anderson. Paak proudly represents the flowering Los Angeles R&B scene with his latest album “Malibu.”(Caution – it’s rated R.)

Xenia Rubinos’s “Black Terry Cat” is an irresistible mash of funk, hip-hop, Caribbean, and jazz. And that voice! It’s a supernatural wonder. Another one of the best voices of the year emanates from British songstress with her stirring, grandiose “The Dreaming Room.” A world away, three Israeli sisters collectively known as A-WA deliver up a world music delight with “Habib Galbi” (“Love of My Heart”), which doubles as a slammin’ dance-floor smash.

Country music is getting harder and harder to keep in a box, and that’s a good thing. Maren Morris channels more Johnny Cash than June on her excellent and defiant “Hero.” And 23-year- old Parker Millsap is a young country bottle rocket with an old soul, as heard on his album “The Very Last Day.”

Protest songs are on the rise, and leading the charge is steely-eyed winner “American Band,” by Americana veterans Drive-By Truckers. Kingsley Flood’s “Another Other” is, in the band’s words, “an exploration of identity and race and class” with travel guide/lead singer Naseem Khuri.

It was back to the roots for the Rolling Stones with “Blue & Lonesome” and the septuagenarians sound positively reborn. Rocking DIY newcomers Big Thief, with the album “Masterpiece”; Pinegrove with “Cardinal”; and Car Seat Headrest with “Teens of Denial” all contribute mightily to the sterling cache of great music this year. 2016-12-20 02:00 The Christian www.csmonitor.com

19 /20 0.0 BNP Paribas: Why you should stop buying index funds now It's time to buy actively managed funds, instead of index funds, as assets that long walked in lockstep are set to move to a different drum, BNP Paribas said last week.

Over the past few years, assets had a single driver – central bank policy stimulus – and that meant that actively managed funds, which have higher expenses, underperformed funds that passively track indexes, noted Mirza Baig, head of foreign-exchange and rates strategy for Asia at BNP Paribas.

"All you had to do was basically buy something and sit on it," he noted, but added that now, that correlation was breaking down.

As an example, he pointed to the long-running negative correlation between the dollar and commodity prices, or that commodity prices historically usually fall as the dollar rises and vice versa. But over the past few weeks, he noted, oil prices have moved higher even as the U. S. dollar has jumped.

Baig said that's a signal that assets globally are ceasing to move in tandem.

"Everything is going to have its own story," he said. "We're not going to see perfect correlation between bond rates, equity and credit markets. We're likely to see much more idiosyncratic movements in specific asset classes. "

He pointed to several reasons for the paradigm shift.

"The Chinese economy is now on a firmer footing because they are pumping the economy with fiscal stimulus. The Chinese are also shutting down the excess capacity in some of these sectors that were overcapacity, so steel and coal in particular," he noted. "In the oil space, the oil producers seem to have banded together to produce somewhat of a supply shortage as well to push up oil prices, so some of these supply side dynamics have changed. "

He noted that a stronger U. S. recovery and a stable Chinese economy have changed the demand picture as well.

The shift toward more volatility and less correlation in markets is a positive for active managers, he said.

"When you have uncorrelated activity across asset classes it's the actively managed funds that are likely to do better and this is great news for the hedge fund industry," he said.

Baig tipped a top play on the new paradigm as shorting the Singapore dollar against a long play on I ndonesia's rupiah .

"The Singapore dollar is a basket, which is tied to the yen , the renminbi and the dollar, whereas Indonesia is a very commodity intensive economy," he noted. "If commodity prices are stable or stronger, then essentially that supports the Indonesian economy. The Singapore dollar is tied much more to the basket and therefore will continue to weaken. "

That's a six-to-12 month, trade, he said.

BNP Paribas also liked being short the euro and long Brazil, on a similar view, he said.

"Brazil is a high-yielding commodity producing economy whereas euro is inherently about anti- dollar, the reverse of the dollar trend," he said, forecasting the euro would fall to parity against the greenback by the end of next year.

He added that as Brazil's central bank wasn't likely to cut interest rates much further, he wasn't bullish on the country's bonds, preferring to play the currency .

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook .

2016-12-20 00:52 Leslie Shaffer www.cnbc.com

20 /20 2.9 Vendee sailor limps for N. Zealand after collision Solo round-the-world sailor Thomas Ruyant was desperately trying to reach New Zealand Tuesday after a high-seas collision that split open his yacht's hull, Maritime New Zealand said. The Frenchman was taking part in the Vendee Globe race when he hit an object believed to be a shipping container on Sunday night. "The shock was exceptionally violent. It gives me the shivers just thinking about it," Ruyant said in a message posted on the race's website. "I was at 17-18 knots and came to a sudden standstill... the whole of the forward section exploded and folded up. " At the time, he was about 150 nautical miles (280 kilometres) off New Zealand's South Island. With his yacht in danger of splitting in two, Ruyant stowed his sail and began slowly motoring towards land. "I'm in helicopter range, which is reassuring," he said. "I just have to push a button and they’ll come and get me. "The inside hasn’t been affected and with my watertight doors, I’m sheltered. " Maritime New Zealand rescue coordinator Mike Roberts said the sailor was expected to make landfall late Tuesday but bad weather was closing in. "We will be keeping very close tabs on his whereabouts... once he is closer to land a rescue will be easier to achieve if his situation deteriorates and he requires assistance," he said. The solo round-the-world yacht race embarked from western France on November 6 with the winner expected back on France's Atlantic coast by January 20.

2016-12-20 00:15 Afp www.dailymail.co.uk

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