As the U.S. enters a new era of foreign policy in the Middle East, A Starting Point, the civic media organization created by Chris Evans, actor/filmmaker Mark Kassen and entrepreneur Joe Kiani, will explore America’s past, present and future in the region during a new six-part series, Influence and Power in the Middle East, guest hosted by former CIA Operative and Texas Congressman Will Hurd.
Drawing on his unique insights and on-the-ground experience, Hurd will lead exclusive conversations with several of the most influential foreign policy makers of the past four administrations including Former Un Ambassador John Bolton, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Former Saudi Arabia Ambassador Joseph Westphal, Former Yemen Ambassador Barbara Bodine and others.
Airing on Aug. 30, the six-part series connects the major national players, history, culture, and influence that shapes America’s strategic relationships and military involvement in the Middle East.
Drawing on his unique insights and on-the-ground experience, Hurd will lead exclusive conversations with several of the most influential foreign policy makers of the past four administrations including Former Un Ambassador John Bolton, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Former Saudi Arabia Ambassador Joseph Westphal, Former Yemen Ambassador Barbara Bodine and others.
Airing on Aug. 30, the six-part series connects the major national players, history, culture, and influence that shapes America’s strategic relationships and military involvement in the Middle East.
- 8/16/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
One week before the 2020 election, Donald Trump beamed out at a Lansing, Michigan crowd and delivered his closing pitch to the women he imagined might be watching him. “I’m also getting your husbands — they want to get back to work, right? They want to get back to work. We’re getting your husbands back to work, and everybody wants it,” Trump said.
More than 12.1 million women lost jobs this year; female joblessness stands at the highest it’s been since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started tracking it in the 1940s.
More than 12.1 million women lost jobs this year; female joblessness stands at the highest it’s been since the Bureau of Labor Statistics started tracking it in the 1940s.
- 11/13/2020
- by Tessa Stuart
- Rollingstone.com
President Donald Trump‘s reported decision to end Daca — the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that offers work permits to people who entered the country illegally as minors — has incensed the internet, with politicians, celebrities, everyday Americans and people who have benefitted from the program expressing shock and disgust over the move expected to be officially announced Tuesday.
Sen. Bernie Sanders forcefully condemned the news on Twitter Sunday night, saying that if Trump indeed ends the program “it will be one of the ugliest and cruelest decisions ever made by a president in our modern history.”
“Taking legal protections...
Sen. Bernie Sanders forcefully condemned the news on Twitter Sunday night, saying that if Trump indeed ends the program “it will be one of the ugliest and cruelest decisions ever made by a president in our modern history.”
“Taking legal protections...
- 9/4/2017
- by Kathy Ehrich Dowd and Tierney McAfee
- PEOPLE.com
President Donald Trump announced in a series of tweets that transgender people will no longer be allowed to serve in the military, and Twitter users are reacting.
Trump wrote in three tweets that the military “must be focused” and “cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”
U.S. Army Pvt. Chelsea Manning called the move, “cowardice.”
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35? sounds like cowardice #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Writer and transgender activist Janet Mock, who transitioned in her teens,...
Trump wrote in three tweets that the military “must be focused” and “cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.”
U.S. Army Pvt. Chelsea Manning called the move, “cowardice.”
so, biggest baddest most $$ military on earth cries about a few trans people but funds the F-35? sounds like cowardice #WeGotThis
— Chelsea E. Manning (@xychelsea) July 26, 2017
Writer and transgender activist Janet Mock, who transitioned in her teens,...
- 7/26/2017
- by Julie Mazziotta
- PEOPLE.com
- 5/9/2016
- by Kelsey Garcia
- Popsugar.com
On Wednesday, Kim, Kourtney, and Khloé Kardashian fled to Cuba for the ultimate family vacation with Kanye West, his daughter, North, and Kourtney's children, Mason and Penelope Disick. Luckily, Khloé and Kourtney took to Instagram throughout the week to share photos from the trip, uploading a handful of group selfies of the ladies smoking cigars and being tourists in Havana. Khloé even captioned one of the snaps, "Pablo was here! Cuba," referencing Kanye West's Life of Pablo album. Kourtney, on the other hand, posted a photo of herself showing off her toned abs, along with a cryptic quote that read, "You are so brave and quiet I forget you are suffering." While the ladies seemed to enjoy their time on the island, not everyone was happy about their recent getaway. Earlier in the week, South Florida representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen released a statement to People criticizing the Kardashians and their "vapid" vacation,...
- 5/7/2016
- by Monica Sisavat
- Popsugar.com
The Kardashians are taking over Cuba – but not without controversy.
On Wednesday, Khloé Kardashian shared a photo on Instagram of herself posing in sexy attire under a Fidel Castro inscribed into a wall in Havana.
Havana
A photo posted by Khloe (@khloekardashian) on May 4, 2016 at 7:26pm Pdt
Within seconds of the picture hitting social media, an influx of angry comments were posted questioning the reality star's choice to align herself with the dictator through the photo.
A slew of followers called the 31-year-old "ignorant" and "insensitive," while others demanded she take down the photo.
South Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,...
On Wednesday, Khloé Kardashian shared a photo on Instagram of herself posing in sexy attire under a Fidel Castro inscribed into a wall in Havana.
Havana
A photo posted by Khloe (@khloekardashian) on May 4, 2016 at 7:26pm Pdt
Within seconds of the picture hitting social media, an influx of angry comments were posted questioning the reality star's choice to align herself with the dictator through the photo.
A slew of followers called the 31-year-old "ignorant" and "insensitive," while others demanded she take down the photo.
South Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,...
- 5/5/2016
- by Brittany King, @brrriitttnnii
- People.com - TV Watch
The Kardashians are taking over Cuba - but not without controversy. On Wednesday, Khloé Kardashian shared a photo on Instagram of herself posing in sexy attire under a Fidel Castro inscribed into a wall in Havana. Havana A photo posted by Khloe (@khloekardashian) on May 4, 2016 at 7:26pm Pdt Within seconds of the picture hitting social media, an influx of angry comments were posted questioning the reality star's choice to align herself with the dictator through the photo. A slew of followers called the 31-year-old "ignorant" and "insensitive," while others demanded she take down the photo. South Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,...
- 5/5/2016
- by Brittany King, @brrriitttnnii
- PEOPLE.com
The Kardashians are taking over Cuba - but not without controversy. On Wednesday, Khloé Kardashian shared a photo on Instagram of herself posing in sexy attire under a Fidel Castro inscribed into a wall in Havana. Within seconds of the picture hitting social media, an influx of angry comments were posted questioning the reality star's choice to align herself with the dictator through the photo. A slew of followers called the 31-year-old "ignorant" and "insensitive," while others demanded she take down the photo. South Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, who was previously critical of the family told People amid the uproar:...
- 5/5/2016
- by Brittany King, @brrriitttnnii
- PEOPLE.com
Khloé Kardashian is loving Cuba. The reality star took to Instagram Wednesday evening to share a series of pictures from her family's trip to Havana. In the first snap, she captured her and sisters Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, plus family friend Malika Haqq, smoking cigars. "Pablo was here! Cuba," Khloé, 31 captioned the selfie, adding a Cuban flag emoji. Pablo was here! Cuba A photo posted by Khloe (@khloekardashian) on May 4, 2016 at 3:42pm Pdt Referencing Cuban Spanish slang for "big lips," Khloé captioned the next selfie with the word "bemba" as she puckered her red lips alongside Kourtney, 37. Bemba A...
- 5/5/2016
- by Aurelie Corinthios
- PEOPLE.com
Khloé Kardashian is loving Cuba.
The reality star took to Instagram Wednesday evening to share a series of pictures from her family's trip to Havana.
In the first snap, she captured her and sisters Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, plus family friend Malika Haqq, smoking cigars.
"Pablo was here! Cuba," Khloé, 31 captioned the selfie, adding a Cuban flag emoji.
Pablo was here! Cuba
A photo posted by Khloe (@khloekardashian) on May 4, 2016 at 3:42pm Pdt
Referencing Cuban Spanish slang for "big lips," Khloé captioned the next selfie with the word "bemba" as she puckered her red lips alongside Kourtney, 37.
Bemba
A...
The reality star took to Instagram Wednesday evening to share a series of pictures from her family's trip to Havana.
In the first snap, she captured her and sisters Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, plus family friend Malika Haqq, smoking cigars.
"Pablo was here! Cuba," Khloé, 31 captioned the selfie, adding a Cuban flag emoji.
Pablo was here! Cuba
A photo posted by Khloe (@khloekardashian) on May 4, 2016 at 3:42pm Pdt
Referencing Cuban Spanish slang for "big lips," Khloé captioned the next selfie with the word "bemba" as she puckered her red lips alongside Kourtney, 37.
Bemba
A...
- 5/5/2016
- by Aurelie Corinthios
- People.com - TV Watch
Khloé Kardashian is loving Cuba. The reality star took to Instagram Wednesday evening to share a series of pictures from her family's trip to Havana. In the first snap, she captured her and sisters Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, plus family friend Malika Haqq, smoking cigars. "Pablo was here! Cuba," Khloé, 31 captioned the selfie, adding a Cuban flag emoji. Pablo was here! Cuba A photo posted by Khloe (@khloekardashian) on May 4, 2016 at 3:42pm Pdt Referencing Cuban Spanish slang for "big lips," Khloé captioned the next selfie with the word "bemba" as she puckered her red lips alongside Kourtney, 37. Bemba A...
- 5/5/2016
- by Aurelie Corinthios
- PEOPLE.com
A photo posted by Khloé (@khloekardashian) on May 4, 2016 at 3:42pm Pdt The Kardashians jetted off to Cuba on Wednesday, and while Kim, Kourtney, and Khloé may be having the time of their lives, not everyone is happy about their trip. Upon the family's arrival to the country, South Florida representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen released a statement to People that reads as follows: "I know it's cool for celebrities to go to Cuba, but the Cuban people don't experience the glamorous Havana that is featured on social media. Far from photo shoots and fruity drinks, everyday Cubans experience a different, sad reality. Now, the Kardashians are parachuting into the island to tape their vapid TV show - Haven't the Cuban people suffered enough?" While the ladies have yet to respond to the rep's comment, Khloé did take to Instagram earlier in the day and uploaded a group selfie of the women holding up cigars,...
- 5/5/2016
- by Monica Sisavat
- Popsugar.com
As the Kardashians arrive in Cuba, some are questioning the impression of glamour they're bringing to the financially struggling country.
One outspoken U.S. representative had strong words on the reality stars' trip to Havana.
"I know it's cool for celebrities to go to Cuba, but the Cuban people don't experience the glamorous Havana that is featured on social media," South Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen tells People in an exclusive statement. "Far from photo shoots and fruity drinks, everyday Cubans experience a different, sad reality."
"Now, the Kardashians are parachuting into the island to tape their vapid TV show," she added.
One outspoken U.S. representative had strong words on the reality stars' trip to Havana.
"I know it's cool for celebrities to go to Cuba, but the Cuban people don't experience the glamorous Havana that is featured on social media," South Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen tells People in an exclusive statement. "Far from photo shoots and fruity drinks, everyday Cubans experience a different, sad reality."
"Now, the Kardashians are parachuting into the island to tape their vapid TV show," she added.
- 5/4/2016
- by Aurelie Corinthios and Brittany King
- People.com - TV Watch
As the Kardashians arrive in Cuba, some are questioning the impression of glamour they're bringing to the financially struggling country. One outspoken U.S. representative had strong words on the reality stars' trip to Havana. "I know it's cool for celebrities to go to Cuba, but the Cuban people don't experience the glamorous Havana that is featured on social media," South Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen tells People in an exclusive statement. "Far from photo shoots and fruity drinks, everyday Cubans experience a different, sad reality." "Now, the Kardashians are parachuting into the island to tape their vapid TV show," she added.
- 5/4/2016
- by Aurelie Corinthios and Brittany King
- PEOPLE.com
As the Kardashians arrive in Cuba, voices are rising questioning the glamour that they're bringing to a struggling country. One outspoken U.S. representative had strong words on the reality stars' trip to Havana, Cuba. "I know it's cool for celebrities to go to Cuba, but the Cuban people don't experience the glamorous Havana that is featured on social media," South Florida Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen tells People. "Far from photo shoots and fruity drinks, everyday Cubans experience a different, sad reality." "Now, the Kardashians are parachuting into the island to tape their vapid TV show," she added. "Haven't the Cuban people suffered enough?...
- 5/4/2016
- by Aurelie Corinthios and Brittany King
- PEOPLE.com
Andrew Garfield offends The Beygency, President Obama unveils this year’s stand up routine, Alan Cumming likes his men with hair
Kirk Cameron took a detour on his normal route to bashing gays, blaming current church leaders and straights for ruining marriage. “When people get too focused on redefining marriage, you’re distracted from the bigger problem — fornicators and adulterers. If the people sitting in the pews are fornicators and adulterers, the church will destroy marriages much more quickly than those outside the church. When God’s people mock marriage, God doesn’t take that lightly. The church isn’t taking God’s definition of marriage seriously. It’s not other people sabotaging marriage that’s the problem.”
A second sexual assault lawsuit has been filed against Bryan Singer, this time also naming singer and producer Gary Goddard. The anonymous plaintiff says that the incidents began online with Goddard when...
Kirk Cameron took a detour on his normal route to bashing gays, blaming current church leaders and straights for ruining marriage. “When people get too focused on redefining marriage, you’re distracted from the bigger problem — fornicators and adulterers. If the people sitting in the pews are fornicators and adulterers, the church will destroy marriages much more quickly than those outside the church. When God’s people mock marriage, God doesn’t take that lightly. The church isn’t taking God’s definition of marriage seriously. It’s not other people sabotaging marriage that’s the problem.”
A second sexual assault lawsuit has been filed against Bryan Singer, this time also naming singer and producer Gary Goddard. The anonymous plaintiff says that the incidents began online with Goddard when...
- 5/5/2014
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
New alleged pic of Dylan Sprouse, Dot Marie Jones’ surprise wedding, and A Charlie Brown Christmas flashmob
Phil Robertson broke his silence at a Bible study in Louisiana on Sunday. ““We are a bunch of rednecks from Louisiana, but I am not uneducated, I have a degree from Louisiana Tech. But this week I have been called an ignoramus. This week I have been asked, ‘Is this the first time you have brought up sin?’ I said, ‘Are you kidding? I have been traveling to and fro spreading this message. ‘Then he said, ‘Well do you invite yourself to go and get your Bible and tell people what you are now sharing with us?’ I said, “No they are inviting me.”
Meanwhile, an insider tells Entertainment Weekly that A&E has no intention of dropping Phil or the show, but instead is just using the Christmas holiday as time for the controversy to die down.
Phil Robertson broke his silence at a Bible study in Louisiana on Sunday. ““We are a bunch of rednecks from Louisiana, but I am not uneducated, I have a degree from Louisiana Tech. But this week I have been called an ignoramus. This week I have been asked, ‘Is this the first time you have brought up sin?’ I said, ‘Are you kidding? I have been traveling to and fro spreading this message. ‘Then he said, ‘Well do you invite yourself to go and get your Bible and tell people what you are now sharing with us?’ I said, “No they are inviting me.”
Meanwhile, an insider tells Entertainment Weekly that A&E has no intention of dropping Phil or the show, but instead is just using the Christmas holiday as time for the controversy to die down.
- 12/23/2013
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
Telemundo tune in for Sunday: José Díaz-Balart speaks one-on-one with Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-tx), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-fl) about Immigration Reform and the latest on Obamacare Also, “Enfoque con José Díaz-Balart” is on the campaign trail in Honduras with an exclusive interview with presidential candidate and former First Lady Xiomara Castro de Zelaya Telemundo’s “Enfoque con José Díaz-Balart” presents two interviews that tackle the two subjects that currently are at the forefront of the American political debate --Obamacare and Immigration Reform-- this Sunday, October 27 at 12Pm/11C. Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-tx), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-fl) talk one-on-one with José Díaz-Balart about the latest developments and...
- 10/25/2013
- by April Neale
- Monsters and Critics
Dianne Reidy has been identified as the stenographer who grabbed the mic and began yelling about God on Oct. 16, while members of Congress were voting on a final end to the government shutdown.
“The Holy Spirit” told Dianne Reidy to protest, said claimed in a new statement after the mother of two, a registered Liberal, went on a full-fledged rant during the voting to end the government shut down. She was then dragged out by authorities and taken to the hospital.
House Stenographer Goes On Rant During Vote
While the vote was taking place, Dianne stood up, grabbed the mic and began yelling about God and the Freemasons. During her rant, she reportedly said:
He will not be mocked. He will not be mocked. Don’t touch me. He will not be mocked. The greatest deception here is not ‘one nation under God.’ It never was. Had it been, it would not have been.
“The Holy Spirit” told Dianne Reidy to protest, said claimed in a new statement after the mother of two, a registered Liberal, went on a full-fledged rant during the voting to end the government shut down. She was then dragged out by authorities and taken to the hospital.
House Stenographer Goes On Rant During Vote
While the vote was taking place, Dianne stood up, grabbed the mic and began yelling about God and the Freemasons. During her rant, she reportedly said:
He will not be mocked. He will not be mocked. Don’t touch me. He will not be mocked. The greatest deception here is not ‘one nation under God.’ It never was. Had it been, it would not have been.
- 10/17/2013
- by Emily Longeretta
- HollywoodLife
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen wants Florida to repeal marriage equality ban, “Same Love” rocketing up the charts, Constitutional ban on marriage introduced
If you needed any other reason to love Meryl Streep, you have to see how she congratulated Sandra Bullock on her Oscar win.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has confirmed that she has directed that same-sex married couples be treated exactly the same as opposite sex married couples for the purpose of immigration.
Files released in lawsuits with the diocese of Milwaukee confirm that during his time there, Cardinal Dolan moved to protect church assets from being caught up in settlements by pedophile priests by transferring the money out of the diocese. Cardinal Dolan says that the documents are nothing new, and show he was exercising his duty to the church.
In possibly the most unique and repugnant use of the Prop 8 ruling, Paula Deen is seeking to...
If you needed any other reason to love Meryl Streep, you have to see how she congratulated Sandra Bullock on her Oscar win.
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has confirmed that she has directed that same-sex married couples be treated exactly the same as opposite sex married couples for the purpose of immigration.
Files released in lawsuits with the diocese of Milwaukee confirm that during his time there, Cardinal Dolan moved to protect church assets from being caught up in settlements by pedophile priests by transferring the money out of the diocese. Cardinal Dolan says that the documents are nothing new, and show he was exercising his duty to the church.
In possibly the most unique and repugnant use of the Prop 8 ruling, Paula Deen is seeking to...
- 7/2/2013
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
New York — Jay-z is defending his recent trip to Cuba in a new song.
The rapper released "Open Letter" Thursday after two Florida Republican lawmakers critical of the trip questioned if the rapper's visit to Havana with wife Beyonce, which coincided with their fifth wedding anniversary, was officially licensed.
On the song, Jay-z talks about his distaste for politicians and repeats the refrain, "Y'all gon' learn today."
Jay-z raps: "Want to give me jail time and a fine? Fine, let me commit a real crime."
U.S. Treasury officials said Tuesday the couple's trip was licensed as an educational exchange after Cuban-American U.S. Reps Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart expressed concerns about the trip and wanted to know if it was licensed.
Jay-z and Beyonce are avid supporters of President Barack Obama. Jay-z raps in his song, "Obama said, `Chill, you gon' get me impeached, you don't need this (expletive) anyway,...
The rapper released "Open Letter" Thursday after two Florida Republican lawmakers critical of the trip questioned if the rapper's visit to Havana with wife Beyonce, which coincided with their fifth wedding anniversary, was officially licensed.
On the song, Jay-z talks about his distaste for politicians and repeats the refrain, "Y'all gon' learn today."
Jay-z raps: "Want to give me jail time and a fine? Fine, let me commit a real crime."
U.S. Treasury officials said Tuesday the couple's trip was licensed as an educational exchange after Cuban-American U.S. Reps Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart expressed concerns about the trip and wanted to know if it was licensed.
Jay-z and Beyonce are avid supporters of President Barack Obama. Jay-z raps in his song, "Obama said, `Chill, you gon' get me impeached, you don't need this (expletive) anyway,...
- 4/11/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Jay-z and Beyonce may have been celebrating a personal milestone in the lap of luxury and adulation last week, but beneath the sheen of celebrity indulgence, their trip to Cuba was actually an important educational and cultural diplomatic exchange. Such is the reasoning given by the Treasury Department in an official letter sent to Florida Republicans Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart; earlier this week, the pair -- both from heavily Cuban-American districts -- wrote a public note inquiring why pop culture's royal couple was permitted to visit the communist nation despite heavy U.S. travel restrictions.
read more...
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- 4/10/2013
- by Jordan Zakarin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It's official, Beyoncé and Jay-z's trip to Cuba was legal.
Musical power couple Beyoncé and Jay-z traveled to the Communist island legally on an authorized educational trip, the Treasury Department said Tuesday in a letter obtained by the Miami Herald. The trip was organized by a group called Academic Arrangements Abroad, Reuters reports.
“It is our understanding that the travelers in question travelled to Cuba pursuant to an educational exchange trip organized by a group,” the letter said, according to the Herald.
Most U.S. citizens can’t travel to Cuba just for tourism. The U.S. government first imposed restrictions on travel to Cuba in 1962. They have remained in place since then, with the exception of a period from 1977 to 1982, when President Jimmy Carter let them expire. Current law doesn't prohibit travel per se, but rather spending money on the island.
President Obama tweaked the regulations to allow more U.
Musical power couple Beyoncé and Jay-z traveled to the Communist island legally on an authorized educational trip, the Treasury Department said Tuesday in a letter obtained by the Miami Herald. The trip was organized by a group called Academic Arrangements Abroad, Reuters reports.
“It is our understanding that the travelers in question travelled to Cuba pursuant to an educational exchange trip organized by a group,” the letter said, according to the Herald.
Most U.S. citizens can’t travel to Cuba just for tourism. The U.S. government first imposed restrictions on travel to Cuba in 1962. They have remained in place since then, with the exception of a period from 1977 to 1982, when President Jimmy Carter let them expire. Current law doesn't prohibit travel per se, but rather spending money on the island.
President Obama tweaked the regulations to allow more U.
- 4/10/2013
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
Miami -- U.S. Treasury officials say the trip by Beyonce (bee-ahn'-say) and Jay-z to Cuba was licensed as an educational exchange.
Assistant Treasury Secretary Alastair Fitzpayne wrote in a letter Tuesday to congressional representatives that the famous hip-hop couple traveled to Cuba with a group authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to promote people-to-people contact in Cuba.
The letter was released Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (ih-lay-ah'-nah rahs Lay'-tih-nehn).
Ros-Lehtinen and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (dee-az' bah-lart'), both Florida Republicans, had expressed concerns to the Treasury Department about the trip and wanted to know if it was licensed.
Beyonce and Jay-z marked their fifth wedding anniversary in Havana last week. U.S. citizens are not allowed to travel to Cuba for mere tourism, though they can obtain licenses for academic, religious, journalistic or cultural exchange trips. The so-called people-to-people licenses were reinstated under the Obama administration.
Assistant Treasury Secretary Alastair Fitzpayne wrote in a letter Tuesday to congressional representatives that the famous hip-hop couple traveled to Cuba with a group authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to promote people-to-people contact in Cuba.
The letter was released Tuesday by U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (ih-lay-ah'-nah rahs Lay'-tih-nehn).
Ros-Lehtinen and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (dee-az' bah-lart'), both Florida Republicans, had expressed concerns to the Treasury Department about the trip and wanted to know if it was licensed.
Beyonce and Jay-z marked their fifth wedding anniversary in Havana last week. U.S. citizens are not allowed to travel to Cuba for mere tourism, though they can obtain licenses for academic, religious, journalistic or cultural exchange trips. The so-called people-to-people licenses were reinstated under the Obama administration.
- 4/10/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Washington, April 10 (Ians/Efe) The Us Treasury Department is investigating the trip music icons Jay-z and Beyonce made to Cuba last week.
Republican lawmakers have requested an explanation about the type of travel authorization they were issued and whether their trip violated the conditions of Washington's economic embargo against the island, The New York Times said.
The rap star and pop diva travelled to Cuba to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.
After learning of the trip, Florida Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen sent a request to the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control (Ofac), which is responsible.
Republican lawmakers have requested an explanation about the type of travel authorization they were issued and whether their trip violated the conditions of Washington's economic embargo against the island, The New York Times said.
The rap star and pop diva travelled to Cuba to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.
After learning of the trip, Florida Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen sent a request to the Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control (Ofac), which is responsible.
- 4/10/2013
- by Abhijeet Sen
- RealBollywood.com
Beyoncé and Jay-z's trip to Cuba raised some eyebrows and prompted more than a few questions. And, it turns out, there's an answer! The U.S. Department of the Treasury responded today to an inquiry from Florida lawmakers who wanted to know just how the A-list couple scored permission to visit the Communist-ruled island nation, which remains off-limits when it comes to just-for-the-heck-of-it American tourism. In a letter obtained by E! News, Alastair M. Fitzpayne, the Treasury Department's assistant secretary for legislative affairs, writes to Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida that it was his agency's "understanding that the travelers in question...
- 4/10/2013
- E! Online
Miami -- Beyonce and Jay-z's trip to Cuba has angered two Cuban-American politicians who are demanding information on whether the couple's visit to the communist island was licensed.
U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida have written to the U.S. Department of Treasury expressing concern about the trip. In the letter, both said they represent a community that has been "deeply and personally harmed by the Castro regime's atrocities."
"The restrictions on tourism travel are commonsense measures meant to prevent U.S. dollars from supporting a murderous regime that opposes U.S. security interests at every turn and which ruthlessly suppresses the most basic liberties of speech, assembly and belief," the Gop lawmakers wrote.
John Sullivan, a Treasury spokesman in Washington, said he could not comment on specific licenses. He said the agency was working on a response to the letter from Ros-Lehtinen and Diaz-Balart.
U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida have written to the U.S. Department of Treasury expressing concern about the trip. In the letter, both said they represent a community that has been "deeply and personally harmed by the Castro regime's atrocities."
"The restrictions on tourism travel are commonsense measures meant to prevent U.S. dollars from supporting a murderous regime that opposes U.S. security interests at every turn and which ruthlessly suppresses the most basic liberties of speech, assembly and belief," the Gop lawmakers wrote.
John Sullivan, a Treasury spokesman in Washington, said he could not comment on specific licenses. He said the agency was working on a response to the letter from Ros-Lehtinen and Diaz-Balart.
- 4/8/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Miami (AP) — Beyonce and Jay-z's trip to Cuba has angered two Cuban-American politicians who are demanding information on whether the couple's visit to the communist island was licensed. U.S. Reps. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida have written to the U.S. Department of Treasury expressing concern about the trip. In the letter, both said they represent a community that has been "deeply and personally harmed by the Castro regime's atrocities." "The restrictions on tourism travel are commonsense measures meant to prevent U.S. dollars from supporting a murderous regime that opposes U.S. security interests at every turn and which ruthlessly...
- 4/8/2013
- by Christine Armario (AP)
- Hitfix
Jay-z and Beyonce's island tour has them in hot water. The most famous celebrity couple in America visited the nation's longtime rival, the impoverished island state of Cuba, to celebrate their fifth anniversary last week. The trip included sightseeing around the capital of Havana and enjoying the country's famous cigars, as well as a performance by several of the nation's most famous musicians. It was by all accounts a fun time, but two members of Congress are less than pleased. Video: Beyonce Opens up to Oprah About Jay-z Florida Republicans Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Rep. Mario Diaz-
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- 4/8/2013
- by Jordan Zakarin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jay-z and Beyoncé were in a Cuba state of mind. Unfortunately for them, there's this little thing called an embargo. The powerhouse couple vacationed in the Communist island nation last week to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary. But little did H.O.V.A. and Bey expect that their visit would come under fire from two members of Congress who are now asking the Treasury Department to investigate whether they violated the long-standing U.S. embargo restricting travel to Cuba. Florida Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Maro Dias-Balart sent a letter on Friday to Adam Szubin, director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, seeking "information regarding the type of license that Beyoncé...
- 4/8/2013
- E! Online
April 6 (Reuters) - Two Republican members of Congress have asked the U.S. Treasury Department for information on what type of license American pop star Beyonce and rapper husband Jay Z obtained for a high-profile trip to Cuba to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Beyonce and Jay Z celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary this week in Havana, where big crowds greeted them as they strolled hand in hand through the Cuban capital.
They ate at some of the city's best restaurants, danced to Cuban music, walked through historic Old Havana and posed for pictures with admiring Cubans, who recognized them despite the past half-century of ideological conflict that separates the United States and Cuba.
In a letter dated on Friday, U.S. Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, asked Adam Szubin, director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, for "information regarding the type of license that Beyonce and Jay-z received,...
Beyonce and Jay Z celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary this week in Havana, where big crowds greeted them as they strolled hand in hand through the Cuban capital.
They ate at some of the city's best restaurants, danced to Cuban music, walked through historic Old Havana and posed for pictures with admiring Cubans, who recognized them despite the past half-century of ideological conflict that separates the United States and Cuba.
In a letter dated on Friday, U.S. Representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, asked Adam Szubin, director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control, for "information regarding the type of license that Beyonce and Jay-z received,...
- 4/7/2013
- by Reuters
- Huffington Post
Spartacus: War of the Damned has cast young Aussie Christian Antidormi as Tiberius, son of Marcus Crassus, who will set out to defeat Spartacus and his rebels. If the young one gets any trademark sex scenes, it's going to be like watching a Sean Cody video.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, the lone Republican co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, has come out explicitly in favor of marriage equality, becoming the first Republican member of Congress to do so.
David Holmes, of the University of Manchester, says he's found the mathematical formula for the perfect butt, but only on women. Isn't there a scientist out there that can adapt his equation for the perfect male ass?
Here are the reasons everyone should be watching Teen Wolf.
Secretary of Defense Leon Pannetta has given permission for active duty military to march in their uniforms in San Diego Pride, the first...
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, the lone Republican co-sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, has come out explicitly in favor of marriage equality, becoming the first Republican member of Congress to do so.
David Holmes, of the University of Manchester, says he's found the mathematical formula for the perfect butt, but only on women. Isn't there a scientist out there that can adapt his equation for the perfect male ass?
Here are the reasons everyone should be watching Teen Wolf.
Secretary of Defense Leon Pannetta has given permission for active duty military to march in their uniforms in San Diego Pride, the first...
- 7/15/2012
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the first Hispanic chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, plans to defund the U.N., push a pro-Israel, anti-Castro agenda-and somehow remain civil, writes Sandra McElwaine.
There are a lot of firsts in the life of the exuberant Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. The first Republican woman elected to the House of Representatives from Florida. The first Cuban-American to join that august body, and currently the most senior Republican woman in it. In January, she set another record and became one of the most powerful members of the new Congress-the first Hispanic to chair the prestigious and largely male-dominated Foreign Affairs Committee.
Related story on The Daily Beast: House Democrats Adjust to Life Without Power
As soon as she assumed the position, the no-nonsense, 58-year-old conservative legislator announced her agenda-she would face down rogue regimes, review foreign policy including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, press for tougher sanctions against...
There are a lot of firsts in the life of the exuberant Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. The first Republican woman elected to the House of Representatives from Florida. The first Cuban-American to join that august body, and currently the most senior Republican woman in it. In January, she set another record and became one of the most powerful members of the new Congress-the first Hispanic to chair the prestigious and largely male-dominated Foreign Affairs Committee.
Related story on The Daily Beast: House Democrats Adjust to Life Without Power
As soon as she assumed the position, the no-nonsense, 58-year-old conservative legislator announced her agenda-she would face down rogue regimes, review foreign policy including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, press for tougher sanctions against...
- 2/21/2011
- by Sandra McElwaine
- The Daily Beast
Colombian pop star and other Latin American artists called for a free Cuba.
By Gil Kaufman
Juanes performs in Havana, Cuba on Sunday
Photo: Sven Creutzmann/ Getty Images
The Obama administration has been hinting at a possible thaw in the half-century standoff with Cuba, and on Sunday, Colombian pop star Juanes did his best to further the cause by headlining a massive concert for peace in Havana's famed Plaza de la Revolución.
Playing in front of several hundred thousand fans at the Peace Without Borders concert, Juanes bucked the authoritarian regime led by the Castro brothers by chanting, "Cuba libre! Cuba libre!" ("Free Cuba!") before segueing into a call for "One Cuban family! One Cuban family!" He was appealing to the many Cuban exiles who, according to The Miami Herald, had criticized the show because they feared it would appear to lend support to the authoritarian communist Castro regime. In an ominous and telling sign,...
By Gil Kaufman
Juanes performs in Havana, Cuba on Sunday
Photo: Sven Creutzmann/ Getty Images
The Obama administration has been hinting at a possible thaw in the half-century standoff with Cuba, and on Sunday, Colombian pop star Juanes did his best to further the cause by headlining a massive concert for peace in Havana's famed Plaza de la Revolución.
Playing in front of several hundred thousand fans at the Peace Without Borders concert, Juanes bucked the authoritarian regime led by the Castro brothers by chanting, "Cuba libre! Cuba libre!" ("Free Cuba!") before segueing into a call for "One Cuban family! One Cuban family!" He was appealing to the many Cuban exiles who, according to The Miami Herald, had criticized the show because they feared it would appear to lend support to the authoritarian communist Castro regime. In an ominous and telling sign,...
- 9/21/2009
- MTV Music News
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