Hobbit holds on at North American box office
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies has held on to the top spot at the North American box office for a third consecutive week.
The final film in Peter Jackson's series took $21.9m (£14.3m) according to early studio estimates.
Disney's new release, the musical Into the Woods, was at number two with $19.1m (£12.5m) in its second week of release.
The fairytale drama stars Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp and Emily Blunt.
Angelina Jolie's World War II tale Unbroken, took third spot with $18.4m (£12m).
The weekend's only major new release, horror sequel The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death, landed in fourth place with $15.1m (£9.9m).
The first film, starring Daniel Radcliffe, was a huge success.
The sequel stars Helen McCrory, recently seen in BBC Two series Peaky Blinders, War Horse's Jeremy Irvine and newcomer Phoebe Fox.
Sony's controversial film The Interview, which involves a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, took an estimated $1.1m (£723,142) in its second week of limited release.
Last week, Sony announced the film had taken $15m (£9.84m) in its first four days of online streaming.
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb rounded out the top five with takings of $14.5m (£9.5m).
Source-BBC
Beverly Hillbillies star, dies at 82
US actress Donna Douglas, best known for playing the tomboyish Elly May Clampett in 1960s sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies, has died at the age of 82.
The Louisiana native appeared in more than 270 episodes of the popular show, which followed a family who relocate to Beverly Hills after discovering oil.
She also starred in the famous Twilight Zone episode, The Eye of the Beholder.
Douglas died on New Year's Day in Baton Rouge, the state capital of Louisiana.
According to her niece, the cause of death was pancreatic cancer.
Typically clad in a snug flannel shirt and tight jeans, Elly May was blissfully unaware of her blond bombshell status.
The actress described the character, whom she played from 1962 to 1971, as "a slice out of my own life".
"I was raised a tomboy, with one older brother and all male cousins," she told a Kansas newspaper last March. "So I grew up swinging from vines and playing softball."
Before The Beverly Hillbillies, she was seen in supernatural drama The Twilight Zone as a beautiful woman who undergoes plastic surgery.
The twist in the tale is that her procedure is considered a failure, her world consisting of people with uniformly deformed features.
Douglas starred opposite Elvis Presley in his 1966 film Frankie and Johnny and had a small role in Lover Comer Back, a 1961 comedy starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson.
After The Beverly Hillbillies she worked in real estate, recorded country and gospel music albums and wrote a book for children that drew on biblical themes.
Born Doris Smith in 1933, Douglas began her career in beauty pageants before travelling to New York to pursue a career in entertainment.
She was married twice and is survived by Danny Bourgeois, her son from her second marriage.
Source-BBC
Euro touches a nine-year low against US dollar
The euro slid to a nine-year low against the dollar as investors predicted the European Central Bank (ECB) may act to stimulate the economy.
The euro fell by 1.2% against the dollar to $1.1864, marking its weakest level since March 2006, before recovering slightly to $1.19370.
The drop follows ECB president Mario Draghi's comments indicating the bank could soon start quantitative easing.
Greek political turmoil also weighed on the currency.
Although the ECB has already cut interest rates to a record low level, and also bought some bonds issued by private companies, a full-scale programme of quantitative easing QE has not yet been launched.
But on Friday, Mr Draghi hinted in a newspaper interview that the bank might soon start a policy of QE by buying government bonds, thus copying its counterparts in the UK and US.
The purpose would be to inject cash into the banking system, stimulate the economy and push prices higher.
Political turmoil in Greece also weighed on the euro, with fears that the general election on 25 January, could see the anti-austerity, left-wing Syriza party take control of the country.
The possibility has sparked fears about whether Greece will stick to the terms of its international bailout and stay in the eurozone.
On Saturday, Germany's Der Spiegel magazine said the German government believes the eurozone would be able to cope with a Greek "exit" from the euro, if the Syriza party wins the Greek election.
Reacting to Der Spiegel's report, a spokesman for German Chancellor Merkel said there was no change in German policy and the government expects Greece to fulfil its obligations under the EU, ECB and IMF bailout.
French president Francois Hollande also commented, saying it was now "up to the Greeks" to decide whether to remain a part of the single currency.
"Europe cannot continue to be identified by austerity," he added, suggesting that the eurozone needs to focus more on growth than reducing its deficit.
Venezuelan leader Maduro seeks economic help on tour
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is beginning an international tour to try to stem the impact of falling oil prices and a deepening recession.
Mr Maduro goes first to China - a major source of loans for Venezuela - for talks with the Chinese President, Xi Jinping.
He will then travel to various Opec member countries to press for cuts in oil output that would boost prices.
Venezuelan oil prices have dropped by half since June.
The country gets most of its foreign currency from oil exports and is estimated to have the largest oil reserves in the world.
Before he left Venezuela Mr Maduro announced a number of new mechanisms aimed at addressing the country's economic crisis.
He said he would create a strategic reserve, appoint a new board to run the organisation that manages currency exchange controls, and create new agencies to manage the distribution of commodities.
President Maduro has said his country is suffering the consequences of an economic war launched by US President Barack Obama "to destroy" the oil producers' cartel, Opec.
He has also accused the US of flooding the markets with oil as part of an economic war against Russia.
The Venezuelan opposition blames the country's economic crisis and shortages of many staples, such as corn oil and milk, on the socialist policies of Mr Maduro and his late predecessor, Hugo Chavez.
Source-BBC
German inflation falls to five-year low
Inflation in Germany fell to its lowest level in more than five years in December, official figures have shown.
Germany's federal statistics office Destatis, said the annual rate of inflation fell to 0.2% in December from 0.6% a month earlier.
That was its lowest level since October 2009.
It comes two days before eurozone inflation figures for December, which some analysts believe will show the currency bloc falling into deflation.
Inflation in the 18-nation currency bloc in November stood at 0.3% according to the European Union's statistics agency, Eurostat.
It has been below the Bank's target of 2%, or just below, since the start of 2013.
A number of other eurozone countries, including Spain and Italy, have already fallen into deflation.
Using the European Central Bank's (ECB) preferred statistical calculations - the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) - German inflation was even lower at 0.1% in December.
The latest figures will increase pressure on the ECB to begin buying government debt.
After the ECB's December meeting left interest rates unchanged at 0.05%, the bank's president, Mario Draghi, said it had "stepped up" its preparations to act if needed, and help prop up inflation in the eurozone.
While low inflation leads to lower prices and can be good news for consumers, it can also lead to falling economic activity, job losses and recession.
Consumers and businesses tend to postpone making purchases or investments in the belief that prices may fall further.
This can lead prices even lower to the point where businesses are forced to lay off staff or even close altogether.
In the summer the ECB cut interest rates to a new all-time low and began an asset purchase programme to inject cash into the economy to help combat deflation.
But big falls in the price of oil, which has fallen more than 50% in the past six months, has had a greater impact on prices, continuing to push them lower.
Jennifer McKeown at Capital Economics said that the fall in German inflation was largely due to lower oil prices, and that the broader eurozone figure was likely to be negative for the first time since October 2009.
She added: "Such a development would surely make the pressure for the ECB to implement quantitative easing at its January meeting irresistible."
But concerns remain over how the ECB will structure its bond buying programme and whether Greek bonds will be included - given the uncertainty over which political party will win the snap election called for three days after the next ECB meeting.
The far-left Syriza party, which has vowed to reverse the austerity measures that were a condition for Greek bailout packages totalling €240bn (£187bn), holds a narrow lead in opinion polls.
Source-BBC
Obama Faces New Political Landscape in 2015
President Barack Obama arrived back in Washington Sunday after a two-week vacation in Hawaii, his home state.
The political landscape in Washington will change for Obama this week, as Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate when a new Congress convenes. Now with majorities in both houses of the legislature following November elections, Republicans face a dual task - advancing their core beliefs, while also working with the president, a Democrat, during his final two years in office.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, speaking on CNN television Sunday, seemed to strike a conciliatory note by saying that just because Americans voted for a divided government (a Republican-controlled Congress and a Democratic president) it does not have to mean gridlock. McConnell said voters want compromise and progress on key issues.
Still, many Republican lawmakers are seen as eager to begin chipping away at many of the president's initiatives, among them the Affordable Care Act - commonly called Obamacare - that requires most Americans to purchase health care insurance.
Many legislators also want to do away with Obama's new immigration policy that provides a gateway to U.S. citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the country illegally. Also, under fire in Republican quarters is Obama's recent decision to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba, ending a half-century long policy of isolating the communist nation.
As lawmakers settle into Washington this week following the Christmas and New Year's holidays, the president will go on the road with a three-day visit to several U.S. cities to highlight his policies that Democrats say have contributed to America's economic recovery.
The theme of his travels will undoubtedly be a key element of his annual State of the Union address on January 20.
Analysts say Obama has been energized by his end-of-the-year actions on immigration policy and Cuban relations.
Dealing with Republican objections, Obama has made it clear that he will use his veto power to block any efforts aimed at scaling back his initiatives.
Source-VOANews
Suicide Bomber Targets European Police in Kabul
A suicide car bomber targeted a European Union police vehicle in Kabul, killing one passerby and wounding five others nearby. None of the passengers were injured.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The European police training mission (EUPOL) said the bomber struck near its headquarters on the eastern outskirts of Kabul Monday afternoon.
"I was sitting in my shop when suddenly a horrible explosion happened. Right after the explosion, human flesh and car debris landed on us. I came out on the street and saw some people wounded and a vehicle was destroyed," shopkeeper Isaanullah Jan said.
Kabul has been hit by a high number of attacks since the last weeks of 2014 as Taliban insurgents target government, military and foreign installations.
The attacks come as Afghan troops are taking full responsibility for the nation's security, marking the formal end to a 13-year combat mission in Afghanistan by the United States and NATO that targeted Taliban insurgents.
The U.S. invaded Afghanistan in late 2001 to overthrow the Taliban, which was sheltering the al-Qaida masterminds of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.
While the last day of the international military mission's combat role was December 31, about 12,000 U.S. and NATO personnel will remain in Afghanistan to train, advise and assist Afghan police and the army.
Chris Brown cancels Philippines New Year’s Eve concert
American recording artist Chris Brown cancelled a New Year's Eve concert in the Philippines at the last minute, reportedly because of a lost passport, organizers said Wednesday.
Brown tweeted that "Due to unfortunate circumstances I can't bring in the new year with you..."
The organizers, Maligaya Development Corp., said they were informed by Brown's local representatives on Wednesday afternoon that he was still in Los Angeles.
"According to them, Chris Brown lost his passport the day before the scheduled event," it said in a statement. "Hence despite having entered into a contract with us, Chris Brown would not be able to comply with his obligation to perform."
Brown was to perform along with other musical acts at the 55,000-seat Philippine Arena in the New Year's Eve concert, which also featured a fireworks show.
Source-AP
Kamala Persad-Bissessar promises no cutbacks despite falling oil prices
Oil prices are falling but citizens need not worry, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday.
Delivering her New Year message at the post-Cabinet media conference at the San Fernando Teaching Hospital, Persad-Bissessar said despite decreasing oil prices, Government will not be cutting back on any salaries, social and health care programmes, programmes or major projects.
Persad-Bissessar, who took no questions, said: “We are at a point in our nation’s affairs when we are faced with lower energy prices. I was part of a former administration in 1995 when the country also had to be managed with lower energy prices. Despite this, we demonstrated that we were up to the task and the country experienced a level of prosperity which few thought possible. I am therefore not daunted by the current situation but instead feel very confident of our ability to mitigate the impacts of lower energy prices whilst preserving jobs and promoting economic growth.
“I remain doubly focussed on the task at hand. Attempts to distract my attention and energies from my responsibility to lead and manage the affairs of this nation will not deter me from my goal of a prosperous and secure nation.”
Persad-Bissessar said: “ As we move into the New Year, I am as concerned about this country as everyone else should be. As such I propose to do the following. I will speak to the nation on the state of the economy on January 8, 2015. I will address the issue of falling oil and gas prices and their implications for Trinidad and Tobago and outline the way forward in the year ahead.
“On Friday January 9, 2015 the Finance Bill will be debated in the House of Representatives. This bill gives life and traction to the measures announced in the 2015 Budget Statement. Following this debate, during the following week, I will also engage stakeholders in a discussion on the state of the economy, the way forward and options for investment, growth, diversification and development.
“I wish to give the assurance that there will be no cut to affect the vulnerable and the under privileged as well as health sector reform and crime fighting. The preservation of jobs is high on our agenda. I look forward with keen interest in the ideas and suggestions which the stakeholders and citizens will share as we deepen our partnership in the interest of a prosperous and secure Trinidad and Tobago. In the meantime feel secure in the fact that your government is monitoring the situation on a daily basis and working with you in mind everyday.
Persad-Bissessar said when her People’s Partnership government came into office in 2010, the country’s financial stability was threatened by the CL Financial and Hindu Credit Union (HCU) fiascoes and now the country was in a better place enjoying political stability, economic growth, financial stability, lower levels of poverty although her government was the most scrutinised ever in the nation’s political history.
Persad-Bissessar also listed the government’s achievement, among them the maintenance of a subsidy on gas prices. And she said although the number of serious crimes was down, there were still the challenges of murders and domestic violence cases.
The 2015 budget has been pegged to a US$80 a barrel oil price.
Oil prices have been on a decline since June 15 from US$115 per barrel. Four days ago, the price was US$54 per barrel.
On Monday, the price of oil was just under US$60 per barrel, and the price of natural gas has also been on the decline.
Local companies have already begun revisiting their budgets to deal with a possible prolonged decrease in oil and gas prices.
By Sue-Ann Wayow sue-ann.wayow@trinidadexpress.com
Bad weather hobbles Indonesia jet recovery; 7 bodies found
Bad weather hindered efforts to recover victims of AirAsia Flight 8501 on Wednesday, and sent wreckage drifting far from the crash site, as grieving relatives prayed for strength to endure their losses.
"Help us, God, to move forward, even though we are surrounded by darkness," the Rev. Philip Mantofa, whose church lost about 40 members in the disaster, told families gathered in a waiting room at the Surabaya airport.
The massive hunt for 162 people who vanished Sunday aboard the Airbus A320 from Surabaya, Indonesia to Singapore, was severely limited due to heavy rain, wind and thick clouds. Seven bodies, including a flight attendant in her red AirAsia uniform, have been recovered, said Indonesia's Search and Rescue Agency chief Henry Bambang Soelistyo.
Sonar images also identified what appeared to be large parts of the plane, but strong currents were moving the debris.
Conditions prevented divers from entering the choppy Java Sea, and helicopters were largely grounded. But 18 ships continued to scour the narrowed search area, and four of the seven corpses were recovered Wednesday. Indonesia's Meteorology and Geophysics Agency predicted conditions would worsen, with more intense rains, through Friday.
"It seems all the wreckage found has drifted more than 50 kilometers from yesterday's location," said Vice Air Marshal Sunarbowo Sandi, search and rescue coordinator in Pangkalan Bun on Borneo island, the closest town to the site. "We are expecting those bodies will end up on beaches."
The airliner's disappearance halfway through the two-hour flight triggered an international search involving dozens of planes, ships and helicopters from numerous countries. It is still unclear what brought the plane down.
Its last communication indicated the pilots were worried about bad weather. They sought permission to climb above threatening clouds but were denied because of heavy air traffic. Four minutes later, the jet disappeared from the radar without issuing a distress signal.
The aircraft's cockpit voice and flight data recorders, or black boxes, must be recovered before officials can start determining what caused the crash. Items recovered so far include a life jacket, an emergency exit window, children's shoes, a blue suitcase and backpacks filled with food.
Malaysia-based AirAsia's loss comes on top of the still-unsolved disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in March with 239 people aboard, and the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in July over Ukraine, which killed all 298 passengers and crew.
Simple wooden coffins — numbered 001 and 002 — with purple flowers on top contained the first two bodies, which were sent from Pangkalan Bun to Surabaya. The two victims were a woman wearing blue jeans and a boy 4½-feet-tall (140 centimeters). The other five bodies — three male and two female — will remain on a warship until the weather clears.
Nearly all the passengers were Indonesian, and a large portion of them were Christians of Chinese descent. The country is predominantly Muslim, but sizeable pockets of people from other faiths are found throughout the sprawling archipelago. Around 10 percent of those in Surabaya, the nation's second-largest city, are Christian.
On Wednesday, around 100 relatives gathered for the airport prayer service where Mantofa urged them to hold onto their faith, despite their pain. About 40 members of his Manwar Sharon Church died in the crash.
"Some things do not make sense to us, but God is bigger than all this," he said. "Our God is not evil."
Before breaking up, those gathered stood together and sang with their hands reaching upward: "I surrender all. I surrender all," they repeated. "I surrender all to God our savior. I surrender all."
Many family members had planned to travel to Pangkalan Bun, 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the area where bodies were first spotted, to start identifying their loved ones. However, Surabaya airport general manager Trikora Hardjo later said the trip was canceled after authorities suggested their presence could slow down the operation.
Instead, some relatives gave blood for DNA tests in Surabaya, where the bodies will be transported, and submitted photos of their loved ones along with identifying information such as tattoos or birthmarks that could help make the process easier.
Nearly all the passengers from Indonesia were frequent visitors to Singapore, particularly on holidays.
It was 13-year-old Adrian Fernando's first trip to the city-state and was supposed to be a fun vacation with his aunt, uncle and cousin before school started back up.
"He is my only son," said emotional mother Linca Gonimasela, 39, who could not accompany him because she had to work. "At first, he didn't want to go, but later on he was persuaded to join them for the New Year holiday."
A number of Indonesian cities, including Surabaya, have opted to cancel or tone down their planned New Year's Eve celebrations. However, a giant street bash was still in the works for the capital, Jakarta.
"We are in mourning over the AirAsia disaster that claimed the lives of many Indonesians," said Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, who called on civil servants nationwide to pray for the victims' families instead of holding public New Year's events. "We need to show our sense of sympathy by restraining from holding excessive partying."
Source-AP