President Obama hosts final musical event at White House

October 22, 2016

Washington, Oct 22: US President Barack Obama has hosted his final musical event at the White House, saying he felt a "bit of bittersweetness" at the culmination of one of his and First Lady Michelle Obama's "favorite" traditions.obama1

Obama and his wife Michelle began the annual event eight years ago to celebrate music that has helped shape the US.

"While much of the music that you will hear this evening - gospel, R&B, rap - is rooted in the African-American experience. It's not just black music. This is an essential part of the American experience, it's a mirror to who we are, and a reminder of who we can be," Obama, 55, said.

"That's what American music is all about. And generations from now, I hope it's the story that the White House will continue to tell," he said at BET's "Love and Happiness: A Musical Experience" last night.

Recalling past performances by legendary musicians, Obama said it was no secret that he and Michelle loved music and tried to share their passion with the rest of the country.

"So this has been one of our favorite traditions, and it's with a little bit of bittersweetness that this is our final musical evening as president and first lady," Obama said.

"Ever since 1801, when the US Marine Band played the first reception hosted by John and Abigail Adams, live performances have always been a part of life at the White House. We've had Bob Dylan and we've had Jennifer Hudson. Gloria Estefan and Los Lobos. Aretha, Patti, Smokey. I've had Paul McCartney singing 'Michelle' to Michelle and Stevie singing 'Happy Birthday'," he said.

Terming as "amazing" the Marine Band, Obama, whose second term as the US President ends in January next year, said he would miss the military band.

"By the way, another perk that I will really miss is our amazing Marine Band. Not only can they play anything - and I mean anything. I've seen them play with Yo-Yo Ma and then jam with B B King. But they're also active duty. So they are not just astounding musicians, but they're also protecting this country," Obama said.

"Michelle and I just love them. We cannot thank them enough for their outstanding work. Anyway, you might walk around the White House and see the fancy chandeliers and the paintings of George and Martha, and you may think that the musical performances before we got here were a little stuffy," he said.

It is true they weren't quite like our musical events. But the truth is that throughout history, the White House has celebrated the new and the innovative - it's even been a little edgy once in a while, he added.

Obama said president Chester A Arthur was ahead of his time in inviting the all-black Fisk Jubilee Singers and their performance moved him to tears.

Teddy Roosevelt welcomed Scott Joplin, because his daughter wanted to hear "that new jazz". And then guests of the Kennedys apparently did the twist in the East Room - which may not sound like a big deal to you, but that was sort of the twerking of their time and was "bold", he said.

"There will also be no twerking tonight. At least not by me," Obama said.

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News Network
June 20,2020

Washington, Jun 20: American actor Angelina Jolie has now opened up about her 2016 divorce announcement with Brad Pitt, which shocked fans.

Fox News said the 45-year-old Jolie opened up about leaving the father of her six kids,18-year-old Maddox, 16-year-old Pax, 15-year-old Zahara, 12-year-old, Shiloh, and 11-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

"I separated for the well-being of my family. It was the right decision. I continue to focus on their healing," the Oscar-winning star told Vogue India magazine.

The 'Maleficent' star added, "Some have taken advantage of my silence, and the children see lies about themselves in the media, but I remind them that they know their own truth and their own minds. In fact, they are six very brave, very strong young people."

Since 2004, Pitt and Jolie were together but only married in August 2014 at their estate in France.

The 'Mr and Mrs Smith' star previously told Harper's Bazaar magazine how the last few years have been physically, emotionally and mentally turbulent for her.

"My body has been through a lot over the past decade, particularly the past four years, and I have both the visible and invisible scars to show for it," Jolie said.

"The invisible ones are harder to wrestle with. Life takes many turns. Sometimes you get hurt, you see those you love in pain, and you can't be as free and open as your spirit desires. It's not new or old, but I do feel the blood returning to my body," she added.

Besides her marriage ending on the public stage, Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy in 2013 followed by breast reconstruction after testing positive for the BRCA gene. In 2015, the actor 'Girl, Interrupted' star also had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.

She admitted it has taken a while for her to feel like her old self. She said, "The part of us that is free, wild, open, curious can get shut down by life. By pain or by harm."

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News Network
June 6,2020

New Delhi, Jun 6: Actor Ayushmann Khurrana took the internet by storm as he posted a picture of himself in the dark 'Joker' avatar on Saturday.

Artist Swapnil Pawar transformed Khurrana into the 'Joker' through his artwork which the actor posted on his Instagram.

"Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it ... I'm an Agent of Chaos!" Khurrana quoted a famous dialogue from the film 'Joker' in the caption.

The 35-year-old actor, who hasn't played an outright negative role in his career further revealed his fascination for negative characters in the caption.

"Sinister, menacing, evil, cold, conniving yet brilliant, genius - have always thought of playing a negative character like Joker. Thank you @swapnilmpawar for reading my mind and this incredible artwork!" he wrote.

Khurrana believes that though it is good to portray different roles and he would love to play a negative character but the message at the end should be positive.

"I will be happy to play a negative character. I would love to play a morally corrupt person. That will be out of my realm. But the message, at the end of the day, should be positive. I don't want to endorse wrongdoings on screen," he said.

The new look of the 'Article 15' actor won hearts as the post was flooded with scores of comments from his fans.

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News Network
April 28,2020

Los Angeles, Apr 28: A top-secret documentary feature about former first lady Michelle Obama is set to start streaming worldwide on Netflix from May 6.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the doc shares its title with Michelle Obama's best-selling 2018 memoir "Becoming" and recounts some of the same history of her life.

"Becoming", like the best documentary feature Oscar winner "American Factory", comes from Higher Ground, the production company run by former President Barack Obama and the former first lady, which has an exclusive pact with the streamer.

The documentary marks the feature directorial debut of cinematographer Nadia Hallgren known for her work on "Trouble the Water", the 2008 indie about a couple surviving failed levees, bungling bureaucrats, and their own troubled past and a portrait of a community abandoned long before Hurricane Katrina hit.

"Becoming" also picks up where that story left off by following her on the 34-city tour that she undertook while promoting her book.

"Those months I spent traveling meeting and connecting with people in cities across the globe drove home the idea that what we share in common is deep and real and can't be messed with.

"In groups large and small, young and old, unique and united, we came together and shared stories, filling those spaces with our joys, worries and dreams. We processed the past and imagined a better future. In talking about the idea of 'becoming,' many of us dared to say our hopes out loud," Michelle Obama said in a statement.

The former first lady also addressed the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"It's hard these days to feel grounded or hopeful, but I hope that like me, you'll find joy and a bit of respite in what Nadia has made. Because she's a rare talent, someone whose intelligence and compassion for others comes through in every frame she shoots.

"Most importantly, she understands the meaning of community, the power of community, and her work is magically able to depict it.

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