News anchor Jim Clancy leaves CNN after 34 years following abusive Twitter exchange with Pro-Israel activists

CNN anchor Jim Clancy has left the network one week after a bizarre exchange with pro-Israel activists on Twitter about the terrorist outrages in Paris, in which he derided his opponents as the “hasbara team” and used a derogatory term for disabled people.

The news was broken by industry publication Adweek, which linked to The Algemeiner‘s extensive reporting of the scandal, noting that Clancy’s departure “comes just days after the veteran journalist had an extended debate via Twitter over the Charlie Hebdo cartoons.”

CNN, however, made no mention of the scandal as it paid tribute to Clancy’s 34 years of service with the channel. “Jim Clancy is no longer with CNN. We thank him for more than three decades of distinguished service, and wish him nothing but the best,” a CNN spokesperson said.

New Economist 2015 Cover is Filled With Cryptic Symbols and Dire Predictions

At first glance, we see political figures like Obama and Putin, references to the Rugby cup and the new Spider-Man movie. But a closer look reveals a plethora of important concepts. Here are some of them.

Two-Faced Globe

One side of the globe gazes stoically towards the West while the other side appears irate. Does this represent a confrontation between the East and the West? The cover features a few other symbols referring to the “rise of the East”. What’s more unsettling is that, immediately under that angry globe are pictured a mushroom cloud (the kind that happens after a nuclear bomb goes off) and a spy satellite launching into space.

Cartoonists around the world draw for slain Charlie Hebdo colleagues

A cartoon hangs outside the French embassy in Buenos Aires. AP

John Leicester The Associated PressAs if to prove that pens are mightier than swords, cartoonists around the world reacted to the cold-bloodied assassination of their colleagues at French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo as only they can: with powerful drawings worth thousands of words.

Defiant, angry, poignant, irreverent and sobering, their drawings united cartoonists in grief, tried to make sense of the nonsensical, and sent a shared message: We must not, will not and should not be silenced. Some drawings touched such a nerve they made one want to both laugh and cry.

“Can’t sleep tonight, thoughts with my French cartooning colleagues, their families and loved ones,” David Pope, cartoonist for The Canberra Times in Australia, wrote on his Twitter feed.

Gunmen Murder 12 in Shooting at Paris Satirical Newspaper

Masked gunmen wielding Kalashnikovs and a rocket launcher killed at least 12 people and injured 10 more at the Paris offices of satirical French newspaper Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday before escaping. French president François Hollande called the shooting "unquestionably a terrorist attack."

Two of the dead are policemen; the French cartoonists Cabu, Tignous, Wolinski, and Charb (the magazine's publisher) are all reported dead. A policeman at the scene of the shooting told reporters "it's carnage."

Max Read, Gawker

Sportscenter Hannah Storm Fight Back Tears As She Announces The Death Of Stuart Scott

Plunge in crude oil prices named top Canadian Press business story of the year

A person pumps fuel in Toronto after gasoline prices rose overnight on Wednesday, September 12, 2012.  CP

Lauren Krugel, The Canadian Press

From Alberta oilfields to Bay Street boardrooms to the gas station on the corner, the precipitous drop in crude prices is expected to have far-reaching impacts across the country heading into 2015, making it The Canadian Press Business News Story of the Year.

The abrupt turnaround in oil markets was chosen by half of the 50 editors and news directors across the country who participated in the annual survey.

In explaining their pick, many respondents noted the story's ripple effects beyond the oilpatch.

Richard Dettman, business editor at News 1130 in Vancouver, said the halving in crude prices over a six-month span created a "gusher of stories" — the hit to federal and provincial government coffers, the plunging loonie and the benefit to consumers, to name a few.

How Votes Were Cast In Canadian Press News Story of Year

Supporters pay tribute as the Body of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo is transported in a hearse from Ottawa to Hamilton, along the Highway of Heroes in Porthope, Ont., on Friday, October 24, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The Oct. 22 attack on Parliament Hill and targeted killing of soldiers Nathan Cirillo in Ottawa and Patrice Vincent in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., are the overwhelming choice as The Canadian Press News Story of the Year for 2014. Here are the voting results:

Parliament Hill attack: 59

Sexual harassment/Jian Ghomeshi: 10

RCMP murders in Monction:10

Death of Tina Fontaine: 2

Senate scandal: 2

Prostitution laws overturned: 1

Nursing home fire in L’Isle Verte, Que., kills 32: 1

SOURCE: The Canadian Press

Another Al Jazeera Journalist killed In Syria

Al Jazeera Media Network has sadly announced the death of its Arabic correspondent in Syria, Mahran Al Deeri, who died on Wednesday, 10 December 2014, while covering battles in the city of Al Sheikh Maskin in rural Daraa.

According to his family members, Mahran was killed while taking cover from regime fire as his car hit the vehicle of rebel fighters when he turned off his headlights to avoid being targeted. This is the same area where three other journalists from the Orient Network were targeted and killed three days ago, they noted.

GQ's Least Influential People of 2014

The magazine listed 30 people for 2014 and described their list as this, ‘Another year, another round of people who took up vast clouds of oxygen, gave us nothing back of use, and probably helped accelerate the death of our planet. Here they are, in no particular order, although you’ll probably assume we ranked them anyway, because most of you probably skipped this part’

On the list there – Bono, U2, Shia LaBeouf, President Obama, Woody Allen, Donald Sterling, Carters Bays, Craig Thomas, Zach Braff, Roger Goodell, Stephan A. Smith, Dwyane Wade, CNN, Derek Jeter, Jay Nixon, Eric Cantor, Rick Perry, Johnny Depp, Benny Johnson, the Brazilian soccer team, Cliven Bundy, Suey Park, Tom Wheeler, Chris Christie, John McCain, Robin Thicke, the Secret Service, Sarah Palin, Dinesh D’Souza, Desmond Hague, Mary Barra and Cops.

Read full list here

Piers Morgan Addresses Ferguson police officer, Darren Wilson

Darren Wilson is the first 6ft 4in, 210lb five-year-old in history - by Piers Morgan 
"When I grabbed him, the only way I can describe it is I felt like a five-year-old holding Hulk Hogan…that's just how big he felt and how small I felt from grasping his arm.' 

This is how Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson justified shooting black teenager Michael Brown. Reading this particular piece of evidence from the vast dump of Grand Jury documents released last night, it'd be impossible not to sympathize with Wilson. 

A lone 'small' policeman in a patrol car confronted by a gigantic Hulk. There's just one problem. Wilson, by his own admission in his police interview, is 6ft 4in tall, the exact same height as Michael Brown.

Chronicle Herald Publishes Child Porn Victim's Name Despite Court Ban

Zi-Ann Lum | HuffPost
A Nova Scotia newspaper has defied a judge’s publication ban over a “prominent child pornography case” by publishing the victim’s name – Rehtaeh Parsons.

The Chronicle Herald published a story Monday about a second man who entered a guilty plea to one count of child pornography in the high-profile case.

“We’ve decided to publish the name of the victim in this story, despite a court-ordered ban,” an editor's note explains. “We believe its in the public interest in this unique case, given the widespread recognition of Rehtaeh Parsons’ name, and given the good that can come, and has already come, from free public debate over sexual consent and the other elements of her story.”

Parsons’ father Glen Canning praised the publication’s decision to publicize his daughter’s name.

American press noticed the ban across Canadian media. Parsons’ mother Leah told BuzzFeed it was as if her daughter is “being silenced for the second time.” Slate also pointed out the muzzle, saying “Rehtaeh Parsons was the most famous victim in Canada. Now, journalists can’t even say her name.”

Volunteers Publish Canadian Afghanistan Veterans Shocking Stories

The Cover of "Afghanistan, A Canadian Story 2001-2014" is pictured. HO/The Canadian Press 

John Cotter | The Canadian PressVolunteers hope a book of personal stories and images they’ve compiled from soldiers who served in Afghanistan will help Canadians remember a conflict that some fear is already fading from the public eye.

“Afghanistan: A Canadian Story” also contains words submitted by police and civilians who served in places such as Kandahar, and the reminiscences of a mother of a soldier who was killed in action.

Melanie Graham, editor of the coffee-table book, said the publication this month of the human stories will help people better understand what it was like to serve in the bloody, unresolved conflict and how it has affected the soldiers.

“There was no clean closure to the Afghan mission from the Canadian perspective, or from anyone’s perspective,” said Graham, a retired military public affairs officer.

Barbara Walters Reveals Her ‘10 Most Fascinating People in 2014’

American broadcast journalist, author, and television personality Barbara Walters has been making her list of  ‘10 Most fascinating people’ since 1993 and as 2014 wraps up the American broadcast journalist, author, and television personality is sharing her list for this year.

So far a number of people have been unveiled including Taylor Swift, Oprah Winfrey, Neil Patrick Harris, Scarlett Johansson and Chelsea Handler.

Babara Walters always saves the best for last and this year the remaining five spots will be revealed next month on the Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014 special, airing on December 14.

Amanda Knox Turn Freelance Reporter

Avery Stone | HuffPost
Amanda Knox has gone from making the news to writing it herself.

Nearly a year after being found guilty of murder for the second time, Knox is currently working as a freelance reporter for the West Seattle Herald, a local weekly newspaper in Washington.

The paper's managing editor, Ken Robinson, told The Huffington Post that Knox has been writing for the paper for a few months.

"She sent over some writing samples," Robinson said. "And then I asked her to do some coverage of the West Seattle arts scene. This is her hometown paper."

At first, Knox used a pen name, but she has recently started writing under her own byline, even covering local human interest stories, such as this Kickstarter campaign for a cashew milk company.

“She’s a great writer, she knows the arts and she’s dependable,” Robinson told Q13 FOX News. “She's kind of a dream for a small community paper. She never misses a deadline."

Robinson told HuffPost he's never met Knox in person; they've only corresponded by email.

Lupita Nyong’o shines in New Lancôme L’Absolu Rouge Ad

Exuding femininity and elegance, Lancôme Ambassadress Lupita Nyong’o shines in her latest campaign for Lancôme as the face of L’Absolu Rouge, Lancôme’s most classic lipstick to date. To announce the addition of six new vibrant shades to the franchise, Lupita was photographed by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot wearing a bold and sophisticated red dress that complemented her vibrant red lips.

 

The six new shades were created to each match the beautiful bright pinks and deep reds of actual roses. In the ad, Lupita is wearing L’Absolu Rouge #160 in Rouge Amour—an intense scarlet red inspired by the Grand Amour rose. 

 

CheckThisOut Journalist Grooving During Commercial Breaks

UN Ban Ki-moon Urges End to Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in New York on Monday that a free and open press was part of the bedrock of democracy and development

He said this in a message to mark the first-ever International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists.

Ban insisted that protecting the safety of journalists and ensuring that crimes committed against them do not go unpunished is ever more important in today’s changing times.

“This is in order to build transparent societies and keep citizens around the world informed.’’

He said it was so unfortunate that people were scared to speak out about corruption, political repression or other violations of human rights.

“This must stop, and by ending impunity, we deepen freedom of expression and bolster dialogue and together let us stand up for journalists.

“Let us stand up for justice, and protect the journalists,’’ he added.

Captured US Journalist Released from Syria Captivity

American journalist Theo Curtis has been released after being held captive by al-Nusra militants in Syria since 2012, the US has announced.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said he was “relieved and grateful that Theo is coming home”.
He added that the US had worked with more than two dozen countries to help secure his release.

Last week, another kidnapped US journalist, James Foley was killed by the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria.

IS published a video of the moments before and after the beheading of Mr Foley, 40, who was seized in 2012. UK secret services are ireportedly close to identifying a suspected British jihadist from the footage of the killing.

‘Unspeakable tragedy’

On Sunday, Mr Kerry welcomed the news of Mr Curtis’ release “particularly after a week marked by unspeakable tragedy”
.
“Over these last two years, the United States reached out to more than two dozen countries asking for urgent help from anyone who might have tools, influence, or leverage to help secure Theo’s release and the release of any Americans held hostage in Syria,” he said.

Mr Curtis, from the state of Massachusetts, was reportedly abducted in Turkey on his way to Syria.
The United Nations confirmed that it had facilitated his release.

It said the journalist was handed over to UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights. After an initial health check, he was then transferred to US government representatives.

BBC

Keke Palmer Becomes First Black Cinderella

This Feb. 1, 2013 file photo shows Keke Palmer at the 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Like many girls, actress and singer Keke Palmer grew up dreaming of meeting a prince who would whisk her away to a life of love and happiness. In her case, it's going to happen -- eight shows a week on Broadway.

Palmer said she'll be stepping into the title role in "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella" starting Sept. 9 at the Broadway Theatre. She will become the first African-American to play the part on the Great White Way.

"It's honestly one of those things that I can't believe is really happening," Palmer said by phone Friday from her Los Angeles home. "I'm very excited. Very excited and nervous as well -- a bunch of feelings all at once."

Palmer, 21, is stepping into the sparkly shoes first worn by Tony-nominated Laura Osnes, then put on by "Call Me Maybe" Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen and currently worn by Paige Faure, who launches a national tour in the title role this fall.

FIFA President Teases Canadian WorldCup

FIFA President Sepp Blatter speaks during the opening press conference for the FIFA Women's Under 20 World Cup in Toronto, Ontario on Monday, Aug. 4, 2014.

Sepp Blatter appeared at peace.

Perhaps it was lingering memories of a chaotic Brazilian World Cup that have FIFA’s president so happy to be in Canada. Maybe it was a modestly attended press conference where he faced no questions about bidding corruption, 2018 World Cup host Russia’s alleged military involvement in Ukraine or labour rights in 2022 host Qatar.

Whatever the reason, Canada suits Blatter just fine. So fine in fact that Blatter didn’t have to be asked about a possible World Cup in Canada — he brought it up on his own.