News Article 29

The Revenant storms to the top of the US Box Office

The Oscar nominated film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, is about a frontiersman fighting for survival after being attacked by a bear. It took $16m (£11.2m) with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in second place with $14.3m (£10m).

Storm Jonas forced cinema closures in Washington DC and New York, while hundreds of others suspended showings.

Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for box office firm Rentrak, said the storm had a limited effect. "It probably altered the box office 10 or 12 percent overall. This was never predestined to be an earth-shattering box office weekend anyway," he said.

The Revenant, directed by Alejandro G Inarritu, has taken $119.2m (£83.5m) in North America so far. It had a limited release on Christmas Day, followed by a wide release on 8 January.

JJ Abrams' The Force Awakens has made $1.94bn globally to date and is likely to cross the $2bn (£1.36bn) mark over the next week.

Last week's number one, Kevin Hart and Ice Cube comedy Ride Along 2, dropped to third with $13m (£9.1m).

Rounding out the top five were two new entries, comedy Dirty Grandpa and The Boy, about an American nanny who finds her English family's boy is a life-sized doll.

Next week's new releases include thriller The Finest Hours starring Chris Pine, Holliday Grainger and Casey Affleck, and Kung Fu Panda 3.

US box office top five

1. The Revenant - $16m (£11.21m)

2. Star Wars: The Force Awakens - $14.3m (£10.02m)

3. Ride Along 2 - $13m (£9.1m)

4. Dirty Grandpa - $11.5m (£8.06m)

5. The Boy - $11.3m (£7.9m)

News Article 28

Muslim women's segregation in UK communities must end – Cameron

"More assertive" action is needed to tackle discrimination against Muslim women and their segregation in some UK communities, David Cameron has said.

A review will be conducted of Sharia councils operating in Britain and £20m spent on language classes for the 22% of Muslim women in England said to speak little or no English.

The prime minister said the moves could help combat radicalisation. But some Muslims have questioned the link between language and extremism.

Writing in the Times, Mr Cameron said the lack of integration within British society of some Muslim communities had helped to foster extremism and allow "appalling practices" such as female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

"Last week, I chaired a meeting of a group of brilliant Muslim women role models. And while I heard great examples of so many women who are flourishing in our country, some painted an alarming picture of forced gender segregation, discrimination and social isolation from mainstream British life," he said.

Mr Cameron said it was time to be "more assertive about our liberal values, more clear about the expectations we place on those who come to live here and build our country together and more creative and generous in the work we do to break down barriers".

"This is Britain. In this country, women and girls are free to choose how they live," he said.

W.O.W - Who Own's What

Disney

The Walt Disney Company commonly known as Disney is a multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate. It is the world's second largest media conglomerate in terms of revenue. Disney was founded on October 16th, 1923 by Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney at the Disney brothers cartoon studio.

According to Investopedia.com these are the top  companies Disney owns that are well known around the world.

Disney/ABC Television group

Disney/ABC Television Group operates Disney's broadcast television, cable television and radio businesses. Its broadcast TV businesses include ABC Studios, ABC News and the ABC Television Network, which combine to deliver programming to more than 200 local TV affiliates across the country. Disney/ABC Television Group also operates eight local television stations in some of the country's biggest media markets. 

ESPN Inc.

ESPN is a sports media and entertainment company with eight cable networks in the U.S. and another 16 TV networks abroad. Disney holds a controlling 80% stake in ESPN, while Hearst Corporation owns 20%. 

Lucasfilm Ltd. LLC

Lucasfilm is a film production company best known for producing the Star Wars series, one of the biggest-grossing film franchises in history. Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. Its subsidiary media and production businesses include Industrial Light and Magic, Skywalker Sound, and Lucas Licensing.

Marvel Entertaiment. LLC

Marvel Entertainment is a media and entertainment company with operations in publishing, television and film. Marvel is best known for its catalog of fictional characters, including Spider-Man, Captain America and the X-Men. Disney acquired Marvel and the rights to its more than 5,000 characters in 2009. 

SONY

Sony Corporation commonly referred to as Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation. The company is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets. 

Sony's website states: 

At Sony, our mission is to be a company that inspires and fulfills your curiosity.

Our unlimited passion for technology, content and services,

and relentless pursuit of innovation, drives us to deliver

ground-breaking new excitement and entertainment in ways that only Sony can.

Creating unique new cultures and experiences.

Everything we do, is to move you emotionally.

BE MOVED

Electronics 

Sony's electronics produce everything from batteries and televisions to music players and professional video/audio equipment.

Video Games

Sony owns Sony Computer entertainment, a distinct part of it electronic business. Sony Computer Entertainment produces the popular playstation consoles.

Film and Television Production

Sony owns Sony Pictures Entertainment, which includes the Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems and TriStar Pictures Marquees. Sony Pictures also has a large television production and distribution business. Sony also owns 20% of MGM Studios.

Music Production

Sony is the sole shareholder of the major label Sony Music. This was assembeled from Sony's acquisition of colombia Musi from CBS in the 1980's as well as a merger with BMG music in 2004.

Financial services 

Sony owns Sony Financial Holdings as a company for its financial service businesses in Japan. The company owns and operates Sony Life Insurance and Sony Bank.

Joint Ventures

Sony owns 50% of cellular phone joint venture Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB with Swedish telecommunications manafaturer Ericsson. Sony also owns 50% minus one share of S-LCD, a joint venture with Samsung Electronics.

News Article 27

David Bowie Dies of Cancer aged 69

His son, film director Duncan Jones, confirmed the news and a statement was issued on his social media accounts. 

"David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer," it said.

"While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family's privacy during their time of grief."

His hits include Let's Dance, Space Oddity, Starman, Modern Love, Heroes, Under Pressure, Rebel, Rebel and Life on Mars. He was also well known for creating his flamboyant alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

The singer only released his latest album Blackstar on his birthday on Friday. The album, which includes just seven songs, has been well received by critics. Tributes have been paid to Bowie from across the world of entertainment.

Brian Eno, who collaborated with Bowie on his albums Low and Heroes, said: "Words cannot express... rest in peace David Bowie".

Rapper Kanye West said: "David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime."

Comedian and actor Ricky Gervais, who convinced Bowie to star as himself and ridicule Gervais in an episode of 2006 sitcom Extras, wrote simply: "I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie."

Comedian and writer Eddie Izzard said: "Very sad to hear about the death of David Bowie but through his music he will live forever."

Bowie collaborator Rick Wakeman wrote on Twitter: "As I'm sure you can imagine I'm gutted hearing of David's passing. He was the biggest influence & encouragement I could ever have wished for."