Former United States President Bill Clinton was instrumental in freeing two U.S. journalists who were detained for almost 5 months in North Korea. His recent visit to Pyongyang helped in the successful release of reporters Euna Lee, 36, a South Korean born US citizen and Laura Ling, 32, a California native.
The journalists were arrested near the North Korean-Chinese border in March while on a reporting trip for Current TV, a media outfit founded by former Vice President Al Gore. Kim Jong II pardoned the women who were sentenced to 12 years of hard labor for entering the country illegally and supposedly engaging in “hostile acts”.
Clinton was reported to have apologized on behalf of the women and their grief-stricken families and relayed President Barack Obama’s gratitude.
Image Source: Associated Press
However, Secretary Clinton said at a news conference today in Nairobi that no apology was made to North Korea in connection with her husband’s mission to gain the reporters’ release.
2 weeks ago, North Korea insulted Hillary Clinton by calling her a “funny lady.”
Tensions have been increasing between North Korea and the U.S. due to illicit nuclear-arms program of North Korea. The heightened friction between the two was created by North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests. Kim Jong II also seems to be belligerent in continuing negotiation talks.
Will the visit contribute to a deepening relationship between North Korea and the United States? Will this event open renewed discussions to abandon nuclear weapons program or is it only delaying the foreseeable conflict between the two countries?
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The Man in the Mirror, Michael Jackson Dies at Age 50
Legendary music icon Michael Jackson was found dead at his Los Angeles home, Thursday.
The King of Pop, the biggest celebrity world over, was suspected to have died of cardiac arrest. The Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to a call placed around 12:30pm. The responding paramedics performed CPR trying to revive the star (ET has an exclusive photo). He wasn’t breathing when he was found and was immediately rushed to the UCLA Medical Center in LA. The cause of Jackson’s death is still sparse and uncertain. Some reports speculate that it might have been an overdose of prescription or certain substances. Michael Jackson didn’t have any symptoms of cardiac problem or any heart illnesses and resuscitation would have been able to revive him. This sudden tragic death shocks all music fans and there is outpouring of sympathy for the loss of Michael Jackson.
Coincidentally, Jessica Zafra wrote in her column in the Philippine Star a Michael Jackson feature today. On Larry King Live and Anderson Cooper, Michael Jackson’s friends sends their deepest sympathy, Quincy Jones, Randy Jackson, Sheryl Crow, Cher, among others. Donna Sommer will dedicate her concert to Michael. Madonna says he was one of the greats and truly an inspiration to her music as well. I wonder how Macaulay Culkin and Chris Tucker feels. They were pretty close to Jackson.
Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson’s Brother, with a heavy heart faced media at a press conference releasing the cause of Jackson’s death.
Michael Jackson first rose to stardom in the late 1960s as the lead singer of the Jackson 5. He was that little gifted boy with so much energy performing with the music group that he formed with his four older brothers. Their famous hits include “ABC” and “I’ll Be There” that has so many renditions from other artists.
The 1982 album “Thriller” is the best-selling album of all time having sold over 50 million copies worldwide. The much famed album includes top charters “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and the most recognizable song to the world, “Thriller.” Usher, Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake music are from Michael Jackson’s influences.
Jackson’s career started to tarnish with a series of scandals. From his universal popularity in the 1980s, his stardom started to decline with a series of surgically altered appearance.
Michael Jackson popularized so many dance moves such as the moonwalker, pulling up the pants and the crotch-grabbing dance moves. Justin Timberlake’s voice reminds me of Jackson’s high-pitched voice that is punctuated with squeals and titters. He was the ultimate performer, if not the best dancer… King of all Generations and probably all genres for me… He was admired for his songs but Michael Jackson was also very instrumental in uniting Black and White together. The soulful lyrics of They Dont Care About Us, Heal the World, Boogeyman, Man in the Mirror, Black and White transcends across nations. Someone said that Michael Jackson’s death is like passing of an era. I totally agree.
I am deeply saddened by the loss of the King of Music, Michael Jackson. He was an all-out performer and has changed the music scene. My bucket list includes watching a Michael Jackson concert. I was so ecstatic to learn that he was doing a final run of concert series in Europe starting with London. There were even talks that he might do one in Asia. There are only three legendary icons for me, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson (and probably Beatles as a group). The only female counterpart I can think of that is on the same level is Madonna (who is also in my bucket list of performers I want to watch). They are the only artists that really made such enormous impact that shifted music landscape. His legacy in the music industry and the inspiration his creativity brought will remain in music fans’ hearts generation after generation.
Final Curtain for Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson Feat. Usher and Chris Tucker (Chris Tucker was super funny)
Michael Jackson’s Best Dance Moves
They Don’t Really Care About Us Music Video (Prisoner’s Version)
Iran Elections, Social Media, and the Death of Michael Jackson
Rest in Peace, MJ!