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Why I Stayed At A Job Where I Was Sexually Harassed

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With the #MeToo movement gaining in the world in which I am bringing up my teen and preteen daughters, they want answers I don’t always have.

Report it immediately, I tell them. Listen to your instincts. Fight back. But why should we have to develop these strategies at all? And why does reporting harassment often bring more injury than healing? These things are harder to explain.

What I haven’t told my daughters yet is that I stayed at my first “#MeToo” because I needed the job too much to quit, and I’d been taught that good girls are quiet and make nice.

I’d graduated college ― the first in my family to do so ― but I didn’t know what was next.

I’d grown up in a family pest control business, and my older brothers were already scuttling into crawl spaces in search of termites and baiting rodent stations as they fought for succession.

Dad offered office work suitable for a girl. “We’ll pay your car insurance for three months, until you get on your feet.”

It was a reasonable plan, but I was unreasonably in love. The year before, on a semester in Washington, D.C., I’d fallen for a boy who lived in Florida, a thousand miles from my Missouri home. The day after graduation, I packed my car to drive south.

My boyfriend’s family helped me get the interview. The small family business was much like my own: a front office with stained carpet and worn leather chairs. They made soups instead of insecticides. I already knew the rules: Do what needs done, cover for each other, the customer is always right. 

I sat at the front desk and directed incoming calls to the sales manager, or took messages for the factory foreman. I designed advertisements and package labels. I managed spreadsheets. I even took home their product recipes on the weekends, and gave feedback as an average grocery customer might. Joe and I were grateful for the pots of free soup, even as we choked down the least popular: lima bean.

We found an affordable apartment next to campus: “One bedroom. Light and airy. $400 per month.” I promised Joe I’d get Dursban for the roaches if I could have the sun-filled front room with built-in bookcases and a desk for my writing. We pretended our landlord was just quirky. I bought bright blue floral bed sheets and we made the bed with a white quilt handmade by my grandmother.

One month into the job, my boss invited me to his beach house while his wife was out of town. I couldn’t imagine he meant just me.

“Anytime,” he said. “Come by anytime. I’ll be there. The ads you did last week were very promising. We should talk brochures next for the trade show.”

It sounded friendly, fatherly even, in a way that made me homesick for late work nights that turned to family dinners, and weekends taking inventory in our company garage when Mom brought donuts.

“Joe loves the beach,” I said, but I never called, even though he’d tucked his phone number into my back pocket as I was leaving work on Friday ― a move my gut warned me about, but I dismissed.

The office manager, Barbara, was his daughter and we became friends. She taught me Excel and showed me how to calculate sales margins based on the price of spices. When she went north for a family wedding, I offered her my winter coat. She replaced the missing button, resewed the torn pocket, and brought me a tin of my favorite Earl Grey. “Maybe we could go out for tea some time,” she said, “you know, off the clock. I promise not to talk business.”

One afternoon at work, I mentioned that we were getting rid of a futon and my boss asked for the material. “You want our futon?” I asked. I couldn’t imagine what a 60-year-old man with his own company and two houses wanted with our discarded furniture.

“I use it for the canvas,” he said. “I strip the futon and stretch the fabric.” I’d been to his house for the holiday company party. Nude portraits he’d painted himself were on every wall. I assumed the model was his wife.

“I’ll pick it up,” he said, “what’s your address? I can even take your picture while I’m there. You’re such a pretty girl. Maybe I’ll paint you.”

I told Joe my boss would be stopping by for the futon, but I made sure I wasn’t home.

Our landlord got louder. She blamed us for more bugs and broke into our apartment to inspect our kitchen. She yelled at her kids and we could hear their crying through the walls. Joe applied for two part-time jobs at the mall in addition to his coursework so we could afford to break our lease.

Then my boss began leaving the door wide open when he peed. The bathroom was across from my desk, so several times a day I had to look away or pretend an errand in the factory to avoid his exposure. I told myself it was clumsy, the way families forget boundaries when they work together.

But if I returned to my desk too soon, he’d tease me about a tattoo he was sure I had. He leaned over me and pulled up my shirt sleeves, once my skirt, pretending he was looking and that I was simply hiding it. “We can’t have our front girl looking trashy,” he said. “Come on, let me see it.”

At first, I was too embarrassed to tell Joe. I cried too much after work and woke both of us with nightmares. “It’s just my boss’s way of joking,” I said, playing down the details. “But sometimes he takes it too far, you know?”

“You need to quit,” Joe said. “It isn’t worth this.”

“I can handle it,” I said, as if enduring harassment was a badge. “You can’t tell your parents. It’s not their fault.” We were young and neither of us really knew what to do.

Every morning as I dressed for work, I changed my outfits again and again and strategized how my clothes might protect me. Joe begged me not to go. “Just don’t show up. He’ll know why.”

“Where would we live? What would we eat?” I asked, calculating rent, utilities, food. “We’d have to sell my car. Then how would I get to my new job? How would I even get a new job?” I didn’t want to go back to Missouri and admit that my plan ― the one my parents doubted ― had failed.

Joe took on more hours, staying at the food court until closing, when he could barter CDs with other mall employees for leftover cinnamon rolls: our breakfast.

My parents surprised us with a visit. By the time I came home from work that day, they’d decided our living situation wasn’t suitable and shouldn’t involve bugs. They packed our few boxes and moved us. They’d found a vacant attic apartment in a building owned by their bed and breakfast host. My parents paid a month of our rent because we’d lost our deposit.

“Thank goodness you have a job,” Mom said, “it’s a blessing.” I was grateful, especially because my boss wouldn’t know our new address.

On the morning I told Barbara that her father had gone too far in his tattoo game, that he’d reached down the front of my blouse and touched my breasts, she said, “Please leave immediately,” not looking up from her screen. I offered her two-weeks’ notice, as my parents had taught me good employees do.

“I mean now,” she said. “You need to leave now.”

It stung; I thought that she’d be appalled and that she might want to protect me, as an older sister might, but her panic felt like blame. I manually punched my time card at the machine on my way out. Payroll was due the next day and I knew Barbara would need the numbers.

“What are you going to do now?” Mom asked, when I told her I’d quit. “I hope you have another plan.” I was too ashamed to tell her what had happened and too shocked to admit I didn’t.

It’s taken me 20 years and many more jobs to find my voice and write my truth. Speaking up, as the characters in my novel and stories can attest, isn’t always welcome and the consequences are often punitive. When my daughters read my #MeToo story, I’ll tell them I hope they never have one, but if they’re faced with fight or flight, run as fast as you can, even though neither might keep them safe.

Next to protecting others from sexual harassment, the most powerful thing I can do is to listen, empathize and put it on the page. My daughters see that the #MeToo rebellion is being led by the silence-breakers, but it’s an opportunity for the silence keepers ― men and women who protect perpetrators ― to do more and allow less. Our collective courage must be amplified so that our daughters and sons don’t have the same stories and the burden of telling them.

Also on HuffPost
Women Who Reported Sexual Harassment

7 Netflix Tricks That'll Change How You Watch Your Favorite Shows

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The period between Christmas and New Year’s Day could end up being the most popular time for streaming all year, according to Amazon and Netflix data shared with HuffPost.

Maybe you’re off work and in search of easy family bonding. Maybe it just lifts your spirits to watch the depressed, anthropomorphic main character of “Bojack Horseman” drink spirit after spirit after spirit.

In any case, there’s a good chance you could benefit from a few hacks to improve ― or vary the minimalist monotony of ― your experience with Netflix. 

Of course, HuffPost’s “Streamline” is itself a hack: Getting weekly suggestions for the best shows streaming services have to offer and keeping yourself from wasting time on mediocre TV is the best trick of all.

But for simple cosmetic changes and browser plug-ins that will improve your viewing experience even more, the list below should help.

This is part of Streamline, HuffPost’s weekly recommendation service for streaming shows and movies. Every Saturday, Streamline ranks the best shows to watch online, including a specific focus on Netflix. 

 

1. Change your subtitles

Subtitles don’t have to be simple white with a hint of drop shadow. All sorts of options await you in your account’s subtitle preferences.

For journalistic integrity reasons, I tried this myself. My subtitles now have a bright pink window with green background and hint of blue drop shadow. The font is “casual” because I’m a casual person. I chose the font size that best represents the way I like to live my life.

Netflix has many expensively filmed original series where much care has been put into each and every detail you see on screen. The above subtitle choices complement such programs, like “The Crown” and “Godless,” very well. 

 

2. Switch to HD

Apparently Netflix doesn’t always automatically switch your account to high-definition, even if you’re paying for that option. You might be on a default setting that looks pretty bad and not even know it. Go to the HD toggle page and select the highest streaming quality available for your price point.

Of course, you could also select “low” quality if you wanted to, as I have to watch the above “Master of None” scene. The characters and “stuff” in the store appear super grainy.

 

3. Watch at weird times

This remains somewhat of a streaming urban legend without definitive verification, but apparently you get better video quality and faster load times if you watch Netflix at off-peak hours.

This means if you’re trying to stream “The Crown” for its visual beauty, you need to do so around 4 a.m. You might miss out on something if you’re a super fan watching at any other time. 

 

4. Download on your phone

You probably already know that Netflix lets you download shows and movies. But in case you’ve been unsure why you haven’t been able to do so on your Apple laptop, here’s the list of requirements for downloading, according to Netflix:

  • An iPhone, iPad, or iPod running iOS 9.0 or later

  • A phone or tablet running Android 4.4.2 or later

  • A tablet or computer running Windows 10 Version 1607 (Anniversary Update) or later

  • An internet connection*

  • An active Netflix streaming account

  • The latest version of the Netflix Apple iOSNetflix Android, or Netflix Windows 10 app

Then look for the  icon next to the content you’re trying to download.

 

5. Play Netflix Roulette to find something random

There are a ton of amazing movies and television shows right now ― so many that you can’t possibly have enough time to watch them all. Also, movies and TV series are very long. It would take a true glutton for wasting time to just choose something at random to watch these days. Netflix Roulette lets you indulge that gluttony.

The website Reelgood created this tool. Thankfully, it has a few features that make it more useful than trusting pure random chaos. You can make sure the selection has a decent score on IMDb, choose your genre and pick whether you want a movie or television show. Using these toggles, this tool could be a good way to find an undiscovered gem.

I didn’t use any toggles when I tried out this feature. The movie “Antibirth,” which I had never heard of before, was suggested to me. It’s about a stoner who wakes up from a party with a mysterious illness that apparently isn’t a hangover. I will not be watching that.

 

6. Download Super Netflix to change video speed 

Super Netflix is available for free in the Chrome web store, and it gets updated fairly regularly. Many other Netflix plug-ins have come and gone over the last few years because developers have failed to update their product to keep with the streaming company’s constant changes. 

This plug-in allows you to do all sorts of things, including change the speed of your content. Do you want to know what happens on “The Crown” so you can talk about it with others but think it’s way too boring to actually watch? Just change the speed up to 4x faster, and that show might finally move along at a bearable pace.

Speeding up content has long been popular in the podcast realm, and Apple lets you change the speed right in the app. Personally, I find I can easily listen to podcast audio at 1.5x speed. But podcasts are also pretty much just conversations, and the creators typically don’t think too much about pacing.

You might be losing more by speeding up video, as directors and editors obsess over pacing. But if you don’t care about that, by all means, change the speed. Netflix tends to release a great new show or movie every week, and there’s no way you’re going to see it all unless you crank up the speed to as fast as possible.

Something else kind of cool: Super Netflix lets you change content into black-and-white. So when you’re watching the latest terrible Adam Sandler movie (not including “The Meyerowitz Stories”), you can really artsy-up the production and make it seem like you’re watching something by Jean-Luc Godard.

 

7. Delete everything

This is for all of you who don’t have your own Netflix account and do have bad taste. You might not want your friends or lovers finding out what you’ve been watching. To fix this, you can go to the viewing activity page and delete the shows that embarrass you. Click the “X” before you create an ex ... or something like that.

In researching this story, I found out that someone on my account has been watching “House of Cards,” despite the fact that there are now dozens of sexual misconduct allegations against star Kevin Spacey. Of course, the ethics are murky about whether the misdeeds of one can invalidate art that many others worked hard to produce. But the later seasons of “House of Cards” are simply terrible and shouldn’t be watched regardless. My friend really should have known better.

In any case, the friend could have scrubbed the streaming history and I would have been none the wiser. If they’d like to remedy the situation, they can also “report a problem” about the show on that same page and write “Kevin Spacey + it’s not good” in the comment section. 

Student Finishes College Final Exam While In Labor

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Nayzia’ Thomas’ Twitter was still blowing up with interview requests and well wishes on Wednesday, because this young woman knows how to multitask.

Last week, a photo of the Kansas City student finishing a college final exam while she was in labor captivated the internet. “It’s the perfect explanation of my life,” she wrote in the Dec. 12 post. “Yes i’m about to have a baby, but final SZN ain’t over yet.”

Thomas, 19, delivered her son, Anthony, at 1:30 p.m. on the same day.

It seems neither Anthony nor the psych exam in dissociative identity disorder for Johnson County Community College could wait. And, yes, Thomas delivered the exam before her baby.

“It was hard to focus, but I had such a motivation to finish before I brought my son into the world, so that he could be my only focus,” Thomas told HuffPost on Wednesday.

Thomas told Yahoo earlier that she was working three jobs and going to school when she learned she was expecting. And when the big day arrived sooner than expected, she refused to take an incomplete in the course.

She described a post-delivery emergency on Dec. 14 ― and informed followers she pulled in a 3.5 GPA for the semester.

“My school reached out to congratulate me and make sure I was given resources and information about how I can receive extra help next semester being a new mother,” Thomas told HuffPost.

 
Also on HuffPost
Pregnancy And New Motherhood Memes

Starbucks Customer Demands Asian Student Stop Speaking Korean

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A woman was thrown out of a Starbucks in Walnut Creek, California, earlier this month after she berated two Asian customers with racist insults. 

The patron verbally attacked Annie An, a Korean international college student, after she heard An conversing in Korean with her tutor Sean Lee. An caught some video of the incident on her phone and shared it on Facebook. 

In her post, An said that before she began recording, the woman told her, “This is America. Use English only.” Later the woman allegedly added, “I don’t want to hear foreign language.” 

“... Oriental. I hate it,” the woman can be heard saying in the video. 

“I’m sorry, but they’re allowed to speak their language here,” a Starbucks employee is heard responding. 

“President Obama said that everyone in here in America ... should speak English,” the woman says

“They’re completely allowed to use their own language,” the employee reiterates. 

At one point, the woman types on her laptop keyboard and declares, “You’re going to be in trouble when I get this letter out” ― before another customer notes, “You’re pressing numbers over and over again.”

The Starbucks worker repeatedly asks the woman to leave and threatens to call the police. 

Eventually police officers arrived ― An wrote that they were called by Starbucks ― and escorted the woman out of the establishment.

The video of the incident has since gone viral with almost 900,000 views as of Tuesday and has been covered by multiple media outlets. 

Lee told local news station KRON that he had been discussing an essay with An when the other woman got worked up. 

“We didn’t provoke her,” Lee said. “We were just minding our own business. This lady just suddenly says, ‘Don’t you dare say that again.’”

Although the woman’s comments were far from pleasant, they did not stop the pair from continuing to chat in Korean. Lee wrote on Facebook that they “kept speaking in Korean between her freakout and cops arriving, which pissed her off even more.” 

Since the incident, people across social media have reached out to An and Lee, offering words of support and solidarity. Grateful for the messages, Lee said he hopes the video can show that bigotry is not a thing of the past. 

“In our day-to-day pursuits and responsibilities, it’s all too easy to forget that racism and anti-immigrant sentiments are a real thing in this country, even in the Bay Area that so often touts ‘diversity,’” Lee said on Facebook. 

“Imagine this happening to your family and friends. I’ve always cognized this issue, but my first, real-life encounter with racism has brought it to the forefront of my mind. I hope it does the same for you.”

Myanmar's Crackdown On Human Rights Continues As It Denies Entry To UN Investigator

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Myanmar’s government rescinded access by a United Nations official who has been investigating human rights in the country, including the campaign of violence against the Rohingya Muslim minority.

“I am puzzled and disappointed by this decision by the Myanmar government,” special rapporteur Yanghee Lee said Wednesday in a statement. “This declaration of non-cooperation with my mandate can only be viewed as a strong indication that there must be something terribly awful happening in [the state of] Rakhine, as well as in the rest of the country.”

Lee said the Myanmar government had ensured her of its cooperation with her planned January visit only two weeks ago. But she said officials changed their mind due to a statement she released in July outlining the difficulties she had in working with the government to gain access to certain areas.

Lee has visited the country as part of her U.N. job six times since June 2014.

The decision to deny her continued access comes a day after authorities said they found 10 bodies buried in a mass grave in Rakhine, the heart of the violence against the Rohingya. The army said it’s investigating the site, but the chances of the government taking the blame for the killings are slim. An internal inquiry released by the military last month exonerated all soldiers from any wrongdoing in a crackdown against the Muslim group that began in late August. 

Still, evidence grows of the Burmese government’s systematic violence against the Rohingya. About 650,000 Rohingya refugees have fled to Bangladesh since the end of August. Aerial footage of entire villages burnt to the ground was released by Amnesty International in September. That same month, Doctors Without Borders reported that at least 9,000 Rohingya had died in Myanmar during a roughly 30-day period ― more than 22 times the official government estimate of 400 deaths. Hundreds of Rohingya were systematically killed and raped in the Rakhine village of Tula Toli as security forces trapped people along a riverbank in late August, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Tuesday.

Efforts to cover up the evidence have also mounted. Burmese officials arrested two Reuters journalists last week after the pair had been invited to meet with police officials in the city of Yangon. Reuters is one of the few news outlets that had gained entry to Rakhine, which is closed off to most journalists.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussain said this week that Myanmar leaders Aung San Suu Kyi and Gen. Aung Min Hlaing, the head of the army, could be tried for genocide.

18 Realistic Ways To Become A Happier, More Chill Person In 2018

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What a year it’s been.

From current events ― including political turmoil and high-profile allegations of sexual misconduct in several industries ― to regular life stressors, it’s been a loooong 365 days. 

If you’re overthinking everything and stressed beyond measure, you’re certainly not alone. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Say goodbye to 2017 ― and some of the negative emotions that came with it ― by adopting a few of these expert- and research-backed habits in the new year.

They certainly won’t solve everything, but they’ll help make you feel a little calmer and happier in the moment. Baby steps, right?

1. Take news breaks

Research shows that negative news can poorly affect your mental health. Simply put, it’s absolutely essential to take time away from the barrage of bad news stories. Experts recommend this to their patients, and do it themselves to keep their own stress under control. Here are some tips on how to take care of yourself during a chaotic news cycle.

2. Say ‘no’ more often

Make 2018 the year you admit to yourself that you can’t do it all ― and embrace it. Saying “yes” to every offer, even the ones you really don’t want to agree to, can have long-term consequences. Therapists say a people-pleasing habit can hurt your mental well-being. Here’s a guide on how to politely turn down invitations without feeling like a complete jerk.

3. Use social media to your advantage

Research shows that excessive social media use can be bad for your mental health, and it’s necessary to take a break from your newsfeed. But let’s be real: It’s impossible to expect to stay unplugged from those updates all the time.

Reframe the way you view posts on platforms like Facebook and Instagram so you can build a healthier relationship with them. Experts recommend unfollowing accounts that don’t bring you joy, subscribing to more positive content and reminding yourself that what you’re seeing in your feed only shows a small portion of someone’s life.

4. Indulge in a new show

Sometimes a mental escape from reality is just what you need to reset your brain.

Try watching something funny (studies show laughter really is the best medicine) whenever you’re feeling overwhelmed. It can help curb your stress, Susan Krauss Whitbourne, a professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, previously told HuffPost.

5. Get active

There’s no substitute for exercise. Research shows that regular movement can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

Make an effort to incorporate physical activity into your daily life, whether it’s going for a brief walk or trying a new fitness class. Here’s a guide on exercises you can do even if you lack fitness skills.

6. Lend your time to a cause you care about

Therapists say more of their patients reported feeling helpless after the 2016 election, and the stress surrounding the political climate has only increased.

Experts recommend getting involved in charities or causes you care about in order to offset these negative emotions. By getting active, you’re taking control ― and that can help relieve anxiety.

7. Learn to cook something new

Flex your creative muscles and give yourself a mental escape in the process. 

When I feel stressed or distressed by the negative, unhappy news and/or politics, I go to the grocery store, buy food that I enjoy and I head home and make dinner,” Dan Reidenberg, executive director of Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, previously told HuffPost. “I can make what I want, what I like and how I like it to taste, and that helps me feel better.”

8. Spend money on experiences

Research shows that memories, not material possessions, make us happier when it comes to spending disposable income. Vacation, anyone?

9. And learn to budget everywhere else

No surprise here: Data suggests finances are one of the biggest stressors for Americans. Learning how to budget your income and finding ways to save are incredibly vital to your life, experts say. Check out this manual for tips on how to do it responsibly. 

10. Give journaling a try

Writing can help clear your mind, said Amy Poon, a psychiatrist at Stanford Health Care.

“A lot of people find it really helpful for sorting out thoughts, reflection and building more calm,” she told HuffPost. “It can be very cathartic.”

And you don’t need to write something every day to reap the benefits, Poon added. Try journaling once a month or once every few weeks if that seems like a more manageable schedule.

11. Adopt a positive mantra

Celebrities like Oprah swear by sticking to a mantra, which may give you a little boost when you need it. Pick something that inspires you (for example, “I am worthy”) and attach it to your mirror, your desk or wherever you’ll see it most. It sounds corny, but research shows it works.

12. Make a goal rather than a resolution

Smaller goals may be more attainable than an overall, lofty aim. Pick a few things you want to achieve this year, then be real with yourself about the progress, Poon advised.

“As with any habit, it can be really hard to maintain over the long term,” she said. “Check in every month and think about your goals and what you are trying to accomplish. Then reflect and re-evaluate if they are realistic.”

13. Turn your bed into a sanctuary

By now you know that sleep is vital to happiness and overall functioning. But do you ever think about where you’re sleeping and how you treat that space?

It can be easy to turn your bed into a catch-all for laundry or an extension of your office. However, your brain needs to associate it with sleep ― and experts say it might have difficulty doing so if you’re also using it for other activities. Keep your bed a place for sleep and sex, and see if it transforms your Zs. 

14. Set boundaries with your loved ones

When it comes to family, it can be hard to assert yourself and communicate your needs ― especially when tough topics come up, like politics or your dating life. But boundaries are incredibly important when it comes to self-care.

Experts say it’s critical to remember that you have a choice when it comes to these conversations: You don’t necessarily have to engage. Here are some ways to manage those anxiety-provoking conversations while still looking after your own mental health.

15. Tackle your imposter syndrome head-on

The idea that you’re “not good enough” can be largely fabricated by your own mind. The phenomenon is known as imposter syndrome, and it mostly pops up at work, like when you’ve been promoted or trusted with a new responsibility. And it can cause a lot of anxiety.

Experts recommend getting out of that fraudulent mindset by defining what success and failure actually look like to you. And take a look at these other professional-approved ways to tackle imposter syndrome.

16. Reframe your negative thoughts

“What if the country falls apart?” “What if I get laid off from my job?” Worrying about the state of the world or your life is natural, but there’s a point where it becomes unhealthy. Entertaining those automatic negative thoughts can take a toll on your mental health, according to Poon. 

Figure out what triggers these thoughts to appear, she said, then take the best course of action to help you manage them. Therapy may help give you the tools you need, or try following this guide for when you’re ruminating over anxious thoughts.

17. Learn to recognize toxic personalities in your life

Your squad has a profound impact on how you feel. Research shows stress is contagious ― and so is happiness. Check out this list of the different kinds of toxic people you may encounter and tips for how to deal with them. Cut out that negativity ASAP.

18. Put yourself first

It’s a fact of life that you can’t please everyone. The one person you can make happy, however? Yourself.

Vow to look inward in the coming year if you’re always putting others’ feelings above your own, Poon said. 

“Find the words to communicate what you need. You can say it in a way where you don’t feel bad for asking, or won’t get upset that the other person may be less happy with you,” she said. “You can’t make other people happy all the time, and it’s important to be OK with that.”

Ready to take on 2018?

Also on HuffPost
100 Ways To De-Stress

All Accused In The 2G Spectrum Allocation Scam Acquitted By Court

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Former Telecom Minister A Raja leaves after a hearing in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case at Patiala court on March 16, 2015 in New Delhi.

All the accused, including former telecommunications minister Andimuthu Raja and Rajya Sabha member Muthuvel Karunanidhi Kanimozhi, have been acquitted by a special CBI court in Delhi on Thursday in the multi-billion 2G spectrum allocation case – one the biggest graft scandals to hit Indian politics in the last decade.

Raja was accused of accepting kickbacks in exchange for allocating 2G mobile air waves and operating licenses to select telecom firms in 2007-08 which caused massive losses to the Indian exchequer. The allegation of corruption was one of the main reasons behind the downfall of the second term of the United Progressive Alliance under then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

ALSO READ: The Maran Brothers' Discharge In The Aircel-Maxis Case Must Be Music To Kanimozhi's Ears

The Enforcement Directorate, according to reports, had filed a separate case of money laundering against Raja, Kanimozhi, DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal and others.

Loop Telecom promoters IP Khaitan and Kiran Khaitan, and Essar promoters Ravi Kant Ruia and Anshuman Ruia, were also let off, according to PTI.

"I have absolutely no hesitation in holding that prosecution has miserably failed to prove any charge against any accused," CBI Judge OP Saini said, beforepronouncing the "not guilty" verdict for all accused due to lack of evidence.

2G Spectrum Allocation: A Case That Changed The Course Of Indian Political History

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Former telecom minister A. Raja gesture as he interacts with the media following his appearance in connection with the 2G spectrum scam at the CBI court in New Delhi on May 5, 2014.

The acquittal of DMK leaders A Raja and M Kanimozhi, and all the others accused in the sensational "2G Scam" by a CBI court today is one of the most significant juridical events in independent India because it demolishes the reputation of a constitutional institution called the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and makes the Congress and the UPA look like victims of either a political conspiracy or foolhardiness of administrative vigilantism.

Either way, the UPA, particularly the Congress and the DMK will feel both vindicated and sad because it was this alleged scam that had brought them down politically and propelled the BJP to power.

The damage of the "scam" was unlimited because it had also led to similar allegations and the policy-paralysis of the UPA government from which it never recovered. For the DMK, it literally snatched away an assembly defeat from the jaws of victory and mired its first family in deep notoriety that its rival and former Jayalalithaa kept reminding them for years.

ALSO READ: The Maran Brothers' Discharge In The Aircel-Maxis Case Must Be Music To Kanimozhi's Ears

For the telecom sector it was a huge setback because auctions that appeared good on CAG papers proved to be counter-productive, while for foreign investors the subsequent developments made India look unreliable without any sovereign guarantee for their resources, time, and reputation.

Although the details of the voluminous order are not completely available, the message is loud and clear: that both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have failed to prove criminality and corruption in the case in which the accused, mainly the then telecom minister Raja had caused losses of thousands of crores of rupees to the state exchequer.

Both the UPA and DMK will now be justified in their reading of the verdict that there was no corruption as they had always maintained. Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh summarised the sense of vindication of the Congress quite elegantly when he said that "massive agenda-driven propaganda was done at that time against UPA government and the judgment speaks for itself".

While the verdict is a lifesaver for Raja and Kanimozhi, it will slur the reputation of decorated bureaucrat and former CAG Vinod Rai. If Raja and the other accused were not scamsters, then how did he tell the nation that it lost 1.76 lakh crore of rupees because of them? Did he really brandish those mythical figures without any evidence at all? If his "presumptive loss" theory was wrong in 2G, what about his other audit findings?

While the verdict is a lifesaver for Raja and Kanimozhi, it will slur the reputation of decorated bureaucrat and former CAG Vinod Rai.

Questions will also be asked if he was motivated or acted in collusion with the opposition because "2G" was an epoch that changed the course of Indian political history and heralded the downfall of the Congress.

In fact, that's what the Congress leaders insinuated when the verdict was out today.

Former minister Kapil Sibal, who had countered Vinod Rai with his "zero-loss theory", demanded that the former CAG should apologise to the nation. He also said that the scam was woven together by Rai and the opposition.

DMK leader Kanimozhi leaves after a hearing in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case at Patiala court on March 16, 2015 in New Delhi.

In a tweet, Manish Tewari, another strong defender of the UPA against the scam allegations, also said that "former CAG must apologise to the nation for throwing presumptive sensational corrosive numbers into public discourse. He was the author of the imbecile 1.76 thousand crore loss theory that I had destroyed during my cross examination of Rai in JPC. Court has affirmed JPC Report".

Reportedly, the court today said that there was no material on record to show that Raja was the main conspirator, and that the many facts recorded in the charge-sheet were factually wrong.

It also said that the prosecution, which began with enthusiasm, later on became cautious, guarded and directionless. Apparently, it was not clear as to what it was trying to prove.

In fact, there were enough indications earlier that the case would be met with such a fate. Early in February, the same judge, Justice OP Saini, had acquitted the Maran brothers, who incidentally are Kanimozhi's family members, in the Aircel-Maxis case for want of evidence.

He had said that "perception or suspicion are not enough for criminal prosecution. The perception or suspicion is required to be investigated and supported by legally admissible evidence, which is wholly lacking in this case".

In September last year, Kanimozhi's lawyer also had said that there was no evidence against her.

"Read ED's case as it is and the court will come to the conclusion that there is no evidence against Kanimozhi," he had said.

Former Telecom Minister A Raja leaves after a hearing in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case at Patiala court on March 16, 2015 in New Delhi, India.

Raja too had been very optimistic about the case right from the preliminary stages itself. An interesting glimpse of his confidence was presented in journalist Sunetra Choudhury's 'Behind Bars' in which she tells the prison tales of VIPs. Raja, one of the VIPs featured in the book, was completely unfazed about his life as a remand prisoner in Tihar and was quite confident that the case against him would not succeed in a court of law.

His description of how the CBI investigated the case is hilarious because contrary to what the media projected, what was going on inside their offices were quite perfunctory. He even says that the investigators didn't know what they were doing and they had even asked for his help to decipher the papers. The observations of the court today in fact confirms Raja's claims. It's not surprising that Justice Saini had "no hesitation in holding that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove the charges."

While the prosecution will appeal the verdict, it is a huge moral victory for the Congress, the UPA and the DMK. The 2G scam had inflicted life-threatening damages on them.

Certainly, they wouldn't let go of this opportunity to push back. Probably, this is the inflection point that they have been waiting for.


Car Hits Pedestrians In Melbourne, Many Injured In 'Deliberate Act'

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Several people are injured and two men have been arrested after a four wheel drive drove into pedestrians in the middle of the Melbourne CBD, in what police are calling a "deliberate act".

Reports and photos flooded social media on Thursday afternoon around 4.30pm. The vehicle collided with a number of people at the intersection of Flinders and Elizabeth streets, outside the Flinders Street station.

As of 5.45pm, paramedics said up to 15 people were injured with 13 rushed to hospital, including one young child who has already been transported to hospital in a serious condition.

In a 7pm press conference, Commander Russell Barrett said officers believed the crash was a "deliberate act", which had left several people in critical condition. The officer said the motivation behind the act remained unknown, and in response to a question from a journalist, he did not rule out terror links.

Footage from the scene showed a white four wheel drive with damage to its front. A person claiming to be a witness called radio station 3AW, saying there were "five to seven people laying on the ground" following the crash.

Another 3AW caller claimed the car "just mowed everybody down, people were flying everywhere."

Police and ambulance units are on the scene, with Victoria Police saying the driver had been arrested at the scene. Police later advised that a second man had also been arrested in relation to the incident.

"Police have saturated the CBD area following an incident where a car has collided with a number of pedestrians on Flinders Street. The incident occurred when the vehicle struck a number of pedestrians in front of Flinders Street Station just after 4.30pm," police said in a statement.

"The driver of the vehicle and a second man have been arrested and are in police custody."

Members of the public stand behind police tape after Australian police said on Thursday they have arrested the driver of a vehicle that ploughed into pedestrians at a crowded intersection near the Flinders Street train station in Melbourne

People and vehicles are being asked to avoid the area, while police are also looking for witnesses to the incident. Trains, trams and buses are being diverted around the busy transport hub, causing chaos in the city's commuter peak hour.

More to come.

Censor Board To Set Up A 'Historian Panel' To Scrutinize 'Padmavati' For Historical Accuracy: Report

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A security guard walks past a poster of the upcoming Bollywood movie 'Padmavati' outside a theatre in Mumbai, India, November 21, 2017. REUTERS/ Danish Siddiqui

In a yet another setback for the controversy-ridden Padmavati, the Central Board of Film Certification is likely to set up a historian panel to scrutinize the film for historical accuracy.

"The content will now have to be scrutinized for authenticity," IANS reported, quoting an unnamed source. This decision was taken after the makers stated that the film is 'partially based on historical facts.'

The film's troubles began when the Karni Sena, a self-styled right-wing group, took offense at the depiction of Rani Padmavati. The group believed that the makers were showing a romance between Alauddin Khilji and Queen Padmavati, a claim repeatedly denied by the makers, including director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and cast members, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, and Ranveer Singh.

Several BJP politicians also threatened to disallow the film's release, with Suraj Pal Amu, the party's chief media co-ordinator in Haryana, even announcing a bounty for beheading the film's leading lady, Deepika Padukone.

The film's woes were further compounded when the CBFC sent the film back without certification as a column for declaring whether the film was a work of fiction or was based on historical facts was left blank.

The source told the news agency that the film hasn't been scheduled for viewing in December and will likely be screened only in January, making its release even more uncertain.

Produced by Viacom Motion Pictures, Padmavati was originally set to release on December 1. The delay, even by conservative estimates, is said to have cost a significant amount to producers in what was an already expensive film.

Also see on HuffPost:

Why Phrases Like 'Daddy Daycare' Have Got To Go

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I listened the other day as my husband told a friend he had to rearrange a work call because he’d be watching our son. “Daddy daycare, eh?” his colleague replied.

My husband laughed. It’s not the first time he’s heard that expression, or even the fifth, I imagine. But every time I hear it, I’m struck by how wrong it sounds. He does an equal share of the caring for our child, and then some. My job has fairly set hours; his offers more flexibility, so he is the parent who picks up our son at preschool every afternoon. And he is often the one getting dinner ready while I’m commuting home.

This does not make him any kind of superhero, Mr. Mom, or any of the taunts that the angry men of the internet have for those they deem insufficiently manly. It means he is a dad. But even if we didn’t split caregiving responsibilities, he wouldn’t be the backup parent simply because of his sex. So why is the time he spends keeping our toddler alive labeled “daddy duty,” “daddy daycare,” or my least favorite — “babysitting” — whereas what I do is just called parenting?

Do any of these descriptions rank among the great insults in history? No, but they do seep into — and ultimately limit — how we understand modern fatherhood in ways that do not benefit anybody. Here’s why it’s finally time for those kinds of phrases to go:

1. They’re simply not based in reality.

Gone are the days when dads worked and moms stayed home with the kids — as are the days when a “family” meant a two-parent, heterosexual household with one or more biological children. Nowadays, just a quarter of couples with kids live in a family in which the dad is the only one who works, compared to 1970 when that was true for almost half of families. And fewer than half of kids in this country live in a “traditional” household with two heterosexual, married parents. Fathers also spend triple the number of hours parenting as they did in 1965 according to the Pew Research Center (though generally still not quite as much as mothers). The number of dads who stay home with their children has doubled since the 1980s.   

On an emotional level, dads take parenting every bit as seriously as moms do. Fifty-seven percent of dads say parenthood is central to their identity, much like 58 percent of moms — and millennial fathers are more likely to say parenting is a core part of who they are than Baby Boomers. So the notion that moms are the primary parents and dads are just the stand-ins falls short at a practical level as well as on a gut, personal one.  

2. Phrases like “daddy daycare” perpetuate the stereotype of the bumbling, hands-off dad.

A 2016 study looking at how expectant mothers and fathers are influenced by TV portrayals of fatherhood led to some intriguing findings: 1) TV dads are often portrayed as clueless and incompetent; 2) they’re never really asked to get better at parenting; and 3) real first-time dads who watched a fair amount of TV had a negative view about fathers’ importance to childhood development. 

Though there hasn’t been research looking specifically at how phrases like “daddy daycare” influence stereotypes, there’s reason to believe they also shape perceptions of gender roles at home.

“That related body of work would lead me to believe that yes, the way we talk about men as parents versus women as parents has an effect on how men and women actually enact those roles in families,” Sarah Schoppe-Sullivan, a professor of Human Sciences and Psychology at Ohio State University and a faculty associate of the Crane Center for Early Childhood Research and Policy, told HuffPost. Particularly because fathers’ roles are less socially scripted than women’s roles, she argued, and because they are, to a certain extent, in flux. 

That’s not all. Schoppe-Sullivan worked on a study that found on non-workdays, dads tend to relax while women do chores, whereas when men are watching the children or doing chores, women help out. Talking about fatherhood as though it’s a finite, limited thing can absolutely contribute to the sense that moms are always on the clock whereas dads are just on call.

“All you have to do is say, ‘Do we say ‘mommy duty’ or ‘mommy daycare?’ No, it doesn’t make any sense,” Schoppe-Sullivan said. “That, right there, that’s the face validity of it. At the very minimum, those phrases reflect that gender roles haven’t become egalitarian in terms of parenting. But do they also then continue to contribute to that state of affairs? I think they do.”

3. Words shape policy.

For every person annoyed by phrases like “daddy daycare” there’s another ready to rail against an “overly politically correct” culture that takes offense at just about anything (hello, Facebook commenters!). But language shapes public perception, and public perception drives public policy.

“If those perceptions are pervasive, that you know, basically, parenting work is assumed for mothers regardless of whatever else they’re doing — you know, they could be CEOs working 60, 70, 80 hours a week — but it’s assumed it’s optional for fathers, that perception also shapes policy,” said Schoppe-Sullivan.

“When we, and I hope we do, decide to give paid parental leave, are we going to give that to mothers? Are we going to give it to fathers? Are we going to do something equal or something different for mothers and fathers?” she asked. “Those types of things will then feed back into interactions in real families and how mothers and fathers are able to negotiate with each other regarding gender roles and parenting.”

Case in point: When President Donald Trump spoke about paid leave on the campaign trail, he promised maternity leave, but not family leave. That changed when he unveiled his proposed budget, but it’s still easy to see how talking about dads as though their role isn’t as important can influence the structures and systems that shape how they parent.

All of which is why, hopefully, phrases like “daddy daycare” will stay behind in 2017. 

Also on HuffPost
Great Quotes About Fatherhood

Women At The New York Times Feel Neglected, Frustrated As Paper Stands By Reporter Accused Of Sexual Misconduct

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The decision to retain Glenn Thrush came after a lengthy internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, first detailed last month by Vox.com’s editorial director.

One week before announcing that star reporter Glenn Thrush would be getting a second chance at The New York Times after being suspended over sexual misconduct allegations, the paper released the results of an internal job-satisfaction survey.

While nearly all the employees surveyed said they’re proud to work at the Times, there were a couple of trouble spots. A glaring one: career development. Many staffers said they weren’t sure what they needed to do to continue to move upward at the Times.The paper’s editors copped to the problem at two all-hands meetings held the day before the Thrush announcement.

For women at the paper, the two developments bundled together sent a demoralizing message. “They announce this big failure in career development,” said a female reporter who declined to be named because she didn’t want to jeopardize her job, “and then the first thing they do is protect Glenn Thrush.”

The decision to retain the 50-year-old White House reporter came after a lengthy internal investigation into the allegations of sexual misconduct, first detailed last month by Vox.com’s editorial director. Times executive editor Dean Baquet announced in a statement Wednesday that Thrush would not be fired, though it allowed that he had “behaved in ways that we do not condone.” Instead, he’ll be reassigned to a new beat once his suspension ends next month.

The announcement set off a wave of indignation among Times observers, who thought it sent a message that the paper condones sexual misconduct and isn’t concerned about the safety of its female employees. But among the female Times employees who spoke to HuffPost, the takeaway was less about the dangers of sexual misbehavior and more about who actually matters at the paper.

“We’re not really sure what the message is here,” one woman told HuffPost. “I feel really conflicted.” Another lamented that while the Times took careful steps to nurture and protect its star male reporter, there were loads of women struggling to get help with flat-lining careers inside the newsroom. For her, the Thrush decision was another painful reminder of how the Times is failing its female reporters.

Every woman who works at the Times has to go to work tomorrow knowing that that’s the decision they made,” Kate Harding, who hosts the Feminasty podcast, tweeted Wednesday. “That’s whose career matters. That’s who they’ll go the extra mile for.”

A female reporter at the Times said she saw that tweet and a lightbulb went off.

“Women here feel like they’re being overlooked,” she said. And she’s not alone in feeling that way ― a fact the Times itself acknowledged in one of the slides in the survey presentation, which read: “On career development, staff don’t have a clear sense of their goals or available resources.” (The Times did not sort results by gender.)

The Times also noted that 34 percent of those surveyed marked “unfavorable” when asked if they had discussed career objectives with a manager over the last 12 months. Only 42 percent of respondents said they understood what to do to advance their career at the paper. Sixty-three percent of employees responded to the survey.

The survey also showed that staffers think the Times is failing to adequately communicate with employees and make swift decisions.

The Times says the findings demonstrate that the paper is doing great. “The survey shows that an overwhelming majority of our employees feel highly engaged and deeply connected to the mission of the Times,” Carolyn Ryan, assistant managing editor, told HuffPost in an emailed statement. “Those numbers would be the envy of any company in any industry.”

“They also show that employees want to build their careers here, and they want better guidance and training to do so,” she said, adding they want to create “pathways” for growth. And because of the Times’ expansion into multimedia like podcasts and video, there are more ways to advance than ever before.

Baquet said in his statement that he believed Thrush’s punishment ― which is how the paper views its decision ― was appropriate, and concluded by affirming the paper’s belief in a respectful work environment. “The Times is committed not only to our leading coverage of this issue,” he wrote. “But also to ensuring that we provide a working environment where all of our colleagues feel respected, safe and supported.”

While there are certainly superstar women at the Times — among them Donald Trump whisperer Maggie Haberman, who frequently collaborated with Thrush, as well as Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, who wrote the investigation into Harvey Weinstein — there are others who feel they are being left behind.

(In a devastating loss, Janet Elder, a three-decade veteran at the Times, died Wednesday night. She was one of the highest-ranking women on the masthead and by all accounts one of the biggest champions for women in the newsroom.)

“Dean Baquet has no idea what I’m capable of,” the second female reporter said, adding that there are lot of women in similar positions. “They’re wasting talent and resources,” she said.

The reporter clarified that she didn’t think Thrush deserved to be fired, and other staffers echoed that opinion. “Seems absolutely fair to me,” a third female staffer told HuffPost about keeping Thrush on. “The investigation was very thorough and conducted by a female lawyer.” (Charlotte Behrendt, a lawyer in the newsroom, led the investigation, according to the Times.)

Taking Thrush off the White House beat makes sense, too, she said. “Anyone who covers Trump has to be extra-squeaky clean.” 

I am definitely in a situation where I feel totally neglected and deprived in a way that affects me more than the sexual stuff." A woman staff member at the Times, on career development

As to whether or not women at the Times are now in danger of being harassed by Thrush, she said: “If women at the Times had been harassed by him I’ve no doubt they would’ve spoken up.” She added, “The Times is a pretty sexless place. There’s no flirting.”

The third staffer said the problem with senior leadership ignoring staffers’ career development is less about gender and more about a general obsession with stardom, which leads others to languish at the paper. “I am definitely in a situation where I feel totally neglected and deprived in a way that affects me more than the sexual stuff,” she said.

She pointed to Thrush. The Times brought him in from Politico, where he was already an established name. “There were probably 10 reporters internally who wanted the job of White House correspondent and would’ve done a great job,” she said, “but they had to have the name.”

The Times is well aware of its problems with newsroom diversity. Sixty-one percent of bylines in the front section of the paper are still male, according to the Women’s Media Center. Last December, Liz Spayd, then public editor at the Times, wrote that interviews with staffers across the newsroom left her with the impression that there was “a level of frustration bordering on anger [regarding the newsroom’s lack of diversity] that would be institutionally reckless not to address.”

Over the past year, at least seven women of color have left the paper, including LaSharah Bunting, who went to the Knight Foundation; Rachel Swarns, who went to New York University; book critic Michiko Kakutani, who retired; and Catherine Saint Louis. Last year, masthead editor Lydia Polgreen left the paper to become the editor-in-chief of HuffPost. At a recent all-hands meeting, Baquet addressed the issue frankly, one source at the Times said.

So did New York Times Company CEO Mark Thompson, publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. and Ellen C. Shultz, executive vice president of talent and inclusion, in a letter sent out last week. “Employees throughout the organization told us that we have to do more as a company to build a workplace that feels fair, diverse and inclusive to all,” they wrote. “This is an area the leadership is actively focusing on and we will share a specific action plan in the first few months of 2018.”

While 95 percent of survey respondents said they were proud to work for the Times, 13 percent said it was likely they would leave the paper for another job in the next 12 months, up 8 percentage points from 2015, according to one of the company’s slides. Among some women, that feeling appears to have intensified this week.

“Are women welcome here?” asked a female staffer. “Is anything going to change? Should I be looking somewhere else? I don’t know. Those are definitely questions that I’m asking myself.”

Here’s the letter that was sent out internally to Times staffers:

Dear Colleagues,

This year, 63 percent of employees across the company took the 2017 Employee Survey. We’re pleased that so many of you felt it was worthwhile to participate and are particularly gratified that a large number of people added thoughtful and sometimes though-provoking comments.

The survey is an important way for the company’s leaders to hear from you about your experiences at The Times. After all, it’s your talent, commitment and passion that allows us to fulfill our mission and meet our business goals. We want to ensure that our workplace is supportive of you.

This deck includes survey results at the company-wide level, as well as an overview of actions we have taken and will take in response. Results specific to your departments will be shared by your managers.

There was some good news across the organization as a whole. We received high scores in engagement, company strategy and individual relationships with managers. This is not a surprise to us; these are areas where we have consistently performed well. One fact worth point out is that 95 percent of our employees take prides in working at The Times. We’re a mission-driven organization and it’s gratifying that almost every employee places such a high value on that mission.

But there were trouble areas as well, particularly in career development, speed and agility and communication. We have fared poorly in the past in these same areas and it’s a priority of the company’s leadership to quickly address them. Many of the major changes we’ve made over the last year ― such as the reorganization of much of the business side ― are aimed at improving on these fronts.  These are also a few slides with specific action items devoted to these in the attached deck.

Another area of concern to many of you ― and to the company’s leaders ― is diversity and inclusion. Employees throughout the organization told us that we have to do more as a company to build a workplace that feels fair, diverse and inclusive to all. This is an area the leadership is actively focusing on and we will share a specific action plan in the first few months of 2018.

In the meantime, we’re committing ourselves to conducting this survey annually and to continue reporting back results. We’re also establishing a way for you to provide your comments or concerns about workplaces issues ― or anything else ― on an ongoing basis. Also, today we launched Talk to the Times, a new way for employees to share thoughts and ideas with senior management. You may submit your questions anonymously or, if you wish, include your name and contact information. Our responses to your ideas and concerns will be regularly posted on InSite.

Thank you again to everyone who participated. We really can’t say enough how important you feedback is to us.

Mark, Arthur and Ellen

Also on HuffPost
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Val Kilmer Opens Up About 2-Year Battle With Throat Cancer

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Actor Val Kilmer says his two-year battle with throat cancer has changed his outlook on life for the better.

Although the disease and a procedure on his trachea have rendered him short of breath and reduced his voice to a rasp, the 57-year-old actor says he has a better attitude than earlier in his career, when he was starring in blockbuster movies like “The Doors” and “Batman Forever.”

“I was too serious,” Kilmer told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’d get upset when things like Oscars and recognition failed to come my way.”

Kilmer doesn’t deny he likes the thought of being top gun in Hollywood.

“I would like to have more Oscars than anybody,” he said. “Meryl Streep must feel pretty good, you know? It must feel nice to know that everyone loves her. It’s about being loved.”

Kilmer’s cancer had been the subject of rumors for months, and he denied it whenever it came up. Michael Douglas publicly revealed Kilmer’s cancer battle in October 2016, but Kilmer released a statement saying the “Wall Street” star was “misinformed.” 

Kilmer finally admitted he was battling cancer in May in a Reddit AMA chat: 

I did have a healing of cancer, but my tongue is still swollen altho healing all the time. Because I don’t sound my normal self yet people think I may still be under the weather.” 

These days, Kilmer said he’s more interested in family than fame.

Kilmer’s two kids with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, an actress he met while starring in Ron Howard’s 1988 film, “Willow,” are both actors, and Kilmer said he tries to impart life lessons to them.

“Fame is sort of a mess,” Kilmer said. “You get treated differently, but it doesn’t have anything to do with who you actually are.”

Also on HuffPost
Celebrity Photos

Donald Trump's Jerusalem Decision Rejected By The UN

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Donald Trump, pictured above with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson

More than 100 countries defied President Donald Trump on Thursday and voted in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to withdraw its decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that voted in favor.

His warning did appear to have some impact with nine countries voting against the resolution and 35 abstaining, Reuters reported. A total of 128 countries voted for the resolution.

The US said on Thursday that it was being “singled out for attack” over its decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and again threatened to cut off aid to countries that try to vote against that decision at the UN General Assembly.

The US President had first made the threat on Wednesday. 

“The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation,” US Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, said at the General Assembly ahead of Thursday’s vote.

“We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world’s largest contribution to the United Nations, and so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit,” she told the 193-member General Assembly ahead of the vote.

Mevlut Cavusoglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, applauds the result of the vote on Jerusalem at the General Assembly hall

The vote was called at the request of Arab and Muslim countries. The United States, backing its ally Israel, vetoed the resolution on Monday in the 15-member UN Security Council.

The remaining 14 Security Council members voted in favor of the Egyptian-drafted resolution, which did not specifically mention the US or Trump but which expressed “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem”.

Earlier this month, Trump reversed decades of US policy by announcing America recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and would move its embassy there.

The status of Jerusalem, which holds Muslim, Jewish and Christian holy sites, is one of the thorniest obstacles to a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians, who were furious over Trump’s move. The international community does not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the full city.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told the United States on Thursday it could not buy Turkey’s support in the vote.

“Mr. Trump, you cannot buy Turkey’s democratic will with your dollars,” Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara.

“I hope and expect the United States won’t get the result it expects from there (the United Nations) and the world will give a very good lesson to the United States,” Erdogan said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the United Nations as a “house of lies” ahead of the vote.

“The State of Israel totally rejects this vote, even before (the resolution’s) approval,” Netanyahu said in a speech in the port city of Ashdod.

Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Official Engagement Photos Have Swept Fans Off Their Feet

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Kensington palace has just released official photographs to mark Prince Harry’s engagement to Meghan Markle

The first of the photographs, taken by Alexi Lubomirski earlier this week at Frogmore House, Windsor, features the couple staring through the lens, looking serene and content. 

“I cannot help but smile when I look at the photos that we took of them,” added Lubomirski. “Such was their happiness together.”

Markle’s Ralph & Russo ensemble is more modern than has been the custom for royals. The sheer top features embroidery of leaf-like motifs and the ruffled black skirt pulls the look together with a touch of drama. 

The British brand’s couture gowns reportedly range in price from £10,000 to £300,000.

Prince Harry, too, looks dashing in a navy suit, crisp white shirt and matching navy tie. 

The ring he designed for his future bride is clearly visible, too. 

Lubomirski said: “It was an incredible honour to be asked to document this
wonderful event, but also a great privilege to be invited to share and be a witness to this young couple’s love for one another.”

The shots are very different to Prince William’s engagement photographs with Kate Middleton, which shows how quickly fashion moves on. 

Markle’s outfit may not go down well with some traditionalists, but it actually follows a tradition for ruffling feathers set by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with their engagement photo. 

Much like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the royals were seen to be touching, totally relaxed and at ease with each other, in a much more intimate shot than was expected from the royal family.

Although their second official photo was a little more staid...

It seems many people have been swept away by the romance.  

Some also gave their two cents on the royals’ poses, serving our infamous British banter. 

After such a rapturous response from the public, the happy couple decided to treat us to one more shot. 


How A Miscarriage Gave One Woman Hope On Her Infertility Journey

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Family doctor Sheila Wijayasinghe (shown) and her husband struggled to get pregnant.

Name and partner's name: Sheila Wijayasinghe and Corey Tucker

Occupation: Family doctor

Age: 39

City: Toronto, Ont.

Years trying to have a baby: Four

When the "mom gene" kicked in: I'm an only child and I'm very grateful for the close bond I have with my parents. They have shown me unconditional love and provided so much support throughout my life, and I've always wanted to do this for my own child as well. Soon after meeting my husband 10 years ago, I knew I wanted to start a family with him and share in the incredible experience of parenthood.

Sheila Wijayasinghe and her husband Corey Tucker.

The infertility diagnosis: Initially, when it was taking us longer than expected to get pregnant, we thought that we were still within the normal timeframe and that pregnancy would eventually happen. As a family doctor, I always counselled my patients around how long it can actually take and as such, I initially tried to reassure both of us that our time would come. When we came up to 6+ months of trying, given our age, we were referred to a fertility clinic. All our tests were normal and as such, we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility in November 2013.

The reaction: It wasn't so much a surprise as it was a frustration, as we did not have a specific reason for why we were infertile. It was the first time we had to come to the realization that getting pregnant would likely not happen naturally.

It was quite upsetting as it felt like we were running out of time rapidly and that it was due to my own body failing us.

When we went to our second clinic in 2016, we had retesting done which showed that my ovarian reserve was decreasing. We finally had an answer, but it was quite upsetting as it felt like we were running out of time rapidly and that it was due to my own body failing us. [I] felt worried, devastated and a loss of hope.

Tucker taking a selfie their embryo.

The plan B: We have done four cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI) and two rounds of in vitro fertilization. In addition to these treatments, we also sought out support from traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and naturopaths for supplements, meditation and acupuncture.

The biggest challenges: Despite having a wonderful circle of family and friends, we still felt very alone at times during our infertility experience. We didn't know how to ask for help, and some of our closest friends didn't know how to give us the support we needed.

Investing in fertility treatment is huge from an emotional, physical, social and financial perspective without any guarantee of a return. This constant uncertainty and the feeling of putting our life on hold during treatment was also incredibly challenging.

Wijayasinghe and Tucker with their dog, Bella.

The high points: We decided a year into our journey that we wanted to grow our family in some way. We adopted our puppy, Bella, who has been our saving grace. She helped us laugh when we were at our lowest, got us out of our house when we had bad news, and was a constant cuddle buddy.

We also had a glimmer of hope when we were first able to get pregnant after our first round of IVF. Sadly, we miscarried eight weeks into the pregnancy. It was incredibly sad, but it was also the first time that we had ever been able to get pregnant and it gave us a sense of hope that it was possible.

Finally, the biggest highlight for us was when we gave birth to our daughter Layla in August 2017 after a successful second round of IVF.

The couple with their baby's ultrasound photo.

Reaction to conceiving their daughter: We were in shock and were very, very cautiously optimistic when we first found out. Because we had gone through several years of fertility treatments and [a] miscarriage earlier in the year, we struggled initially to feel fully excited in order to protect ourselves from potential sadness and disappointment if it didn't work out. Once we were able to see her heartbeat on our ultrasound at 12 weeks, we felt more confident and secure and allowed ourselves to feel the joy that we had been waiting to feel for years.

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Meeting their daughter for the first time: It was really beautiful. She was put right on my chest directly after delivery for some skin-to-skin time and I remember feeling her soft skin and weight sink into me — and my heart felt like it was about to burst. Afterwards, when she was being measured and changed with my husband and mom, I recall looking over and feeling very grateful and calm (it may have been my sheer exhaustion!), but it was a beautiful and surreal moment.

Wijayasinghe, her mother, and her baby girl, Layla.

Unexpected feelings: Now that we have had our little one, I feel some survivor's guilt. We got to know the other people in the waiting room [while undergoing fertility treatments], not necessarily by name, but we were all there at the same time, every morning going through the same journey.

I remember seeing people being congratulated when they had positive results while we were waiting and feeling very happy for them, but also wishing it was us. When it did happen for us and we were the ones being congratulated, there was a feeling of guilt that we were so fortunate knowing fully that not everyone has this positive result.

Despite the physical, emotional, relationship and financial investments people make, not everyone has the outcome that we all wish for and we feel very grateful that we were lucky to able to do this.

The couple's daughter, Layla.

How their relationship changed: We have been fortunate in that we became closer over the last several years. Fertility treatments can really take its toll on relationships, but we made a commitment that we would have each other's backs, give continuous love and support, and did regular check-ins to ensure that we were doing OK as a couple.

It wasn't always easy — especially when I was in the throes of high-dose hormonal treatments and my sleep and mood were at their lowest — but we approached each other with kindness and understanding. We were in this together as a team and thankfully got through it.

How they coped: When we had negative outcomes early on, we would allow ourselves a few days to grieve. We would usually find solace in taking our puppy out for a walk or doing something enjoyable like a movie, seeing our friends, going to our favourite restaurant and opening a bottle of wine. Within a few days, we would feel a renewed sense of hope and try to move forward to our next cycle.

The couple and their dog during Wijayasinghe's pregnancy photo shoot.

Talking about infertility: I always appreciated when people would check in with us. Several friends kept track of key days of our cycle monitoring and would check in on these days to see how we were doing. There wasn't anything specific that they said, but their thoughtfulness and love made a huge difference to us.

[However], while people were well-intentioned with their advice, it was often unsolicited and could be hurtful. The one that always bothered us was the advice to "just relax" and "it'll happen," which made us do anything but relax! Also, everyone has a story about a couple they know who had success when they just "stopped trying," which also was at odds with what our experience was and just caused further stress.

Layla and her dad.

What she wants other couples to know: Know [you] are not alone despite often feeling that way. If things get overwhelming (which is also very common), I would recommend getting help early for the individual or the couple either through group or online support or individual counselling.

I also suggest creating a circle of support of individuals and to not be afraid to call upon them when you need it. We should have done this earlier because we felt quite alone in the first couple of years. When we eventually did reach out, we were met with beautiful love, which helped us through and made our journey much smoother.

Wijayasinghe and Tucker's family photo with their baby girl.

Try to keep things as normal as possible even when everything feels out of your control. Often with fertility treatment, life can feel like it's been put on hold, but it's important to not lose sight of who you were before this journey. Keep up exercise, see your friends, go on holiday if you can. Those moments of self-care will help get you through the harder days.

And finally, build your family in whatever way you can. For us it was our puppy and building our circle of trusted friends. It can look like whatever you'd like — a plant even! Having something that you can nurture and care for in your home can also help you get through your treatment.

Final thoughts: Fertility treatment is tax deductible, but the Canada Revenue Agency will need to see your receipts — so keep them all to submit! It's not a huge amount, but every little bit helps.

[And] if having children is a wish, talk to your doctor earlier than later. I now counsel my patients who are at childbearing age to think about fertility and how it [declines] with age so that they can better plan ahead. It's a very personal decision and discussion, but an important one to have.

Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Also on HuffPost:

Hardik Patel Interview: I'm A 24-Year-Old Challenging Injustice, That Is My Victory In Gujarat

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AHMEDABAD, Gujarat — From sedition charges and a nine-month jail term, to a sex CD controversy, Hardik Patel has had everything but the kitchen sink thrown at him in the two years since he challenged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their home state of Gujarat. It's sometimes easy to forget that the man who led the rallying cry in the Patidar movement is only 24-years-old.

In the aftermath of the Bharatiya Janata's Party's sixth straight win in the state, the leader from the land-owning Patel community has become somewhat of a political score board. Many people measure his success against the 16 seats that BJP lost and the 19 seats that the Congress Party gained.

That is, in Hardik's mind, a narrow view of him and the youth movement in Gujarat which he believes is only going to get stronger in the run up to the 2019 national election.

When I met him at his apartment in the upscale locality of Shilaj in Ahmedabad earlier this week, the Patidar leader kicked off our conversation by saying, "Abhi to kaam shooro hua hai." (Our work has just started).

"My biggest achievement is the public outrage which we have generated," said Hardik. "That is something that will not go away easily and it is something we will continue to build on."

When I asked him if he was disappointed that the BJP had prevailed again, he said, "What does a 24-year-old man do in this country? He dates his girlfriend, goes to college or tries to get a job with a good salary. What do I do? I'm fighting injustice. I'm doing something different. I'm still young and this a big thing for me to do."

I'm fighting injustice. I'm doing something different. I'm still young and this a big thing for me to do.

It was in the summer of 2015 that the commerce graduate, whose father runs a business selling immersible pumps, became the face of a struggling section of young Patels. His fiery speeches made amidst violent protests for quota benefits transformed him into an overnight sensation in the country.

Not only did he channel anger over unemployment and agrarian distress against the BJP government, the youth leader stripped away Modi's larger than life image in a state where the prime minister has commanded only reverence for a long time.

It wasn't long before two other leaders, Jignesh Mevani and Alpesh Thakor, faces of the Dalit community and Other Backward Classes (OBC) respectively, rose up in Gujarat. In the run up to the state polls, the three youth leaders joined forces against the BJP government, calling out the ruling party on a host of issues such as unemployment, privatization of education and basic human rights.

Even after he was jailed for nine months and banished from the state for six months as a condition for his release, Hardik did not fade away. During the election campaign in 2017, the youth leader attracted crowds that rivaled the throngs which showed up for Modi's rallies.

While Hardik is in his element in public rallies, the 24-year-old admits that he is a tough subject to interview. I found him to be somewhat indifferent, somewhat engaged but never humourless. When I called him out on his pithy responses, Hardik chuckled. "I normally respond with a few sentences but I do convey everything important," he said.

In fact, early on in the interview, Hardik said he doesn't like journalists, preferring to communicate directly with his followers on social media. "I like journalism but I don't like journalists. A lot of journalists just come to show off. There are others who come with questions that their bosses have asked them to send," he said.

I like journalism but I don't like journalists.

After a few seconds of awkward silence, we soldiered on.

Hardik was rarely emotive during our conversation, but the youth leader did let on that being incarcerated and having to appear in court again and again had taken its toll. "That is the most difficult bit. I think of myself as a freedom fighter and jail is the second home of a freedom fighter," he said.

I think of myself as a freedom fighter and jail is the second home of a freedom fighter.

Looking Towards 2019

For Hardik, the next milestone is the 2019 national election.

The youth leader is unfazed by BJP's winning spree. After its recent victories in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, the Hindu nationalist party controls an unprecedented 19 out of 29 states.

"When you have a dadar (ring worm) and you put medicine on it, it doesn't go away immediately. You have to put medicine on it for a few days, perhaps a week, before it starts going away, little by little. The BJP is a like a dadar. This time, the medicine brought them down from 119 to 99 seats. Next time, we're going to put more medicine and wipe them out in 2019," he said.

For the first time since it came to power in 1995, the BJP has won less than 100 seats in the state election. The BJP won by seven seats more than the 92 seats required to get a majority, with as many as 16 seats having been won by a margin of 3000 votes or less. In Saurashtra-Kutch, the epicenter of the Patidar agitation, the BJP won 23 of 54 seats from the region, with the Congress taking 30. In 2012, the BJP had won 35 out of 54 seats in the region.

Whether Hardik remains a voice of the Patidar community or broadens his support base remains to be seen, but the youth leader told me that he is planning to attack Modi on every front.

"Our movement is coming back from January 1 (2018). The fight will continue. I can't tell you the details because a freedom fighter never gives away his strategy."

Our movement is coming back from January 1. The fight will continue.

Even though he refused to divulge the details of his plan, Hardik said that two fold strategy would involve mobilizing farmers who are already angry about the support prices for crops as well as reaching out to young women and men who are stuck in an unemployment rut.

This time around, however, Hardik plans to "redouble" his efforts in reaching out to the urban youth. The election results showed that while the Congress made significant inroads in rural areas, the urban voters almost unanimously voted for the BJP.

He said his one regret is not having been able to change the minds of the urban youth. "There are a few things that I would have done differently like doing twice as much to get the urban youth riled up. We need to make them understand their rights, circumstances and problems," he said.

There are a few things that I would have done differently like doing twice as much to get the urban youth riled up.

"I'm not a test tube baby"

There was a moment during the Gujarat election when it seemed that his rivals had bested Hardik by releasing two sex CDs purportedly showing him. At the time, Hardik said the CDs were morphed and accused the BJP of playing "dirty politics."

Just a decade earlier, Sanjay Joshi, a rising BJP leader in Gujarat, had his political career cut short after sex CDs allegedly showing him were made public. It made no difference that Joshi was a 39-year-old bachelor at the time or that the CDs were later found to be doctored.

In Hardik Patel's era, however, the sex CDs have proven to be nothing more than a damp squib. When I asked if the CDs had rattled him, the youth leader responded with another question: "Are you a test tube baby."

The 24-year-old laughed as I took a minute to process his question and then explained himself.

"I'm certainly not a test tube baby. I think that only one in a thousand is a test tube baby. Otherwise, we are all born the way nature intended. This goes on in every house. There is nothing wrong with it. That is why it didn't bother me," he said.

Hardik believes that he belongs to a political generation that no longer cringes at sex, but what he deeply minded was the invasion of his privacy.

"The world has changed. I can talk openly talk about such things. There are no virgins even at the ages of 16 or 17. But my privacy was violated and that is wrong," he said. "There can be no democracy without respect for privacy."

There can be no democracy without respect for privacy.

READ: Jignesh Mevani: 'Fascism Is Fascism. It Will Ruin Our Country If We Stay Silent Any Longer'

Thanks To Modi and Hindutva, BJP Has Won Gujarat By The Skin Of Its Teeth

Congress Can Never Hijack Hindutva From The BJP, Says Gujarat's Deputy CM

Win, Lose Or Draw, Rahul Gandhi Has Emerged Stronger From Gujarat

In The Age Of Competitive Hindutva Politics, Young Muslims Want A Hardik Patel Of Their Own

'Muslim Vote? Does Muslim Life Even Matter In India,' Asks A Gujarati Doctor On Election Day

Also on HuffPost India

Here's What The Critics And Trade Pundits Are Saying About Salman Khan's 'Tiger Zinda Hai'

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Yash Raj Films' tentpole winter blockbuster, Tiger Zinda Hai, opened to a mammoth 5700 screens worldwide today.

While Salman Khan, in an interview with HuffPost India, has said he doesn't care what critics have to say about his film, the reviews have already started pouring in.

A key change in the sequel is the change of director. While Kabir Khan directed the original, Ek Tha Tiger, the sequel has been directed by Gunday/Sultan-director, Ali Abbas Zafar.

Saibal Chatterjee, in his 2-star review, wrote, "TZH simply isn't interested in achieving any balance. The emphasis is unwaveringly on Salman Khan the Saviour. Katrina, fetching but flimsy, is compelled to take a backseat. Mercifully, the principal antagonist Abu Usman, played by Iran-born, UAE-raised Sajjad Delafrooz, is no pushover: he makes his presence felt in no uncertain terms."

Raja Sen, in his review, said, "To its credit, however, this film isn't built on the jingoism we grew up with. It's taken a while, but we have finally shaken off the handpump-uprooting anti-Pakistan ridiculousness of Gadar and now have a film where India's RAW and Pakistan's ISI work hand in hand, literally carrying each other's flag, in order to topple a more vile enemy," calling the action 'solid' while criticizing the film's 2 hour 40 minute long.

In her review for The Indian Express, Shubhra Gupta said, "Only once in a while, the film gives in and provides us a killing which sobers us up, but very quickly it's back to the base, with Bhai taking over, and everyone– including Nurse Poorna (Goenka, who plays Parvathy's role), and Zoya making way for him."

After praising Ali Abbas Zafar for working on an ambitious premise that is a blend of spy-thriller, romance, and a real-life incident (of Indian nurses trapped in a hospital ISIS-controlled Iraq), Anupama Chopra, in her review for Film Companion, said, "Tiger Zinda Hai is flat-out exhausting. The story is much too long and convoluted. Apart from Tiger, none of them (other characters) make any impact. The film's biggest weakness is that it doesn't move you emotionally."

Writing for Firstpost, film critic Anna Vetticad commented, "Tiger Zinda Hai's strength is that it is unapologetic about its stupidity. And so, although it is for the most part simplistic in the socio-political statements it lays on thick, it is packed with so much action that it ends up being a fun, even if clichéd, Bollywood-and-Bond-style masala flick which, if you are looking closely enough, does make a subversive point or two."

A review on Hindustan Times said, "Tiger Zinda Hai does everything you thought it would do. From establishing India-Pakistan friendship to proving the secular credentials of our chief agent, you witness everything. The good thing is all this happens rapidly."

In his review for Filmfare, Rachit Gupta said, "It may look like a Hollywood action thriller, but at its heart, Tiger Zinda Hai is an unabashed masala movie. The excessive use of slow motion shots and the constant fall back to comedy keep reminding you, this film wasn't made in Hollywood. But the heady mixture of an international looking action film and the regular tropes of Hindi cinema make it a pleasing watch."

The critics may have mixed views but the trade is super bullish on Tiger.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh is predicting a tsunami at the box-office while Komal Nahta said the film is 'off to a flying start.'

Film exhibitor Akshay Rathi shared a video from Raipur which revealed the inexplicable popularity of Salman and the way people line-up to watch his movies.

Also on HuffPost:

Mark Hamill Rips His Role In 'Last Jedi': 'He's Not My Luke Skywalker'

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Actor Mark Hamill just lasered in on why he disliked how director Rian Johnson had him play Luke Skywalker in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”

“He’s not my Luke Skywalker,” Hamill, who originated the part in the iconic space opera four decades ago, proclaimed of his role in the new movie.

MILD SPOILER ALERT:

“The Last Jedi” shows the character in hiding, and Hamill appeared to take issue with that.

“I said to Rian, I said ‘Jedis don’t give up.’ I mean, even if he had a problem, he would maybe take a year to try and regroup, but if he made a mistake he would try and right that wrong, so right there, we had a fundamental difference, but, it’s not my story anymore,” Hamill, 66, said in an interview posted by Spanish-language movie site SensaCine recently. “It’s somebody else’s story, and Rian needed me to be a certain way to make the ending effective.”

Said Hamill:

Hamill added: “I almost had to think of Luke as another character. Maybe he’s Jake Skywalker, he’s not my Luke Skywalker.”

The movie has been a box-office success, and HuffPost critic Matthew Jacobs called it “splendid.”

Still, Hamill’s comments appear to confirm that so-called creative differences were shaking up the galaxy far, far away long before the film’s release.

“I still haven’t accepted it completely, but it’s only a movie,” Hamill said. “I hope people like it. I hope they don’t get upset. And I came to really believe that Rian was the exact man that they needed for this job.”

Hamill may still have to prepare to defend himself.

This article has been updated with additional details on the source of the interview and a fuller clip of the interview.

The World’s Largest Lottery Has Just Drawn Its Winners

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The lucky winners of Spain’s Christmas lottery celebrated on Friday as they eagerly awaited receiving their share of the 2.4 billion euro, or $2.8 billion, prize. 

The annual lottery, which has been a holiday tradition in the country since 1812, offers the largest pool of total lottery prize money in the world, The Associated Press reports. The top prize, called El Gordo (“the Fat One”), was about $470,000 this year, and smaller amounts will be distributed to other winners.  

Olivia Muina and her son and daughter, Elena and Javier Castroverde, owners of one of the lottery kiosks that sold the winning number of the biggest prize of Spain's Christmas Lottery, celebrate in Madrid on Friday. 

The lottery system is complex, and prizes are usually shared among a large number of people. Each ticket costs about $237, so families, friends and co-workers tend to invest together. A $24 décimo, which amounts to about one-tenth of a ticket, is particularly popular. 

Each ticket comes with a five-digit number. Sellers are assigned specific numbers they can use, and each number can be repeated up to 165 times, The Local reports. That means that it’s common for many people from the same town to win all at once ― since they’ve often bought tickets from the same seller.  

The winning number this year was 71198, children from Madrid’s San Ildefonso school announced on national television Friday morning. Several winning tickets were sold in Vilalba, in northwest Spain, according to the BBC. The city of Malaga in southern Spain was also a big winner.

People who bought winning tickets in Spain's Christmas Lottery celebrate in Vilalba on Friday. 

About 70 percent of Spaniards between the ages of 18 and 75 play the Christmas lottery. Many queue up in long lines outside their favorite lottery booths, while some travel to different cities to play a specific number. 

The annual tradition has been unbroken for over two centuries ― not even stopping during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s or during the rule of the dictator Francisco Franco

Also on HuffPost
15 Things More Likely Than A Lottery Win
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