U.S. Student Held in North Korea ‘Confesses’ on State TV

A U.S. student detained in North Korea for nearly two months allegedly confessed Monday to “the crime of taking down a political slogan” from the wall of a hotel in the capital Pyongyang, state media reported.

“I apologize to each and every one of the millions of the Korean people,” Otto Frederick Warmbier said during a press conference, according to CNN. “I wish that the United States administration never manipulate people like myself in the future to commit crimes against foreign countries.”

The 21-year-old University of Virginia student appeared to read from a statement as he alleged that a member of the U.S.-based Friendship United Methodist Church offered him a used car worth $10,000 to commit the “hostile act” and bring the banner back as a trophy. It is not clear if his confession was coerced, but previous detainees held in North Korea have often recanted their confessions once released, reports the Associated Press.

Warmbier’s appearance comes as international political pressure mounts against the hermit kingdom. Last Wednesday, the U.S. and China agreed to a U.N. resolution to impose sanctions on the North for its recent nuclear test and rocket launch.

Warmbier was reportedly seized before boarding a flight to China from Pyongyang on Jan. 2. His arrest recalled the danger outsiders face while traveling to the country, where visitors can find themselves rebuked for seemingly minor infractions, like photographing a passerby.

Ten Of UK's 12 'Most Struggling Cities' In North

Ten of the UK's 12 most struggling towns and cities are in the North of England, new research shows.

Critics say the findings undermine George Osborne's plan to create a Northern Powerhouse to bridge the North-South divide.

Rochdale's economy is declining most steeply, followed by Burnley, Bolton, Blackburn and Hull, according to a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

They are followed by Grimsby, Dundee, Middlesbrough, Bradford, Blackpool, Stoke-on-Trent and Wigan.

None of the top 12 struggling areas are in the South, and growth in most was found to be lagging significantly behind national levels.

The table was compiled following a study of employment and migration rates in the areas, numbers of highly qualified workers and types of jobs.

:: What Is A Northern Powerhouse?

The Chancellor's plan to create a Northern Powerhouse is about rebalancing the UK economy and pushing growth outside London in the northern cities.

Josh Stott, policy and research manager at JRF, said the Treasury needed to ensure "areas outside of core cities are not left behind".

"Britain has the potential to become a more prosperous country, with George Osborne's Northern Powerhouse playing a key role in rebalancing the economy," he said.

"But it must reach all parts of the North to ensure prosperity is shared."

A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "The Northern Powerhouse will transform our great northern cities and rebalance the economy, having already helped create record employment rates and getting more than 440,000 people into work since 2010.

"So far we have secured a host of devolution deals, and invested in transport, science and the arts across the region, backed by more than £4bn of new funding from central Government.

"We want to harness the North's massive potential to drive the UK's economy, and its prospects make it a lucrative place to invest and live."

White House Race Breaking Rules Of Politics

Viewed from the outside, America seems to have lost its political marbles.

A tycoon reality TV star who has zero government office and has assiduously offended large swathes of the electorate appears on an unstoppable path to being the Republican party candidate for president.

A septuagenarian who calls himself a socialist in a country where such terms are anathema has given a seasoned political campaigner a run for her money in the Democratic race.

In both cases the outlier candidate's chances were written off as marginal at best not that many months ago before they defied all expectations.

The rules of political gravity appear to have been upended.

What is happening feels like a wholesale rejection of an entire political class. 

"We're tired of being lied to," electrician Mark Morgan told Sky News.

"While they're campaigning they promise you the world and then they turn right around and they're back in the pockets of big business and everything else and everybody's getting fed up."

Mark was at the Western Virginia Sport Show, an annual fixture for the hunting, shooting, fishing crowd in that state. 

Its organiser Mark Hanger echoed his sentiments.

"We're kind of disgusted with our government. We're saying let's start all over again.

"Let's get someone who's going to come in and manage us and get us going back to what our roots are about."

Mark is so disillusioned with politics-as-usual he has decided to vote for the only candidate who is not a politician, Donald Trump.

So have many Republicans like him. And not a small number of Democrats seem tempted too.

Talk to some voters in this important swing state and you are left with the impression a revolution is under way.

Washington is seen as broken, its politicians in both parties incapable of agreement or achieving anything.

The political system is seen as gridlocked and awash with money that is buying influence over the interests of the people.

Sky joined Americans re-enacting the last rebellion against Washington DC, the US Civil War, as they camped in woods in Virginia.

"If our government doesn't decide to put itself on the right track and decide to at least meet in the middle ground between the two parties I don't think anything is going to get done," Troy Fallin, commanding officer of the 3rd Army of Virginia told Sky News.

"It's scary."

There are different reasons to be angry. On the right, voters are angry about Barack Obama and all his faults, real or imaginary.

They are worried about immigration and about the disappointing economy. 

On the left, they are angry about the power of Wall Street in politics, the influence of money and the dominance of the 1% elite in American society.

But they all share concern about falling living standards, the apparent demise of the American dream and the gridlock in Washington.

America's constitution is based on the principle that politicians and parties must to some extent co-operate and make compromises.

They have to a large extent stopped doing so. 

Founding father James Madison wrote the constitution in his mansion at Montpelier Virginia.

Touring the grounds we found Michael Harrold from Ohio and asked him to explain the strange state of US politics in this election.

"Historically I think we've always believed that the government is us and for us," he told us.

"And I'm not sure that's the feeling right now."

Trump Rejects Ex-KKK Chief's Support Amid Row

Donald Trump insists he has rejected an endorsement from former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke in the presidential nomination race.

It comes after a TV interview in which it appeared he wouldn't disavow Mr Duke's support because he said he didn't know anything about him.

Following his comments on CNN, he was criticised by fellow Republican candidates Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz.

Mr Trump has since tweeted a remark he made at a news conference on Friday where he was asked about Mr Duke and he said: "I disavow".

The US property tycoon was asked on the State of the Union programme on Sunday whether he would declare he didn't want Mr Duke's backing, or that of other white supremacists.

The billionaire businessman said of the former grand wizard of the KKK: "I just don't know anything about him," and also said he wouldn't condemn a group that he knows "nothing about".

He added that if he was sent a list of groups he would research them and "certainly" would disavow any if he thought there was "something wrong".

He was pressed three times on whether he'd distance himself from the Ku Klux Klan - but never mentioned the group in his answers.

A man in a top saying ''KKK endorses Trump'' was thrown out of a rally

"I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists," he said.

"So I don't know. I don't know - did he endorse me, or what's going on? Because I know nothing about David Duke; I know nothing about white supremacists."

Mr Trump added: "Honestly, I don't know David Duke. I don't believe I've ever met him. I'm pretty sure I didn't meet him. And I just don't know anything about him."

Last week, Mr Duke urged listeners on his radio show to volunteer and vote for Mr Trump, saying voting against him is "treason to your heritage".

On Friday, a man wearing a top saying ''KKK endorses Trump'' was thrown out of a rally for the Repuwblican frontrunner in Oklahoma.

The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish civil rights group, had called on Mr Trump to distance himself from the support of Mr Duke.

Mr Cruz criticised him on Twitter, saying: "Really sad. @realDonaldTrump you're better than this. We should all agree, racism is wrong, KKK is abhorrent."

Mr Rubio said Mr Trump was "wrong" to refuse to condemn Mr Duke and "it makes him unelectable".

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has sparked controversy after he retweeted the Benito Mussolini quote "It is better to live one day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep".

The tweet had been posted by a parody account the website Gawker claimed to have created.

The tycoon told NBC he didn't want to be associated with the Italian dictator but said it was "a very good quote".

Oscars 2016: Leonardo DiCaprio Wins Best Actor

Leonardo DiCaprio has won his first Academy Award, claiming best actor for his performance in the survival epic The Revenant.

The 41-year-old had previously been nominated five times for acting's highest honour, dating back to his 1993 role in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

But the much-coveted award eluded him until Sunday night's 88th Academy Awards, held at Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre.

DiCaprio is congratulated by his Titanic co-star Kate Winslet

DiCaprio played fur trapper Hugh Glass in director The Revenant, which saw the actor plunging into icy waters to portray his character's efforts to survive.

The film's director, Alejandro Inarritu, took home the award for best director, although The Revenant missed out on the gong for best picture, which went to Spotlight, a recreation of the Boston Globe's probe into sex abuse in the Catholic Church.

Inarritu won back-to-back directing awards after triumphing last year with Birdman.

:: Chris Rock Confronts Hollywood Racism Row

DiCaprio, who received a standing ovation, used his acceptance speech to drive home a message about climate change.

"Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take tonight for granted," he said.

DiCaprio added: "Our production needed to move to the southern tip of this planet to find snow. Climate change is real, it is happening now.

"It is the most urgent threat facing our entire species and we need to work collectively together, and we need to support leaders around the world who do not speak for the big polluters and the big corporations but who speak for all of humanity."

The Revenant had gone into Sunday's ceremony with a leading 12 nominations, and was among four movies believed to have the best chances for best picture after it won Golden Globe and BAFTA trophies.

The Revenant also won Best Cinematography, but Spotlight took the night's top honour in a surprise ending to Hollywood's glittering awards season.

"This film gave a voice to survivors. And this Oscar amplifies that voice, which we hope will become a choir that will resonate all the way to the Vatican," Spotlight's co-producer Michael Sugar told the audience.

"Pope Francis, it's time to protect the children and restore the faith."

However, it was George Miller's action epic Mad Max: Fury Road that stole the show, winning six Oscars from 10 nominations.

It was the big winner in the technical categories - nabbing best costumes, production design, make-up, film editing, sound editing and sound mixing.

In the best actress category, first-time nominee Brie Larson was triumphant for her portrayal of a woman held captive for years with her son in Room.

Accepting the award, Larson said: "The thing I love about movie making is how many people it takes to make it.

"Thank you to the movie-goers for going to the theatres and seeing our films."

Among the surprises of the night was Britain's Mark Rylance, who beat presumed favourite and Creed actor Sylvester Stallone to win the Academy Award for best supporting actor for Bridge of Spies.

There was a strong showing from Britons at the awards. Sam Smith won best original song for Writing's On The Wall, which he composed with fellow Briton Jimmy Napes for the latest James Bond movie Spectre.

Several Hollywood stars including Will Smith and Spike Lee boycotted this year's awards after an all-white acting nominee line-up was announced for the second year running.

Host Chris Rock addressed the issue in his opening monologue, describing the Oscars as the "white people's choice awards".

Kevin Hart on Hollywood Inclusion: ‘Let’s Not Let This Issue of Diversity Beat Us’

At the Oscars Sunday night, comedian Kevin Hart used his time as a presenter to send a clear message about the path forward to a more inclusive, less divided Hollywood. Hart, who was introducing the Weeknd to perform his nominated original song “Earned It” from Fifty Shades of Grey, told viewers, “Let’s not let this negative issue of diversity beat us. Let’s continue to do what we do best and work hard.”

Hart also acknowledged many of the men and women who were conspicuously absent from the event. “I want to take a moment to applaud all of my actors and actresses of color that didn’t get nominated tonight…At the end of the day, we love what we do and we’re breaking major ground doing it.”

He followed up his inspirational message with a joke, quipping, “I only came tonight because I thought for sure I’d get a seat in the front row.” But, despite his sequin-embroidered tux, the Ride Along 2 star found himself several rows back, and the target of some loving guff from host Chris Rock.

Chris Rock’s Oscar Monologue: ‘Damn Right, Hollywood’s Racist’

Since an all-white spate of acting nominees was announced in January, many have been anticipating not whether, but howhost Chris Rock would address the issues of diversity and inclusion in his opening Oscar monologue. As expected, Rock did not shy away from the topic. “Is Hollywood racist?” he asked rhetorically. His answer: “Damn right, Hollywood’s racist.”

Rock said that the kind of racism he has encountered in Hollywood isn’t the “burning cross” kind, but a more insidious beast he referred to as “sorority racist.” He also explained why he decided to host despite calls for him to boycott the show, saying that they were going to hold the event whether he attended or not, and “the last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart.”

The host also called out some of the actors who have been vocal in the call for a boycott, including Jada Pinkett Smith, whom he suggested was only upset because her husband, Will Smith, was not nominated for his performance in Concussion, and who, he suggested, wouldn’t have been invited to the event even if she had wanted to attend.

Jokes aside, Rock’s ultimate message was clear. “We want black actors to get the same opportunities as white actors, that’s it,” he said. “Not just once.”

Read the full text of Rock’s monologue below:

I’m here at the Academy Awards — otherwise known as the White People’s Choice Awards. You realize if they nominated host, I wouldn’t even get this job — y’all would be watching Neil Patrick Harris. This is the wildest, craziest Oscars to ever host because we’ve got all this controversy — no black nominees, you know? And people are like, ‘Chris, you should boycott. Chris you should quit. You should quit. How come it’s only unemployed people who tell you to quit something? No one with a job ever tells you to quit. I thought about quitting. I thought about it real hard, but I realized they’re going to have to Oscars anyway. They’re not going to cancel the Oscars because I quit. And the last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart, OK? I don’t need that. Kevin makes movies fast!

The big question, why this Oscars? It’s the 88th Academy Awards. It’s the 88th Academy Awards, which means this whole “no black nominees thing” has happened at least 71 other times. You’ve got to figure it happened in the ’50s, in the ’60s, one of those years Sidney [Poitier] didn’t pull out a movie. I’m sure there were no black nominees one of those years, say ’62 or ’63, and black people did not protest. Why? Because we had real things to protest at the time. We had real things to protest. We were too busy being raped and lynched to care about who won best cinematographer. When your grandmother’s swinging from a tree, it’s really hard to care about Best Documentary Short. But what happened this year? What happened? People went mad, Spike [Lee] got mad and Jada [Pinkett Smith] went mad and Will [Smith] got mad, everybody went mad. Jada got mad? Jada said she’s not coming, protesting, and I’m like, isn’t she on a TV show? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties: I wasn’t invited. It’s not an invitation I would turn down. But I understand. I’m not hating. Jada’s mad her man Will wasn’t nominated for Concussion. I get it. It’s not fair that Will was this good and not nominated. Yeah, you’re right. It’s also not fair that Will was paid $20 million for Wild Wild West.

This year things are going to be a little different. Things are going to be a little different at the Oscars. This year, in the In Memoriam package, it’s just going to be black people that were shot by the cops on their way to the movies. Yes, I said it. If you want black nominees every year, you need to just have black categories. That’s what you need. You need to have black categories. You already do it with men and women. Think about it, there’s no reason to have a men and women category in acting. There’s no reason. It’s not track and field; you don’t have to separate them. Robert De Niro has never said, “I’ve got to slow this acting down so Meryl Street can catch up.” If you want black people at the Oscars, just add black categories like “Best black friend.'”That’s right, and the winner for the 18th year in a row is Wanda Sykes. This is Wanda’s 18th black Oscar. 

But the real question everyone in the world wants to know is “Is Hollywood racist?” You know, you gotta go at that the right way. Is it burning cross racist? No. Is it “let’s have some lemonade” racist? No. It’s a different type of racist. I remember one night I was at a fundraiser for President Obama; a lot of you were there. It’s me and all of Hollywood, and all of us there, and there’s about four black people there — me, Quincy Jones, Russell Simmons, Questlove, you know, the usual suspects — and every black actor that wasn’t working. Needless to say, Kev Hart wasn’t there. You get a little moment with the president, and as they’re setting up the picture, you get like a little moment with the president, and I’m like, “Mr. President, you see all these writers and producers? They don’t hire black people, and they’re the nicest white people on earth, they’re liberals — cheese!”

Is Hollywood racist? Damn right Hollywood’s racist, a racist that you’ve grown accustomed to. Hollywood is sorority racist. It’s like, “We like you, Rhonda, but you’re not a Kappa.” That’s how Hollywood is. But things are changing. We’ve got a black Rockythis year. Some people call it Creed, I call it “black Rocky.” And that’s an unbelievable statement because Rocky takes place in a world where white athletes are as good as black athletes. Rocky is a science-fiction movie. There’s things that happen in Star Warsthat are more believable than things that happen in Rocky. 

But we’re here to honor actors, we’re here to honor film. There are a lot of snubs. One of the biggest snubs, no one’s talking about. My favorite actor in the world is Paul Giamatti. Think about what Paul Giamatti has done in the last couple of years. Last year he was in 12 Years a Slave, hates black people; this year he is in Straight Outta Compton, loves black people. Last year he’s whipping Lupita [Nyong’o], this year he’s crying at Eazy-E’s funeral. Now that’s range. Ben Affleck can’t do that. It’s not about boycotting anything, it’s just we want opportunity. We want the black actors to get the same opportunities as white actors, that’s it. Not just once. Leo [DiCaprio] gets a great part every year. All of you guys get great parts all the time. But what about the black actors? What about Jamie Foxx? Jamie Foxx is one of the best actors in the world. Jamie Foxx was so good in Ray that they went to the hospital and unplugged the real Ray Charles. “We don’t need two of these!” Naw man. Everything is not about race.

Another big thing tonight is, you’re not allowed to ask women what they’re wearing anymore. “Ask her more.” You have to ask her more. Everything is not sexism, everything is not racism. They ask the men more because the men are all wearing the same outfit. Every guy is wearing the exact same thing. If George Clooney showed up with a lime green tux on, and a swan coming out his ass, somebody would go, “What you wearing, George?” Welcome to the 88th Oscars, Academy Awards. Yes, thank you. You want diversity? We got diversity. Please welcome Emily Blunt, and somebody white, Charlize Theron.