HEADLINER
During President Obama’s Asia trip, it was announced today the US is ending its embargo on sales of lethal arms to Vietnam which according to Reuters, is “an historic step that draws a line under the two countries’ old enmity and underscores their shared concerns about Beijing’s growing military clout.” The three day trip which kicked off in Vietnam Sunday, will also include a visit to Hiroshima, making him the first sitting American president to visit Hiroshima since 1945. The trip is designed to highlight the President’s continued pivot to Asia, specifically economic, trade and security cooperation and cement the President’s legacy as his second term winds down. Read more
MORE NEWS
• Sean Combs aka P. Diddy aka Puff Daddy, founder of Bad Boy records, kicked off the “Bad Boy Family Reunion” tour at two sold out shows in Barclays center over the weekend. Its news because, hellooooo 90s hip hop at its best, but seriously everyone from Mary J. Blige, 112 (peaches & cream), Jadakiss, Faith Evans, Lil Kim, Busta Ryhmes, Carl Thomas, French Montana, even Jay Z, Nas and Rick Ross, all took the stage. The tour rolls into Chicago in August.
• Connecticut-based General Electric Co. led by CEO Jeff Immelt announced investments to the tune of at least $1.4 billion in Saudi Arabia, as Saudi’s government tries to overhaul the country’s oil-dependent economy following the collapse in crude prices. GE is teaming up with Saudi state-owned oil giant Aramco, to build a $400 million manufacturing facility for the energy and marine sector, expected to create 2,000 new jobs in the kingdom; GE also signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly invest $1 billion in several sectors such as water and aviation by 2017. GE already employs around 2000 people in Saudi Arabia as it has three offices and seven facilities there.
• The first World Humanitarian Summit organized by the UN will begin today in Istanbul, Turkey, gathering hundreds of world leaders/delegates from 175 countries to discuss how to improve the global humanitarian system. The UN estimates that 130 million are in need of humanitarian aid around the world.
ENTERTAINMENT
• The Billboard Music Awards #BBMAs took place last night with performances by Rihanna, Demi Lovato, Madonna and Stevie Wonder did a Prince tribute. Award recipients include Justin Beiber for top male artist; Adele won Top Artist and Top Billboard 200 Album award. Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” won for Top country song. The Weekend won eight awards – more than any male artist in BBMA history.
• Eva Longoria walked down the aisle over the weekend in a custom Victoria Beckham dress as she wed TV executive José “Pepe” Bastón in Mexico at his home in Valle de Bravo in front of 200 guests. The actress, producer and philanthropist got engaged to Bastón, president of Grupo Televisa, Latin America’s largest media company, back in December 2015.
FASHION
• Jonathan Ackeroyd has been named the new CEO at Gianni Versace SpA, effective immediately, but he will start in mid-June. Ackeroyd was former CEO at Alexander McQueen.
• Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing has partnered with Nike for the launch of NikeLab x Olivier Rousteing: Football Nouveau, which will be available beginning June 2 at nike.com/nikelab and select NikeLab stores. This is the second collaboration in NikeLab’s Summer of Sport series, which blends Nike innovation with Rousteing’s creative vision.
“Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.” ― Sir Winston S. Churchill
Four climbers scaling Mt. Everest, the world’s highest peak, have died in 4 days
Should we stay or should we go? aka Brexit debate as voting looms
My super deluxe, extravagant, million $ sweet sixteen
Venture capitalists are just like us, they get scammed for Hamilton tix too
LOOK OF THE DAY
Ciara hosting Billboard Music Awards
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photo credits: Luong Thai Linh—Pool/AP via Time; Frazer Harrison/BBMA2016/Getty Images for dcp
