Hotness in the News by SociaLifeChicago is your daily intel for quick news stories to get your morning started and get you up to date on what’s going on in Chicago and the world. Make small talk, better.
“The happiest people are those who do the most for others. The most miserable are those who do the least.” ― Booker T. Washington
CHICAGO NEWS
• Chicago area based Argon Credit announced they recently raised a total of $81 million from investors, enabling Argon to accelerate its growth in originating near-prime and prime consumer loans through its proprietary online platform. [INBOX]
NATIONAL NEWS
• After 6 years in the highest office of the United States, its about time the president got his own twitter account. His first tweet was: “Hello, Twitter! It’s Barack. Really! Six years in, they’re finally giving me my own account.” It has so far received 240k RT and the account has 1.75 million followers.
• Investigators are still searching for the killers of a DC family as reports on their last days are being revealed. The CEO of American Iron Works Savvas, wife Amy Savopoulos, their 10 year old along with their housekeeper may have bound and held overnight by multiple suspects they knew. All four were homicide victims, and at least three of them suffered stab wounds or blunt-force injuries before their house was set on fire. [FOX]
WORLD NEWS
• The job market in the US is a bit bleak right now, so you may have better luck in Saudi Arabia as long as you’re not squeamish. Eight new job openings for “religious functionaries” tasked with “carrying out the death sentence appeared on the website of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Civil Service. If you posses the skill of being an adroit swordsmen, you have a chance. Wonder what the benefits package looks like? [TIME]
•Thailand’s junta has delayed their general election by at least six months and will now take place in August 2016 at the earliest to allow for a referendum on the new constitution. Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was forced from office last year for abuse of power, has been banned from traveling overseas. There was a coup last may which put the military in power and the probability of a return to democratic governing is questionable. [REUTERS]
SPORTS
• Bob Hewitt-75, retired doubles tennis champion, was sentencd to six years in prison for rape and sexual assault on Monday. He denied the charges and plans to appeal and is currently out on bail. [USA TODAY]
BUSINESS
• Ascena, the private retail group that beat out offers from other private equity firms, has acquired Ann Inc which owns LOFT and Ann Taylor. With Ann Inc’s range of upper-moderate to better-priced merchandise and updated, modern styling, this should elevate the fashion image of Ascena, which is known for selling moderate prices, misses and large sizes to middle-income women, typically office workers owns Lane Bryant, Dressbarn, Maurices, Catherines and Justice and the plus-size market in the U.S. accounts for roughly $9 billion in revenue and is expected to grow strongly through 2019. The transaction is comprised of 80 percent cash and 20 percent stock. [WSJ]
CELEBRITIES
• Nicki Minaj released the video for her song “Feeling Myself” featuring Beyonce yesterday afternoon and all forms of productivity ceased. The video features Beyonce in a Chicago Bulls swimsuit so when you see these in the streets an on IG soon, you know why. Though the video debut on streaming service Tidal, it quickly made its rounds and those without Tidal were still able to see it for free.99. [RAP UP]
• Unless Leonardo Di Caprio has a secret handbag fetish or perhaps he was buying it for his rumored lady love Rihanna, whatever the case he beat paris Hilton on bidding paying €10,000($13,620) for a Chanel bag in Cannes for the Heart Foundation charity gala. The Heart Foundation offers cardiovascular care across the globe for impoverished children. Heart surgeons have donated their services to perform costly operations. This year’s goal is a plane outfitted with medical equipment to perform surgeries, and it was achieved as one benefactor donated 5 million euros ($6.8 million). [AP]
FASHION
• The full video for Rihanna’s campaign with Dior was released yesterday and what a stunner! Filmed by Steven Klein in the gardens and Château de Versailles. [VOGUE UK]
• The inaugural Swarovski Collective Prize which comes with €25,000 was awarded to print masters Peter Pilotto. This win for the design duo of Peter Pilotto and Christopher de Vos comes after wining last years Vogue Fashion Fund and acquiring new investor and a successful collaboration with Target. Stores like Ikram, Net-A-Porter, Saks carry the line. [VOGUE UK]
LOOK OF THE DAY
•Emily Blunt
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