Thursday, 21 August 2014

Feds rule on Beyonce-Jay Z Cuba trip






Rumors may<a href='http://ift.tt/1qmKJ7Q' target='_blank'> dog</a> Jay Z and Beyonce, but for now, they remain untouchable. Whether they're raking in cash as <a href='http://ift.tt/16HF6to' target='_blank'>Hollywood's highest-paid couple </a>or being cleared by the government for their 2013 trip to Cuba, Mr. and Mrs. Carter have some serious clout. Click through the gallery to see which other famous couples are running Hollywood: Rumors may dog Jay Z and Beyonce, but for now, they remain untouchable. Whether they're raking in cash as Hollywood's highest-paid couple or being cleared by the government for their 2013 trip to Cuba, Mr. and Mrs. Carter have some serious clout. Click through the gallery to see which other famous couples are running Hollywood:

Not even Vogue magazine could deny the influence of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, putting the <a href='http://ift.tt/1hIWBLm' target='_blank'>#WorldsMostTalkedAboutCouple on the cover</a> of its April 2014 issue. Breaking the confines of Anna Wintour's sacred space? That's power. Not even Vogue magazine could deny the influence of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, putting the #WorldsMostTalkedAboutCouple on the cover of its April 2014 issue. Breaking the confines of Anna Wintour's sacred space? That's power.

Jennifer Aniston reportedly had earned <a href='http://ift.tt/Th5sJ9' target='_blank'>an estimated $20 million</a> as of June 2013, but her writer/director/actor fiancé Justin Theroux certainly carries his weight.Jennifer Aniston reportedly had earned an estimated $20 million as of June 2013, but her writer/director/actor fiancé Justin Theroux certainly carries his weight.

From Gisele Bundchen's modeling, endorsement deals and independent licensing ventures to Tom Brady's generous contract with the New England Patriots, this power couple isn't hurting for influence.From Gisele Bundchen's modeling, endorsement deals and independent licensing ventures to Tom Brady's generous contract with the New England Patriots, this power couple isn't hurting for influence.

Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton are country music's winning pair as they continue to dominate Billboard charts, rake up trophies at awards shows and reach a broader audience through Shelton's seat at NBC's "The Voice." Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton are country music's winning pair as they continue to dominate Billboard charts, rake up trophies at awards shows and reach a broader audience through Shelton's seat at NBC's "The Voice."

Together, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have six children, two Academy Awards and roughly $50 million earned in 2013, according to Forbes.Together, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have six children, two Academy Awards and roughly $50 million earned in 2013, according to Forbes.

With Calista Flockhart focusing on TV and Harrison Ford starring on the big screen, the couple, who wed in 2010, have been power players for years.With Calista Flockhart focusing on TV and Harrison Ford starring on the big screen, the couple, who wed in 2010, have been power players for years.

Between the two of them, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have had a major influence across entertainment, from TV to music to film. And they're even more of a power couple -- or family -- when you factor in their famous offspring, Jaden and Willow.Between the two of them, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have had a major influence across entertainment, from TV to music to film. And they're even more of a power couple -- or family -- when you factor in their famous offspring, Jaden and Willow.

Speaking of powerful families, Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann also have had their children, Maude and Iris, appear in three comedies directed by Apatow and starring Mann. It seems the couple that works together on hilarious movies stays together.Speaking of powerful families, Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann also have had their children, Maude and Iris, appear in three comedies directed by Apatow and starring Mann. It seems the couple that works together on hilarious movies stays together.

Newly engaged couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have a long history of working together, and in 2013 earned an estimated $35 million. The pair are now expecting their first child. Newly engaged couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis have a long history of working together, and in 2013 earned an estimated $35 million. The pair are now expecting their first child.

Together, soccer player David Beckham and his wife, Victoria (the fashion designer formerly known as Posh Spice), earn $54 million annually, according to Forbes.Together, soccer player David Beckham and his wife, Victoria (the fashion designer formerly known as Posh Spice), earn $54 million annually, according to Forbes.

Soccer star Gerard Pique brings his athleticism, while singer Shakira brings global pop stardom to this high-profile relationship. Soccer star Gerard Pique brings his athleticism, while singer Shakira brings global pop stardom to this high-profile relationship.

As long as "American Idol" judge Mariah Carey continues making music and Nick Cannon keeps acting and writing/producing/directing TV programs, this power couple isn't going anywhere.As long as "American Idol" judge Mariah Carey continues making music and Nick Cannon keeps acting and writing/producing/directing TV programs, this power couple isn't going anywhere.

David Bowie and Iman married in 1992. His musical legacy coupled with her modeling career and cosmetics company makes this pair a force with which to be reckoned.David Bowie and Iman married in 1992. His musical legacy coupled with her modeling career and cosmetics company makes this pair a force with which to be reckoned.

Ellen DeGeneres has gained even more regular fans for her show with "The Oprah Winfrey Show" no longer on the air. Alone, DeGeneres rakes in $53 million annually, according to Forbes. Add in what her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, earns, and you've got yourself a power couple.Ellen DeGeneres has gained even more regular fans for her show with "The Oprah Winfrey Show" no longer on the air. Alone, DeGeneres rakes in $53 million annually, according to Forbes. Add in what her wife, actress Portia de Rossi, earns, and you've got yourself a power couple.








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  • There had been rumblings that the couple's 2013 trip violated U.S. sanctions

  • Jay Z previously responded to critics with an open letter and a new song

  • The Treasury Department declared the trip legal and in compliance




(CNN) -- Beyonce and Jay Z don't have to be "On the Run" anymore.


A nine-page report released on Wednesday by the Treasury Department's Office of Inspector General states that the power couple, whose legal names are Beyonce Knowles-Carter and Shawn Carter, did not violate any U.S. sanctions laws during their visit to Cuba last year.


Their April 2013 trip, around the time of their fifth wedding anniversary, was highly criticized. It sparked discussion that the two might have engaged in tourist activities that are illegal under the U.S. embargo against Cuba. Under current law and regulation, travel to the island nation is only permitted under license.


The report states that the couple's trip to Cuba was properly licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control under the "people-to-people" educational exchange program. The license was issued to a nonprofit organization that has a mission to promote education in the fields of art, architecture and the decorative arts.


There were concerns that the two might have abused the terms of the license by engaging in too many tourist activities such as a welcome dinner, a walking tour of various Cuban neighborhoods and visits to see student artwork and theater performances. But, the report concludes that all activities followed the terms of the license.


"We believe OFAC's determination that there was no apparent violation of U.S. sanctions with respect to Jay Z and Beyonce's trip to Cuba," the report states.


The criticism following the couple's trip prompted Jay Z to respond to detractors with an open letter.


The rapper also recorded a song called "Open Letter" that slammed critics who suggested the couple's clearance came from their pal President Barack Obama in the White House rather than the Treasury Department.


In the song, Jay Z raps, "Obama said, 'chill you gon' get me impeached. You don't need this s**t anyway. Chill with me on the beach.' "



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