In this Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015 file photo, Meryl Streep poses for photographers upon her arrival at the premiere of the film "Suffragette" at the opening gala of the London film festival. (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, File)
BERLIN (AP) --
Meryl Streep has been chosen to head the jury at the Berlin International Film Festival in February.
Organizers said Wednesday it will be the first time in her career that the Oscar-winning 66-year-old actress has served on a film festival jury.
Streep said in a statement released by the festival: "The responsibility is somewhat daunting, as I have never been president of anything before." She added that she is "grateful for the honor."
The Berlin festival honored Streep for her lifetime achievement in 2012.
The 2016 event, the first of the year's major European film festivals, runs Feb. 11-21. The seven-member jury at this year's event was led by American director Darren Aronofsky.
There was no immediate word on who will serve alongside Streep on the 2016 jury.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
