Friday, February 19, 2010

The 2010 BRIT Awards, presented by the British Phonographic Industry, is an annual award ceremony for music artists. This year, the competition took place in the Earls Court Exhibition Centre in London, England. The event started taking place in 1980, with this year’s event being the 30th BRIT Awards. This year, the programme was broadcast live – although with a short delay to allow censorship of strong language – on ITV1 from 2000-2200 GMT on Tuesday. 5.8 million viewers watched it, which was an audience share of 21.9%.

The main presenter of the programme was British comedian Peter Kay, although various other celebrities also presented awards, including actor Andy Serkis, musician Melanie Brown, singer Shirley Bassey, television and radio presenter Jonathan Ross, actor Idris Elba, singer Geri Halliwell, television presenter Cat Deeley, comedian Alan Carr, singer Mika, fashion designer and film director Tom Ford, former glamour model Samantha Fox, musician Noddy Holder and musician and actress Courtney Love. Fearne Cotton was also a backstage presenter during the event. There was also an after show highlights programme broadcast on ITV2, immediately after the programme on ITV1 had finished, from 2200-2300 GMT. Presenting on the programme was Rufus Hound and Caroline Flack. BBC Radio 1 also had continuous official coverage on the station throughout the day of the awards, with disc jockeys Scott Mills and Greg James hosting a programme on the station at around the time of the award ceremony.

Various artists, all of which were BRIT Award nominees, performed during the ITV1 programme. Lily Allen, JLS and Kasabian were amongst the performers. American musician Lady Gaga said that “[t]his is for Alexander McQueen“, who died on February 11, 2010, before performing two of her tracks – Telephone and Dance in the Dark. Dizzee Rascal and Florence and the Machine performed a duet entitled You’ve Got the Dirtee Love, which was a merger of two songs – You’ve Got the Love, which was originally recorded by The Source and Candi Staton – and later covered by Florence and the Machine – and Dirtee Cash, which was originally performed by Dizzee Rascal.

After Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed their song Empire State of Mind, Cheryl Cole performed her track, Fight For This Love, although the performance featured excerpts from Show Me Love, a track that was originally recorded by Robin S.

Lady Gaga won all three awards that she was nominated for, including “International female solo artist”, “International breakthrough act” and “International album”, the latter being for The Fame. In one of her acceptance speeches, she said: “Thank you, thank you so so much. I love my fans. Thank you. My fans in the UK, thank you.”

When accepting the award for “British male solo artist”, rapper Dizzee Rascal stated: “It’s about time as well.” Music group JLS were nominated for three awards and won two of them – “British breakthrough act” and “British single”. Group member Oritsé Williams stated in the acceptance speech: “We never ever thought this would happen, you’ve made our dreams come true.” Kasabian was given the award for “British group”. Lily Allen, who was wearing an orange wig during the award ceremony, received the award for “British female solo artist”. In her acceptance speech, she declared: “Oh my god. I only wore this orange wig ’cause I though it’d make it harder for them to find me, the cameramen, and catch my disappointed face.”

British group Florence and the Machine won the “Mastercard British album” award for the album Lungs. Florence Welch of the group accepted the award, stating: “Thanks so much for having me back. Cheers! […] There are so many people that help me make this album and so many people who supported it, people like you.” The award for “BRITs performance of 30 years” went to former group the Spice Girls for their performance of Wannabe/Who Do You Think You Are. The award for “International male solo artist” went to rapper Jay-Z.

Former British group Oasis were awarded with the honour of “BRITs album of 30 years”, for their album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. Former group comrade Liam Gallagher came onto the stage to accept the award and told the viewers: “Listen kids. I wanna thank Bonehead, Quiggs, Alan White… the best fucking fans in the world. Live forever.” He then threw his microphone and the trophy into the crowd and walked off the stage. Presenter Peter Kay then came on and said about Gallagher: “What a knobhead.”

At one point during the programme, a pre-recorded video with Prince Harry of Wales in it was shown. In the video, Prince Harry said: “You’ll be pleased to know that I’m not gonna sing, but only because I don’t want to show up the next act. The BRITs is a celebration of all that is totally outstanding and unique about British music. But what’s less well known about the BRITs is the fantastic work it does raising millions of pounds for the BRIT trust which has benefited thousands of young people to develop their talents and generally enrich our society. Well done on all you’ve achieved. I hope you have a fantastic evening.”

The “Critic’s choice” award was given to British music artist Ellie Goulding. The “Outstanding contribution award” was won by British musician Robbie Williams, who performed a medley of thirteen of his songs at the end of the programme – Let Me Entertain You, Supreme, Millennium, Feel, Everything Changes (originally performed by Take That, the group that Williams was formerly a member of), Angels, No Regrets, Bodies, Come Undone, Morning Sun, Rock DJ and Rudebox.

Below is a complete list of the recipients of the awards on Tuesday night. Please note that the awards list is not in order of when they were given out.

• British male solo artist – Dizzee Rascal
• British female solo artist – Lily Allen
• British breakthrough act – JLS
• British group – Kasabian
• Mastercard British album – Florence and the Machine – Lungs
• British single – JLS – Beat Again
• BRITs performance of 30 years – Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are
• International male solo artist – Jay-Z
• International female solo artist – Lady Gaga
• International breakthrough act – Lady Gaga
• International album – Lady Gaga – The Fame
• BRITs album of 30 years – Oasis – (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?
• Critic’s choice – Ellie Goulding
• Outstanding contribution award – Robbie Williams

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

The president of Egypt has suffered a “devastating blow” after the country’s army announced they would not use force against their own people, who continue to protest against the government tonight. The news came hours after six journalists who reported on the protests were released from custody.

Hosni Mubarak yesterday announced a new cabinet, which does not include several figures who protesters largely do not approve of. Analysts have, however, suggested little had changed within the government; many positions, they say, are filled with military figures.

In a statement broadcast on state media in Egypt, the army said: “To the great people of Egypt, your armed forces, acknowledging the legitimate rights of the people … have not and will not use force against the Egyptian people.” A BBC correspondent in Cairo said the announcement meant it “now seems increasingly likely that the 30-year rule of Mr Mubarak is drawing to a close.”

“The presence of the army in the streets is for your sake and to ensure your safety and wellbeing. The armed forces will not resort to use of force against our great people,” the statement added. “Your armed forces, who are aware of the legitimacy of your demands and are keen to assume their responsibility in protecting the nation and the citizens, affirms that freedom of expression through peaceful means is guaranteed to everybody.”

Earlier today, six journalists from the independent news network Al-Jazeera were released from custody after being detained by police. The U.S. State Department criticized the arrests; equipment was reportedly confiscated from the journalists.

Egyptian officials yesterday ordered the satellite channel to stop broadcasting in the country. Al-Jazeera said they were “appalled” by the government’s decision to close its Egyptian offices, which they described as the “latest attack by the Egyptian regime to strike at its freedom to report independently on the unprecedented events in Egypt.”

In a statement, the news agency added: “Al-Jazeera sees this as an act designed to stifle and repress the freedom of reporting by the network and its journalists. In this time of deep turmoil and unrest in Egyptian society it is imperative that voices from all sides be heard; the closing of our bureau by the Egyptian government is aimed at censoring and silencing the voices of the Egyptian people.”

On Friday, Wikinews reported the government had shut off practically all Internet traffic both out of and into the nation, as well as disrupting cellphone usage. A spokesperson for the social networking website Facebook said “limiting Internet access for millions of people is a matter of concern for the global community.”

A reported 50,000 campaigners, who are demanding the long-time leader step down and complaining of poverty, corruption, and oppression, filled Tahrir Square in Cairo today, chanting “We will stay until the coward leaves.” It is thought 100 people have so far died in the demonstrations. Today there have been protests in Suez, Mansoura, Damanhour, and Alexandria.

Speaking to news media in the area, many protesters said the new cabinet did little to quell their anger. “We want a complete change of government, with a civilian authority,” one said. Another added: “This is not a new government. This is the same regime—this is the same bluff. [Mubarak] has been bluffing us for 30 years.”

In Tahrir Square today, protesters played music as strings of barbed wire and army tanks stood nearby. Demonstrators scaled light poles, hanging Egyptian flags and calling for an end to Mubarak’s rule. “One poster featured Mubarak’s face plastered with a Hitler mustache, a sign of the deep resentment toward the 82-year-old leader they blame for widespread poverty, inflation and official indifference and brutality during his 30 years in power,” one journalist in the square reported this evening.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Following ten days of conflict between Israel and Hamas, and two attempts at a ceasefire, on Thursday Israel sent armored and infantry forces into the Gaza Strip.

This was another escalation in the conflict that began after the kidnapping and murder of the three Israeli teenagers and an Arab teenager from the West Bank.

Israel called an extra 18,000 reserve soldiers on top of 50,000 others who had been called up during the last few days. The Israeli military wrote on Twitter: “We have hit Hamas hard, and we will continue to hit Hamas hard”. In remarks to CNN, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum remarked on the Israeli ground movement, “the beginning of the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza is a dangerous step with unknown consequences. Israel will pay a heavy price for it”.

Thursday, before the ground maneuver, a temporary ceasefire took place for about five hours. During the ceasefire, banks that had been closed since the beginning of the escalation opened, the Red Cross helped repair water pipes and electric power lines, the citizens of the Gaza Strip came out to the streets, and trucks filled with basic products entered through Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza Strip.

It has been five years since the Israeli military last entered Gaza, and more than a year and a half since the last serious conflict between the two sides.

The office of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, stated the current objective of the operation is to target the tunnels that had been dug into Israeli territory, through which to transfer armed personnel and weapons with intent to attack Israeli citizens and soldiers.

Since the beginning of the ground maneuver, Israel has found at least ten tunnels leading to Israel, killed seventeen Palestinian armed militants, and captured another 21. At least one Israeli solider had been killed, as well as one Israeli civilian. Netanyahu said he has ordered military planning for a possible “considerable expansion of the ground operation”. Hamas officially threatened they will “drown the occupation army in Gaza mud”.

Friday, May 26, 2006

In February of 2006, the Savarino Services Construction Corp. proposed the construction of a seven million dollar hotel on Elmwood and Forest Avenues in Buffalo, New York. In order for the hotel to be built, at least five properties containing businesses and residents would have to be destroyed. It was not certain whether the properties were owned by Savarino or by the landlord Hans Mobius. The hotel was designed by Karl Frizlen of the Frizlen Group, and is planned to be a franchise of the Wyndham Hotels group.

Elmwood Avenue is known by the community as a popular shopping center, and Nancy Pollina of Don Apparel (who is “utterly against” the construction) claims it’s the only reason why students from Buffalo State College leave campus. Additionally, Michael Faust of Mondo Video said he did not want to “get kicked out of here [his video store property].”

In 1995, a Walgreens was proposed to be built on the same land, but Walgreens later withdrew its request for a variance because of pressure from the community. More recently, Pano Georgiadis tried to get the rights to demolish the Atwater House next to his restaurant on Elmwood Avenue, but was denied a permit due to the property’s historical value. He has since been an opponent to the hotel construction.

In the process of debating the hotel, it was thought that a hotel had previously existed on the proposed site, however; research done at the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society had shown that no hotel had previously existed on the site.

Thursday, January 28, 2021

On Monday, English football club Chelsea announced the sacking of their manager Frank Lampard. This came amid a decline in form in the Premier League. The 42 year-old was first appointed as manager 18 months ago in July 2019, and had also previously played for the club for thirteen seasons. The club had only won two of their last eight matches and had sunk to ninth in the Premier League.

Chelsea stated “This has been a very difficult decision, and not one that the owner and the board have taken lightly”, adding “There can never be a good time to part ways with a club legend such as Frank, but after lengthy deliberation and consideration it was decided a change is needed now to give the club time to improve performances and results this season.”

Lampard stated he was “disappointed not to have had the time this season to take the club forward and bring it to the next level”. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich said “This was a very difficult decision for the club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him”.

Last summer, Lampard spent over £200 million on seven signings, including £71 million for Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen and £45 million on Ben Chilwell from Leicester City. The club has only won 29 points in the Premier League this season, eleven short of current table leaders, Manchester United.

Monday, July 18, 2005

On July 13, 21 French and Japanese individuals sued Shintaro Ishihara, the governor of Tokyo, for defamation towards people who use the French language. Those 21 were French language teachers and Japanese researchers who taught French. In 2004, Ishihara said that no one can count in the French language. Ishihara was sued for 500,000 yen (approx. US $4,457) for each plaintiff, including Malik Berkane, a French private language school owner in Tokyo. In addition, the plaintiffs demanded that he make an apology.

On October 19, 2004, Ishihara said “French language is a language in which no one can count, therefore it seems to me reasonable that it is disqualified as an international language. People who are tied to the language have taken it upon themselves to oppose [me]. It is all ridiculous” in a speech Ishihara made at the inaugural celebrations of the “Tokyo U-Club”. The Tokyo U-club was founded to support the foundation of Tokyo Metropolitan University (Japanese: ??????, Shuto daigaku Tokyo), which was planned by Ishihara as replacement of universities run by the Tokyo metropolitan government including the same name in English (Japanese: ?????? Tokyo Toritsu Daigaku).

On August 1, 2003, Ishihara issued his plan to found the new university. His plan had no relation to the restructuring plan of the former Tokyo Metropolitan University which had been on-going for years in cooperation with faculty and Tokyo prefectural government. In his new plan faculties of Humanities, Economics and Law would be drasticially changed and divided into newly organized faculties and departures. As for humanities, literature and language studies would be re-organized into language section and literature section, reduced in number of students, and undergraduate and graduate would be relocated into separate campuses. Quite a few members of the Faculty of Humanities opposed this idea strongly and called for opposition widely. As to that its all faculty issued the opposition on the consensus of all faculty on September 25, 2003. The department of French literature and language was a key group in the movment. Also in 2004, Professor Masato Goda, a teacher of French literature, resigned to express his opposition toward Ishihara’s educational policy.

Berkane said “I was very shocked when I heard that. Of course we can count numbers in French, and it is used as an official language in international organisations.” “I have been in Japan for 23 years. I am sad that what I have taught in that time is denigrated.” Berkane said that he had sent a memorandum to Ishihara in February to ask the governer to apologize but he had as yet received no reply from Ishihara.

On July 15, Ishihara again expressed his opinion that French was formerly a diplomatic lingua franca but due to its complexity it had been falling back. He mentioned that no student had registered in French language lessons at the newly founded Tokyo Metropolitan University. He also stated plaintiffs should have considered seriously if his criticism was appropriate or not.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia —The Sunshine Coast Regional Council has formally ratified the rejection of the 24 hour McDonald’s in Minyama. The decision comes after council rejected the proposal earlier this week at a general committee meeting.

McDonald’s forwarded an 11th hour compromise to deputy mayor Tim Dwyer in order to overturn the decision. The compromised had included reducing the opening hours to 6am to 10pm Sunday to Thursday and until 12am Friday and Saturday.

Local member of federal parliament Peter Slipper has said that any new development be given serious and honest consideration to the various potential impacts on the community.

“It is important that any new development, including fast food outlets, give serious and honest consideration to the various potential impacts of the project on the community. This is important as society strives to balance the need for development with the need to support the lifestyle choices and wishes of residents,” said Mr Slipper in an e-mail to Wikinews.

Local residents who had opposed the development had support from local councilor Chris Thompson. “We already have a 24-hour McDonald’s at Mooloolaba, only one kilometre away, and there are already [anti-social] issues at that site,” he said.

Councillors ratified the rejection unanimously. McDonald’s will now fight the decision in court.