December 24, 2014

Top News Stories –

Smithy OBE –
It’s announced that James Corden known for his role as Smithy in Gavin and Stacey, presenting Sky TV’s In A League of Their Own and now taking on hosting The Late Late Show in the US is to receive an OBE (Order of the British Empire) gong for his charitable work.
Ruth_Jones_&_James_CordenRuth Jones & James Corden

Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Burton separate –
Helena Bonham Carter has announces that she has split from the film director Tim Burton after 13 years together and having 2 children.
Tim-Burton-and-Helena-Bonham-CarterTim Burton and Helena Bonham Carter

Gloves off –
In the US Amazon and Walmart sell out of DVDs of Team America which parodied the former North Korea leader Kim Jong-il. The reason? Another film – The Interview – is about to get its cinema release after a major hacking situation at Sony. President Obama apparently approves of the delayed Christmas Day premiere. Kim Song, a North Korean diplomat to the United Nations, called the movie an ‘unpardonable mockery of our sovereignty and dignity of our supreme leader.’

Cash grab –
In Hong Kong a van carrying HK$35m – about $4.5m or £3m – in used notes crashed on a motorway – cue dozens leaving their cars and grabbing a bundle. About HK$15 disappeared.

You’d let him win wouldn’t you? –
Prince Harry led his Sandringham workers team to a 7-2 victory in a football (soccer) match against local villagers in Scotland sponsored by the Black Horse Inn. Top royal endorsement.
Prince_HarryPrince Harry

Shaken and stirred –
In Russia vodka prices have been rising so much that President Vladimir Putin calls on his government to curb price rises on the spirit. Half a litre costs 220 roubles (about $4.10)

Feel good moment –
A homeless man is given $100 and hidden cameras follow him into a liquor store where he buys food which he shares with other homeless people. 12 million hits on YouTube (see Video of the Day)

Pub crawl goes viral –
And a fancy dress pub crawl in Old Conwyn, North Wales featuring made up props from the classic BBC comedy show Only Fools and Horses went viral(ish) on YouTube

Video of the Day –

How Does A Homeless Man Spend $100?

List of the day –

James Corden TV Appearances –

Year Title Role Notes
1998 Renford Rejects Razor #1 Episode: “Don Bruno”
1999 Boyz Unlimited Gareth 6 episodes
2000 Hollyoaks Wayne Episode: “1.524”
2000–2005 Fat Friends Jamie Rymer 20 episodes
2001 Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story Bran the Giant’s son TV movie
2001–2003 Teachers Jeremy 9 episodes
2002 Cruise of the Gods Russell TV movie
2004 Little Britain Dewi Thomas Episode: “2.3”
Dalziel and Pascoe Ben Forsythe Episode: “The Price of Fame”
2007–2010 Gavin & Stacey Smithy 20 episodes; also creator, writer, associate producer
2009 Horne & Corden Various characters 6 episodes; also writer
The Gruffalo Mouse (voice) TV special
2010–2011 Doctor Who Craig Owens 2 episodes
2011 Little Charley Bear Narrator (voice) 22 episodes
The Gruffalo’s Child Mouse (voice) TV special
2012 Stella Steven Episode: “1.10”
2013 The Wrong Mans Phil Bourne 6 episodes; also creator, writer

Top Twitter Trends –

Worldwide USA UK
1 #AntonioMartin #AntonioMartin Santa
2 #HappyBirthdayLouis Merry Christmas Eve #23ReasonsWhyWeLoveLouis
3 Frohe Weihnachten Santa #shanedawsonsony
4 #LoUnicoQueQuieroEs #shanedawsonsony Christmas Eve
5 Feliz Nochebuena Feliz Navidad #One2Eleven
6 #PrayForPantaiTimur Louis is 23 #AntonioMartin
7 #shanedawsonsony #23ReasonsWhyWeLoveLouis Louis is 23
8 Joyeux Noël #BondXmas Saving Private Ryan
9 #WatchNightingaleOnVevo #FavNashPic Ali G
10 #FavNashPic #RIPAntonioMartin Happy Christmas Eve

Other News Stories –

Armed conflicts and attacks
Disasters and accidents
  • Russia declares a state of emergency after oil from a Russian oil pipeline spills into the Black Sea near the port ofTuapse. (Reuters)
International relations
Law and crime
  • Xinhua reports that on December 21 Chinese police in Guangxi shot dead one person and detained 21 others. China considers the group to be “religious extremists” who were trying to cross the border into Vietnam. (Reuters)

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