June 3, 2015

Top News Stories –

Fifa crisis: Ex-official Chuck Blazer details bribe-taking –
Former top Fifa official Chuck Blazer has admitted that he and others on the executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the choice of South Africa as 2010 World Cup host. The American said he also helped to arrange bribes over the 1998 event. The admissions come in a newly released transcript from a 2013 US hearing in which he pleads guilty to 10 charges. [BBC]

Godzilla appointed Tokyo tourism ambassador –
He’s a lizard, he’s 120 metres high, and he smashes cities for fun. He’s also now a resident of Shinjuku, Tokyo. And a tourism ambassador for the district, following an official ceremony. The fictional monster blockbuster was issued a special certificate of residency by officials in the district, for services to tourism and bringing visitors to Japan. [BBC] See List of The Day

Video of the Day –

The Good Dinosaur Trailer UK – Official Disney Pixar

List of the day –

Godzilla’s Shinjuku residency papers –

Name: Godzilla

Address: Shinjuku-ku, Kabuki-cho, 1-19-1

Date of birth: November 3, 1954 (this is the year the first Godzilla film was released)

Date of Shinjuku residency: April 9, 2015

Reason for special residency: Promoting the entertainment of and watching over the Kabuki-cho neighborhood and drawing visitors from around the globe in the form of the Godzilla head built atop the Shinjuku TOHO Building.

Previous visits to Shinjuku Ward: 3 times; Godzilla (1984), Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah (1991), Godzilla 2000 Millennium (1999)

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5 #NationalRunningDay Kidd Kidd Andy Coulson
6 Rafa Benítez #ProsOfDatingMe #confed2015
7 #MasterChefBR #MistakeAMovie Jeremy Corbyn
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  • Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
  • The Grozny Chechnya office of the Committee Against Torture NGO is attacked by masked men who came out of a crowd of protesters. They broke down the door and trashed the office. National Leader Ramzan Kadyrov speculated the attack could have been carried out by relatives of Dzhambulat Dadayev upset that the NGO which investigates torture did not lead protests of the shooting of Dadayev by law enforcement officers from another region. Moscow Times
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September 12, 2015

Top News Stories –

Jeremy Corbyn wins Labour leadership contest and vows “fightback” –
Jeremy Corbyn has promised to lead a Labour “fightback” after being elected the party’s new leader by a landslide. The veteran left-winger got almost 60% of more than 400,000 votes cast, trouncing his rivals Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall. He immediately faced an exodus of shadow cabinet members – but senior figures including Ed Miliband urged the party’s MPs to get behind him. Mr Corbyn was a 200-1 outsider when the three-month contest began. But he was swept to victory on a wave of enthusiasm for his anti-austerity message and promise to scrap Britain’s nuclear weapons and renationalise the railways and major utilities. [BBC]
Jeremy_CorbynJeremy Corbyn

Russian Cosmonaut Returns From Record-Breaking Space Mission –
Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka’s safe return from months aboard the International Space Station has put him in the record books for spending more time in space than any other human — the equivalent of nearly two and a half years on five different flights. Padalka, whose latest 168-day stay on the ISS gives him a total of 879 days in space, has smashed the previous record, which was set by fellow Russian Sergei Krikalev in 2005, by two months. [NPR]
PadalkaGennady Padalka

Floyd Mayweather beats Andre Berto to make it 49 straight wins –
Floyd Mayweather made it 49 straight wins with a wide points victory over Andre Berto in Las Vegas. The challenger was game but his fellow American, defending his WBC and WBA welterweight titles, was simply too difficult to hit at the MGM Grand. Mayweather, 38, was awarded the verdict 120-108, 118-110 and 117-111. Mayweather was adamant it was his last fight, but having equalled Rocky Marciano’s career record of 49-0, he might decide to have one more. “My career is over, that’s official,” said five-weight world champion Mayweather, widely regarded as the greatest fighter of his generation. Mayweather made $34m (£22m) for his latest outing but few expect him to fulfil his promise to retire. [BBC] In June Mayweather topped the Forbes Celebrity rich list
Floyd_Mayweather_JrFloyd Mayweather

Harvard’s exclusive Spee club invites women to join after decades of resistance –
The barriers have fallen one by one at Harvard’s exclusive Spee Club. First Catholics were admitted at the start of the 20th century, then Jews in the 1930s and blacks in the 1960s. But female undergraduates were always a step too far. The Spee even moved off campus in the 1980s when the university ordered it and eight other clubs to open their doors to women. This week, things finally changed for a club that once counted John F Kennedy among its members. A number of female students reported waking on Friday to find invitations – set out in ornate calligraphy and sealed with an elaborate “S” – had been slid under their doors asking them to attend a reception next week, the first step to membership. [Daily Telegraph]

Video of the Day –

Bride puts a spell on her magician groom during first dance

List of the Day –

How much does the iPhone 6s cost around the world? [Daily Telegraph]
iPhone pricing

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October 12, 2015

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Queen’s advisers strip Jeremy Corbyn of ‘Right Honourable’ title after Privy Council snub –
The Queen’s advisers told Parliament to strip Jeremy Corbyn of his “Right Honourable” status after Number 10 wrongly implied the Labour leader had joined the Privy Council, The Daily Telegraph can disclose. Mr Corbyn was described on Parliament’s website as “Right Honourable”, which denotes membership of the centuries-old Privy Council, until late last week. The Labour leader was also described as a “Right Honourable Gentleman” by Prime Minister David Cameron when they faced each other in the Commons last month, days after he was voted in as Labour leader. However, after Mr Corbyn failed to attend the first meeting of the Privy Council since the summer holidays with the Queen last Thursday, the “Rt Hon” title was removed from Mr Corbyn’s page on Parliament’s website. [Daily Telegraph]

Swedish police called on a beard club because they were mistaken for Isil –
The police in Sweden were shocked to receive a call from a passer-by that alerted them to a possible Isil warrior group, north of the city Jönköping. When they arrived, they “had a good laugh” – the group mistaken for Isil was actually a beard club called the Bearded Villians. They had stopped in the area in order to take a photo together, posing with a sign which, from a distance, could be mistaken for the Isil flag. [Daily Telegraph]

Bearded-Villains
Bearded Villains

Video of the Day –

Apollo Missions from harrisonicus on Vimeo.

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4 #nadaquecelebrar #IndigenousPeoplesDay Angus Deaton
5 #كلمه_تختصر_في�… Happy Thanksgiving Julian Assange
6 #QuandoEraCriancaEu Wallace #NationalCurryWeek
7 #WeArePerfect #1DImSorryFor June Sarpong
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June 24, 2016

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Brexit fallout, Cameron quits, markets rocked –
Britain has voted to leave the European Union, forcing the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron and dealing the biggest blow since World War Two to the European project of forging greater unity. Global stock markets plunged on Friday, and the British pound saw its biggest one day drop in history, as results from a referendum defied bookmakers’ odds to show a 52-48 percent victory for the campaign to leave the bloc Britain joined more than 40 years ago. The United Kingdom itself could now break apart, with the leader of Scotland, where nearly two-thirds of voters wanted to stay in the EU, saying a new referendum on independence from the rest of Britain was “highly likely”. In an emotional speech on Friday, UK Prime Minister Cameron, who led the campaign to remain in Europe to defeat, after promising the referendum in 2013, said he would leave office by October. Lawmakers from the opposition Labour Party launched a no-confidence motion to topple their leader, leftist Jeremy Corbyn, accused by opponents in the party of campaigning tepidly for its Remain stance. The British pound fell as much as 10 percent against the U.S. dollar on Friday to levels last seen in 1985 on fears the decision could hit investment in the world’s fifth-largest economy, threaten London’s role as a global financial capital, and usher in months of political uncertainty. The euro slid 2.0 percent against the U.S. dollar. [Reuters] In February Cameron secured a deal with the EU to try to avoid an exit vote.
David_CameronDavid Cameron

Video of the Day –

Brexit: UK prime minister David Cameron addresses British voters on leaving the EU

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June 26, 2016

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Lionel Messi announces international football retirement after Argentina loses Copa America final –
Argentina superstar Lionel Messi says he is finished with the national team after the side’s loss to Chile in the Copa America final. The five-time world player of the year announced as much in the immediate aftermath of Argentina’s gut-wrenching loss to Chile, 4-2 in a penalty shootout on Monday. “The national team is done for me,” Messi told reporters. The 29-year-old was booked for simulation and sent his attempt over the crossbar in the decisive shootout as he fell short for the fourth time in a major international final. “It’s difficult, it’s a hard moment for any analysis. In the dressing room I thought that the national team is not for me,” he added. [ABC] In April Messi scored his 500th career goal.
Lionel MessiLionel Messi

Video of the Day –

Fastest time to pop 100 balloons by a dog – Guinness World Records

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June 27, 2016

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Euro 2016: Roy Hodgson resigns after England lose to Iceland –
Roy Hodgson has resigned as England manager after his side’s 2-1 defeat by Iceland saw them knocked out of Euro 2016. The 68-year-old had been in charge for four years after replacing Italian Fabio Capello but has won just three of 11 games in major tournament finals. Iceland – with a population of just 330,000 – were among the lowest-ranked teams in France at 34 in the world. “I’m sorry it will have to end this way but these things happen,” Hodgson said. “I hope you will still be able to see an England team in a final of a major tournament soon,” he added. “Now is the time for someone else to oversee the progress of a hungry and extremely talented group of players. They have done fantastically, and done everything asked of them.” [BBC]
Roy_HodgsonRoy Hodgson

Video of the Day –

case / lang / veirs – Atomic Number (Official Music Video) from KANGMIN KIM on Vimeo.

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June 28, 2016

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Japan uses anime to target young voters –
Japanese cities are using manga and anime to persuade young people to vote in forthcoming elections. The popular formats feature in local electoral commission materials aimed at newly enfranchised 18- and 19-year-olds, which explain why going to the polls is important, The Japan Times website reports. Last year, Japan lowered the voting age from 20 to 18 – the first change in seven decades. An election on 10 July to choose members of the upper house of parliament will be the first national poll since the law changed. Officials in the city of Nara have created a five-minute-long anime video on the importance not only of voting, but of making an informed decision at the ballot box. It shows three girls celebrate turning 18, two of whom don’t intend to use their votes. Other characters then warn the girls that it’s never been more important to make their voices heard. It ends with what the paper describes as a “perky, off-key song” about nearing adulthood and thinking for yourself. [BBC]See Video of the Day

Video of the Day –

エンジェルは選挙権がお好き / 井上涼 【18歳選挙権】- Nara City Voting video

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July 11, 2016

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Prime Minister-in-waiting Theresa May promises ‘a better Britain’ –
Theresa May promised to build a “better Britain” and to make the UK’s EU exit a “success” after she was announced as the new Tory leader and soon-to-be PM. Speaking outside Parliament, Mrs May said she was “honoured and humbled” to succeed David Cameron, after her only rival in the race withdrew on Monday. Mr Cameron will tender his resignation to the Queen after PMQs on Wednesday. Mr Cameron, who has been UK prime minister since 2010, decided to quit after the UK’s Brexit vote. It follows another day of dramatic developments in the political world, when Andrea Leadsom unexpectedly quit the two-way Conservative leadership contest, saying she did not have the support to build “a strong and stable government”. Her decision left Mrs May – the front runner – as the only candidate to take over leading the party and to therefore become prime minister. [BBC]
Theresa_MayTheresa May

Video of the Day –

The Foley Artist sees a master of sound at work on a fashion film. If you’ve ever wanted to see the chasm between the finished product and the extraordinary lengths taken to produce it, this short is for you.

The Foley Artist from Feast Films on Vimeo.

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August 21, 2016

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Rio Olympics 2016: Team GB beat China to finish second in medal table –
Great Britain have finished second in the medal table at the 2016 Olympics – above sporting powerhouse China. One of the event’s dominant nations, China have won more than 200 golds since returning to the Games in 1984. Britain ended the Rio Games with 27 golds from 15 sports, one ahead of China, as they finished with a total of 67 from 19 sports, beating the 65 at London 2012. Since the modern Olympic era began in 1896, no country has increased its medal tally at the summer Games immediately following one it hosted. GB have also smashed their pre-Games target of at least 48 medals, which was set by UK Sport. That means Rio 2016 is the nation’s most successful ‘away’ Games in history. China, with a population of 1.357bn to Britain’s 64.1m, have amassed more medals (70) than Team GB in Brazil, achieving notable success in table tennis, diving and weightlifting. However, GB are ahead on golds, which is what the rankings are based on. [BBC] See List of the day

List of the Day –

2016 Summer Olympics Medals Table [Wikipedia]

2016 Summer Olympics medal table
 Rank NOC Gold Silver Bronze Total
1  United States (USA) 46 37 38 121
2  Great Britain (GBR) 27 23 17 67
3  China (CHN) 26 18 26 70
4  Russia (RUS) 19 18 19 56
5  Germany (GER) 17 10 15 42
6  Japan (JPN) 12 8 21 41
7  France (FRA) 10 18 14 42
8  South Korea (KOR) 9 3 9 21
9  Italy (ITA) 8 12 8 28
10  Australia (AUS) 8 11 10 29
11  Netherlands (NED) 8 7 4 19
12  Hungary (HUN) 8 3 4 15
13  Brazil (BRA) 7 6 6 19
14  Spain (ESP) 7 4 6 17
15  Kenya (KEN) 6 6 1 13
16  Jamaica (JAM) 6 3 2 11
17  Croatia (CRO) 5 3 2 10
18  Cuba (CUB) 5 2 4 11
19  New Zealand (NZL) 4 9 5 18
20  Canada (CAN) 4 3 15 22
21  Uzbekistan (UZB) 4 2 7 13
22  Kazakhstan (KAZ) 3 5 9 17
23  Colombia (COL) 3 2 3 8
24  Switzerland (SUI) 3 2 2 7
25  Iran (IRI) 3 1 4 8
26  Greece (GRE) 3 1 2 6
27  Argentina (ARG) 3 1 0 4
28  Denmark (DEN) 2 6 7 15
29  Sweden (SWE) 2 6 3 11
30  South Africa (RSA) 2 6 2 10
31  Ukraine (UKR) 2 5 4 11
32  Serbia (SRB) 2 4 2 8
33  Poland (POL) 2 3 6 11
34  North Korea (PRK) 2 3 2 7
35  Belgium (BEL) 2 2 2 6
 Thailand (THA) 2 2 2 6
37  Slovakia (SVK) 2 2 0 4
38  Georgia (GEO) 2 1 4 7
39  Azerbaijan (AZE) 1 7 10 18
40  Belarus (BLR) 1 4 4 9
41  Turkey (TUR) 1 3 4 8
42  Armenia (ARM) 1 3 0 4
43  Czech Republic (CZE) 1 2 7 10
44  Ethiopia (ETH) 1 2 5 8
45  Slovenia (SLO) 1 2 1 4
46  Indonesia (INA) 1 2 0 3
47  Romania (ROU) 1 1 3 5
48  Bahrain (BRN) 1 1 0 2
 Vietnam (VIE) 1 1 0 2
50  Chinese Taipei (TPE) 1 0 2 3
51  Bahamas (BAH) 1 0 1 2
 Ivory Coast (CIV) 1 0 1 2
 Independent Olympic Athletes (IOA) 1 0 1 2
54  Fiji (FIJ) 1 0 0 1
 Jordan (JOR) 1 0 0 1
 Kosovo (KOS) 1 0 0 1
 Puerto Rico (PUR) 1 0 0 1
 Singapore (SIN) 1 0 0 1
 Tajikistan (TJK) 1 0 0 1
60  Malaysia (MAS) 0 4 1 5
61  Mexico (MEX) 0 3 2 5
62  Algeria (ALG) 0 2 0 2
 Ireland (IRL) 0 2 0 2
64  Lithuania (LTU) 0 1 3 4
65  Bulgaria (BUL) 0 1 2 3
 Venezuela (VEN) 0 1 2 3
67  India (IND) 0 1 1 2
 Mongolia (MGL) 0 1 1 2
69  Burundi (BDI) 0 1 0 1
 Grenada (GRN) 0 1 0 1
 Niger (NIG) 0 1 0 1
 Philippines (PHI) 0 1 0 1
 Qatar (QAT) 0 1 0 1
74  Norway (NOR) 0 0 4 4
75  Egypt (EGY) 0 0 3 3
 Tunisia (TUN) 0 0 3 3
77  Israel (ISR) 0 0 2 2
78  Austria (AUT) 0 0 1 1
 Dominican Republic (DOM) 0 0 1 1
 Estonia (EST) 0 0 1 1
 Finland (FIN) 0 0 1 1
 Morocco (MAR) 0 0 1 1
 Moldova (MDA) 0 0 1 1
 Nigeria (NGR) 0 0 1 1
 Portugal (POR) 0 0 1 1
 Trinidad and Tobago (TTO) 0 0 1 1
 United Arab Emirates (UAE) 0 0 1 1
Total (87 NOCs) 307 307 360 974

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August 23, 2016

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Virgin challenges Jeremy Corbyn train footage –
Virgin Trains has questioned footage showing Jeremy Corbyn sitting on the floor of a “ram-packed” service. In a film shown on The Guardian, the Labour leader said he was experiencing a problem “many passengers face every day” on the London to Newcastle train. But Virgin said CCTV showed Mr Corbyn and his team walking past available seating before starting filming. It says the crew helped him to a carriage where seats were available and he sat for the rest of his journey. On one level, this is a story that appears trivial – about whether a politician could find a seat on a train. But it is fast developing into a political row between the leader of the opposition and one of Britain’s biggest rail firms. [BBC]
Jeremy_CorbynJeremy_Corbyn

Video of the Day –

“DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION” — A Bad Lip Reading

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  • Philippine officials believe they may have recovered biggest natural giant clam pearl in the world — weighing 34kg. Officials are awaiting confirmation from gemologists that the find is indeed the world’s largest pearl. If confirmed, it will beat the current record holder, the Pearl of Lao Tzu, which weighs 6.4kg. (BBC)
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