Madonna’s second adoption divides opinion
March 31, 2009
Pop singer Madonna’s decision to travel to Malawi in a bid to adopt a second child has divided public opinion and now a human rights organisation is also opposing the adoption.
Four-year-old Chifundo “Mercy” James is in the same orphanage that once housed David Banda, adopted by the singer in 2006. Her decision to adopt a second child has already been criticised by international charities and now a human rights organisation in Malawi is threatening to do all it can to make sure the adoption does not take place.
However, residents of Malawi are throwing their support behind the adoption. One person commenting on the BBC website explained: “I am based here in Lilongwe, and I can say that 98% of the people are in favour of her actions. Madonna, you’re welcome in The Warm Heart of Africa any day!”
The Wire finally makes it onto terrestrial television
March 31, 2009
One of my favourite all-time dramas, The Wire finally made it onto our TV screens last night and pulled in 568,000 viewers, according to unofficial overnight figures.
The Wire, which had run on US television for the past seven years, was acquired by BBC2 from US cable network HBO. It was previously only available in the UK on digital channel FX. Still, the show only warrants a late 11.20pm slot, which is a pity as most people will not give it a chance at that time.
The show, a gritty tale of detectives and drug pushers operating in Baltimore, has been hailed as the greatest drama ever made and I couldn’t disagree. I watched all the five series’ on DVD after being introduced to it by a friend I met in 2007 when living in the US.
Michael Jackson to invite son for duet
March 31, 2009
Michael Jackson has reportedly stated that he will invite his son, Prince Michael I to share the stage for his London O2 Arena dates this summer.
The King of Pop has previously taken extreme measures to keep his three children out of the public eye over the years, even insisting they wear blankets and masks when out in public. However, in recent months he has allowed them to be photographed with their faces on full view. The Daily Star claimed that Jackson now believes 12-year-old Prince Michael I is ready to step into the public arena. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Jackson has also vowed to support Jade Goody’s family following her death, including attending her funeral next Saturday. Jackson had been in contact with Goody during his visit to London to announce his O2 arena tour dates.
University to offer a master’s degree in Facebook
March 31, 2009
Birmingham City University has announced through an advertisement on the university website it will be offering a one-year master’s degree teaching students about social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Bebo.
The admission course fees are set at £4,400 to get your MA in Social Media which will also explain how to set up blogs and publish podcasts.
The course, which will be offered from next year, will consider social networking sites as communications and marketing tools.
Jon Hickman, the course leader, said he had received a good response from potential students and he defended the decision to offer the course:
“It’s not for freaks or IT geeks, the tools learnt on this course will be accessible to many people.
“During the course we will consider what people can do on Facebook and Twitter, and how they can be used for communication and marketing purposes.
“There has been significant interest in the course already, and it will definitely appeal to students looking to go into professions including journalism and PR.”
4,800 Calorie Burger - Only in America
March 31, 2009
West Michigan Whitecaps Baseball Park is now offering a 4,800 calorie burger. Apparently trying to cook up comfort food amidst the recession. The offer is that if anyone is daring enough to eat the monstrosity of a burger they will get a free t shirt with it.
The burger contains five beef patties, chilli, salsa, sour cream, nacho-style cheese, Frito chips, lettuce, tomato, 5 slices of American cheese and a massive bun to hold it all in.
According to Scott Lane, Whitecaps president:
“Besides being unique and large and bizarre, it tastes good,” Whitecaps president Scott Lane told the Grand Rapids News. I’m sure there are going to be crazies that come down and try to eat the entire thing.”
The burger weighs more than double the recommended daily calorie intake; the burger contains 300 grams of fat, 744 milligrams of cholesterol and over 10,000 milligrams of sodium.
Scott Lane added:
“At home, people eat healthy. When they come to a game, they might eat a hot dog.”
So that’s why American has such an obesity problem, because everyone eats so healthy?!
Saved By the Bell Reunion?
March 30, 2009
The American late-night talk show “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” has recently launched a petition to persuade the cast of Saved by the Bell to reunite to celebrate the television programme’s 20th anniversary.
Dennis Haskins, who plays Mr Belding the school principal of the ‘90s hit TV show, is already on board and I’m sure his co-stars will soon follow.
The actor popped in to the show to help the host of the show, Jimmy Fallon to urge viewers to sign a petition to reunite the former high-schoolers.
The gang includes: Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Zack Morris, Tiffani-Amber Thiessen as Kelly Kapowski, Mario Lopez and AC Slater, Elizabeth Berkley as Jesse Spano, Lark Voorhies as Lisa Turtle and Dustin Diamond as Samuel “Screech” Powers.
It would be amusing to see what they all look like now and if they can indeed resurrect the show even for a one-off.
Jacqui Smith Back Abusing Parliamentary Expenses
March 30, 2009
Jacqui Smith is back defending her position as Home Secretary after more damaging disclosures about her use of Parliamentary expenses. The most recent piss take by the home secretary is that she “mistakenly” claimed back expenses for two porn films allegedly watched by her husband?!
Smith’s husband, Richard Timney, who is also Smiths aide apologised for the “embarrassment” caused to Smith and promised to repay the £10 film charges.
It was a Virgin Media bill that was apparently inadvertently submitted by Timney for expenses. The bill included the porn film charges and a £67 internet connection charge.
Gordon Brown has given Smith his full support saying:
“The Home Secretary is doing a great job and I do not think this issue should be allowed to detract from everything she is doing to ensure we protect the public and keep our neighbourhoods safe. She has done the right thing by taking steps to rectify the mistake that was made as soon as she became aware of it. This is very much a personal matter for Jacqui. She has made her apology, her husband has made clear that he has apologised. The best thing is that Jacqui Smith gets on with her work, which is what she wants to do.”
This is not the first time that Smith has been in the spotlight regarding expenses and many think that she should now stand down.
As the rest of Britain deal with the recession, people losing their homes and jobs, it becomes very frustrating to hear what a joke some of our politicians are making of our tax money.
Online Sales Out Do The High Street
March 29, 2009
Online sales continue to boom, while high street stores continue to struggle with fewer sales. According to a recent survey of top 10 UK favourite retailers, Amazon came second and Ebay also made it to number ten, only 3 years ago Amazon was in 21st position.
As more and more people shop online, internet retailers are becoming more popular than many long established high street shops.
In the midst of the recession shoppers are finding it easier to price compare online, from the comfort of their own home, to ensure they get the bargain they’re looking for. Plus online retailers generally have far lower overhead costs and so are able to remain more liquid while others are having cash flow troubles. Lower costs are keeping internet sellers more competitive where everyone is more price sensitive than ever.
There are also promotional vouchers and online discount codes offered on a variety of products and services including fashion, gadgets, books, CDs, DVDs, hotels, travel and food. The offers range from money-off to free delivery and customers are taking advantage of online bargains compared to in-store promotions.
Struggling high street stores should look to improve and increase their online offering to keep up with the game.
How many presents do I have to buy?
March 19, 2009
With Mothering Sunday this weekend it means that more presents will have to be bought. With Christmas seemingly only just a few weeks ago, Easter just around the corner and the multitude of birthdays that I have on my calendar, it can be difficult to budget and remember all the people who bought me presents so I can buy them gifts back.
I have however a few tips for those emergency occasions when you may have forgotten your loved ones special day:
Buy your cards in bulk - keep a selection at home for various occasions, these should be both male and female orientated and should be bought when you notice discounts in card shops during their leaner times through the year.
Have birthday party supplies in your cupboard – these can be things like candles for a birthday celebration, balloons, party hats or party poppers.
Save wrapping paper or stock up – You can often save wrapping paper or gift bags that people have given to you (remembering who gave them to you so you don’t give them back). This is not only good on your pocket but also good for the environment.
Have ready wrapped gifts – It is always useful to wrap a couple of presents to keep in case of emergency. These can be quite generic; cook books for example are great for both male and female friends and can often be bought cheaply at discounted prices.
Elephant Gets Prosthetic Leg
March 11, 2009
Three year old Mosha was the World’s first elephant amputee and at only 7 months old need a prosthetic leg. Mosha lost her leg after stepping on a land mine.
Mosha was rescued and taken to the Friends of the Asian Elephant Hospital, from her home the tropical jungle near the Cambodian border to Lampang, Thaiiland. There Mosha had her first prosthetic leg made and fitted in 2007.
According to Moshas’ keeper before the leg fitted she was:
“Depressed, self-conscious and wouldn’t socialise”.
There are 100 new landmine victims in Thailand ever year and Mosha looked likely to die. She was then taken to human amputee foundation runner, Dr Therdchai Jivacate, who had made thousands of human prosthetics but never elephant.
Keeper Soraida Salwala said:
“When Mosha first saw her artificial leg she was scared of it. But as soon as the doctors put it on and she felt she could put some weight on it she didn’t want to let them take it off. Mosha should live many long, happy elephant years,”
Now doctors are making Mosha her new leg due to her continued growth and health.