A Wall of Hearts: The guardians of the Covid memorial
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel A Wall of Hearts: The guardians of the Covid memorial Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPElmgQJGBo Every Friday you will find them – down on the path along the River Thames, somewhere between Westminster and Vauxhall Bridges – The Friends of the Wall. Ten volunteers maintain the thousands of hand-painted red hearts and dedications: one for each person who has Covid 19 written on their death certificate, on what has become The National Covid Memorial Wall. Five years after the start of the pandemic, this wall is still unofficial. The group has campaigned to have it made permanent. The wall was started, without permission, on 29 March 2021 and now has almost a quarter of a million hearts, with more being added each week. Walking from the Tube station, over Westminster Bridge, I am struck by the vast scale of this memorial, which stretches for half a kilometre (0.3 miles) along the River Thames, opposite the Houses of Parliament. Members of The Friends of the Wall teeter on stepladders, holding children’s paint pots and carefully swirl bright red hearts onto the faded outlines of ones weathered by the years. Some of these Friends were here at the very beginning. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsGZL-zb54 Michelle Rumball answered the call to create a memorial for those lost to the Covid pandemic, which includes her mother, Violet, who died on 9 April 2020. “We’d lost so many lives at that point,” she said. “When I came, the wall was quite bare. We didn’t have permission so we were all pre-warned that there was a chance we could get arrested because obviously we were, in effect, committing graffiti on the wall. “So many of us were so determined. We didn’t care if we got arrested. We were here – and we were making sure that our loved ones had a memorial.” Guerrilla memorial It was a kind of guerrilla memorialising, borne from deep grief. The numbers of people dying in early 2021 was staggering, in the UK on 19 January, almost 1,500 people died. But behind the statistics, there were real people. So on 29 March 2021, a small team arrived at the wall beneath St Thomas’ Hospital. It was made to look like an official place of remembrance. There were sandwich boards, signs and people wearing tabard vests bearing the words: The National Covid Memorial Wall. The ruse worked – all 150,000 hearts were added to the wall uninterrupted, no interrogation by authorities – certainly no arrests – over the next 10 days. Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3syHHGzkF_s Lorelei King lost her husband, Vincent, on 31 March 2020. “I was just compelled to come and paint a heart for him and then I stayed and painted thousands of hearts,” she said. “It can be overwhelming. It’s so much bigger than you can imagine – our loss was so much bigger than people imagine. “To see a statistic is one thing – to see a visual representation is quite another.” She adds, emotion catching her voice, “to come here is an honour and a privilege – and a comfort – to spend time with people we’ve lost”. Behind the project was the activist group, Led By Donkeys, which had joined forces with Covid Bereaved Families for Justice UK, who had been campaigning for a Covid inquiry. The location was a deliberate political statement, directly facing Parliament, reinforcing the Led By Donkeys mission – to hold government accountable. The organisers soon realised they would need more help and so appealed for other bereaved family members to join them. There was an overwhelming response – about 1,500 volunteers signed up. They took time slots, two to three hours’ each, to cover the wall with hearts. Each painter was briefed to think about the people lost so that the installation was “full of respect and dignity.” It quickly became a place where people could grieve – a grief finally expressed collectively, and in public. Kirsten Hackman arrived on day four of the project, to paint a heart for her mother who died from hospital-acquired Covid in May 2020. “The ripples reach so far,” she said. “It’s not just the nearly quarter of a million that have died from Covid that are on this wall, it’s the families that are affected by it.” The original hearts were drawn with pens that are popular with graffiti artists. The group bought every available one in the country – thousands of them – for the task of putting the first 150,000 hearts on to the wall. But over time, the ink has faded. Fran Hall, whose husband, Steve, died from Covid three weeks after their wedding, set up The Friends of the Wall. Every week they diligently restore the hearts with a stronger masonry paint, adding in personal dedications. Terry Sandwell heard of the wall when he attended the Covid Inquiry. His partner, Gina, died on Boxing Day 2020. “The first time I came down here, I just couldn’t believe the size of the wall and the hearts – it was very emotional. “I’ll be coming to the wall until I can’t and hopefully the wall will be there for life and even generations to come.” ‘We don’t move on’ It is down the dedication of this group of 10 volunteers that the wall still remains, as we mark five years since the start of the pandemic. The Friends of the Wall are calling for government recognition and protection, which would ensure the future of the memorial. “It is, what we hope, will be a permanent record of the suffering of this country,” said Ms King. “As the country moves on, as we try to put it in the rearview mirror, we have this very striking visual image of what that loss actually was – a half kilometre of hearts that run from Westminster Bridge to Lambeth Bridge.” While I was with the Friends, a couple from the
Met calls for Carnival stand closure after assault
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Met calls for Carnival stand closure after assault Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPElmgQJGBo Police have called for a Notting Hill Carnival stand to be shut down after a party-goer had a glass bottle smashed over his head, documents state. The serious assault, which is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police, left the victim with “deep lacerations” across his neck, head, legs and right hand. Police said the incident took place “within the footprint” of Volcano Sound System’s setup on Faraday Road, west London, on the last day of the carnival in 2024 and has called for the stand’s licence to be revoked. Courtney White, who runs the sound system’s site, said none of his staff were involved in the incident. Kensington and Chelsea Council (RBKC) will review the licence on Thursday. According to documents shared with RBKC the incident took place when a drunken party-goer was refused entry to a VIP area by staff, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsGZL-zb54 It was claimed that while the man was being removed from the area, he was assaulted by two people who hit him over the head with a glass bottle. A statement from the Met said: “Following the two assaults, there appears to have been no attempt by [Mr White] or any member of staff or security to notify the police or ambulance service/St John’s Ambulance of the incident or injured victim.” Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3syHHGzkF_s The document went on to say the police were called by a member of the public but when they arrived, neither Mr White nor his security or staff approached to explain what happened. Mr White was later interviewed under caution by investigating officers. He claimed the victim was thrown to the floor by someone who purchased a Volcano T-shirt prior to the carnival, and said no staff were involved in the incident. ‘No confidence’ The Met said Mr White’s handling of the incident was “completely unacceptable” and he or his staff should have called police or ambulance crews. Mr White was accused of breaching 13 conditions of his licence, including failure to train staff in the lead up to carnival. “The police have no confidence that Mr White is able to run a safe sound system going forward,” the force said. Mr White said it was “unfortunate” the Met had requested a licence review after what he described as a decade of “safely delivering a sound system experience to thousands of carnival goers”. He pledged to train staff and volunteers “via a reputable training provider”, increase the number of welfare stewards and stop selling Volcano-branded apparel. He said: “Whilst I can accept that the unfortunate incident was not managed well, after reflection and learning I believe that I have the ability to ensure I meet all licensing conditions as well as ensure additional plans are in place in the event of an incident or emergency.” Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR8YYeb4PMk Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
New flats to ‘reinstate’ bulldozed Victorian house
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel New flats to ‘reinstate’ bulldozed Victorian house Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPElmgQJGBo Eight new flats are to be built at the site of a Victorian house that was demolished without authorisation in west London. Ealing Council has granted permission for the redevelopment on Charlbury Grove on the condition that it is in keeping with the character of the area. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the new building would “reinstate the previous building” using existing materials, where possible, to replicate the character of the demolished house. The site is in the Mount Park Conservation Area, a designated heritage zone recognising its Victorian architecture. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsGZL-zb54 The site had remained unused for six years. Planning permission was granted to convert the original building into eight flats in December 2022. However, this was withdrawn after the house was demolished without approval in October. Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3syHHGzkF_s The council said it decided not to take any legal action because the new application proposed rebuilding the house in a similar form to replicate the former house, using salvaged material from it. According to the plans, the front façade of the three-storey building will match the original house to maintain the historical appearance of the area. However, the rear will incorporate “more modern features”, such as privacy screens for residents. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR8YYeb4PMk Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Labour councils call for Bakerloo line funding
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Labour councils call for Bakerloo line funding Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPElmgQJGBo Four Labour London council leaders have renewed their calls for the government to commit cash to deliver the upgrade and extension of the Bakerloo line. Trains on the 119-year-old line could run every two minutes under Transport for London (TfL) plans to upgrade and extend the Tube route. The proposals, which depend on government funding, would allow 27 trains an hour to run on the line, seven more than the current 20. The Department for Transport (DfT) said TfL got £500m in additional funding at the Budget last October and the government was “still assessing the challenging financial position it faces” before committing any further funding. The leaders of Brent, Lewisham, Southwark and Westminster councils said Chancellor Rachel Reeves should commit to deliver the transport project in the upcoming 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy and secure initial funding for the scheme in the Spending Review, both expected in June. Brenda Dacres, mayor of Lewisham, said: “For too long south-east London has been excluded from the world-class London Underground network and the benefits of being a well-connected inner London borough. “With Lewisham wages nearly 40% lower on average than neighbouring boroughs, the Bakerloo line extension would be a game-changer for unlocking inclusive growth and opportunities, not just in the South East, but across the UK.” Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark Council, said the Bakerloo extension was a “shovel-ready project” which would create thousands of jobs and boost economic growth by £1.5bn. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsGZL-zb54 The first phase of the proposed extension—which TfL is currently conducting feasibility studies for—would see new Tube stations at the Old Kent Road and Burgess Park in Southwark. The line would then continue to New Cross Gate and Lewisham. The second phase would take the Bakerloo line beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction. As part of the planned revamp of the London Underground route, the Bakerloo line’s 53-year-old trains would be replaced. Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3syHHGzkF_s The planned upgrade would support 150,000 jobs in Goole, East Yorkshire—where the new trains would be built—under the current TfL proposals. About 107,000 new homes are predicted to be built around the new Tube stations in London, if the project goes ahead. Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said without the government’s commitment, the Bakerloo line was “at risk of total failure”. Of the ageing Underground line’s current 25 stations, 10 are in Brent. A DfT spokesperson said: “Further funding for London’s transport network is being considered as part of the upcoming Spending Review.” Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR8YYeb4PMk Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Barber who ran Covid foodbank still donating food
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Barber who ran Covid foodbank still donating food Banzai Japan Music Video When lockdown started in 2020, Ziggy Myers had to close Progress Barbers – the business he’d run for more than 20 years – because restrictions meant he could no longer serve his customers. Instead he decided to serve his community in a different way: by feeding them. He used his own money to buy groceries for those he knew were in need. “I started very small, just doing little bits and pieces, and as time go on, I get to know more people, more people get involved and it grew and grew until it’s got to a stage I could reach out to 3,000 people a week.” Book Novotel Hotel When customer Louis Howell saw what Ziggy was doing, he decided to set up a GoFundme so that he could contribute to Ziggy’s effort. “If I was going to the shops I’d buy an extra bag and drop it in, and I saw other people doing the same thing which was amazing,” said Louis. “We felt compelled to do these things because we thought if Ziggy can, at a time when the government has effectively taken away his livelihood, yet he chose to do this, then it’s the least we can do. “We trusted Ziggy to get the food to the people who needed it.” Banzai Japan Music Video Also joining Ziggy, was friend Wayne Lawrence. Mr Lawrence used his van to deliver the food. “I’ve always wanted to give back in some way, so I’m happy.” Ziggy was given a Mayor’s Award for Volunteering from City Hall in recognition of what he did during Covid. But Ziggy believes it’s a community effort. He said: “It’s never just one person even though it might start from one person, it comes from the community.” But his volunteering efforts have not gone unnoticed and he’s become a hero to local residents. Customer Kayode Damali said: “For people like Ziggy they do it from the bottom of their hearts, regardless of getting any recognition. “Ziggy is a role model for all of us.” Five years on, Ziggy and Wayne are still giving donations to up 1,500 people a week, in collaboration with the food redistribution charity FareShare. Ziggy said: “I’m helping each and everyone, even people who are working, because the price of electric has gone up, the price of water bills has gone up.” His friend Wayne added: “It was big in Covid, but when everything was back to normal [when lockdown ended], we thought everything would be alright but it grew so that’s why I felt compelled to help. “I’d love to keep doing it, but I wish the need wasn’t there.” As for Ziggy, he has no plans to give up just yet. “It’s the right thing to do, so we just keep going.” Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Heathrow flights resume after fire forced shutdown
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Heathrow flights resume after fire forced shutdown Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPElmgQJGBo Flights have resumed at Heathrow Airport and a full service is expected on Saturday following an “unprecedented” loss of power caused by a nearby substation fire. About 200,000 passengers were affected as flights were grounded throughout Friday, with inbound planes being diverted to other airports in Europe after flames ripped through the North Hyde plant in Hayes, west London, on Thursday evening. The airport’s chief executive Thomas Woldbye apologised to stranded passengers and said the disruption was “as big as it gets for our airport” and that it could not guard itself “100%”. The Met Police confirmed the fire was not believed to be suspicious. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsGZL-zb54 The investigation will focus on the “electrical distribution equipment”, the force said. British Airways announced eight of its long-haul flights had been cleared to leave Heathrow during Friday evening and it was “urgently contacting customers to let them know”. Restrictions on overnight flights have also been temporarily lifted to help ease congestion, the Department of Transport said. Passengers have been advised to contact their airlines for the latest updates. Mr Woldbye said that a back-up transformer had failed meaning systems had to be closed down in accordance with safety procedures so that power supplies could be restructured from two remaining substations to restore electricity enough to power the airport. Several airlines announced they would restart scheduled flights both to and from Heathrow, including British Airways, Air Canada and United Airlines. An airport spokesperson said the first flights were focused on “repatriating the passengers who were diverted to other airports in Europe… and relocating aircraft”. Mr Woldbye said: “I’d like to stress that this has been an incident of major severity. It’s not a small fire. “We have lost power equal to that of a mid-sized city and our backup systems have been working as they should but they are not sized to run the entire airport.” Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3syHHGzkF_s Asked if there is a weak point in Heathrow’s power system, he said: “You can say that but of course contingencies of certain sizes we cannot guard ourselves against 100% and this is one of them. “I mean, short of anybody getting hurt, this is as big as it gets for our airport.” “This is unprecedented,” he added. Mr Woldbye went on to say the airport expected to return to “100% operation” on Saturday. Heathrow is the UK’s largest aviation hub, handling about 1,300 landings and take-offs each day. A record 83.9 million passengers passed through its terminals last year, according to its latest data. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she believed airport bosses “stood up their resilience plan swiftly, and they’ve collaborated closely with our emergency responders and the airline operators; they do have backup energy supplies, they have generators, diesel generators. “None of that failed on this occasion because that backup supply is designed to protect the critical key systems within the airport and not to provide power to the whole airport.” Alexander added that she was in close contact with the energy secretary, the home secretary and with Heathrow to “make sure that any lessons we need to learn from the systems that the airport has in place are learned”. Ofgem, the energy regulator, earlier announced it would commission a review “to understand the cause of this incident and what lessons can be learned”. Emergency services were first called to the scene at 23:20 GMT on Thursday. Some 120 aircraft heading to the airport at that time were forced to either divert or return to their point of origin. Ten fire engines and about 70 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze, LFB said, with the fire being brought under control by 06:30. London Fire Brigade (LFB) said the fire involved a transformer containing 25,000 litres (5,500 gallons) of cooling fluid that had been set alight. A large cordon was put in place as a precaution and about 150 people were evacuated from their homes. Most of those had returned home by 17:00, according to LFB. Hillingdon Council said it was assisting 12 people with hotel accommodation until it was safe for them to return to their homes. More than 65,000 homes in the area were left without power as a result, as well as the airport, although the National Grid said power was restored by 14:00. Savita Kapur, 51, said she “literally just ran out of the house” when she heard the first explosion. She said police officers told them to go back inside before eventually telling her she needed to leave. Ms Kapur said a “second explosion went off” as she was driving along the road “and the whole ground shook”. A family from Texas faced frustration after arriving at Heathrow for their flight home to Dallas to find the airport closed on Friday morning. Andrew Sri, his wife and their three children, aged one to eight, had been visiting his sister in east London. “I just wish they had updated us accordingly,” Mr Sri said, as the family waited for updates at the terminal. “Now we’ve got here and they told us, ‘actually the airport’s been shut down’, so it’s a little bit disappointing.” Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR8YYeb4PMk Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Tommy Robinson loses prison segregation court case
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Tommy Robinson loses prison segregation court case Banzai Japan Music Video The High Court has thrown out an attempt by the far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon to challenge his jail conditions that have seen him segregated from other inmates. Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, argued that segregation at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, was destroying his mental health and breaching his human rights. Mr Justice Chamberlain said there was no evidence the state was trying to “break” him and the court has heard he was being segregated for his own safety as he had a “mark [put] on his head” by other inmates. The judge said Yaxley-Lennon’s claims of degrading treatment fell far short of the evidence needed for the courts to intervene on human rights grounds. Prison governors had segregated Yaxley-Lennon, who is from Luton and led the now defunct anti-Islamic English Defence League (EDL), after concluding other inmates posed a threat and at least one may have been planning to try to kill him. Book Novotel Hotel The activist was jailed for 18 months in October after admitting breaching a court order which had directed him not to repeat lies about a Syrian refugee. Yaxley-Lennon was first held in HMP Belmarsh in south-east London – but he was moved after the jail received a large volume of abusive and racist emails, including threats to the governor, who is a black woman. On 1 November, Yaxley-Lennon entered a closed wing at Woodhill and has been kept apart from other prisoners, but has contact throughout the day with officers and staff. The court has heard he had refused an offer to move to a vulnerable inmates unit, saying he did not want to associate with sex offenders. Substance abuse On Thursday, Alisdair Williamson KC, for Yaxley-Lennon, told the High Court his client had a complex form of post-traumatic stress disorder, exacerbated by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He argued his client’s mental health would deteriorate and, upon his release on licence in July, he might return to substance abuse to cope. That disclosure was a rare court admission from Yaxley-Lennon that he has been a habitual drug user. Lawyers for the justice secretary said the segregation was neither solitary confinement or a punishment – but a carefully considered plan to keep Yaxley-Lennon safe. Prison governors said two prisoners had been planning to assault him to “gain kudos and notoriety”. Another tip-off suggested that an inmate serving a life sentence would kill Yaxley-Lennon if they were ever placed on the same wing. Dismissing the case, Mr Justice Chamberlain said Yaxley-Lennon’s own barrister had accepted there was no evidence his client had been segregated “for the purpose of breaking his resistance or humiliating or debasing him”. “On the contrary, all the evidence shows [the decision] was taken for his own protection and in the interests of preserving the safety of other prisoners and staff,” he added. “He himself had said, when first detained at HMP Belmarsh, that he had a conflict with the followers of Islam. “It was thus understandable the governor should be concerned that Mr Yaxley-Lennon’s presence might foment unrest or violence between Muslim and non-Muslim prisoners.” Banzai Japan Music Video The court heard there was no evidence Yaxley-Lennon was at risk of self-harm or suicide. The judge ruled the inmate’s situation could not be classed as solitary confinement and did not amount to degrading treatment that would be an unlawful breach of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The judge said his segregation was ameliorated by him being allowed “some three hours per day out of his cell, which is more than twice the time allowed to convicted prisoners held in segregation”. The judge also said Robinson was allowed to use the gym and shower every day, work (“albeit still on his own”), and he could speak to prison officers, healthcare staff and the chaplaincy daily, as well as having a weekly Bible study session. He added that Yaxley-Lennon’s claims he was being denied contact with friends and family were “manifestly not well-founded”. Some 120 people have been authorised to see him in 93 visits – more than any other inmate, the court heard. He had two hours for visits four times a week and cancellations had related to suspected attempts by his supporters to orchestrate social media campaigning relating to his imprisonment. Yaxley-Lennon’s High Court case had meant that an unrelated prosecution, for allegedly refusing to comply with a counter-terrorism search of his phone, had been put back months. He is also facing prosecution having been accused of breaching a stalking prevention order. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Court rules against K-pop group NewJeans in record label dispute
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Court rules against K-pop group NewJeans in record label dispute Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPElmgQJGBo A South Korean court has ruled against chart-topping K-pop group NewJeans which had sought to cut ties with its record label Ador. The court said the band, which had renamed themselves NJZ and began organising their own appearances, must not conduct any independent activities – from making music to signing advertising deals. Earlier last year, NewJeans said that they were leaving Ador, after accusing them of mistreatment. Ador subsequently sued to have NewJeans’ contracts upheld and, after accusing the group of trying to sign independent deals without its approval, filed an injunction against them in January. The group has said that they will challenge Friday’s decision. The court’s ruling casts some uncertainty around the release of the group’s new song, slated for Sunday. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsGZL-zb54 It also means they will now face difficulty re-debuting under their new name, NJZ, without facing severe financial penalties for breach of contract. NewJeans and Ador have been embroiled in a dramatic dispute since August 2024, when Hybe, the parent company of Ador, allegedly forced out NewJeans’ mentor, Min Hee-Jin. The band issued an ultimatum demanding that Min should be restored – and, when Hybe refused, went public with a number of complaints against the label, including the claim it had deliberately undermined their careers. One of the group’s members, Hanni, also alleged that she suffered workplace harassment while working with the label. In a press conference in November, NewJeans announced their departure from the company, saying Hybe and Ador had lost the right to represent them as artists. On Friday, the Seoul court ruled that NewJeans’ claims did not “sufficiently prove that Ador violated their significant duty as part of their contract”, adding that the music label had upheld “most of its duty including payment”. Banzai Japan Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3syHHGzkF_s “If [NewJeans] unilaterally terminate the contract, Ador would suffer greatly. And if [NewJeans] begins activity under a new name, it could severely damage not only the brand of NewJeans but the reputation of Ador,” the court’s statement reads. The group says they respect the ruling but has argued that they did not have sufficient opportunity to fully present their case to the court. “We plan to challenge today’s decision… during which we will raise additional legal issues and submit further supporting evidence,” they responded in a statement just hours after the ruling. “Regardless… we can no longer remain with a management that has disrespected our identities and undermined our achievements.” A lawsuit regarding the validity of the two parties’ contract termination is still underway. The five band members – Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein – have over the past few months continued to assert their independence, creating a new Instagram account under the name “jeanzforfree”. They have also said they would fight to keep their name, and their career, and would remain “NewJeans at heart” even if they lost the fight against Ador. NewJeans were considered one of the brightest new bands in K-Pop, thanks to a playful blend of 1990s R&B and sugar-coated pop melodies. In 2023, they were the eighth biggest-selling act in the world. Last year, they picked up a nomination for best group at the MTV Awards. Book Novotel Hotel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RR8YYeb4PMk Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
Labour councils call for Bakerloo line funding
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel Labour councils call for Bakerloo line funding Banzai Japan Music Video Four Labour London council leaders have renewed their calls for the government to commit cash to deliver the upgrade and extension of the Bakerloo line. Trains on the 119-year-old line could run every two minutes under Transport for London (TfL) plans to upgrade and extend the Tube route. The proposals, which depend on government funding, would allow 27 trains an hour to run on the line, seven more than the current 20. The Department for Transport (DfT) said TfL got £500m in additional funding at the Budget last October and the government was “still assessing the challenging financial position it faces” before committing any further funding. Book Novotel Hotel The leaders of Brent, Lewisham, Southwark and Westminster councils said Chancellor Rachel Reeves should commit to deliver the transport project in the upcoming 10 Year Infrastructure Strategy and secure initial funding for the scheme in the Spending Review, both expected in June. Brenda Dacres, mayor of Lewisham, said: “For too long south-east London has been excluded from the world-class London Underground network and the benefits of being a well-connected inner London borough. “With Lewisham wages nearly 40% lower on average than neighbouring boroughs, the Bakerloo line extension would be a game-changer for unlocking inclusive growth and opportunities, not just in the South East, but across the UK.” Kieron Williams, leader of Southwark Council, said the Bakerloo extension was a “shovel-ready project” which would create thousands of jobs and boost economic growth by £1.5bn. Banzai Japan Music Video The first phase of the proposed extension—which TfL is currently conducting feasibility studies for—would see new Tube stations at the Old Kent Road and Burgess Park in Southwark. The line would then continue to New Cross Gate and Lewisham. The second phase would take the Bakerloo line beyond Lewisham to Hayes and Beckenham Junction. As part of the planned revamp of the London Underground route, the Bakerloo line’s 53-year-old trains would be replaced. The planned upgrade would support 150,000 jobs in Goole, East Yorkshire—where the new trains would be built—under the current TfL proposals. About 107,000 new homes are predicted to be built around the new Tube stations in London, if the project goes ahead. Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said without the government’s commitment, the Bakerloo line was “at risk of total failure”. Of the ageing Underground line’s current 25 stations, 10 are in Brent. A DfT spokesperson said: “Further funding for London’s transport network is being considered as part of the upcoming Spending Review.” Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol
MCM Comic Con Announces Power Rangers Cast As Guests For May
Buy Now An error occurred. Buy Now An error occurred. Book Novotel Hotel MCM Comic Con Announces Power Rangers Cast As Guests For May Banzai Japan Music Video Friday, 21st March 2025: Reedpop is excited to reveal that the cast of Mighty Morphin Power Rangerswill be attending MCM Comic Con at ExCeL London from Friday 23 May to Sunday 25 May. The cast includes Walter Emanuel Jones, Steve Cardenas and Karan Ashley who will appear at MCM for all three days of the convention for photo opportunities and autographs. The Power Rangers stars will also take to the Centre Stage at 1:00PM on Sunday 25 May for a panel diving into behind-the-scenes insights from the series, free for Sunday and Weekend ticket holders. Book Novotel Hotel Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is the first entry of the Power Rangers franchise, proving to be a 90s pop culture phenomenon. Sparking multiple shows, movies and toys, the franchise has remained popular to this day. In 2023, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always was released on Netflix as a celebration for the 30th anniversary and starred Steve, Karan and Walter. Banzai Japan Music Video Walter Emanuel Jones Born in Detroit, Michigan, Walter is an American actor, martial artist and dancer known for his role as Zack Taylor, the original Black Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. He also appeared in many successful TV shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Family Matters, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Walter also has voice credits in animated movies such as Open Season 2and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. Steve Cardenas Before his career as the much loved Red Ranger, Steve initially started training in martial arts when he was 12 years old and achieved his black belt in Taekwondo at age 16. At 20 years old, Steve left Texas to audition for his first acting role in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and was cast as Rocky DeSantos. Alongside Power Rangers, Steve has opened two martial arts studios in Burbank, California and in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas. Karan Ashley Best known as Aisha Campbell and the second Yellow Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Karan Ashley accepted this role days before starting her first year at university. As well as her life-changing role in Power Rangers, Karan also executively produced the independent film Devon’s Ghost and in 2017, produced the short film The Order. Karan has also made guest appearances in TV shows such as Kenan & Kel and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper. MCM Comic Con is the ultimate celebration of pop and geek culture, playing host to a packed schedule of celebrity guests, insightful panels and unforgettable experiences. The convention will return to ExCeL London from Friday 23 May to Sunday 25 May, after welcoming hundreds of thousands of dedicated fans across three shows throughout 2024. Keep an eye on the official MCM Comic Con pages for the latest announcements as Reedpop reveals more exciting guests, panels and activities in the lead up to MCM Comic Con May. Tickets can be purchased HERE. Book Novotel Hotel Banzai Japan Social Media Fumi Fujisaki Idol Riko Ueno Idol Rino Ibusuki Idol Yunagi Nino Idol Shiori Fujisaki Idol Kana Ichinose Idol Hoshino Arice Idol Sasa Sasagawa Idol Kosaka Yuu Idol Tsukumo Aira Idol Maika Ando Idol Yuuki Mochimaru Idol