Spotliet - Recent News

General seeks UK Iraq withdrawal

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:06:48 GMT

Category: General News

The presence of UK armed forces in Iraq "exacerbates the security problems" and they should "get out some time soon", the head of the British Army has said.

Chief of the General Staff Sir Richard Dannatt told the Daily Mail that the military campaign fought in 2003 had "effectively kicked the door in".

He also said that initial planning for the post-war period had been poor. There are currently more than 7,000 British soldiers in Iraq, based largely in Basra in the south of the country.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said Britain had "a clear strategy" and worked with international partners "in support of the democratically elected government of Iraq, under a clear UN mandate."

BBC political editor Nick Robinson described Sir Richard's remarks as "quite extraordinary".
He said the new head of the British army's comments "directly contradicted so much of what the government had said".

I don't say that the difficulties we are experiencing round the world are caused by our presence in Iraq but undoubtedly our presence in Iraq exacerbates them.

Sir Richard might be issuing a "very public warning" to the next prime minister, our correspondent added.
In his interview, Sir Richard added that any initial tolerance "has largely turned to intolerance. That is a fact". Sir Richard, who took on his role in August, also said planning for what happened after the initial successful war military offensive was "poor, probably based more on optimism than sound planning".

'Not invited in'

He said: "I don't say that the difficulties we are experiencing round the world are caused by our presence in Iraq but undoubtedly our presence in Iraq exacerbates them." Sir Richard told the newspaper: "We are in a Muslim country and Muslims' views of foreigners in their country are quite clear.

"As a foreigner, you can be welcomed by being invited in a country, but we weren't invited certainly by those in Iraq at the time." He added: "Whatever consent we may have had in the first place, may have turned to tolerance and has largely turned to intolerance."

Downing Street issued a short statement in response to the general's comments.

It said: "It's important that people remember that we are in Iraq at the express wish of the democratically elected Iraqi government, to support them under the mandate of a UN resolution."

However, Sir Richard has received praise for coming forward.

Major General Patrick Cordingly said: "I think it is a very brave thing for him to say. I do agree. I think there comes a time when you have got to let Iraq get on and look after its own security."

Rose Gentle, whose soldier son was killed in Iraq, said: "I'm just really delighted that Sir Richard Dannatt has stood up and spoken out. He is protecting our boys. "We have been saying for two years this needed to happen and I think military families have done a good bit."

Kanye West charged with battery

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:57:07 GMT

Category: Latest Music

KANYE WEST has been charged with battery after scuffle with a photographer.

The rapper was also charged with theft and vandalism after the incident involving paparazzi at Los Angeles' LAX airport last September.

West was arrested along with his manager Don Crawley after they "confronted "confronted, and engaged in an altercation with, two photographers," the LA attorney's office said in a statement.

The scuffle was caught on video tape and shows West and Crawley wrestling camera equipment from photographers and smashing it on the ground. Reports at the time found the camera equipment was valued at over 10,000 dollars. Police arrested West as he tried to board a flight to Honolulu.

The 31-year-old Grammy-award-winning musician could face up to 30 months in prison.
Crawley, 33, was also charged on two counts of battery, two counts of theft and two counts of vandalism, and faces a possible five years in prison.

Actor in Belfast nightclub arrest

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:02:52 GMT

Category: Showbiz

Former So Solid Crew member and actor Ashley Walters has been arrested by police investigating an assault at a nightclub in Belfast.

He was one of four men arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning in relation to an alleged assault at Thompson's Garage. Mr Walters was released without charge, while police enquiries continue.

Mr Walters, also known as Asher D, has been in Northern Ireland filming for a forthcoming television production. Small Island is being shot in the Portaferry area of County Down. The Londoner played the lead role in the critically acclaimed film Bullet Boy, for which he won the British Independent Film Award for 'most promising newcomer' in 2004.

He has also appeared alongside 50 Cent in the semi-autobiographical film account of the US rapper's life Get Rich or Die Trying. Earlier this year, he returned to the studio and has recently released a new album.

Iraqi jailed for Bush shoe attack

Thu, 12 Mar 2009 11:02:22 GMT

Category: General News

An Iraqi journalist hailed as a hero in the Arab world for throwing his shoes at former US President George W Bush has been jailed for three years.

Muntadar al-Zaidi had told the court his actions were "natural, just like any Iraqi" against a leader whose forces had occupied his country. Hitting someone with a shoe is a grave insult to Arabs. Zaidi could have been jailed for 15 years for the assault.

Mr Bush, on a farewell trip to Iraq on 15 December, shrugged off the incident. The head of Zaidi's defence team Dhiaa al-Saadi described the three-year sentence as "harsh and not in harmony with the law" and said he would file an appeal.

US 'agent'

The trial was held behind closed doors, and details emerging from the latest chaotic hearing are sketchy. One report says Zaidi shouted "long live Iraq" as the verdict against him was read out. His sister Ruqaiya reportedly burst into tears, shouting "Down with Maliki, the agent of the Americans". Crowds of supporters and relatives had been pushed out of the courtroom before the verdict and there was uproar when news of the three-year sentence filtered out.

Michael Jackson Comeback Tickets Fetching Thousands On eBay

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:50:00 GMT

Category: Latest Music

Tickets for Michael Jackson's summer comeback gigs in London are already exchanging hands for thousands of pounds online.

Prices on auction site eBay currently range from £150 for two tickets to £8,500 for two hospitality packages. The pre-sale for Jackson's O2 Arena concerts, which will be his last ever performances in London, opened this morning at 7am.

Primary tickets range from £50 to £75 for floor seating. These are now being sold by fans on secondary market ticket websites for inflated prices.

In order to match demand, organsiers have added an additional 15 dates, extending Jackson's residency to 25 shows. Over a million people have registered for the chance to buy tickets to the concerts, which get under way on July 8th.

Jackson, now 50, has not performed a full concert since he was cleared of child molestation charges in 2005. His last full tour, entitled HIStory, took place in 1996 and '97. In total, the singer is expected to earn upwards of $400m for his comeback, which also includes a 3D film deal. The remaining tickets for Jackson's gigs will go on general sale on March 13th at 7am.

Akon: 'I Want To Work With Chris Brown'

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:49:20 GMT

Category: Latest Music

US R&B star Akon has said he wants to record with Chris Brown, despite the singer's current legal troubles.

Brown will find out next month whether he faces jail time for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, singer Rihanna during an argument in Los Angeles earlier this year. Speaking to the Associated Press news agency, Akon said he wouldn't taken Brown's reported actions into account if the pair worked together.

"Oh, absolutely!" Akon replied, when asked if he wanted to record with Brown. "I wouldn't take anybody's personal issues or problems- I won't hold them accountable for that when it comes to work. I think it's two separate things."

Akon has faced his own legal troubles. In December, he was fined and ordered to carry out community service for throwing a fan off stage at a gig. But the singer said he believed music could help Brown overcome his current troubles. “If you are going through personal issues to me, those are the best times to make records,” he said.

Spotliet launches new website

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:38:04 GMT

Category: Spotliet News

Spotliet has been created to give the youth an insight into the media industry. The media is a huge part of today’s culture and influences our youth. Although the media is responsible for providing us with up to date information, it can also be used to sensationalise and misinterpret. We hope to encourage the youth with the gift of media and encourage them to use it in a responsible way.

Spotliet will offer talented students the chance to submit media to an established media company. Film students will be able to upload media content directly to the site. Students studying Journalism will also be able to submit interesting articles for users to read. Working directly with the top media colleges within the UK, Spotliet will showcase the best of UK media talent. But remeber...If you're not a student, you can still use the site too.

Spotliet is the premiere interactive media website. "Have your say".