Hip hop star Shizzio became the first British Asian music star to deliver a speech at the world famous TED TALKS forum, which was held at Oxford university in the presence of students, professors and very high profile people from the world business and showbiz. The highly acclaimed scholars from Oxford and Cambridge university, celebrities and business moguls listened intently as the young rap star from London delivered a speech that mixed up his own personal experiences along with his ideas of what success really means. “Speaking on such an prestigious platform was an absolute honour. I’m just a street kid and for the committee to find me, learn about what I did and then ask me to speak at such a prestigious event was truly unbelievable. No rapper has ever addressed a TED TALKS Oxford stage before so for it to be, an Asian kid is beyond words.

” The normally confident and confrontational rap star admitted to feeling pressure in the lead up to the event, joking that he didn’t eat or sleep for three days. “I never felt so much pressure in my life! I knew I was representing street kids, the minority, urban culture and Asians as a whole. When I was there the whole day I wanted to be sick because the pressure was getting too much. I however held it together and when I hit that stage it all went away and everything just seemed right,” said Shizzio Shizzio had the audience captivated despite not having a prepared speech or slides and rounded off the talk with quick performance of his song Live For The Moment. “It was just a mic, me and the audience. Millionaires, the world’s smartest professors and the worlds Elite gave speeches and yet someone who started making music in his mums shed got the standing ovation. Afterwards a prestigious Oxford university professor who also gave a speech said to me that I had the best speech and I was the highlight of the event. In fact Richard Branson’s mum said if she was my mum she would be proud of me.” Big names who have delivered inspirational speeches on the same stage in the past include Bill Gates, Al Gore, Gordon Brown, Bill Gates, Bono and a host of Nobel Prize winners.

Review by Farida

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Govt crackdown on onion hoarders

Jay Sean

‘Cash Money Records’ singer-songwriter of the chart-topping and multi-platinum hits “Down” and “Do You Remember,” as well as upcoming album “Freeze Time,” Jay Sean, visited the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City’s Times Square to freeze time.

Nasdaq 2011

In honor of the occasion, Jay Sean  rings the NASDAQ Closing Bell.

Hailing from London, England, Pop/R&B star Jay Sean began honing his craft from an early age and began to explore the possibility of making music a career as he entered college.  With a positive response from friends and the organic development of a fan base that ranged from the UK to South Asia, Jay Sean released his debut album ‘ME AGAINST MY SELF’ in 2004 on digital platforms.  It was then that his music exploded on the internet and he began to tour throughout Europe and Asia.

Cash Money Records.

Jay became a major sensation and multi-platinum artist overseas, releasing two smash albums, two top ten singles and was nominated for Britain’s heralded MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Award twice.  One song, “Ride It” garnered 20+ million views on YouTube and captivated fans everywhere, including Cash Money Records CEO and co-founder Ronald “Slim” Williams.   

Jay Sean became the first UK artists to join the Cash Money family in 2008 and released his American debut album ALL OR NOTHING on November 23, 2009, which includes the #1 song on Billboard’s Hot 100 and 3X platinum hit “Down” featuring Lil Wayne, and the platinum certified track “Do You Remember” featuring Sean Paul and Lil Jon.  Further exemplifying his presence on the charts, Jay Sean had four Billboard Top 20 singles in his introductory year in the U.S. “Down, nu mber1 on Billboard’s Hot 100″  ”Do You Remember Number 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100,”  “I Made It (Cash Money Heroes) Number 21 on Billboard’s Hot 100,” and “Written on Her Number 17 on Billboard’s Rap Chart.”  To date, Jay Sean has won 11 UK Asian Music Awards, including ‘Best Male Act,’ ‘Best Urban Act,’ ‘Best Video,’ (“Down”) and ‘Best Album’ “ALL OR NOTHING,” in 2010, a 2009 UK Urban award for ‘Best Collaboration’ for “Down” featuring Lil Wayne, and received past honors from MTV Russia Music Awards and UK BMI Awards.   After releasing his current single “2012 (It Ain’t the End), featuring labelmate Nicki Minaj, Jay Sean is gearing up to release his sophomore album, “Freeze Time” as well as a new single in early spring on Cash Money Records. 

NEW YORK —  Commemorates the first day of trading in the New Year, Jay Sean had the honor of ringing the closing bell at NASDAQ MarketSite in Times Square on Monday, and MTV News tagged along for the ride with his family, friends and industry colleagues.

It has certainly been a rather meteoric two-year ride for the Brit in America, and in 2011, the Cash Money R&B singer will release his second Stateside album, Freeze Time. At this introspective moment, Sean wrote about his feelings about his past year and the one to come, just for MTV News.

Jay States: ‘I got to work with some of the coolest artists in the world! From Nicki Minaj to Mary J. Blige, last year I shot six music videos, many of which will come out early in 2011, including my duets with Alesha Dixon from the U.K. and Jessica Mauboy in Australia. I also got to do my fourth song with Lil Wayne (FOURTH!!! WTF?!) which featured on his I Am Not A Human Being album!

He told MTV  “My fans also helped me through the lowest point of my life so far. One of my favorite people on Earth left in November, my granddad. He passed away from a stroke, but fortunately I got to hold his hand in his last hours and tell him how much I love him. That taught me something, watching someone take their last few breaths. To take in ALL that we can, because we never know how long it’s all going to last. My granddad’s motto was ‘Don’t worry man, be happy,’ and I want to live like that from now on, to just not sweat the small stuff and be grateful for what we do have. And to just have fun and enjoy it all!!! Life is about the journey, not just the destination, so I take a lot more photos now so that I can remember all the moments. I’m gonna take on 2011 for everything it throws at me and OWN THAT BIYAAATCH!! I ended 2010 with a bang (and a disgusting hangover) by performing in Vegas for NYE and kicked off the New Year by ringing the closing bell on the first day of trading in 2011 at NASDAQ in Times Square, New York — my unfortunate mug on a GIGANTIC screen in the middle of Times Square, right opposite Diddy! Madness!! 2011 is going to be amazing, I can feel it.”

Jay Sean Nasdaq 2011.

Palestine Today.

At least 19 peace activists killed as Israeli commandos attack the Freedom Flotilla en route to Gaza to break the siege, this and more, coming up, stay tuned.

 

At least 19 people were killed and around 50 were wounded when an Israeli commando force forcefully boarded the boats and randomly opened fire at the peace activists who were en route to the Gaza Strip. The activists were hoping to deliver much needed supplies to the besieged Gaza residents, including construction material, medical supplies, in addition to 100 pre-manufactured houses, in addition to 500 electric wheel chairs. The Israeli military claimed their forces were attacked first, an allegation strongly denied by the activists onboard. The attack started after the army forcefully boarded the Turkish-flagged boat and opened fire at the passengers before hundreds of commandos attacked all ships at once and assumed control over them, and trailed them to Ashdod port, however their fate remains unknown.

Among the wounded were Sheikh Raed Salah head of the northern branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, who suffered serious wounds, and head of the Lebanese delegation, Hani Suleiman, in addition to the Captain of the “Marmara” Turkish Ship, and a Turkish Legislator. Media sources reported that the Greek captain of the boat “8000”, was wounded and refused to receive medical aid in Israel and demanded to be transported to his country. In the after math of the attack, Israel beefed up its police in the Arab town of Um El-Fahem, the hometown of Sheikh Raed Salah. The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s office canceled his visit to the United States, where he was supposed to meet with the U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington. In the meantime, the Turkish Prime Minister Rajab Tayyeb Erdogan, whose country has the highest losses among the victims, interrupted his visit to Latin America and headed back to his country. Erdogan is expected to come up with harsh statements against Israel once he is back, as his initial comment described the attack as state terrorism, and Turkey called the Israeli ambassador, and delivered a letter of condemnation to Israel, and canceled three military joint drills with Israel, and recalled their envoy in Tel Aviv.

Thousands of people in Turkey protested in front of the Israeli consulate in Istanbul and the Embassy in Ankara demanding there government to severe the diplomatic relations with Israel. On the other hand, the American and French reactions were very mild. While Washington expressed sorrow for the victims, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy, said he is sorry for this “disproportionate use of force.”

In Palestine, people took to the streets in several areas in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to protest the Israeli attack on the peace activists and the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a three-day mourning in the country. A number of European countries, including Greece, Spain, Sweden called the Israeli ambassador to express their condemnation to the Israeli raid. In other news, a Palestinian woman died of wounds suffered when a settler hit her with his car Sunday, Palestinian medical sources in Hebron reported.

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Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab

166 people died by the gunman. Mohammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, 22, was jointly responsible for the assault on the railway station where 52 people were gunned down.

 

 He was convicted on 86 charges of waging war against India, possessing explosives and aiding and abetting the murders of all 166 victims.

India blames a Pakistan-based militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, for masterminding the attack. In his verdict, the judge said Kasab was a member of the group.

The evidence against Kasab included footage from closed circuit cameras in and around the train station and the testimony of more than 600 witnesses.

Two men, Fahim Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, charged alongside Kasab with carrying out reconnaissance missions for the attacks were acquitted because of insufficient evidence.

Bothers Mohammad ali and Hayder.

A man has been charged with the murder of two brothers who were stabbed in Tooting, south London, four years ago.

Mohammad Ali, 24, an IT sales manager from Battersea, and Hayder Ali, 23, a recruitment consultant of Southfields, were attacked by a group of men.

The brothers were killed after a confrontation on Upper Tooting Road on 22 April 2006.

Imran Aslam, 27, from Balham, is due to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court in the morning.

Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left for the United States on Saturday to attend a two-day security summit, saying he hoped the event would focus on issues such as “nuclear terrorism.”

Singh, who is also expected to meet US President Barack Obama on Sunday, also insisted India had an “impeccable record” in non-proliferation.

The 47-nation summit on improving nuclear security begins on Monday.

Singh said development would only be possible if governments ensured “the highest standards of security” for the civilian use of nuclear energy.

“I expect the summit to focus on nuclear terrorism and proliferation of sensitive nuclear materials and technologies,” Singh said in a statement before leaving for Washington.

“These are legitimate concerns which require firm responses.”

Obama invited Singh in November for the first state dinner of his presidency, an honour meant to push forward a decade-old drive to transform the world’s two largest democracies into partners.

During his four-day stay in Washington, Singh will also meet French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and others, the statement said.

 There were no survivors on the Soviet-era Tupolev, which was taking the president, his wife and staff to events marking the 70th anniversary of the massacre of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet secret police.

Londons Victoria Station.

British trabnsport police confirm, a male youth who was stabbed in London’s Victoria Tube station during tonight’s rush hour has died!

The victim suffered serious stab wounds to his upper body and died in hospital, a police spokesman said.

The victim suffered serious stab wounds to his upper body and died in hospital, a police spokesman said.

A statement from BTP said: “British Transport Police can confirm that officers are investigating a fatal stabbing at London Victoria station.

“The incident occurred at approximately 5.20pm today and BTP are appealing for witnesses to contact them.

“A male youth was taken to hospital, where he later died.

“Police can confirm that a number of arrests have been made and officers from the BTP and Metropolitan Police remain at the scene.

Anyone with information should contact BTP on 0800 405040.”

56th National Film Awards.

Bollywood stole the show yet again at the 56th National Film Awards for 2008 at Vigyan Bhawan on Friday as three of the top categories were bagged by its celebrities.

 

Actress Priyanka Chopra looked teary eyed as she accepted the award for Best Actress from President Pratibha Devisingh Patil for her role of an aspiring model in the Madhur Bhandarkar film, Fashion.

 When questioned how she would celebrate, she was speechless for a moment. “It has still not sunk in!”.

 The award for the Best Actor went to Upendra Limaye for Jogva while Bala bagged the award for Best Direction for film Naan Kadavul.

 Bengali movie Antaheen was declared the Best Feature Film and Rock On the award for Best Hindi Film. Winning the Best Supporting Actor for his role in Rock On, Arjun Rampal looked suave in a black bandhgala as he went on stage to receive the award. In attendance were director and producers of the film — Farhan Akhtar, Abhishek Kapoor and Ritesh Sidhwani. 

SAHIL.

3 Pakistani and 1 Romanian man arrested. Sahil’s family gave £110,000 for his release!

Two people arrested in Spain. The Pakistani and romanian man kept ringing Sahil’s father, who was told to make payment in Manchester.

Sahil was released in Pakistan. Officers made the arrests yesterday!

Karan Johar.

Filmmaker Karan Johar, otherwise known for his jovial and friendly nature, has hit back at people making comments on his personal life on microblogging site Twitter.

 

“While most tweets are objective, frank and warm… the ones that are constantly making tactless statements about my personal life are upsetting,” Karan wrote.

“Critical appraisal and analysis is more than welcome…but insinuations and comments about my life, choices and orientation are NOT…,” he added.

Actress Sonam Kapoor tweeted in favour of Karan, suggesting he should block such people.

“Block them on your twitter account, they are haters who are just jealous,” she wrote.

Dharmendra In Hospital

Dharmendra was yesterday (March 17) admitted to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education (PGIMER) in Chandigarh following chest pain. A PGIMER spokesperson said that the actor was examined by doctors at the institute and later discharged.

He had complained of fatigue and chest pain Tuesday night. Dharmendra has been in various places in Punjab to shoot his new Hindi film ‘Yamla Pagla Deewana’. Both his sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, are also acting in this movie. Dharmendra, who hails from Sahnewal town near the industrial city of Ludhiana, 110 km from here, was a popular Bollywood hero in the 1960s and 1970s. He was the main lead in the Bollywood blockbuster ‘Sholay’.

Amir Khan

Khan is furious at what he sees as Malignaggi trying to tarnish him by accusing his stablemate Manny Pacquiao of using steroids.

I train with Manny and whatever he does, I do,” said Khan. “Does that mean I’m on drugs? “We love working hard and only a few fighters work as hard as we do, but to talk about drugs is rubbish.

“The guy just wants to build publicity for himself. Anytime they want to do a drugs test on me, I’ll put my hand up and take one to prove what I’m saying.

“I’ve never taken anything. I’m a natural athlete – like Manny Pacquiao.

“I don’t think he should apologise to me, but he should to the trainers for disrespecting Manny Pacquiao more than anything. I’ll make him sorry when I’m in the ring with him.”

“I shut these fighters up with my fists and that’s what I’ll do with Paulie Malignaggi” Amir Khan

SRK’s team triumphed in the end at the D Y Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, they didn’t start out smoothly at all.

“We’ve got some improvements to make, fielding is such an area. We dropped Adam (Gilchrist) twice and we were lucky to win from there,” Ganguly said.

The Knight Riders lost early wickets, including captain Saurav Ganguly who was out for a duck. That must have led to some real tense moments for Shah Rukh. But it all turned out well in the end for the superstar’s team, and he posted on his Twitter account, “yippeeeeee.finally got to see my kids & the boys in kkr smiling.inshaallah the smiles will continue.still miles to go. but we will get there. SRK tweeted a little later, “dada said so sweetly…aapko smile karte hue dekhkar achha lagta hai. am so happy my team loves me so…and i do the same.”

Mumbai, March 13 (ANI: Mumbai Indians survived a brutal assault by Yusuf Pathan, as he struck a belligerent 37-ball 100, and still managed to register a four-run win over Rajasthan Royals in their opening match of the Indian Premier League on Saturday.

However, Yusuf was run out brilliantly by R Satish whom he had treated with utter disdain during his superb 107-run partnership with Paras Dogra (41 off 29 balls) for the fifth wicket to raise hopes of a miracle win.

The Royals commenced their chase to overhaul the record Mumbai Indians score on the wrong foot, as they lost opener Swapnil Asnodkar in the second ball without facing a ball due to a misunderstanding with Graeme Smith.

The last ball of the over was disdainfully dispatched to the backward square leg fence.

Earlier, good half centuries from Ambati Rayudu (55) and Saurabh Tiwary (53) following a sound start piloted Mumbai Indians to their highest-ever IPL total.

Guntur-born Rayudu, an ICL returnee, cracked 55 in 33 balls studded with 6 fours and 2 sixes while Jamshedpur-born Saurabh Tiwary slammed a breezy 53 in the same number of balls, embellished with 4 fours and two sixes.

The fourth wicket duo put on 110 runs in only 63 balls to lift Mumbai Indians from 70 for three to 180 for four.

The luck finally favoured the Mumbai Indians with the final Score: Rajasthan Royals: 208/7(20.0 overs) Mumbai Indians : 212/6 . (ANI)

Shilpa & Raj Kundra at IPL Game

The Khan’s, Kundra’s, Roshan’s and Morea’s celebrated the opening of the IPL Games 2010!

The Glamour brought by Bollywood took place in Tote, India this year!

As the games begin and desimag brings you the news on how the teams keep winning. Log onto our Sports section to be in the know first!

It was the biggest day of my life,” said Riana. “It still hasn’t hit me, I’m absolutely over the moon. There were over 1,000 people there and the whole thing was absolutely amazing.

“I was really surprised to win, I had to go up on stage to make a speech and was just shaking! Loads of my family were there as well.

“When I won, Amir Khan came over and said congratulations, which was really inspirational.

“Hopefully it will really help me kick off my football season now. I want to develop and raise my game even more. I’m on such a buzz from the whole thing and it will give me so much confidence for the future.

“It’s important to get more young Asians into sport as well, especially Asian girls into football. The more girls that take it up the better.

Campaigners in Saudi Arabia have urged women there to begin a two-week boycott of lingerie shops with male staff.

They say it is a contradiction that in such a conservative, Islamic country, women have to give their underwear sizes to men they do not know.

Reem Asaad, an economics professor from Jeddah, organised the boycott through her Facebook page, as public protests are illegal in Saudi Arabia.

Islamic scholars have given their backing to the campaign.

“I am calling for salesmen to be replaced with saleswomen”, Ms Asaad was quoted as saying by AFP news agency.

“I just hope that many respond and boycott,” she said.

Ms Asaad has been calling on officials to allow saleswomen in shops open to both male and female clients since 2008.

MP

Thomas Legg recommended that 389 MPs, more than half the current and past MPs reviewed, should repay £1.3m.

Some complained about the way he carried out the audit and £180,000 was cut off the total after appeals.

Sir Thomas said the expenses system was “deeply flawed”, the rules “vague” and it had been up to MPs to “self certify” the propriety of their claims.

MPs had to sign a declaration with each claim saying “that I incurred these costs wholly, exclusively and necessarily to enable me to stay overnight away from my only or main home for the purpose of performing my duties as a Member of Parliament”. 

Boxer - Amir Khan

Boxing sensation Amir Khan along with ten other budding sports stars are celebrating, following their success at the biggest ever Asian sports awards in the country.

The winners of the prestigious Change4Life British Asian Sports awards were revealed at a star-studded ceremony at the Grosvenor House hotel in Park Lane on Saturday 6th February. Hosted by ‘Eastender’ Nitin Ganatra and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star Laila Rouass, the awards show once again recognised the contributions and achievements of the best in British Asian Sporting talent.

BASA awards ambassador Amir Khan was honoured with the Here & Now Champagne Moment of the Year award. He said: “Every time I win an award, I get the same feeling as when I first won one. It feels great to win the Champagne Moment of the year. Last year I became world champion so it was a really good year for me. There were some really strong contenders at the awards and I have respect for all the nominees.”

England women’s cricketer, Isa Guha was also celebrating after winning the Change4Life Sports Personality of the year award. She was recognised for becoming an established England International cricketer and playing an integral role as a member of the World Cup Winning team last year.

She said: “Today’s ceremony was amazing! There were so many strong contenders up for this award and so I am truly humbled to have received it. I would like to thank the Change4Life British Asian Sports Awards for giving myself and others a platform to showcase our talent. It’s been a great year for women in sport and I hope that this award can inspire more women to get actively involved in sports.”

This year’s awards were partnered for the first time with Change4Life, the groundbreaking movement which supports families to ‘eat well, move more and live longer. The British Asian Sports Awards partnership with Change4Life aims to increase awareness of the importance of eating well and moving more amongst the South Asian community, where some obesity related illnesses, such as type 2 Diabetes, are higher than the national average.

Other winners on the night also included Sri Lankan cricketer, Arjuna Ranatunga, who picked up the Astra Lifetime Achievement Award and Amit Bhatia, the Vice-Chairman of QPR who was crowned winner of the Emerald Knight Community Business in Sport award.

The evening featured show-stopping performances from MOBO award-winning rapper, Chipmunk, popular girl band The Saturdays, and talented British Asian pop singers and Navin Kundra. High profile guests in attendance included Denise Lewis, Olympic Gold Medallist and BASA judge, actors Colin Salmon, Nina Wadia and politicians Keith Vaz MP and Sion Simon MP.

The charity auction on the night raised thousands of pounds for The British Asian Trust. The event will be broadcast globally on Sony Entertainment Television Asia in April 2010

 U.K stars graced the red carpet at the BASA awards last night held at the  Grosvenor House Hotel and Desimag was there to bring you all the action live from the red carpet.

A-lister Colin Salmon (best known for his roles in the James Bond films as Charles Robinson) was in attendance with his date and needed no guidance or introductions as they made their way in.  

 It was a family affair for Eastenders stars Nitin Ganatra (Masood), Nina Wadia (Zainab) and Himesh Patel (Tamwar) who walked the carpet together along with a very sexy John Partridge (Christian). The group were very playful with the press and even cracked a few jokes as they walked into the award ceremony.  

Also in attendance were some very beautiful women including Laila Rouass (best known for her role as amber in footballer’s wives) who looked amazing in a mid rif baring sari. I was like a kid in a candy store (having watched her on tv growing up). Laila was as gorgeous and elegant as ever, taking time to pose for pictures with fans even when she was being dragged away (we salute you).   

Miss Universe UK 2008 winner Lisa Lazarus proved she was worthy of the title looking like a doll (I mean literally) in her pretty gown playfully giggling and chatting. You could feel her presence as soon as she walked into the building!   

Olympic medalist, boxer Amir Khan needed no introduction as he made his way in wearing a suit and squinting his eyes away from the flashes (which we all laughed at) He gave us a few boxing poses and drove the girls wild with his alpha male stance. May I add he smelt really good too!   

  Winner -Amir Khan 

 The loudest entrance came from 19 year old Chipmunk who got us having our ‘Cs up’ as he entered the building all dressed in black with an entourage. The teenager commanded attention and let the press know that he was in control when they shouted at him too much telling them “look I’m starting from here and working my way down) which had everybody in stitches. He moved with that hip hop swagger and kindly took his shades off when asked which led to girls swooning over his eyes (if only I was 19 again)….   

CHIPMUNK

Future stars Jaya (first British Asian female singer to be signed to a major label – Universal) and Katy Shotter who was signed by Beyonce’s father Matthew Knowles giving her the chance to perform with Bey last year strutted their stuff and looked like they were already used to life in the limelight.   

Singer Navin Kundra caused a storm when he strolled in with not one but two dates as accessories and flashed cheeky grins at us as we all teased him for attending with the mystery ladies.   

Girl band The Saturdays did arrive for the awards ceremony but couldn’t walk the red carpet because they were “getting their make-up done” at which point I remembered how over rated I thought they were!   

 All in all the night looked set to be a star studded event with plenty of laughs and cheekiness.   

By Fanta Jarjussey
fjmedia@live.co.uk    

Check out the Pics! 

DESIMAG WITH AMIR KHAN

DESIMAG WITH CHIPMUNK

Nitin with Laila

Keith

Navin kundra