Entertainment venue Hammersmith Apollo which has held concerts by bands from The Beatles to Queen, has been sold by its owner HMV.
HMV agreed to sell the west London art deco venue to American-German joint venture Stage C for £32m.
The 9,000-capacity venue was taken over by entertainment retailer HMV in 2010.
HMV chief Simon Fox said: "The Hammersmith Apollo is an iconic London venue and it has been a privilege to own it over the last three years."
The venue opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema, as part of a wider turnaround.
It has played host to many famous performances, including David Bowie's last concert as alter-ego Ziggy Stardust in 1973.
It is also the eponymous venue in the BBC stand-up comedy series Live at the Apollo.
Stage C is jointly owned by London's indigO2 operator Ansco Music Club, a subsidiary of US company Anschutz Entertainment, and a subsidiary of Munich-based CTS Eventim.
The sale is conditional on banking approvals, shareholder approval and Stage C securing regulatory approvals.
With 252 stores in the UK, HMV said the sale allowed it to focus on its core retail business, while the proceeds from the disposal would be used to reduce the group's outstanding debt.
The sale follows a decision to place its HMV Live division, which runs 13 venues and a number of festivals including Lovebox in London and Global Gathering near Stratford-upon-Avon, under review.
The entertainment retailer recently surprised the City by forecasting a return to profit in 2013 despite estimated losses of about £19m for the past financial year.
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
RFU Championship final: London Welsh 29-20 Cornish Pirates - BBC News
London Welsh sealed the Championship title and a chance of securing a Premiership place after beating Cornish Pirates 66-41 over two legs.
Welsh are now expected to take legal action over the Rugby Football Union's ruling that they are not eligible for promotion to the top flight.
Matt Evans went over for Pirates but Alex Davies' fifth penalty put Welsh ahead before Hudson Tonga'uiha's try.
Ryan Storer reduced the deficit but Jack Moates rounded off Welsh's win.
An RFU report said the Exiles had not achieved the minimum standards criteria to go up but the Richmond-based side are expeted to explore "all possible avenues" to gain promotion after seeing off Pirates in the final.
Having proposed to play their matches next season at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium, where the second leg of the final was played, an RFU statement said that not having primacy of tenure at their chosen ground was one of "various failures" in Welsh's promotion bid.
Three Premiership sides share grounds with football clubs; London Irish with Reading, London Wasps with Wycombe and Saracens with Watford, while Sale will share with Super League side Salford City Reds next season.
On Wednesday club president John Dawes said chairman Bleddyn Phillips would take the "ultimate" action to ensure Welsh do go up .
Having won at Pirates 37-21 last week , Welsh fought back from a seven-point deficit which threatened their first-leg advantage, to secure the Championship title having finished the regular season in fourth place.
Aaron Penberthy's drop goal had put Pirates ahead, Alex Davies then levelled for Welsh before Rob Cook's penalty and a second from Davies made it 6-6.
Evans gave Pirates a clear lead with the opening try of the match, picking up on a loose ball after Cook's punt forward bounced into open space deep in the Exiles' half.
Cook then added the extras before Davies failed with a penalty attempt on the stroke of half-time.
The Exiles fly-half was successful with his next two attempts with the boot after the break, closing the gap to one point and putting the hosts nine points ahead on aggregate.
Davies added a fifth penalty before Tonga'uiha, who had scored in the first leg, broke through the Pirates defence to touch down and Davies then added his first of two conversions.
Pirates responded with a consolation try as replacement prop Ryan Storer forced his way over after a scramble on the line before Cook added the extras.
But Welsh were not yet done as a fine move saw Ed Jackson feed the ball to Jack Moates, who crossed over to add the gloss to their victory.
LINE-UPS
London Welsh: A. Davies, Ajuwa, J. Lewis, Tonga'uiha, Scott, Ross, R. Lewis, Lahiff, George, Tideswell, Mills, Corker, Beach, Denbee, Jackson.
Replacements: Ma'asi, Moss, Bateman, Purdy, Russell, Moates, Jewell.
Cornish Pirates: Cook, Evans, Pointer, Locke, D. Doherty, Penberthy, Cattle, Rimmer, Ward, Paver, McGolone, Nimmo, D. Ewers, Burgess, Maidment.
Replacements: Storer, Elloway, Myerscough, Marriott, Kebsel, Cooper, McAtee.
Referee: David Rose (RFU)
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
ALDI Ranks Sixth on Greenpeace Annual Seafood Retailer Scorecard - Yahoo Finance
BATAVIA, Ill., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ALDI is ranked sixth on the Greenpeace 2012 Seafood Retailer Scorecard, climbing from seventh place on last year's ranking. The scorecard rates the seafood sustainability of grocery retailers nationwide.
The scorecard is part of Greenpeace's Carting Away the Oceans report, which has analyzed the practices of 20 top grocery retailers by measuring key seafood sustainability metrics since 2008. The report says that ALDI "continues to push forward in the development of what is becoming one of the country's leading sustainable seafood programs." It also recognizes ALDI as the first grocer in the United States to introduce comprehensive Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations catch area labeling on all fresh and frozen seafood products.
"We are so proud and honored to be named among the top 10 on Greenpeace's scorecard," said Jason Hart, president, ALDI. "We work closely with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership and Global Aquaculture Alliance, and we are committed to continuing to find the most effective ways to source sustainable seafood."
Like all ALDI food products, ALDI seafood is also backed by the company's Double Guarantee. If for any reason a customer is not 100 percent satisfied with a food product, ALDI will gladly replace the food product AND refund the customer's money.
About ALDI Inc.
A leader in the grocery retailing industry, ALDI operates more than 1,200 U.S. stores in 32 states, primarily from Kansas to the East Coast. More than 20 million customers each month save up to 50 percent* on their grocery bills, benefiting from the ALDI simple and streamlined approach to retailing. ALDI sells more than 1,400 of the most frequently purchased grocery and household items, primarily under its exclusive brands, which must meet or exceed the national name brands on taste and quality. ALDI is so confident in the quality of its products, the company offers a Double Guarantee: If for any reason a customer is not 100 percent satisfied with any ALDI food product, ALDI will gladly replace the product and refund the purchase price. For more information about ALDI, visit www.aldi.us.
*Based upon a price comparison of comparable products sold at leading national retail grocery stores.
Source: finance.yahoo.com
Eurozone crash to push London property prices down by 50%? - money.aol.co.uk
A eurozone currency crash could take a wrecking ball to London house prices, claims one investment operator. Although some European investors have been piling money into London real estate as the eurozone crisis worsens, demand would ebb once the currency break-up was well under way. Should you be worried at all - especially if you live in the Capital?
Big fall?
If you're well-off with a fashionable high-end London property or two to your name, you might feel a mite tremor. "In our judgment, a collapse of the single currency area could ultimately produce a 50% fall in the value of PCL [prime central London] property," Fathom Consulting for Development Securities claims in a Telegraph article today. Property prices in central London however have already been driven disproportionately higher as eurozone investors pile money into the Capital. Fathom is also claiming UK house prices - in certain prime spots of central London - could extend even higher in the short-term.
Berlin bargains
Much of the concern is premised on a sharp rise in sterling - the pound is already increasingly buoyant - against the euro, putting pressure on European investors (the London property market, note, is a traditional safe haven for many Greek investors).Claims, then, of a possible shock price bump should be seen against unusually high recent price rises. In other words, it depends when and where you draw a line in the sand.
Some property sources are suggesting international investors are increasingly looking at alternatives to London - Berlin and Paris, for example - given the UK's high house values, and the deteriorating value of the euro. There could be bargains, very likely, for some wealthy investors putting money in European property.
But not for the moment in London.
More stories
Source: money.aol.co.uk
London 2012 Chairman sees enthusiasm of athletes on forthcoming Games - Xinhua News Agency
FRANKFURT, May 31 (Xinhua) -- The London 2012 Chairman Thursday said the levels of efforts and enthusiasm among elite athletes to compete at the London 2012 Olympic Games were among the highest he had seen.
He made the remarks at a news conference here with Thomas Bach, German National Olympic Committee President and International Olympic Committe vice president. Bach announced the selection of the first athletes to represent Germany at the London 2012 Games.
Coe said the interest and desire to participate at the London Olympic Games was sky high. The triathletes in Tokyo, runners in rabat, swimmers in Los Angeles and gymnasts in Beijing have an unprecedented appetite among elite level competitors around the world to get to London, he said.
Bach expects an exciting and inspiring atmosphere and brilliant games in London. "On the sport side they will be the stage for the toughest Olympic competition ever," he said.
China and the U.S. will compete for the first place in the medal tally in London Olympics, probably followed by Russia in the third place, Bach predicted. He also added that the U.K., which is the host country of the Games, will probably take the fourth place in the medal tally.
There will be fierce competition for the fifth place, he said.
The news conference was attended by a popular German Olympic gold medalist fencer, Britta Heidemann who told Xinhua that she will try to secure a medal in London, pointing to strong competition from her Chinese and French competitors.
Coe said the Torch Relay is building momentum and excitement is continuing to increase in the countdown to the Games.
"We are on track to provide a memorable welcome that will inspire the athlete and the world," he added.
Source: news.xinhuanet.com
Councillor Ken Gregory cautioned for 'get Aids' voicemail - BBC News
A Tory councillor who left a message saying "with a bit of luck you'll get Aids" on another councillor's phone has been cautioned by police.
Ken Gregory, a member of Thanet council in Kent, received a caution for malicious communications on Wednesday.
John Worrow, who is bisexual and an Independent on Thanet District Council, received the voicemail message on his mobile phone earlier in May.
Mr Gregory has been suspended from the Thanet council Conservative group.
'Cannot possibly remain'Mr Worrow said: "Last night I received a telephone call from an inspector from Kent Police confirming that Councillor Ken Gregory is the person who committed a homophobic hate crime against me in the form of a voicemail.
“Start Quote
End Quote John WorrowThere is absolutely no justification whatsoever for that kind of behaviour”
"As Mr Gregory cannot possibly remain a member of the Conservative Party or a member of Thanet District Council after saying 'With a bit of luck you'll get Aids', I feel that a caution should be punishment enough.
"My colleagues and I hope that this has not triggered a hate campaign.
"There is absolutely no justification whatsoever for that kind of behaviour towards anyone regardless of their race, religion, gender or sexuality and I expect a full apology at the next council meeting."
A spokesman for Kent Police said: "A 59-year-old man from the Ramsgate area was given a caution yesterday for an offence of malicious communications."
In April, Thanet District Council became the first local authority in Kent to officially support the government's proposals for same-sex marriage.
Independent Councillor Ian Driver moved the motion in support of equal marriage and said he hoped it would encourage other Kent councils to follow its lead.
'Complete ignorance'A statement issued by Conservative Councillor Bob Bayford, shadow leader of the hung council, said: "It has come to my attention that Councillor Ken Gregory has received a police caution for an offence against another council member.
"The Thanet District Council Conservative group demands the highest standards of conduct from its members and I have decided to suspend group membership from Councillor Gregory with immediate effect, pending further consideration of the situation."
Paul Rollins, from the gay campaign group Thanet Pride, said Mr Gregory's comments showed "complete ignorance of the Aids issue".
He said: "This sort of homophobic behaviour is an insult to the general community rather than people who are just gay and lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
"I find it appalling that an elected representative would use a cowardly and illegal phone message to try to get some strange point across."
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
Aldi selling $249 Android 4.0 tablet next week - Australian Techworld
Aldi's 9.7" Android Tablet will go on sale Wednesday 6 June for just $249
German supermarket chain Aldi will next week begin selling an Android tablet running Google's latest Ice Cream Sandwich software for just $249.
Set to go on sale next Wednesday 6 June, the Android tablet has a 9.7in display, 16GB of internal memory and a 2-megapixel rear-facing camera but does not include GPS. The device will be powered by a 1GHz single-core Amlogic Cortex A9 processor, has 1GB of RAM and a microSD card slot that allows users to expand the memory.
The Aldi advertisement links to the brand Bauhn, which says the product will allows users to "a beautifully designed, 9.7" slimline tablet running Android 4.0."
"Enjoy the latest Android technology with the Bauhn Tablet including a large 9.7" capacitive multi touch screen, 16GB Hard Drive, Wi Fi connectivity and HDMI output," the product page states. "The Bauhn tablet is perfect for all your entertainment and online needs including watching movies, listening to music, emailing friends, surfing the web and using social media such as Facebook and Twitter."
Other features of the Bauhn tablet (model number AMID-971R) include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, a VGA front-facing camera for video calls and a range of ports including mini-USB, mini-HDMI, a standard 3.5mm headphone jack. The tablet will be bundled with a a mini-HDMI cable for connecting the device to a high-definition television and will also come with a carry bag.
The Bauhn-Aldi tablet comes on the back of cut price Australian manufacturer and retailer Kogan unveiling two budget Android tablets earlier this week. Like the Bauhn device, both of Kogan Agora's tablets run the latest 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich version of Google's Android operating system.
The Bauhn 9.7in Android tablet will be available through Aldi stores in limited stocks. The company says stocks of the device will vary between stores and may sell out on the first day due to "unexpected high demand."
Related content
Source: www.techworld.com.au
Kent man jailed for alleged rape of minor - Akron Beacon Journal
A Kent man was arraigned on Tuesday for the alleged rape of a 13-year-old on Sunday.
Source: www.ohio.com
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