FOREIGN

Outrage as Johnson compares post-Brexit Irish border to London

Published

7 years ago

February 27, 2018

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson drew ridicule Tuesday for suggesting that problems with the Irish border after Brexit could be managed in a similar way to travel across London boroughs.The leading eurosceptic highlighted technological innovations used in the capital to calculate a traffic charge to explain why the government’s plans to leave the EU’s customs union and single market need not lead to border checks in Ireland.

“There’s no border between Camden and Westminster,” he told BBC radio, referring to two local authority areas in London.

“But when I was mayor of London we anaesthetically and invisibly took hundreds of millions of pounds (dollars, euros) from the accounts of people travelling between those two boroughs without any need for border checks whatever.”

Questioned about his analogy between travelling across one city and the cross-border trade between two countries, Ireland and Northern Ireland, he insisted it was “a very relevant comparison”.

“There’s all sorts of scope for pre-booking, electronic checks, all sorts of things that you can do to obviate the need for a hard border to allow us to come out of the customs union, take back control of our trade policy and do trade deals,” he said.

There are fears that reintroducing checks on the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland could threaten the fragile peace on the island.

Labour MP David Lammy, who represents a constituency in London, said Johnson’s comparison was “not only rank stupidity, it is ignorant and wilfully reckless”.

In Ireland, Fianna Fail MP Stephen Donnelly tweeted: “I lived in Camden for several years, and was never stopped crossing the ‘border’ to Islington.

“I have, however, had military rifles pointed at me when crossing into Northern Ireland in the ’90s. Suggesting these borders are the same is extraordinary,” he said.

FOREIGN

Bruno Mars Breaks All-Time Spotify Monthly Listener Record For The Second Time

Published

3 days ago

November 13, 2024

Reporter

Bruno Mars Breaks Spotify Monthly Listener Record | fab.ng

Bruno Mars now commands 130 million monthly Spotify listeners, shattering the platform’s previous record.

The Grammy winner achieved this milestone following the release of his recent collaborations: ‘Die With A Smile‘ featuring Lady Gaga and his appearance on Rose’s track ‘APT’.

These new singles mark Mars’ first musical releases since his collaboration with Anderson Paak on their Grammy Album of the Year-winning project ‘An Evening With The Silk Sonic’ in 2021.

The stellar performance of these tracks has propelled him past The Weeknd’s previous record of 120 million monthly listeners.

The Weeknd had previously made history as the first artist to attract 100 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The Canadian superstar then broke his own record by reaching an impressive 120 million listeners.

As of November 13, 2024, Bruno Mars leads the Top 20 highest Spotify monthly listeners, demonstrating his enduring appeal and growing global fanbase.

His achievement reflects both the success of his recent releases and his consistent ability to connect with audiences worldwide.

The record-breaking numbers showcase the expanding reach of streaming platforms and Mars’ commanding presence in the digital music landscape.

Top 20 highest Spotify monthly listeners as of November 13, 2024.

Bruno Mars – 130,612,563
The Weeknd – 120,522,043
Lady Gaga – 113,953,989
Billie Eilish – 107,253,116
Coldplay – 90,585,988
Taylor Swift – 91,295,938
Rihanna – 86,078,987
Ariana Grande – 83,774,575
Justin Bieber – 82,045,938
Eminem – 76,795,897
Sabrina Carpenter – 79,022,469
Ed Sheeran – 77,551,483
David Guetta – 75,488,878
Drake – 75,105,070
Post Malone – 73,161,311
Travis Scott – 71,637,037
Kanye West – 66,703,503
Shakira – 65,974,570
SZA – 65,804,982
Dua Lipa – 64,136,480

Bruno Mars, a global pop icon, has achieved a remarkable feat, solidifying his position as one of the most influential artists of the 21st century.

His music has resonated with millions worldwide, leading to record-breaking sales figures that cement his status as a commercial powerhouse.

With over 36 billion streams on Spotify, Bruno Mars boasts an impressive 14 songs that have surpassed the one-billion-stream milestone.

This remarkable achievement places him in close proximity to the record held by Canadian superstar Drake, who has 16 songs with over a billion streams.

Check out more music updates here.

FOREIGN

World Number One Jannik Sinner Withdraws From The ATP Rolex Paris Masters 2024

Published

3 weeks ago

October 29, 2024

Reporter

Jannik Sinner withdraws from Paris Masters 2024 | fab.ng

Tournament organizers announced on Tuesday that world number one Jannik Sinner (23) will not participate in the Paris Masters indoor event due to health issues.

The 23-year-old tennis star, who secured his position as year-end world number one in mid-October, suffers from an “intestinal virus contracted before he arrived in Paris.” French player Arthur Cazaux has moved up from qualifying to take Sinner’s place in the tournament draw.

Cazaux will compete against either fellow Frenchman Corentin Moutet or American Ben Shelton in his second-round match on Tuesday.

Sinner now focuses on the upcoming Masters in Turin, scheduled for November 10-17, which will feature the year’s top eight players. The Italian champion plans to defend his country’s title at the Davis Cup finals the following week in Malaga, Spain.

This is not an easy announcement to make. My team and I arrived early to prepare as best as possible, but unfortunately, I started feeling unwell during training and saw the doctor on Sunday. It turns out I’ve come down with a virus. I’m feeling better now, but I’m still not… pic.twitter.com/TjE1a3KZQu

— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) October 29, 2024

The tennis star has dominated the 2024 season, claiming his first two Grand Slam victories at the Australian Open and the US Open. His impressive performance includes seven tournament wins since the season began, with three Masters 1000 titles in Miami, Cincinnati, and Shanghai.

Recent developments have cast a shadow over Sinner’s achievements, as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has filed an appeal that could result in his suspension. The doping case emerged several weeks ago and remains unresolved.

Sinner’s relationship with the Paris indoor tournament has proven complicated. Last year, he withdrew from the competition before his second match, establishing a pattern that continues with this year’s withdrawal.

This latest setback interrupts what has otherwise been a remarkable year for the young Italian player, who has firmly established himself among tennis’s elite competitors through his consistent performances and major tournament victories.

Get more sports news here.

FOREIGN

Award-Winning Actor James Earl Jones, Voice Of Darth Vader, Mufasa, Dies At 93

Published

2 months ago

September 10, 2024

Reporter

James Earl Jones, Voice Of Mufasa, Dies At 93 | fab.ng

Legendary American actor James Earl Jones has passed away at 93. The internet buzzed with the heartbreaking news late Monday, September 9, 2024. Reports indicated that he died that morning, surrounded by family at his home in upstate New York, as confirmed by his representatives to TMZ.

Born on January 17, 1931, Jones captivated audiences for decades with his iconic deep voice and presence. His long career in film, television, and theatre made him one of the most recognizable and respected actors in Hollywood. He gained widespread fame for voicing Darth Vader in the “Star Wars” franchise, King Jaffe Joffer in “Coming to America”, and Mufasa in Disney’s “The Lion King”.

James Earl Jones dead - the iconic Darth Vader, Mufasa voice actor was 93 | fab.ng

Jones also made a name for himself on stage, earning a Tony Award for his lead performance in “The Great White Hope”. He continued to shine in theatre with significant roles in plays like “Fences” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof”. His contributions to television included appearances in series like “Roots” and “The Big Bang Theory”.

James Earl Jones was one of the few performers to achieve the coveted EGOT status. Also, he has won two Emmys, a Grammy, an Honorary Oscar, and three Tony Awards. His theatre career flourished with standout performances in “The Great White Hope” in 1969 and “Fences” in 1987. His voice became a staple in pop culture, even being featured in “The Simpsons” and early episodes of “Sesame Street”.

Jones also took on many iconic Shakespearean roles, including Othello and King Lear. Beyond acting, he served in the United States Army’s 75th Rangers Regiment, adding to his legacy as a dedicated and multi-talented individual.

James Earl Jones leaves behind a towering legacy in both the entertainment world and beyond. May he rest in perfect peace.