LUXE MEN

BOTB/ JEFF REED UNCOVERED

As you may know, I closed my previous blog last week. My plans are to delete the entire blog after the 1st of the year. With that in mind, I will be publishing a few articles from that blog, here on Chikane Deluxe under the heading "BOTB," short for Best of the Blog. This story was originally published in December 2006.

Pittsburgh Steelers Kicker Jeff Reed has long been popular with the fans and the women of Pittsburgh. And now, Reed has popped up on the internet after a wild night got a bit out of control. As the story goes, Reed was out on the town a few nights ago, and ran into two "attractive" women. The story goes that Reed was hitting on these two ladies, was eventually shot down, and then Jeff Reed did what any of us would have done: he stood in front of a mirror, pushed his pants down, and took a picture. He then sent said picture to the ladies to let them know what they were missing out on.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

MUSIC/51ST GRAMMY NOMS OUT: The Nominations for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards were announced last evening. Lil Wayne led the pack with 8 noms, Coldplay pulled in 7, Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West had 6 each and Alison Krauss, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Radiohead and Jazmine Sullivan snared 5 apiece. Adele, Danger Mouse, the Eagles, Lupe Fiasco, George Strait, and T.I. each received 4. Coldplay and Adele are the only acts nominated in 3 of the top categories. Coldplay, the only contender in the top 4 that has won a major Grammy previously, will be vying for album, record and song of the year; Adele is up for new artist, record and song. The awards, given in 110 categories, will be handed out February 8, 2009, in Los Angeles. A full list of all noms from all categories can be found at grammy.com.
MUSIC/NEW LEONA UK SINGLE A SMASH: The latest single from singer Leona Lewis has become the fastest-selling digital-only track in the UK. The Snow Patrol cover "Run," which was never originally intended to be released as a single, was downloaded almost 70,000 times in its 1st 2 days. It beats Estelle's "American Boy," which sold 51,857 downloads in a week to become the biggest digital-only single. Lewis is likely to score 3rd UK #1. Lewis first performed "Run" on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, which was originally a #5 hit in the UK for Snow Patrol. It was a subsequent performance on "The X Factor" which prompted record bosses to go ahead with the digital single release. The song also features on an enhanced UK version of her album "Spirit," which became the first re-release to go straight in at #1. Lewis's album has sold some 4 million copies around the world since it was first released a year ago.
BOOKS/NEW YORK TIMES 10 BEST OF 2008: The New York Times has published its list of the 10 Best Books of the year. As always, there are 5 Fiction and 5 Non-Fiction titles on the list.

FICTION:

Dangerous Laughter--Steven Millhauser

A Mercy--Toni Morrison

Netherland--Joseph O'Neill

2666--Roberto Bolano

Unaccustomed Earth--Jhumpa Lahiri

NON-FICTION:

The Dark Side--Jane Mayer

The Forever War--Dexter Filkins

Nothing to be Frightened Of--Julian Barnes

This Republic of Suffering--Drew Gilpin Faust

The World is What it is--Patrick French

THEATRE/"GREASE" POSTS CLOSING NOTICE: The Tony-nominated Broadway revival of the '50s-set musical "Grease" will play its final performance at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on January 4, 2009.When it closes, the production, directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, will have played 31 previews and 554 regular performances. "Grease" began previews at the Atkinson July 24, 2007, and officially opened August 19, 2007. The musical was nominated for a 2008 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical.

AVIATION/ AIR MOOREA 07 CRASH REPORT OUT

The French Bureau d'Enquetes et d'Analyses (BEA) have released the final report on the crash of AIR MOOREA Flight 1121 in Tahiti, on August 9, 2007. Flight 1121 was on Scheduled Domestic Twin Otter 300 Service from Moorea-Temae Airport to Papeete-Faaa Airport, when it crashed on its intial climb out of Moorea. The Twin Otter, with 19 passengers and a Pilot onboard, took off from Moorea, for its scheduled 7 minute flight, at 12:00pm. Immediately after takeoff, the aircraft began to descend, until it struck the sea. All 20 passengers and crew onboard were killed in the crash. The report states that after a normal takeoff preparation, the aircraft positioned on the runway for takeoff and was cleared for takeoff about 2 minutes later. The Pilot advanced throttles, 52 seconds later the Pilot retracts the flaps, and then 9 seconds later he reduces the power. About 2 seconds later, the Pilot utters an exclamation of surprise, 2 GPWS alerts sound, the power setting is increased again, and then 4 more GPWS alarms sound. 11 seconds after the exclamation the aircraft impacted the sea. It was 1 minute and 8 seconds between advancing throttles for takeoff and impact with the water. Investigators found that the elevator cable connecting the yoke with the moving elevator control surfaces had broken in 2 locations, one close to the yoke and another rupture close to the elevators. Analysis found, that although the cable showed traces of chafing and wear, the rupture could not have occured without additional beforehand weakening of the cable by an extreme force exceeding the possibilities of Pilot input or regular operating conditions. The BEA said that an A340 had been parked overnight about 80 meters away from the Twin Otter. The A340 departed the stand at Papeete next to the Twin Otter, and the A340 produced a sufficient impulse to cause the breakage of several strands of the cable. After the cable was weakened that way, the remaining strands wore further down through normal flight load and finally broke suddenly during the regular control forces necessary during retraction of the flaps. The BEA concluded, that the most probable cause of the crash was: The loss of pitch control after the elevator cable broke during retraction of the flaps, significant wear of the cable, external forces from the A340, and finally, failure of the last strands of the cable at the time of departure. The BEA issued 6 safety recommendations as the result of the investigation. A full copy of the report can be found on the BEA website.

AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

GROUND COLLISION AT SCHIPHOL: A KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES MD11 was on Taxi at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, when a ground collision damaged the left wing, on Tuesday, December 2. A CATHAY PACIFIC Boeing 747, being towed to a gate, contacted the winglet of the MD11, almost slicing it in two. No one was injured in the incident. The 747 was allowed to depart about 2 hours later, while the MD11 has been removed from service for repairs. It is not known who may be at fault in the incident, however both Airlines and Aviation Officials in The Netherlands will invesitgate.
INDIA AIRPORTS PUT ON ALERT: Indian authorities have put 3 major Airports on high alert after a threat of possible militant attacks. The alert was prompted by an email purportedly from the Deccan Mujahadeen, the previously unknown group which claimed the Mumbai attacks last week. At least 188 people were killed in the Mumbai attacks. The latest email threatened an attack on the air transport system, security has been tightened at Airports in Delhi, Madras (Chennai) and Bangalore. Indian authorities say extra forces have been deployed at the Airports. Passengers are being asked to arrive at the Airport 3 hours before their flight, reports say. They are being thoroughly searched and all their bags are being opened and checked by the security forces, local television channels reported. Every vehicle is being checked before being allowed in through the security cordon.
ANZ POSTPONES BIOFUEL TEST: AIR NEW ZEALAND has postponed its biofuel test flight that was to take place yesterday. The postponement is in order to focus on providing support to the family members of the airline's employees who are missing following the crash of an Air New Zealand aircraft off the south coast of France on November 27, as well as to those employees assisting in the investigation. The tests will now take place in early January 2009. For the flight, jatropha fuel has been blended 50:50 with standard Jet A1 fuel by Air New Zealand at its Auckland Engineering Base. The blend is called J50 and was transferred to an RNZAF fuel tanker in preparation of fuelling a Boeing 747-400 for a 2 hour test flight from Auckland Airport.
JUDGE BLASTS ALOHA NAME GAME: A federal judge sharply criticized efforts to license ALOHA AIRLINES' brand name to the carrier's nemesis , Mesa Air Group Inc., saying the deal is insensitive to former Aloha workers. US Bankruptcy Judge Lloyd King postponed until at least February 19 any decision on the sale of Aloha's intellectual property to Aloha's former majority owner Yucaipa Cos. King said that "Mesa and GO! AIRLINES have been given credit for the demise of Aloha" and that licensing the brand name to Mesa would takes the "Aloha name and stand it on its head." Aloha shut down for business in March and terminated 1,900 workers, in the state's largest ever mass layoff.
ARGENTINA TO SEIZE AIRLINE: Argentina's lower house of Congress has approved legislation to seize the country's biggest Airline, AEROLINEAS ARGENTINAS, from its Spanish owners. The bill now goes to the Senate. Spanish firm Grupo Marsans agreed in July to sell the debt-laden Airline back to the state but the 2 sides failed to agree on a price. The government says it wants to protect a public service. Marsans says it will seek compensation for any takeover. The carrier, which according to the government has debts of some $900m, has been hit by industrial disputes and chronic flight delays and cancellations for months.
INCIDENTS
SKYWEST FLIGHT 5442: The E120 was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Palm Springs to Los Angeles, California, when it had to make an emergency return to Palm Springs, yesterday, December 3. Flight 5442, with 14 passengers and crew onboard, declared an emergency and returned to Palm Springs after smoke began to fill the cockpit. The E120 landed without incident about 12 minutes after takeoff. Emergency Services found no fire, but did find somke in the cockpit. Officials were unable to state what may have caused the smoke. The aircraft has been removed from service for inspection. Skywest is investigating the incident.
SAS FLIGHT 976: The A340 was on Scheduled International Service from Phuket, Thailand, to Stockholm, Sweden, on Tuesday, December 2, when someone apparently shot at the aircraft. The A340 completed its flight without incident. The post flight inspection in Stockholm revealed a bullet hole of about 6mm in one of the ailerons. The Airline said that they have no idea when or where the incident occurred. The Airline is investigating and must file a report within the next 3 days with Swedish Aviation Authorities.

SNAPSHOTS

AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER CAPTURED THIS SNOW EGRET PREENING IN THE WATER, THIS PAST WEEKEND IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA.

LUXE MEN

LUXE MEN

MUSIC/ TOP 20 SINGLES 12-03-08

1. CRACK THE SHUTTERS--SNOW PATROL
2. HUMAN--THE KILLERS
3. HEAVEN FOR THE WEATHER--THE STREETS
4. I CAN FEEL YOU(remix)--ANASTACIA
5. SO SOLL ES BLEIBEN--ICH & ICH
6. JOYFUL SOUND(remix)--DEBBY HOLIDAY
7. IF I WERE A BOY--BEYONCE
8. SINGLE LADIES(PUT A RING ON IT)--BEYONCE
9. RAIN ON YOUR PARADE--DUFFY
10. FAME(THE GAME)(remix)--DONNA SUMMER
11. IF IT ISN'T LOVE--JENNIFER HUDSON
12. DREAM ON(remix)--CHRISTIAN FALK w/ ROBYN
13. GREATEST DAY--TAKE THAT
14. FORGIVE ME--LEONA LEWIS
15. SEX ON FIRE--KINGS OF LEON
16. DAS HAT DIE WELT--SOHNE MANNHEIMS
17. IM IN LOVE WITH A GERMAN FILM STAR(remix)--SAM TAYLOR WOOD
18. DADDY'S GONE--GLASVEGAS
19. REHAB--RIHANNA
20. GRACE--WILL YOUNG

NEW ENTRIES IN BOLD BLUE TYPE
RE-ENTRIES IN BOLD RED TYPE

CHARTBOUND
* ALLA MIA ETA--TIZIANO FERRO
* DOG DAYS ARE OVER(remix)--FLORENCE & THE MACHINE
* HOSTAGE OF LOVE--RAZORLIGHT
* LOVE LOVE LOVE--JAMES BLUNT
* PERFECT SYMMETRY--KEANE
* RUN--LEONA LEWIS
* THE FEAR--LILY ALLEN
* ULYSSES--FRANZ FERDINAND
* USE SOMEBODY--KINGS OF LEON
* YOU'RE MY STAR--STEREOPHONICS

MUSIC/ TOP 20 ALBUMS 12-03-08

1. A HUNDRED MILLION SUNS--SNOW PATROL
2. AND WINTER CAME--ENYA
3. WETT SINGEN--SOHNE MANNHEIMS & XAVIER NAIDOO
4. VON SELBEM STERN--ICH & ICH
5. THE STEADY RHYTHM--IVRI LIDER
6. EVERYTHING IS BORROWED--THE STREETS
7. HEAVY ROTATION--ANASTACIA
8. GLASVEGAS--GLASVEGAS
9. DAY & AGE--THE KILLERS
10. E2--EROS RAMAZZOTTI
11. GREATEST HITS--ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
12. ONLY BY THE NIGHT--KINGS OF LEON
13. THE PROMISE--DEBORAH COX
14. SLIPWAY FIRES--RAZORLIGHT
15. SPIRIT--LEONA LEWIS
16. LET IT GO--WILL YOUNG
17. PROSPEKTS MARCH (EP)--COLDPLAY
18. CADILLAC RECORDS--SOUNDTRACK
19. THIS CHRISTMAS--ARETHA FRANKLIN
20. HEY MR CHRISTMAS (EP)--KRISTINE W

NEW ENTRIES IN BOLD BLUE TYPE
RE-ENTRIES IN BOLD RED TYPE

BOOKS/ TOP 20 BOOKS 12--03-08

1. DEWEY--VICKY MYRON
NonFiction/The small town library cat that touched the world.
2. THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED--WALLY LAMB
Fiction/A question of faith and the future by a family rocked by tragedy.
3. THE GR BOOK OF THE DEAD--MARION WINK
NonFiction/Rememberances of lives lived and lost.
4. DEAR FATTY--DAWN FRENCH
NonFiction/Autobiography of the iconic British Comedian.
5. PORTOBELLO--RUTH RENDELL
Fiction/Secrets shaken by the impact of chance of conincidence.
6. THE PYRAMID--HENNING MANKELL
Fiction/Stories that detail the early years and cases of Inspector Wallender.
7. JUST AFTER SUNSET--STEPHEN KING
Fiction/A new collection of stories from the master of suspense.
8. WESLEY THE OWL--STACEY O'BRIEN
NonFiction/The story of a barn owl and the woman who raised him.
9. THE PRIVATE PATIENT--P.D. JAMES
Fiction/Adam Dalgliesh and his team investigate a murder at a private clinic.
10. ALL THE COLOURS OF DARKNESS--PETER ROBINSON
Fiction/Inspector Banks investigates a murder, staged as a suicide.
11. FIRE OVER HEATHROW--SUSAN OTTAWAY
NonFiction/The tragedy of BOAC Flight 712 in 1968.
12. SANTA CLAWED--RITA MAE BROWN
Fiction/Harry and her brood investigate murder during the holidays.
13. A LION AMONG MEN--GREGORY MAGUIRE
Fiction/The continuing series that began with "Wicked".
14. EXECUTIVE MEN--MAP
NonFiction/A new portfolio from Men At Play productions.
15. PIEDMONT AIRLINES--RICHARD E ELLER
NonFiction/A history of the Airline from 1948 thru 1989.
16. PAWPRINTS OF KATRINA--CATHY SCOTT
NonFiction/The story of the pets of Hurricane Katrina and the lessons learned.
17. YOUR HEART BELONGS TO ME--DEAN KOONTZ
Fiction/A heart transplant survivor faces unspeakable horror from the donor.
18. AN EXACT REPLICA OF A FIGMENT--ELIZABETH MCCRACKEN
NonFiction/A heartbreaking memoir of the loss of the authors baby.
19. FINDING MY VOICE--RUSSELL WATSON
NonFiction/Autobiography of the world famous British Tenor.
20. THE CHARLEMAGNE PURSUIT--STEVE BERRY
Fiction/Cotton Malone in a dangerous quest to Antarctica.

NEW ENTRIES IN BOLD BLUE TYPE

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

FILM/2008 GOTHAM AWARDS: "Frozen River," the Sundance-launched dramatic thriller set on the US-Canada border, won 2 of the 6 prizes at yesterday's Gotham Independent Film Awards. The IFP's 18th annual Gothams recognized the film as best feature and star Melissa Leo as breakthrough actor. Acquired by Sony Classics after it screened in Sundance, "Frozen River" has become that rare thing in the 2008 indie/specialty world: a grassroots hit. Released August 1, the film has earned $2.3 million in the US. "Synecdoche, New York," which lost out to "Frozen River" in the best feature category, won for ensemble performance. "Ballast" helmer Lance Hammer won the breakthrough director prize, and Zeitgeist Films' "Trouble the Water" won for documentary. The "Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You" honor and a $15,000 cash prize went to fest fave "Sita Sings the Blues." Tribute awards were given to Penelope Cruz, filmmakers Gus Van Sant and Melvin Van Peebles, and HBO's Sheila Nevins. A roster of 18 critics, journos and programmers picked the 22 films nommed in the 6 categories.

MUSIC/2008 ITUNES TOP SELLERS: Coldplay was the hottest iTunes album download this year: Its "Viva la Vida" was crowned the best-selling album of 2008, while Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love" was named the top-selling single. Coldplay's CD has sold more than 2 million copies since its release in June, and has sold more than 500,000 copies digitally, most of which was through iTunes, according to the band's representative. Jack Johnson's "Sleep Through the Static" was the #2 selling album, while the soundtrack to the film "Juno," Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" and Sara Bareilles' "Little Voice" rounded out the iTunes Top 5. 2 more film soundtracks were in the Top 10 - "Once" and "Across the Universe" - while Jason Mraz' "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things," OneRepublic's "Dreaming Out Loud" and Leona Lewis' "Spirit" rounded it out. Lewis' "Bleeding Love" sold 3.2 million digitally, according to her label, J Records. According to iTunes, the title track of Coldplay's album was its #2 most downloaded track, followed by "Low" by Flo Rida (featuring T-Pain), Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" and Rihanna's "Disturbia." Rihanna also made the Top 10 singles with "Don't Stop the Music," while "Lollipop" by Lil Wayne and Static Major, "No Air" by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, Sara Bareilles' "Love Song" and Natasha Bedingfield's "Pocketful of Sunshine" also made iTunes Top 10 downloaded singles list.

THEATRE/"BOEING BOEING" TO SHUTTER: "Boeing-Boeing," the hit sex comedy that won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, will end January 4, 2009, the producers announced. The Matthew Warchus-directed revival of Marc Camoletti's comedy was a London hit before this American production was put together. The staging at the Longacre Theatre stars Mark Rylance, a holdover from London, who won the Tony as Best Actor in a Play for his daffy turn as a Wisconsinite caught in the middle of his pal's threeway infidelity. By the time it closes, Camoletti's "classic '60s comedy of errors," translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans, will have played 280 performances and 17 previews. "Boeing-Boeing" began previews at the Longacre April 19, 2008. It opened May 4. A 45-week North American tour of the comedy is currently being packaged to kick off in fall 2009. No casting has been announced for the tour.

MUSIC/ ODETTA DIES AT 77

Odetta, the folk singer with the powerful voice who moved audiences and influenced fellow musicians for a half-century, has died. She was 77. Odetta died yesterday of heart disease at Lenox Hill Hospital, said her manager of 12 years, Doug Yeager. She was admitted to the hospital with kidney failure about 3 weeks ago, he said. In spite of failing health that caused her to use a wheelchair, Odetta performed 60 concerts in the last 2 years, singing for 90 minutes at a time. Her singing ability never diminished, Yeager said. "The power would just come out of her like people wouldn't believe," he said. With her booming, classically trained voice and spare guitar, Odetta gave life to the songs by workingmen and slaves, farmers and miners, housewives and washerwomen, blacks and whites. First coming to prominence in the 1950s, she influenced Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and other singers who had roots in the folk music boom. Odetta called on her fellow blacks to "take pride in the history of the American Negro" and was active in the civil rights movement. When she sang at the March on Washington in August 1963, "Odetta's great, full-throated voice carried almost to Capitol Hill," The New York Times wrote. She was nominated for a 1963 Grammy awards for best folk recording for "Odetta Sings Folk Songs." 2 more Grammy nominations came in recent years, for her 1999 "Blues Everywhere I Go" and her 2005 album "Gonna Let It Shine." In 1999, she was honored with a National Medal of the Arts. Then-President Bill Clinton said her career showed "us all that songs have the power to change the heart and change the world." Among her notable early works were her 1956 album "Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues," which included such songs as "Muleskinner Blues" and "Jack O' Diamonds"; and her 1957 "At the Gate of Horn," which featured the popular spiritual "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." Her 1965 album "Odetta Sings Dylan" included such standards as "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right," "Masters of War" and "The Times They Are A-Changin'." In a 1978 Playboy interview, Dylan said, "the first thing that turned me on to folk singing was Odetta." He said he found "just something vital and personal" when he heard an early album of hers in a record store as a teenager. "Right then and there, I went out and traded my electric guitar and amplifier for an acoustical guitar," he said. She continued to record in recent years; her 2001 album "Looking for a Home (Thanks to Leadbelly)" paid tribute to the great blues singer to whom she was sometimes compared. Odetta hoped to sing at the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, though she had not been officially invited, Yeager said. Odetta is survived by a daughter and son. A memorial service was planned for next month, Yeager said.

WORLD NEWS/ UK ANNOUNCES EQUALITY BILL

The UK Government will introduce a new Equality Bill in the coming session of Parliament, the Queen has confirmed today. In her annual speech from the Throne in the House of Lords Her Majesty set out the legislative program for next year, a total of 13 Bills. The Equality Bill includes proposals for all public bodies to promote equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people in addition to their current duty to consider how their spending decisions, employment practices and service delivery affect people whatever their race, disability or gender. The legislation is expected to come before MPs in March or April, though there are still some fundamental issues to be clarified. Ministers confirmed today that the duty to promote equality will include gender identity alongside sexual orientation. It is unclear if organisations that provide services such as shelters for the homeless or faith schools will be counted as a "public body." Some of the fundamentalist Christian groups who have previously opposed equal rights for gay people have made representations to the government on the issue. The Conservative party has broadly welcomed the legislation, which will streamline the 9 current statutes on discrimination into 1 clear instruction.

AVIATION/ BLACK BOXES DAMAGED IN ANZ CRASH

A 3rd body,and the 2nd black box have been recovered from the AIR NEW ZEALAND Airbus A320 which crashed off the coast of France last week. ANZ Flight 888T was on a test flight out of Perpignan, France, when it crashed while on return to the Airport. The A320, which was being serviced following its return from a lease from XL AIRWAYS, had 7 crew members onboard. It was due to return to passenger service later this month. ANZ also confirmed that the plane's cockpit had been found. However, chances of finding an explanation as to what sent the jet crashing into the Mediterranean Sea have taken a serious blow and it may now be years before the mystery is solved. The 1st flight data recorder found by divers has been destroyed by the crash beyond use, while the 2nd recorder recovered was also badly damaged. It is to be sent to the manufacturer Honeywell in the US to determine what data could be extracted. Authorities say that the plane hit the water at very high speed and completely shattered. Most pieces of wreckage recovered are so small they can be lifted by 1 person. A source told New Zealand media they would now expect the investigation to take at least 2 years with very few clues to work on. Despite reports the French Navy had quietly given up the search for the remaining 4 bodies, ANZ said the company had been assured by French authorities that the search would continue over the coming days. Air New Zealand Pilot Captain Brian Horrell, 52, and engineers Murray White, 37, Michael Gyles, 49, and Noel Marsh, 35 and well as Civil Aviation Authority official Jeremy Cook, 58, were killed in the crash. The plane was being flown by 2 German Pilots from XL Airways. The Airline said their names would not be released.

AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

LUFTHANSA TO LAUNCH ITALIA LINE: LUFTHANSA has announced plans to launch LUFTHANSA ITALIA, a new Italian Airline brand that would use a fleet of Airbus A319 aircraft to serve such European destinations as Paris and Barcelona from Milan as soon as February 2009. The announcement comes amid an ongoing bid for a stake in the Italian carrier ALITALIA, in which Lufthansa and AIR FRANCE are the chief rivals. Italian consortium CAI last week finalized a deal to purchase the assets of the long-suffering Italian flag carrier for more than €1 billion in cash and assumed debt, with plans to relaunch the Airline next month and the potential for one of those foreign carriers as a partner. A Lufthansa spokesperson said the launch of Lufthansa Italia is "completely separate from anything that might take place with Alitalia. It's the start of a new Italian brand with an Italian operating certificate," the spokesperson said. Lufthansa said the new brand would serve Barcelona and Paris beginning February 2, 2009, with service to Brussels, Budapest, Bucharest and Madrid following within a month. The carrier also said it expects to add London and Lisbon to the network "with the start of the 2009 summer flight schedules at the end of March."
ALOHA LOOKS SET TO RETURN: GO! AIRLINES has agreed to pay a minimum of $600,000 a year to use the ALOHA AIRLINES name under a 10-year licensing agreement subject to court approval. Mesa Air Group said it will pay Aloha Airlines' former owner Yucaipa Co.'s as much as 1% of its annual ticket revenue on its interisland service for using the Aloha brand name. The deal is contingent on bankruptcy court approval of Yucaipa's bid to acquire Aloha's name and other intellectual property from the bankruptcy estate.
THAI AIRPORTS RE-OPEN: Anti-government protesters have left Bangkok's main airports after an 8 day siege that has paralysed government and stymied tourism. They packed up bedding before handing over both the international and domestic airports to the authorities. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) called off the protests after a court banned Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from politics. As protesters left, the first flight for a week arrived at Bangkok. A THAI AIRWAY flight carrying 305 passengers from the southern resort island of Phuket touched down at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 2:15pm, local time, today. International are due to resume tomorrow.
INCIDENTS
GAZPROMAVIA FLIGHT 961: The Yak42D was on Scheduled Domestic Service this morning from Moscow to Tomsk, Russia, when it had to make an emergency return to Moscow. Flight 961, with 33 passengers and crew onboard, declared the emergency after an engine failed on takeoff. The aircraft returned to Vnukovo Airport without incident. The Yak has been removed from service and the Airline will investigate the incident.
SAT SAKHALINSKIE AVIATRASSY FLIGHT 891: The Antonov 24 was on Scheduled Domestic Service this morning from Sakhalinsk to Khabarovsk, Russia, when it had to make an emergency return to Sakhalinsk. Flight 891, with 31 passengers and crew onboard, declared the emergency and returned to the Airport after a cockpit window cracked on takeoff. The Antonov landed without incident and has been removed from service for inspection and repairs. SAT is investigating the incident.
GOJET FLIGHT 5335: The CRJ700 was on Scheduled Domestic Service on behalf of UNITED EXPRESS from St Louis, Missouri, to Denver, Colorado, when it had to divert while inflight, yesterday, December 2. Flight 5335, with 72 passengers and crew onboard, declared an emergency while inflight, after the cockpit window cracked. The CRJ was diverted to Kansas City, Missouri, where it landed without incident. The aircraft has been removed from service for inspection. Both GoJet and UAL will investigate the incident.
US AIRWAYS FLIGHT 1419: The A321 was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Los Angeles, California, when it divert while inflight, yesterday, December 2. Flight 1419, with 191 passengers and 7 crew members onboard, declared an emergency when the crew had to shut down one engine while inflight for unspecified reasons. The A321 was diverted to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where it landed without incident. The aircraft has been removed from service. US Airways will investigate the incident.
CARGOJET FREIGHT FLIGHT: The CARGOJET Boeing 727, on Non-Scheduled Cargo Service to Calgary, Canada, was involved in a near crash while attempting to land at Calgary, on Monday, December 1. The 727 was approaching the runway at Calgary in light snow with gusty winds. The aircraft also encountered moderate turbulence while on descent. Just prior to touchdown on the runway, the left wing dropped and hit the runway. The 3 member crew of the 727 were able to land the aircraft without further incident. The post flight inspection revealed minor damage to the left wing, and the aircraft has been removed from service for repair. Cargojet is investigating the incident. It is not known if Canadian Aviation Officials will also investigate.
DELTA AIRLINES FLIGHT 91: The Boeing 767 was on Scheduled Domestic Service from Orlando, Florida, to Atlanta, Georgia, when it had to make an emergency return to Orlando, on Sunday, November 30. Flight 91, with 271 passengers and crew onboard, struck a bird while at 5000 feet on climbout. The bird was ingested into the left hand engine. The crew shut down the engine, declared the emergency, and returned to Orlando. The 767 landed without incident and has been removed from service for repairs. Delta is investigating the incident.
VILDANDEN AIRLINES FLIGHT 208: Vildanden has clarified the incident involving a Saab 340 that took place this past Sunday, November 30. As previously reported, Flight 208 was on Scheduled Service from Bergen to Skein, Norway, with 25 passengers and crew onboard, when the incident took place early Sunday evening. Vildanden has clarified that it was an AVIATRANS aircraft, flying on behalf of Valdanden. The Airline also clarified that there was no fire. Their statement said that as the aircraft was on taxi for takeoff, a strange smell was noticed in the passenger cabin. The crew declined to continue to taxi, and made to return to the gate. While returning to the gate, the passengers saw sparks from the right hand engine, and the crew reported that the right hand engine was on fire. The aircraft was evacuated and emergency services were dispatched. According to the Airline, there was no fire, and the decision to evacuate was due to the passengers being alarmed over the sparks. The sparks were reportedly caused by a short circuit in the de-icing system. The investigation into the incident will continue.

SNAPSHOTS

THE CRESCENT MOON IS CAPTURED ALONG WITH THE PLANETS VENUS AT THE BOTTOM, AND JUPITER AT THE RIGHT. THE PICTURE WAS TAKEN LAST EVENING FROM NORTH CAROLINA.

LUXE MEN/ CANDID SHOTS (#2)

5 AMATEUR MEN FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE

MEDIA/ TINA FEY LANDS VF COVER

Tina Fey lands the cover of the January 2009 issue of Vanity Fair. Fey, veteran performer from "SNL," can currently be found on her Emmy Award winning series "30 Rock". Fey's personal star has risen dramatically this year after having a hit film, "Baby Mama," Emmy wins for "Rock," and of course, her delicious turn as Sarah Palin on "SNL". The January issue should arrive on newstands by this weekend.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

FILM/2009 SPIRIT NOMS OUT: "Ballast," "Frozen River" and "Rachel Getting Married" led the nominees today for Film Independent's 24th Annual Spirit Awards, with a 3 way tie of 6 nominations each. All 3 are in the running for best feature, best director, best first screenplay and best female lead for actresses Tarra Riggs, Melissa Leo and Anne Hathaway. Also nominated for best picture are "Wendy and Lucy" and "The Wrestler." "Milk" scored 4 nominations, including male lead for Sean Penn, supporting actor for James Franco, cinematography and best first screenplay for Dustin Lance Black. Cannes winner "The Class" was nominated in the foreign film category along with "Gomorra," "Hunger," "The Secret of the Grain" and "Silent Light." The runners for the John Cassavetes Award, honoring films budgeted under $500,000, are "In Search of a Midnight Kiss," "Prince of Broadway," "The Signal," "Take Out," and "Turn the River." The Robert Altman Award, which is presented to a film's director, casting director and ensemble cast, will go to "Synecdoche, New York." The nominees for the Acura Someone to Watch Award, which honors an emerging director, are Barry Jenkins ("Medicine for Melancholy"), Nina Paley ("Sita Sings the Blues") and Lynn Shelton ("My Effortless Brilliance").To make the awards "as green as possible," all voting will be done online. The winners will be unveiled at 2009 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards ceremony on February 21, 2009. A full list of noms can be found on the Spirit Award website.
FILM/2009 ANNIE AWARD NOMS OUT: In the battle for Annie Award nominations, DreamWorks Animation's tubby panda fared better than Pixar's plucky robot or Disney's doggy hero. "Kung Fu Panda" led with 17 noms for the ASIFA-Hollywood animation kudos, including best feature, feature directing and feature writing. Three of the pic's voice actors also were nommed: James Hong, Ian McShane and Dustin Hoffman. "Panda" also received noms for animated effects, character design, 2 noms for production design and 3 noms for character animation. Pixar's "Wall-E" received the next largest total, 8 noms, while Walt Disney Animation Studios' new release "Bolt" snagged 5. Both received best feature noms along with Sony Pictures Classics' "Waltz With Bashir" and Sherman Pictures/Lama Films' "$9.99." The Annie Awards have been an important predictor of the Academy Award for animated feature. "Wall-E" is making a push for best picture in the Oscar race. DreamWorks Animation received 27 nominations, with "Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa" and the "Secrets of the Furious Five" contributing to the total. In TV, noms for top animated show went to "King of the Hill," "Morel Orel," "Phineas and Ferb," "Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II," and "The Simpsons." The Annies will be presented on January 30 at UCLA's Royce Hall.
FILM/NEW GRISHAM ALREADY BOOKED: Paramount Pictures has set Shia LaBeouf to play the title role in the bigscreen version of John Grisham's upcoming legal thriller "The Associate," which the studio has just acquired rights to. LaBeouf will play a student who's about to graduate from Yale Law School when he's manipulated into accepting a job at a prestige law firm and given privileged information about a multibillion-dollar lawsuit. The novel, Grisham's first legal thriller since 2005's "The Broker," will be published in January by Random House.
MUSIC/ALLEN GORDON DIES AT 64: Songwriter Alan Gordon, who co-wrote the Turtles' hit song "Happy Together," died of cancer November 22 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The death was just recently announced. He was 64. Gordon also wrote chart-toppers "She'd Rather Be With Me," "You Know What I Mean," "She's My Girl" and "Three Dog Night's "Celebrate" with long time writing partner Garry Bonner, and "My Heart Belongs To Me" for Barbara Streisand on his own. His songs have been recorded by artists including Bobby Darin, Alice Cooper, The Righteous Brothers, Petula Clark, Helen Reddy, Judy Collins, Captain and Tennille, Mel Torme, Simple Plan and Frank Zappa. The 1967 song "Happy Together" made the #1 slot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 3 weeks, and was named one of the Top 50 songs of the 20th Century by BMI, having generated over 5 million performances on American radio by 1999.
MUSIC/TAKE THAT SET NEW UK RECORD: Take That have scored the biggest first day sale of the year in the UK with their new album, "The Circus". The album sold 133,000 copies on its launch day yesterday, according to Official Charts Company sales data. The figure puts the album easily on course to be #1 in Sunday's album chart. The year's previous fastest-selling album was Coldplay's "Viva La Vida Or death And All His Friends," which sold 125,000 copies on its 1st day. "The Circus" has comfortably beaten the 1st day sales of Take That's last album, "Beautiful World," which went on to be the 2nd biggest-selling record of 2006 after just 4 weeks on sale.
TV&MUSIC/BARROWMAN APOLOGIZES: John Barrowman has apologized after he "exposed" himself on a BBC Radio 1 programme. The star of "Torchwood" undid his trousers after encouragement from the presenters of the youth programme "Switch". In a statement apologising, Barrowman said: "I apologise for any offence I have caused. I was joining in the light-hearted and fun banter of the show and went too far. I was wrong to do this and it will never happen again. I really appreciate the great support I have received from the BBC over the last few years and would never intentionally do anything to undermine the integrity of the corporation." The BBC apologized and have confirmed that nothing offensive was seen on the live webcam on the program's website. The program has been removed from the BBC iPlayer.
THEATRE/"JOE TURNER" REVIVAL SET: Lincoln Center Theater will produce a Broadway revival of August Wilson's play "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," to be directed by Bartlett Sher ("South Pacific") in the spring. One of the plays in Wilson's 10-title cycle depicting African-American life in the 20th century, "Joe Turner" premiered on Broadway in a 1988 production that included actors Delroy Lindo and Angela Bassett. Many consider it the late writer's finest work. Set in 1911, the story centers on Herald Loomis, who arrives at a boardinghouse in Pittsburgh in search of his wife after 7 years of hard labor. No actors or design team have been announced. Show will play a theater to be determined, since LCT's dedicated Broadway stage is currently occupied by the extended run of "South Pacific." "Joe Turner" begins previews March 19 ahead of an April 16 opening.

BOTB/ THE RANDY PILOT

As you may know, I closed my previous blog last week. My plans are to delete the entire blog after the 1st of the year. With that in mind, I will be publishing a few articles from that blog, here on Chikane Deluxe under the heading "BOTB," short for Best of the Blog. This story was originally published in December 2006.

Alistair McFarlane, who flies with BRITISH AIRWAYS partner GB AIRWAYS, could be in danger of losing his job after explicit photos of him, some of which were taken while on the job, turned up on a Adult Website. He sent the explicit picture to an adult online chatroom — where he also boasted about his fantasies of romping with women aboard a Boeing 747.The first officer, in his 20s, claims he took the snap in “a moment of madness”. But he faces disciplinary action and the prospect of losing his job. During his email chats, the pilot boasts about bedding a stewardess and dubs his undercarriage The Jumbo. McFarlane, of Horsham, West Sussex, has been a pilot for just under a year and flies to most European cities. He said: “I’m embarrassed at what I’ve done, but I’m not ashamed. Everyone’s done similar things to spice things up if you have a long-distance relationship. The photo in the cockpit was taken when the plane was grounded — there wasn’t a passenger on board. It was five o’clock in the morning and the captain was outside making checks.”And he insisted: “It was one stupid mistake. For that, I’m facing the sack.”A GB Airways spokesman said: “We are unable to comment as this is now subject to an internal inquiry.”

AVIATION/ BA EYES MERGING WITH QANTAS

BRITISH AIRWAYS has said today that it is exploring a potential merger with the Australian flag-carrier QANTAS AIRWAYS. BA warned there was "no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming". In a statement, BA said that the merger would be through the creation of a dual-listed company, so it would be listed in London and Australia. It follows indications from the Australian government earlier in today that it may be prepared to relax the rules on foreign ownership. Under current Australian law, Qantas must be at least 51% Australian-owned. Any individual foreign airline can only own up to 25% of it and only a total of 35% may be owned by foreign airlines. Transport Minister Anthony Albanese proposed earlier on Tuesday that the rules be changed so that while 51% must still be Australian-owned, the remaining 49% may be owned by a single foreign Airline. BA also said that its discussions with the Spanish flag-carrier IBERIA are also still continuing.

AVIATION/ NAT AIR JET RUNS OFF RUNWAY

A NATURE AIR de Havilland Twin Otter 300, on Scheduled Domestic Service from La Fortuna to Tobias Bolanos, Costa Rica, ran off the runway at Tobias Bolanos, on Sunday, November 30. The Twin Otter departed La Fortuna at 3:10pm with 13 passengers and 2 crew members onboard. At 3:50pm, upon landing at Tobias Bolanos, the aircraft left the runway without warning, damaging the Twin Otter. None of the 15 passengers or crew onboard were injured in the incident. According to Airport Officials, the Pilots reported that a mechanical malfunction had taken place on landing which caused the incident. Nature Air has not responded to media requests, thus it is not known what type of malfuction may have taken place. The Twin Otter has been removed from service and will be evaluated for possible repairs. Both Nature Air and the Costa Rican Government will investigate the incident.

AVIATION/ ATLASJET 07 CRASH REPORT RELEASED

The Turkish Government has released its final report into the crash of ATLASJET Flight 4203 on November 30, 2007. Flight 4203, with 50 passengers and 7 crew members onboard, was on Scheduled Domestic MD83 Service from Istanbul to Isparta, Turkey, when it crashed at 1:36am, while on approach to Isparta. All 57 passengers and crew onboard were killed in the crash. The final report states that the crew of the MD83 was on the racetrack during the VOR/DME approach to runway 05 at Isparta, when the crew started to follow a wrong heading (+30 degrees) for the final approach, thus maintaining a heading of 073 instead of 043 until impact with mountainous terrain. The Turkish Transport minister, in a press conference stated the crash was related to Controlled Flight Into Terrain, aka CFIT, thus it has been ruled as Pilot Error. The 361 page report had been compiled and is being kept under non-disclosure except for parties into the accident. The Turkish press however obtained a copy of the report from sources. The report states in addition to the wrong heading during final approach, that the EGPWS was not able to produce audible alarms due to a defect. The report also states that investigators did not have the CVR or FDR recordings, as they had been inoperative for at least a week prior to the crash. The report also states that the cockpit crew were both inexperienced, and it was their 1st approach and landing into the Isparta Airport. They also did not key the Standard Instrument Departure of Istanbul or the Standard Arrival Route and approach procedure of Isparta into the flight management system.

AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

NTSB UPDATES PIEDMONT INCIDENT: The NTSB has released a preliminary report into the incident involving a PIEDMONT AIRLINES Dash 8-300 on November 16 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Flight 4551 was on Scheduled Service on behalf of US AIRWAYS from Allentown to Philadelphia, with 35 passengers and 3 crew members onboard that day. The crew declared an emergency while on approach due to an unsafe gear indication for the nose gear. The crew performed a low approach to have the tower inspect the landing gear, which confirmed that the nose gear was not down. About 1 hour later after several attempts to rectify the problem, the crew performed the emergency landing onto runway 27L at Philadelphia. None of the 38 passengers or crew were injured, however fire services foamed the aircraft as a precaution. The NTSB said in the preliminary report, that the flight crew noticed some "creaking and groaning" noise while taxiing towards the departure runway, however felt the noise to be a normal. During gear retraction the nose gear took about 3-4 seconds longer than normal. The flight was otherwise uneventful until the base leg to approach runway 35, when the crew received a yellow gear indication and a red unsafe gear indication. A subsequent fly by confirmed, that the nose gear doors were open, but the nose gear not extended. The damage to the airplane remained limited to the nose gear doors and adjacent skin surfaces. No structural damages occured. The investigation continues.
THAI STANDOFF ENDS: Thai anti-government protesters have agreed to end their occupation of Bangkok's Airports, allowing thousands of stranded tourists to leave. Passenger flights from the main international airport are to resume on December 4. Protests had shut down Thailand's 2 main airports for more than a week. The deal follows a court ruling today, that forced Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to step down over election fraud and disbanded his governing party.
GM WANTS NO FLIGHT TRACKING: General Motors has asked the FAA not to allow tracking of its private jets. The call comes after the company's boss flew to Washington in a jet to ask for $25bn of public money to bail-out the US car industry. CEO Rick Wagoner was taken to task at a special Senate hearing and pilloried in the worldwide media for such extravagance and poor judgement. The carmaker made the request to the FAA despite insisting this week that Mr Wagoner will not repeat the mistake when he returns to Washington for further discussions about the bail-out next week. There is no word on when the FAA will respond to the request.
INCIDENTS
TACA FLIGHT 670: The A321 was on Scheduled Service from El Salvador to Los Angeles, California, with 193 passengers and crew, when bad weather forced a very long delay, early yesterday morning. Flight 670 had departed El Salvador on Sunday evening. Around Midnight, the aircraft was diverted to the Ontario Airport due to very heavy fog at Los Angeles. The Ontario Airport is not equipped for international travelers, thus no one was allowed to leave the aircraft. Around 7am yesterday morning, the Taca crew was replaced due to mandated working hours. The A321 was finally allowed to depart Ontario around 9am, and landed at LAX about 20 minutes later. The Airline said water and other supplies were given to passengers during the 9 hour delay, however some passengers have already spoken to media stating that the conditions onboard the aircraft were deplorable. There is no word on whether an investigation into the incident will take place.
AMERICAN EAGLE FLIGHT 3992: The ERJ145 was on Scheduled Service from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Chicago OHare yesterday, when it made an emergency return to Tulsa. Flight 3992, with 50 passengers and 3 crew members onboard, reported a right gear tire problem upon takeoff from Tulsa. While holding to dump fuel for the emergency return, tire debris was found on the Tulsa runway. The aircraft landed 80 minutes after departure without incident, however more tire debris fell from the ERJ. The aircraft had to be towed off the runway, and has been removed from service for inspection and repairs. AA is investigating the incident.
SPICEJET FLIGHT 324: The Boeing 737 was on Scheduled Domestic Service yesterday, from Bagdogra to Kolkata, India, with 139 passengers and crew onboard. The Kolkata Airport was undergoing repairs to runway 19L, leaving only runway 19R for landings and takeoff. The 737 was cleared to land on runway 19R at 2:40pm. However, as the aircraft came in on finals, ATC realized that the 737 was coming in to land on 19L, where about 25 workers were working about 8000 feet down the runway. The workers ran for cover after seeing the aircraft coming towards them. About 12 seconds after the 737 touched down. ATC called danger ahead prompting the crew to brake very hard. The crew managed to stop the airplane about 3000 feet short of the section of runway undergoing repair. The Airport Authority said it is going to examine the radar tracks to identify, whether there was an ATC or Pilot error leading to the landing on the wrong runway. They also stated that the runway lights of 19L had been turned off. An official notice had been released that the runway was closed yesterday afternoon for repairs. The Indian DGAC has opened an investigation into the incident.

SNAPSHOTS

A DRAMATIC WINTER SUNRISE CAPTURED LAST WEEK OVER QAANAAQ, GREENLAND, ABOUT 800 MILES FROM THE NORTH POLE.

LUXE MEN

LUXE MEN

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

MUSIC/GRAMMY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: Queen's 1977 single "We are the Champions"/"We Will Rock You" is among 28 classic recordings that have been newly inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Others include the Police's 1983 album "Synchronicity," Stevie Wonder's "For Once in My Life" and the soundtrack for the film "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". The Hall Of Fame will form part of the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles which opens on December 6. Created in 1973, the collection now includes 826 titles. New submissions are chosen annually by a special member committee of experts and historians drawn from all branches of the recording arts. Other recordings honoured by the Recording Academy include "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jimi Hendrix's rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" and the "Love Theme" from "The Godfather". The Grammy Museum will spread across 4 floors of the newly-built LA Live centre, with exhibits dedicated to rock, hip-hop, country, classical, Latin, R&B and jazz.
MUSIC/MADONNA TOUR SETS RECORD: Madonna's current Sticky and Sweet tour is set to become the biggest selling tour by a solo artist. The singer will have raked in an estimated $282m when the tour finishes in Sao Paulo, Brazil, later this month. Tour producer Live Nation said the star's 28-date US leg sold 550,000 tickets and grossed $91.5m. Madonna had held the previous record with her Confessions tour in 2006, having taken $193.7m.
MUSIC&TV/A FULLY EXPOSED BARROWMAN : The BBC was engulfed in another decency row today after one of its highest profile stars exposed himself live on air. "Torchwood" actor John Barrowman, who released his new cd last week which he was promoting, revealed himself in a Radio 1 show which was also broadcast online via a webcam. In an interview on The Switch last night, Barrowman, 41, unzipped his pants after being prompted by presenters Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw. The stunt made the studio erupt in screams and wild laughter, while a producer hastily covered the webcam. The BBC confirmed Barrowman had exposed himself on the program, but said it was not visible to online viewers.
FILM/CASTING SET FOR "FAME": Lakeshore and MGM have tapped Debbie Allen, Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally and Bebe Neuwirth for the roles of instructors and supervisors in the upcoming "Fame" remake. Production begins Wednesday, with Kevin Tancharoen directing. As with the 1980 original, the remake follows dancers, singers, actors and artists from auditions to graduation at the New York City High School of Performing Arts. "Fame" has been set for release next September 25.
FILM/2008 SATELLITE NOMS: Meryl Streep grabbed 2 nominations for her roles in “Mamma Mia!” and “Doubt” as the nominees for the 13th Satellite Awards were announced over the weekend. Other nomination leaders included “Slumdog Millionaire” and the biopic “Milk,” which each received 6 noms including best motion picture, drama. In the television realm, “Mad Men” continues to rack up accolades receiving 3 nominations including for best TV drama. The awards, given by the Intl. Press Academy, will take place December 14. A full list of noms can be found on the Satellite website.
FILM/2008 BIFA AWARDS: Danny Boyle’s Mumbai-set thriller "Slumdog Millionaire" and "Hunger," Steve McQueen’s account of a jailed Irish Republican Army member’s hunger strike in the 1970s, each won 3 honors at the British Independent Film Awards last evening in London. "Slumdog," scooped the top 2 prizes on the night. British indie film and director for Danny Boyle. The other “Slumdog” win was for Dev Patel, who took the newcomer prize for his arresting turn as a street kid who manages to win the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Brit visual artist-turned-feature helmer McQueen nabbed the Douglas Hickox award for debut director. Other “Hunger” wins were for actor Michael Fassbender, who plays real-life Republican leader Bobby Sands in the gritty pic, and cinematographer Sean Bobbitt. Mike Leigh’s cheerful north London-set comedy “Happy-Go-Lucky” took two BIFAs, with Eddie Marsan and Alexis Zegerman feted in the supporting actor and actress categories, respectively. Vera Farmiga pocketed the actress award for “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” James Marsh’s death-defying “Man on Wire” snatched the documentary prize, and genre-busting Israeli animated documentary “Waltz With Bashir” won the foreign film prize. In the other main prizes, “The Escapist” was feted for achievement in production and Martin McDonagh collected the screenplay award for “In Bruges.” A full list of winners can be found on the BIFA website.

WORLD NEWS/ WORLD MARKS AIDS DAY 2008

As World AIDS Day is marked today, the fight against the disease remains stymied by the lack of adequate treatment in poor countries and setbacks in finding an effective vaccine, experts say. There have been plenty of advances over the past 2 decades. While 33 million people have the HIV virus that causes AIDS, more are enjoying healthier, longer lives thanks to powerful new medications. Organisers of World AIDS Day, built around the themes of leadership, self-responsibility and activism, are calling on governments to follow through on promises of universal treatment, prevention, care and support. "We have effective treatments. We have no other choice than to offer them to all those who need them," said Jean-Francois Delfraissy, head of the French National Research Agency on AIDS and viral hepatitis (ANRS). But affordable and effective treatment remains a rarity in Africa, home to the majority of HIV-positive people, making prospects of universal access to medication remote in the near future. In poorer countries, the choice may eventually be between treating millions of HIV-positive patients, or offering more expensive treatment to some 500,000 people who are resistant to mainstream therapies, Delfraissy said. Even in wealthier nations like France, where 5,200 new HIV-positive cases were registered last year, thousands of others remain unaware they are infected. "Don't let AIDS pick up speed!" urges the French association AIDES, which plans to install a huge counter on the Paris opera house showing the lag between new infections and treatment. Last Friday, the United Nations urged countries to focus on the roots of the epidemic and draw on a panoply of tried-and-tested tools to help HIV from spreading among people most at risk. "There is no single magic bullet for HIV prevention," said outgoing UNAIDS executive director Peter Piot. Hopes for such a magic bullet were shattered last year, when scientists were forced to abandon 2 advanced clinical trials of an AIDS vaccine by pharmaceutical company Merck, after they appeared to actually heighten the risk of infection. But AIDS research was given a boost in October when the 2008 Nobel Medicine Prize was bestowed to a pair of scientists who discovered HIV. Researchers have also discovered new molecules and have launched tests on new triple treatments that have proved effective for patients no longer responding to other therapies. Meanwhile, research on finding an effective AIDS shot continues. US scientists recently discovered a gene that may pave the way for a vaccine. Delfraissy, of ANRS, also predicts a revival in basic research to find molecules capable of attacking the virus at a stage where it has not yet been detected. Scientists are also interested in the cases of some HIV-positive people who never develop full-blown AIDS.

US HISTORY/ ANGELS REMEMBERED 50 YEARS ON

Today is the 50th Anniversary of a Chicago disaster, that changed many lives forever. On December 1, 1958, a fire consumed Our Lady of the Angels grade school on the West Side of Chicago, killing 92 children and 3 nuns. The fire at Our Lady of the Angels remains one of the worst tragedies in Chicago's history, a ghastly few hours on a cold, sunny afternoon that shattered families and knocked a hopeful, growing community forever off its path. The cause of the fire was never officially determined, and no one was held accountable. "To Sleep With The Angels" is a remarkable book, and details events that went on that day, and in the weeks and months to come. Very highly recommended.

AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

RYANAIR TARGETS AER LINGUS: RYANAIR has announced a new takeover bid for its Irish rival, AER LINGUS. Ryanair says it will pay €1.40 a share for the remaining 70% of Aer Lingus, a 28% premium over the current stock price. It combined, Ryanair would control over 80% of the European flights out of Dubin, Ireland. Ryanair initially tried to acquire Aer Lingus 2 years ago and already owns 30% of Aer Lingus shares. Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary said he is seeking urgent meetings with the Irish government, which still owns 25% of Aer Lingus shares. Ryanair's previous bid for Aer Lingus was blocked by the Irish government, Aer Lingus employees who hold more than 25% of shares, and European Union competition authorities.

THAI AIRPORT STANDOFF ESCALATES: Anti-government protesters reinforced their siege of Bangkok's 2 airports today as the politically paralyzed country struggled with more than 300,000 stranded travelers. In a switch of tactics, the People's Alliance for Democracy told its members occupying the prime minister's office compound for the last 3 months to leave and join compatriots at the airports, which they seized last week in their push to oust the government. Following the call, the number swelled to about 6,000 people at the 2 airports. The airport seizure since Tuesday severed all commercial flights in and out of the capital. Airlines, meanwhile, were flying dozens of empty planes out of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Some 30 planes had been flown out starting yesterday and an additional 50 were to be moved later today, to some to protest-free airports elsewhere in Thailand so that stranded tourists, businesspeople and others can fly out of the country.

INCIDENTS

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES FLIGHT 1447: The Boeing 737 was on International Service from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Houston, Texas, when it had to make an emergency landing in Managua, Nicaragua, yesterday, November 30. The 737 departed San Jose with 179 passengers and crew onboard. About 80 minutes after departure, the crew declared an emergency due to unspecified engine problems, and was diverted to Managua. While approaching Managua, the passenger cabin began to fill with smoke. It is not known if the passenger oxygen devices were deployed. The 737 made a safe landing in Managua, and was evacuated without incident upon coming to a stop. Emergency Services have not said what may have caused the smoke. The 737 was removed from service for further inspection and possible repairs. Continental is investigating the incident.

TRANSAERO FLIGHT 9182: The Boeing 767 was on International Service from Varadero, Cuba, to Moscow, Russia, when an unruly passenger said he was going to hijack the aircraft on Saturday, November 29. Flight 9182 departed Cuba with 208 passengers and 11 crew members. While inflight over the Atlantic Ocean, an inebriated passenger began demanding more vodka from the Cabin Crew, who refused him. The passenger then attempted to get to the cockpit, but was subdued by the cabin crew and restrained using Scotch type tape. When the passenger was tied to his seat, he started to shout, that the airplane was hijacked and should fly to Greece, but then slept away. The aircraft continued on to Moscow where it landed without incident. The passenger was arrested by Moscow Police.
ANA FLIGHT 730: The A320 was on Domestic Service from Sapparo to Sendai, Japan, when it had to make an emergency return to Sapparo, on Friday, November 28. Flight 730, with 89 passengers and crew onboard, made the emergency return after the nose gear could not be retracted following takeoff. Upon landing, the nose wheel landing gear failed, causing a tire to burst. The crew were able to stop the A320 on the runway, however oil began to leak out of the nose gear forcing the Airport to shut down the runway for several hours. The A320 has been removed from service for inspection and repairs. ANA is investigating the incident.