The Naked and Famous set to get more famous

Kiwi band The Naked and Famous are in the running for an influential music honour in the UK.

The five-piece band from Auckland features on the longlist for the BBC's Sound of 2011 along with 14 other rising stars of music.

With their synth-rock sound, the band burst onto the underground scene in 2008 with EPs This Machine and No Light. Last year they supported Nine Inch Nails and their pulsating single All of This got major airplay.

They followed up with Young Blood written for noisy album Passive Me, Aggressive You released in September, proving they were more than electro synth-rock band.

The band is made up of producer, singer and co-founder Thom Powers, producer Aaron Short, singer and co-founder Alisa Xayalith, bass player David Beadle, and drummer Jesse Wood.

The BBC list is put together by more than 160 UK tastemakers, including radio DJs and producers, TV presenters and producers, newspaper critics, magazine and website editors and respected bloggers, who were asked to name their favourite new acts.

The Sound of 2011 winner and top five are out in January.

Sound of 2011: The Longlist

James Blake
Anna Calvi
Daley
Esben & the Witch
Jessie J
Clare Maguire
Mona
The Naked & Famous
Nero
Jai Paul
The Vaccines
Warpaint
Jamie Woon
Wretch 32
Yuck .

NEWS BY:http://tvnz.co.nz/entertainment-news

Scottish childcare among the UK’s costliest

PARENTS in Scotland are facing some of the highest childcare costs in Britain with some paying annual bills of nearly £12,000, according to a new report.

Scotland’s out-of-school clubs have the second highest average costs in the UK, while childminding charges are the highest outside of the south of England.

Costs also vary across local authoritieswith the average weekly prices in Scotland for nursery care for children under two ranging from £67.50 to £142.50, according to the report by the Daycare Trust and Children in Scotland charities.

A parent using 25 hours of care over 50 weeks of the year in Scotland’s most expensive nursery would face a bill of £11,688.

Individual authorities were not identified in the report.

Meanwhile, the survey also found that only a fifth of Scottish local authorities said they had enough childcare for parents working full time, while just one in ten had sufficient for those working outside normal office hours or living in rural areas.

The Scottish Government insisted it was committed to bringing down the cost of childcare, but charities have called for legislation to provide universal free childcare.

Daycare Trust chief executive Anand Shukla said: “The high price of childcare faced by many Scottish families is putting significant pressure on family budgets at a time when tax credits have been cut.

“These problems are exacerbated by significant gaps in childcare availability and a postcode lottery in prices.

“Greater management of the childcare market is needed, both at government and at local authority level.

“Today, we are calling on the Scottish Government to take the lead in implementing the Early Years Framework by legislating to provide a childcare place for every child.”

The report also found the cost gap between private and state nurseries was highest in Scotland, at least £20 per week compared with less than £10 south of the Border.

Some costs have improved in the past year in Scotland. Nursery places for children aged two and over dropped by 3.1 per cent and out-of-school clubs decreased 1.9 per cent. But childminding costs for children aged two and up climbed 5 per cent – more than English or Welsh averages.

The report’s authors urged the Scottish Government to put pressure on Westminster to amend regulations to allow self-employed parents to claim childcare vouchers. They also said Scottish local authorities should be forced to collect better data on childcare provision.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said it was committed to expanding and improving the quality of early learning and childcare provision, focusing on those who were most in need.

She added: “Since 2007, we have delivered real increases in free pre-school provision, benefiting around 100,000 children each year.

“In addition, we’re providing £4.5 million over the next three years to local authorities to deliver additional early learning and childcare for all looked after two-year-olds; and a further £4.5m to promote community-based solutions to family support and childcare.

“This government is committed to tackling the high cost of childcare through changes to the welfare and tax systems. Having control over our tax and benefit systems would undoubtedly help deliver this.”

A total of 26 of the 32 Scottish local authorities took part in the survey, carried out between November 2011 and January 2012.

• Glasgow mother of two Steffi Keir, 41, who works in the charitable sector, pays about £600 a month for three days a week of childcare for her daughters, aged five and 17 months.

She said to go private would cost far more and there should be a system of universally subsidised childcare, except where parents can really afford it.

“We got our oldest into a local authority nursery at the age of three, so before that we paid a childminder £500 a month,” she said. “I could be a stay-at-home mum, but it would be difficult for me not to even work part-time, because it’s a very fulfilling job.”

NEWS BY:http://www.scotsman.com

Live Commentary: England vs. Wales

Good afternoon and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of this Six Nations clash between England and Wales at Twickenham.

England, despite winning both of their games so far this tournament, go into this match as underdogs. With Owen Farrell moving to fly-half and Manu Tuilagi coming in at centre, England could be dangerous in midfield.

Wales are favourites but have not won at HQ for a long time. Sam Warburton and Alun Wyn Jones return to the pack, giving Wales a slight advantage upfront. England will not want to let this one slip, but there is nothing the Welsh love more than beating England, especially at Twickenham. This could be the match of the Championship so far.

(Please refresh this page to see the latest updates)

00mins No controversy over the anthems today as the teams line up.

01mins Here we go! Steve Walsh blows and Farrell delivers wide. Toby Faletau takes. Early penalty to Wales as England fail to release after a tackle. Priestland kicks to touch.

02mins George North breaks down the middle and looks to be on but falls to an ankle tap. Priestland tries the chip on but it goes too long. England restart and North tries again, this time down the line but is bundled into touch.

04mins Wales maul down the wing but Ian Evans is adjudged to be offside. England kick back and Wales gather at half-way.

05mins England win a penalty on the half-way line. Farrell finds touch.

07mins Wales win a scrum after two restarts. They attempt the dink-on but it goes into touch.

09mins Warburton forces a penalty after the tackle as Farrell holds on on the ground. They find touch in the English half. England pinch the lineout.

10mins England clear but not past their halfway line. Wales win the lineout.

12mins Priestland delivers high but Dixon gathers. England go long and Halfpenny glances off two tackles. A risky pass from Alun Wyn Jones is intercepted but knocked on by Strettle.

13mins Penalty to Wales off the scrum. Priestland kicks to the English 22.

15mins Wales creep into the English 22 from the lineout. The English defence looks solid.

16mins England turn over but it goes for a scrum. The ref awards Wales the put-in.

17mins The scrum is resent after some confusion off a Faletau pick.

18mins Wales with a mighty heave from the scrum. England are penalised. Halfpenny will go for the posts.

19mins Halfpenny pushes his attempt wide.

20mins Wales knock on after the restart to award England a scrum in their own half.

21mins England take a quick penalty and burst down the centre. They go wide and into the Welsh 22.

22mins Farrell attemps a drop gaol after penalty adventage is called. He pushes it wide and it goes back for the spot kick.

23mins PENALTY! Farrell puts England on the board. ENGLAND 3-0 WALES

24mins Botha penalised for going off his feet at the ruck. Halfpenny to go for three.

25mins PENALTY! Halfpenny evens the scores. ENGLAND 3-3 WALES

27mins North takes the ball into touch to give England a dangerous lineout. England win and spread wide to get inches from the Welsh try line.

28mins Wales defend extremely well and play is called back for an offside penalty. England try to take it quick but Walsh calls it back. Jamie Roberts is threatened with the bin for offside.

29mins PENALTY! Farrell puts England ahead. ENGLAND 6-3 WALES

31mins England go down the line and look extremely dangerous. This is encouraging for the men in white as they hold on to possession.

33mins A penalty to Wales puts a halt to English momentum.

34mins PENALTY! It's a hard one for Halfpenny but he sends it over. ENGLAND 6-6 WALES

36mins Priestland bounces off Tuilagi as England mount their attack. Wales win it back from a failed chip-on.

37mins England turn over and go down the line. A pass is intercepted but England win a penalty on the floor.

38mins PENALTY! Farrell goes three-from-three. ENGLAND 9-6 WALES

40mins England slow it down to wait for the clock, before Dxon boots it out.

HALF TIME: ENGLAND 9-6 WALES Wales started off well but England have had some great momentum towards the end. It's still too close to call and the second half looks set to be a thriller.

40mins Referee Walsh gets the second half underway.

41mins Wales battle into the English half but England win a penalty.

42mins Farrell boots to touch just outside the Welsh 22.

43mins Wales turn over and Mike Phillips boots long. England gather and restart their attack.

44mins YELLOW CARD! A Priestland kick is charged down and England look to set up a try. Priestland comes in for a late tackle and is sent for a 10 minute cool down.

45mins PENALTY! Farrell sends another one over, ENGLAND 12-6 WALES

47mins Wales slow down play as they advance to the English 22.

50mins Slow, disciplined work from Wales as they hang on to possession. The phases are going well until England win a penalty. Farrell boots for touch and finds the Welsh 22.

52mins England maul from the lineout and are held at the 22. England spill and Wales isolate the English defender. Wales miss touch but England's clearance sets up a Welsh attack. Wales win a penalty at the ruck.

53mins PENALTY! Halfpenny sends it over. ENGLAND 12-9 WALES

54mins Ryan Jones replaces Alun Wyn Jones.

55mins Priestland waits to come back on as England knock on in the Welsh half.

56mins Priestland rejoins play as the teams pack down.

57mins Wales win a penalty for offside from the scrum. They boot for touch but don't find much territory.

59mins England with a series of turnovers on the half way line. They spread wide and advance to the Welsh 22.

60mins Play is halted as the English attack is bundled into touch. All the pressure is on Wales and England are looking extremely hungry for a try.

61mins Youngs is on for Dixon. Tom Croft pinches the Welsh lineout.

62mins England are penalised but Priestland misses touch. England return and win a penalty on the floor.

63mins Farrell misses his kick.

65mins England with a relentless onslaught on Wales. The men in red can't seem to get out their own half. Toby Flood comes on for Farrell.

66mins Wales get into the English half and are awarded a scrum.

68mins Wales burst into the English 22 and come inches from the line. England steal on the floor and clear.

69mins England are penalised for bringing Warburton down from the jump at the lineout. Wales kick for touch and find the English 22.

70mins England penalised for a hand in the ruck. Halfpenny to go for the posts.

71mins PENALTY! Halfpenny levels the scores. ENGLAND 12-12 WALES

73mins England mount a fast-paced attack but get an unlucky offside call. Wales kick for touch.

74mins Priestland sends it high into the English 22 and Foden calls the mark. They send it back to Wales and win turnover.

76mins TRY! Replacement Scott Williams steals ball and hacks on. He wins the foot race and dives over. Halfpenny converts. ENGLAND 12-19 WALES

77mins England come within a whisker as George North knocks an English grubber kick into touch on the five-metre line.

78mins England with a penalty and kick for touch for five-metre lineout. Wales set up their defence.

79mins Wales look to have turned over but England are awarded the lineout. They kick for touch and go for the five-metre lineout.

80mins England spread wide and go over the line, but it looks to be held up. It's going upstairs.

83mins INCONCLUSIVE -NO TRY!

FULL TIME! ENGLAND 12-19 WALES Wales win the Triple Crown! To be fair, though, England were extremely unlucky to lose this match. It's a cliche but it could have gone either way. England will take a lot of positives from this game, but Wales take the 2012 Triple Crown, and their first ever Triple Crown at Twickenham.

NEWS BY:http://www.sportsmole.co.uk

Overnight Alcohol Related Emergency Visits Almost Treble Since UK Licensing Laws Changed

The number of people kept overnight for emergency care because of alcohol-related problems has almost tripled since the UK changed its licensing laws, according to and article in the Emergency Medicine Journal (BMJ).

In November, 2005, UK licensing laws changed so that establishments can sell alcohol virtually 24/7. It was thought that by extending licensing hours binge drinking and crime and disorder related to drunkenness would go down.

This study looked at the number of emergency care visits to an inner-city London teaching hospital during two separate months - one month before the change in law, the other month after. It is a large emergency department, close to several drinking establishments. The study only looked at people over 16 who had been drinking before coming into the emergency department.

The study found that:
(March 2005 was before the change in the law, March 2006 was after the change)

-- March 2005 - over 10,000 emergency department visits were made
-- March 2006 - 3% fewer emergency department visits were made (compared to 2005)
-- March 2005 - 2,700 overnight visits to emergency care
-- March 2006 - 3,100 overnight visits to emergency care
-- March 2005 - 3% of overnight stays were alcohol related (79 total)
-- March 2006 - 8% of overnight stays were alcohol related (250 total)

The authors believe that the new legislation, rather than curb binge drinking and alcohol related crime and disorder, has had the opposite effect. They said "We feel that our findings are likely to be representative of inner city (emergency care departments) in the UK. If reproduced over longer time periods and across the UK, as a whole, the additional numbers of patients presenting to emergency care, with alcohol related problems could be very substantial."

NEWS BY:http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

Education Divisions Boost McGraw-Hill and Pearson Earnings

Two of the biggest players in education publishing had good news to report in their most recent earnings filings, even though McGraw-Hill (MHP) supplied more tangible information than its U.K.-based competitor, Pearson (PSO).

McGraw-Hill Sees Strong Gains in Education Division

For its third quarter, McGraw-Hill's profit rose to $380 million, or $1.23 a share, from $336 million, or $1.07 a share in the year-earlier period -- a 15% increase from the same time last year and way above analysts' expectations of $1.10 EPS. Total revenue grew by 5.5% to $1.98 billion, also beating analysts' projections for the company.

On the education side, revenue jumped 5.5% to $1.1 billion while operating profit grew 19.9% to $357.5 million. That took into account a $3.8 million pre-tax gain on the divestiture of a secondary school business in Australia, while foreign exchange had negligible impact this quarter, a far cry from previous earnings periods.

Looking at specific education segments, revenue for the School Education Group increased by 6.7% to $534.7 million compared to the same time last year, while the higher education side went up 4.3% to $520.0 million. The School Education Group is now on track to capture 30% of the estimated $825 million to $875 million state new adoption market in 2010, owing in large part to substantial orders from the adoption states with the biggest student enrollments, such as Texas, California, and Florida.

Good news also came from the Standard & Poor's side, as that division's revenue increased 9.5% to $697.4 million compared to 12 months ago. The biggest reason? High-yield debt issuance.

As for information and media, Q3 revenue declined by 4.7% to $227.8 million compared to the same period last year, but it would have increased 5.1% if not for lingering residue from the sale of BusinessWeek to Bloomberg. Operating profit for this division also increased by 55.1% to $45.8 million in the third quarter.

In a statement, Chairman, CEO and President Harold McGraw III attributed the earnings jump to a slew of factors, including "surging global high-yield issuance in the bond market, a solid gain at S&P Indices, increases in U.S. elementary-high school and higher education in the seasonally most important quarter of the year, double-digit increases in the sales of digital products and services in higher education and professional markets, and global growth in energy information products."

Looking ahead, the company is bumping up its guidance, now anticipating earnings per share somewhere between $2.60 and $2.65, even with a one-time gain of 2 cents EPS from recent acquisitions.

Pearson Finds Success in Move to Global Learning Technology

As for Pearson, its nine-month trading report was thin on numbers and long on percentage-driven positive news. Overall, the company increased sales by 7% and adjusted operating profit 15% in the first nine months of 2010. Its trade book publishing arm, Penguin, saw revenue grow 5% compared to last year, and the education side increased 7% from 12 months ago. That piece of news caused Pearson to remark that it continues "to accelerate our transformation from book publisher to the leading global learning technology and services company through organic investment and bolt-on acquisitions."

An 11% jump in revenue for the Financial Times came about because of "strong demand for its print and digital content," increased M&A activity and sustained advertising growth. For Penguin, Pearson noted that "physical retail markets are tough," but they were offset "by strong publishing and rapid growth in eBook sales" for 16,500 titles currently available. Industry newsletter Publishers Lunch ran the numbers, and for e-books that means "if Penguin ebooks went from 8.5% of U.S. sales after two quarters to 10% of U.S. sales in the third quarter, that would comprise revenue of approximately $4 million."

In other words, as is the case for almost all big publishers right now, e-books are growing, but the story is still small potatoes compared to larger sectors like education -- and print publishing as a whole.


NEWS BY: http://www.dailyfinance.com