A Sony distribution warehouse in North London was destroyed by a fire as a result of the third night of riots in Great Britain.

The fire will impede the deliveries of CDs and DVDs throughout the United Kingdom, since it was the only place storing Sony products in the country, a Sony representative told Rolling Stone.

The warehouse was also home to the all of PIAS UK’s products, which is the main distribution company for over 150 labels in the area, meaning independent label will take a big hit.  Labels such as Beggars Group, Sub Pop, Rough Trade, Domino and 4AD lost all inventory.

“Pink Friday” rapper Nicki Minaj, 26, had to leave a hotel in London on Friday because a lot of Minaj’s fans aka “Barbz” posed a security threat and disturbed the hotel patrons.

The rapper tweeted, “Long day of press only to find out we’ve officially been kicked out the hotel! Lmaoooooooo. Rescue me barbz!!!! Pleeeeeeeasse.”

She added, “And they said yesterday while I was out doing press, a fight broke out and an ambulance was called for 1 of my barbz.”

Even after relocating to a different hotel, massive crowds of fans rushed into wherever the rapper was, which made her tweet, “OMFG. Trying to Get out of that club felt like world war f**king 3. Lol. London is crrraaazzzzyyyyyy. Thx 4 cmn out u guys!!! Xoxoxoxooxox!”

A British judge freed WikiLeaks founder and editor Julian Assange on bail Tuesday, setting strict conditions as the online information mogul fights extradition to Sweden on sex charges.

Assange, a 39-year-old Australian, has been held in London for a week after surrendering on the Swedish arrest warrant. He is wanted to for questioning after two women accused him of sexual misconduct in separate encounters over the summer. Assange has denied the accusations.

According to the Associated Press, several high-profile international figures have offered to post Assange’s bond, said to be at least 200,000 pounds, or $315,000, said Geoffrey Robertson, the human rights lawyer representing Assange.

Wikileaks supporters, demonstrating outside the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court cheered loudly after hearing the judge’s ruling, the AP reported.

WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, 39, was at the Westminster Magistrates Court overnight after a judge refused him bail at an extradition hearing in London.

Assange is currently wanted in Sweden over claims he sexually assaulted two women in August.

The Guardian reports that Assange denies the allegations and Howard Riddle, district judge, ruled there was a risk Assange would fail to surrender if granted bail.

TORONTO — The southeastern Ontario town of Napanee is in mourning this week after two crashes involving the same local firefighters, including a bus that rolled over and killed a 49-year-old mother of three, devastated the small city.

Five local firefighters crashed near London, Ontario Saturday while on their way back to their hometown of Napanee from a firefighter fitness competition.

Some of the injured firefighters were taken to a local hospital, and then boarded a charter bus, along with family, to drive nearly 250 miles back to Napanee.

That bus then crashed on Sunday near Woodstock — just 30 miles from London — after it hit a highway guardrail, flipped over and rolled into a ditch. Darlene Goodfellow, the 49-year-old wife of one of the firefighters who was injured in the Saturday crash, was killed in the accident.

Twelve people were injured on Sunday, including four of the firefighters injured in the Saturday crash. Two of the men, including Goodfellow’s now-widowed husband, had surgery yesterday.

An outpouring of grief continues on social media sites like Twitter, where many continue to express their condolences, especially for Goodfellow and her family.

Ontario Provincial Police continue to investigate the crashes, though a cause has not yet been named.

Sarah Young, a porcelain-skinned, British fashion editor, blogger, DJ and all-around personality, is a young media personality on the cusp of something spectacular. Proving her journalistic skills, having interviewed the likes of Mr Hudson, British fashion icon, Vivienne Westwood, Boy George, Kelly Cutrone, Jeremy Scott, Michelle Williams and Famous UK Urban acts such as Tinchy Stryder and Bashy. At 20 years young, she is moving at a scarily rapid pace.

Three months ago she launched her blog and approached Blast about contributing. Her blog is a mix of video episodes, one-on-one interviews, secret diaries, Sarah’s Weekly Crush and reports on the industry’s up-and-coming talent.

“I started the blog because one day I want to run my own magazine — that or become the editor of Vogue by 23,” Young said. “I just thought it would be a good platform to write whatever the hell I want. Thing is with magazines, there are limits, but when I created my blog, I knew that the only limits there would be were the ones I put on myself.”

Young is launching a radio show next year, as well as going on an international blog tour, presenting a series of documentaries, launching an online magazine and releasing a DJ mixtape. She is also studying for a degree in fashion photography.

The young Londoner represents the new generation of media savvy 20-somethings that are doing it all — a perfect ‘cross the pond companion for Blast.

She’s one to keep an eye on, and you’ll be able to do so here on Blast as Miss Young as she gives us a mix of breaking news from Europe and reports on all things fabulous.

Former Olympian and 2012 Olympic hopeful Logan Campbell can’t afford to fund his own training. Tired of seeking cash from his parents, the 23-year-old New Zealander decided to venture into entrepreneurship.

He, in partnership with a 20-year-old accountant, opened a 14-room brothel in his homeland, which decriminalized prostitution in 2003. Campbell’s “gentleman’s club” will ultimately make him the money he needs to fund his training, however, New Zealand Olympic officials say that his business venture could work against him when applying to be a 2012 team member.

“Selection takes into account not just performance but also the athlete’s ability to serve as an example to the youth of the country,” funding manager John Schofield told New Zealand’s Sunday Star Times newspaper.

Campbell says his mother didn’t initially approve of the idea, however, decided to go along with it after meeting with some of the whores fine young women.

Campbell will work as a full-time pimp “escort agency” owner ‚ until 2011. He’ll then hit the gyms for a full year before the 2012 games.

Beijing 2008

In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Campbell, who competes in Tae Kwon Do, made the Top 16 before losing to Sung Yu-Chi of Taiwan, who eventually went on to win the bronze.

Leading up to those games Campbell’s parents were the ones who footed his $95,000 training bills.

This time, that bill will go to the lonely men of New Zealand. Campbell hopes the brothel will help him raise double the amount needed to train for the 2008 Olympics.

At least the customers will feel like they are doing a good deed.

LONDON — Fashion is an obscure concept. The actuality of it lies in imagination, creation and the architecture and execution of design. Fashion can, however, be disciplined by seasons and “Ëœtendencies’ which are often very limiting.

In this column I won’t discuss seasonal trends or dictate or “Ëœrecommend’ what you should or shouldn’t be wearing, but I will write about people in the industry who are designing, creating and curating things of artistic integrity and worth. Fashion should be a form of self-expression; something that is personal and emotional, not something that is prescriptive, limiting or static. Not to say that this column won’t be biased; I plan to write only about people and things I like, it’s just up to you to decide if you agree.

A designer who I admire and adore is JCDC — Jean Charles de Cajabajac. This guy is a total fashion hunk. Suave and old school, yet incredibly contemporary, his designs are mad cool. And I mean, literally, a mixture of fashion insanity and cooler-than-cool logos and graphic designs.

Jean Charles recently brought his French label to London in the form of a fashion gallery in Conduit Street, and guess what? He personally and exclusively talked to me about why he chose central London as his destination of choice and how he plans to conquer the USA.

“I chose Mayfair because it is at the corner of two symbolic streets for me: Saville Row, where my father and I used to be dressed at Chittleborough and Morgan, and Conduit Street where my dear friend Vivienne Westwood’s store is located,” he said.

I asked Jean Charles if his connection to England had been effectively reinforced by having his own “fashion gallery” in London. “The fashion gallery is part of my universe, and this store is my place in England,” he responded.

What about a store in the USA? “I love America, that would be exciting!”

The central London store, curated by Anthony Stephenson, is definitely a fashion haven amongst the chaos of the city, and who knows the next stop for JCDC might be America?

***

Another designer you just have to know about is the lovely cutting edge menswear designer Katie Eary. She was featured in the recent English edition of Vogue and is set to go international any time. This is what I found out after a catch up (or rather, a mini interrogation session) with her on Facebook.

BLAST: When did you realize you wanted to be a designer?

KATIE EARY: I was always an artist at heart, and so putting my mind to anything creative was always enjoyable. But for me, The Saatchi Sensation exhibition was a turning point in my life. I became an avid fan of all things Brit Art! It was also a wake up call! How was I going to make an impact? If Emin, Hurst, Quinn, Lucas (the list is endless) were doing all this cross-examining of taboo subjects how could I make my own impact? Everything seemed to be exhausted in all areas of creativity… All this except maybe Menswear. And so, 14 years later…

BLAST: ҬIf you could describe your style in 5 words, what would they be?

KE: Ab Fab, Punk, refined, nautical, magpie.

BLAST: You were recently featured in Vogue, how did it feel being featured in the most famous, most respected fashion publication in the world?

KE: I love Vogue, they have been so, so supportive, and to actually be featured is a real honor, and feels great to believe that they believe in me.

BLAST: Lets play Desert island discs. Fave Track/artist?

KE: My Black Hearted- but in general everything by PJ Harvey.

BLAST: Fave artist/piece of workӬ?

KE: Marcus Harvey — I thought the portrait of Margaret Thatcher using the dildos was just genius. But in general I can’t say he is my fave, I have too many!

BLAST: Fave designer/piece of clothing?

KE: Givenchy leather inserted jeans and Balmain military jackets.

***

A music /fashion star that you have to look out for is a singer named Mpho ( pronounced: mmm fo). She is releasing her debut single Box N Locks in July. The music video is influenced by an 80′s pop Bowie esque style and Mpho’s fashion sense is a mix between Lady Gaga Futurism and Beyonce sassy-ness. Check out the bright orange mirror top with larger than life shoulder pads in the video below — such a crazy cool look.

Well that’s it for now folks. Hope “y’all” enjoyed my first column. Don’t forget to log onto my blog for even more info on not just fashion, but music and art‚  as well.

Peace, your girl from London, SY. XOXO.

As a university student training to be part of the “creative class”, I’m not a fan of routine or content with the prospect of “settling down” in one city doing the same thing for the rest of my life. In my opinion, most people really are part of the “creative class”, mostly because I don’t think your job is what defines who you are. You, as a person, socially, your dreams and objectives, that’s what defines you. Then whether or not you actually try to meet those goals defines your drive and character, the strength of your ambition and your will. And that ultimately is who you are.

So anyway, back to what I was saying. It’s my goal in life to be a journalist who gets to travel all over the world. Money isn’t a big issue for me since I’d probably use the extra money I would make in another field traveling anyway. This way I get to do two things I love and get paid for it.

This morning I was looking at the Atlantic Monthly’s website, reading the food section and some of the correspondent’s articles. It’s something I’d highly recommend. The Atlantic has some amazingly interesting stuff.

I came across a story about the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), a biannual ranking of top financial centers across the globe using points, based on surveys taken by financial experts. The Index is produced for the City of London and guess what? London is numero uno.

New York is naturally second, and both London and New York have a commanding lead of more than 100 points over third place Singapore. It’s a possibility the two western powerhouses could see some competition for the top spot from cities like Singapore and Hong Kong (ranked fourth, just three points behind Singapore) in the future, but for now they are pretty safe as the one-two western punch.

Since the last Index was published nearly six months ago, New York and London have lost fewer points than both Singapore and Hong Kong. Some Asian cities have taken a large hit, namely Tokyo, which fell from a seven ranking to a 15 and lost 31 points, the largest drop in the top 20. Some cities, like Boston, Dublin, Toronto and Guernsey, have even capitalized on the losses of others, rising in the rankings despite losing points.

Overall, I think this Index is a pretty interesting way of ranking top financial cities in the world. And it got me thinking about traveling and ultimately, trying to visit most of the world’s richest in my lifetime. Though the rankings will change from year to year, that just means I have to travel more. I’ve got no problem with that.

It’s also being speculated, by Jeffrey Garten at the Financial Times, that once the global recovery begins New York and London will see a tag-team emerge in the east, something he’s dubbed ShangKong, which to me sounds like either a Mortal Kombat villain or some sort of Godzilla-like terrorizer. He postulates that New York and London, let’s call that YorkDon in honor of Garten, will be reeling from this crisis for years, while ShangKong will recover quicker. YorkDon will have to tend to more problems, more industries and more sectors while ShangKong will be able to use its rising economic status to overtake and crush YorkDon.

Talking about cities like this has always wanted to make me travel and visit them. Hearing the word Shanghai spoken or seeing it written doesn’t come close to seeing a photo of the city’s inner core at night, which doesn’t come close to actually being there. Regardless of the ranking of cities like London, Tokyo and ShangKong, I’ll try to make my way through them one by one as I get older.

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