69th Tony Awards

The 69th Annual Tony Awards were held on June 7, 2015, to recognize achievement in

Broadway productions during the 2014–15 season. The ceremony was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City and broadcast live by CBS. Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming hosted the ceremony.

Of the ceremony's most winning productions, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Fun Home each won five Tony Awards in the play and musical categories, respectively. Both An American in Paris and the Lincoln Center revival of The King and I took home four Tony Awards.

The Creative Arts Awards portion of the awards ceremony is hosted by Jessie Mueller and James Monroe Iglehart. The Creative Arts Awards usually include Best Lighting Design of a Play, Best Lighting Design of a Musical, Best Costume Design of a Play, Best Costume Design of a Musical, Best Orchestrations.

There were performances at the awards ceremony from musicals which have been nominated for a Tony Award, and those which have not been nominated, including: An American in Paris, The King and I, On the Town, On the Twentieth Century, The Visit, Fun Home, Something Rotten!, It Shoulda Been You, Finding Neverland and Gigi.

Tommy Tune received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre award recipients are: Adrian Bryan-Brown (press agent), Gene O'Donovan (Hudson Scenic Studio founder), and Arnold Abramson (scenery designer and painter). The Cleveland Play House received the Regional Theatre Tony Award. John Cameron Mitchell received the Special Tony Award for his return to Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Stephen Schwartz was given the Isabelle Stevenson Award. The new education award was presented to Corey Mitchell, Performing Arts Teacher and Theatre Director, Northwest School of the Arts, Charlotte, North Carolina.

4 winners and 3 losers from the 2016 Tony Awards

The 70th annual Tony Awards, honoring the best and brightest of Broadway for the

2015-'16 season, handed out 24 golden statuettes on Sunday. Actor, Late Late Show host, and former Tony winner James Corden hosted.

The runaway hit Hamilton, a hip-hop musical retelling of the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton, won big, as expected. With 16 nominations in 13 categories, it took home 11 Tonys, including Best Musical, leaving it just shy of The Producers' record for 12 Tonys in 2002.

As expected, Hamilton also won Best Book and Score, giving composer and star Lin-Manuel Miranda a chance to deliver an emotional acceptance speech, in the form of a sonnet, that honored the Orlando shooting victims.

Hamilton also won Tonys for Best Featured Actress (Renée Elise Goldsberry, for her role as Angelica Schuyler), Best Featured Actor (Daveed Diggs, for his dual roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson), Leading Actor (Leslie Odom Jr. for his role as Aaron Burr; Odom beat out Miranda himself, who was nominated for his role as Hamilton), and Best Direction (Thomas Kail).

Meanwhile, in the technical categories, announced before the telecast, the show won awards for Best Choreography, Best Lighting Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Orchestrations.

With Hamilton tickets nearly impossible to come by these days, the Tonys offered a rare chance for non-Broadway audiences to see a live performance from the show. Pundits predicted the musical would give the perennially under-watched awards a giant ratings boost — and they were correct; Sunday’s Tonys telecast earned the awards’ highest overnight ratings in 15 years. The Tonys were so aware of Hamilton's long shadow over the proceedings that Tony host James Corden even lampshaded the Hamilton effect by joking about the show’s inevitable awards sweep in his opening number … which was also a parody of the opening number from Hamilton, performed by the entire Hamilton cast.

Not only did the Hamilton cast get to perform a grand total of four musical numbers over the course of the night — most musicals only get one Tony number each — but Miranda joined a composer-led singalong of "Tomorrow" from Annie and, prior to Sunday’s event, sang along to his own cast recording in Corden’s Broadway edition of carpool karaoke, which re-aired during the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the Tonys devoted an entire running segment, occurring outside the theater at regular intervals during the show, to letting every nominated musical cast perform their own version of Miranda’s #Ham4Ham, the weekly street performances in which the Hamilton cast and guests perform short songs and skits for the lottery crowds outside the Richard Rodgers Theater. The move was a tacit acknowledgement from the Tonys that Miranda’s street shows have made waves in the theater industry, and that they have become a case study on how to deliver content to hungry internet audiences who can’t get into the theater, all while having fun and keeping fan morale high.

As if all that wasn’t enough, the cast of Hamilton had their show’s performance introduced by none other than the president and first lady of the United States. Speaking from the White House in a pre-taped segment, Barack and Michelle Obama praised Hamilton, describing it as a civics lesson students can't get enough of and "a musical about the miracle that is America."

Tony Award

The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known

informally as the Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances, and an award is given for regional theatre. Several discretionary non-competitive awards are also given, including a Special Tony Award, the Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, and the Isabelle Stevenson Award. The awards are named after Antoinette "Tony" Perry, co-founder of the American Theatre Wing.

The rules for the Tony Awards are set forth in the official document "Rules and Regulations of The American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards", which applies for that season only. The Tony Awards are considered the highest U.S. theatre honor, the New York theatre industry's equivalent to the Academy Awards (Oscars) for motion pictures, the Grammy Awards for music, the Emmy Awards for television and AIAS (D.I.C.E. Awards) for video games. It also forms the fourth spoke in the EGOT, that is someone who has won all four awards. The Tony Awards are also considered the equivalent of the Laurence Olivier Award in the United Kingdom and the Molière Award of France.

From 1997 to 2010, the Tony Awards ceremony was held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in June and broadcast live on CBS television, except in 1999, when it was held at the Gershwin Theatre. In 2011 and 2012, the ceremony was held at the Beacon Theatre. The 67th Tony Awards returned to Radio City Music Hall on June 9, 2013, as did the 68th Tony Awards on June 8, 2014 and the 69th Tony Awards on June 7, 2015. The 70th Tony Awards were held on June 12, 2016 at the Beacon Theatre.

As of 2014, there are 24 categories of awards, plus several special awards. Starting with 11 awards in 1947, the names and number of categories have changed over the years. Some examples: the category Best Book of a Musical was originally called "Best Author (Musical)". The category of Best Costume Design was one of the original awards. For two years, in 1960 and 1961, this category was split into Best Costume Designer (Dramatic) and Best Costume Designer (Musical). It then went to a single category, but in 2005 it was divided again. For the category of Best Director of a Play, a single category was for directors of plays and musicals prior to 1960.

A newly established non-competitive award, The Isabelle Stevenson Award, was given for the first time at the awards ceremony in 2009. The award is for an individual who has made a "substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations".

The category of Best Special Theatrical Event was retired as of the 2009–2010 season. The categories of Best Sound Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Musical were retired as of the 2014-2015 season.

For the purposes of the award, a new play or musical is one that has not previously been produced on Broadway and is not "determined to be 'classic' or in the historical or popular repertoire", as determined by the Administration Committee (per Section (2g) of the Rules and Regulations). The rule about "classic" productions was instituted by the Tony Award Administration Committee in 2002, and stated (in summary) "A play or musical that is determined ... to be a 'classic' or in the historical or popular repertoire shall not be eligible for an Award in the Best Play or Best Musical Category but may be eligible in that appropriate Best Revival category." Shows transferred from Off-Broadway or the West End are eligible as "new", as are productions based closely on films.

This rule has been the subject of some controversy, as some shows have been ruled ineligible for the "new" category, meaning that their authors did not have a chance to win the important awards of Best Play or Best Musical (or Best Score or Best Book for musicals). On the other hand, some people[who?] feel that allowing plays and musicals that have been frequently produced to be eligible as "new" gives them an unfair advantage, because they will have benefited from additional development time as well as additional familiarity with the Tony voters.

Prosecutors seeking tough sentence for Pistorius

Paralympian Oscar Pistorius will face sentencing this week over the 2013 killing of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in Pretoria.

South African prosecutors are expected to press for the toughest sentence against Paralympian Oscar Pistorius at the conclusion of his trial this week.

The hearing, which began on Monday, heard from Professor Jonathan Scholtz, a psychologist called by Pistorius' lawyer that Pistorius was on medication for depression, anxiety and insomnia.

Professor Scholtz said Pistorius is a broken man and that the former athlete should be in hospital and is not fit enough to give evidence.

In December the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned the double amputee runner's manslaughter conviction and changed it to murder.

In South Africa murder carries a mandatory sentence of 15 years minimum - although there is a caveat built in "unless there are substantial and compelling circumstances".

The athlete was refused leave to appeal to the Constitutional Court, finally exhausting all legal avenues to avoid jail.

Several reports suggest his girlfriend's father, Barry Steenkamp, may give evidence in the coming days in an attempt to persuade the judge to levy a long sentence.

Mr Steenkamp did not attend most of the trial due to ill health and if he does testify it is likely to be very emotional and powerful.

It is more than three years since the athlete shot dead his law graduate girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in a toilet cubicle at his home in Pretoria.

The runner has steadfastly insisted the shooting was a mistake. He said he thought an intruder had entered his home in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013 and he feared for their safety.

He fired four shots through a locked toilet door, killing his girlfriend. She was hit in the head, hip and arm.

He has always said that it was only when he battered down the door with a cricket bat that he realised the person behind was Ms Steenkamp.

At the original trial, Judge Thokozile Masipa believed the runner's testimony and found him guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide (manslaughter).

He was sentenced to five years under correctional supervision, of which he served only one in prison.

For the past eight months he has been on bail and under what is commonly known as "house arrest", living at his uncle Arnold's home in an upmarket area of Pretoria.

Although the terms of his correctional supervision have remained secret, this typically involves wearing an electronic tag, restricted movements and carrying out community service.

The runner has been photographed arriving at a police station where he cleaned out cells and at his last court appearance in April, he complained about his electronic tag being defective, sending out emergency signals while he was still in his uncle's house.

The runner, who was once a worldwide icon revered for overcoming his physical limitations, is now said to be broke.

He used to have several homes and earned millions in prize money as well as advertising and endorsements.

It has emerged the runner has given his only interview since his arrest to a former British policeman turned filmmaker and it will be aired on 24 June, after the sentencing is expected to be completed.

His uncle Arnold insisted it was his decision and not the runner's to do the interview and no one from the family would profit from it.

"Not knowing what the future holds for Oscar this week, I decided it was necessary to take up one media offer that would provide our family with a voice to address some of the misconceptions that have remained unchallenged," Arnold Pistorius said in a statement.

He said the family's silence and decision not to give interviews throughout the trial had "created fertile ground for inaccuracies and unfounded speculation to flourish in the media and public domain".

PSPA declared, Redcliffe

Police have declared an emergency situation under the Public Safety Preservation Act at an address in Redcliffe this morning.

Officers were called to a residence on Klingner Road at 10am following reports of a disturbance.

Police declared the emergency situation after establishing that a man, who is believed to be armed, had barricaded himself inside the house.

It is believed there may be others inside the residence.

An exclusion zone (pictured) has been established which encompasses Scarborough Road to Watt Street and Pinewood Street to Yates Street.

There is no further information at this stage.

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Policelink anonymously via 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day. 

Moreton Crime Watch is a community volunteer organisation working along side the Queensland Police Service.

The systems designed by the MCW Group are built to deliver emergency information in the form of realtime updates. 

By the very nature of the information provided, the MCW Group help to create a safer and more informed community.

Christina Aguilera & Blake Shelton React to 'The Voice' Contestant Christina Grimmie's Death

Christina María Aguilera (born December 18, 1980) is an American singer,

songwriter, actress, dancer, and record producer. Born in Staten Island, New York and raised in Rochester and Wexford, Pennsylvania, she appeared on the television series Star Search and The Mickey Mouse Club in her early years. After recording "Reflection" the theme for Disney's 1998 film Mulan, Aguilera signed with RCA Records. She rose to prominence with her 1999 number one self-titled debut album that spawned the Billboard Hot 100 number one singles; "Genie in a Bottle", "What a Girl Wants", and "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)". The following year Aguilera released two studio albums; the Spanish-language album Mi Reflejo and the holiday album My Kind of Christmas. She assumed creative control for her fourth studio album Stripped (2002) which produced five successful singles including; "Dirrty", "Beautiful" and "Fighter". Aguilera's fifth studio album Back to Basics (2006) debuted at number one on the album charts of ten countries and spawned the major hit singles; "Ain't No Other Man" and "Hurt". During 2010 Aguilera released her sixth studio album Bionic and starred alongside Cher in the film Burlesque. In 2011 she became an original coach on the US television series The Voice and has since appeared on six of its 10 seasons. Her seventh studio album Lotus was released in 2012. Aguilera has also been featured on several successful collaborations during her career including; "Lady Marmalade", "Moves Like Jagger" and "Say Something".

Aguilera has been recognized as a pop icon and earned the title "Princess of Pop" in her early years. Her work has earned her five Grammy Awards, one Latin Grammy Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She has sold over 17.9 million albums in the United States as of 2014 and 50 million albums worldwide as of 2011. In 2009, she ranked at number 58 on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time, thereby becoming the youngest and the only artist under 30 to be named. Billboard recognized her as the 20th most successful artist of the 2000s, and Time listed Aguilera among the top 100 Most Influential People in the World of 2013. Aside from her work in the entertainment industry, Aguilera is involved in charitable activities through human rights, world issues, and her work as a UN ambassador for the World Food Programme.

Aguilera announced that her sixth studio album would be "a very futuristic approach to music", drawing inspirations from electronic genres. The final product, Bionic, was released in June 2010. The release struggled to match the chart impact and sales of her previous albums, peaking at number three on the Billboard 200, and has sold 315,000 copies in the United States. The lead single, "Not Myself Tonight", charted at number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has sold 368,000 copies in the United States. "Woohoo" featuring rapper Nicki Minaj was released as a single in the United States and several European countries, while "You Lost Me" was the second single internationally, The last song serviced from Bionic was "I Hate Boys", which was sent to Australian contemporary hit radio in July 2010. That year, Aguilera made a cameo appearance in the comedy film Get Him to the Greek.

In November 2010, Aguilera starred alongside Cher in the film Burlesque.The film was written and directed by Steve Antin, and grossed $90 million. It was met with mixed reviews from critics, who criticized it for being "campy and clichéd", yet praised Aguilera's acting Aguilera contributed eight tracks to the film's accompanying soundtrack, while Cher performed the other two. The soundtrack reached number 18 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA. It has since sold 707,000 copies in the US. At the 68th Golden Globe Awards in 2011, Burlesque received a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, while "Bound to You", a song performed by Aguilera, earned Aguilera a nomination for Best Original Song, which lost to Cher's "You Haven't Seen the Last of Me", which also appeared on the Burlesque soundtrack. In December 2010, Aguilera appeared on T.I.'s song "Castle Walls" from his album No Mercy.

Aguilera has reinvented her public image on numerous occasions throughout her career. In the later 1990s, her then-manager Steve Kurtz marketed her as a bubblegum pop entertainer to capitalize on the genre's financial lure, which earned her recognition as a teen idol. Aguilera introduced her alter ego "Xtina" during 2002 and 2003, which presented an increasingly provocative person. During this time, she dyed her hair black, debuted several piercings, and participated in several nude pictorials for publications. In 2004, Aguilera embraced a more "mature" image with retro-styled hair and makeup, which was inspired by classic movie stars including Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich and Mary Pickford.This reinvention was named "Baby Jane" in 2006, an alter ego which was taken from the 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. Aguilera received widespread criticism over her "curvy" figure from gaining weight in 2012. She later received favorable media attention after a significant weight loss in 2013.

Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is a sport utility vehicle (SUV) produced by Japanese

automobile manufacturer Toyota. It was the first compact crossover SUV, making its debut in Japan and Europe in 1994 and in North America in 1995. The vehicle was designed for consumers wanting a vehicle that had most of the benefits of SUVs, such as increased cargo room, higher visibility and the option of full-time four-wheel drive, along with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a compact car. Although not all RAV4s are four-wheel drive, RAV4 stands for "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive" because the aforementioned equipment is an option in select countries.

In most markets, the RAV4 is the only compact SUV or crossover available from Toyota. In other markets, it is the crossover counterpart of the Toyota FJ Cruiser. Since the 2006 third generation model, Toyota has offered both short- and long-wheelbase versions of the RAV4. Short-wheelbase versions are sold in Japan and Europe, with Australia and North America receiving the long-wheelbase versions. Toyota of Japan also sells the longer-wheelbase version as the Toyota Vanguard at Toyopet Store locations. Japanese versions are sold at two different Toyota Japanese dealerships called Toyota Corolla Store and Toyota NETZ Store.

The fourth generation RAV4 was revealed at the November 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

US sales began in early January 2013. In the UK and Australia, the fourth generation RAV4 went on sale in February. Engines choices include a 2.0- and 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline, and 2.0- and 2.2-liter turbodiesels. Transmissions include a six-speed manual, CVT automatic, and six-speed automatic.

The RAV4 manufactured in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada has about 50 percent of its parts coming from Japan.

The UK model went on sale in 2013. Early European models include a choice of a 2.0-liter petrol or three 2.0-liter diesel engines.

Taiwanese models include 2.0-liter Dual VVT-i inline-four engine with CVT transmission with seven-speed manual mode, or 2.5-liter Dual VVT-i inline-four engine with six-speed automatic.

Indonesian models will be on sale in early 2015, first unveiled at the 2014 Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) in Jakarta in September, only available in G type includes 2.0-liter Dual VVT-i engine with CVT transmission with seven-speed manual mode.

The RAV4 no longer uses the V6 from the previous generation—all engine choices are inline four cylinder engines. Also, unlike the dual wheelbase strategy employed by the previous XA30 model, the XA40 is only sold in single wheelbase (corresponding with the LWB XA30). Therefore, as of April 2014, the previous generation in short-wheelbase length is still sold in Japan in lieu of the newer XA40 which is for export only. The Harrier replaces the long-wheelbase model in Japan that was badged Vanguard.

In 2015 for the 2016 model year, Toyota released a facelift for the XA40 series. The facelift debuted with the RAV4 Hybrid shown at the April 2015 New York International Auto Show.

The full hybrid system combines a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle petrol engine with a powerful electric motor, a 204 cell nickel–metal hydride battery located under the rear seats, a power control unit, and a power split device. RAV4 Hybrids are available in both front and all-wheel drive variants. The all-wheel edition comes equipped with a second, 50 kW high-voltage, rear mounted electric motor that offers increased traction and a 1,750-pound (790 kg) towing capacity[citation needed]. The engine is capable of operating independently from the hybrid system front's electric motor, driving the rear wheels alone.

Orlando Nightclub Shooting Kills 50; Gunman Had Praised ISIS

ORLANDO, Fla.—The deadliest shooting attack in U.S. history killed at least 50 people at a popular gay nightclub here, injured 53, left a community and nation in grief and reignited concern about homegrown American terrorists.

Authorities said Omar S. Mateen opened fire at the Pulse nightclub in downtown Orlando in an onslaught that sent patrons scrambling for the exits. Many remained trapped inside in what became an hourslong siege. During the attack, Mr. Mateen took time to call 911 and claim allegiance to Islamic State, officials said, leading them to treat the shooting as a terror attack inspired by a foreign terror organization.

Police shot and killed Mr. Mateen at about 5 a.m. Sunday, Orlando Police Chief John Mina said. He had carried an assault rifle and a handgun, Mr. Mina said.

“Today we’re dealing with something that we never imagined and is unimaginable,” Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said at a news briefing.

Many of the wounded were in critical condition at Orlando Regional Medical Center, where surgeries continued throughout the day, trauma surgeon Michael Cheatham said. Families waited for word of loved ones at an official outpost positioned near the hospital. Later in the day, authorities began releasing names of victims.

Hundreds of people gathered in the glare of flashing red lights on the fringes of the law enforcement cordon around the nightclub, and later at area hospitals, hoping desperately for some word on the fates of their relatives and friends.

More than 12 hours after the attack, anguished relatives paced between Orlando Regional Medical Center and a nearby hotel as they waited for word. They were told that so many were gunned down that victims would be tagged as anonymous until the hospital was able to identify them.

Omar Mateen

“We are here suffering, knowing nothing,” said Baron Serrano, whose brother, Juan Rivera, 36, had been celebrating a friend’s birthday with his husband and was now unaccounted for. “I cannot understand why they can’t tell me anything because my brother is a very well-known person here in Orlando. He is a hairstylist, and everybody knows him.”

A tally of victims whose relatives had been notified began slowly building on a city website; by 3:30 a.m. on Monday, it had 18 names. Among them was Juan Ramon Guerrero, a 22-year-old man of Dominican descent who had gone to the club with his boyfriend, Christopher Leinonen, who goes by the name Drew, because they wanted to listen to salsa. A friend, Brandon Wolf, watched people carry Mr. Guerrero outside, his body riddled with gunshot wounds.

But no one knew what had become of Mr. Leinonen. His mother, Christine, anxious because of health problems, had woken at 3 a.m. to news of the shooting, and learned from Mr. Wolf that her son had been inside.

A three-hour standoff followed the initial assault, with people inside effectively held hostage until around 5 a.m., when law enforcement officials led by a SWAT team raided the club, using an armored vehicle and explosives designed to disorient and distract. Over a dozen police officers and sheriff’s deputies engaged in a shootout with Mr. Mateen, leaving him dead and an officer wounded, his life saved by a Kevlar helmet that deflected a bullet.