BRIT Nominees announced, bets are in

With the 30th awards ceremony this week the speculation on who will grab this years’ BRIT awards, and bets being placed already.

It’s going to be a single ladies’ year with Lady Gaga, Florence & The Machine and Lilly Allen these nominees ‘to watch’ with three nods each. Read more

Alistair Robinson’s Stereograms of the Dead launch in Sunderland

Last night saw the launch of Alistair Robinson’s new poetry book Stereograms of the Dead at Waterstones in the Bridges Shopping Centre. Read more

Journalism students get advice from award-winning regional reporter

Emma Andrews is a regional journalist of nearly 20 years and currently writes for the Hexham Courant. She has won the Tom Cordner Women’s Writer of the Year award three times and a BT Feature Writer of the Year award. At the University of Sunderland, Emma offers her advice to those wanting a career in journalism. Read more

And The Oscar Goes To . . .

After 12 months of epic movies, highly acclaimed performances by big names in big movies and endless queues by eager film fans, the time has once again come to roll out the illustrious red carpet. Read more

Hilary Alexander: On fashion, her career and her world

Hilary Alexander sits patiently while a manicurist applies a sparkly silver, and somewhat tacky, varnish to her nails. Her hair and make up are faultless and the baby pink, glittery dress she is wearing looks rather unassuming next to the huge silver tribal necklace above it. Read more

Hitter is back but the Bomber is blown away

It was a tale of contrasting fortunes as Junior Witter and Danny Williams, two of the biggest names in British boxing, attempted to reignite their careers at The York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, on Saturday.

Witter, 34, looked impressive as he knocked out Argentine, Victor Hugo Castro, in the third round, but Williams, 35, was woeful as he was humiliated by the unknown Pole Albert Sosnowski in less than eight rounds. Read more

Sunderland raises the bar with higher education project

Sunderland University is set for national recognition after becoming a finalist in the Times Higher Education awards.

The award will be presented to staff for their pioneering efforts in offering life-changing opportunities to young people who have been in care.

Over the summer more than 100 young people spent the day as university students at Sunderland, combining outward bound and confidence-building activities.

Sue Reece, director of Student Recruitment and Business Partnerships, said Sunderland is the highest performing university in England for its participation with disadvantaged groups. Read more