LONDON: Canadian teen singer Shawn Mendes on Sunday won best artist and best song at the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) in London, pipping heavyweight competitors such as Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Ed Sheeran.
The awards ceremony at Wembley Arena, the first to be staged in the British capital in 20 years, were hosted by Rita Ora and featured performances by U2 and David Guetta.
In a first for the EMAs, which were created in 1994, MTV announced categories stripped of gender in a bid to “break barriers.”
Mendes, 19, who launched his career by posting song covers to the Internet before getting signed to a record label, also scooped the “biggest fans” award.
He performed the track that won him best song — “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back” — in front of an electrified crowd in London.
Eminem, who opened the show by unveiling his new single “Walk on Water” — ahead of the release on Friday of his latest album “Revival” — won for best hip hop artist.
Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello was honored with the best pop prize, while Coldplay snatched the best rock award.
French DJ David Guetta, who performed in front of the youthful crowd, won for best electronic act.
Taylor Swift, who was expected to be one of the big winners of the night with six nominations, failed to win any awards.
The majority of the winners were picked by music fans in an online vote, from 12 categories listed and a further 32 separate prizes for different countries and regions.
Louis Tomlinson, from the boy band One Direction, landed the best UK and Ireland act.
The best video, claimed by US rapper Kendrick Lamar, was one of the few awards to be chosen by the MTV team.
Other big-name winners included Ed Sheeran, for best live act, and Dua Lipa, for best new performer.
Thirty Seconds to Mars were named best alternative.
Irish band U2 collected MTV’s “Global Icon” gong, previously awarded to Queen, Whitney Houston and Eminem.
“U2’s impact on music, pop culture and social issues around the world has been tremendous,” said Bruce Gillmer, producer of the awards ceremony.
“For over four decades and counting, they’ve entertained, influenced, and inspired fans around the globe,” he added.
U2 performed in London’s Trafalgar Square the night before the MTV awards, along with DJ Guetta, to a crowd of 7,000 who won free tickets in a ballot.
This year saw the MTV Europe Music Awards return to London for the first time since 1996.
British singer and actress Rita Ora took charge of the ceremony and also turned in a popular stage performance.
The cable channel also runs the Video Music Awards which are renowned for top performances and the occasional controversy, including pop diva Lady Gaga wearing a dress made of meat to the ceremony in 2010.
The previous Video Music Awards saw hip hop artist Kanye West leap on stage to interrupt an acceptance speech by Swift and argue that Beyonce was better.
Shawn Mendes wins best artist at MTV Europe Music Awards
Shawn Mendes wins best artist at MTV Europe Music Awards
Essex man takes on charity endurance challenge for children in Gaza
- Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual Sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 2,287 miles
LONDON: A man in England has launched a demanding charity challenge to raise funds for children affected by the war in Gaza.
Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 3,680 km running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing.
He is raising money for Medical Aid for Palestinians, a UK-based humanitarian organization that provides healthcare to Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied territories.
“I have felt helpless day after day seeing images of countless children in Gaza with broken bodies and missing limbs and witnessing their unbearable suffering,” Watson said on his JustGiving page.
“I have been inspired by the courage of those who took part in the global sumud flotilla and all of the activists who have put their lives and freedom at risk supporting the Palestinian people and so I am raising funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
“My challenge is to complete a virtual sumud from Harlow, where I live, to Gaza. Running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing I will cover the 2,287 miles as quickly as I can.
“I am an unfit, overweight 63-year-old, so I’m not going to break any records, but the Arabic word Sumud means steadfastness and perseverance, and I will give it my all.
Watson added: “I hope to be joined by people I love and admire along the way, so please support my fundraiser. Every donation, however small, will help save the lives of Palestinians.”
As of Jan. 3, his fundraising effort had reached 12 per cent of its £5,000 ($6,733) target.
The war in Gaza began after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which local health authorities say has resulted in the deaths of more than 71,000 Palestinians, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and a severe humanitarian crisis.
International aid agencies have repeatedly said that children are among the most affected, facing injury, displacement, malnutrition and limited access to medical care.
Watson said he was inspired by activists and humanitarian efforts supporting Palestinians and hopes his challenge can make a small contribution to saving lives.
