The Rings of Power executive Lindsey Weber addressed how media has pitted the series against HBO’s House of the Dragon.
When it comes down to it, Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power and House of the Dragon can’t be compared.
As the Rings of Power creative team notes, besides being sweeping fantasy series, they don’t share all that much in common. So why have the two shows been pit against each other? Well, Rings of Power executive producer Lindsay Webersuspects it’s all about getting clicks.
“It’s totally manufactured by the media for headlines,” Weber said during a Rings of Power panel discussion Aug. 23, according to Variety. “I’m quite certain that the cast and crew don’t feel any of it either. They know how hard it is to make these things.”
Co-showrunner Patrick McKay added, “If you were an archaeologist and a gardener, it might look similar, but they couldn’t possibly be more different.”
As for showrunner J.D. Payne, he’s more concerned about how the show will be received by fans. “The competition is the pressure we put on ourselves and a competition we have with ourselves to see what we can put out into the world,” he explained. “Hopefully [our series] will bring people together as a sort of cultural conversation.”
But while Rings of Power and House of the Dragon may be the subject of a lot of comparisons, there’s no bad blood between the shows. Payne added that he and the rest of the producers are cheering on the team behind the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragons team, saying, “We wish them well.”
Amazon/HBO
All in all, Payne and McKay have crafted a story that vastly differs from that of the Game of Thrones prequel series. For starters, the Prime Video series aims to be family-friendly and doesn’t feature sex scenes.
McKay previously said it doesn’t make sense for Rings of Power to explore such adult topics, because that’s not what J.R.R. Tolkien‘s Lord of The Rings books were about. “We talked about the tone in Tolkien’s books,” McKay told Vanity Fair in February. “This is material that is sometimes scary—and sometimes very intense, sometimes quite political, sometimes quite sophisticated—but it’s also heartwarming and life-affirming and optimistic. It’s about friendship and it’s about brotherhood and underdogs overcoming great darkness.”
“I will remember Ghana as a place where I spent the best four years of my life. A country with amazingly talented people and while I am leaving, I still have property here.
“There is not a single way to achieve development, but the more Ghanaians understand that tourism is a business that they can benefit from… the better it will place them for national development,†she said.
The outgoing French ambassador wants Ghanaians to be proud of telling the Ghanaian story.
“When you are proud of your country and your heritage then you will broadcast it,†she said. “You will want to push it there and it is important that Ghanaians have pride in their heritage inculcated in them.â€
Sylvester Stallone is shutting down a report that Jennifer Flavin filed for divorce following an argument over his dog. See what he says is the reason for their split.
He hits back at a rumor that his wife Jennifer Flavin filed to end their 25-year marriage over a dog.
On Aug. 24, hours after news of Flavin’s divorce filing broke, TMZ, citing sources directly connected to the couple, reported that Stallone had wanted to get a Rottweiler to protect their family but Flavin did not and their argument over the dog brought up other issues that led to their split.
Stallone, who announced earlier this month that he got a dog named Dwight, is now setting the record straight, telling TMZ, “We did not end the relationship on such a trivial argument.”
The Rocky star did acknowledge, per the outlet, that they weren’t always on the same page about the dog’s care given that they’re bicoastal and Stallone often travels for work. But the real reason for their divorce, Stallone said, is they “just went in different directions.” In fact, he told TMZ he has “the highest respect for Jennifer,” adding, “I will always love her. She’s an amazing woman. She’s the nicest human being I’ve ever met.”
split speculation started after photos spread online of Stallone having his bicep tattoo of Flavin’s face covered up with a sketch of Butkus, the dog from the Rocky movies. However, his publicist offered an explanation.
“Mr. Stallone intended to refresh the tattoo image of his wife Jennifer however the results were unsatisfactory and, unfortunately, unfixable. As a result, he had to cover the original image with a tattoo of his dog from Rocky, Butkus,” the publicist told the Daily Mail on Aug. 22, just a few days before Flavin’s divorce filing went public. “Mr. Stallone loves his family. The Stallones are presently filming a reality show together which will debut on Paramount+.”
While the alterations to the bicep tattoo made waves, Stallone told TMZ he still has a design of Flavin on his back. However, the ink wasn’t the only thing that had the internet buzzing. Flavin also caught followers’ attention after she posted a picture of her with the three daughters she shares with Stallone—Sophia, 25, Sistine, 24, and Scarlet, 20—to Instagram on Aug. 10 and wrote, “These girls are my priority nothing else matters. The 4 of us forever.”
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Flavin filed for divorce from Stallone on Aug. 19, noting in the filing that “the marriage between the parties is irretrievably broken.” According to the documents obtained by E! News, Flavin alleged in the filing that “upon information and belief” Stallone “has engaged in the intentional dissipation, depletion, and/or waste of marital assets which has had an adverse economic impact on the marital estate.”
Per the documents, Flavin is asking to “be compensated and made whole by receiving an unequal distribution of the marital assets in her favor.”
“Moreover,” the filing continues, “the Husband should be enjoined from, selling, transferring, assigning, encumbering, or dissipating any assets during the pendency of these proceedings.”
In a statement to E! News provided by Stallone’s rep, the actor said, “I love my family. We are amicably and privately addressing these personal issues.”
Eminem and Snoop Dogg will rock the stage together for an unforgettable performance at the 2022 MTV VMAs on Aug. 28. Find out more details about the duet’s rare appearance for their latest single.
During the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 28, Eminem and Snoop Dogg will hit the stage for a one-of-kind performance of their latest single, “From the D 2 The LBC.” The rap duo’s summer single—which is also up for an award in the Best Hip Hop category—marks their first collaboration in over 20 years, so it’s safe to say that viewers are beyond excited to see this pair team up again.
Although fans saw Snoop and Eminem hit the stage together earlier this year as part of a star-studded lineup for the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show in February, their VMA performance will be historic for more reasons than one.
This upcoming performance will be Eminem‘s first time hitting the awards show stage in 12 years, with the 60-time nominee last performing his hits, “Not Afraid” and “Love the Way You Lie” in 2010.
It’s also worth noting that out of Eminem’s impressive number of nominations (his 60 nods make him the second most nominated artist behind Madonna, who holds a record of 69), he’s won 13 times—making him one of the top five artists with the most wins in the show’s history.
But Eminem isn’t the only one familiar with the number 13 since Snoop has also racked up that exact number of nominations over the years. As far as Snoop’s last VMA performance goes, the “Beautiful” rapper—who has snagged himself three Moon Persons thus far—performed alongside daddy to honor the late Notorious B.I.G. in 2005.
A 7-year-old beagle named Mamma Mia has been accepted by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle into their family. Learn more about the family’s newest, lovely baby.
The 7-year-old beagle was recently adopted by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex after being rescued from a Virginia breeding facility that was allegedly guilty of numerous safety violations.
“The Duchess called me personally,” Shannon Keith, an animal rights attorney who runs the Beagle Freedom Project, told the Los Angeles Times on Aug. 24, revealing that the call led to the couple stopping by the non-profit organization earlier this month.
Although Mia was rescued along with eight of her newborn puppies, as Shannon explained, the pair fell in love with the beagle mom instantly during their visit. “The Duchess is holding Mia and was like, We’re adopting her,’” Keith said. “‘We want ones we can help who are older.’”
But before they departed with their newfound family member for her new home in Montecito, Keith said Prince Harry noted that Mia couldn’t be without a keepsake. “He’s just like, Well, we can’t leave yet because there’s something in that back house she needs,’” Shannon recalled. “‘Does she have a favorite toy or something?’”
And after Mia grabbed a fox toy that she had played with for the duration of her trip from the facility to the organization in Los Angeles, they were set. As Shannon shared, the Duke said, “OK, now we can go home.”
Beagle Freedom Project/Mega
Mia isn’t the first furry friend to join Meghan and Harry’s family. Before tying the knot, Meghan was already a dog mom after adopting a beagle named Guy and a pup named Bogart from a rescue shelter. In August 2018, shortly after the pair wed, they expanded their family by adopting another rescue dog, a black Labrador named Pula.
“After a life spent being forced to give birth to litter after litter of puppies destined for laboratories,” Kitty Block, president, and chief executive of the Humane Society of the United States told the New York Times on Aug. 24. “I can think of no more fitting happily ever after’ than being adopted by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
Kumawood actor, Mercy Asiedu, has established herself as a multifaceted actress with other skills besides acting.
The talented actress has entered the music industry and will soon release a new track. The new song is a Highlife song with the title Pressure.
By posting a portion of the music video on her Instagram profile, Mercy Asiedu made the next single public.
The shot clip sighted by The Independent Ghana shows Mery Asiedu’s music video to be of good quality. From the lyrics heard, it is a love song that talks about failed relationships.
In the video, the actress looked her best as she rocked different outfits including a red jacket over a pair of red shorts and white sneakers. The song was produced by renowned music producer, Dan Bassey, whose signature Bassey mix jingle is heard at a part.
The “Borla†hitmaker has hit her 38th year and to celebrate, she asked some of the few people she has worked with to describe her work ethic
In the video that has been shared on her Instagram page, she has been described as easy and fun to work with, knowledgable about everything that she wants to do, allows people to be expressive, and has an all-round knowledge of photography, videography, and her general artistic interests.
Ghanaian showbiz personality, Bullgod has refuted claims that the host of the United Showbiz segment, Nana Ama Mcbrown is mostly being controlled and overpowered by her pundits on the show.
It appears that since she is a woman, she is mostly overpowered by her male pundits and lacks the capabilities to control the show.
Speaking in an interview with Zionfelix on the Uncut Show, Bulldog trashed these speculations, saying that the host has never been overpowered by her pundits.
He said that every pundit has an allocated time for speaking on the show and when they make controversial or defamatory statements, they are being asked to apologize or stand by their points and face the consequences.
He added that Nana Ama Mcbrown has always been in control of the show since the initial stage and controls to control the scene no matter how events turn out on the show.
Talent manager, Bulldog, has declared that he will never join the movement to publicly trash Shatta Wale in an effort to damage the brand.
The singer’s former manager opened up about the struggles and sacrifices he made to make Shatta a household brand.
He won’t publicly criticize him or make any accusations against the man he devoted his time to because of these and other reasons.
Bulldog in an interview with a blogger said he does well to reach out to the artiste behind closed doors instead of publicly calling him out adding that he needs to protect his brand.
“If I had the opportunity to speak to the president behind closed doors, I wouldn’t even speak out there for him to hear it because those are my views.
“He (Shatta) is my junior brother so, I tell him things in private, something the public wouldn’t hear about. It is a brand I need to protect. It is a brand I sweat, bled, and put my time and effort into so how am I joining the people that want to break the brand and break the brand together? No, I won’t do that,” Bulldog declared in the interview monitored by The Independent Ghana.
Bulldog the CEO of Bullhaus Entertainment in July announced that he has parted ways with Shatta Wale, however, they remain good friends. He again stated reasons why he never made a public announcement following Shatta’s exit.
“If people are no longer working together, it doesn’t mean they are not talking or are no longer friends…when I started working with him (Shatta) nobody did a story. It wasn’t announced that Bullhaus is handling Shatta so why should the separation be announced?” he quizzed during an interview on 3FM with Caleb Nii Boye.
Former EastEnders star and Strictly Come Dancing winner Rose-Ayling Ellis speaks to Sky News at the Edinburgh TV Festival about being recognized for her voice rather than her face, digging out old diaries full of her TV dreams, and dressing up as Barbie.
Strictly winner Rose Ayling-Ellis says there is “no truth” in rumours she is about to join Doctor Who as Ncuti Gatwa’s companion.
Speaking to Sky News at the Edinburgh TV Festival, the former EastEnders star said: “I think it was a rumour which started on Twitter, and it just got bigger and bigger and now it’s everywhere.”
However, if she were to be offered the role it sounds like she’d be up for it, admitting: “It sounds like a great job!”
If Ayling-Ellis were to become part of the sci-fi drama, she would be the first companion with a disability to appear in the show.
The 27-year-old, who recently quit long-running BBC soap EastEnders, made history last year on Strictly Come Dancing, initially as the first deaf participant – and then winner – of the show.
Speaking about her breathtaking silent performance on the show with dance partner Giovanni Pernice, she said she knew it was a “special dance”.
However, at the time she says her head was full, as she was “trying so hard to remember the steps and not mess up the routine”.
Ayling-Ellis, who will give the alternative MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival today, said it was a “big honour” to be speaking to the audience of industry insiders as part of the three-day event.
She is set to speak about the prejudice she has faced as a deaf person working in television and offer up her thoughts on ways to change the collective mindset around the representation of the deaf community.
Ayling-Ellis has been deaf since birth and grew up in a hearing family, admitting there have been low points, but told Sky News “you have to navigate the world you live in”.
Image:Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice wowed with a silent element in one of their performances on Strictly Come Dancing. Pic: Ray Burmiston/ BBC
After recently finding some of her old diaries, she said: “I knew it would be a challenge, and difficult, whatever career I went into. I’d written in my old diary that I’d love to be on TV and work for the BBC, but because I was deaf, I knew it would be hard. But I knew even at 16, I wanted to be on TV.”
After finding fame in EastEnders, and then being taken to the nation’s heart after her Strictly win, she says she doesn’t always get recognized on sight – but people spot her another way.
“When I talk loudly – that’s when people realize it’s me!”
With more than 10 million TikTok followers and more than 570,000 monthly Spotify listeners, FN Meka is referred to as a “robot rapper not welcomed by this planet” on social media. It has temporarily made its 220,000-follower Instagram account private.
After accusations that a “robot rapper” encouraged racist stereotypes, a record label dropped the rapper.
Just days after announcing it had signed the computer-generated FN Meka, Capitol Music Group announced it had “severed ties” with the project and apologised to the black community for its “insensitivity” and lack of research.
It comes after activist group Industry Blackout shared an open letter to the label, describing the augmented reality (AR) rapper as an “amalgamation of gross stereotypes” and a “careless abomination”.
Posting the letter on social media, the group highlighted the use of the N-word and depictions of the rapper being beaten by a police officer.
In a statement sent to Sky News, a spokesperson for Capitol said: “CMG has severed ties with the FN Meka project, effective immediately.
“We offer our deepest apologies to the Black community for our insensitivity in signing this project without asking enough questions about equity and the creative process behind it.
“We thank those who have reached out to us with constructive feedback in the past couple of days – your input was invaluable as we came to the decision to end our association with the project.”
Nigerian Afropop group ENE Yatt has criticized the management of rapper Sarkodie for requesting a whopping 25,000 dollars as a service fee for a collaboration.
The music group, who identify as underground artists, stated that the fee was outrageous given the fact that they are currently unable to raise that amount.
The Ghana-based duo Smart and Snazy expressed discontent that most musicians “do not know how to develop relationships.” The emphasis is constantly on paying for features.
“We wanted to do a song with Sarkodie, we were asked to pay 25,000 dollars. This was like a couple of months ago
“The fact is, paying this money is not actually the problem but taking this money from an underground artiste who is trying to come up. I wonder where you want him to get to. One of the big problems we’ve noticed in Ghana is that most artistes don’t know how to build relationships,” they disclosed in an interview on Hitz FM.
ENE Yatt noted that the celebrated Ghanaian rapper is worth more considering his relevance in the industry, however, his team should have been considerate considering the fact that they are still finding their feet in the industry.
“Sarkodie is big, he deserves to be paid more than $25,000. He can take more than $100,000 but definitely not from artistes who are trying to survive…we spoke to his management. We spoke to Angel Town and a couple of people but the point is, we are not that artiste you should take that kind of money from,” they disclosed.
After she prevailed in her lawsuit against Los Angeles County for improperly distributing images of her late husband Kobe Bryant and their daughter Gianna Bryant from the crash scene, Vanessa Bryant voiced her outrage.
Vanessa Bryant feels “justice” has been served after winning her trial against Los Angeles County.
On Aug. 24, a jury awarded $16 million in damages to the 40-year-old after finding that members of the county’s fire and sheriff’s departments did invade her privacy and caused emotional distress by sharing photos of the January 2020 helicopter crash that killed nine people, including her late husband Kobe Bryant and their daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant.
Shortly after the verdict was handed down, Vanessa addressed the legal victory on Instagram. Posting a photo of herself with Kobe and Gianna, she wrote, “All for you! I love you! JUSTICE for Kobe and Gigi!”
Vanessa—who is also mom to daughters Natalia, 19, Bianka, 5, and Capri, 3—pointed out that the verdict fell on what the city of Los Angeles previously dubbed as “Kobe Bryant Day.” (The day, created in 2016, is a nod to the two jersey numbers Kobe wore during his time with the Lakers.)
“#Betonyourself,” Vanessa wrote alongside the date. “#MambaDay.”
Due to leaked graphic images of the helicopter accident that claimed the lives of the US basketball star and his daughter in 2020, Kobe Bryant’s widow, Vanessa Bryant has been granted $16 million (£13.6 million) in damages.
After learning that photographs taken by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies and firefighters had been distributed, Vanessa Bryant, 40, claimed to have experienced panic attacks.
According to a federal jury, the county must compensate Mrs. Bryant for her emotional anguish.
Co-plaintiff Christopher Chester will be paid $15m.
Mrs Bryant’s husband Kobe Bryant, 41, daughter Gianna, 13, and six family friends died when their helicopter crashed in California in January 2020. Mr Chester lost his wife Sarah and daughter Payton in the crash.
A report by the Los Angeles Times claiming county employees took photos at the crash site and shared them with others has enraged the victims’ families.
Last November, the county agreed to pay $2.5m (£2.1m) over the emotional distress caused to two families who lost relatives in the crash – but Mrs Bryant refused to settle.
Sobbing on the witness stand last week, Mrs Bryant recalled being at home with her other children when she read the LA Times story.
“I bolted out of the house and I ran to the side of the house so the girls couldn’t see me. I wanted to run… down the block and just scream,” she said.
Mrs Bryant said she had felt “blindsided, devastated, hurt and betrayed” by news of the leak and “[lives] in fear every day of… having these images pop up” on social media.
“I don’t ever want to see these photographs,” she said. “I want to remember my husband and my daughter the way they were.”
Jurors at the trial heard how sheriff’s deputies and firefighters took gruesome cell phone photos at the accident site and showed them to others, including at a bar and a gala event.
These employees “poured salt in an open wound and rubbed it in” with their actions, Mrs Bryant’s lawyer Luis Li said during opening statements last week.
A lawyer for the county unsuccessfully argued that “site photography is essential” and that the photos had not been posted anywhere publicly.
Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, played for the LA Lakers throughout his career and is considered one of the greatest players in the game’s history.
A talent manager and former ardent Stonebwoy supporter, Ayisha Modi, has for months avoided engaging in social media activity, leaving many to speculate as to why she has chosen to remain “silent” in the business.
Ayisha, alias “She Loves Stonebwoy,” on Wednesday used her Instagram page to reveal a secret about herself. She also said that her distinct personality has cost her friends, particularly the ones who couldn’t handle her.
She has decided to persevere by improving herself in order to face these obstacles, nevertheless.
“Sometimes you just have to die a little inside in order to be reborn and rise again as a stronger and wiser version of you….!!!. I am different, and it has cost me many people, but I am always myself. It is better to lose others than to lose yourself to Fit in. OBAA YAA MODI,” she captioned a photo that captured her beside a car.
Ayisha made headlines early this year with her drastic weight loss. This outspoken woman has gone mute following her feud with actress and comedienne Afia Schwarzenegger.
After suffering several verbal attacks from industry colleague Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, has noted that Shatta Wale, will do anything for attention.
He said, even if it means putting dirt on the brand of his colleagues.
He explained that his relationship with Samini was the beginning of Shatta’s unexplained jabs thrown at him, however, for the sake of peace, he held himself from hitting back at him in all those instances until 2019, when tempers flared on stage at the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).
Speaking on VladTV, Ghana’s dancehall artiste recalled how his colleague ruined his glorious moment when he walked on stage to pick up his award for the ‘Best Reggae Dancehall Artiste of the Year’.
Although they managed to patch things up after their fight on the VGMA stage, Stonebwoy still labels the love from Shatta as fake.
This is because he continues to jab him at the slightest opportunity, all to create a bad picture of him.
Commenting on his current relationship with Shatta, he noted that the singer can’t turn over a new leaf.
“The last time he tried something on me again over something, dah dah dah, and you know, I hardly talk about him in the media or try to say something about him or put some dirt on him.. You know, that’s who he is, I say without any apology because we know who we know. It’s as simple as that,” he said.
The Dancehall singer added: “…peace is the ultimate, you know, so we managed because we have a whole lot of following and people looking up to us. We managed to come to a nice consensus, but you know, it’s never been genuine because you can’t force people to be who they’re not.
“Subsequently, the man (Shatta) goes on to do him and be him but the truth is that I am used to that. I laugh about it because I know he’s joking with it basically. Even if it’s no joke, that’s the extent of it. It can’t get any worse. I mean, come on…but if necessary, I will come out and say what I have to say, but it is no more necessary.”
In response to a social media user about his opinion on the visit of Nigerian cross-dresser, Bobrisky, Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George noted that, Ghanaians are known for their hospitality but we have laws that are expected to be adhered to.
“Dear Sam, I have heard that Bobrisky wants to visit Ghana and he is an influencer. If we can remove signboards, that means we can also stop planes from landing,†the social media user asked.
Replying to the comment, Sam George said, he has no problem with Bobrisky visiting Ghana but he, however, will expect the cross-dresser to adhere to the laws of Ghana while in the country.
“Barnabas, we are a hospitable people, however, you must respect our laws, culture, and norms whilst here. When he gets here, he should endeavor to comply. O for Oshe bhaddest,†he reacted.
On June 10, 2022, the LGBTQ+ community mounted a billboard that was pulled down by authorities.
He observed that the country is operated by laws and thus will fight to protect its cultural sovereignty.
“Information reaching me is that the obnoxious LGBTQI+ billboard has been removed this evening after our press engagement today.
“We salute the authorities for their swift response. We are a country of laws and would fight till the end to protect our cultural sovereignty,†Sam George tweeted.
Sam George and some MPs – Emmanuel Bedzrah (MP, Ho West) Della Adjoa Sowah (MP, Kpando), John Ntim Fordjour (MP, Assin South), Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini (MP, Tamale North), Helen Adjoa Ntoso (MP, Krachi West), Rita Naa Odoley Sowah (MP, La Dadekotopon) and Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor (MP, South Dayi) – have submitted a Private Member Bill on the LGBTQI activities.
The Bill on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights prescribes that people of the same sex who engage in sexual activity could spend up to 10 years in jail.
When renowned broadcaster Kwasi Kyei Darkwah, also known as KKD, appeared for an interview with Captain Smart on Onua TV while wearing a black mourning robe, he alarmed some Ghanaians.
In his interview, KKD spoke extensively on the problems facing the nation and made recommendations for how the government may raise living standards and protect its inhabitants from financial hardship.
Eleven minutes into the chat, he revealed that he was wearing a mourning robe since his favorite carpenter, Richard Amega, had lately gone away.
He noted that his family had ties with the deceased.
KKD paid tribute to his late carpenter who doubled as his good friend adding that he gives respect to all persons regardless of their status in society.
“Let me explain why I am wearing black cloth, I am not wearing them because of Ghana. The country has rich clothes, it is not in tatters.
“I am in mourning cloth because my carpenter has passed away. My carpenter has died. He was a respectable man, Richard Amega. He was based in Tema Community 8. His father was my father’s carpenter.
“I was at his late father’s burial. I don’t discriminate, I am in mourning cloth because my carpenter passed away. If you doubt me, go ask my father, former president John Agyekum Kufuor, I don’t discriminate,” said KKD in an interview monitored by GhanaWeb.
If you thought Clinique’s top-selling Black Honey lipstick couldn’t get any better, we now have a lip gloss option.
The Clinique Black Honey lipstick has been popular for decades. This classic shade is famous for its chameleon-esque ability to look great on a wide variety of skin tones.
It just might be one of the few universally flattering shades Of course, there are plenty of devoted makeup users who have stuck by this iconic lipstick for years, but it also had a recent resurgence in popularity when it started trending on TikTok. Yes, the perfect lipstick shade does exist, according to social media users.
If you love that neutral color that’s a perfect mix of purple, red, and brown, there’s another product you need to try: the Clinique Black Honey Lip Gloss.
Yes, that’s right, everyone’s favorite lipstick shade is finally available in a lip gloss formula. The Clinique Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss gives hydration and shine without that ever-dreaded stickiness. This buttery soft formula delivers moisture and a long-lasting pop of color, hence the product name and all.
The Black Honey Pop is a highly sought-after shade that looks effortlessly stunning on just about everyone for any occasion.
Clinique Pop Plush Creamy Lip Gloss in Black Honey Pop Reviews
A Sephora customer reviewed, “I bought this lip gloss on sale, and I am so so happy with it! I used to have the original black honey and wanted to upgrade to the gloss version. It’s somewhat sheer and absolutely enhances your natural lip color beautifully. Would recommend 300%!!!!”
“Don’t think about it; just buy it,” a Sephora shopper urged, “I had been going back and forth on buying the clinique almost lipstick in black honey because I loved the color but I prefer glosses. I bought this right away when I saw the shade in a lip gloss formula… It’s super pigmented and gives a beautiful shine. It’s also moisturizing and feels great on the lips.”
Someone else wrote, “Love love love this lip gloss. It is my new favorite. The color Black Honey Pop looks great on everyone! I would say the gloss is a bit sticky, which I prefer. It stays on, and feels like it protects my lips from chapping.”
A fan of the lip gloss shared, “I love the black honey lipstick so had to jump on this when I saw it. Beautiful color and lasts a while on the lips because it has some stickiness to it… But for black honey the color is stunning!”
A Clinique customer said, “Let me tell you I have loved black honey for years! It’s an amazing shade, and this gloss way exceeded my expectations. Super dewy looking, does not bleed or go into the creases and fine lines, and non-sticky formula. Looks like a “lip oil” or stained juicy lips. It’s a winner!”
Another person reviewed, “Bought this in Black Honey. Clinique thank you for adding this color! The gloss is super hydrating and is not sticky. I had many hours of it staying on.”
If you’re looking for more beauty deals, check out Selena Gomez’s makeup collection inspired by Only Murders in the Building.
 Jonah Hill realized that doing press isn’t for him after a documentary about his battle with anxiety was released. He’s hardly alone when it comes to stars needing a break from being so out there.
Sometimes, artists have to step back and let the work speak for itself. Because to do otherwise may actually be detrimental to their well-being.
Jonah Hill directed the documentary Stutz, about mental health and the journey he’s been on with his therapist to get a handle on the anxiety that noticeably flares up whenever he’s obliged to promote a new movie. And the experience made him realize something: Who needs it?
So, the two-time Oscar nominee announced on Aug. 17 in an open letter, “You won’t see me out there promoting this film, or any of my upcoming films, while I take this important step to protect myself.”
“The whole purpose of making this film,” he said, “is to give therapy and the tools I’ve learned in therapy to a wide audience for private use through an entertaining film.” Furthermore, he couldn’t wait to share the movie “with audiences around the world in the hope that it will help those struggling.” Only this time he’s not offering up a piece of himself to go with it.
“I’m hoping to make it more normal for people to talk and act on this stuff,” the actor concluded. “So they can take steps towards feeling better and so that the people in their lives might understand their issues more clearly.”
While celebrities have been more open than ever about mental health struggles that not so long ago, even in Hollywood, would have been considered the taboo subject matter, erasing the stigma from that conversation is still a work in progress.
Ironically, the more prominent a voice the person has, the more pressure or expectations there are associated with the work that they do. And doing media appearances—sometimes for months all around the world—is one of those things that is often taken for granted as being part of the deal. You make something, and then you talk about it. You post on social media, you have to accept that random people might say anything back. You win a game, you answer questions. You lose, but you still answer questions. Etc.
And Hill isn’t alone when it comes to not wanting to be so out there, even if the work that got him there is otherwise going well. Because as making his documentary showed him—and what he hopes to illustrate for other people—is that you can only ignore what’s happening on the inside for so long.
“After a few years off the road, I felt like I was ready to dive back in, but that decision was premature,” he wrote on social media, “and unfortunately the toll of the road and the pressure has caught up to me and I’ve hit a breaking point. After speaking with my team and health professionals, I need to take some time to heal and take care of myself and my mental health, first and foremost.”
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Hailey Bieber
Fresh from repeat gold in the halfpipe at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, the athlete told E! News she was taking time off from competition to focus on her mental health—so that when it’s time to start gearing up for 2026, the sight of snow doesn’t make her sigh (or scream).
“It’s just knowing that it could get overwhelming if I just went right back into it into another season,” Kim explained. “I’m just basically being a little cautious. I’m just putting myself first and just knowing that I can’t handle it right now. I’m taking some time off. I’m going on vacation. It will be good.”
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Hailey Bieber
The Rhode skincare founder has found therapy to be helpful when it comes to keeping her head in the game, personally and professionally.
“It’s something that I felt not sure of in the beginning,” the model said on her YouTube channel in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May. “But the more I’ve grown my relationship with my therapist, it has been such a game changer for me and it’s a space where I feel really safe to be able to talk about what’s going on in my mind, say things out loud and feel safe and not feel judged.”
She also has set social media boundaries for herself, telling Harper’s Bazaar in 2021 that she reserves her scrolling for non-business days. “I had to start doing this thing where I don’t go on Instagram Monday through Friday,” Bieber explained. “If something needs to be posted, I have somebody who I work with who runs it for me. I had to remove myself.”
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Katy Perry
The American Idol judge went almost four years between album releases before dropping Witness in June 2017—and when asked what she’d been up to in the interim, she told E!’s Ryan Seacrest at the Grammys that year, “It’s called taking care of your mental health.”
Reflecting in 2020 on how much she needed that break, she told CBC Radio host Tom Power, “My career was on this trajectory where it was going up-up-up-up-up-up-up, and then I had the smallest shift. It wasn’t that huge, maybe, from an outside perspective, but for me it was seismic. It literally kind of broke me in half. I think I had broken up with my boyfriend, who’s now my baby daddy-to-be. And then I was excited about flying high off the next record and the record didn’t get me high anymore…The validation didn’t get me high, and so I just crashed.”
But, Perry added, “It was so important for me to be broken so that I could find my wholeness in a whole different way, and be more dimensional than just living my life like a thirsty pop star all the time.”
Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Naomi Osaka
The two-time Grand Slam champion sent shockwaves through Roland Garros when she informed French Open organizers in 2021 that, just a few months after winning the Australian Open, she wouldn’t be sitting down with members of the media during the two-week event in Paris, citing the toll those encounters took on her mental health.
Her polarizing decision—the post-match press conference, win or lose, is usually part of the routine for top players and they get fined for skipping them—threatened to be the talk of the fortnight, so she ended up pulling out of the tournament entirely. But though she later acknowledged she may have handled certain things differently in hindsight, she made the decision based on how she was feeling at that moment.
“Like whatever I feel, I’ll say it or do it,” she told reporters before the U.S. Open last September. “I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing. I think there are a lot of things that I learned to do better. Of course, I don’t feel the same situation will happen again.”
If there was anything to do differently, she added, “I would say maybe think it through a bit more in the way that, like, I didn’t know how big of a deal it would become.”
David Parry/PA Images via Getty Images
Erin Doherty
After wrapping the role of her life to date, playing Princess Anne on The Crown, Doherty said her mental health “did dip”—leading her to realize she had a different kind of work ahead of her.
“To sit in my own thoughts was a difficult process at first,” she told Grazia in 2020 of experiencing such a drastic swing in her schedule, “because you tune in with where your body and your mind and your soul and your spirit are.”
“Part of that process is going, ‘Right, I really need to look at this, because I don’t feel very happy about that,’” she concluded, “or, ‘I really haven’t addressed these issues that may have been there since childhood.’”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Selena Gomez
The less time spent online, the merrier for Gomez, who sought treatment for her mental health in 2016 after wrapping her Revival World Tour.
“I haven’t been on the Internet in 4-and-a-half years,” the Only Murders in the Building star said on Good Morning America in April. “It has changed my life completely. I am happier, I am more present, and I connect more with people. I understand how powerful the Internet is, and in so many ways it’s done the best things for the world. But for me, I get to my news that is actually important I get through people in my life.”
Keeping her own accounts at arm’s length hasn’t deterred her 344 million-and-counting Instagram followers.
WireImage: Getty Images
Digital Detoxers
And who isn’t (or should be) taking a break from social media at any given time? On Aug. 15, Marvel superhero Tom Holland and three-time Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas shared that they needed to get off the apps for their own good.
“I get caught up and I spiral when I read things about me online,” Holland explained. “And ultimately, it’s very detrimental to my mental state. So, I’ve decided to take a step back and delete the app.”
And whether their time away proves temporary or so replenishing they decide to stop scrolling long-term, they join a group that includes Cole Sprouse, Margot Robbie, Will Poulter, Ed Sheeran, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Bindi Irwin, Eva Mendes, Camila Cabello, and many more who’ve worked digital detoxes into their wellness regimens over the years.
Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images
Serena Williams
The tennis champion, who shared in an August 2022 essay for Vogue that she’s evolving away from her sport toward other priorities, said that the key to maintaining her mental equilibrium is setting boundaries and taking time, however brief, for herself alone.
“Mental fitness for me is just really learning to shut down,” Williams told Gomez in a conversation for the actress’ Wondermind initiative. “And you know I did this years ago before even mental health was a topic among everyone’s mind. It was more just like, alright, I’m shutting myself down today. Just subconsciously, it was something I’ve always done. And so now that I know that it’s so important to just put yourself first, especially mentally, I always have shut-down moments. I have serious boundaries and I don’t let anyone cross those boundaries.”
Easier said than done, especially now that she’s a mom, so she’s “still working on it,” the athlete admitted.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Dixie D’Amelio
Living so much of her life in the public eye, on purpose, D’Amelio told E! News that her professional content obligations make it all the more important that she keeps the particulars of her relationship with Noah Beck to herself.
Doing so is “much healthier for both of our mental health,” she said at the opening of the Social Tourist pop-up in June. “Our relationship is better. It’s just so much more fun when you’re not worrying, ‘Oh my god, wait. You need to like my picture right now,’ or because people are saying that we hate each other because we didn’t do this or whatever.”
She also realized that having a super-harsh reaction to someone‘s random online comment tends to be an indicator that something is off with her.
“I’ve seen the difference from when I’m mentally healthy versus not,” D’Amelio explained. “When I’m healthy, I could read a comment and it doesn’t mean anything to me. But if I read a comment and it freaks me down for three days, I realize that something is going on and I need to look deeper than people are just being mean online.”
“I feel like it’s a lot of reflecting on yourself and thinking how you’re feeling,” she concluded, “and it’s an important conversation we need to continue having, and it’s a journey.”
The 2017 Talented Kids winner DJ Switch whose real name is Erica Armah Bra-Bulu Tandoh is now a student at a high school in the United States (USA).
The young DJ jockey is currently enrolled in Chaminade College Preparatory, a Los Angeles-area private Catholic school.
DJ Switch made this known through photos she share on her social media page. The photos captured her first day at school and the beginning of a new chapter of her life.
DJ Switch indicated in the caption that it was a new chapter in her life and thanked her parents and all others who have helped in her life journey so far.
“Welcome to the new chapter in my life…The first day of school @chaminadeccp …Soaring like an Eagle, Switch up!!! Thank you to my Parents/family, my team @francis.onelum (My Rep), @q4entertainment @juliaxbuchwald @buchwaldtalent @globaltalentimmigration @macmanmusic3 @alma.harel @cdleggett for making this happen!!! #GodMadeIt,â€Â she said.
Kalybos, a Ghanaian stand-up comedian and actor, has publicly professed his undying love for Gyakie, a celebrated female vocalist from Ghana who performs under the stage name Gyakie.
Kalybos revealed in an interview that he had a crush on almost 16 female celebrities, but Gyakie continues to be his favorite.
Yvonne Okoro, Jackie Appiah, Nadia Buari, Yvonne Nelson, Joselyn Dumas, and other well-known women are among the lovely women Kalybos claims he would like to wed, but for the time being, he has settled on Gyakie.
He revealed that “Given the opportunity, I would like to marry 16 celebrities…†But if I could marry Gyakie, I would.
Meanwhile, Kalybos and Ahuofe Patricia were said to be lovers until they broke up about a year or two ago.
Both Kalybos and Ahuofe Patricia have vehemently dismissed the rumours that they were once in an affair but it seems there is more to the hearsays than their lightweight explanations.
Sarkodie created history in 2019 when he won the Best International Flow award at the BET Hip Hop Awards, becoming the first African and Ghanaian to do so.
The BET Hip Hop Awards’ official Instagram account uploaded a throwback video of Sarkodie winning the award and being brought up to the stage to get his plaque on Sunday.
To win the prestigious prize, the Ghanaian rapper surpassed competitors including Falz the Bahd Guy, Ghetts & Little Simz, Nasty C, and Tory Lanez.
BET shared the clip and captioned it, “Sarkodie is proof that African artists are bringing the fire when he took home the Best International Flow Award at the 2019 #HipHopAwards! #BET#SlaySunday.â€
Sarkodie was impressed with the huge done to him and reciprocated by thanking BET Hip-Hop Awards for the endorsement.
The BET Hip Hop Awards are an annual awards show, airing on BET, showcasing hip hop performers, producers, and music video directors.
The awards ceremony began in 2006; it was held on November 12, 2006, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, and was first aired on November 15, hosted by comedian Katt Williams.
A well-known Nigerian comedian and actor, John Ikechukwu Okafor, better known as Mr. Ibu, has described a horrifying incident that nearly cost him his life.
Speaking to the Nigerian-based The Punch Newspaper, Mr. Ibu hinted that he is now extremely cautious about the people he contacts as a result of this painful and upsetting experience.
“These days, I am usually sceptical because I later found out that it was somebody I had helped in the past (who poisoned me),†he stated.
The situation according to the actor would have been a deadly one, “If not for God, the result would have been bad. As I speak with you now, I am still being treated somewhere in Guzape, Abuja.â€
With a fearful heart, the actor pleaded with the Nigerian Federal Government to prioritize the lives and well-being of creative arts players, because they contribute significantly to the Republic’s socioeconomic growth.
He added, “I expect the Federal Government to act on this. Whether we like it or not, we (actors) are serving the government. The movies we make are for the benefit of the general public. If the government wants to better protect us, they can do it.â€
The BBC, Sky, ITV, and Channel 4, as well as HBO, Disney, and Apple TV+ are among the 21 organizations that have backed a drive “towards a culture in which everyone working in the TV industry feels able to call out bad behavior and that nobody is above being questioned.”
As part of a move by major TV organizations to “tackle inappropriate behavior” in the industry, actors will receive anti-bullying and harassment training as well as advance nudity warnings.
Performing arts union Equity announced its new “statement of commitment” developed alongside broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky, HBO, Disney, and Apple TV+ to help deliver “real and lasting change”.
Allegations of abuse across all aspects of the entertainment industry have come to the fore over the past few years, in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
In total, 21 organisations have backed the move “towards a culture in which everyone working in the TV industry feels able to call out unacceptable behaviour and that nobody is above being challenged: no one is untouchable”, the union said.
Representatives from the organisations have agreed to ensure safe casting and audition spaces, to appoint safeguarding contacts on set, and to put clear policies in place for making and addressing concerns and complaints of bullying and harassment.
Anti-bullying and harassment training will also be completed by cast and crew members before they start work on a production.
The statement of commitment also highlights procedures surrounding nudity and simulated sex acts, saying notification is to be given “in advance and in writing about the scope and extent of nudity and/or simulated sex requested, followed by discussion and agreement with the artist”.
On the back of the 24-year-old Rwanda woman, Liliane Mugabekazi, who was arrested for her ‘shameful dressing’ that exposed her bare breast, some Ghanaian celebrities have been cited as persons who could have been in the same soup if they were in Rwanda.
Liliane Mugabekazi who has been in prison custody since April 7 risks facing imprisonment if found guilty of public indecency having donned a sheer dress.
Undoubtedly, on some occasions, some Ghanaian celebrities engendered conversations with their sense of fashion which a section of the public described as indecent. Damning all the consequences, these female celebrities stepped out half-naked in outfits. Their outfits, if not similar to what Liliane Mugabekazi wore, were worse.
The media in reporting such incidents had to circumspect with the images but various social media platforms were inundated with the uncensored.
The birthday girl also suffered a wardrobe malfunction when she flashed her private part in a video posted by blogger, Nkonkonsa on Instagram.
Shugatiti has on several occasions trended on social media for her wild choice of outfit which many assert promotes nudity.
3. Salma Mumin
Actress Salma Mumin, 2019, took her fans by surprise when she published photos of her naked self in a bathtub covered with watermelon to mark her birthday.
The photos spread like wildfire but attracted bad comments from social media users who cited her for promoting nudity although the watermelons covered the ‘sensitive’ parts of her body leaving her legs, thighs, arms, and parts of her breasts.
Although the actress shared the pictures with so much joy, the photos were taken down after the backlash from fans.
4. Akuapem Poloo
Unlike the aforementioned who are yet to be arrested and taste jail, Akuapem Poloo, in April 2021, landed in prison for the publication of a nude picture with her seven-year-old son in June 2020.
The birthday photos that captured the actress and social media influencer posing naked in front of her child were greatly condemned by concerned Ghanaians which lead to her arrest and prosecution.
Following her release from prison, Poloo pledged to campaign against nudity among celebrities.
Tonnes of reactions have followed the 2-year jail sentence given to Liliane for what is described as ” shameful dressing” by Rwandan authorities.
A 24-year-old woman, Liliane Mugabekazi, has been arrested for wearing indecent clothes to a musical concert by French singer, Tayc.
Liliane when found guilty of “public indecency’ will face up to 2 years imprisonment.
A statement by prosecutors said “She attended the concert while wearing clothes that reveal her private parts… clothes that we call shameful…It is on these serious grounds that we ask the court to remand Mugabekazi for 30 days.”
Article 143 of Rwanda law determining offenses and penalties in general, states that “any person, who performs an indecent act in public, commits an offense. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than six (6) months and not more than two (2) years.â€
Meanwhile, in an article cited by The Independent Ghana on the Rwanda National Police Service website, RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera appealed to parents, guardians, owners, and employees in hospitality establishments, to be responsive against nudity, public indecency, and serving alcoholic beverages to children, which are considered unlawful acts and are punishable by law.
“Anyone, who dresses indecently in public and those who give alcoholic beverages to children will be breaking the law and will be arrested to face the law. We appeal to parents to educate and protect their children against these acts. Bar owners and employees should also take measures to ensure that children, who come to their establishments for other lawful activities, are protected and not served alcoholic drinks to prevent them from any related risks or danger,†CP Kabera said.
The story of Liliane Mugabekazi currently in police custody has attracted tons of reactions across the continent with a section of social media users calling for her release.
However, some authorities in the Central African country including the former Justice Minister, Johnston Busingye, have backed the move citing the high rate of immorality and indecency.
“The current issue of our young men & women who drink & drug themselves unconsciously, appear in public literally naked is objectionable. I support the efforts of leaders, RNP, parents, youth, media, etc to address it,” he tweeted on August 15.
A 2018 documentary on Vitali detailed his contributions to Kubrick’s later films and gave him credit for discovering and securing Danny Lloyd, a child star of The Shining, for the part of Danny, Jack Nicholson’s psychic kid, as well as for coaching Danny’s acting.
The official Twitter channel for Kubrick said in a tweet: “It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to tell you that the mainstay of a vast number of Kubrick’s films, Leon Vitali, passed away peacefully last night. Our thoughts are with his family and all that knew and loved him.”
It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to tell you that the mainstay of a vast number of Kubrick’s films, Leon Vitali, passed away peacefully last night. Our thoughts are with his family and all that new and loved him.
26 July 1948 – 20 August 2022 pic.twitter.com/uE0Q1KvQi1
After appearing in Please Sir! he went on to have a regular role in its successor The Fenn Street Gang, as the character Peter Craven.
In 1974, he met Stanley Kubrick and was offered the part of Lord Bullingdon in the film director’s movie Barry Lyndon, and the pair are said to have bonded.
The film is now much less famous than A Clockwork Orange, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and The Shining, but it won four Oscars and was nominated for three more – more than any of Kubrick’s other films.
It was the start of a collaboration that would see Vitali act as Kubrick’s assistant for a series of further films, including Golden Globe-nominated Eyes Wide Shut and Oscar-nominated Full Metal Jacket, as well as The Shining.
He also took on another acting role in Eyes Wide Shut, playing the part of Red Cloak.
A 2018 documentary on Vitali called Filmworker revealed that since Kubrick’s death in 1999, he had continued to work on the legendary director’s films and legacy.
Filmworker credits Vitali with finding and recruiting the child star of The Shining, Danny Lloyd, to play the role of Danny, Jack Nicholson’s psychic son, and then coaching him to get the best performance out of him.
Tributes have been paid by several in the film industry, including the director of Disney’s Coco and Toy Story 3, Lee Unkrich, a major fan of The Shining, who said on Twitter: “Completely heartbroken to hear about the passing of Leon Vitali. He helped me *enormously* with my Shining book and I’m gutted that he won’t see it. He was a sweet, kind, humble, generous man and a vital part of Stanley Kubrick’s team. RIP, dear Leon.”
Vitali was credited as a casting director for Full Metal Jacket and Eyes Wide Shut and in another of his responsibilities collected Kubrick’s thoughts down in copious amounts of notes, which he then later used as part of his attempts to ensure people remembered his former boss.
Vitali said that after seeing A Clockwork Orange and admiring the extravagant performances that Kubrick got from his actors he told himself: “I want to work for that man.”
Remembering Leon Vitali: “Hi Leon, i’m Stanley”. And we shook hands. When you shook hands with Stanley , it was warm & gentle. Just like a buzz went through you”. @Dogwoof‘s FILMWORKER is an intimate documentary following Leon’s 30 year career with Kubrick is a must watch! pic.twitter.com/CqpSGYxJPG
Once he had secured his position, he was said to have worked so hard for Kubrick that his children later said he saw more of the director than he did of them.
Full Metal Jacket star Matthew Modine once said: “What Leon did was a selfless act, a kind of crucifixion of himself.”
He played a few other roles in his later years, including a character in the 1981 film Inter Rail and as an apothecary in the 2013 adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, starring among other Damian Lewis.
He also worked with filmmaker Todd Field, as a technical consultant on In The Bedroom (2001), and as an associate producer on Little Children (2006).
He met his future wife Kersti on the set of the 1977 film Terror of Frankenstein, in which he appeared as Victor Frankenstein and she worked as a costume designer.
Two of his three children, Vera and Max, also work in the film industry.
The Port of Felixstowe says it “regrets” the impact of the strike and cites a warning from the Unite union about significant supply chain disruption. The strikes, however, were predicted to simply be “an inconvenience, not a catastrophe,” according to a port source.
In the most recent round of labor unrest that has affected numerous economic sectors, nearly 2,000 employees at the largest container port in the UK quit their jobs on the first day of an eight-day strike.
The strike at Felixstowe port on the east coast rounds off a week that saw various strikes by thousands of transport workers in disputes over pay, as the cost of living crisis bites.
The union has warned the stoppage at the port, which handles almost half the container freight entering the country, will have a significant impact on UK supply chains and the logistics and haulage sectors.
But a port source downplayed the warning, telling the PA news agency the strikes will be an “inconvenience, not a catastrophe”.
The supply chain is used to disruption following the pandemic, he claimed.
“Disruption is the new normal. The supply chain has moved from ‘just in time to just in case,” he added.
Russian state investigators said Darya Dugina, daughter of idealogue Alexander Dugin, was killed after a suspected explosive device detonated on the Toyota Land Cruiser she was traveling in on Saturday evening.
State news agency TASS quoted Andrei Krasnov, who knew Ms Dugina, as saying the vehicle belonged to her father and he was probably the intended target.
Father and daughter had been attending a festival outside Moscow and Ms Dugin had decided to switch cars at the last minute, Russian government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta reported.
TV footage accompanying the statement showed investigators collecting debris and fragments from the site of the explosion.
Investigators from the Moscow region who described Darya Dugina as a journalist and political expert said they had opened a murder case.
They said they would be carrying out forensic examinations to determine what had happened.
Actor Stephen Tompkinson, 56, who has appeared in a number of top TV series over the last three decades including DCI Banks and Ballykissangel, is facing a trial after denying a single allegation of GBH at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on 10 August.
He will appear at Newcastle Crown Court facing a single charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.
A statement from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Stephen Tompkinson, aged 56, of Whitley Bay, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, August 10 to face a single charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
“He pleaded not guilty to the charge and will next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, September 7.”
Tompkinson became widely known after starring as Father Peter Clifford in 1996’s Ballykissangel, in the same year as he appeared in the hit film Brassed Off as the character Phil.
Other notable TV credits include Minder, New Tricks, Ted And Alice, and the children’s show Little Red Tractor.
The marriage ceremony takes place one month after the celebrity couple, known as “Bennifer,” wedded at a drive-through chapel in Las Vegas.
Their second nuptials took place on Saturday on the grounds of actor and director Affleck’s $8.9m (£7.5m) Georgia mansion, with aerial photos obtained by MailOnline showing the couple walking down a white carpet and embracing each other at a snowy white altar.
Lopez, 53, wore a Ralph Lauren fishtail couture gown with a dramatic long train and veil for the fairytale ceremony, while her fourth husband Affleck, 50, looked dapper in a white tuxedo jacket, black trousers and black bow tie.
They arrived at an airfield near the site of the nuptials aboard a private jet, according to the website.
The pair’s official wedding ceremony is the culmination of a relationship that has stretched over two decades in two separate romances and headlined countless tabloid covers.
According to Gifty Mawunya Nkornu, wife of actor John Dumelo, in a post shared, the traditional wedding of Samera was over and her white wedding is expected to hold at exactly 3:00 p.m.
Samera is walking down the aisle with her sweetheart, Seloame Baëta, who is an engineer and project manager at Cenpower.
The beautiful couple already has photos and videos from their traditional wedding flying on social media.
Former president of the Musicians Union Ghana (MUSIGA) Bice Osei Kuffor, known as Obour has eulogized late highlife musician AB Crentsil for his contribution to the music industry.
Speaking to Graphic entertainment during the one-week celebration at the community 8 Park, Tema, Obour disclosed he was close to AB Crenstile and saw him as a father.
According to Obour, the late AB Crentsil loved the rap genre and tried to squeeze in some rap during recording sessions.
“When you are rapping, he wants to dance with you, cheer you on and after it all, he will talk to you and let you learn some of the experiences he went through.â€
Ghanaian gospel diva Obaapa Christy exclusively revealed what transpired when she first met Daddy Lumba, a great artist from Ghana who was born Charles Kwadwo Fosu.
Obaapa Christy recounted how one of the stylists informed her that a visitor was waiting for her outside while she was braiding her hair in a salon at Sofoline (Kumasi).
She went out to greet him/her in the hopes of exchanging pleasantries because she initially assumed it was an old acquaintance or one of her many devoted followers, but to her utter amazement, it was Daddy Lumba.
According to Obaapa Christy, Daddy Lumba paid her the surprise visit just to express his love and admiration for her unmatched musical talent.
Going deep into the conversation that transpired between them, she also revealed that at one point, the popular musician threatened to “BEAT HER†if she ever responded to conversations around her then “unsuccessful marriageâ€.
She further expressed her gratitude to Daddy Lumba in the course of the live interview on ATINKA FM with Roman Fada.
Obaapa Christy ended the discussion by promising to always treat Daddy Lumba with great respect, describing their encounter as one of the most priceless moments she has ever experienced.
Several advocacy organizations that believe Mr. Tate “poses a genuine threat” to young people applaud the decision.
Mr. Tate’s official accounts have been removed from the social media platforms, and he will not be allowed to create new ones, Meta added.
The kick-boxer rose to fame in 2016 after appearing on the reality TV show Big Brother and being removed from the programme after a video surfaced online which appeared to show him attacking a woman with a belt. However, he claimed the clip had been edited.
Since then, he has gained further notoriety online for his outrageous and offensive comments, including some in which he suggested women “bear some responsibility” for being assaulted.
Before his Instagram account was removed, he had racked up more than four million followers.
The multi-millionaire also runs an online pyramid scheme called Hustlers University, which claims to teach people how to make money.
Clips of and about Mr Tate have also become popular on both YouTube and TikTok – videos using a hashtag of his name have been viewed more than 13 billion times on TikTok alone.
However, he does not have an official TikTok account, with a spokesperson for the platform saying: “Misogyny is a hateful ideology that is not tolerated on TikTok.
“We’ve been removing violative videos and accounts for weeks, and we welcome the news that other platforms are also taking action against this individual.”
‘Tate poses a genuine threat’
A number of campaign groups have criticized Mr Tate for his views and warned he was a danger to young men and boys who see his content online.
Responding to news of his ban, women’s safety charity Refuge said Meta had made the “right decision”.
“This is the kind of decisive action needed to tackle the online radicalization of young men towards a violently misogynistic world view,” the organization’s chief executive, Ruth Davison, said.
Campaign group Hope Not Hate described Mr Tate as a “threat to young men” and welcomed Meta’s “swift” action.
IGP George Akuffo Dampare and his wife Mrs. Anita Akuffo Dampare are currently trending on social media as a result of some beautiful images of the couple that have appeared online.
If Mrs. Akuffo is actually the mother of six children, one would wonder. In these pictures, she undoubtedly appears younger than she actually is.
George Akuffo Dampare is a Ghanaian chartered accountant and police officer.
He was appointed as the acting Inspector General of Police of the Ghana Police Service by President Nana Akufo-Addo on 21 July 2021 effective 1 August 2021, taking over from James Oppong-Boanuh who had been serving since October 2019.
The agent for 91-year-old British television actress Josephine Tewson has announced her passing away.
Tewson was best-known for her roles as Elizabeth in Keeping Up Appearances and Miss Davenport in Last Of The Summer Wine.
She died on Thursday night at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in Northwood, northeast London.
Paying tribute to the star, Carol Challis, who was married to the late actor John Challis, said: “Farewell to Josephine Tewson. John loved working with her on Last of the Summer Wine. Another one is gone.”
Farewell to Josephine Tewson.John loved working with her on Last of the Summer Wine. Another one gone. pic.twitter.com/tW8lDyLmPv
London’s Saatchi Gallery has canceled an exhibition of Ukrainian contemporary art after a social media outcry over it being organized by the Russian banker and art collector Igor Tsukanov, with cultural impresario and fellow Russian Marat Guelman as a consultant.
“The Ukrainian Way” had been scheduled to show 100 Ukrainian artists at the gallery from September 3-11 accompanied by an auction of physical works and NFTs. With Kyiv’s M17 Contemporary Art Center (M17 CAC) listed as a partner, a press release claimed that all proceeds would go to “charities supporting Ukrainian arts and culture including the Art for Victory Fund and the Ukrainian Emergency Art Fund.”
“Saatchi Gallery was not the organizer or curator of ‘The Ukrainian Way’ nor was it involved in any direct communication with the artists or collectors,” the venue’s press office said in a statement to The Art Newspaper.
The gallery had donated its space with the goal “of promoting Ukrainian artists and generating charitable funds for the benefit of Ukraine” and its “involvement with the project was predicated on the involvement of key Ukrainian stakeholders,” the statement continued. “We received assurances from those stakeholders that the project was one they fully supported.
Once it became apparent that support from a number of these key parties had been withdrawn, along with the reports of concerns raised by artists in recent days, Saatchi Gallery immediately took the decision to cancel the ten-day exhibition and withdraw its support from the project.”
“The Ukrainian Way” has been canceled after backlash on social media. Credit: Saatchi Gallery
The gallery says it will work with the Ukrainian Institute, which promotes Ukrainian culture internationally, to “find ways to showcase the works of Ukrainian artists, raise awareness of the unacceptable situation in Ukraine and generate funds to support Ukrainian culture”.
Tetyana Filevska, the creative director of the institute — which called for a boycott of cultural cooperation with any organizations affiliated with Russia following the invasion of Ukraine — told The Art Newspaper that “it is hard to imagine any kind of cultural cooperation between Ukrainians and Russians, especially in a Ukrainian project” and that “both Tsukanov and Guelman created a level of miscommunication” that was unacceptable.
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M17 CAC’s director Natalia Shpytkovska says in a statement: “Unfortunately, under the circumstances of the project’s flawed informational presentation, as well as uncoordinated actions and statements, M17 CAC withdraws from participation in ‘The Ukrainian Way’ exhibition.”
Tsukanov told The Art Newspaper: “The circumstances in Ukraine are so tragic that their reflections in people’s mind(s) create such surreal perceptions on the true intentions. The show ‘The Ukrainian Way’ is the biggest Ukrainian art show in history and my fifth show at Saatchi. All of them were blockbusters. This time I picked the wrong partner whose director wanted to kill it,” he said, referring to Shpytkovska. “She managed to achieve her goal.”
Last week, after seeing announcements for the show, Ukrainian curators and artists took to social media to condemn it as an egregious example of Russian cultural colonialism.
“The organizers of the exhibition […] do not pay any attention to the opinion of [Ukrainian artists],” wrote Olha Sahaidak, an art critic and curator who advocated on Facebook for the exhibition to be pulled. “Possession of the object does not necessarily give the right to publish and exhibit.”
Artists featured in the show commented on her post saying that they objected to being included in the exhibition and that it was happening without their consent. Some works are in the collections of Tsukanov and Guelman, who have worked together previously on exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery. The Tsukanov Family Foundation and the gallery announced a partnership in 2013. Tsukanov’s wife, Natasha — also an investment banker — had been an advisor to the head of the state oil company Rosneft, Igor Sechin, an ally of Russian president Vladimir Putin. The couple, based in London, is not on Western sanctions lists against Russian oligarchs.
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Guelman, who moved to Montenegro in 2014 after facing threats in Russia, was a promoter in the late-Soviet era of a movement of Ukrainian artists presented as the “southern Russian wave” of art — a term now especially regarded as demeaning — for a Moscow exhibition in the early 1990s. He reportedly worked on political campaigns as a strategist for Kremlin interests in Ukraine during the 2000s.
Guelman withdrew from the show several days ago in a Facebook post saying that he “sincerely wanted to help” as someone who had dealt with Ukrainian art since 1987 but that “unfortunately the war, Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and all of this is not as important as the fact that I am a Russian gallerist.”
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
On Friday, August 19, the young actress Maame Serwaa, known for her child roles in Kumawood films, turned 23.
The actress posted two photographs of herself posing with her peach-themed cake on her Instagram profile to enjoy the occasion with her over 390,000 followers.
Maame Serwaa, real identity Clara Benson, exhibited cleavage in her official birthday photos while donning a nude bodycon dress that suited her skin. This caused social media users to respond.
“Having A Cake And Eating It Too. BIG 23,” she captioned the images.
Also, the actress who has been missing from the movie scene for some time now highlighted a tattoo on her right hand that read ‘Young Legend’.
Fans who took over her Instagram comment session left well wishes for the birthday girl.
Ghanaian music producer and businessman Smallgod is renowned for living a luxury lifestyle and collecting the best designer goods, which, according to him, required years of arduous labor to acquire.
The rapper admitted that he definitely spends a lot of money on his clothes during an interview.
“I spend a lot. I’ve got a lot of crazy things. I don’t wonna have that conversation here, but I do spend a lot.
“You work hard, so why don’t you enjoy the finest things in life? That’s what you working for, so I have to play that part. I mean, I work 48 hours a day if there’s anything like that. I don’t sleep, so I have to enjoy what I am working for,” he said.
“Dialy Paper are like my people. We are family…I am always with them when they’re doing their thing. I help when I can. I said to them, let’s go home, let’s go to Ghana. We spoke about this for about a year or two, and we came home and we did a collaboration.
“I always wear things from people that I know. I try to promote it. Sometimes you wear the odd ones from those you don’t know, but mostly I wear them to promote my own people, that’s what am very strong on. When you see me wearing ‘Free The Youth’, those are my kids. You see me wearing Biglommoz, why not? Do I know the owner of Gucci? Does he know me and can I talk to him?” Smallgod quizzed.
Seasoned Ghanaian actress and media personality, Empress Nana Ama Mcbrown, has spoken out for the first time about her life since her broken engagement with famed rapper Okyeame Kwame.
When asked about her connection with the rapper during an interview with Hammer Nti for Pure FM’s Hammer Time feature, Nana Ama Mcbrown said they had been through a lot together.
Although it is typical for people to become strangers to one another when a relationship ends, Okyeame Kwame and Nana Ama McBrown continue to have a wonderful relationship.
She stated that she has no pending issues with the rapper and would always strike up a friendly conversation with him if they crossed paths in public. She went on to say that she is very proud of how far they have both come in life.
Two military men stripped off the pants of a Ghanaian musician Theo Versace in a viral video. The military men surrounded the up-and-coming singer after they spotted him in.
military camo pants. While standing by his car, they demanded he takes off his pants in the middle of the street.
This comes after the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) commenced a series of exercises to curb the unlawful sale and use of military-pattern uniforms and accouterments following their continuous use by persons and institutions, who have not been permitted to do so.
They noted that the exercise is mostly targeted at people who use uniforms to impersonate the military.
The GAF explained that the acts by such persons tarnish the image they have sought to build and also create a false sense of insecurity in the country.
“(The) GAF will not allow this situation to persist and will henceforth step up the arrests of these persons and deal with them drastically but in accordance with the due process of the law,†part of the statement read.
Chief One will ascend the Chale Wote Festival stage for the first time come Saturday, August 20, 2022. He will perform with Highlife Legends Amandzeba and Gyedu Blay Ambolley, Phrame, Drupz, Kpakpshito Ensemble, and Keke Dance Ensemble among the other acts planned for the evening.
Chale Wote Street Art Festival, often known as Chale Wote, is a nontraditional platform that presents performance art, music, dance, and street art. Hundreds of local and foreign artists and patrons are encouraged to interact during the festival by making and admiring art together and are able to draw hundreds of thousands of patrons together since it began in 2011.
The annual festival promises exciting activities, including music performances, photo exhibitions, street painting, graffiti murals, street boxing, movie screenings, and so much more.
Chief One shot into the limelight this year and has been trending since January 2022 with his
“Here I Come†EP and his latest single “Turn By Turn†were released a few days ago. His debut EP has surpassed 1.7 million streams across all audio streaming digital platforms.
For 14 years Nothing Late band has brought joy to millions of people in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis from their traditional to the creative hip-life blend using brass instruments. The band plays to an extremely high standard spurred on by the continual occasions and competitions they take part in. The band continues to thrive all over Sekondi-Takoradi today and for many, brass banding is a way of life.
Nothing Late brass band was established in the year 2008 and has performed marvelously well since its establishment. The motto of the band is “ÆbÉ› tse ne dÉ›wâ€: it is a term in our
local dialect which simply means you will feel the groove or you will enjoy the groove of the band. The band is the first youth-dominating brass band that came up. This was intended to clear the misconception that brass musicians are school dropouts and drunkards. The band has been Nominated 3 times for the western music awards and has also won the Essikado y3wo adze oye band competition 2 consecutive times.
In 2019, the band in collaboration with Westline Consult, the organizers for western music awards, launched its 1st album which contained recorded brass music versions of popular Ghanaian gospel and highlife songs.
In 2020, the band Saw it needful and very necessary to rejuvenate and revamp the band after years of operation. In view of this, a new Logo was introduced. This logo depicts the characteristics and dynamics of the band. The logo bears symbols and colours which has a peculiar meaning. Below are the symbols and colours you can find in the logo of Nothing late brass band and what each represents.
• The color wine: This happens to be the official colour of the band. Wine is a color that is linked to red which represents passion, energy, strength, and love at a very deep level. This shows the Passion, energy, strength, and enthusiastic spirit the band possess and exhibits when on the instruments. Love is always expressed at a very deep level and this keeps the band moving together as brothers.
• The Gold Circles Around the NLB symbol: The color gold is related to the color yellow and the color brown, and is also associated with, love, compassion, courage, passion, magic, and wisdom. Gold is a precious metal that is associated with wealth, grandeur, and prosperity, as well as sparkle, glitz, and glamour, and this indicates the richness and sweetness of the band.
• The Circle represents Unity: the band believes in unity as unity is strength. The circle represents the unity that dwells in the band.
• The Letters NLB: the letters NLB in the logo represent the name of the band. Each letter is the abbreviation of the band’s name Nothing is Late, meaning in this Life there is absolutely nothing that is late. Everything happens for a reason and in its own appointed time. So no matter the time your success may come it is never Late.
• The trumpet on the bar of the letter B: The trumpet is a unique and powerful instrument. This power symbolism is particularly closely related to wars and rulers. The sound of the trumpet has always denoted military strength, and it is used as a signaling instrument in battle or in a military band. This represents the strength and power of the band and all the instruments we play.
The band since its establishment has had the opportunity to participate in diverse events. Some of such events are;
1. Essikado y3wo adze oye band competition organized by Hon. Joe Ghartey the MP for essikado ketan constituency.
2. Melody FM’s football gala for drivers.
3. May day bash at vision Beach Resort
4. Black Friday promotion bash at Anaji Choice Lounge
5. YFM’s Yclash of the DJ’s the band participated in both the Takoradi version and the main edition which involved all the 3 YFM branches, just recently.
among other important functions.
The band has had the opportunity to organize wonderful events such as;
1. Street Praise (10th-anniversary lunch) which took place in April 2018 at the score taven road in Sekondi with other bands like Evergreen movement band and freedom and justice bands gracing the event.
2. In December 2018 the band organized a mega event dubbed street choral night where other bands like Evergreen, supersonic, Golden squad, freedom, and justice bands performed respectively.
3. Virtual Concert; the band never ceased to entertain its fans. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Nothing late band had a Black lives matter virtual concert via their Facebook page to entertain its fans.
Nothing Late brass band will be celebrating its 15 years anniversary next year (2023). Anticipate nostalgic highlife tunes composed by the band.
Mona 4Reall has joined Ghanaian Afropop, dancehall, and reggae music artiste Fancy for his new single “missima”. This will be her first feature of the year alongside her brother from the North, Fancy Gadam.
She chose to be on a song with a sibling and basically in a local dialect that speaks to the northern setting. This song essentially discusses love, long-distance relationships, and how couples miss each other.
Speaking about her feature, she said that after a few songs since entering the music industry, she felt the desire to delight her audience, and joining fancy’s missima couldn’t have come at a worse time. Everything North is unmatched, and I’m delighted to be a part of it, Mona said.
She promised her Northern fellows a good release hopefully, this Christmas.
This will be the first collaboration with a Northerner.
Mona 4Reall known in private life as Mona Faiz Montrage is a Beauty/Style/brand Influencer with over 4 million followers. Mona is the CEO of Mona 4Reall Limited, 4Reall Entertainment. Her music and celebrity lifestyle and unique fashion sense have made her a well-known name across the African continent.
She fully started her music career in the year 2020 and Mona4reall is the fastest rising female act currently.
Born and bred in Tamale Mona has 11 songs to her credit in less than 2years of her music career with the best collaborations ever, 16 awards nominations locally and internationally, and 2 wins.
Regnant Best Rapper of the Year, Lyrical Joe, says having lyrical exchanges often regarded as “beef” is not to keep him relevant, but rather to address issues raised by an opposing rapper.
Lyrical and his colleague rapper Amerado have been engaged in a heated rap battle for the past few days churning out rebuttals.
Speaking in an interview with GNA Entertainment, Lyrical Joe stated that beef could have a positive or negative impact on the career of an artiste depending on how he/she handles it.
“I do it because there are issues I need to tackle, especially with my opponent coming after me and I have to defend my crown.
“If I was chasing relevance, I would have been beefing all year, but it is just addressing issues at some particular moments,” he said.
He, however, stated that had to be healthy, especially avoiding any form of physical contact, but noted that it all depends on the lyrics being churned out by the opposing side.
Speaking about his next track, “Superman”, Lyrical Joe revealed that he would feature a surprise artiste on the project, which would be released in the coming days.
Hadi Matar, the man accused of stabbing Sir Salman Rushdie has reportedly said he has only read two pages of the author’s controversial novel The Satanic Verses.
The book’s release prompted the Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to issue a fatwa, or edict, calling for the writer’s death in 1989.
Mr. Matar told the New York Post he had only read “a couple of pages” of the book and did not say whether the fatwa had inspired him.
“I respect the Ayatollah. I think he’s a great person. That’s as far as I will say about that,” he said.
Mr. Matar also told the newspaper he was “surprised” to hear that Sir Salman had survived the attack.
“I don’t like the person. I don’t think he’s a very good person. I don’t like him very much,” Mr. Matar said, according to the paper. “He’s someone who attacked Islam, he attacked their beliefs, the belief systems.”
Earlier this week, Mr. Matar’s mother said she had disowned her son after his alleged behavior. “I’m done with him,” Silvana Fardos said on Monday, adding: “I have nothing to say to him.”
Sir Salman suffered a damaged liver as well as severed nerves in an arm and eye injuries in the attack but was taken off a ventilator on Saturday.
On Friday, a number of literary figures will read from his works on the steps of New York’s public library to show solidarity with the novelist.
Tina Brown, Paul Auster, Kiran Desai, Andrea Elliott, Hari Kunzru, and Gay Talese will be among those taking part in Stand With Salman: Defend the Freedom to Write.
Since the coronavirus disease outbreak, the Akatsi Municipal Director of Health Services says that the municipality has documented three fatalities and 61 cases.
He claimed that at one point, the cases appeared to be decreasing until a fresh case was reported in the municipality on Tuesday, August 9.
Dr. Nyarko made this statement during a meeting of the Municipal Health Committee in the Akatsi South Municipal Assembly Hall.
The Health Director said that 5,081 persons had received all of their vaccinations, compared to 21,213 who only received one dosage.
Further adding, he indicated that roughly 70,563 local inhabitants have not yet received their vaccinations.
For their safety, he recommended people take the immunizations without hesitation.
He appealed to traditional authorities and religious leaders to revive public education on the relevance of taking the vaccines.
Municipal Director of Health Services, the Akatsi South Municipal Coordinating Director, also appealed to individuals to disregard all political attempts and misconceptions targeted at discouraging others from taking the vaccines.
The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Mines, George Mireku Duker, and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Minerals Commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi, led a team from the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry to the area yesterday[August 16, 2022], and observed that the illegal miners had heavily polluted the Offin River.
Some of the floating platforms and equipment mounted in various sections of the river had been decommissioned and destroyed or burnt.
The Minister emphasized that the operation that has been carried out by the Operation Halt II team was just a foretaste of what was to come, saying the team would be ruthless in eliminating recalcitrant galamsey operators.
“We want to remind everyone about the government’s uncompromising and unshakeable stance against illegal mining. Those who are stubborn and will not pay heed to any warnings should be prepared because we will keep coming at them,” he stressed.
He assured the public that the current operation would remain in force until all waterbodies in the country regained their health.
He called on residents of mining communities to rally around the government to ensure that “these recalcitrant and greedy people who are destroying our heritage and future of this country are dealt with”.
Mr. Duker commended the military team for the good work done and urged them to go all out to clear the galamsey operators from the system.
He said Changfan machines and other equipment up to nearly 900 had been burnt.
Brigadier Ayisi said the team was committed to discharging their responsibility in the national interest.
Background
The team of security men was deployed last Sunday to clamp down on illegal mining activities on six major river bodies that had come under heavy attack by illegal miners.
The security men, working with five-speed boats, are currently patrolling the Offin, Pra, Birim, Ankobra and Black Volta rivers.
They were tasked to arrest all persons found mining in water bodies and clear the rivers of all mining equipment.
Since 2017, the government has rolled out a gamut of interventions to curb illegal mining.
