Entertainment, Football, World News

Terrifying moment Chelsea loanee Tiemoue Bakayoko is held at gunpoint by Italian police in a case of mistaken identity.

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AC Milan footballer,  Tiemoue Bakayoko was stopped at gunpoint by police in Italy in a terrifying ordeal that turned out to a case of mistaken identity.

The departing Chelsea midfielder, who was on loan at AC Milan last season, was reportedly pulled over by cops in Milan.

A video shared online, captured the terrifying moment a policeman, pushed the startled footballer, who made 14 Serie A appearances for the triumphant Rossoneri last season, up against a police car.

He then appear to empty Bakayoko’s pockets as  two other armed cops, pointed their guns at the player’s car.

As soon the police discovered they had the wrong person, they quickly brought their weapons down and consoled the midfielder with a gentle pat on the back.

The 27-year-old signed for Chelsea in a big-money move in 2017, arriving at Stamford Bridge from Monaco for £40m.

In his first season, he made 43 appearances across all competitions, but has not played for Chelsea since the 2017-18 season. Since then, he has spent loan spells at AC Milan, Monaco, Napoli and then again at AC Milan, where he won the Serie A title in the last campaign.

On Sunday, French publication Foot Mercato reported that Bakayoko is finally leaving after agreeing a deal with the Ligue 1 club, Marseille. 

Entertainment, Football, World News

Jose Mourinho unveils new tattoo paying homage to Man Utd, Roma and Inter Milan.

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Portuguese tactician, Jose Mourinho has revealed his new tattoo.

The former Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Inter Milan and current Roma coach won a historic European triumph with Roma last season and by doing that became the first manager to win all three UEFA competitions after guiding Roma to the first ever Europa Conference League last season.

Mourinho established himself as a European specialist when he won the UEFA Cup and Champions League in back-to-back seasons with Porto.


He then moved to Chelsea, where despite his dominance of English football, he failed to bring a European Cup to Stamford Bridge. However, after moving to Inter Milan, he quickly turned them into European champions, beating Bayern Munich in the 2010 final.

His time with Real Madrid ended without adding honours in UEFA competitions, before he won the Europa League with Manchester United in 2016/17. And in just his first season in Roma, Mourinho was back in the winners’ circle, completing the collection – becoming the first manager to achieve the feat.


The 59-year-old has now told followers on his Instagram that the passion of the Roma supporters has made him decide to honour his latest victory, with an image of all three trophies with the badges of the teams he won them with.


“This is my tattoo,” Mourinho posted on Instagram alongside an image of the design. “The joy of the Roman people led me to do it.

“Then I thought about something special, something that would honour all the clubs where I won European competitions. At the same time, I wanted a unique tattoo, one that, so far, I am the only one who can have it.


“Alberto showed me some proposals, I just changed a few details. Here is my tattoo.”

Mourinho was visibly emotional after his current club won the final in Tirana, admitting that it was special to win another trophy with what he claimed was a team not expected to compete for honours.


“The great thing about my career is that, aside from the Europa League with Manchester United, doing it with Porto, Inter and Roma is very, very, very special,” Mourinho said.

“It is one thing to win when everyone expects it, when you made the investments to win, but it’s quite another to win when something feels immortal, that feels truly special.

“This remains in the history of Roma, but also mine. I was told only I, Sir Alex (Ferguson) and Giovanni Trapattoni won trophies in three different decades. It makes me feel a little old, but it’s nice for my career.”

Entertainment, Football, World News

Rashford, Martial score in United’s win at Melbourne

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Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford got on the scoresheet as Manchester United rallied from a goal down to beat Melbourne Victory 4-1 Friday and hand manager Erik ten Hag his second win since taking over.

It followed their 4-0 thumping of Liverpool in Bangkok on Tuesday when Jadon Sancho, Fred, Martial and Facundo Pellistri were on target.

A well-organised Victory were no walkover and shocked the English giants in front of 74,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a goal on the break in the fifth minute.

United clawed back with goals on the cusp of half-time from Scott McTominay and Martial before Rashford made it 3-1 with 12 minutes left and a Victory own goal capped the deserved win.

“It was good that we were able to recover,” said ten Hag. “It’s pre-season and we wanted to see how the team reacts.

“We went 1-0 behind but we stayed composed and finally just before half-time we scored twice.

“Their defence was really compact and it was difficult to create chances,” he added. “But a couple of times we got behind the defensive line and it was justified that we scored.”

United used 22 players against Liverpool and while Ten Hag largely stuck with the same starting line-up he switched it up at the break with 10 changes.

Captain and centre-back Harry Maguire started for the first time under the Dutchman after missing the Liverpool clash, slotting in alongside Victor Lindelof with Raphael Varane absent from the matchday squad.

David de Gea was also missing after picking up what appeared to be a muscle strain in Bangkok. With Dean Henderson on loan, it was left to back-up keeper Tom Heaton to play the full 90 minutes.

In the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, Martial again led the line flanked by Jadon Sancho and Antony Elanga.

But they were stunned by a quick counter-attack when Victory broke from their own penalty area with a pass down the right flank behind Luke Shaw finding Ben Folami.

With United wide open in defence, Folami squared the ball to Chris Ikonomidis who calmly tucked the ball past Heaton.

United slowed the pace and began to find rhythm with McTominay going close and Bruno Fernandes only denied by a great save from Melbourne keeper Paul Izzo.

Stroke of luck

They kept pressing but it took a stroke of luck to level the scores in the 43rd minute with McTominay’s shot taking a massive deflection.

A rattled Victory conceded another two minutes later with the lively Martial having a simple tap in after Elanga flicked on Diego Dalot’s cross.

Ten Hag shuffled his pack for the second half with Heaton the only survivor and Rashford taking the captain’s armband.

Fleet-footed Zidane Iqbal looked sharp and dangerous as United starved Victory of the ball and their fresher legs caused problems.

But the chances were few until Rashford stepped up in the 78th minute with a lovely finish after a penetrating ball through from Eric Bailly before the own goal sealed Victory’s misery.

Local fans did have something to cheer about when former Manchester United star Nani made his debut with three minutes left after being signed by the Australian side this week.

United also face Crystal Palace and Aston Villa in Australia before their Premier League campaign begins on August 7.

Entertainment

‘US seized my passport’ – Kizz Daniel apologises for late arrival at New York show

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Nigerian music star, Kizz Daniel has given reasons why he arrived late at his New York show.

The ‘Buga’ crooner came under attack on Friday after he kept his fans waiting in New York for hours without showing up.

In some viral videos, some angry fans were seen throwing things on stage while waiting for the singer for about three hours.

Taking to his Instagram page, Kizz Daniel said his passport was seized at the US Consulate in Nigeria till the day of the show for some reason.

He explained that he could have rescheduled the show but could not do that because of his respect and love for fans and tried to make it to the venue but arrived late.

His post read: “DMV, thank you for showing up last night and sincere apologies for all that happened. For some reason, my passport was withheld at the US Consulate in Nigeria until the day of the show and previously booked flights had to be cancelled. Same reason I rescheduled the New York show.

“Just for the love and respect I have for you and my craft I got on the next available flight to New York the second I had my passport thinking I could still make it because I just don’t want to cancel another date. I booked a PJ to DMV from New York to make the journey faster but unfortunately, it did not work.

“I went straight to the venue from the airport. We could have moved the show but my team and I believed we could meet up.”

Kizz Daniel explained that his ‘Buga’ performance would have been longer if the management of the venue allowed that.

He assured fans that a new date will be announced for another show with the same tickets valid.

“The performance would have been longer also if the venue had allowed it.

“So sorry guys, I will make it up to you. A new date will be announced and all your tickets remain valid.
New York, let’s have fun tonight!

Entertainment, Lifestyle, World News

Beyoncé ‘running #MeToo checks on producers and artists for her album after one of her former collaborators was arrested on sexual assault charges’

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Beyoncé has reportedly been running checks on producers and artists working on her upcoming album Renaissance, after one of her former collaborators was charged with rape.


The singer, 40, whose long-awaited new release will drop later this month, has allegedly rejected two songs from artists that have faced accusations of abuse and harassment.


It comes after Detail, who worked on Beyoncé’s 2013 hit Drunk In Love, was arrested in August 2020 after being charged with 15 counts of sexual assault. He since denied the claims. 

A source told The Sun: ‘Beyonce was devastated when she found out Detail, one of her collaborators, was accused of rape and sexual assault.


‘She stopped working with him and her team now run #MeToo checks on any potential collaborators. Two songs from high-profile artists have been rejected because of alleg­ations they are facing.


‘Although neither has been found guilty, she’s sending a clear message to the industry in the wake of troubling cases from people like R Kelly and Harvey Weinstein.’


The source added that while her decision has ‘rubbed people up the wrong way,’ she ‘doesn’t care’ because she ‘wants to set an example that any abuse shouldn’t be normalized.’

Entertainment

US guitarist Carlos Santana ‘doing well’ after collapsing on stage in Michigan

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Representatives for the musician said he had been ‘over-taken by heat exhaustion and dehydration’ during the show on Tuesday night.

US guitarist Carlos Santana is “doing well” as he recovers in hospital after collapsing on stage during a performance in Michigan.

Representatives for the musician said he had been “overtaken by heat exhaustion and dehydration” during the show on Tuesday night.

The 74 year-old, whose band is known for hits including Smooth and Maria Maria, was attended to by multiple staff members and medical personnel.

Videos shared on social media showed Santana being helped off the stage and waving to fans as he exited.

Members of the audience were reportedly asked by venue staff for their “prayers” following the “severe” medical emergency.

“Carlos was taken to the emergency department at McLaren Clarkston for observation and is doing well,” the musician’s manager Michael Vrionis confirmed to the PA news agency.

The incident occurred during Santana’s Miraculous Supernatural Tour, which the band is currently undergoing with fellow rock band Earth, Wind & Fire.

Santana was performing at Pine Knob Music Theatre, an outdoor venue near the city of Detroit.

Mr Vrionis added that Wednesday’s performance at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, would be postponed following the incident.

Santana was forced to postpone part of a Las Vegas residency in December last year, following an “unscheduled” heart procedure.

He resumed the residency in January and began the North American tour in March.

Entertainment

R Kelly has been removed from prison suicide watch

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R Kelly has been removed from suicide watch in prison, after the singer previously claimed the protective treatment was a form of punishment.

The former 90s R&B star was sentenced to 30 years behind bars last week in New York on charges of racketeering and sex-trafficking.

Prosecutors initially said the measure was needed for Kelly’s “own safety” following a psychological examination.

But in new filings, attorneys on behalf of the US government said the measures were no longer required.

“Following a clinical assessment, plaintiff Robert Sylvester Kelly, also known as ‘R. Kelly,’ was removed from suicide watch as of this morning, July 5, 2022,” the filings stated.

“Because plaintiff has already been removed from suicide watch, there is nothing more that the court can do for him.”

Kelly is due to return to court on August 15 to stand trial on charges related to possession of child pornography and obstruction of justice.

Entertainment, Lifestyle, World News

Megan Fox says she once asked fiance Machine Gun Kelly if he was breastfed as a child to understand his ‘psychology’ and ‘temperament’.

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Megan Fox has opened up about an unusual conversation she had with her fiance, rapper Machine Gun Kelly.


The 36-year-old American actress was on the red carpet to support her 32-year-old fiance’s new Hulu documentary Life In Pink when she told E! that she asked MGK if he was breastfed as a child.


While it remains unclear if he was breastfed or not, Fox explained why she thought it was a ‘great question’ that helped her know MGK better.


‘It has a lot to do with your psychology and your temperament. So I ask things like that,’ Fox explained.


She added that it’s important for her that every question in a conversation can, ‘go deep right away’ instead of learning basics like favorite colors or films.


Fox added that she tries to learn as much as possible about someone she’s just getting to know, as early as possible.


‘If you know me and I know you, it’s impossible for me to not know almost everything about you,’ she admitted.


She even proved her wealth of knowledge about MGK when they took a couple’s quiz for British GQ last fall.
‘If you were my Jeopardy! partner you would honestly win every single category,’ MGK said of Fox.

‘You are an almanac, and encyclopedia and dictionary all in one,’ he added.


Fox and MGK started dating in June 2020, just a month after she filed for divorce from Brian Austin Green. In January 2022, the couple announced their engagement. 

Entertainment

Tom Cruise receives happy 60th birthday wishes from Mission Impossible director Christopher McQuarrie and Top Gun costar Val Kilmer

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Tom Cruise received birthday wishes from a number of high-profile collaborators as he turned 60 on Sunday. Among those to post birthday wishes the perennial A-lister included filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie, who has worked alongside Cruise in 2012’s Jack Reacher as well as multiple Mission: Impossible films, including the forthcoming Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One and Part Two.

‘Happy 60th Birthday, Tom,’ McQuarrie captioned an accompanying shot of Cruise clinging to the wing of a vintage plane in mid-air.

The latest: Tom Cruise received birthday wishes from a number of high-profile collaborators as he turned 60 on Sunday. He was snapped Sunday in England 

Cruise, who returned to the role of Capt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell in the summer smash Top Gun: Maverick, also received kind words from two of his costars in the movie, Val Kilmer and Glen Powell.

Kilmer said, ‘Happy Birthday Mav @TomCruise from Ice!’ in reference to his reprising the role of Adm. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in the sequel.

Powell, who plays the role of Lt. Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin in the movie, reposted the death-defying image McQuarrie shared.

He wrote: ‘This is 60. TC, there is just no one like you. Keep hanging’ in there. Happy Birthday!’

Christopher McQuarrie, who has worked alongside Cruise in 2012’s Jack Reacher as well as multiple Mission: Impossible films, shared a shot of Cruise clinging to the wing of a vintage plane in mid-air

The movie has been a smash hit, as it has garnered $564 million in box office totals domestically and more than $1.1 billion in international totals, according to Box Office Mojo, making for Cruise’s highest-earning film ever on a worldwide basis.

This weekend, the film dropped only 16 percent from the previous weekend, a practically unheard of drop for such a high-profile blockbuster.

Cruise was seen working last November in Cambridgeshire, England perfecting the stunt, as he was seen donning a bodysuit and headgear during the death-defying sequence, Page Six reported.

The plane in the stunt is a 1941 Boeing B75N1 Stearman biplane, and was 2,000 feet in the air when Cruise did the maneuver. 

The outlet reported that the stunt was likely in preparation for an upcoming Mission: Impossible movie.

Entertainment

Adele discusses postponing Las Vegas residency: “I was a shell of a person for a couple of months”

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“I just had to wait it out and just grieve it”

Adele has opened up about being forced to postpone her Weekends With Adele Las Vegas residency earlier this year.

The singer was due to start the residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on January 21, marking her first shows since 2017, and it was scheduled to extend through to April. She announced the postponement a day before the residency’s planned opening night with a video, saying the show was simply not ready.

“We’ve tried absolutely everything we can to put it together in time and for it to be good enough for you, but we’ve been absolutely destroyed by delivery delays and COVID,” she explained at the time.

In February, while appearing on The Graham Norton Show, she discussed how delays relating to COVID and equipment had meant that, if the gigs were to have taken place as scheduled, it “would have been a really half-arsed show, and I can’t do that”.

Now, in a new interview with Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4, Adele elaborated on the last-minute postponement. “I definitely felt everyone’s disappointment and I was devastated and I was frightened about letting them down,” she said during the interview.

“I thought I could pull it together and make it work and I couldn’t. I don’t think any other artist would have done what I did, and I think that is why it was such a massive, massive story.”

Elsewhere in the interview, the singer said that she “was a shell of a person for a couple of months” following the postponement. “I just had to wait it out and just grieve it, I guess, just grieve the shows and get over the guilt, but it was brutal.”

However, Adele made it clear she stood by the decision to postpone the residency, maintaining that the show wasn’t good enough. “You can’t buy me for nothing,” she said. “I’m not going to just do a show because I have to or because people are going to be let down or because we’re going to lose loads of money.”

Rescheduled dates for the residency are yet to be announced. In February, Adele said the shows would “absolutely 100 per cent” happen this year, but in the BBC Radio interview said that while she’s still “working on it”, she wasn’t going to provide updates “if I ain’t got nothing to update you with”.

Over the weekend, Adele gave her first public concerts in five years at London’s Hyde Park, performing classics like ‘Hello’, ‘Someone Like You’ and ‘Send my Love (To Your New Lover’, as well as new songs from latest album ’30’ such as ‘Easy On Me’ and ‘Oh My God’.

Entertainment, Football, World News

I waited 17 years to win first league title – Ighalo.

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Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has stated that his wait for a league title in his professional career took 17 years.

Ighalo won the Saudi Pro League with Al-Hilal on Monday night finishing as the league’s highest goal scorer with 24 goals.

Expressing his gratitude for winning his first league title, the former Manchester United striker took to his Instagram page to share the win with words of encouragement.

“I waited 17 years before winning my first league title, it doesn’t matter how long it takes, if you keep working hard and never give up, you will get it right one day. God is the greatest,” he wrote.

Ighalo, who started his professional career with defunct Julius Berger FC, Lagos, has played club football in six countries across Europe and Asia without winning a league title.

The former Watford star has, however, won the highest goal scorer award at different clubs he had played.

Entertainment, Football, World News

I’m very happy, Lukaku says ahead of Inter return.

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Romelu Lukaku said he was “very happy” to be back after the Belgian international striker arrived in Milan on Wednesday ahead of his return to Inter Milan on loan from Chelsea.

A beaming Lukaku emerged from Linate airport in the early hours of Wednesday morning and gave his short but delighted response to the handful of reporters awaiting his arrival.

The 29-year-old will undergo a medical later in the day before making his long-awaited Inter comeback official.

Chelsea agreed to a reported deal in which Inter will pay an initial €8 million plus a further potential three million euros in bonuses for the loan.

Lukaku will again lead Inter’s attack as they attempt to regain the Serie A title after taking a pay cut — a reported 8.5 million euros for the coming campaign.

Lukaku leaves London after failing to make an impression for a second time at Chelsea, not meeting high expectations following a £97.5 million move from Inter last summer.

He had made himself a fan favourite over two years at Inter after scoring 64 times in 95 games and driving them to their first Serie A title in over a decade, the 2021 Scudetto ending both an 11-year drought and Juventus’ grip on Italian football.

However, the financial problems of Inter’s owners the Suning Group, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic led to coach Antonio Conte leaving the club almost as soon as the title was won.

He claimed the cost-cutting required by Inter would have prevented him from building the team he wanted to challenge domestically and in Europe.

Lukaku followed Conte out the door after then European champions Chelsea offered a whopping sum which eased some of Inter’s financial issues and started well on his return to Stamford Bridge.

Coach Thomas Tuchel said “he was the type of guy we were missing” after he netted four times in his first four games, but his next goal didn’t come until early December and injury, Covid-19 and poor form kept him out of the team.

He then infuriated Chelsea fans by conducting an interview with Sky Sport Italia in which he expressed his unhappiness and said he had Inter in his heart and wanted to return.

Those comments also led Inter’s hardcore ultras to say they weren’t interested in having him back, considering his move to Chelsea a betrayal of his claim to love the Milanese club.

They told other fans not to arrive en masse to welcome Lukaku back as he is now “just one of many” after previously being “treated like a king” by supporters.

Lukaku will be critical to coach Simone Inzaghi’s bid to snatch back the league crown from AC Milan after they finished two points behind their local rivals last term.

Entertainment

Chacha Eke’s estranged husband, Austin Faani denies domestic violence claims

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Austin Faani, the estranged husband of Nigerian actress, Chacha Eke has addressed allegations that he has been physically assaulting his partner.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that Chacha Eke announced that she was walking away from her marriage based on domestic violence allegations.

The actress mentioned that it was preferable she ‘quit while she was still alive than leave as a corpse’. She went on to state other reasons for deciding to walk away from her union with the movie director.

However, in a statement shared on Austin Faani’s Instagram page on Tuesday, June 28, the movie director mentioned that he is not a violent person, hence, he has no reason to assault the mother of his children.

His statement reads;

“I am not a violent person.

Personally, I detest violence in any form.

“I have never raised any hand in any woman in my life including my wife.

“Everyone close to this case knows the absolute truth and it is not in my place to divulge it, the one person who started the talk will in due time continue to talk.

Let light lead.”

Entertainment

I’ve been paid ridiculous amounts, used without appreciation – Singer Asake

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Ahmed Asake needs no introduction in the Nigerian music industry. Basking in the ambience of his unique musical sound, the YBNL signee, in this interview with Olamide Famuwagun, reminisces on his audacious quest to gain prominence through his music.

Kindly tell us how you came into the limelight and how the experience has been so far?

I came into the limelight in 2020, when I dropped ‘Mr Money.’ It was a freestyle I did with my friend and producer, Magicsticks.  For me it was just another recording, l didn’t know it was going to be so big, that was when I tasted fame and how it started for me.

How does it feel to be one of the current raves in the music industry?

It feels good to be appreciated for one’s hard work and I wouldn’t call myself one of the raves, I would rather say one of the hardworking individuals putting out their works and it’s been appreciated by fans. Honestly it feels good but also puts me under pressure to work even harder.

Has music always been your lifelong dream? How did this dream start?

Yes, music has always been my lifelong dream. I started with dancing and ended in music. It is the only thing I know I can do comfortably that gives me inner joy and peace. It started back in school when I was performing at school functions. It felt good and I made sure that feeling never left.

How were you discovered and signed by YBNL?

Getting signed to YBNL was a miracle, one of my friends, Yemolee, played my songs for Olamide to listen to. He liked ‘Omo ope’ and we did the remix together. After the song and video was released, he asked me to come to the house and casually asked “will you like to join the family?” I was blown away with excitement and took the deal as fast as it came. Today it remains one of the best decisions I ever made.

Before clinching a recording deal with YBNL, what was the progress of your music career like?

The progress was unstable, people liked my music but didn’t know my face. I had been paid ridiculous amounts and been used without appreciation. Now I’m happy with where I am and the progression of my career.

What kept you going when things were not taking the desired turn? Did you get discouraged at any point?

I’m human, I was discouraged but I told myself if this last set of songs didn’t work out, I would go to either London or Paris to start modeling. I have got a strong personality and carriage, I understand fashion and give it a 100 every time, so if I hadn’t gotten my shot in music, I would have delved into modeling but little did I know that my time was here!

What do you think distinguishes you from other artistes in the Nigerian music industry?

The thing is I am focused on me, my craft and how to keep making my fans happy. The industry is what it is, I work really hard to make my music and I put a lot of my time into my music. I don’t check-balance other artistes because I believe everyone is unique in their own ways. I am Asake, I am my own sound and music.

The music audience will always demand for more content, how do you intend to keep up with your fans’ continuous music demands?

I am always ready. For me, it is not even about the fans, it is me. I love to work and record new songs, I am my own competition. I like to raise the bar at every given opportunity. I’m not going to wait for the fans to demand. I will keep choking them with a lot of my music because there is a lot coming and I really need to put it out for all to enjoy.

Can you give us an insight into the pains and sacrifices you make to keep your fans happy?

No pain no gain. I work constantly, I pray harder and I haven’t partied since I got signed. If you see me anywhere, I was paid to be there and that’s work; speaking of that I should probably host a party for myself. Everyone who has seen me perform knows I put in all. I studied theatre arts so you can imagine how I own the stage when I hold the microphone.

Before fame, tell us the lowest amount you have ever received for a show? How much do you charge now?

The lowest amount I was paid was N20,000 all the way to Akure and I still went with six dancers. But I was passionate and didn’t care about the money. I am about the music creation while my record label and team are about the charges.

Entertainment, Football, World News

French interior minister apologizes for ‘bad management’ at UCL final.

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French interior minister Gerald Darmanin has apologised to “everyone who suffered from bad management” at the 2021/2022 UEFA Champions League final match in Paris.

However, the 39-year-old, who had previously made outlandish claims about the number of counterfeit tickets in circulation at the Stade de France, stopped short of saying sorry to the Liverpool fans.

He had blamed them for the problems on the night of the club’s defeat to Real Madrid.

“Should the Stade de France have been better managed? The answer is `yes’,” he said, following the incidence of supporters being locked out and then tear-gassed after serious congestion problems developed.

“Am I partly responsible? The answer is `yes’. Of course, I readily apologise to everyone who suffered from this bad management of the event.”

After the match, supporters complained of being robbed by local gangs, with the police offering no protection.

The police had earlier employed heavy-handed methods in an attempt to deal with the growing crowd issue.

Darmanin said they had learned from that and France’s two recent UEFA Nations League matches and the Top 14 rugby final at the stadium all passed off without any major incident.

“It profoundly changed the organisation of the police headquarters,” he added.

“I changed the organisation to fight against delinquency because, if there was something that went wrong at the Stade de France, it was the fight against delinquency.”

Earlier this month the interior minister apologised to a French Senate committee hearing for “the disproportionate use of tear gas”.

But his claims that 35,000 and 40,000 supporters without tickets or fake tickets were present around the Stade de France were debunked by a UEFA official.

The official had said UEFA’s count of counterfeits was closer to 2,600.

(dpa/NAN)

Entertainment, Football, World News

Chelsea legend, Petr Čech leaves the club as he steps down as technical advisor amid ‘disagreement with new owner’.

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Chelsea legend, Petr Cech will leave his role as Technical and Performance Advisor at the club on June 30.


Cech is the latest to leave the club following the Todd Boehly-Clearlake takeover after the departures of chairman Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia.


Cech said: “It has been a huge privilege to perform this role at Chelsea for the past three years. With the club under new ownership, I feel now is the right time for me to step aside. I am pleased that the club is now in an excellent position with the new owners, and I am confident of its future success both on and off the pitch.”

Todd Boehly, chairman and co-controlling owner, said: “Petr is an important member of the Chelsea family. We understand his decision to step away and thank him for his contributions as an advisor and his commitment to the club and to our community. We wish him the best.”

Cech was appointed three years ago to provide advice and guidance on all football and performance matters at Chelsea having played 333 times for the club.


However, according to The Telegraph, part of Cech’s decision to leave his role at Chelsea was based on how much his influence had been diluted under the new ownership. 


He reportedly disagreed with Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly over his decision to loan Romelu Lukaku back to Inter prior to leaving.


Cech had acted as a go-between for Chelsea managers and director Marina Granovskaia, playing an instrumental role in a number of transfer and football decisions, notably recommending the signing of goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

With Granovskaia’s departure last week, Boehly has taken on the role of ‘interim sporting director’, with both the American and manager Thomas Tuchel now in charge of transfer decisions with Cech sidelined.
 

Entertainment, Lifestyle, World News

Big Brother Africa star, Elikem shares his experience from being married to ‘rich’ Pokello.

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Big Brother Africa star, Elikem Kumordzie has shared his experience from being married to a rich co-reality show star, Pokello Nare.

The fashion designer disclosed that he was hurt when people judged him saying he had married Pokello because of her wealth.

He told ZionFelix; 

Sometimes people would say Elikem is a gold digger and he is only there for the money, and sometimes it hit me a little bit. That is why I wanted to come to Ghana on my ground, so we work from the bottom up. I wasn’t so much insecure, it was more of wanting to do my own thing.

Elikem also disclosed that a misunderstanding on which country they were going to settle in, added to the issues he had in his marriage with Pokello. He revealed that he tried to move to Zimbabwe but it did not work out for him.

He said;

There was a misunderstanding on where we were going to live. I tried to move to Zimbabwe for a bit. I dismantled my machine into pieces and traveled with it in suitcases. I had to start my business over there, I had a few customers. I was there for 2 to 3 months, and it wasn’t going so well.

After his business failed to takeoff, Elikem relocated back to Ghana. He said Pokello was not comfortable with the move. 

He added; 

I tried coming back to Ghana, but for some reason, Zimbabwe was more comfortable for Pokello. Everybody knows she was good from the start, and I was the one who was rather working to make ends meet more. She and her family were quite wealthy, and I was the guy who was coming out of nowhere.

Elikem was married to Zimbabwean socialite Pokello Nare in 2015 after they met at Big Brother Africa. The couple however divorced in 2017 a few months after welcoming their first son Tristan.

Entertainment

BET Awards: Tems wins 2022 Best International Act

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Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly called Tems, has won the Best International Act at the BET Awards 2022.

The 2022 award ceremony was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The BET Awards celebrate Black excellence in music, culture and sports.

The talented singer beat Fireboy, Dave from the UK, Dinos from France, Fally Ipupa from Congo, Little Simz from the UK, Ludmilla from Brazil, Major League Djz from South Africa, and Tayc from France.

Receiving the award, Tems urged women and girls to continue on their chosen path, adding that the hard work will soon pay off.

She said: “Thank you so much for this, thank you so much. It’s an honour… I mean, this is my first award show that I’m winning something and I just want to use this as an opportunity to speak to every single young, old, whatever, every single woman watching this, every single girl watching this at home. Where I’m from, things like this don’t happen.”

Tems had earlier at the event won Best Collaboration with Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ featuring Justin Bieber.

Essence was nominated against ‘Every Change I Get’ by DJ Khaled ft Lil baby and Lil Durk; ‘Family Ties’ by Baby Seem ft Kenderick Lamar; ‘Whole Lotta’ by Bia ft Nicki Minaj; ‘Way 2 Sexy’, Drake ft Future and Young Thug, and ‘Kiss me More’ by Doja Cat ft SZA.

Singers Pheelz and Firebox DML performed at the 2022 BET Awards.

Aside from Tems, other Nigerian artistes who have won the Best International Act include 2Baba, D’banj, Ice Prince, Wizkid, Davido and Burna Boy.

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