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Rihanna is back in the studio as she teases release of first song in three years

By in Entertainment News, News

Music star and Fenty icon Rihanna announced she’s releasing a new song called Friends of Mine, three years after she dropped Life Me Up for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Rihanna back in the studio as she teases release of first song in three years(Image: Paramount Pictures)

Rihanna delighted fans after revealing she returned to the studio for her first new song after three years. The 37-year-old, who announced she’s expecting her third child with A$AP Rocky after showcasing her bump at the Met Gala, is releasing Friends of Mine on Friday for the new Smurfs film.

Her last drop was on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with Lift Me Up. Rihanna stars as Smurfette in the upcoming Smurfs movie, which also stars John Goodman as Papa Smurf, Nick Offerman as Ken, Sandra Oh as Moxie, Nick Kroll as Brainy Smurf. Other stars in the movie include James Corden, Xolo Maridueña and Kurt Russell.

Rihanna
Rihanna is releasing a new song for the Smurfs soundtrack(Image: Paramount Pictures)

Riri shared the trailer on her social media page, and it showed a small snippet of the upbeat song, which is part of the movie’s soundtrack.

The Bajan singer captioned the post: “New #SmurfsMovie trailer featuring Friend Of Mine from the Smurfs soundtrack out Friday. pre-save now.”

Fans loved that she was releasing new music, but expressed their disappointment that it wasn’t in the form of a new album. One user wrote: “When we said we wanted new music, this isn’t what we meant. ig we’ll take what we can get.”

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Rihanna on the Met Gala carpet 2025
It comes as Rihanna announced her third pregnancy(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

“Saw her in the recording studio and almost screamed, and then…” one person commented and another fan yearning for new music added: “I thought she was about to bless us with music—’cause lately, my soul’s been out here starving like it’s on a diet of broken headphones and bad vibes.”

After Rihanna confirmed her pregnancy, the Umbrella singer was asked if the album, affectionately nicknamed ‘R9’, would be ‘put on pause even longer’. Rihanna responded to Entertainment Tonight: “No, maybe a couple of videos.”

Fans have been eagerly awaiting this album for nine years, but RiRi hinted that plans are still on track. She cheekily added: “I can sing!”

Rihanna, already mum to sons RZA, two, and Riot, 21 months, with Rocky, also shared that she isn’t feeling ‘too overwhelmed’ by her pregnancy, despite an initial shock. She said: “I’m good! I’m shockingly feeling ok, and not too overwhelmed at the moment. At first it was kinda like, ‘Ahhh!'”

Meanwhile, fans are still waiting for the successor to 2016’s Anti. While the details about the album remain scarce, Rihanna gave a sneak peek into what fans might expect from the record in February.

Speaking to Harper’s BAZAAR magazine, she revealed: “I’ve been in the studio the whole eight years. But it didn’t hit me. I was searching for it. I went through phases of what I wanted to do. ‘This kind of album, not that album’.”

“I know it’s not going to be anything that anybody expects. And it’s not going to be commercial or radio, digestible. It’s going to be where my artistry deserves to be right now. I feel like I’ve finally cracked it, girl!”

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Son files criminal complaint over alleged blackmail plot

By in News, Sports News
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Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has filed a criminal complaint with the South Korean police for being the victim of an alleged blackmail plot after it was reported that a woman threatened him with a false pregnancy claim.

Gangnam Police Station in southern Seoul said it had detained a woman in her 20s and a man in his 40s on suspicion of extortion and attempted extortion, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

The woman is alleged to have approached Son last year, claiming she was carrying his child. She reportedly demanded money to stay silent.

The man then allegedly followed up with him in March, trying to get money.

Tottenham face Manchester United in the Europa League final in Bilbao on Wednesday.

South Korea forward Son has scored 173 goals in 451 games for Spurs since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015.

“Son & Football Limited has filed a criminal complaint for blackmail against individuals who threatened the player by claiming they would spread false information,” his agency said.

“The police are currently investigating the matter, and we will provide updates as soon as the investigation concludes.

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Last One Laughing’s future decided by Amazon as host Jimmy Carr speaks out

By in Entertainment News, News

Last One Laughing had fans all over the country in stitches when it aired earlier this year, and now Jimmy Carr has spoken out about the hit Prime Video Show’s future

Jimmy Carr breaks silence on LOL’s future (Image: PR HANDOUT)

Prime Video’s Last One Laughing was a hit when it came out earlier this year. It saw 8 Out of 10 Cats star Jimmy Carr assembled ten of the UK’s top comedians in one room with one impossible challenge: Don’t laugh.

However, in a twist, the host set them a challenge of making each other laugh, although they couldn’t chuckle themselves. Although the comedian’s couldn’t laugh – the audiences were left in stitches.

The first series saw comedians Richard Ayoade and Bob Mortimer in the final, and it looks like fans can look forward to yet another hilarious final as the show has been recommissioned for a second series.

LOL series 1
The first series was a hit with audiences(Image: Amazon MGM Studios)

Speaking about the future of the show, Jimmy said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Last One Laughing is coming back for a second series. I think what’s happened is someone high up at Amazon has clicked ‘subscribe & save’ on Prime Video and, hey presto, we’re back in business.

“I’m so pleased people had as much fun watching the first season as we had making it. Can’t wait to bask in the reflected glory of the next 10 comedy legends taking on the challenge.”

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The second series will see Jimmy returning to the hosting seat alongside a new line-up of comedians which will be announced in due course. Filming is due to take place later this year with the series launching in 2026 on Prime Video worldwide.

Jimmy Carr
Jimmy Carr will be back to host the new series(Image: Getty Images)

Last One Laughing UK is the latest adaptation of the successful Amazon Original series from Japan entitled Documental, created by and starring Hitoshi Matsumoto and owned by Yoshimoto Kogyo and has been a hit around the globe.

So much so that the format became the most watched title of all time on Prime Video in France, Germany and Italy, and had hugely successful local versions in over 20 territories.

Last year’s final saw Richard and Bob climb onto Merry-go-round ponies while Bob read from his joke book. However, Richard soon realised that he had made a grave error by allowing Bob to perform jokes.

“What I now realise I’d done was essentially sign up to be in goal and just have someone take penalty after penalty after penalty,” he said. “I had nothing and he was on a horse opposite me with a pocket full of material,” the IT Crowd star said.

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It was Bob who eventually took the win, with fans claiming the show was the “best piece of comedy they’d ever seen.” They’re sure to gain a whole load of new laughs with series 2!

Until then, fans can catch up with series 1 over on Prime Video.

Next’s ‘perfect’ £32 linen mini dress is ‘great for holiday’

By in Entertainment News, News

Next shoppers are loving the lightweight dress they’re snapping up for their summer holidays

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Cream Pink and Blue House Print Scoop Back Mini Shift Dress With Linen(Image: Next)

Next shoppers are heaping praise on a “perfect” dress they’ve been snapping up online. The retailer is well known for its on-trend fashion and accessories – and a new favourite has arrived.

The Cream Pink and Blue House Print Scoop Back Mini Shift Dress With Linen is priced at £32 and comes in a regular or petite fit. It is currently available in sizes eight to 26 and comes in a range of other patterns too.

The dress features a linen-blend fabric in a mini length, with a split side hem and a scoop back. It also has side pockets and is machine washable.

READ MORE: Next shoppers praise ‘flattering’ £28 summer midi dress that ‘doesn’t crease’

READ MORE: Five cheap lipsticks ‘just like’ £29 Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk

For those still searching for the perfect summer mini dress, there are a number of option on the market. New Look has the Yellow Floral Print Mesh Mini Dress for £27.99.

Elsewhere, ASOS stocks the textured 90s swing mini dress in cream with enlarged blue floral print, which is on sale for £21, down from £26. River Island fans can snap up the Blue Denim Button Cami Dress for £32.

The full Next product description reads: “Made from a lightweight linen-blend that’s ready for summer, this mini-length cream pink and blue house print dress is perfect for everyday wear during warmer weather, featuring a scoop back neck, side pockets and a split side hem.”

Cream Pink and Blue House Print Scoop Back Mini Shift Dress With Linen
Cream Pink and Blue House Print Scoop Back Mini Shift Dress With Linen(Image: Next)

The dress has racked up a 4.5 star rating online, with many reviews from impressed shoppers. Among them, one person said: “Very nice dress. Looks fab on, bright and nicely different pattern.”

A second wrote: “Nice shape dress. Easy to wear and comfortable. Great for holidays day or night. Great colour and fabric.” A fourth added: “Lovely easy to wear dress.”

However, some shoppers did claim they’d had issues with the dress. One person said: “Colours were very drab….neckline was very high… not a flattering dress.” Another wrote: “Pretty print however the cheap, scratchy feel to the linen meant it was sent back. Fit was a bit odd. It was an ok dress.”

Cream Pink and Blue House Print Scoop Back Mini Shift Dress With Linen
Cream Pink and Blue House Print Scoop Back Mini Shift Dress With Linen(Image: Next)

Despite this, most of the feedback was positive, with one shopper writing: “Perfect for holidays. Classic shape and beautiful print. Longer length is just right for me.”

A different buyer said: “Material is soft and comfy to wear on holiday, perfect fit. Bought all designs in same dress. Good value for money as they look more expensive.”

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What’s at stake in US Supreme Court birthright citizenship case?

By in News, World News

It was one of US President Donald Trump’s most ambitious executive orders, and it came just hours after he took office for his second term: ending the United States’ policy of birthright citizenship that has lasted for more than a century.

And just three days after Trump issued the order, a federal judge in Washington state blocked the decree from going into effect. In the months that followed, two other federal judges joined in issuing nationwide injunctions.

On Thursday, the issue will reach the US Supreme Court, with the 6-3 conservative dominated bench set to hear oral arguments in the case. What the court decides could be transformative.

Proponents have long argued that the practice of granting citizenship to all those born on US soil is woven into the national fabric.

American Civil Liberties Union executive director Anthony Romero did not mince words in January, when he called Trump’s order a “reckless and ruthless repudiation of American values”, destined to create a “permanent subclass of people born in the US who are denied full rights as Americans”.

Meanwhile, a smaller but vocal contingency, empowered by Trump, has maintained that the practice is based on faulty constitutional interpretation and serves as an incentive for undocumented migration. The Trump administration has called it “birth tourism”.

Here’s what to expect from Thursday’s hearing:

What time will it start?

The hearing will start at 9am local (14:00 GMT).

What is at stake?

The most fundamental question that could be answered by the top court is whether birthright citizenship will be allowed to continue.

Proponents point to the US Constitution’s 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, which reads: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside”.

A subsequent 1898 Supreme Court case, United States v Wong Kim Ark, interpreted the language as applying to all immigrants, creating a precedent that has since stood.

Some studies estimate that about 150,000 immigrant infants are born with citizenship every year under the policy.

The Trump administration, in contrast, has embraced the theory that babies born to noncitizens are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the US, and therefore are not constitutionally guaranteed citizenship.

Speaking to reporters in April, Trump described a scenario of “tourists coming in and touching a piece of sand and then all of a sudden, there’s citizenship”. He has embraced the theory that the 14th Amendment was meant to apply only to former slaves, and not newly arriving immigrants

At the time, Trump predicted it would be “easy” to win the case based on that logic.

Could the outcome be more complicated?

Yes. The Trump administration has taken a strategically unique tack in the case.

In their emergency filing to the Supreme Court, they have focused on the actions of the three judges who blocked Trump’s order from going into effect nationwide.

They argue the orders extend beyond the judges’ authorities and should only apply to the plaintiffs or jurisdictions directly connected to Trump’s executive order.

Theoretically, the Supreme Court could rule on whether the judges can issue nationwide injunctions, without ruling on whether birthright citizenship is, in fact, protected by the Constitution.

For example, if the justices rule that the lower judges exceeded their power, but do not make a determination on the constitutional merits of birthright citizenship, the executive order would only be blocked in the 22 states that successfully challenged Trump’s order.

Attorneys General in those states had challenged the order in a joint lawsuit, with a federal judge in Massachusetts ruling in their favour in February.

Birthright citizenship would effectively be banned in 28 other states unless they also successfully challenge the order or until the Supreme Court makes a future ruling.

The possibility has split legal scholars, with some arguing it is unlikely the Supreme Court would make the narrower decision on the scope of the lower judges’ power without also ruling on the underlying constitutional merits of birthright citizenship.

Could the ruling extend beyond birthright citizenship?

Yes. If the justices do decide to only address the scope of the lower judges’ power, the implications could extend far beyond the birthright citizenship question.

It would also apply to several other Trump executive orders that have been blocked by a federal judge’s national injunction, also called “universal injunctions”. Those include several Trump executive orders seeking to unilaterally transform the federal government, the military, and how funding is disbursed to states, to name a few.

In a written filing in the birthright citizenship case, the Department of Justice pointed to the wider implications, saying the need for the Supreme Court’s “intervention has become urgent as universal injunctions have reached tsunami levels”.

Meanwhile, the plaintiffs in the Maryland case that successfully challenged Trump’s birthright order said doing away with national injunctions would create different tiers of rights depending on an individual’s geographical location.

Newly-Wed, Others Rendered Homeless As Windstorm Destroys Houses In Katsina

By in News, Nigeria News

At least 300 houses were destroyed, and properties worth millions of Naira were lost following a heavy windstorm and downpour in some communities in Katsina State. 

The incident, which lasted for about fifteen minutes on Wednesday evening after Asr prayers, saw roofs and rafters flying through the sky.

Among the areas affected are Sabuwar Unguwar Modoji Gabas, Shinkafi, and Kukar-Gesa areas as well as Ambassador Quarters and some parts of Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) among others.

READ ALSO: Governor Radda Present As Three Katsina Reps Dump PDP For APC

Residents Seek Help

Many residents, including a newlywed couple, were rendered homeless following the havoc.

Some of the victims described the incident as a test from God. They, however, asked the Katsina State Government and others to assist them amidst the lingering economic hardship.

Maryam Muhammad

One of the victims, Maryam Muhammad, said, “During the incident, I was just sitting inside the room and I eventually noticed that the only room I had was completely down, resulting in dislocation of my leg and hand bone.”

“Thank God all my children were at Islamiyya school then. We seek Divine and government interventions because I struggled hard and used all my property to raise this destroyed single room,” she said.

Mubarak Rabi’u.

Another victim, Mubarak Rabi’u, re-echoed a similar sentiment, calling on the government to come to their aid.

“We are calling on our good government to look into our critical condition to assist us,” he said.

“Although we received this destiny in good faith, as I am speaking, we don’t know where our families will be heading, now that we are living from hand to mouth.”

Ward Head, Sabuwar Unguwar Modoji Area, Aminu Jafaru.

In the meantime, the Ward Head of Sabuwar Unguwar Modoji Gabas, Aminu Jafaru, has urged the Katsina State Government and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to as a matter of urgency send delegation to assess the level of damage in the area with a view to assist the victims.

“It was a heavy windstorm accompanied by rain which within fifteen minutes, several Houses completely destroyed. We are calling on government and well to do individuals to please come to our aid in this community otherwise many house occupants will become homeless.