Just days after four former housekeepers claimed the soul singer repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted them, motown legend Smokey Robinson was sued by law enforcement in Los Angeles on Thursday, the Los Angeles-based band’s attorney said.
According to a statement sent to AFP, “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau is actively looking into criminal allegations involving William Robinson, aka “Smokey Robinson.”
There is no further comment because the investigation is still in its early stages.
A multimillion dollar lawsuit was filed in a Los Angeles court alleging the 85-year-old had repeatedly forced himself on female employees while his wife was away from home.
The sheriff’s department declined to provide more information about the nature of the investigation, but plaintiffs’ attorneys told AFP that their clients were cooperating with it.
In a joint statement to AFP, Herbert Hayden and John Harris both stated, “We are pleased to learn that the LA County Sheriff’s Department has opened a criminal investigation into our clients’ claims of sexual assault against Smokey Robinson.”
“Our clients intend to fully cooperate with LASD’s ongoing investigation in order to bring about justice for himself and others who may have experienced similar assaults from him.”
One plaintiff alleges that the “Tracks of My Tears” singer would call her to his Los Angeles bedroom and greet her there with only his underwear.
Despite her protestations, he would sexually assault her afterward, according to the lawsuit, which claimed there had been seven such attacks between March 2023 and February 2024.
One former housekeeper alleges that Robinson sexually harassed, assaulted, and raped her throughout her 12-year employment until 2024, while another claims that she was more than 20 times over the course of a four-year period.
The singer claims that the fourth woman was assaulted when she and him took her to his Las Vegas residence in 2007.
The suit does not name any of the women, which is common in sexual assault claims.
The women were afraid of assaults on Robinson’s character, according to the lawsuit, which seeks at least $50 million in damages.
One of the founding members of The Miracles, a Detroit-based band that formed in the 1950s, was Robinson.
The couple have once again shut down rumours of a split after Ekin-Su cheered her Love Island boyfriend on while he took on his debut boxing match for Misfits
(Image: Instagram/ekinsuofficial)
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Curtis Pritchard have silenced rumours around their split by putting on a steamy display during the dancer’s professional boxing debut. The Love Island couple were spotted sharing a passionate kiss as Ekin-Su, 30, cheered on her boyfriend ring-side.
The former Hollyoaks actor, 29, was supported by Ekin-Su, 30, who looked incredible in a black bodycon dress and high pony. She greeted him with a hug before his first fight in the four-way card.
He was then seen topless, wearing his personalised shorts, before the pair shared a kiss. He shouted into the camera: “F***ing let’s go baby!”
Ekin-Su added: “Woo next round!” It was all going well for Curtis before he was defeated in the second round by TikTok star Tempo Arts.
Curtis and Ekin-Su put on a loved-up display at his debut boxing match(Image: Instagram/ekinsuofficial)
The Love Island All Stars pair have sparked speculation among fans lately, having been rarely seen out together. They seemed strong after attending the Grand National in Aintree together at the start of April, but rumours swirled after they spent Easter apart.
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Ekin-Su also added fuel to the fire when she shared a lip-syncing video on TikTok showing her singing along to a Pussycat Dolls song. As she song along in her bathroom, she mimed the lyrics: “I keep turning them down, but they always come around, asking me to go around, that’s not the way it’s going down, ’cause they only want, only want my ah-ha-ha, only want, what they want but, na-ah-ah, na-ah-ah.”
Ekin-Su has shared a series of cryptic posts on social media adding to the rumour mill(Image: TikTok/ @ekinsuofficial)
Her video garnered over 10,000 likes, but saw fans questioning her relationship status. One fan got straight to the point, asking: “Where is Curtis?” A second wrote: “Why can’t people see Ekin and Curtis not together they have broken up.” A third stated: “She not going to answer about Curtis cause they not together.”
But, Ekin hit back replying: “Jade you would be a great journalist. But sorry to disappoint you but we are together.”
Others supported Ekin, writing: “God forbid she makes a couple TikToks on her own the world thinks she’s broke up with Curtis.” Someone else reminded fans that Ekin and Curtis had shared on another social media platform that they were enjoying a romantic date at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.
Ekin-su Culculoglu’s met boyfriend Curtis Pritchard on Love Island All Stars(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Ekin’s cryptic upload came after she appeared to take aim at her ex-boyfriend, Married At First Sight UK star Georges Berthonneau. The pair were linked in November last year, before Ekin met pro dancer Curtis on Love Island All Stars.
Georges has claimed that they had an agreement that she wouldn’t go further than kissing anyone on the dating programme, but wanted to boost her career. The former MAFS groom also said they were together for 10 months, even enjoying holidays together and meeting each others’ families.
He then went on to say he felt “used” by Ekin. He told the Daily Mail: “We had a lot of intimacy, we were very close, and physically and emotionally we showed each other such love, but she threw everything we had away for her TV romance with Curtis Pritchard.”
Georges added: “I feel so used. The devil on her shoulder is always money, money, money, brand deals, she just wants to be the most known person and that’s all she cares about.”
But a spokesperson for Ekin-Su has shut down the allegations of cheating and insisted that she wasn’t in an exclusive relationship with Georges. In a statement, they said: “He knew before she went on Love Island: All Stars that she was entering the show as a single person and therefore their relationship would not continue under those circumstances.
“Ekin was upfront with Georges about her intention to pursue a new relationship on Love Island.” They added that Ekin made it “clear” on several occasions that their relationship was to end.
Brooklyn Beckham is reportedly in a rift with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, but there could be a surprising benefit to the family feud for their legacy, an expert has suggested
An expert has revealed there could be an unexpected benefit in Brooklyn Beckham’s family drama for his parents, David and Victoria Beckham(Image: Getty Images for Hugo Boss)
Brooklyn Beckham is caught up in a family feud that has become so severe that he’s no longer speaking to his parents, David and Victoria Beckham, it has been claimed. But an expert has detailed an unexpected benefit for David and Victoria and their strong Beckham brand amid the saga with their eldest son.
The rumoured rift between Brooklyn and his parents hit headlines earlier this month when the 26-year-old and his wife, Nicola Peltz, 30, failed to turn up to any of his father’s 50th birthday celebrations. The legendary footballer had a lavish dinner in London, a party at their £10 million Cotswolds family home and further celebrations in France with wine tasting at a vineyard, but Brooklyn was notably absent from them all.
In another blow, Brooklyn didn’t extend a ‘Happy Birthday’ message to his dad on social media, despite David’s public display of affection for his family. David is said to have been ‘heartbroken’ over the snub, and it’s been reported that things are so strained that Brooklyn isn’t speaking to his family. He reportedly also missed his mum’s birthday celebrations last month and didn’t contact her on Mother’s Day in March. The Mirror has approached representatives for both parties.
READ MORE: Nicola Peltz and Brooklyn Beckham share heartache – ‘Life is not as bright’
Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola Peltz, were noticeably absent from David’s 50th birthday celebrations in May(Image: Instagram)
David and Victoria have remained silent on the suspected family feud, but there could be an unlikely benefit to the drama for the esteemed couple. Edward Coram James, CEO of Go Up (www.goup.co.uk), told the Mirror: “Brand Beckham might be under some scrutiny right now, but this isn’t their first rodeo. This is a family that’s survived everything from matching leather outfits to cheating scandals to relentless tabloid drama.
“They’ve been pop royalty, sports legends, and fashion and beauty entrepreneurs. A bit messy, a bit posh, and unapologetic about it. Victoria can be a front-row fashion icon one minute and trolling her privileged upbringing in a Superbowl ad the next. They’re self-aware enough to let us in on the joke, and confident enough not to care if we’re laughing with them or at them.”
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He continued: “The current family tension — Brooklyn, Nicola, missed milestone parties — certainly makes for interesting headlines and fuels endless speculation. But the strength of Brand Beckham lies in its foundation: relatable imperfections, resilience, and the undeniable success of each family member in their own right.
Brooklyn with his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham(Image: Instagram)
“If anything, the current drama just adds another layer to their already rich narrative. So no, Brand Beckham isn’t fracturing. It’s just evolving. That might even make it stronger.”
The expert also noted about the ‘Beckham Brand’: “David and Victoria built their empires the long way around. They’ve faced it all, media storms, scandals and the pressure of staying relevant. And they’ve come out the other side with something pretty rare in celebrity culture: genuine public respect. People admire them not just because they’re famous, but because they’ve earned it.”
However the same doesn’t apply to Brooklyn and Nicola, according to the PR pro, who are in a “trickier spot”. “In a family that’s made brand unity look effortless, they suddenly feel like the wildcard duo,” he explained. “There’s not yet a strong ‘why’ behind their public presence, and that makes it harder for people to relate to or root for during the reported family feud.
“If they want to turn that around, they’ve got work to do. Brooklyn needs to slow down on career-hopping and double down on one thing, whether it’s photography, cooking, or something different. Whatever it is, it has to feel real, not just another well-funded hobby.
“And Nicola needs to move out of the Instagram bubble and into projects that show us who she is as an actress. If they can find their voice, and back it up with a bit of craft and consistency, the public might just give them a second look.”
While the rumoured family feud continues and the Beckhams hit headlines, Edward says David and Victoria shouldn’t be worried about their brand being tarnished. He explained: “It took David and Victoria Beckham considerable time and hard work to establish their successful careers and businesses. And legacy is fragile when it’s this visible.
“However, I don’t see Nicola and Brooklyn’s actions as a rebranding, but as a generational difference, appealing to a different crowd. Gen Z aren’t reading this as legacy destruction, they’re seeing it as setting personal boundaries.
Brooklyn is said to be caught up in a family feud with his parents, David and Victoria Beckham(Image: Getty Images)
“The real opportunity for the Beckhams might lie in learning to acknowledge and even quietly support that individuality, without compromising the values that define their legacy. It’s about finding the balance — allowing the next generation to evolve publicly while keeping the foundation of what the Beckham name stands for intact.”
He concluded: “Overall, I don’t think Brand Beckham is in any real trouble. David and Victoria have spent years, and decades building something solid. People know what they stand for. Football, fashion, family, work ethic… it’s all baked in. And while this drama with Brooklyn and Nicola is messy, one family rift doesn’t undo a lifetime of credibility.”
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After discovering 19 antiquated rattles, some of which date back at least 4,500 years, a Danish researcher told AFP on Friday that toy makers have existed for far longer than most people realize.
Mette Marie Hald, co-author of the study detailing the discovery, revealed her findings to AFP from the scientific journal “Childhood in the Past.”
Based on the low noise level of the rattles and the relatively small size of their handles, “we argue that the rattles served as toys to amuse and calm infants, rather than as musical instruments,” according to the paper’s summary.
Hald even suggested museum curators check their collections to see if items that were once considered religious artifacts turned out to be toys.
You could simply give your child a wooden spoon or stone, she said.
Parents had the option of spoiling their young children with more expensive options, even then.
Parents would go to the market and purchase professional-made toys, she explained, “4, 500 years ago.”
The National Museum of Denmark’s collections contain pieces of 19 clay rattles made in Hama, Syria, dating back to the Bronze Age.
The quality of the rattles, in Hald’s opinion, prevents the parents from making them.
She hopes that the discovery will encourage professionals to examine clay fragments more carefully because some light figurines end up being toys.
Although there are many varieties and they appear very funny, the researcher inquired as to whether these can be children’s toys because they are frequently regarded as religious figurines placed in temples.
These toys are difficult to identify because the majority of these finds are found as shattered fragments.
Olly Murs was met with boos after an admission during his 15 Years Of Hits tour date in Liverpool on Thursday night, with the X Factor star making an unwise on-stage admission
Olly Murs admits he’s a Manchester United fan after being booed by Liverpool crowd(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Olly Murs had the Liverpool crowd eating out of the palm of his hand during a performance at the M&S Bank Arena earlier this week. The 41-year-old chart sensation took his 15 Years Of Hits tour to the docks on Thursday.
After a solid fifteen years since Murs first stepped into the public eye with an X Factor audition that left the nation in awe, he was seen delivering smooth vocals on a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Superstition. From his days winning the hearts of judges and viewers alike, Olly still commands a loyal following.
A sea of the Murs Army filled the Bank Arena as the singer-songwriter commemorated his time in music with a high-spirited country-wide tour. With a repertoire spanning 15 years, it would be simple for Murs to let his well-loved tunes speak for themselves.
At one point in the show, Olly invited his band to “embarrass” him, by projecting an unknown picture in front of the crowd. He told fans: “On this part of the show, I have absolutely no idea what is about to appear on that screen”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Olly Murs performing at The M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool on 15th May 2025(Image: Liverpool Echo)
His Scouse fans watched on as a photo of Olly touching Liverpool FC’s famous This Is Anfield sign prompted a split reaction, as cheers from Liverpool FC fans clashed with boos from Everton supporters. But, Olly swiftly brought all sides together when he disclosed that his loyalties actually lie down the M62, admitting: “Of course, this will probably get the biggest boo of the night. I am a Manchester United fan.”
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To a cacophony of jesting boos, a chuckling Olly then playfully suggested: “Shall I go?” But the audience clearly wasn’t keen on ending the night there – they cheered for him to carry on, leading him into another chart-topping track.
Olly kicked his hit-filled setlist with Troublemaker, serenading them through two hours of his best known songs. The pop sensation turned 41 this Wednesday and marked the occasion by belting out a medley of 80s classics, celebrating the era of his birth.
Having come a long way from his days as a cover singer, Olly had fans ecstatic to hear original hits including Heart Skips a Beat and Wrapped Up, alongside the timeless tunes. The gig took an emotional turn when Olly performed Dear Darling.
The poignant track was dedicated to his late friend and X Factor co-presenter, Caroline Flack. Sharing with the audience, he confessed: “I genuinely think about her every day.”
Olly Murs made an unpopular admission on stage on Thursday(Image: Liverpool Echo)
He continued: “I know that feeling of losing someone that you love very much. With this song, I want you to think of those people and sing with me.”
As thousands of phones illuminated the arena, fans joined in an unforgettable rendition of the 2012 ballad, creating the night’s most memorable moment. While this tour marked his 15-year journey in the music industry, Olly gave his fans a sneak peek into his future plans. He performed his new single, ‘Save Me’, exclusively for the audience, hinting at what’s next for him.
Describing the song as the beginning of a “new Murs era”, it’s clear from the crowd’s reaction that they’re excited about what lies ahead. As he exited the stage to thunderous applause, it’s evident that his fans are eagerly anticipating more milestones from Olly, who has firmly established himself as a top-notch performer.
The Nigerian Navy has intercepted a large wooden boat conveying about 90,000 litres of stolen crude oil off the coast of Araromi, in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The operation, conducted on Thursday, May 15, was executed byen of the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbokoda, following credible intelligence on suspected illegal bunkering activities in the area.
It was gathered that the crude oil was illegally sourced from abandoned oil wellheads located offshore in Igbokoda and was en route to Lagos before the naval personnel intercepted the thieves.
On sighting the naval team, the suspects manning the boat fled into the creeks in an accompanying speedboat, evading arrest.
However, the Navy recovered key items from the intercepted vessel, including three pumping machines, a long discharge hose, and two high-powered outboard engines used for navigation.
The boat and all recovered equipment have since been processed in line with extant Defence Headquarters regulations.
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The Commanding Officer of FOB Igbokoda, Captain Aliyu Usman, while reacting to the development, reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s maritime domain and safeguarding critical national assets.
