Holllywood star Idris Elba has gone back to Barking and Dagenham College where he started out to receive a special award
Idris Elba receives his special MOBO paving stone award(Image: Getty Images)
Actor Idris Elba has made an emotional return to the college where he first studied for a special award. The Hollywood star was the recipient of a MOBO Paving The Way paving stone at Barking & Dagenham College, where the acclaimed actor started out.
The award celebrates “cultural pioneers” who have made a huge impact while continuing to give back to the communities that they were brought up in. Others who have been given the awards include Dame Denise Lewis, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Sir Lenny Henry CBE, Nicola Adams, Wiley, and Ms Dynamite.
Idris studied for a BTEC in Performing Arts in the early 1990s at the college. And the event took place inside the college’s state-of-the-art Idris Elba Studio, which is named in his honour.
The paving stone is inscribed with the words: “Don’t get labelled — labels are for cans.” The actor spoke to students from Barking & Dagenham College’s media and production courses, and talked about his career. He also spoke up about youth violence in the UK including knife crime, which is a subject close to his heart.
READ MORE: Pete Wicks’ desperate plea to give ‘beloved’ dog with just months to live a home
All smiles: Idris Elba at his old college(Image: Getty Images)
Article continues below
Idris said: “Coming back to Barking & Dagenham College, the place where I first started to shape my creative voice, and being recognised by MOBO in this way is a full-circle moment. MOBO has always stood for more than just music; it’s about visibility, opportunity and pushing culture forward.
“To be honoured with a Paving the Way stone here, where my journey began, is deeply meaningful. I hope it stands as a reminder to every student walking through these doors that greatness can come from anywhere.”
Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO of MOBO, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the MOBOs next year.
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated a veteran journalist and publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka-Pemu, on his 90th birthday anniversary.
Tinubu, in a personally signed statement made available by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, described Amuka as a man who devoted most of his life to journalism.
He said, “Today, I celebrate Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu, iconic journalist and publisher of Vanguard newspaper, on his 90th birthday. Fondly called Uncle Sam, Amuka-Pemu started his career at the Daily Times.
“Then, he co-founded The Punch with the late accountant, Chief Olu Aboderin. After parting ways with Aboderin, he set up the Vanguard newspaper in 1984, which became one of Nigeria’s most influential newspapers under his leadership. Mr. Amuka-Pemu has devoted most of his life to journalism.”
READ ALSO: UPDATED: Tinubu Honours Soyinka, Kukah, Falana, Aghanenu, Others With National Award
Tinubu commended the publisher for keeping the 41-year-old newspaper alive through his managerial acumen.
According to him, Amuka-Pemu remains a shining example of dedication, resilience, and integrity within the media industry.
“Today, he is not just a leader of the profession; he is a doyen. His leadership, from the altar of journalism, has influenced the media landscape and extended to his role as a respected leader in Delta State and the South-South geopolitical zone, making him an elder statesman.
“On the occasion of this year’s Democracy Day, I conferred on him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in profound recognition of his significant contributions to the country and his exemplary leadership in the field of journalism,” the President stated.
Tinubu, therefore, urged younger journalists to emulate the highly respected publisher and leader who he said has made invaluable contributions to journalism.
“Our country is deeply grateful for his enduring legacy,” he added.
The President on Thursday conferred a national honour, the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), on Amuka-Pemu, during an address at the joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day.
He also conferred national honours on 32 others.
“Additionally, I confer the national honour of CON on Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu, a legendary journalist and publisher who remains true to his lifetime calling as he marks his 90th birthday tomorrow, June 13,” he said.
The United Nations says the Israeli- and United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is a “failure” from a humanitarian perspective.
Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said aid operations have stalled because the GHF is not delivering supplies safely to those in need.
“GHF, I think it’s fair to say, has been, from a principled humanitarian standpoint, a failure,” Laerke told reporters in Geneva on Friday. “They are not doing what a humanitarian operation should do, which is providing aid to people where they are, in a safe and secure manner.”
The UN and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF, citing concerns that it prioritises Israeli military objectives over humanitarian needs.
The newly formed private organisation began operations on May 26 after Israel had completely cut off supplies into Gaza for more than two months, sparking warnings of mass famine.
It says it has distributed more than 18 million meals since then.
On Friday, more than 30 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks, medical sources told Al Jazeera.
Al Jazeera’s Tariq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, said Israeli forces were targeting parts of Khan Younis in southern Gaza with artillery fire and ground attacks.
“The Israeli military is deepening its ground operations,” Azzoum said, saying there were clashes in the eastern part of the city.
The besieged territory remained under a communications blackout for a second day on Friday. Hamas has denounced what it described as an Israeli decision to cut communication lines in Gaza, calling it “a new aggressive step” in the country’s “war of extermination”.
Israel recently was pressured to allow some aid deliveries to enter Gaza after barring them for more than two months (AFP)
Israel continues to force civilians into what it calls the “safe zone” of al-Mawasi, a barren coastal strip with no infrastructure, which it has repeatedly bombed. A drone strike on a tent there killed at least two people on Friday.
The attack left “everyone on the ground quite confused about where they can go in order to find safety”, Azzoum said.
Israel locks down occupied West Bank
In the occupied West Bank, Israel sealed all crossings and checkpoints between Palestinian towns and cities early on Friday, shortly after it launched a wave of air strikes on targets in Iran.
Sources told Al Jazeera the closures were imposed without any indication of when they might be lifted.
The Palestine Red Crescent Society said its ambulances were being denied access to patients, including those in urgent need of medical care.
In occupied East Jerusalem, Israeli forces closed Al-Aqsa Mosque, preventing Palestinians from attending Friday prayers.
Brighton have extended the contract of James Milner by another season in a deal which will take the midfielder past his 40th birthday.
Milner has been with the Seagulls since joining them after his contract with Liverpool ran out in summer 2023.
He will turn 40 on 4 January, 2026 and will have to play into the following season if he wants to stand a chance of becoming the Premier League’s oldest outfield player.
That record is held by former England forward Teddy Sheringham, who played in the top flight for West Ham when he was 40 years and 272 days old.
Milner made only four top flight appearances for Brighton last season as they finished eighth in the Premier League.
He began his career at Leeds United and went on to play for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool.
Disney+ is back with a mega-cheap £1.99 streaming offer – these are the series our team is loving
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Series we’re loving on Disney+
The weekend is here and for those keen to relax on the sofa with a bingeable series, there’s lots on offer. Disney+ is making headlines for the return of one of its most affordable deals, as prices drop to £1.99.
The deal ditches the usual £4.99 per month price of the Standard with Ads plan for a much cheaper £1.99 rate. It makes it the cheapest major streaming site, less than Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+ tariffs.
Shoppers will have to sign up for the subscription to get the £1.99 price, but there is no required contract and users can leave after each 30-day window. The deal is available to snap up by June 30, and it lasts for four months before rising to the previous £4.99 rate.
READ MORE: Top Tech: Disney+ £1.99 per month deal is back but with one major upgrade
READ MORE: Non-greasy SPF spray that’s ‘anti-blemish’ gives sun worshippers clearer skin and ‘more confidence’
With a packed TV guide for the summer, including the live-action Snow White and Marvel’s Ironheart, there’s plenty to watch. As a team filled with series lovers, we’ve got a handful of recommendations from the new Welcome to Wrexham season, reality dramas The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, or decade classics like Grey’s Anatomy.
Get Disney+ for £1.99 for four months
£4.99
£1.99
Get the deal here
Disney+ has brought back its popular deal that lets new and returning customers join its Standard with Ads plan for £1.99 per month for four months.
Narin’s favourites – Daredevil: Born Again and Welcome to Wrexham
Daredevil: Born Again might be the best TV series I’ve watched this year so far. Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio reprise their roles as Daredevil and Kingpin as the two old adversaries clash once more, with both men trying to juggle their public personas and secret lives inextricably linked with New York’s crime-ridden underbelly.
The result is a show that takes the best of the already-brilliant Netflix run (including some fan favourite returns) and surprisingly makes it even darker and more brutal – what would Walt say?
As a proud comic book geek I freely confess that Marvel fatigue has been a thing for a while now, with much of their output proving a miss rather than a hit for me. Daredevil: Born Again (and actually also Thunderbolts which will be coming to the streaming giant in due course) are a pleasing and much-needed return to quality and definitely a must-see.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney from Welcome to Wrexham(Image: Alberto E. Rodriguez)
Welcome to Wrexham season four is streaming now on Disney+ and this £1.99 deal allows you to watch the thrilling climax of the celeb-led club’s season week by week. In the four short years since A-listers Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham AFC for £2 million the club’s fortunes have transformed, taking it into a £150m+ force in football.
This show offers a great behind-the-scenes look at that ascendance, led by both men alongside a cast of supporting characters, including the team’s sweary yet brilliant manager Phil Parkinson and Executive Director Humphrey Ker.
Don’t let the football distract you, though – at its core, this is as much a show about the community and people who live around Wrexham as the on-pitch shenanigans and all the better for it. If you like your reality TV heartwarming rather than angsty then this is your next perfect binge watch.
Harriet’s favourite – The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
If drama, gossip, affairs and the craze of social media is your thing then I’d highlighy recommend The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Season 2 of the reality series has recently hit Disney+ after a gripping first season – and I’ve never been more hooked on a series.
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives Season 2 is out on Disney+(Image: Disney)
Yes, you have to enjoy shows like Keeping Up with Kardashians and The Real Housewives to love this. The series follows a group of MomTok influencers and their Mormon community as they navigate growing social presence and scandals.
Jake’s favourite – Andor Season 2
I’ve been a huge Star Wars fan since I was a little kid, but had almost given up on the franchise after some of its recent output left me with Jedi fatigue. That was until the new season of Andor pulled me well and truly back in.
After admittedly not being blown away by the first season, I was completely gripped by the eponymous rebel spy’s latest mission, so much so that I binged the whole thing in one weekend. It may not feature any lightsabers or Jedi, but what it does offer cements its position as one of the greatest Star Wars titles there is and without doubt, the best episodic instalment yet.
There simply aren’t enough superlatives to describe the series; it’s beautifully shot, each performance is Emmy-worthy and the high-stakes of Andor’s mission result in incredibly intense viewing – especially in the latter half of the series. Going back to watch Rogue One – which is set immediately after the Andor finale – completely changes the viewer’s perspective on the story, making a great film even better.
Jada’s favourite – Abbotts Elementary
Quinta Brunson has been on my radar since she first went viral for her ‘he got money’ videos when I was a teenager, with her enthusiastically telling anyone who would listen that her cinema date was rich since he bought a large popcorn. I’ve watched her through the Buzzfeed years and when I heard that her award-winning show was going to be available to stream on Disney+ I knew it was time to get a subscription.
Abbott Elementary is about a public school in Philadelphia where the odds aren’t really in anyone’s favour. It’s so consistently funny that I’d love to be a fly on the wall of their writer’s room. Quinta plays Janine Teagues, a perky second-grade teacher with so much enthusiasm to make a positive difference. The cast are all hilarious in their own right, Ava the principal (played by Janelle James), who bribed her way into a job has to be one of the standout characters and over the seasons she seems a little more vulnerable even if she remains obnoxiously tone deaf.
There’s romantic tension with Janine and Gregory, played by Everybody Hates Chris star Tyler James Williams, that had me routing for them the whole way through as they awkwardly navigate their feelings.
It’s easily the best mockumentary sitcom I’ve ever seen, my only gripe is the episodes are released later in the UK than the US – so I made sure to catch up to the season finale when I visited the states earlier this year.
Eve’s favourite is something Disney+ doesn’t offer
1883 is, without a doubt, one of the best TV series I have watched to date. I’m a bit of an all-rounder when it comes to the shows I watch.
I’m a sucker for Gilmore Girls and Ginny & Georgia (both on Netflix) as well as the hit, edge-of-your-seat, relatively brutal mob-family extravaganza Mobland (Amazon Prime), Ted Lesso (Apple TV), The Last of Us (NOW) and New Girl (Disney+). All of which bring very different things to the table. But when I was recommended 1883, aside from knowing the bare bones of its description, I had no idea what to expect.
Ginny and Georgia season 3 – Get Netflix free with Sky
from £15
Get the deal here
Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.
A prequel to the highly regarded Yellowstone (a show still on my watch-list), 1883 is an American Western drama miniseries which follows the origin story of the Dutton family to the Yellowstone ranch. The show sees the five Dutton family members in post-Civil War America flee poverty in Texas and embark on a long, arduous journey through the Great Plains in the hope of a better future in Montana.
A description of the show on IMDB reads: “The post-Civil War generation of the Dutton family travels to Texas, and joins a wagon train undertaking the arduous journey west to Oregon, before settling in Montana to establish what would eventually become the Yellowstone Ranch.”
Exploring the use and roles ranchhands/cowboys as well as the history, challenges and conflicts faced by the Indiginous Americans during this period, it’s an action-packed, heart-wrenching story that had me hooked.
The 10-part series features some pretty big names in the world of film as country music such as Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sam Elliott and even has cameos from Billy Bob Thornton and Tom Hanks. Its sequel, 1923, stars Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford – also an incredible watch on Paramount+
Phoebe’s favourite – Grey’s Anatomy
Article continues below
Grey’s Anatomy is my mum’s favourite TV show of all time. She has been a loyal viewer since the first series aired in the mid-2000s, so when it was announced that the American medical drama would be available on Disney+, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
The Freaky Friday singer, who is currently on the European leg of his new tour, called out his record label in a row over lyrics to his new single
Chris Brown is currently on the European leg of his new tour
Chris Brown has blasted his record label on social media as he begins the European leg of his Breezy Bowl XX Tour. The American singer posted an Instagram story in which he accused the label of sending out the wrong lyrics to his new single, Holy Blindfold.
He said: “Someone at the label has sent out the wrong lyric sheet to the music outlets so they have some crazy a** lyrics out there right now for Holy Blindfold.”
Brown, known for singing Freaky Friday and No Guidance, added: “Please ignore them and they will change it ASAP! I’m sorry I even have to write this message. The label should be more professional and make sure they actually check with the artist (me) before they even do some dumb s*** like this!”
Holy Blindfold was released on June 13th and was produced by Jonathan Bellion and Monsters & Strangerz. Marcus Lomax and Jordan K Johnson also worked on the song, released under RCA Records.
Fans took to X to react to the Instagram story, with one writing: “Chris Brown calling RCA Records out for sending the wrong lyric sheet out for his new single Holy Blindfold was not what I was expecting on release day.” Another posted: “Wow! They had one job to do. They have us singing the wrong lyrics…”
The singer’s last UK show will be at Manchester’s Co-Op Live in July
Article continues below
READ MORE: McFly’s Tom Fletcher deletes insensitive post after India plane crash with urgent apologyREAD MORE: Abba legend Bjorn teases secret new band project after Voyage success
There are still tickets available to Brown’s London, Cardiff, Manchester, and Birmingham shows this month, as well as his Glasgow and Manchester concerts in July.
Last month, Brown was freed on bail by a court in London after being charged with inflicting an “unprovoked attack” in a nightclub in 2023. This allowed him to begin his world tour as part of his bail conditions.
He paid a £5 million security fee to the court as bail after being arrested the week prior and charged with grievous bodily harm. Brown had allegedly attacked a producer with an alcohol bottle at the Tape nightclub in Mayfair.
Brown had been held in custody since his arrest in Manchester, and after his bail hearing posted on social media: “From the cage to the stage!”
The singer’s last UK show will be at Manchester’s Co-Op Live on July 3rd, after which he will head to Paris, France, before performing in Portugal.
His US leg will begin in Miami, Florida, at the end of July and he will also put on shows in Detroit, Washington DC, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, and Atlanta.
Article continues below
As the tour kicked off, Brown shared photographs of him exploring Amsterdam, where he performed on June 8th. He captioned the post: “Fun fact: I like to sneak out by myself when I’m in different cities. It helps me feel human and normal. That’s really important for my mental due to the fact that I just can’t walk around freely during the day.”
