Rihanna: Halftime show will "celebrate" catalog while representing immigrants, Barbados and Black women
Even billionaire pop superstars have to juggle work and family. Rihanna, who welcomed her first child in May 2022, will headline the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday. At a press conference on Thursday, she explained why she decided to take on the challenge, despite not having performed live in years.
"When you become a mom, there's something that just happens where you feel like you could take on the world. You can do anything," she told Apple Music's Nadeska Alexis. "And the Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world. So as scary as that was — because I haven't been onstage in seven years — there's something exhilarating about the challenge of it all. And it's important for me to do this this year, it's important for representation. It's important for my son to see that."
She added that representation is "a big part of why this is important for me to do this show," saying she wants to represent immigrants, Barbados, and Black women everywhere.
"That's key: for people to see the possibilities. And I'm honored to be here. I'm honored to be doing this event this year," she said.
Despite the physical challenges of a nonstop 13-minute extravaganza, Rihanna said the hardest aspect of designing the show was trying to figure out how to cram "17 years of work into 13 minutes."
"Deciding how to maximize 13 minutes, but also celebrate — that's what this show's going to be," she noted. "It's going to be a celebration of my catalog, in the best way that we could have put it together."
While the Fenty mogul didn't say anything about a new album or tour, she did talk about where she is musically.
"Musically, I'm feeling open. I'm feeling open to exploring, discovering, and creating things that are new, things that are different ... I just want to play. I want to have fun. I want to have fun with music."
The Super Bowl airs on Fox Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Source-ABC
Freezing weather adds to despair as quake toll passes 20,000
More than 20,000 people are now known to have been killed in Monday's earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, though the UN warns the disaster's full extent is still unclear.
Rescuers are still searching the rubble for survivors, but hopes are fading more than four days since the first quake.
Freezing conditions threaten the lives of thousands of survivors who are now without shelter, water and food.
Turkey's president called the quake "the disaster of the century".
A major international relief effort is gathering pace. On Thursday the World Bank pledged $1.78bn in aid to Turkey including immediate finance for rebuilding basic infrastructure and supporting those affected by the earthquakes.
But the efforts of 100,000 or more rescue personnel on the ground are being hampered by a number of logistical hurdles including vehicle shortages and devastated roads.
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned the full extent of the catastrophe was still "unfolding before our eyes", especially in Syria where a long-running civil war has devastated the country.
On Thursday, the first UN humanitarian aid crossed the border into north-western Syria through Idlib's Bab al-Hawa crossing. The crossing is the only way UN aid can reach the region without traveling through areas controlled by Syrian government forces.
Officials said on Thursday that 17,600 people had died in Turkey and the death toll was at least 3,377 in Syria. The toll surpasses the more than 17,000 killed when a similar quake hit northwest Turkey in 1999.
Source-BBC
Beyonce makes history
Beyoncé won a record-breaking 32nd Grammy Award, while Harry Styles won album of the year, at this year's ceremony in Los Angeles.
Beyoncé made history as she won the best dance/electronic album for her euphoric dance opus, Renaissance.
In doing so, she overtook Hungarian-British conductor George Solti, whose record of 31 Grammys had stood for more than 20 years.
"I'm trying not to be too emotional," said the star, accepting her prize. "I'm trying to just receive this night." She went on to thank her family, including her late uncle Jonny, who helped make her stage outfits before she became famous.
Beyoncé has previously said his battle with HIV influenced her interest in dance music, and its historical ties to the LGBTQ community, on Renaissance.
Despite her success, Beyoncé was once again locked out of the coveted album of the year award.
She has now lost the prize four times, most notably in 2017 when her confessional masterpiece Lemonade was beaten by Adele's 25.
At the time, Adele used her acceptance speech to say Beyoncé was the more deserving winner (although she held on to the trophy).
This year, Harry Styles took the crown, with Grammy voters recognizing the slick, radio-friendly pop of his third record Harry's House.
In his speech, the British star downplayed the importance of the prize.
"On nights like tonight, it's obviously so important for us to remember that there is no such thing as best in music," said the singer. "I don't think any of us sit in the studio, making decisions based on what is going to get us one of these."
However, he was visibly moved by the honor, adding: "This doesn't happen to people like me very often, and this is so, so nice."
Earlier in the night, the star also won best pop album - receiving his award with a kiss from Jennifer Lopez.
"This album from start to finish has been the greatest experience of my life," he said. "From making it with two of my best friends to playing for people has been the greatest joy I could have asked for."
Source- BBC
Dell to cut workforce
Dell is to lay off about 6,650 workers because of the decline in demand for personal computers.
The job cuts are expected to affect about 5% of its global workforce.
The company faced tough market conditions with an uncertain future and its previous cost-cutting measures were no longer enough, co-chief operating officer Jeff Clarke wrote in a memo.
Dell, based in Round Rock, Texas, announced similar lay-offs in 2020 after the pandemic hit.
The latest department reorganizations and job cuts were an opportunity to drive efficiency, a company representative said.
"We continuously evaluate operations to ensure the right structure is in place to provide the best value and support to partners and customers.
"This is part of our regular course of business," a Dell spokesperson told the BBC.
Lay-offs in the US hit a more than two-year high in January, as the technology industry, once a reliable source of employment, cut jobs at the second-highest pace on record - to brace for a possible recession, a report showed on Thursday.
Companies including Google, Amazon, and Meta are now grappling with how to balance cost-cutting measures with the need to remain competitive, as a consumer and corporate spending shrink amid high inflation and rising interest rates, after the pandemic.
Chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said recent job cuts had been "the most difficult changes we've made in Meta's history", while Twitter cut about half its staff after multi-billionaire Elon Musk took control, in October.
Source- BBC
Weather Forecast for Monday to Wednesday in the TCI
TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
WEATHER: ISOLATED SHOWERS. BECOMING ISOLATED SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TONIGHT
ADVISORY: SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT
WINDS: SOUTHEASTERLY AT 10 TO 15 KNOTS FALLING LIGHT AND VARIABLE AT TIMES
SEAS: 2 TO 4 FEET
SWELLS: BUILDING 6 TO 8 FEET IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS
SUNRISE: 6:49 AM SUNSET: 5:57 PM
MOONSET: 7:35 AM MOONRISE: 6:53 PM
HIGH TIDE: 8:12 AM & 8:28 PM
LOW TIDE: 2:27 PM & 2:31 AM TUE
EXTENDED FORECAST: THE FRONTAL BOUNDARY WILL CONTINUE MOVING SOUTHEASTWARD THROUGH THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND WILL BECOME STATIONARY IN THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS, WHILE HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD IN THE NORTHWEST.
FORECAST FOR TUESDAY
WEATHER: SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
WINDS: NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS AND NORTHEAST AT 15 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
SEAS: 4 TO 6 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST AND 5 TO 8 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS.
SWELLS: SEAS HIGHER ALONG NORTH AND NORTHEAST COASTLINES
FORECAST FOR WEDNESDAY
WEATHER: WIDELY SCATTERED SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
WINDS: EASTERLY AT 15 TO 20 KNOTS IN THE NORTHWEST BAHAMAS, NORTHEAST TO EAST AT 20 TO 25 KNOTS IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
SEAS: 4 TO 7 FEET IN THE NORTHWEST BUILDING 6 TO 9 FEET IN THE CENTRAL BAHAMAS AND TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
SWELLS: HIGHER IN NORTHEASTERLY SWELLS
UK battery start-up set to be bought by Australian firm
An Australian firm has been named as the preferred bidder for Britishvolt, the UK battery start-up which collapsed last month.
Recharge Industries, which is owned by New York fund Scale Facilitation Partners, has entered an agreement to buy Britishvolt's business and assets.
Britishvolt was put into administration after running out of money.
It had planned to build a giant factory to make electric car batteries near Blyth, Northumberland.
EY, the accountancy firm and administrator to Britishvolt which has been overseeing the sale, said: "Completion of the acquisition is expected to occur within the next seven days."
Recharge Industries is building a facility in Australia to produce batteries for electric vehicles.
Little detail has emerged on its plans for the Britishvolt business, which had hoped to build a £3.8bn factory as part a long-term strategy to boost the UK's manufacturing of electric vehicle batteries.
It had been hoped it would create 3,000 skilled jobs. Instead, more than 200 people lost their jobs when Britishvolt collapsed.
It was forced to delay the start of production at the plant a number of times, most recently blaming "difficult external economic headwinds including rampant inflation and rising interest rates".
Source- BBC
Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks
The Brooklyn Nets have reportedly reached a deal to trade Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks.
The 30-year-old point guard had requested a trade after failing to agree on a new contract, according to multiple reports.
Irving, selected as an NBA All-Star for an eighth time, has endured a number of off-court issues during his time in Brooklyn.
His decision not to get the Covid-19 vaccine meant he could not play in the Nets' home games during the 2021-22 season until March because of New York's ban on unvaccinated people in indoor venues.
He would later say his decision not to get vaccinated cost him a four-year contract worth $100m.
In November, Irving was suspended for eight games and had to apologize after posting a social media link to a film with anti-Semitic material.
Source- BBC
Pope and protestant leaders denounce anti-gay laws
Pope Francis and the leaders of protestant churches in England and Scotland have denounced the criminalisation of homosexuality.
Speaking to reporters after visiting South Sudan, the Pope said such laws were a sin and "an injustice".
He added people with "homosexual tendencies" are children of God and should be welcomed by their churches.
His comments were backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland.
Archbishop Justin Welby and Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, travelled with the Pope to South Sudan where they jointly called for peace in the war-torn country.
It is the first time the leaders of the three traditions have come together for such a journey in 500 years.
Archbishop Welby and Dr Greenshields praised the Pope's comments during a news conference with reporters on board the papal plane as they travelled from Juba to Rome.
"I entirely agree with every word he said there," said Archbishop Welby, noting that the Anglican church had its own internal divisions over gay rights.
Last month the Church of England said it would refuse to allow same-sex couples to be married in its churches.
Expressing his own support, Dr Greenshields referred to the Bible, saying: "There is nowhere in the four Gospels that I see anything other than Jesus expressing love to whoever he meets, and as Christians that is the only expression that we can give to any human being in any circumstance".
During the news conference, Pope Francis repeated his view that the Catholic Church cannot permit sacramental marriage of same-sex couples.
But he said he supported so-called civil union legislation and stressed that laws banning homosexuality were "a problem that cannot be ignored".
He suggested that 50 countries criminalise LGBT people "in one way or another", and about 10 have laws carrying the death penalty.
Currently, 66 UN member states criminalise consensual same-sex relations, according to ILGA World - the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.
"This is not right. Persons with homosexual tendencies are children of God," said the Pope.
"God loves them. God accompanies them... condemning a person like this is a sin."
Under current Catholic doctrine, gay relationships are referred to as "deviant behaviour" and Pope Francis has previously said he was "worried" about the "serious matter" of homosexuality in the clergy.
Source- BBC
Seven Haitians die in Bolivia while trying to reach US
In a report on Saturday, the UNHCR said six of the deaths, including that of a minor, occurred in the small town of Desaguadero, where a bridge over a river of the same name links Peru and Bolivia.
According to a UNHCR spokeswoman in Peru, Iris Bano Romero, the other death, occurred in the town of Juli, also near the Bolivian border.
The Haitians fell victim to a combination of factors: difficult access to food, shelter, and supplies; and temperatures — at an altitude of 3,800 meters (12,500 feet) — sometimes near freezing.
In addition to the deaths, two other people have been hospitalized with pneumonia since last Thursday, one of them in critical condition.
Bano Romero said the deaths and illnesses occurred despite the "very generous" efforts of locals to help.
The Haitians, some of whom had spent years in Chile or Brazil, we're hoping to eventually reach the United States.
Source- BBC
Breaking News: Syria and Turkey experiencing 7.5 and 7.8 earthquakes
The sheer scale of the devastation of the earthquake and its aftershocks can be seen in social media photos and videos posted by people in Turkey and Syria. Eyewitnesses have also been speaking about what happened. BBC News has been pulling together and verifying information.
The tremors of the main quake - which happened at 04:17 local time - were felt more than a hundred miles in each direction from the epicentre - across southern Turkey and in northern Syria.
Witnesses described being shaken from their sleep and running to their cars for safety from the damaged buildings.
"I have never felt anything like it in the 40 years I've lived," said Erdem, living in the city of Gaziantep. "We were shaken at least three times very strongly, like a baby in a crib."
BBC News has been piecing together what happened as the tremors struck and reverberated across Turkey and Syria - using personal testimony and social media posts which we have verified.
BBC Turkish spoke to earthquake survivors from different cities - all of them said it was the first time they had experienced such severe and long-lasting tremors.
Hundreds of buildings are reported to have been destroyed in the Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş, to the north of the epicentre.
Footage on Twitter shows an aerial view of the force of the quake in the city's palm tree-lined streets.
One local resident Veysel Şervan told the BBC that many of his relatives were under the rubble.
"I barely got myself and my family out of the building. We were just coming out of the wreckage when we saw a person reach out through a small gap. The building collapsed on our friend who tried to save them. They have no chance of escape, it collapsed on them completely. We are in a very difficult situation."
Videos have emerged showing large fires in southern Turkey, with people claiming the earthquake has caused gas pipelines to burst and burn out of control.
The BBC has verified one of the videos as being on the outskirts of the city of Hatay, around 170km from the earthquake epicentre.
Source- BBC