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Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson makes major investment

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Lord of the Rings director Peter Robert Jackson decided to put $10 million towards a Texas startup company aimed at reviving extinct animals such as the dodo bird. According to Bloomberg, the New Zealand-born filmmaker and his wife Fran Walsh put the sum of money into the Dallas company Colossal Biosciences. Moreover, the Academy Award-winning director is one in a group of notable names from various fields who have contributed to a $235 million sum in the organization.

As per Daily Mail, others include athletes such as Tom Brady and Tiger Woods; entertainers including Paris Hilton and Chris Hemsworth; and business figures such as tech billionaire Thomas Tull and the Winklevoss Capital Management firm.

Additionally, Jackson’s investment is also aimed at stopping species in New Zealand from facing extinction, his publicist told Bloomberg.

As per the outlet’s reports, Colossal Biosciences opened in 2021 in a collaboration with founder, businessman Ben Lamm, and geneticist George Church.

In regards to this, Lamm told Forbes that Jackson and Walsh are “mission-aligned” and ardent supporters of “conservation and biodiversity restoration”.

Furthermore, the businessman continued, “It’s a special privilege to helm Colossal and be supported by visionaries, entrepreneurs and industry leaders,” as per the publication.

Ben also told AP in January of 2023, “The dodo is a symbol of man-made extinction.”

It is worth mentioning that Jackson won three Oscars in 2004 for 2003’s The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Best Picture, Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay; and Best Director, sharing the first two honors with Walsh.

Source: SABC

In other news –  DDG makes major split announcement from girlfriend Halle Bailey

Halle Bailey and DDG split up after being together for almost three years. The Little Mermaid actress struck up a relationship with rapper DDG, whose real name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., in early 2022.

Halle Bailey and DDG

Bailey and the music artist share son Halo, born in December 2023, and showed their baby boy’s face for the first time back in July. Read more

US voters worry about lying politicians more than AI misinformation

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As a bitterly contested US election campaign enters its final stretch, misinformation researchers have raised the alarm over threats posed by AI and foreign influence — but voters appear more concerned about falsehoods from a more familiar source: politicians.

The United States is battling a firehose of misinformation before the November 5 vote — from fake “news” sites that researchers say were created by Russian and Iranian actors, to manipulated images generated by artificial intelligence tools that have blurred the boundaries between reality and fiction.More concerning for voters, however, is misinformation spreading the good old-fashioned way, through politicians sowing falsehoods, with researchers saying they face almost no legal consequences for distorting the truth.

“I think when we do a post-mortem on 2024 the most viral misinformation will have either emanated from politicians or will have been amplified by politicians,” Joshua Tucker, co-director of the New York University Centre for Social Media and Politics, told AFP.

In a survey published last week by Axios, 51% of Americans identified politicians spreading falsehoods as their top concern regarding misinformation.

Another 35% named “social media companies failing to stop misinformation,” and “AI being used to deceive people.”

About 30% expressed concern about foreign governments spreading misinformation.

Source: BBC

In other news – Inside Siya Kolisi’s family vacation in Kruger National Park

Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s rugby captain, recently enjoyed a relaxing vacation with his family at the iconic Kruger National Park.

Siya Kolisi

The Kolisi family, known for their close bond, took some time off from their busy schedules to unwind in one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife reserves. Read more

DDG Announces Split From Halle Bailey

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Halle Bailey and DDG split up after being together for almost three years. The Little Mermaid actress struck up a relationship with rapper DDG, whose real name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., in early 2022.Bailey and the music artist share son Halo, born in December 2023, and showed their baby boy’s face for the first time back in July.

However, it was revealed that even though it was “not easy,” they have decided to call it quits.

In regards to this, DDG wrote on Instagram, “After much reflection and heartfelt conversations, Halle and I have decided to go our separate ways. This decision was not easy, but we believe it’s the best path forward for both of us.Additionally, he said, “I cherish the time we’ve spent together and the love we’ve shared. Despite the change in our relationship, our love for each other remains deep and true.”

It is worth mentioning that Bailey has yet to acknowledge the split publicly, however, DDG concluded his statement by noting that he and Halle intend to “co-parent” their little one going forward as he asked fans to “understand and support” them during this time.

In this regard, he continued, “As we focus on our individual journeys and our roles as co- parents, we cherish the bond we’ve built and the beautiful moments we’ve shared. As we navigate this transition, we ask for your understanding and support. Thank you for your love and encouragement. – DDG.”

According to Daily Mail, Halle doesn’t often comment on her private life and had even given birth several weeks before she actually revealed it to the world.

At the time, she explained, “There was no way in hell I was going to share the biggest joy of my world with anyone. Halo was my gift. He is the greatest blessing, and I had no obligation to expose him, me, or my family to that.” Furthermore, the actress and rapper first sparked romance rumors back in January 2022 and a few months later in March, went public with their budding romance.

Source: People

In other news – Inside Siya Kolisi’s family vacation in Kruger National Park

Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s rugby captain, recently enjoyed a relaxing vacation with his family at the iconic Kruger National Park.

Siya Kolisi

The Kolisi family, known for their close bond, took some time off from their busy schedules to unwind in one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife reserves. Read more

Siya Kolisi and his family enjoyed a vacation in the Kruger National Park

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Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s rugby captain, recently enjoyed a relaxing vacation with his family at the iconic Kruger National Park. The Kolisi family, known for their close bond, took some time off from their busy schedules to unwind in one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife reserves.

Siya Kolisi

During their stay, they immersed themselves in nature, embarking on safari drives and witnessing the beauty of the African bush. Siya, along with his wife Rachel and their children, shared glimpses of their adventure on social media, showcasing breathtaking landscapes, wildlife sightings, and quality family moments.

Siya Kolisi

The vacation offered the Kolisi family a well-deserved break, allowing them to reconnect with nature and each other before Siya resumes his rigorous rugby commitments. Fans were thrilled to see the Kolisis enjoy their time at the park, with many expressing admiration for how they prioritize family time amidst their busy lives.

In other news – Demi Lovato explains why she considered retiring from music career

Demi Lovato has revealed that she considered retiring from her music career while filming her new documentary, Child Star. The 32-year-old singer and actress made the shocking revelation during an appearance on Penn Badgley’s podcast titled Podcrushed.

  Demi Lovato

Talking about her upcoming film, Demi said, “One of the reasons why I made this film was, like, ‘Why did we turn out the way that we did? And how does it affect me today? Is it something that I still wanna do? Why did I feel like I needed so much outside validation?  Read more

 

Demi Lovato explains why she considered retiring from music career

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Demi Lovato has revealed that she considered retiring from her music career while filming her new documentary, Child Star. The 32-year-old singer and actress made the shocking revelation during an appearance on Penn Badgley’s podcast titled Podcrushed.

Talking about her upcoming film, Demi said, “One of the reasons why I made this film was, like, ‘Why did we turn out the way that we did? And how does it affect me today? Is it something that I still wanna do? Why did I feel like I needed so much outside validation?

  Demi Lovato

She further explained, “One of the questions is, like, ‘Do I wanna still do this today?’ You know, going into this film, I was considering retirement because I didn’t know if it fulfilled me anymore.”

“But for some reason, it was so therapeutic working on this project, realizing that, like, I don’t need success,” shared the former Disney star.

Demi, who completed 22 years in showbiz, claimed that “I don’t need success, I need to be happy.”

“And at the end of the day, music does make me happy, and that’s why I wanna continue it. I don’t wanna do it because I feel like I have to. I wanna do it because I love it,” she continued.

“And working on this film has helped me kind of fall back in love with music,” the Heart attack singer added.

Source: eNCA

In  other news – Pearl Thusi faces backlash after her comment on Thobeka Majozi’s post

Pearl Thusi recently found herself at the center of controversy after a comment she made on Thobeka Majozi’s social media post sparked backlash. Thobeka, who is Cassper Nyovest’s partner, had shared a heartfelt post, and Pearl’s response seemed to rub some fans the wrong way.

Pearl Thusi

The comment, which many deemed insensitive, quickly went viral, leading to a wave of criticism aimed at the actress and media personality. Read more

Pearl Thusi gets dragged for her comment on Thobeka Majozi’s post

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Pearl Thusi recently found herself at the center of controversy after a comment she made on Thobeka Majozi’s social media post sparked backlash. Thobeka, who is Cassper Nyovest’s partner, had shared a heartfelt post, and Pearl’s response seemed to rub some fans the wrong way. The comment, which many deemed insensitive, quickly went viral, leading to a wave of criticism aimed at the actress and media personality.

Pearl Thusi

Social media users accused Pearl of overstepping boundaries and being dismissive of the context of Thobeka’s post. Others felt that her tone was inappropriate, given the sentiment expressed by Majozi. Despite the backlash, Pearl remained silent on the matter, as the debate continued to stir on various platforms.

Pearl Thusi

This isn’t the first time Pearl has faced scrutiny for her online interactions, but her dedicated fan base has also come to her defense, urging the public to avoid misinterpretation and give her the benefit of the doubt. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen if Pearl will address the controversy directly or choose to move forward without comment.


In other news –   Nadia Nakai to drop 2 singles off Braggacy album

Taking to social media, the rapper, known affectionately as Bragga, unveiled the cover art of the upcoming project and teased her followers with a sneak peek of the tracklist. To build anticipation, Nadia will be releasing two singles from the album this Friday.

Nadia Nakai

One of the singles features rising star Cindii, while the other includes collaborations with renowned artists Zakes Bantwini and Shekhinah. Read more

A second date added to US singer Chris Brown’s Joburg concert

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Due to overwhelming demand, Chris Brown has added a second date to his highly anticipated South African concert. The global R&B superstar, set to perform as part of his “Under the Influence” tour, initially scheduled just one show. However, after tickets sold out almost instantly, Brown decided to treat his South African fans to an additional performance.

Chris Brown

The extra show is slated to take place in Johannesburg, with fans excited to witness Brown’s dynamic stage presence, chart-topping hits, and iconic dance moves. With his devoted fan base eager for more, the added date is sure to be another sold-out success.

In other news – Nadia Nakai to drop 2 singles off Braggacy album

Taking to social media, the rapper, known affectionately as Bragga, unveiled the cover art of the upcoming project and teased her followers with a sneak peek of the tracklist. To build anticipation, Nadia will be releasing two singles from the album this Friday.

Nadia Nakai

 

One of the singles features rising star Cindii, while the other includes collaborations with renowned artists Zakes Bantwini and Shekhinah. Read more

3 beauty benefits of consuming Okra water

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Okra is a green flowering plant which is known for its delicious taste and nutritional value. A commonly used vegetable in every household, many people are unaware of its beauty benefits. Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, it also includes magnesium, potassium, and folate. Boosting our immunity and helping build strong bones, okra water helps you to easily absorb important nutrients and helps in providing glowing and healthy skin and hair health.
Let’s see some of the beauty advantages of consuming okra water everyday.

1. Improves skin health
Okra water improves our skin’s texture and reduces blemishes while preventing the formation of pigmentation. Brimming with vitamins A and C, it helps fight free radicals and therefore reduces the signs of ageing. Consuming okra water also regulates blood sugar which prevents the degradation of collagen and therefore reduces the formation of advanced glycation end products.

Okra water also retains moisture in the skin, whereas hydrates and maintains the skin’s elasticity. Consuming okra water every day in the morning can act like a natural detoxifier helping in removing the toxins present on the top layer of our skin and improving overall skin health.

2. Improves hair health
A rich source of vitamins A and C which are essential for hair growth nourishes our scalp and improves the overall health of our hair. Consuming okra water can help promote hair growth, reduce hair loss, and thus add shine to our hair. The okra’s mucilage can be also used as a natural conditioner to moisturise our scalp and scare away the unwanted dirt and dandruff present on our scalp.
Is it okay to consume it every day?

Okra water is safe to consume every day, but if you drink it a lot then it might result in an upset stomach and bloating, because of its high fibre content. If you do not have an adequate amount of fibre in your diet and start consuming okra water every day in large quantities, then get ready for a bloated stomach.
How to make it?

Okra should be soaked in water for 24 hours causing a thick gel-like texture which needs to be consumed at one to go first thing in the morning everyday.
Bottom line

From improving digestion to promoting weight loss there are tons of health benefits of okra water. This humble vegetable is also effective in the range of improving your skin and hair health if consumed in a certain quantity everyday without creating a hole in your pocket.

Source: Timesofindia

In other news – WATCH: Cassper Nyovest apologises to his baby mama, Thobeka Majozi

Well-known Mzansi rapper, boxer, and businessman, Cassper Nyovest apologized to his ex, Thobeka Majozi, for not only cheating on her with his now wife Pulane but “neglecting” their son Khotso amid his cancer battle.

Cassper Nyovest apologises to his baby mama, Thobeka Majozi

The rapper has come under fire after his baby mama revealed that Pulane was “the other woman” in their relationship. Cassper – who wed his bride in April – has confessed to being a serial adulterer and having a “sex addiction. Read more

 

Bangladesh recalls five envoys in major diplomatic reshuffle

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Bangladesh‘s interim government has recalled five envoys, including the ambassador to neighbouring India, in a major diplomatic reshuffle, a foreign ministry official said on Thursday. Major political changes in the South Asian nation ushered in the interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus after weeks of violent protests forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign on August 5 and flee to India.

The foreign ministry ordered envoys in Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon, New Delhi and the permanent mission to the United Nations in New York to immediately return to the capital, Dhaka, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

They were asked to hand over their responsibilities immediately and return, the official added, without elaborating.

The step follows the recall of Saida Muna Tasneem, the high commissioner, or ambassador, to Britain, who was similarly asked to return.

More than 700 people died as a result of the student-led movement that ousted Hasina, straining ties with India. The two have a 4,000km (2500-mile) border and maritime boundaries in the Bay of Bengal. Minority groups in Bangladesh have made accusations of attacks on Hindus after the political changes, though the government says the violence was motivated by politics, not religion.

Source: BBC

In other news – Jennifer Lopez demands her money back from Ben Affleck

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are reportedly arguing over the distribution of their assets.

Jennifer Lopez

The couple reportedly wants to finalize their divorce as soon as possible, but it would be possible only after they reach an agreement regarding their investments. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck reportedly want their investments back before they part ways with each other. Read more

Jennifer Lopez demands her money back from Ben Affleck

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Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are reportedly arguing over the distribution of their assets. The couple reportedly wants to finalize their divorce as soon as possible, but it would be possible only after they reach an agreement regarding their investments.Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck reportedly want their investments back before they part ways with each othe

The couple reportedly wants to finalize their divorce as soon as possible, but it would be possible only after they reach an agreement regarding their investments.

As per an insider of In Touch Weekly, the multihyphenate “put down the bulk of cash for their gigantic mansion, plus paid for many of the renovations. She wants to get her investment back.”

On the other hand, the actor “is willing to give in to some extent — but he doesn’t think Jennifer has a right to a cut from future Artists Equity projects. They just want a resolution soon.

Ben Affleck

This comes after another insider dished to Closer Magazine that Jennifer Lopez “still can’t wrap her head around the way he’s treated her.”

“And, as angry as she is right now, there’s no doubt that she would jump at it if he offered to call off this divorce,” the source also mentioned.

Nonetheless, the Gone Girl star remains adamant that he does not want to give their marriage another chance.

Reportedly, “he’s insisting that he isn’t going back, but he’s gone along with her request to put on this charade for the cameras.

Source: People

In other news – Emtee shows off his new car after surviving car crash

After surviving a car crash, South African rapper Emtee has proudly showcased his new car, sending a message of resilience and gratitude to his fans.

Emtee

The rapper, known for his hits like “Roll Up” and “Pearl Thusi,” took to social media to share the news of his new set of wheels, showing that he is back on track after the accident. Read more