Mumbai, India | AFP | Thousands of heartbroken fans lined the streets of Mumbai Wednesday as India said farewell to Bollywood legend Sridevi Kapoor following her shock death from accidental drowning in a Dubai hotel bathtub aged just 54. Some carried roses while others held photos of the late screen …
Read More »‘Black Panther’ again slays North American box office
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | Disney’s “Black Panther” sunk its claws into the top spot once again this weekend at the North American box office, taking an estimated $108 million, industry estimates showed Sunday. Following a record-shattering opening weekend — raking in $242.2 million — the frenzy to see …
Read More »VIDEO: Liliane Iradukunda is Miss Rwanda 2018
Kigali, Rwanda | THE INDEPENDENT | Liliane Iradukunda has been named Miss Rwanda after the final round of the beauty contest at the Kigali Convention Center on Saturday night. The 18-year-old Iradukunda clinched the crown after beating 19 others in the grande finale. She represented Western Province. Judges decide the winner …
Read More »‘Unsolved’ re-examines Biggie and Tupac murder cases
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | The murders of Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls not only robbed hip-hop of two defining artists but also uncovered allegations of conspiracy, bloody rivalries and police corruption — shining a light on rap’s criminal underworld. More than two decades later, with the killers …
Read More »ARTS: Portrait of a self-taught artist
Beyond the label, is there any truth to the compartmentalisation? Kampala, Uganda | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | When Jak Katarikawe started to make art in the 1960s, everyone was stunned. Katarikawe, an illiterate, was a driver for David Cook, a Makerere University Professor of Literature (1962 1977). Katarikawe’s break through as …
Read More »New take on real-life hijack drama in ‘7 Days in Entebbe’
Berlin, Germany | AFP | The counter-terrorism plot seems more far fetched than many action thrillers, yet “7 Days in Entebbe”, which premiered at the Berlin film festival Monday, depicts a real-life airline hijack drama. The movie recounts what is often called the most audacious hostage rescue mission ever staged, …
Read More »French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood dies aged 62
Paris, France | AFP | Noted French jazz violinist Didier Lockwood, a disciple of the late Stephane Grappelli, has died of a heart attack in Paris, his agent said. Lockwood, who turned 62 on February 11, died early on Sunday morning. The night before his death, he had performed at …
Read More »Emma Watson gives £1m to UK women’s justice fund ahead of Baftas
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Actress and activist Emma Watson has donated £1 million to kickstart a new British fund to help women facing harassment and abuse at work, launched ahead of Sunday’s Baftas and backed by hundreds of female entertainment stars. The justice and equality fund was announced …
Read More »Senegalese singer quits Oxfam role over sex scandal
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Senegalese singer Baaba Maal is quitting his role as global ambassador for Oxfam over the British charity’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations concerning its staff, the BBC reported. “What has happened on a human level is disgusting and heart-breaking,” he told BBC Newsnight late …
Read More »ZARI: Bye Diamond!
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | South African based Ugandan socialite Zari Hassan “The Boss Lady”, posted a black rose on social media on Valentine’s Day Wednesday, with the message “sadly I have decided to end my relationship” with hubby Naseeb Abdul Juma “Diamond Platnumz”. Here’s the post: Understand that this …
Read More »