#MAGFAB: Halle Bailey is COSMOPOLITAN September/October Cover Star!
Halle Bailey did the whole mermaid thing and reached a new level of stardom while she was at it. But the really exciting stuff starts now—and she’s ready to talk about it. On the cover of Cosmopolitan’s September/October issue—the Style Issue—Halle opens up to journalist Sylvia Obell in her cover interview about her style evolution, making music, her upcoming role in musical adaptation of The Color Purple, and more. Plus, get know and love Halle even more as she spills on her career in an episode of Cosmopolitan’s video series, The Breakdown. The gorgeous singer and actor tells Cosmo all about her journey, from her singing covers at only 11 years old (that led to getting discovered) to her acting in TV (Grown-ish) and film (The Little Mermaid).
On not feeling boxed into a Disney Princess image: “My main goal has always been to stay true to myself. There’s so much more to being a young woman than this fairy-tale character. I think other people have a hard time separating who Halle is and who a princess is—and that’s natural when you’re a fan of an artist. But it’s a beautiful thing to be a layered individual and not fit into one certain image.”
On the all-star cast of The Color Purple: “It was beautifully Blackity Black. Set was like going to a cookout—it felt like a family reunion, honestly, like you’re surrounded by your aunties and cousins. I was just excited to be there as a fan of everyone. The movie is a labor of love. I mean, we all care so much about the original story and really wanted to do a good job with this reimagining. People are going to lose their minds over Fantasia’s and Taraji’s performances. I get chills just thinking about it.”
On what she hopes audiences take from The Color Purple: “The reason I wanted to do it—and the reason I felt connected to it—is that it’s about the beautiful bond of sisterhood. What it means when you’re away from each other and how heartbreaking that is but also how special the moments you have together are. I could pull from my own experience with my sister, who’s my angel and my best friend. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if we were separated in the way Nettie and Celie were.”
On being in love for the first time and how it’s been an inspiration for her music: “All musical inspiration really just comes from life experiences. Love has been a really big one for me too, because that’s something I’m experiencing for the first time, and it’s, like, ‘whoa’ in your brain. It’s just fireworks, a spark for creativity. You know, you have puppy love experiences, you think that’s love. But this is my first deep, deep, real love.”
On how it feels to transition from teen star to more mature content: “There will always be a conversation because I started so young. There’s a sort of protectiveness or ownership that people feel they have over your story because they’ve known you for so long. Part of me thinks that’s a beautiful thing, to know that you have that support from people and they just want to see good things happen to you. But it’s also really easy for us to comment on what other people are doing…to say a lot of stuff. I think the transition will continue to happen naturally. It’s on people to figure it out, not necessarily on me.”
On her style evolution: “I look back at some of my pictures on the red carpet and laugh. But as I’m getting older and my body is changing, I’m learning who I am. I want to be sexy. I want to feel good. I want to wear clothes that embrace where I am in life. My confidence has gotten deeper and bigger with the help of my sister. She’s always been an extroverted, sexy, demanding kind of presence. As I’ve watched her, I’m like, That’s so cool. I hope one day I can do that. She’s helping my find my footing in this whole adult-woman world.”
On rigorous physical training for The Little Mermaid: “Filming The Little Mermaid was definitely very, very, physical for me. I mean, I did three months of stunt training, and rehearsals and the harness, and also in water with synchronized swimmers. Just to get the beautiful, graceful swim that Ariel has. So, it was definitely a lot of intensity on my body, but it was so cool because I was really strong back then, and that was three years ago.”
On how she feels seeing young Black girls react to a Black Ariel in The Little Mermaid: “Every time I see these videos, they make me cry. I mean, I love seeing the beautiful families come together and react that way. It makes me feel so happy, and so embraced, and so proud. And I’m just so grateful that they get to see themselves.
On her upcoming film, The Color Purple: “With The Color Purple, I was more than excited to join, especially hearing that it would be a beautiful musical adaptation where I get to incorporate my love of music. I actually got to write an original song for the film as well, so I just can’t wait. It’s just a combination of all the things that I love and the stories that matter so much to us.”
On her Grownish character, Sky: “Grownish is so funny. We had a blast when we did Grownish. I feel like Sky is very close to who Halle is as a human being. I felt like I could just be myself.
#RHOA: Phaedra Parks Joins ‘Married to Medicine’ Season 10
Returning cast members include Dr. Jackie Walters, Dr. Simone Whitmore, Dr. Heavenly Kimes, Toya Bush Harris and Quad Webb.
In addition to Parks, Lateasha Lunceford joins the cast in a full-time capacity. Lunceford is engaged to Dr. Gregory Lunceford, Webb’s ex-husband, which should make for a very interesting cast dynamic.
Dr. Alicia Egolum, a dentist with connections to Dr. Heavenly, will be a “friend” in Season 10.
She is the second “Real Housewives” alum to jump full-time to another Bravo series; Former “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Taylor Armstrong joined “The Real Housewives of Orange County” this season as a “friend.”
“Married to Medicine” is produced by FremantleMedia North America and developed by Purveyors of Pop with Matt Anderson, Nate Green, Mariah Huq, James Knox, Paul Yuan, Esther Frank and James Smith-Hill serving as Executive Producers.
The new season of “Married to Medicine” premieres Nov. 5 on Bravo and streams the following day on Peacock.
#MusicNews: Kenyon Dixon Links Up With Tiffany Gouché For new Single “98 Vibes (Do You Right)”
Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Kenyon Dixon pays homage to the timeless charm of late 90s/Early 2000s R&B with his new single “98 Vibes (Do You Right)” featuring Tiffany Gouché.
LISTEN HERE
The pair previously collaborated on the song “Love on Replay” from Dixon’s 2022 album “Closer”.
The song was heavily influenced by Usher’s “Nice Slow” and embraces nostalgia and is a contemporary musical experience that both honors the past and speaks to the present. Dixon adds about the collaboration:
“’98 Vibes’ is a musical time machine that transports you to a place where slow jams ruled the airwaves.” Tiffany Gouché adds, “This song is a testament to the timeless nature of classic R&B. ’98 Vibes’ is a journey into the past that allows us to relive those moments of nostalgia all while creating new memories in the present.”
#HipHopNews: Cardi B And Megan Thee Stallion Reunite For "Bongos" Video
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion unveiled their eagerly awaited reunion single “Bongos.” The release marked the dynamic duo’s first collaborative effort since their 2020 hit record “WAP.”
Ahead of their latest debut, Cardi spoke to DJ Whoo Kid on SiriusXM about working with the Texas native again. She said, “It makes me feel good that she trusts me. I’mma give my all. Not only am I doing this for myself, [but] I want you to trust me. We trust each other.”
In the track, Meg rapped, “This a** sit like a stallion, all these wannabes my lil’ ponies. These h**s camped out in the comments, always talkin’ like they know me. Thick b**ches in the black truck, packed in. Eat whoever in my way, Ms. Pacman.”
Meanwhile, Cardi dropped a reference to her husband, Offset. She spat, “Shoot your shot like a free throw. Just know this p**sy ain’t free, though. My BD is a Migo, b**ch, your BD is a zero.”
WATCH HERE
The song was heavily influenced by Usher’s “Nice Slow” and embraces nostalgia and is a contemporary musical experience that both honors the past and speaks to the present. Dixon adds about the collaboration:
“’98 Vibes’ is a musical time machine that transports you to a place where slow jams ruled the airwaves.” Tiffany Gouché adds, “This song is a testament to the timeless nature of classic R&B. ’98 Vibes’ is a journey into the past that allows us to relive those moments of nostalgia all while creating new memories in the present.”
#HipHopNews: Cardi B And Megan Thee Stallion Reunite For "Bongos" Video
Ahead of their latest debut, Cardi spoke to DJ Whoo Kid on SiriusXM about working with the Texas native again. She said, “It makes me feel good that she trusts me. I’mma give my all. Not only am I doing this for myself, [but] I want you to trust me. We trust each other.”
In the track, Meg rapped, “This a** sit like a stallion, all these wannabes my lil’ ponies. These h**s camped out in the comments, always talkin’ like they know me. Thick b**ches in the black truck, packed in. Eat whoever in my way, Ms. Pacman.”
Meanwhile, Cardi dropped a reference to her husband, Offset. She spat, “Shoot your shot like a free throw. Just know this p**sy ain’t free, though. My BD is a Migo, b**ch, your BD is a zero.”
WATCH HERE
The joint effort came to life with a music video characterized by Latin-infused beats, bright backgrounds, and an array of summer-themed costumes. Watch the accompanying visuals below.
Earlier in the week, Cardi teased fans about the collaborative venture through a social media post that showed the duo adorned with multicolored wigs and swimsuits. Meanwhile, Meg also engaged with her followers by posting snapshots with the tag, “BRING OUT THE BONGOS.”
The pair’s previous team-up, “WAP,” reigned supreme on streaming platforms. It became the first female rap collaboration to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart and went seven-times platinum despite witnessing a surge in FCC complaints after their 2021 Grammys performance.
GMA's Robin Roberts Marries Amber Laign
Good morning to Robin Roberts and her wife Amber Laign! The Good Morning America anchor has married her longtime love. The two announced the news Sept. 8 in a pawfect way: Through a post shared on the Instagram account they run for their dog, Lil Man Lukas.
The Tibetan Spaniel Papillion mix is shown sitting on a bench while wearing a bow tie. The caption reads, "My mommies are MARRIED!!!! Married?……yes….married!!!"
Before their big day, Robin and Amber gave fans glimpses into their wedding planning process.
"The wedding is the feeling of enchanted garden," Amber explained on an August episode of GMA. "Our colors are white, blush, pinks, a little bit of green."
Viewers followed the couple as they went cake tasting, got their first peek at the décor, tried on their wedding dresses from Badgley Mischka and celebrated with a bachelorette party thrown by Robin's GMA colleagues. As for the host's favorite part of the experience?
"It's been fun watching sweet Amber—just watching her get emotional, and having fun, and giggling," she noted in August. "That's been the best part of it."
Robin first announced in January that she and Amber were heading down the aisle after nearly two decades together. And while she told GMA the two "had talked about marriage off and on" throughout the course of their relationship, she noted they decided to take the next step after the coronavirus pandemic, with them popping the question over a plate of calamari at a restaurant in 2022.
"We took the calamari rings and we slipped them on each other's fingers," Robin shared on the show earlier in August, "and we proposed to one another."
As the couple noted to the outlet, they first met 18 years ago after being set up by friends.
"I remember just walking up and she was just beautiful," Amber shared. "She took my breath away, and she still does. I get little butterflies when I think about it."
Together, they've navigated some of life's biggest challenges—including their battles with breast cancer and Robin's bone marrow transplant as well as the passings of her mother and Amber's father.
"It has not always been a bed of roses," Robin added. "There have been some thorns."
And more than anything, they're grateful for each other.
"We've really early on learned how to become a partnership and work together and truly, truly trust one another," Amber told GMA. "And to have someone by your side like that is a gift."
Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis address 'pain' caused by Danny Masterson letters: 'We support victims'
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis say they're sorry for any pain or trauma caused by the character letters they wrote for their "That '70s Show" co-star Danny Masterson, who was sentenced Thursday to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women.
In a video posted Saturday on Kutcher's Instagram account, the couple addressed how the letters, which were obtained Friday by The Hollywood Reporter, came about.
Masterson's family approached the couple after the actor's conviction in May and asked them to write character letters representing "the person that we knew for 25 years," Kutcher said.
"The letters were not written to question or the validity of the jury's ruling," Kunis said. "We support victims. We have done this historically through work and will continue to do so in the future."
"They were intended for the judge to read, and not to undermine the testimony of the victims, or to retraumatize them in any way," Kutcher said. "We would never want to do that. And we're sorry if that has taken place."
Added Kunis: "Our heart goes out to every single person who has ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse or rape."
Masterston, 47, who starred with Kutcher and Kunis on Fox's "That '70s Show" from 1998 to 2006, received the maximum sentence allowed by law from Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo. The victims had testified that the actor drugged and violently raped them at his home in 2003, when he was at the height of his fame. The two women described their suffering at the time and in the years since.
Danny Masterson sentenced:'That '70s Show' actor receives 30 years to life in prison for 2 rapes
Masterson will be eligible for parole after 25½ years.
In his letter dated July 27, 2023, Kutcher described Masterson as a man who treated people "with decency, equality, and generosity," he wrote.
Kunis' letter called Masterson "an outstanding role model and friend" and an "exceptional older brother figure."
Blueface Insists He Is Not Gay After Male TikToker Falsely Claims They Were Dating
Blueface has shut down a male TikToker's claims saying they were in a relationship. When addressing the matter, the "Thotiana" rapper insisted that he isn't gay.
The 26-year-old set the record straight on his sexuality via X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, September 9. "I have no interest in going after the LGBTQ if they don't hold each other accountable for things like this seeing how they come together for everything else that's on their community as a whole," he wrote. "I'm not homophobic nor gay."
In another tweet, Blueface noted that he isn't suing "nobody for no defamation if y'all believe that….that's on you." He went on to elaborate, "this **t is all entertainment for me literally every time I open these apps I separate my reality from this virtual world where everyone is pretending an lying for likes an approvals iam the TRUTH."
Blueface's clarification came after drag queen Cole Carrigan dropped some alleged receipts. They included a screenshot of his DMs, where the Los Angeles rapper allegedly slid into after noticing Cole online
"Speaking of Blue Cheese - I mean Blueface - all this chit-chat got me thinking about the time I posted these pictures on Instagram a couple months ago," the influencer said. "I wasn't gonna go there, but babe, I'm bored."
Cole also unleashed a video showing him kissing a man's stomach full of tattoos. However, fans quickly noticed that it wasn't Blueface ink. Cole later admitted, "Okay, okay, maybe I ran with it a little bit... Some call it lying. But I call it entertainment.
Blueface's mom, Karlissa Saffold, also reacted to the situation. "If any one of my kids was gay or by, I'd pull them MF out the closet before you could blink, they definitely wouldn't be in the closet because I wouldn't let them," she wrote on Instagram Story.
"We stand on our sh*t no matter who like it or who don't. They momma was a stud what the F they look like hiding from the world," she added. "Stop using the community to try and shame people. They aren't a disease."
Bomb Threat Delays Lil Nas X's Documentary Premiere During Toronto International Film Festival
Lil Nas X premiered his documentary Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday (September 9). However, the event was delayed by a bomb threat.
The 24-year-old “Industry Baby” rapper walked the red carpet outside of Roy Thomson Hall wearing a long black jacket without a shirt underneath.
He was calm and collected on the red carpet. However, several sources told Variety that the threat was real.
The outlet reported that Lil Nas X‘s arrival was about 20 minutes later than scheduled after someone called in a bomb threat targeting him. A source alleged that it was motivated by homophobia and racism as the rapper is is Black and queer.
The film festival did not return a request for comment from Variety. At the time of publishing, Lil Nas X does not appear to have commented on the threat.
Earlier in the week, Cardi teased fans about the collaborative venture through a social media post that showed the duo adorned with multicolored wigs and swimsuits. Meanwhile, Meg also engaged with her followers by posting snapshots with the tag, “BRING OUT THE BONGOS.”
The pair’s previous team-up, “WAP,” reigned supreme on streaming platforms. It became the first female rap collaboration to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart and went seven-times platinum despite witnessing a surge in FCC complaints after their 2021 Grammys performance.
GMA's Robin Roberts Marries Amber Laign
Good morning to Robin Roberts and her wife Amber Laign! The Good Morning America anchor has married her longtime love. The two announced the news Sept. 8 in a pawfect way: Through a post shared on the Instagram account they run for their dog, Lil Man Lukas.
The Tibetan Spaniel Papillion mix is shown sitting on a bench while wearing a bow tie. The caption reads, "My mommies are MARRIED!!!! Married?……yes….married!!!"
Before their big day, Robin and Amber gave fans glimpses into their wedding planning process.
"The wedding is the feeling of enchanted garden," Amber explained on an August episode of GMA. "Our colors are white, blush, pinks, a little bit of green."
Viewers followed the couple as they went cake tasting, got their first peek at the décor, tried on their wedding dresses from Badgley Mischka and celebrated with a bachelorette party thrown by Robin's GMA colleagues. As for the host's favorite part of the experience?
"It's been fun watching sweet Amber—just watching her get emotional, and having fun, and giggling," she noted in August. "That's been the best part of it."
Robin first announced in January that she and Amber were heading down the aisle after nearly two decades together. And while she told GMA the two "had talked about marriage off and on" throughout the course of their relationship, she noted they decided to take the next step after the coronavirus pandemic, with them popping the question over a plate of calamari at a restaurant in 2022.
"We took the calamari rings and we slipped them on each other's fingers," Robin shared on the show earlier in August, "and we proposed to one another."
As the couple noted to the outlet, they first met 18 years ago after being set up by friends.
"I remember just walking up and she was just beautiful," Amber shared. "She took my breath away, and she still does. I get little butterflies when I think about it."
Together, they've navigated some of life's biggest challenges—including their battles with breast cancer and Robin's bone marrow transplant as well as the passings of her mother and Amber's father.
"It has not always been a bed of roses," Robin added. "There have been some thorns."
And more than anything, they're grateful for each other.
"We've really early on learned how to become a partnership and work together and truly, truly trust one another," Amber told GMA. "And to have someone by your side like that is a gift."
Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis address 'pain' caused by Danny Masterson letters: 'We support victims'
In a video posted Saturday on Kutcher's Instagram account, the couple addressed how the letters, which were obtained Friday by The Hollywood Reporter, came about.
Masterson's family approached the couple after the actor's conviction in May and asked them to write character letters representing "the person that we knew for 25 years," Kutcher said.
"The letters were not written to question or the validity of the jury's ruling," Kunis said. "We support victims. We have done this historically through work and will continue to do so in the future."
"They were intended for the judge to read, and not to undermine the testimony of the victims, or to retraumatize them in any way," Kutcher said. "We would never want to do that. And we're sorry if that has taken place."
Added Kunis: "Our heart goes out to every single person who has ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse or rape."
Masterston, 47, who starred with Kutcher and Kunis on Fox's "That '70s Show" from 1998 to 2006, received the maximum sentence allowed by law from Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo. The victims had testified that the actor drugged and violently raped them at his home in 2003, when he was at the height of his fame. The two women described their suffering at the time and in the years since.
Danny Masterson sentenced:'That '70s Show' actor receives 30 years to life in prison for 2 rapes
Masterson will be eligible for parole after 25½ years.
In his letter dated July 27, 2023, Kutcher described Masterson as a man who treated people "with decency, equality, and generosity," he wrote.
Kunis' letter called Masterson "an outstanding role model and friend" and an "exceptional older brother figure."
Blueface Insists He Is Not Gay After Male TikToker Falsely Claims They Were Dating
Blueface has shut down a male TikToker's claims saying they were in a relationship. When addressing the matter, the "Thotiana" rapper insisted that he isn't gay.
The 26-year-old set the record straight on his sexuality via X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, September 9. "I have no interest in going after the LGBTQ if they don't hold each other accountable for things like this seeing how they come together for everything else that's on their community as a whole," he wrote. "I'm not homophobic nor gay."
In another tweet, Blueface noted that he isn't suing "nobody for no defamation if y'all believe that….that's on you." He went on to elaborate, "this **t is all entertainment for me literally every time I open these apps I separate my reality from this virtual world where everyone is pretending an lying for likes an approvals iam the TRUTH."
Blueface's clarification came after drag queen Cole Carrigan dropped some alleged receipts. They included a screenshot of his DMs, where the Los Angeles rapper allegedly slid into after noticing Cole online
"Speaking of Blue Cheese - I mean Blueface - all this chit-chat got me thinking about the time I posted these pictures on Instagram a couple months ago," the influencer said. "I wasn't gonna go there, but babe, I'm bored."
Cole also unleashed a video showing him kissing a man's stomach full of tattoos. However, fans quickly noticed that it wasn't Blueface ink. Cole later admitted, "Okay, okay, maybe I ran with it a little bit... Some call it lying. But I call it entertainment.
Blueface's mom, Karlissa Saffold, also reacted to the situation. "If any one of my kids was gay or by, I'd pull them MF out the closet before you could blink, they definitely wouldn't be in the closet because I wouldn't let them," she wrote on Instagram Story.
"We stand on our sh*t no matter who like it or who don't. They momma was a stud what the F they look like hiding from the world," she added. "Stop using the community to try and shame people. They aren't a disease."
Bomb Threat Delays Lil Nas X's Documentary Premiere During Toronto International Film Festival
The 24-year-old “Industry Baby” rapper walked the red carpet outside of Roy Thomson Hall wearing a long black jacket without a shirt underneath.
He was calm and collected on the red carpet. However, several sources told Variety that the threat was real.
The outlet reported that Lil Nas X‘s arrival was about 20 minutes later than scheduled after someone called in a bomb threat targeting him. A source alleged that it was motivated by homophobia and racism as the rapper is is Black and queer.
The film festival did not return a request for comment from Variety. At the time of publishing, Lil Nas X does not appear to have commented on the threat.
We are so glad that everyone is safe and hope that the premiere proceeds according to plan.
Lil Nas X has attended several events during New York Fashion Week in the last few days, including a star-studded party with so many celebrity guests.
Halle Berry Won’t Get Married Again Without a Prenup
*Halle Berry wants her boyfriend Van Hunt to sign a prenup before they get married. The Hollywood couple is not engaged but Berry intends to protect her assets if she chooses to tie the knot again. We reported previously that the Oscar winner and her ex-husband Olivier Martinez have finalized their divorce after a nearly decade-long legal battle.
According to The Blast, Martinez will receive $8,000 in monthly child support and 4.3% of Berry’s income over $2 million. The pair also settled on joint legal and physical custody of their nine-year-old son Maceo, per TMZ.
Berry and Martinez began dating in 2010 and they wed in France in 2013. Their son was born in October of that year. In 2015, the ex-couple called it quits.
As RadarOnline.com reports, Berry and Martinez agreed they shall never “speak in a negative, disrespectful, disparaging, or derogatory manner to, or about, the other Party or her/his family and/or significant other, or allow third parties to do the same, to Maceo,” per the settlement.
Berry recently confessed that she is in no hurry to get married again. According to insiders, the movie star will be more cautious if she marries Hunt to protect her $90 million fortune, RadarOnline.com reports.
After unions with David Justice, Eric Benét, and Martinez didn’t work out, “Halle doesn’t want to make another mistake and end up in divorce court,” a source told Radar.
“Van’s so easygoing and great with her two kids [Nahla, 15, and Maceo-Robert, 9], but the idea of saying ‘I do,’ only to have the marriage crash and burn scares her,” the insider added.
Berry also shares a daughter named Nahla with ex Gabriel Aubry.
Nicki Minaj Returns As Show Emcee And Performer For 2023 Vma’s
Minaj, a six-time VMAs winner and recipient of the prestigious Video Vanguard Award, is set to host the show, announce the star-studded lineup of performers, presenters, and winners, and deliver a world premiere performance of her latest single, “Last Time I Saw You.”
With an impressive 25 overall VMAs nominations, including six nods this year, Minaj is a true VMAs veteran. She’s notably nominated for “Best Hip Hop,” a category she has previously conquered. This year, she’s also up for “Video of the Year” and “Artist of the Year.”
Minaj’s VMAs journey has been marked by unforgettable performances, from her 2012 debut on the main stage to her iconic collaborations with artists like Alicia Keys, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry. She’s known for her music and trendsetting fashion and hairstyles, making her a red-carpet sensation and a viral sensation on social media.
Get ready for a night of music and style as Nicki Minaj returns to the VMAs stage for what promises to be an unforgettable evening.
Aftershock rattles Morocco as rescuers seek survivors from the earthquake that killed over 2,100
An aftershock rattled Moroccans on Sunday as they mourned victims of the nation’s strongest earthquake in more than a century and sought to rescue survivors while soldiers and aid workers raced to reach ruined mountain villages. The disaster killed more than 2,100 people — a number that is expected to rise.
The United Nations estimated that 300,000 people were affected by Friday night’s magnitude 6.8 quake and some Moroccans complained on social networks that the government wasn’t allowing more outside help. International aid crews were poised to deploy, but some grew frustrated waiting for the government to officially request assistance.
“We know there is a great urgency to save people and dig under the remains of buildings,” said Arnaud Fraisse, founder of Rescuers Without Borders, who had a team stuck in Paris waiting for the green light. “There are people dying under the rubble, and we cannot do anything to save them.”
Help was slow to arrive in Amizmiz, where a whole chunk of the town of orange and red sandstone brick homes carved into a mountainside appeared to be missing. A mosque’s minaret had collapsed.
“It’s a catastrophe,’’ said villager Salah Ancheu, 28. “We don’t know what the future is. The aid remains insufficient.”
“There aren’t ambulances, there aren’t police, at least for right now,” Ancheu said.
Those left homeless — or fearing more aftershocks — slept outside Saturday, in the streets of the ancient city of Marrakech or under makeshift canopies in hard-hit Atlas Mountain towns like Moulay Brahim. The worst destruction was in rural communities that are hard to reach because the roads that snake up the mountainous terrain were covered by fallen rocks.
Those areas were shaken anew Sunday by a magnitude 3.9 aftershock, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It wasn’t immediately clear if it caused more damage or casualties, but it was likely strong enough to rattle nerves in areas where damage has left buildings unstable and residents feared aftershocks.
Friday’s earthquake toppled buildings not strong enough to withstand such a mighty temblor, trapping people in the rubble and sending others fleeing in terror. A total of 2,122 people were confirmed dead and at least 2,421 others were injured — 1,404 of them critically, the Interior Ministry reported.
Most of the dead — 1,351 — were in the Al Haouz district in the High Atlas Mountains, the ministry said.
Flags were lowered across Morocco, as King Mohammed VI ordered three days of national mourning starting Sunday. The army mobilized search and rescue teams, and the king ordered water, food rations and shelters to be sent to those who lost homes.
He also called for mosques to hold prayers Sunday for the victims, many of whom were buried Saturday amid the frenzy of rescue work nearby.
But Morocco has not made an international appeal for help like Turkey did in the hours following a massive quake earlier this year, according to aid groups.
Aid offers poured in from around the world, and the U.N. said it had a team in Morocco coordinating international support. About 100 teams made up of a total of 3,500 rescuers are registered with a U.N. platform and ready to deploy in Morocco when asked, Rescuers Without Borders said. Germany had a team of more than 50 rescuers waiting near Cologne-Bonn Airport but sent them home, news agency dpa reported.
In a sign Morocco may be prepared to accept more assistance, a Spanish search and rescue team arrived in Marrakech and was headed to the rural Talat N’Yaaqoub, according to Spain’s Emergency Military Unit. Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said in a radio interview that Moroccan authorities asked for help. Another rescue team from Nice, France, also was on its way.
In France, which has many ties to Morocco and said four of its citizens died in the quake, towns and cities have offered more than 2 million euros ($2.1 million) in aid. Popular performers are collecting donations.
The epicenter of Friday’s quake was near the town of Ighil in Al Haouz Province, about 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Marrakech. The region is known for scenic villages and valleys tucked in the High Atlas Mountains.
Devastation gripped each town along the High Atlas’ steep and winding switchbacks, with homes folding in on themselves and people crying as boys and helmet-clad police carried the dead through the streets.
”I was asleep when the earthquake struck. I could not escape because the roof fell on me. I was trapped. I was saved by my neighbors who cleared the rubble with their bare hands,” said Fatna Bechar in Moulay Brahim. “Now, I am living with them in their house because mine was completely destroyed.”
There was little time for mourning as survivors tried to salvage anything from damaged homes.
Khadija Fairouje’s face was puffy from crying as she joined relatives and neighbors hauling possessions down rock-strewn streets. She had lost her daughter and three grandsons aged 4 to 11 when their home collapsed while they were sleeping less than 48 hours earlier.
“Nothing’s left. Everything fell,” said her sister, Hafida Fairouje.
Rescuers backed by soldiers and police searched for victims in collapsed homes in the remote town of Adassil, near the epicenter. Military vehicles brought in bulldozers and other equipment to clear roads of rocks that crumbled off mountainsides, the state news agency MAP reported. Ambulances took dozens of wounded from the village of Tikht, population 800, to Mohammed VI University Hospital in Marrakech.
In Marrakech, where authorities were assessing the damage, large chunks were missing from a crenelated roof, and warped metal, crumbled concrete and dust were all that remained of a building cordoned off by police tape.
Tourists and residents lined up to donate desperately needed blood. Jalila Guerina said she ran to help when she learned of the need because of her duty as a Moroccan citizen.
“I did not even think about it twice,” she told The Associated Press, “especially in the conditions where people are dying, especially at this moment when they are needing help, any help.”
In the market, stray cats clambered over piles of stones and wooden bars, but shoppers were scarce at stalls set up under parasols by food and souvenir vendors.
The quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 when it hit at 11:11 p.m., lasting several seconds, the USGS said. A magnitude 4.9 aftershock hit 19 minutes later, it said. The collision of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates occurred at a relatively shallow depth, which makes a quake more dangerous.
It was the strongest earthquake to hit the North African country in more than 120 years, according to the USGS, which has records dating to 1900, but it was not the deadliest. In 1960, a magnitude 5.8 temblor struck near the Moroccan city of Agadir, killing at least 12,000. That quake prompted Morocco to change construction rules, but many buildings, especially rural homes, are not built to withstand such tremors.
In 2004, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake near the Mediterranean coastal city of Al Hoceima left more than 600 dead.
Friday’s quake was felt as far away as Portugal and Algeria, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere and Algeria’s Civil Defense agency.
Mary J. Blige Files A Lawsuit Against A Talent Agency Over Unpaid Festival Fee
As per court records, it was revealed that Mary had entered into a contractual agreement to perform at the 2022 Funk Fest in Miami, Florida. The arrangement was made between MJB Touring, the booking company representing Mary, and the RM Talent Agency, stipulating a $1.1 million payment for the singer’s appearance.
According to the legal documents, Mary received $250,000 on September 20, 2022, $200,000 on November 9th, and an additional $200,000 on January 18th. Despite these payments, Mary claims she still hasn’t received the remaining $450,000 balance.
Indeed, Mary has faced her fair share of legal challenges, as she openly discussed when addressing her past tax obligations in June. Mary made a return to Atlanta for her second annual Strength Of A Woman Festival. During her panel discussion, Mary looked back on the challenging period when the IRS accused her of owing $1,198,161 in unpaid taxes. However, Mary revealed that the situation was even more dire than initially perceived.
“Speaking of taxes, I owed so much money I never thought I’d ever get out of debt,” Mary explained. “I’m out of debt now, but I mean I owed hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes. Now I have the wisdom, now I look at my payroll that’s not my money. My taxes are not my money … so I’m like, ‘Pay my payroll, pay my taxes, pay my ties, all of that money I don’t even wanna see it because it doesn’t belong to me.’”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
Birthing Bald Eagles
This guys looks he’s birthing bald eagles every morning.
This guys looks he’s birthing bald eagles every morning.
EVENING GOODIES: Meet Marcelo
Meet Marcelo! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember to exercise CAUTION AT WORK!
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HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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