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Korea to probe BLACKPINK Jennie’s ‘vaping incident’

A now-deleted video showing K-pop megastar Jennie of BLACKPINK smoking a vape indoors has sparked an online outcry, with Seoul’s foreign ministry telling AFP Tuesday it had received a formal complaint.

In the footage, uploaded as part of a live blog on YouTube for fans but subsequently removed even as copies of it spread across the internet, Jennie appears to exhale vape smoke while a bevvy of hair and make-up artists work closely on her face.

Smoking cigarettes or vaping indoors is illegal in South Korea and the footage triggered headlines and online outrage, with “indoor smoking” and “BLACKPINK Jennie” becoming top trending topics on X in the South.

“Controversy over Jennie’s indoor smoking… exhaling smoke in the face of her staff,” was the headline of the Yonhap news agency’s report on the incident, typical of the widespread reporting in Korean-language media.

One internet user claimed the incident likely happened in Italy’s Capri, where Jennie had been filming, and said they had requested that the South Korean Embassy in Italy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs probe the BLACKPINK star, the Korea Times reported.

The user urged Seoul to request “an investigation from the Italian authorities regarding BLACKPINK’s Jennie’s indoor smoking incident and take strict action,” the report said.

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs told AFP on Tuesday that they had received a petition related to the incident.

BLACKPINK is one of South Korea’s most successful K-pop girl groups, with their songs topping charts both locally and internationally.

BLACKPINK’s other achievements include being the first K-pop girl group to reach the top of the US Billboard 200 chart, and the first Asian artists to headline prestigious music events such as Coachella.

“Posting such a video on her own SNS channel raises serious questions about her common sense… It is deeply disappointing,” said one commentator on South Korean portal Naver.

Smoking rates are relatively high in South Korea, but according to official data, as of 2022, only five per cent of South Korean women smoke, compared to 30 per cent of men.

South Korean pop stars undergo rigorous training for years before their debut and are held to high behavioural standards, with smoking, dating and swearing largely forbidden, especially in the first years following their debut.

Jennie has previously confessed to struggling with these expectations.

“It’s really harsh,” Jennie, who debuted with BLACKPINK in 2016, said in a Netflix documentary.

“We were not allowed to drink, smoke or get a tattoo,” she recalled of her training period, adding that she had to endure “being told that I’m not good at stuff”.

Entertainment

BBNaija9: Likely winner predicted

Evicted Big Brother Naija ‘No Loose Guard’ housemate, Ben, has predicted that Kellyrae will win the reality show.

In a post-eviction interview with Classic FM, alongside fellow housemate Chizoba, Ben confidently stated that there was no stopping Kellyrae because he has the support of Nigerians.

Although Ben personally favors TJay or Anita to win, he believes Kellyrae is the clear frontrunner.Ben said,

“Who do I want to win? TJay or Anita. But who do I think will win?

Kellyrae. I’ve always supported Kelly, but after learning he’s married to Kassia, my confidence in his win grew.

The Double Kay fans will back Kelly over Kassia, especially after her recent drama with Onyeka, which hurt her game.

”He concluded, “Once Nigerians are behind you, there’s nothing anyone can do.”Chizoba, on the other hand, predicted that her sister, Onyeka, has what it takes to win the show.

This season’s grand prize includes N100 million, a cash prize, an SUV, and additional sponsored rewards.

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Why romance is important in marriage — Pastor Adeboye

General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has stressed the vital role of romance in marriage, urging couples not to neglect this aspect of their relationships.

In a recent Facebook post, Adeboye noted that being a Christian does not diminish the need for romance, referencing biblical figures like Isaac and Rebekah.

He stated, “The fact that you are a Christian does not in any way take romance out of your marriage. Marriage is the only institution where romance and intimacy is allowed between a man and a woman.”

He criticised some pastors who, in their focus on spiritual matters, often neglect to date their spouses.

“Some pastors hardly go on dates with their spouses because they consider such a romantic activity as a distraction from their focus on spiritual matters. The anointing does not reduce the need for romance in marriage,” he said.

Citing Genesis 26:8, Adeboye noted that even Isaac, an anointed man of God, engaged in romance: “The Bible says he was sporting with Rebekah his wife. Don’t become too rigid in your marriage; don’t have more fun elsewhere without your spouse.”

He encouraged couples to recreate the excitement of their early relationship, advising them to “make the times that you and your spouse spend together so much fun that you are always looking forward to seeing each other again.”

“Revive that relationship again,” he urged. “Your spouse is still the same person you were very fond of, and the things you loved in him or her are still there. Don’t let all the cares of this life distract you from the gems in your spouse.”

Adeboye also suggested creative romantic gestures, such as composing poems or leaving surprise notes for each other. “Have a pet name that you call each other behind closed doors,” he added. “Your marriage can be like heaven on earth if you and your spouse are deliberate about remaining the lovebirds you were when you first got married. Don’t let the romance die.”

His full post read: “Adeboye who took to his Facebook page on Friday, wrote; “The fact that you are a Christian does not in any way take romance out of your marriage. Marriage is the only institution where romance and intimacy is allowed between a man and a woman.

“Some pastors hardly go on dates with their spouses because they consider such a romantic activity as a distraction from their focus on spiritual matters. Some of them don’t even play with their spouses anymore. Beloved, the anointing does not reduce the need for romance in marriage.

“Isaac was an anointed man of God and a successful businessman, yet in Genesis 26:8, the Bible says he was being romantic with his wife: And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife. Don’t become too rigid in your marriage; don’t have more fun elsewhere without your spouse.

“Make the times that you and your spouse spend together so much fun that you are always looking forward to seeing each other again. If you are married, remember how you used to talk for long hours with your spouse before you got married and had children; revive that relationship again. Your spouse is still the same fellow you were very fond of, and the things you loved in him or her are still there. Don’t let all the cares of this life distract you from the gems in your spouse.

“Once in a while, compose a poem for your spouse and read it to him or her in a romantic setting. Spice things up with pleasant surprises every now and then. Write a note and put it in his or her bag so that when they get to the office and open their bag, they will see the note and smile. Have a pet name that you call each other behind closed doors.

“Up until today, there is a pet name my wife calls me when we are alone. I equally have a pet name that I call her, and every time I call her by that name, she cannot but smile at me lovingly. When we are alone, we are lovers, not Daddy GO and Mummy GO. Your marriage can be like heaven on earth if you and your spouse are deliberate about remaining the lovebirds that you were when you first got married. Don’t let the romance die.”

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Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs to plead not guilty to racketeering, sex trafficking

Sean “Diddy” Combs will plead not guilty on Tuesday to racketeering and sex trafficking charges, his lawyer said ahead of a court appearance by the superstar rapper.

Combs, 54, was arrested on Monday by federal agents acting on a sealed indictment filed by the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

He is to be arraigned at a Manhattan courthouse and the indictment unsealed.

Combs’s lawyer,  Marc Agnifilo, told reporters he already knows what the charges are going to be.

“It’s going to be racketeering. It’s going to be sex trafficking,” he said. “And he’s not guilty. He’s innocent of these charges.”

Agnifilo added that the music mogul’s “spirits are good.”

“He’s going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might,” he said.

Combs is the target of several civil lawsuits that characterize him as a violent sexual predator who used alcohol and drugs to subdue his victims.

The rapper’s luxury homes in Miami and Los Angeles were raided by agents in March in a heavily publicized bicoastal operation that indicated a federal investigation and potential criminal case was mounting against Combs.

– Bombshell suit –

The powerful music industry figure, who has gone by various monikers including Puff Daddy and P Diddy, was credited as being key to hip hop’s journey from the streets to luxury clubs.

He has amassed vast wealth over the decades, not least due to his ventures in the liquor industry.

Despite his efforts to cultivate the image of a smooth party kingpin and business magnate, a spate of lawsuits describe Combs as a violent man who used his celebrity to prey on women.

Combs has no major convictions but has long been trailed by allegations of physical assault, dating back to the 1990s.

The floodgates opened last year after singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, alleged Combs subjected her to more than a decade of coercion by physical force and drugs as well as a 2018 rape.

The pair met when Ventura was 19 and Combs was 37, after which he signed her to his label and they began a relationship.

The bombshell suit was settled out of court but a string of similarly lurid sexual assault claims followed — including one in December by a woman who alleged Combs and others gang-raped her when she was 17.

Disturbing surveillance video then emerged in May showing Combs physically assaulting his then-girlfriend Ventura, corroborating allegations she made in the now-settled case.

– Global fame with dark shadow –

Born Sean John Combs on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, the artist entered the industry as an intern in 1990 at Uptown Records, where he eventually became a talent director.

He gained a reputation as a party planner, which would be central to his brand as his fame rose.

In 1991 he promoted a celebrity basketball game and concert at the City College of New York that left nine people dead after a stampede.

The event was over capacity by thousands and resulted in a string of lawsuits, with Combs blamed for hiring inadequate security.

He was fired from Uptown and founded his own label, Bad Boy Records.

That began a quick ascent to the top of East Coast hip hop, along with his disciple, the late The Notorious B.I.G.

Combs boasted a number of major signed acts and production collaborations with the likes of Mary J Blige, Usher, Lil’ Kim, TLC, Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.

He was also a Grammy-winning rapper in his own right, debuting with the chart-topping single “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down” and his album “No Way Out.”

With an unapologetic swagger, he also ventured into Hollywood, reality television and fashion and had high-profile romantic links with the likes of Jennifer Lopez.

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I relocated to Nigeria because of Ramsey Nouah – Adunni Ade

Nollywood star, Adunni Ade has expressed her admiration for her colleague, Ramsey Nouah.

Featuring in a recent episode of Hip TV programme Trending, hosted by reality star KimOprah, Ade revealed that she has always admired the veteran actor.

She disclosed that he was behind her decision to abandon her career as a model in America and relocate to Nigeria.

She said, “He [Ramsey Nouah] was the one who gave me confirmation to move to Nigeria. I met him before I came to Nigeria and I told him what my goals and aspirations were. And he gave me a very good pep talk and I moved down.

“Imagine from 2011 never getting to work with him. And this is someone you’ve always admired. Then during a film festival, I saw him and I went to exchange pleasantries as usual.

“The next day, I got a call from the producer Chris, his very good friend, and he said, ‘Adunni, what did you give Ramsey to eat? Ramsey just cast you.’

“I had goosebumps. I was so happy to work with him on set. He is so different when he is working. I’ve been featured in another project with him. I cannot disclose that right now. I have seen him as Ramsey Nouah the human being, Ramsey Nouah the director, and Ramsey Nouah the co-actor. He is just a phenomenal human being.”

Adunni Ade moved to Nigeria in 2011.

She landed her first Nollywood role when she acted in the Yoruba language film ‘You or I’ in 2013.

She has featured in over 250 Nollywood movies in both English and Yoruba languages.

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Yhemolee, wife expecting first baby weeks after wedding

A Nigerian singer, Idowu Adeyemi, better known as Yhemo Lee, and his wife, Oyin Tayo, also called Thayour B, are gearing up to welcome their first baby.

Yhemo Lee took to Instagram to share the news, posting a picture of himself and his wife, showing off her baby bump.

He playfully mentioned in the caption that his wife had accidentally let the cat out of the bag by posting the bump, so he decided to officially announce it himself.

He said: “Their mama don do mistake post am, Small YL otw [small Yhemolee on the way].”

Interestingly, the news comes just two weeks after the couple tied the knot. They had their white wedding on September 5, following a grand traditional ceremony on August 31.

Yhemolee looked dashing in a white tailcoat, black trousers, and a bow tie at the elegant corporate wedding.

Thayour B captivated all in attendance with her flowing, intricately embellished white gown and a bouquet of pristine white flowers. The couple’s elegant entrance and heartfelt vows were captured in countless viral videos.

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VIDEO: Lady with Intersex Condition Opens Up About Impregnating Two Women

A Nigerian lady known as Queen has opened up about her condition as an intersex, revealing that she has impregnated two women.

Queen, who lives in Lagos, made this revelation during an episode of Doyin’s CornerDoyin’s Corner, where she shared details about her life journey.

She said she discovered her condition at the age of 15 and has since had to come to terms with it, facing different challenges along the way.

“My parents did not tell me about it. I grew up and realised that I am a hermaphrodite—having both organs. I asked my parents how come I have two reproductive organs. They were thinking maybe I was a male until I grew up. At 15, I started growing two organs, then they later decided that I am a female.

“At birth, both organs were present, but they couldn’t figure out which one was active. At 15, a guy was trying to touch me, and I said, ‘No.’ In the end, he saw everything and got scared, wondering, ‘What kind of human being is this?’ I didn’t feel bad about it until I met a guy who made me feel bad. I thought it was normal until that guy’s incident. My mum told me the doctor said it was 50/50—if they removed one, I might lose my life or survive. Because of fear, they left it to see how things would turn out in the future,” she narrated.

“The male organ is the active one because, if I try to use the female organ, I don’t have any feeling through the female organ, but the male organ gives me all the feelings I want.

“I date women now because I do not feel anything for men, but my feelings are always strong with women.

“…I have not carried any pregnancy but I have impregnated two women. Women love me. They give me the love I deserve more than men,” Queen explained.

Queen also confessed that she feels more comfortable around women and is afraid of men because she’s unsure of their intentions.

According to her, she doesn’t have any physical attraction towards men, which has made her relationships with women more meaningful.

Speaking on how social media has helped her accept her reality, Queen said, “Ever since I joined social media, I feel excited and no longer feel bad because I have been advised to face reality. But when I was not on social media, I felt bad and I was also suicidal because I thought I was a different human.”

Queen added that living life as a man brings her joy and a sense of fulfilment, which she doesn’t experience in relationships with men.

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