The 1990s pop group the Spice Girls is set to reunite for a one-off performance, revealed Melanie "Scary Spice" Brown during a recent interview on the Australian television programme Sunrise.
US Weekly reported the reunion will take place at Buckingham Palace on June 4, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Queen's reign.
The 36-year-old reportedly didn't intend to spill the beans and told The Sun after her TV appearance: "I am going to be in such strife for saying that ... It's all so totally bloody top secret still."
The news comes hot on the heels of rumours the Spice Girls will be reuniting at the London 2012 Olympics.
Brown also told Sunrise: "For me to get my Scary hair on and my big platforms - any time! I'm a Spice Girl through and through."
She and her band mates - Victoria "Posh" Beckham, Geri "Ginger" Halliwell, Emma "Baby" Bunton and Melanie "Sporty" Chisholm — last performed during a 2007 reunion tour.
Judges argue over first Arab Idol cut
The Arab Idol judges were left in a heated dispute when the surprising results of the first elimination of the 10 finalists were announced on Saturday night. The 27-year-old Yehia Zakaria Sayed Yakoub from Egypt had the lowest number of audience votes, but the lead judge Ragheb Alama fought to save him by using the wild-card option. He argued: "We were not going to use the wild card the first evening but I think that tonight, we should."
However, the Lebanese singer was out-voted when fellow judges, the Emirati singer Ahlam and the Egyptian music producer Hassan El Shafei, voted to hold on to the wild card, leaving Alama noticeably frustrated and Yakoub out of the competition.
Despite his disappointment, Yehia thanked the viewers and judges. "We all knew there could only be one Arab Idol," he said. "If I leave tonight, it is because Egypt did not vote enough for me."
Is Matthew Broderick reprising Ferris Bueller role?
A 10-second video clip, purportedly a Super Bowl advertisement, has taken the web by storm. It features the actor Matthew Broderick, clearly playing his famous Ferris Bueller character, opening window curtains, looking into the camera and asking, "How can I handle work on a day like today?"
Then plays the classic "bow-bow-chicka-chicka" sound effect from the 1986 John Hughes film Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The clip ends with "2.5.12" flashed on the screen - that's the date of this Sunday's Super Bowl.
MTV News tried to reach Broderick for comment, but the actor did not respond.
The automotive blog Jalopnik.com reported the teaser is not for a Bueller sequel, but for a Honda ad: "Honda is pouring a lot of money into this ad and, according to our source, hired The Hangover writer/director Todd Phillips to put it all together."
Etta James remembered
The rhythm and blues legend Etta James was remembered at a service on Saturday, attended by hundreds of friends and family, as a woman who broke down cultural and musical barriers.
The Reverend Al Sharpton, a civil rights activist, eulogised James in a rousing speech, then read a statement from the US President Barack Obama.
"Etta will be remembered for her legendary voice and her contributions to our nation's musical heritage," Obama's statement read.
The Grammy-winning singer died on January 20 after battling leukaemia. She had retreated from public life in recent years, but on Saturday her legacy was on display as mourners of all ages and races converged on the City of Refuge church in Los Angeles.
Among the stars who performed tributes to James were Stevie Wonder and Christina Aguilera, who told the gathering she has included At Last in every concert she's performed as a tribute to her musical inspiration.
James is survived by her husband of 42 years, Artis Mills, and two sons.
* Associated Press
Youssou Ndour lends golden voice to politics
Can a Grammy-winner win an election?
At a concert in November last year, Senegal's music icon Youssou Ndour announced he had put performing on hold and formed his own political movement, Fekke ma ci bolle ("I am involved" in the Wolof language).
In January, the 52-year-old leapt into a heated presidential race. While Senegal's top court ruled on Friday that his application to run for presidency was inadmissible, Ndour has vowed to challenge his disqualification and insists he will take part in the February presidential polls.
The musician has long been involved in humanitarian issues, and in recent years has become more outspoken about the current regime.
"I have listened, I have heard and I am responding favourably," Ndour said on January 3 when he announced his political intentions.
Best known internationally for his 7 Seconds hit collaboration with Neneh Cherry, Ndour has also collaborated with the likes of Sting, Wyclef Jean and Bruce Springsteen.
* Agence France-Presse
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AT%20A%20GLANCE
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Company profile
Name: Steppi
Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic
Launched: February 2020
Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year
Employees: Five
Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai
Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings
Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESmartCrowd%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiddiq%20Farid%20and%20Musfique%20Ahmed%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20%2F%20PropTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24650%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2035%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeries%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%20institutional%20investors%20and%20notable%20angel%20investors%20(500%20MENA%2C%20Shurooq%2C%20Mada%2C%20Seedstar%2C%20Tricap)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Company name: Farmin
Date started: March 2019
Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: AgriTech
Initial investment: None to date
Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
Afro%20salons
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Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
