Featured News
now browsing by category
The Ellen Show: Three producers remove over ‘toxic workplace’ allegations
Credit to BBC
August 18th 2020
Three well known producers of the Ellen DeGeneres Show have been fired in the mist of claims of misconduct and sexual harassment.
Ms DeGeneres disclose the overhaul in a video meeting with staff, and said an internal investigation was under way.
In a message to staff according to BBC, she said she was “so sorry for what this has become,” according to the Hollywood Reporter.
A spokesperson for Warner Brothers confirmed the show has “parted ways” with executive producers Ed Glavin and Kevin Leman, and co-executive producer Jonathan Norman.
In a story release earlier this year, several former employees told Buzzfeed News they had undergo racism while working on the show, which has won over 60 Emmy Awards since it first aired in 2003.
In an email to staff, David McGuire, executive vice president of programming at Warner Brothers, said the studio was “absolutely committed” to “change and a new culture.
“Many of you have spoken with WarnerMedia’s investigators, and we thank you for your honesty,” he added, according to Buzzfeed News. “I hope this note is another way we are showing our commitment to do better.”
By Amie T. Camara
Trump is the wrong President for America–Michelle Obama
Credit__BBC
Tuesday 18th of August 2020.
Afrinity Production bring to you Michelle Obama’s stinging attack on US President Donald Trump as Democrats prepared to crown Joe Biden as their White House challenger.
“Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country,” said the former US first lady in an emotional recorded message to the Democratic convention.
Afrinity Production came to know of Mrs Obama’s record which took place before Mr Biden discloses his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, six days ago, but this doesn’t make a change as the launched was indeed a blistering attack on Mr Trump.
“You simply cannot fake your way through this job,” she said in remarks that closed the first night of the convention on Monday.
The headline speaker added: “Our economy is in shambles because of a virus that this president downplayed for too long.”
“Stating the simple fact that a black life matters is still met with derision from the nation’s highest office,” Mrs Obama continued.
“Because whenever we look to this White House for some leadership, or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division and a total and utter lack of empathy.”
She said the last four years had been difficult to explain to America’s children and this need to change.
By Amie T. Camara
Ghana has fully discharged all her obligations and commitments agreed with the AU Commission
On Monday, 17th August 2020, I commissioned and handed over the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to the African Union Commission. This is the first time, in our history, that Ghana has the responsibility and privilege of hosting an important pan-African institution.
As hosts of the AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana has fully discharged all her obligations and commitments agreed with the AU Commission, and we have, today, handed over a fully furnished and befitting office space, in a secured and easily accessible location within the business centre of Accra, as the Permanent Secretariat of the AfCFTA. We have provided also an appropriate, furnished residential accommodation as the official residence of the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA.
SMA 3rd edition best International TV station Award presented today in Freetown, Sierra Leone
SMA 3.0 Best International Media was presented to AYV TV. The 3rd Edition of the Special Movie Awards which took place at Djembe Hotel. The Gambia π¬π²
The Award is presented today the 17th of August 2020 on behalf of SMA by Desmond B Finney to the award winner in the category of Best International Media by SMA in Sierra Leone and received by the Founder of AYV TV Mr. Anthony Navo Jnr.
The event Special Guest of honour as recalled was H.E Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone who was competently represented by the Sierra Leonean High Commissioner to The Gambia.
The list of attendees includes, The Gambia Government officials, The Nigerian High Commissioner, The Oba of Yoruba community in The Gambia, Film Makers, Actors and Actresses, Heads of institution, Private/ cooperate bodies and other sophisticated guests.
Out of 45 nominees, 16 lucky winners went home with prestigious and yet beautiful SMA 3.0 awards for the 16 different categories. Among which 9 SMA Honorary Awards and certificates of appreciation was also given to deserving individuals.
Her Excellency Fatima Maada Bio, First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Special Guest of honour was awarded βSMA 3.0 Life time Awardβ.
Afrinity Production will again welcome you to the 4th edition of the SMA awards in 2020 which will be notified to you soon.
In today’s Afrinity connect interview. You are about to find out more about one of the most prominent Gambian actresses Monica Davies.
Who is Monica Davies?
Monica Davies is a Gambian Actress both on Stage and Screen. The strong Passion she have towards acting gave her the confidence to explore the industry.
She is currently working with an Organisation as Acting doesn’t pay much to cater for her needs, now she is a part-time actress after her office working hours.
“Most Producers or Film Directors that I have been working with understand the nature of my job and I do explain the same to any other person that needs my services. I also make sure that not to accept scripts whose filming schedule might clash with another as putting a production on hold is the last thing I will ever do in my professional career” said Monica.
Whatβs her background?
Monica is from an average humble Family of 8. She studied Office Administration and later proceed to do a 2years course in Sales and Marketing Management at the University of The Gambia in Collaboration with LCM.
In 2015, she got admission to study Public Administration but later deferred her course because her sponsorer stopped and after applying for scholarship through the Higher Education was unsuccessful.
Monica Davies received few awards in the cause of her career; Best Female Actress in The Gambia – 2012, Pan African Most Promising Actress 2015 which was held in Ghana, Leadership Recognition Awards 2016 by Leadership Mind Ambassadors in Nigeria and Best Actress 2018 -Special Movie Awards (SMA) and other Recognition certificates by Production houses.
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
Monica was inspired to act after the death of her Father when she was just 17 years old and was in a situation that was frustrating. Having the strength to come out of that situation with the Grace of God pushed her to never give up in pursuing what she believe in life.
Why does Monica Davies Choose acting?
According to her, she have always been passionate about acting back in school. The love for Literature and dramas in those books she read deepen her love for the act and that was why in 2003 when she came across an Audition advert by Vinasha Film Production on the Gambia Daily Observer, she grabbed the opportunity and successfully got a role in one of their TV series “BANJUL COPs”.
Since then she have never looked back and later started stage acting in 2012 with GAMYAA and Pan African Theatre and Films Production before joining the Renowned and ONLY Professional and Standard Theatre in The Gambia ‘The Ebunjan Theatre’ in 2013 where she learnt and experienced Professional Stage Acting and has done several stage performances of plays written by the Phenemonal Proprietess/Director Janet Badjan-Young and other international Playwrights.
When asked to name three actors she do like to be compared to, she said “Nollywood Patience Ozokwor (Mama Gee) because of her strict or hard character or roles and mother roles she plays. Stella Damasus and Nkiru Sylvanus- They versatile actresses and when they are to play an emotional role they play it so well that they get their audience carried along.”
Monica’s professional goals is to always bring humility and Authenticity to any role she is interpreting and to be truthful ad professional in improving her skills.
She further make known of what she can’t do without, which includes her Rosary and her phone which has her off Line Bible and novels that she can read at anytime and place.
By Amie T. Camara
Your Service Will Always Be Remembered, Buhari Greets Babangida At 79
President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has felicitated former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) on his 79th birthday.
The Nigerian President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, joined family, friends, and associates to celebrate with the elder statesman.
βAs the former military leader turns a new age, the President believes his services to the country will always be remembered,β the statement said.
βPresident Buhari prays that the Almighty God will continually strengthen Gen. Babangida, grant him good health and longer life.β
IBB served as a military President of Nigeria from 1985 until his resignation in 1993.
Elections in Nigeria: IGP Orders Arrest Of Individuals, Groups With Prohibited Firearms
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in Nigeria, Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the Commissioners of Police in the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory to identify and arrest any individual(s) or groups(s) in possession of prohibited firearms.
Channels TV said, the IGPβs directive comes as part of preparations toward the forthcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States, as well as efforts by the Police High Command to curb the proliferation of prohibited firearms in the country.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, DCP Frank Mba, says, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered Commissioners of Police in the thirty-six states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to immediately initiate appropriate actions to identify, isolate, disarm, arrest and prosecute any individual(s) or group(s) in possession of prohibited firearms.
DCP Mba said that the directive has become necessary against the backdrop of the deliberate arming and movement of political thugs and other criminal elements across the country.
βIn addition, the directive is targeted at addressing the proliferation and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms in the country which is contrary to the provisions of Chapter F.28 LFN 2004 of the Firearms Act.
βIn a similar vein, Commissioners of Police in all the States of the Federation and the FCT have been directed to immediately convene an enlightenment meeting of all vigilante groups and quasi security outfits spread across the country in order to ensure that their activities are in conformity with the extant laws guiding their establishment and operationsβ.
The statement further added that the IGP, while observing that several civil groups β vigilantes, quasi-states, and regional security outfits under various guises are arming themselves with prohibited firearms and weapons in contravention of the provisions of the Firearms Act, notes that the trend if unchecked will pose a serious threat to national security.
Nigeria Confirms 298 New COVID-19 Cases, 207 More Recover
As Nigeria gradually reopens its economy amid the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic, the country has reported 298 more infections β the third-lowest since June 8.
On August 4, the country reported 288 COVID-19 infections and just one week later, it recorded 290 new cases.
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) announced the latest figure in a late-night tweet on Sunday.
It explained that the new infections were reported from 15 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The new figure, which is 27 lesser than the last number of infections recorded on Saturday, brings the total number of cases in Nigeria to 49,068.
Jacinda Ardern postpone election due to coronavirus fears
The prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, has postponed the country’s general election by a month amid a spike in coronavirus cases.
According to Aljazeera, the vote was due to take place on 19 September but will now be held on 17 October instead.
Ms Ardern said on Monday that the new date would allow parties “to plan around the range of circumstances we will be campaigning under”.
Earlier this week, the country’s largest city went back into lockdown.
“This decision gives all parties time over the next nine weeks to campaign and the Electoral Commission enough time to ensure an election can go ahead,” Ms Ardern said, adding that she had “absolutely no intention” of allowing any further delays to the vote.
The opposition National Party has argued the election should be delayed as restrictions on campaigning mean Ms Ardern had an unfair advantage.
The announcement that new cases had been discovered shocked the country, which had recorded no locally transmitted cases for more than three months.
Before the new cluster was identified, the government had lifted almost all of its lockdown restrictions, which were first imposed in March.
New Zealand has reported more than 1,600 infections and 22 deaths since the pandemic began, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University.
Source___Aljazeera
Convention set for formal nomination of Democrats Candidate Joe Biden.
Four-day event set to include formal nomination of Joe Biden as the Democratic challenger of US President Donald Trump
A presidential primary season like no other will culminate this week for the Democratic Party in the United States in an unprecedented, mostly digital convention that is set to cement Joe Biden as the official candidate tasked with taking on President Donald Trump in a November election.
Only essential staff will be on the ground at the convention centre in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a pivotal swing state that had spent millions of dollars preparing to host the high-profile event, which runs from August 17 to 20, before it was scaled back in light of the pandemic.
The convention comes as Democratic officials work to energise voters behind Biden’s candidacy – and not simply against Trump.
While defeating the Republican president is a huge motivator for many within the party, there is some concern that less-engaged voters who lean Democrat and swing voters are not locked in to cast ballots for Biden, especially as the pandemic is expected to create barriers to voting.
Following a fractious and ideologically diverse 28-candidate primary season, the party has also sought to unify before the convention and avoid a repeat of 2016 when Hillary Clinton’s supporters clashed with those backing her progressive rival, Bernie Sanders.
Source__Aljazeera
D5 Creation