Palestinian-Americans accuse Israel of bias at borders
A visa-free travel deal between Israel and the United States has raised hopes of easier journeys for Palestinian-Americans, but many still complain...
2023-09-15 12:22
London Fashion Week throws spotlight on young designers
After New York, the fashion world descends on London from Friday, showcasing big names such as Burberry but also the work of young designers who could...
2023-09-15 12:20
Sudan refugees bring off-season tourism to Egypt's Aswan
Thousands fleeing war in Sudan have taken refuge in the Egyptian city of Aswan on the Nile, where families are helping keep the tourism industry afloat far...
2023-09-15 10:19
Qantas Rivals Seize on Woes to Call for End of Market Dominance
Qantas Airways Ltd.’s fall from grace has prompted rival airlines, airport operators and travel agents to call for
2023-09-15 08:54
Trudeau Cuts Tax on Rental Builds, Pushes Grocers on Pricing
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to cut the federal sales tax on new rental apartment construction and
2023-09-15 07:26
We’re Going To Fight About American Fiction. That’s The Point.
On a street corner of downtown Toronto in the wee hours of the morning is where the best conversations are bound to happen. I’ve spent my whole adult life in this city walking these streets and yelling my opinions — the good, the bad, and the shut-up-your-frontal-lobe-isn’t-even-formed-yet takes. I remember fighting with a friend just steps from Scotiabank Theatre after watching The Help about how Blackness should show up onscreen (spoiler: that was not it). They argued that, sure, maybe the movie was offensive, but parts of it were true. Why shouldn’t that story be told? (Their frontal lobe wasn’t fully formed either.) Over a decade later, during this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), I found myself on those same streets debating the very same topic, except this time, the film in question wasn’t a trope-ridden, objectionable, white savior narrative; it was a ripe satire consumed with tackling the very conversations that Black media professionals have been having for decades. In American Fiction, it’s not about whether representation matters but rather what kind matters, and to whom?
2023-09-15 07:16
Bella Hadid seen with shaved head in new Marc Jacobs campaign
It’s official, Bella Hadid can pull off any look. In Marc Jacobs’ new jaw-dropping photos for its “Heaven” fall 2023 collection, the 26-year-old supermodel was pictured bare - shaved head and all. Her skin appeared smooth without a single hair in sight, as she posed in the futuristic universe crafted by the mind of Jacobs and photographer Carlijn Jacobs. Rather than formatting her sleek long locks to fit the concept of the collection, the team started with a clean slate, swiping Hadid’s hair and eyebrows. While her head remained bald, the brand’s muse could be seen with reconfigured dark brows angled upward. In the campaign, Hadid was placed on an entirely different planet with armour inspired by Marc Jacob’s iconic Kiki Boots. “The fall 2023 collection pays homage to the cult favourite Kiki Boot with the introduction of the Kiki Group, an assortment of ready-to-wear and accessories,” the fashion brand said in an official statement. With a long, spiraling silver tube seemingly coming out of her spine, the Dutch-Palestinian runway star celebrates the dominatrix essence of the platform boot. The campaign image also paid special attention to Hadid’s oversized wired ear cuff, which retails for $150, as she sat nude in front of the camera. Just five months ago, Hadid candidly spoke about her 15-year struggle with Lyme disease after taking five-month break to seek treatment at a wellness center in California. On 6 August, she posted a carousel of photos of herself in a doctor’s chair with an IV in her arm. “The little me that suffered would be so proud of grown me for not giving up on myself,” Hadid wrote on Instagram. “Living in this state, worsening with time and work while trying to make myself, my family and the people who support me, proud, had taken a toll on me in ways I can’t really explain.” “To be that sad and sick with the most blessings/privilege/opportunity/love around me was quite possibly the most confusing thing ever. One thing I want to express to you all is that one: I am OK and you do not have to worry, and two: I wouldn’t change anything for the world,” Hadid continued. “I have so much gratitude for and perspective on life.” In addition to Lyme disease, Hadid has also endured chronic disease and co-infection treatment. “Almost 15 years of invisible suffering was all worth it if I’m able to, God willing, have a lifetime of spreading love from a full cup and being able to truly be myself, for the first time ever,” she said. Read More Bella Hadid raises eyebrows after posting a GoFundMe page Bella Hadid looks back on ‘15 years of invisible suffering’ with Lyme disease What is Lyme disease? Bella Hadid reveals ’15 years of invisible suffering’
2023-09-15 06:18
As Soccer Moses, Jars of Clay guitarist Stephen Mason finds unexpected joy
Former Christian rocker Stephen Mason’s life has been shaped by guitars, barber shears and the Bible
2023-09-15 05:28
Sienna Miller bares baby bump at celebrity and royal-studded Vogue event
Sienna Miller joined stars from music, fashion, theatre and royalty in a daring outfit at the Vogue World event. She was the latest celebrity to bare her baby bump on the red carpet – following in the maternity style footsteps of Rihanna – and wore a romantic two-piece from Schiaparelli. Miller later changed into a red tartan set to perform onstage at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, matching with some of the UK’s leading acting talent: Damian Lewis, Cush Jumbo, James Corden and James McAvoy. The blockbuster show opened with model Kate Moss walking across the stage, and closed with the appearance of four of the “original supers”: Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington, who debut an Apple TV+ docuseries tracking their rise to fame on September 20. The second annual event followed a New York edition held in 2022, and celebrated music, theatre and fashion at the beginning of London Fashion Week (September 15-19). It saw musical performances from FKA Twigs, Stormzy and Annie Lennox, along with a Shakespearean monologue from actress Sophie Okonedo. Fashion was front and centre, with models including Jourdan Dunn, Ashley Graham, Emily Ratajkowski and Cara Delevingne wearing creations from designer labels: Richard Quinn, Miu Miu, Alexander McQueen and more. Daring style was also a common theme on the star-studded red carpet. Queen & Slim actor Jodie Turner-Smith chose a couture outfit for the night: a revealing Viktor & Rolf creation made up of a statement satin bow, opera gloves and matching underwear. Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan wore a timeless black off-the-shoulder gown by Harris Reed – who showed his latest collection on Wednesday night – and added some drama with a statement black and gold headpiece. Presenter and model Alexa Chung went all-in on feathers for her look: a flirty, Sixties-inspired two-piece from Nicklas Skovgaard, made up of shorts, a crop top and a matching feather headpiece, topped off with Boucheron jewellery. I May Destroy You writer and actress Michaela Coel opted for a structured leather-look blazer, seemingly tapping into the trend for wearing knickers as outerwear, first seen on the Miu Miu catwalk in March. October Vogue cover star Kate Winslet was more demure in her fashion choices, wearing a slouchy cream suit with a beige underwear-style top underneath. Royalty was also in attendance, with Princess Eugenie in a jewel-toned blue-green Fendi gown. Princess Beatrice wore a classic floral dress from London-based designer Richard Quinn, complete with built-in gloves and a cape. Posing on the red carpet together, model Poppy Delevingne, designer Stella McCartney and actress Carey Mulligan were all smiles – Delevingne wearing a pop of colour, while McCartney and Mulligan opted for black gowns. Simone Ashley was another Bridgerton star on the red carpet, wearing a bejewelled net couture dress by Tamara Ralph with a white bodysuit underneath. Crazy Rich Asians star Gemma Chan sparkled in a dark silver Louis Vuitton strapless dress, with her hair in a sleek updo and a red lip. Flying the flag for sustainable fashion were singer Rita Ora, model Twiggy and TikTok star Wisdom Kaye. All were wearing pre-loved fashion and accessories from eBay: Ora in a timeless black strapless dress, Twiggy in a red velvet suit and Kaye in wide-legged white trousers and a navy coat. Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams wore experimental brand Maison Margiela, donning a black mini dress with a Peter Pan collar, cut-off sheer tights and an interesting headpiece. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live See plus-size model Ashley Graham stun in Old Hollywood-inspired Harris Reed LFW show Football legend Michael Owen: My four kids all have opinions about my fashion choices How homeowners are creating pet-specific stylish spaces
2023-09-15 05:23
Planned Parenthood will resume abortions in Wisconsin next week after judge rules 1849 state law doesn't apply
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin says they will resume abortion care services next week after a judge ruled a state law from 1849 did not apply to abortion procedures.
2023-09-15 05:19
Kim Kardashian faces backlash for posing in Balenciaga after condemning brand over child scandal
Kim Kardashian has sparked backlash for posing in an outfit by Balenciaga one year after condemning the brand’s campaign scandal. The reality star, 42, took to Instagram on 13 September to showcase her look from the brand, which she wore to the Kering Foundation’s annual Caring for Women Dinner. Her outfit choice came nearly a year after she said that she was “re-evaluating” her relationship with the brand, due to its controversial campaign of child models holding teddy bears dressed in bondage gear. For Wednesday night’s dinner, she wore a semi-sheer, pink, sparkly dress with a halter neckline and train, along with a pair of nude heels. Along with the series of photos of herself in the outfit, she also shared a snap with Nicole Kidman, who was also wearing a dress by Balenciaga. In the caption, Kardashian quipped: “Caring for women at the Kering Foundation Gala.” On her Instagram Story, the Skims founder shared another snap of herself and Kidman posing together at the dinner, along with the caption: “@balenciaga babes.” Fans have taken to the comments of Kardashian’s Instagram post to question her for publicly working with Balenciaga again after the campaign, which featured an image of a Supreme Court opinion on a child pornography case, was removed due to backlash. “Why are you both wearing Demna again,” one critic wrote, while another added: “But the brand….” A third agreed: “I seriously don’t get it. This is a simple look that she could have commissioned from any brand. I’m here because I’m a fan but this really upsets me.” Social media users have also taken the criticism to a Reddit thread, where one person posted Kardashian’s story with Kidman, and claimed that the reality star’s “outrage” towards the scandal last year “really was performative”. The Reddit user also added that they’d “never view the brand the same” way that they did due to the controversy. “I mean even when people asked her to speak out Kim really made a super neutral and vague statement,” another claimed about Kardashian’s previous remarks. “Not surprised,” a third claimed about Kardashian wearing Balenciaga. “She still supported them like a week or two after the whole incident and then tried hiding that she was wearing them.” Back in November 2022, the KKW Beauty founder first broke her silence about the campaign, noting that as mother of four children – who she shares with ex Kanye West – she was “shaken by the disturbing images” of the advertisements. “The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalise child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society – period,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, at the time. “I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened.” After she explained that she was “re-evaluating [her] relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with”, she added that she “appreciated” Balenciaga’s decision to issue an apology and remove the campaign. “In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again,” she concluded. One month after issuing the statement, Kardashian explained why she didn’t speak out against the Balenciaga teddy bear controversy at the very beginning. “With the Balenciaga thing, everyone was like: ‘Why aren’t you speaking out? Why aren’t you speaking out?’ And I’m like: ‘Wait. I’m not in this campaign. I don’t know what’s happening. Let me take a minute to research this,’” she said. “And then as soon as I saw what everyone was seeing on the internet and the reality of the situation, I completely spoke out and gave my thoughts on child porn and completely denounced it.” She also made claims about why she believed she faced criticism amid the Balenciaga scandal, continuing: “But because I didn’t say: ‘F*** you, Balenciaga. That’s it,’ people got mad at that. So they’re mad if I don’t speak out. They’re mad if I do speak out, and if I don’t cancel.” The Independent has contacted a representative for Kardashian for comment. Read More Kim Kardashian-West repeatedly tags wrong Mert Alas in Twitter photos with her famous friends Kim Kardashian explains why she doesn't 'label' herself a feminist at Commonwealth club talk Kourtney Kardashian claims she ‘hates’ sister Kim in dramatic Kardashians trailer Cindy Crawford says her father initially thought modelling ‘form of prostitution’ See plus-size model Ashley Graham stun in Old Hollywood-inspired Harris Reed LFW show Football legend Michael Owen: My four kids all have opinions about my fashion choices
2023-09-15 05:17
US surgeons report longest successful pig-to-human kidney transplant
US surgeons who transplanted a genetically modified pig kidney into a brain-dead patient announced Thursday they had ended their experiment...
2023-09-15 02:55