الأحد، 31 مايو 2020

Life is sweet as Saudi children say goodbye to lockdown

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Mon, 2020-06-01 01:00

JEDDAH: After more than two months in lockdown, families and children in Saudi Arabia are enjoying a return to normal activities as coronavirus restrictions are eased around the Kingdom.

But while some parents have lingering worries about their children’s health, for youngsters it is a different story.
Eight-year-old Sara Issam, of Makkah, told Arab News that she was excited to finally visit a nearby mini-market with her elder brother as she used to do every Eid. “I had to wear a face mask and be careful where I put my hands, but I was happy to buy all those sweets using my Eidiyah (money gifted to children in Eid),” she told Arab News.
From Sunday, children under 15 will be allowed entry to public areas, such as malls, restaurants and cafes.
However, entertainment centers and children’s play areas, as well as cinemas, will remain closed until June 20.

I want to go to the playground, the park, the toyshop and to play with my friends. I also want to go traveling.

Yahya

As the second phase of easing lockdown restrictions gets underway, people are cautiously getting back to familiar vacation routines, such as shopping, barbecues by the sea or in parks, exchanging family visits, traveling around the Kingdom and desert camping.
With children now allowed on family outings, some parents worry about safety, saying it will be difficult to keep them in quarantine if they fall ill.
However, three-year-old Yahya told Arab News that he was “sad to be kept at home” because of coronavirus and there are many places he missed.
“I want to go to the playground, the park, the toyshop and to play with my friends. I also want to go traveling,” he said.

HIGHLIGHTS

• After more than two months in lockdown, families and children in Saudi Arabia are enjoying a return to normal activities.

• As the second phase of easing lockdown restrictions gets underway, people are cautiously getting back to familiar vacation routines.

• Some parents worry about safety, saying it will be difficult to keep them in quarantine if they fall ill.

Yahya’s mother, Rawan Najjar, from Jeddah, said: “I intend to take him out but with proper precautions and as long as I know that he understands what is going on.”  Other families say that as long as the current phase is experimental and under constant review, they will stay home.
For nine-year-old Ayham, from Jeddah, quarantine has been a happy experience.
“We played games together as a family, I also learned English and French on a mobile app, I fasted for the first time in Ramadan and learned to read the Qur’an,” he said.
“I also read the ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ books, and another Arabic book, and chatted and studied with my friends through videoconferencing. But I missed swimming in the sea, going to the supermarket to buy food for the house and shopping for books.” Ayham’s mother, Haneen Maher, said that she is reluctant to take her children out.

As a mother, I fear for my children’s safety and worry about taking them to public places.

Haneen Maher

“I don’t think we should get too excited with easing the restrictions. As a mother, I fear for my children’s safety and worry about taking them to public places,” she told Arab News. Maher said that she would take her children out for fresh air, but only inside the family car.
“We went to Jeddah Corniche and to a public park with our snacks, but the children were not allowed to get out of the car. I know they want their freedom back,
but they understand the situation,” she said.
Musab Allan agrees, allowing his children out only in the early morning “in addition to visits to grandparents twice a month.”
Families with common or chronic health issues such as asthma are also cautious about leaving the house amid the pandemic.
Salma, 23, said: “I can see how bored my younger siblings are, but my mother insists nobody leave the house until coronavirus is no longer there. As a family with weak immune system history, this is the best option for us.”
Other parents looked for different options, avoiding closed areas such as malls and restaurants and, instead, visiting open spaces such as the Corniche and other natural locations.

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Life getting back to normal as restaurants, coffee shops reopen across KSASaudi Arabia’s new cases slow down two weeks after reaching peak of 2,840 https://ift.tt/2XkQ2hK May 31, 2020 at 11:05PM

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Rocket men: Star Steve Carrell and creator Greg Daniels talk ‘Space Force’

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Sun, 2020-05-31 17:54

DUBAI: Things are very different from the time that Greg Daniels and Steve Carrell first got together. In 2005, Carrell was auditioning in front of Daniels to see whether he could fill the shoes of Ricky Gervais for an American remake of Gervais’ UK hit “The Office.” Daniels had already written for, or created, classic series such as “The Simpsons” and “King of the Hill,” but Carrell was still a respected supporting player, unproven as a leading man. Fifteen years later, Carrell is one of the most venerated leads of his generation in film and television — due in no small part to the magic that the two created on the small screen.
What would bring them back together? As it turns out, all it took was two words — “Space Force.” When US President Donald Trump announced his intention to establish a new division of the American military in 2018, Carrell couldn’t get the name out of his head. He called up his old collaborator Daniels to talk about it.
“There was no show. There was no idea. It was really based on nothing except a name that made everybody laugh,” says Carrell.
The two met up at Carrell’s house to brainstorm whether those two words would be enough for a TV show. What interested them most was imagining the man who would have to lead it. They came up with General Mark Naird — a career Air Force man who was hardened and serious about everything that he did, nothing like Michael Scott in “The Office.”
“We definitely did not want to repeat Michael Scott at all. It’s been at least 12 years since Steve played Michael Scott, and he just physically doesn't look the same. The haircut's different, the mannerisms are different. Michael Scott is an iconic character, but I actually think General Mark Naird has got more Hank Hill from “King of the Hill” in him than Michael Scott,” says Daniels. “Mark’s definitely a stronger character, more used to command, more capable than Michael Scott ever was. His issues are different. Michael would do anything to please others, he would (bend) in the wind in any direction. Mark is very inflexible and it’s hard to change his mind about anything. They're very different people.”

“Space Force,” which launched on Netflix May 29, is a deliberate departure from “The Office” in many ways. It’s not a mockumentary — a style that served Daniels so well in both “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.” It’s not about mostly incompetent people who don’t care about their jobs — in fact, it’s the opposite. But like “The Office,” it relies on a strong supporting cast — headlined by Academy Award-nominee John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz and Lisa Kudrow — and is ultimately about what those people create together, rather than just one man’s goals. The comedy, then, comes in watching fiercely smart and talented people try to do something that no one has ever done before: move the military into space.
“Like many people in the world — and (this is) something I think most people can relate to on even a day-to-day basis, even people who are very successful in their field — you just may not be qualified to do what's being asked of you. There is a lot of comedy in that, because there's also a lot of pain in that. Pain and comedy tend to go hand in hand, or at least hand in glove,” says Malkovich, who plays Dr. Adrian Mallory.
In fact, “Space Force” — perhaps contrary to expectations — is a show that affirms the creation of this new military division much more than it discourages it. While it finds much to satirize, it takes the nobility of its characters and what they are trying to achieve seriously, despite the silliness of its premise, ultimately justifying — almost romanticizing — the division’s goals.
“(Naird) makes really good decisions because he understands people and he's a good leader, but he also sometimes steps in it because he oversimplifies things and he doesn't fully understand what's going on around him. He has to try and figure out who's giving him good advice and who isn't. But we gave him a good value system at his center. We wanted to make sure that we were being accurate and more than respectful — I would say complimentary — of the military virtues that Mark Naird holds,” says Daniels.

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‘The Office’: A bingeworthy TV show https://ift.tt/2TWqvJA May 31, 2020 at 04:15PM

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5 reasons to add blueberries to your diet

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Sun, 2020-05-31 13:11

DUBAI: Devinder Bains, personal trainer and nutrition coach at Fit Squad DXB, shares her expert advice on the superfoods that will help you lead a longer and healthier life.

It’s hard to believe that this unassuming little berry, easily available at most food stores, is one of the healthiest things you could possibly eat. Blueberries can be enjoyed on their own, in breakfast bowls, smoothies, muffins and even as garnish on your pancakes and waffles. Here are five ways they can improve your health.




(Shutterstock)

DNA health

We need antioxidants to protect our cells from damage, and blueberries contain more antioxidants than almost any other food. The job of antioxidants is to combat free radicals in the body, which are increased by factors such as air pollution, cigarette smoke, alcohol intake, poor diet, tissue damage, infections and excessive sunbathing. Too many free radicals can lead to damaged DNA, increasing the risk of many cancers and diseases.

Bone health

Blueberries are a good source of vitamin K, which works with calcium to build strong bones. A deficiency in the vitamin can often be a sign of osteoporosis. Vitamin K is also essential in the process of blood clotting and contributes to good heart health.




(Shutterstock)

Blood pressure and heart disease

The antioxidants in blueberries can also help to lower bad cholesterol, in turn making the heart’s job a little easier and lowering blood pressure. Observational studies have shown that proper intake of anthocyanins (the main antioxidants in blueberries) could reduce the risk of heart attacks by 32 percent.

Mental ageing

The oxidative stress that free radicals cause can also affect the brain and accelerate its ageing process. Studies have shown that eating blueberries can help improve brain function in older individuals with mild cognitive impairments and can also delay mental ageing by over two years.

Weight loss

Blueberries have just 40 calories per half a cup. They are about 85 percent water and high in fiber and are thus great for keeping you full and staving off hunger. Studies have also shown that the anthocyanin antioxidants present in blueberries improve insulin sensitivity in obese patients and can lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

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https://ift.tt/2XOs4ds May 31, 2020 at 11:18AM

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Singer Grimes reveals the nickname she calls her son with Elon Musk

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Sun, 2020-05-31 12:09

DUBAI: Earlier this month Canadian singer Grimes and Tesla CEO Elon Musk welcomed their first child, a baby boy named  X Æ A-12 Musk.

This week, the couple has had to slightly modify the spelling of their newborn’s name in compliance with California’s legal health guidelines, which only permit letters from the English alphabet. In order to meet the state’s rules, the couple agreed to change their son’s name to X Æ A-Xii.

“Roman numerals. Looks better tbh ... one dash is allowed,” wrote Grimes, whose real name is Claire Boucher, on Instagram.

Now, during an interview with Bloomberg, the singer revealed that her nickname for the newborn is “Little X.”

The affectionate moniker is certainly much easier to pronounce than his unique birth name, which Grimes and the Tesla CEO have previously broken down on Twitter.

“X, the unknown variable, Æ, my elven spelling of Ai (love &/or Artificial intelligence) A-12 = precursor to SR-17 (our favorite aircraft). No weapons, no defenses, just speed. Great in battle, but non-violent. A=Archangel, my favorite song,” the singer wrote with an accompanying rat and sword emoji. “Metal rat.”

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https://ift.tt/2yOSFyJ May 31, 2020 at 10:15AM

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Celebrities join US protests

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Sun, 2020-05-31 10:25

DUBAI: Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets all across the US in the past few days to protest the killings of African-American citizens George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others at the hands of police. Among the protesters was a handful of celebrities. 

US model Emily Ratajkowski joined the demonstrations in Los Angeles on Saturday. “DISMANTLE POWER STRUCTURES OF OPPRESSION,” she wrote to her 26.4 million Instagram followers, alongside a series of images from the protests which took place in Downtown Los Angeles.

25-year-old pop star Halsey also showed solidarity with the protesters at the Los Angeles demonstrations.  In the evening, Halsey took to Twitter to shut down rumors that she had been arrested during the protests. “I WAS NOT ARRESTED. Im safe,” she wrote.

“Black Panther” star Michael B. Jordan and singer Tinashe were also at the Los Angeles protests.



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Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad also joined in on the protests. “Last night, I followed my conscience. I joined the peaceful protests of my city in Downtown Los Angeles. It was a powerful moment for us— a moment to express ourselves in response to the senseless killing of our brother George Floyd,” she wrote on Instagram.

Muhammad went on to reveal that she was arrested by the LAPD during the protesting, and was held for several hours. “We chanted and peacefully walked the streets for hours. There was a group of guys who calmed down any of the protestors who reached their breaking point. As we made our way to City Hall, the police barricaded the surrounding blocks, unbeknownst to me. As LAPD choppers circled the sky, the barricade of police in riot gear began to close in. Along with hundreds of other protestors, I was held for hours.”



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Last night, I followed my conscience. I joined the peaceful protests of my city in Downtown Los Angeles. It was a powerful moment for us— a moment to express ourselves in response to the senseless killing of our brother George Floyd. We chanted and peacefully walked the streets for hours. There was a group of guys who calmed down any of the protestors who reached their breaking point. As we made our way to City Hall, the police barricaded the surrounding blocks, unbeknownst to me. As LAPD choppers circled the sky, the barricade of police in riot gear began to close in. Along with hundreds of other protestors, I was held for hours. We sat and listened to the reports of a different group of people downtown destroying property, as one by one they began to arrest each of us. We were zip tied, sat on curbs, put in cages on a bus (yes those prison buses you only see in movies), and taken to the nearest precinct. I can’t began to express the wave of fear I felt when I realized I would be taken into custody and heard the words, “sit down and you will be arrested peacefully." But what I can tell you is that the fear I felt in that moment didn’t come close to the fear George Floyd felt on that horrific day his life was taken from us We all have a role to play. Don’t think you can’t be a part of that change. IF NOT NOW, WHEN? #JusticeforGeorgeFloyd . . . “O you who believe, stand firm for justice even against your own selves” (Surah An-Nisa 4:135)

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In Fayetteville, North Carolina, US rapper J.Cole was among the attendees of a George Floyd protest in his hometown on Saturday.

Other celebrities spotted protesting include actors Jamie Foxx, Nick Cannon, Keanu Reeves and Kendrick Sampson.

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https://ift.tt/2AraCDQ May 31, 2020 at 08:28AM

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This fashion designer is making hijabs for Covid-19 frontline workers

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Sun, 2020-05-31 09:43

DUBAI: Hijab-wearing healthcare workers on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic  have taken to washing their headscarves more frequently and after every use to maintain sanitation. Some women are even disposing of their hijabs after in between every shift to help mitigate the spread of germs, and are thus facing a shortage.

This is why Minnesota fashion designer Hilal Ibrahim has set out to design a sanitary head scarf that can be easily washed and safely reused. The owner of Henna & Hijabs, a boutique specializing in organic henna and hijabs, has already donated over 700 hijabs to doctors and nurses on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis all across the state. 

The hospital-grade head scarves, which come in a variety of hues, including black, tan, blue and blush pink, were designed in a way that they don’t impact mobility on the job while adhering to religious needs. Handcrafted out of jersey material, the pieces are breathable and efficient for the fast-paced work environment. They're also designed to withstand industrial washing machines. 

It’s not the first time the Minnesota-native teamed up with hospitals to provide hijabs for Muslim wearing healthcare workers. In 2019, Ibrahim joined forces with Park Nicollet and HealthPartners to design healthcare appropriate hijabs for patients and healthcare professionals.

Her hijabs are also sold in the Methodist gift shop where Ibrahim first volunteered at age 14.

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https://ift.tt/2ZTgZe7 May 31, 2020 at 07:53AM

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REVIEW: ‘The Lovebirds’ is a romance that runs into rough weather

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Sun, 2020-05-31 08:42

CHENNAI: A comedy is undoubtedly a welcome diversion — or distraction — in these unprecedented times of lockdown with an unseen virus on the prowl. And Michael Showalter has offered us one in the form of “The Lovebirds,” now streaming on Netflix. 

To some, the film may be hilariously funny, while others might view it as somewhat silly.

Showalter’s “The Big Sick,” the 2017 film about an Uber driver and struggling standup comedian trying to create laughs, was interesting, so one would have anticipated the US director’s latest work to be equally engaging, especially with Kumail Nanjiani starring in both movies. It is, but only to a point and does not come anywhere near “The Big Sick.”




The film was written by Aaron Abrams and Brendan Gall. (Supplied)

Written by Aaron Abrams and Brendan Gall, and co-written by Nanjiani, “The Lovebirds” begins the morning after Jibran (Nanjiani) and Leilani (Issa Rae) spend a night together. Fast forward four years and the two are living together, but loving less and arguing more. Initially, their constant bickering is amusing, but it soon becomes tedious. She tells him that he makes documentaries nobody watches, while he criticizes the food in a restaurant she takes him to, saying it tasted like the Dead Sea.

But after they stumble into a murder, the film changes dramatically and the couple face a puzzle they cannot solve. When a man posing as a policeman (Paul Sparks) commandeers their car, chases down a cyclist, and repeatedly runs him over, the couple, too afraid to go to the police, try to solve the crime themselves with the help of the dead man’s phone.




“The Lovebirds” begins as  a romantic comedy, but turns into a crime caper with situations that strain credibility. (Supplied)

“The Lovebirds” begins as  a romantic comedy, but turns into a crime caper with situations that strain credibility.

Why would two innocent young people avoid reporting what happened? They fear that since she is black, he is brown and the victim is white, the police might create mischief.

This sort of reasoning reminds me of Enid Blyton’s mysteries in which children go to the police only after solving a crime themselves.

But “The Lovebirds” is not for children and so appears somewhat out of focus.

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https://ift.tt/2XOL3F1 May 31, 2020 at 06:47AM

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السبت، 30 مايو 2020

Paris Couture Week to go digital in July

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Sat, 2020-05-30 14:21

DUBAI: For the first time ever, the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode said it would stage an online version of Paris Couture Week from July 6 to 8. 

“Each house will be represented in the form of a creative film or video,” the federation stated, adding “Additional content will be included in an editorialized section of the platform. All of this will be widely shared on the main international media networks.” 

It has not yet been confirmed which designers will take part in the new digital concept, but the week typically features design talent from the region, including Lebanese fashion houses Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad and Maison Rabih Kayrouz, among others.

Meanwhile, a few of the fashion houses that have been granted the official haute couture designation have opted out from showing this season.

 Jean Paul Gaultier, who handed over the reins of his couture business to Sacai’s Chitose Abe as the first in a series of rotating guest designers, announced the couture show would be postponed until January. Italian designer Giorgio Armani did the same for his Armani Privé collection, while Balenciaga, which was set to debut its first couture collection in over 50 years, has also postponed.

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https://ift.tt/3coSmZr May 30, 2020 at 12:23PM

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Returning to ‘new normal,’ GCC residents reflect on lessons from lockdown

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Sat, 2020-05-30 13:10

DHAHRAN: Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia announced that it would be easing the national lockdown measures implemented to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), including relaxing curfew hours and resuming commercial activities and domestic travel. Dubai also announced the reopening of retail and entertainment businesses and the easing of restrictions on movement.

As Gulf countries gradually lift containment measures and return to a “new normal,” Arab News spoke to residents who shared their experiences and reflected on life under a lockdown of nearly three months.

Basima Al-Johani, a researcher and PhD candidate who lives between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, said that the pandemic has helped her to realize the importance of being content with what she has and of developing mindful consumption habits. While under lockdown, Al-Johani took to altering old dresses, rediscovering outfits in her closet and recycling and reusing products before buying new ones. She also took to cooking instead of ordering takeout.

Similarly, Iman Ahmed Farid, owner of Ailuromania Café in Dubai, said that the past three months made her realize how privileged she is to have access to facilities and services.

“Little things that I had previously taken for granted were no longer available,” she said. “I think the pandemic has given everyone a renewed sense of appreciation for simple things like food, socializing, even breathing fresh air.”

Having recovered from COVID-19, Rebecca McCabe, an MBA student in the Kingdom, expressed her gratitude for healthcare providers and the tireless efforts that have gone into making sure patients and residents are well looked after.

“I cannot image how stressful and exhausting it has been for frontline workers. While I was quarantined, I had so many people offering to help me in any way that they could,” McCabe said. “I am astonished at the amazing sense of community that has come out of this whole experience, and I hope that it’s not quickly forgotten.”

Adding to the importance of community, Saahil Mehta, an entrepreneur and executive coach in Dubai, said that the pandemic has helped people reach out to others and has strengthened relationships.

“We have all come together to extend support to the community. By understanding the importance of time and doing away with the superfluous, we have positively impacted one another,” he said.

Derek Downey, a leadership coach in Saudi Arabia, echoed a similar sentiment.

“The biggest takeaway from all of this has been that family is what really matters. During the lockdown period, we spent time with each other and deepened our most important relationships.”

Mehta believes that the pandemic has also highlighted the need to build better health and has led people to reevaluate their food habits and strengthen their bodies to ensure physical and mental fortitude.

Arshiyan Bhure, a cybersecurity analyst from Bahrain, spent a lot of time reading health-related articles and participating in COVID-19 awareness campaigns, which provided him with a new perspective and prompted him to take extra care of his and his family’s health.

Rowena Nurel H. Rahman, an HR analyst in the Kingdom, found solace by remaining positive throughout the whole ordeal. Even though she was separated from her teenage sons, Rahman was grateful for her physical health, for the opportunity to work from home and for the quality time she spent with her visiting parents. After recovering from the disease, she expressed a positive outlook for the future.

“In spite of this ‘new normal’ that involves social distancing and increased vigilance, I am grateful to still be alive and be able to see people at all,” she said.

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https://ift.tt/2TSGAQC May 30, 2020 at 11:16AM

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REVIEW: ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ crackles with tension

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Sat, 2020-05-30 13:02

LONDON: As faithful period recreations go, “Little Fires Everywhere” channels the nuances of Nineties US suburbia with an almost unparalleled degree of affection. Set in Shaker Heights, Ohio, the eight-episode adaptation of Celeste Ng’s 2017 novel skillfully captures the cookie-cutter perfection of the white picket-fenced homes and playfully riffs on pop-culture motifs like “The Real World” and stereo faceplates. But while there’s some fun to be had in reliving the 1990s, the show sets up its far-more-serious storyline and tone from the cold open of the very first episode. Mother-of-four Elena Richardson (a stellar Reese Witherspoon) watches her sprawling house go up in flames and viewers are led to believe that troubled daughter Izzy is the main culprit. Over the following episodes, the show backtracks a few months to the point where free-spirited artist Mia Warren (a subtly intense Kerry Washington) and her daughter Pearl move into town, starting a chain of events that leads to the two families becoming intertwined, and to the titular blaze.

The two mothers clash almost instantly over their different approaches to life and parenting, while the arrival of Mia and Pearl (both black and ostensibly poorer than many of Shaker’s residents) also threatens to upset the carefully cultivated status quo enjoyed by the predominantly white community. The series sets its two leads up in direct opposition — so it’s fortunate that Witherspoon and Washington not only spark off one another with palpable dynamism, but also dominate when apart, imbuing their characters with very different (yet equally captivating) maternal ferocity. There’s some awkward, heavy-handed exploration of racial disparity in the late 20th century, but with limited running time, this discourse tends to get lumped in with the show’s other talking points — class, art, adoption and motherhood. On occasion, this propels the narrative along nicely, but there are times when it may have been better to slow down a little and get into the intricacies of some of the other characters.

Instead, the show delves deep into the two leads’ backstories, showing how their different experiences have molded them, and the writers and directors (including the late Lynn Shelton) spend what little time remains with their respective families. Much like Ng’s novel, the Richardsons and the Warrens are the focus, but the show leans even more heavily on Witherspoon and Washington. Thankfully, with actors so engaging, it’s a choice that pays off.

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REVIEW: ‘All Day and a Night’ pulls no punchesReview: ‘The Goldfinch’ lacks polish https://ift.tt/2AnjOtb May 30, 2020 at 11:05AM

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US celebrities Janelle Monae, Seth Rogen and more donating to Minneapolis protesters’ bail

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Sat, 2020-05-30 11:11

DUBAI: US stars Seth Rogen, Steve Carell and Janelle Monae are among the high-profile celebrities donating money to help Minneapolis demonstrators who have been arrested make bail.

This week, protests erupted across the United States after a video, circulated online, showed a Minneapolis police officer  kneeling on an African American man’s neck and ignoring his pleas of “please, please, please, I can’t breathe. Please, man.” 

The man, George Floyd died on Monday, while pleading for air as the officer kneeled on his neck for nearly eight minutes.

People have been posting screenshots across Twitter and Instagram  showing donations made to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a nonprofit organization which pays bail for low-income citizens who can’t afford it.

Writer Lincoln Michel recently started a chain on Twitter asking people to match his donation to the organization where it eventually gained the attention of high profile celebrities, including Steve Carell, Seth Rogan, Ben Schwartz and many others who are donating in response to Michel’s Tweet. 

Musicians like Kali Uchis, Noname, Kehlani and Unknown Mortal Orchestra also posted screenshots of their donations to the freedom fund, too.

Floyd's death and subsequent demonstrations sparked a considerable amount of debate and outrage online, with celebrities like half-Palestinian models Bella and Gigi Hadid, part-Saudi model Shanina Shaik and musician Beyonce demanding justice for Floyd online. 

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https://ift.tt/2XMifwC May 30, 2020 at 09:15AM

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Kylie Jenner, Forbes spar over story on billionaire status

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Sat, 2020-05-30 10:24

LOS ANGELES: Forbes magazine, which once declared Kylie Jenner a billionaire on its cover, says she no longer deserves the title, but Jenner is pushing back.

Forbes said in a story posted Friday that an examination of financial filings after the reality star and beauty mogul sold a majority share in her cosmetics company revealed that Jenner’s worth was inflated. Jenner sold 51% of her Kylie Cosmetics company to Coty in a deal valued at $1.2 billion early this year.

“Kylie’s business is significantly smaller, and less profitable, than the family has spent years leading the cosmetics industry and media outlets, including Forbes, to believe,” the magazine said in the story. “Forbes now thinks that Kylie Jenner, even after pocketing an estimated $340 million after taxes from the sale, is not a billionaire.”

Jenner responded in a series of tweets, saying “What am I even waking up to? I thought this was a reputable site.. All I see are a number of inaccurate statements and unproven assumptions lol. I’ve never asked for any title or tried to lie my way there EVER. Period (sic).”

She later tweeted, “But okay, I am blessed beyond my years, I have a beautiful daughter, and a successful business and I’m doing perfectly fine. I can name a list of 100 things more important right now than fixating on how much money I have (sic).”

Jenner’s business and social media prominence have made her stand out even in the exceedingly famous family behind “Keeping Up With the Kardashians.” She is the younger daughter of Kris and Caitlyn Jenner, sister to Kendall Jenner and half-sister to Kim, Khloe and Kourtney Kardashian.

In March 2019, Forbes featured Jenner along with the headline, “At 21, Kylie Jenner Becomes The Youngest Self-Made Billionaire Ever.”

On Friday, Forbes offered a starkly different headline: “Inside Kylie Jenner’s Web of Lies — And Why She’s No Longer a Billionaire.”

The story acknowledges that the coronavirus crisis and its effect on the cosmetics industry has hurt her net worth.

But it says it is “likely” that the “business was never that big to begin with, and the Jenners have lied about it every year since 2016 — including having their accountant draft tax returns with false numbers — to help juice Forbes’ estimates of Kylie’s earnings and net worth.”

The magazine said it cannot prove the documents were forged.

Jenner's attorney says the story is “filled with outright lies.”

“Forbes’ accusation that Kylie and her accountants ‘forged tax returns’ is unequivocally false and we are demanding that Forbes immediately and publicly retract that and other statements,” attorney Michael Kump said in an emailed statement. "We would not expect that from a supermarket tabloid, much less from Forbes.”

Forbes spokesman Matthew Hutchison said in a statement the magazine's “extensively-reported investigation was triggered by newly-filed documents that revealed glaring discrepancies between information privately supplied to journalists and information publicly supplied to shareholders. Our reporters spotted the inaccuracies and spent months uncovering the facts. We encourage her attorney to re-read the article.”

The spat between Jenner and Forbes spilled over to Wall Street, where shares of New York-based Coty Inc. fell more than 13% on Friday.

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https://ift.tt/3diShaT May 30, 2020 at 08:32AM

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Victoria’s Secret model Romee Strijd is pregnant after PCOS diagnosis

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Sat, 2020-05-30 09:50

DUBAI: Dutch model Romee Strijd revealed via Instagram that she and husband Laurens van Leeuwen are expecting their first child. The model’s exciting pregnancy announcement came with an honest message about struggles with her reproductive health. 

Accompanying a smiling picture of herself, her growing baby bump and her husband, Strijd wrote that she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in 2018. A common cause of infertility, PCOS is defined by hormonal imbalances that affect the ovaries and can cause fertility issues. After researching the condition, Strijd concluded that she needed to make some lifestyle changes.



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WE’RE HAVING A BABY 2 years ago I got diagnosed with PCOS after not getting my period for 7 years. I was devastated because being a mom and starting a family with @laurensvleeuwen is my biggest dream.. I was so scared that I would never be able to because I got told it was harder to get babies in a natural way.. I started to research PCOS and came to the conclusion that mine was not the typical pcos.. Mine was because of my body being in fight or flight mode.. which means my body was under constant stress. I never felt mentally super stressed so it was hard te understand this, but my life consisted of travelling all the time (no biorhythm), working out every day, eating super clean (restricting foods). I think I pressured my body to much, and honestly every body is so different but I think my weight was not good for my body to function properly and couldn’t handle the constant traveling. This was the point where I started to research natural healing for PCOS and came to the conclusion that I should do way less high intensity training, don’t restrict foods, be nice to myself, and take breaks when needed. I also tried some natural supplements, acupuncture and we got a place back in the Netherlands as well, so we could spend more time with Family (since im such a family person). I’m so happy and grateful to say that I got my period back last november AND that WE’RE SOON A FAMILY OF THREE & to the women trying to conceive, believe in yourself and be nice for yourself and your body and don’t let those thoughts get to you to much

A post shared by Romee Strijd (@romeestrijd) on

“Two years ago I got diagnosed with PCOS after not getting my period for 7 years,” the Dutch model wrote in the caption on Instagram on Thursday. “I was devastated because being a mom and starting a family with @laurensvleeuwen is my biggest dream.. I was so scared that I would never be able to because I got told it was harder to get babies in a natural way,” she continued.

“I never felt mentally super stressed so it was hard to understand this, but my life consisted of traveling all the time (no biorhythm), working out every day, eating super clean (restricting foods). I came to the conclusion that I should do way less high-intensity training, don’t restrict foods, be nice to myself and take breaks when needed. I also tried some natural supplements, acupuncture and we got a place back in the Netherlands as well, so we could spend more time with family. To the women trying to conceive, believe in yourself, and be nice for yourself and your body, and don’t let those thoughts get to you too much.” 

Strijd and van Leeuwen got married in 2018.

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https://ift.tt/3dj9kt8 May 30, 2020 at 07:56AM

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