Photos: #Olympics bans swimming caps designed for black athletes with natural hair

Swimming caps designed for natural Black hair — and created by a Black-owned company — will not be allowed at the upcoming Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Soul Cap, a British company that makes swim caps to support swimmers with diverse hairstyles, is speaking out after it said the the governing body for water sports competitions did not certify its caps for the Olympics. Soul Cap sells four sizes of swim caps to accommodate athletes with long hair, dreadlocks and Afro hairstyles. 

The largest size, XXL, retails online for $26.49. 

The decision is "one that we believe will no doubt discourage many younger athletes from ethnic minority backgrounds from pursuing competitive swimming," the Black Swimming Association wrote on Instagram. 

The group also took aim at the reported rationale FINA issued behind its decision to not approve the caps.

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Photos: Why is the Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey rolling with Beyoncé & Jay-Z?

Beyoncé and Jay-Z take a beach stroll with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in the Hamptons... amid $300M deal for tech billionaire to purchase rapper's music streaming service TIDAL.

   

Music power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z are pictured enjoying an outing with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey this week. Enjoying a laid back trip to the the Hamptons on Thursday, the couple were seen dressed casually as they headed down to a beach with the tech entrepreneur and a handful of friends. 

Square - Dorsey's digital payments company - is reportedly in the process of purchasing majority ownership of Jay-Z's music streaming company TIDAL for close to $300 million. 

The Big Pimpin' hitmaker will be given a seat on Square's board of directors as part of the deal, as well as receiving $297 million in cash and stock. It's not the first time the group have hung out, as back in August 2020 they enjoyed a yacht trip around the Hamptons along with Bey and Jay's kids Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir. 

They also took a trip to Hawaii together in December, when it was first reported by Bloomberg that Dorsey was eyeing TIDAL. 

Dorsey and Jay-Z have been enthusiastic about the collaboration between Square and TIDAL on Twitter this week but have not given too many details about future plans.

Blair Underwood’s wife, Desiree DaCosta, files for divorce after 27 years of marriage

After 27 years of marriage, Blair Underwood and his wife Desiree DaCosta are officially parting ways.

Blair Underwood and Désirée DaCosta are one step closer to divorce. 

After announcing their split last month, The Blast reports Désirée filed for divorce on June 29. 

As proceedings move forward, the exes will not have to work out custody, as their children — Paris, 24, Brielle, 22 and Blake, 19 — are all adults. 

Underwood and DaCosta shared the split news on Instagram in late May, writing, "After a tremendous amount of thought, prayer & work on ourselves individually & collectively, we have come to the conclusion to end our marriage that began 27 years ago. It has truly been a beautiful journey." They went on, "Our proudest achievements are our three incredible children. 

Three souls to which God entrusted us. We continue to be awed & humbled by the blessings of parenting. We have always put their best interests first & will continue to do so." Stressing the future, the former couple wrote, "We will continue to be the best of friends and co-parents and have the utmost respect for one another as we embark upon this new chapter of our lives, separately." 

They were also gracious toward their fans and supporters: "We thank you all for your support throughout the years & we humbly ask for privacy & understanding during this new season of change." 

Blair and Désirée tied the knot on September 17, 1994.

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#Expo2020Dubai prices have been announced, tickets will go on sale worldwide from 18 July, 2021

Expo 2020 Dubai prices have been announced.

A single-entry ticket will cost Dh95 while a six-month pass will cost Dh495. 

The Expo officials unveiled the price at a media briefing event held on Thursday. 

The mega event will be held from October 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. Visitors under 18 and 'people of determination' will enter free at any time, with the accompanying person getting a 50 per cent discount. A multi-entry pass is available for Dh195 - offering unrestricted entry for 30 consecutive days. Season passes, with unlimited entry for the entire six months of Expo 2020, are priced at Dh495. 

Expo 2020 Dubai tickets will go on sale worldwide from 18 July, 2021 at expo2020dubai.com, a statement issued on Thursday said. Expo 2020 tickets include access to all pavilions, events and live performances, providing limitless opportunities to enjoy Expo’s dynamic, diverse and ever-changing entertainment programme, with up to 60 live events each day, from world-class music, dance and art to insightful talks and colourful national day celebrations. 

Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 Dubai, said, “The scale and diversity of what Expo 2020 Dubai has to offer is remarkable, and a testament to the commitment, tenacity and collaborative spirit of each and every individual who has made this happen. 

“Excitement is building, and we are ready to welcome everyone to an unmissable six-month celebration, the likes of which the world has yet to experience. 

No two days at Expo will be the same, and with so much on offer, every guest will be inspired to visit as many times as possible, to witness the collaborative power of innovation and collaboration and to join the making of a new world.” 

Free entry 

Children under the age of 18 and students holding a valid student ID from any academic institution in the world will be given free entry, offering younger visitors access to a wealth of learning opportunities and inspirational experiences. 

In line with Expo 2020’s commitment to host the most inclusive event in World Expo history, complimentary tickets will be available for people of determination, with their companion receiving a 50 per cent discount, while visitors ages 60 years and above can also enter for free. 

They will also be available through more than 2,500 Authorised Ticket Resellers, including online travel agents, tour operators, hotel groups and airlines from 100-plus markets around the world. 

More than 1,000 media, planners and content creators from 100-plus countries received an overview of media operations and content opportunities during the six-month mega-event. 

Precautionary measures 

Expo 2020 has implemented a far-reaching programme of precautionary measures to ensure the safety of all visitors, participants and staff, working in close collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention and Dubai Health Authority, and in line with the latest information and advice from the World Health Organization. 

These include sanitisation stations across the site, mandatory face-mask wearing and the implementation of social-distancing regulations. 

Building on the UAE’s successful vaccination programme, Expo 2020 is also offering free Covid-19 vaccinations to its workforce and all official participants and their staff.

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Bill Cosby's BIG plan after his release from prison, 2 years into his 10 year sentence

Did you think Bill Cosby was guilty of all the allegations made against him?

Bill Cosby's spokesman said on Thursday that he is ready to make his comeback and is 'in contract with documentary' teams. 

The 83-year-old was released from prison in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, two years into his 10 year sentence after having his sexual assault conviction overturned. Outside his home in Elkins Park, near Philadelphia, his spokesman Andrew Wyatt told reporters that he would work again. 'He's Bill Cosby. He is one of the greatest of the world. 'There's always going to be a different narrative... but you don't have 1million followers and counting if you don't have support,' he said. 

Wyatt said Cosby was under contract with 'documentary people' which means he might not make a statement today, but said: 'Trust me. This guy wants to talk.' 

He didn't say which 'documentary' people he was working with. 

None of the major streaming services have put their name to any project with Cosby and representatives for Netflix, Hulu, HBO and Amazon did not respond to inquiries on the matter on Thursday. 

Cosby hasn't worked since 2015, when he was charged. He was dropped by CAA and canceled by NBC, BET and other networks which were playing reruns of his shows like The Cosby Show and he was also stripped of honorary titles from universities. 

His last show was Bill Cosby: Far from Finished, was still running in 2015 despite more and more women coming forward to accuse him of assault.

Pray for Davido!!!!!!

Six friends, crew members Davido lost in the space of four years, who they are and how they died.

Asides from his hit songs, singer Davido is popularly known for his love for family members and close friends who also doubles as his crew members. Sadly, the last few years have seen the singer mourning his close pals and crew members. Between 2017 and 2021, the Assurance crooner has lost a number of his solid pals whom the singer confesses to mean a lot to him. 

1. Tagbo 

Tagbo Umeike was the first friend Davido lost in 2017. This caused a lot of controversies as the singer was accused of knowing about the death of his young friend. 

It was later revealed that Tagbo died of suffocation. 

2. DJ Olu 

A few weeks after Tagbo's death, Olugbenga Abiodun, popularly known as DJ Olu was found dead in a BMW parked in a garage in Banana Island. 

He was the son of the current governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun. 

3. Chime Davido's friend DJ Olu died with another closest friend called Chime. 

4. Ahmed Almost three years after the death of Tagbo and DJ Olu, Davido took to his Instagram page to mourn the death of his close friend Ahmed popularly called King Jhafi. 

The cause of his death was, however, not stated. 

5. Tunji Shortly after Ahmed died, Davido lost his personal bodyguard called Tunji in 2020. 

Speaking on Tunji's passing, Davido revealed that he was with him for 11 years. He also revealed some of Tunji's kind acts towards him. 

6. Obama Davido's manager passed away on Tuesday, June 29. The young man reportedly died of heart failure. 

According to reports, he drove himself to the hospital after he complained of breathing difficulty.

We don't wanna know what Davido is going through right now!

Prayers up for everyone!!

No more loss in Jesus Name- AMEN.

Top social media influencer smoking hashish in live broadcast in Dubai arrested

A social media influencer in Dubai was arrested for smoking a hashish cigarette in a live broadcast on his Instagram account, an official said on Tuesday.

Major-General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs, said the man, who presented himself as an Emirati model was deported after Dubai Police noticed the live broadcast with his followers while smoking hashish and wearing Emirati national dress. “Officers at the Anti-Narcotic Department in Dubai Police monitor the online platforms around the clock. We arrested the resident who presented himself as an Emirati while he was smoking a hashish cigarette live over his Instagram account,” said Al Mansouri. “He thought that his fame will protect him but he was deported for his crime.” 

Al Mansouri said the man wanted to gain more followers without any sense of responsibility and against the laws. “Dubai Police stands against such people who encourage youngsters and teenagers to break laws and our traditions,” said Al Mansouri. 

Substance abuse He pointed that illegal substances can be a major issue when social media influencers promote it to their followers.

“There is a strong connection between reviewing pictures and videos of consuming drugs and addiction, especially if there are celebrities promoting it on social media. It will tempt youngsters to try the drugs,” added Al Mansouri. 

He said that parents should be alert around the clock and take notice of any negative change in their behaviour. “They should believe in the capability of Hemaya International Centre at Dubai Police in embracing such conditions. We provide all kind of support and maintain their privacy.” 

Culled From Gulf News.