Entertainment
US Senate Declines To Fast-Track TikTok Bill
A bill that would force the sale of TikTok from its Chinese owners or see it banned in the United States will move cautiously in the US Senate, key lawmakers said, after it sailed through the House.
The bill’s whirlwind House passage on Wednesday, and its backing from US President Joe Biden, had raised alarm bells that the app, used by 170 million in the United States, could be shut down within months.
But hopes from TikTok’s foes that the Senate could also move quickly were dashed, with key senators saying they would put the proposed law through the usual legislative process, which can take months.
“These fields are evolving and changing so rapidly that you can do a lot of damage by moving too quickly or without the facts,” Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, told the Washington Post on Friday.
Passing major legislation is especially difficult in an election year, and backers of the bill have bitterly predicted that the House’s proposed law would die in the Senate.
“What we’re likely to see happen in the Senate is people will nickel-and-dime it, a death by a thousand cuts,” Republican Senator Josh Hawley told Axios.
“Nothing that Big Tech doesn’t want moves across the Senate floor,” he said.
Senate leaders who would be in charge of shepherding the proposed law through a complicated amendment process and bringing it to a vote have been noncommittal on the bill.
After the House vote, Senator Maria Cantwell, a Democrat who chairs the Commerce Committee, said that she would “try to find a path forward that is constitutional and protects civil liberties.”
Republicans also expressed caution, and on Thursday former president Donald Trump reiterated his opposition to any ban of TikTok, asking his supporters to focus their anger on Facebook-owner Meta instead.
Trump’s position, which was surprisingly ignored by Republicans in Wednesday’s vote, is a reversal from his efforts as president to force TikTok away from ByteDance, its Chinese owner, efforts which were ultimately blocked by the courts.
Some Western governments have voiced concern about TikTok’s soaring popularity, alleging that the app’s ownership makes it subservient to Beijing — and could be used as a conduit to spread propaganda — claims TikTok and Beijing deny.
The White House has said Biden will sign the bill if it reaches his desk.
AFP
Entertainment
My son wants me to re-marry – Tiwa Savage
Jamil is the only child from Tiwa Savage’s previous marriage to talent manager Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TeeBillz.
Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has revealed that her son (Jamil Balogun), expressed a strong desire for her to find a husband rather than a “baby daddy.”
The conversation occurred while Savage was engaged in a lighthearted debate with a friend over the physical appeal of British rapper Skepta and actor Aaron Pierre.
As Savage scrolled through social media to show pictures to her friend, she said: “You remember the collaboration thing with Skepta? So, literally, we were talking about him and the whole Aaron Pierre thing. So, I was just like showing… so she was saying to me she doesn’t think Skepta is fine; she thinks Aaron is finer. I was going mad! I was going through his Instagram, and I was showing her like, ‘What about this one?’
According to the singer, Jamil immediately interjects, stating that she should not have a “baby daddy” because she deserves a “husband.”
And then Jamil goes, and he’s like, ‘What’s that? What are you showing her?’ Then I said, ‘My baby daddy,’ and then my son was like, ‘You are not going to have a baby daddy.’ And I am like, ‘Why would you say that?’ He said, ‘Because you deserve a husband.’” She explained.
Jamil is the only child from Tiwa Savage’s previous marriage to talent manager Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TeeBillz.
The pair married in 2013; the marriage was considered one of the biggest celebrity events in the Nigerian entertainment industry at the time. However, the marriage faced significant public challenges and internal friction, leading to a formal separation in 2016.
Since her divorce, Savage’s private life has been a frequent topic of public discussion.
Speculation regarding her relationship status has often linked her to various high-profile figures, including fellow musicians and international collaborators.
Most recently, her creative partnership with Skepta on the track “Gas” fueled rumors of a romance, though neither party confirmed a relationship beyond their professional work.
Entertainment
Asha Bhosle: Bollywood’s legendary singer dies aged 92
Her death marks the end of an era in Bollywood music – with her career spanning more than eight decades and encompassing more than 12,000 songs
Photo: Asha Bhosle / Credit: AFP
Asha Bhosle, a legendary Bollywood singer who became a cultural icon, has died aged 92, her son has confirmed.
The unrivalled queen of Indian playback singing died in Mumbai, having been admitted to hospital after suffering a heart attack.
Her death marks the end of an era in Bollywood music – with her career spanning more than eight decades and encompassing more than 12,000 songs.
Bhosle’s distinctive voice breathed life into countless film songs as actors lip-synced to her unforgettable tracks.
Bhosle’s distinctive voice breathed life into countless film songs as actors lip-synced to her unforgettable tracks.
(BBC)
Entertainment
Tuface, Laolu Gbenjo, others set to electrify Vanguard Personality of the Year Award
The 14th edition of the prestigious award ceremony will take place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on April 24, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Afrobeats legend, Tuface Idibia, is set to thrill guests at this year’s Vanguard Personality of the Year Award.
Known for his timeless hits that resonate across generations, the iconic performer is expected to deliver an unforgettable performance featuring his evergreen songs.
Also billed to entertain at the glamorous event is The Laolu Gbenjo Band, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated live music groups. Adding more excitement to the lineup is the Black Edge Performance Troupe.
The 14th edition of the prestigious award ceremony will take place at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on April 24, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Interestingly, the event promises to be a night dedicated to celebrating outstanding Nigerians who have excelled in various sectors.
Over the years, Vanguard Personality of the Year Award has grown into one of the country’s most distinguished media recognitions.
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