Tendai Ruben Mbofana: "I had the honor of being one of those invited for the launch of a report, in Harare, by the Center for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) titled, ‘Chinese Investments in Zimbabwe’. The report by the Farai Maguwu led organization gave a most revealing and compelling account of the massive looting of our national resources, as well as the exploitation of workers and abuse of local communities at the hands of Chinese companies, mostly in the mining industry.

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TRAUMATISED Brits are walking out of Demi Moore’s latest film because it is so gory.

Many are calling it quits minutes into body horror The Substance.

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AP

One cinema-goer said: “At least 20 people walked out of my screening in Leicester Square before the end. It was brutal.

“Most people watched it through their hands. It was the most graphic film I’ve ever seen.”

Ghost star Demi, 61, plays fading celeb Elisabeth Sparkle, who uses a black market drug that creates a younger, better version of herself, played by Margaret Qualley, 29 — but with horrific side effects.

And Demi knew the film would be divisive.

She said: “When I read The Substance I thought, wow, this could be really amazing — or it could be a f***ing disaster.

“So, of course, I had to say yes.

“I feel like Ghost was very similar, but I think when we push ourselves out of our comfort zone and it makes us afraid it always makes us a little better.

“Even if it fails.

“The reviews for Ghost were disastrous.”

A NEW play telling the story of the Rolling Stones’ 1967 drugs bust has its gala opening tonight in Chichester – where Mick Jagger and Keith Richards once stood trial.

While many might think the pair would rather forget the infamous events, they have actually backed the production and allowed eight of their songs to be featured.

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A controversial play about famous Rolling Stones drugs bust secretly backed by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards[/caption]

Ikin Yum

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have allowed eight of their songs to be featured[/caption]

Their involvement in the show – named Redlands after Keith’s mansion, where the raid took place – is all down to the singer’s son Marlon, who passed the script on to his famous dad.

Director Justin Audibert told us at the Chichester Film Festival: “Marlon read the script and said, ‘This is amazing’. He then got the script to the Stones.

“There were specific Jagger and Richards compositions we wanted for the story and it was not a simple process.

“And they have never released their music for a theatre show before, so it was a really big thing.”

He went on: “I got an email as I arrived at the car park gates for the rehearsals and it said, ‘Mick and Keith say yes’.

“After that point, you know it is going to be OK. And I know Keith is coming to see the play.”

The theatre show turns the spotlight on Mick and Keith’s arrests for drug possession and the subsequent trial which saw them jailed.

They had their sentences overturned on appeal thanks to Nigel Havers’ dad Michael, a barrister who took on their case.

Redlands also focuses on the friendship between teenage actor Nigel and singer and actress Marianne Faithfull, who was Jagger’s girlfriend at the time.

Should the play take off, Justin said there is a chance it could move to London’s West End.

He added: “It was originally written as a film script, and then it was turned into a play. There have been offers, but we will have to see what happens.”

Given the cultural impact of the trial at the time, and the events that followed, I reckon this will be a must-see for Stones fans.

Jack’s snacks are reminder of home

ITALIAN singer Jack Savoretti likes to take a little bit of home on the road with him.

Ahead of his UK tour next year, he tells us he stocks his dressing room with Italian snacks.

Chris Floyd

Jack, who has previously worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue, says: “We don’t drink like we used to. I still have Birra Moretti on my rider, but it’s mainly a lot of Italian snacks.

“Usually I have a band with me, but on this tour I will be solo, which is both exciting and nerve-racking. I used to be more nervous when I had to speak in between songs during a set, but you learn the fans and that it’s safe.”

Jack, will kick off his UK solo tour on the Isle of Man in February, before playing gigs across the UK into March. In another nod to his love of home, Jack’s latest album, Miss Italia, is all in Italian.

The record’s newest single, Bada, Bing, Bada Boom, features Miles Kane.

The pair performed the track on The Graham Norton Show over the weekend, with Jack admitting the loss of his father inspired him to reconnect with his roots.

He said of making an all-Italian album: “I had to do it rather than choosing to do it. My father, who was Italian, passed away two years ago and it was the first time I had experienced grief.

“Physically, I felt entirely numb, and Italian music was the only thing I could listen to and that moved me.”

Tickets for Jack’s 2025 tour are on sale now.

ESCAPE THE GLOOM AT JANET’S GIG

IT’S been 13 years since Janet Jackson last toured here but, my God, it was worth the wait.

Her show is practically a greatest hits set with stylish costume changes, slick staging and – of course, as a Jackson – the fiercest dance moves, even at the age of 58.

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Janet Jackson’s current tour is the perfect form of escapism[/caption]

And she set such a relentless pace that even her newer, much younger fans could barely keep up.

Hits including What Have You Done For Me Lately got the crowd going before a section of slow jams starting with Take Care.

Before State Of The World from her Rhythm Nation 1814 record, she said: “When I wrote Rhythm Nation 35 years ago, I felt like the world was in desperate need of healing.

“I believe that the same message is needed now.”

Ain’t that true.

Thankfully. with her creative staging and a finale featuring her collaboration with late brother Michael, Scream, and uniting song Together Again, Janet had everyone forgetting about the outside world.

This show is the perfect form of escapism.

★★★★★

By Howell Davies

THREE Manchester United players risked the wrath of Roy Keane just moments before their clash against Tottenham.

Ahead of Spurs’ 3-0 demolition of Erik ten Hag’s side, both teams came out their dressing rooms and lined up in the tunnel.

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Man Utd and Spurs players were all smiles together in the tunnel[/caption]

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Dalot and Martinez were seen hugging Porro and Romero[/caption]

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Onana also put his arm around Vicario[/caption]

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Keane has previously expressed his hatred of friendliness in the tunnel[/caption]

Despite being just seconds away from going head-to-head on the pitch, there was a friendly vibe inside the tunnel.

Lisandro Martinez embraced his Argentina team-mate Cristian Romero and he also shared words with Pedro Porro.

The United centre-back was not done there as he also hugged Rodrigo Bentancur.

Diogo Dalot was also at it, saying hello to Porro and Romero.

And as goalkeeper Andre Onana made his way out to the front of the team, he was seen all smiles with Spurs stopper Guglielmo Vicario.

No-nonsense pundit Keane has previously expressed his hatred of friendliness in the tunnel, ranting back in 2019 before Man Utd faced Liverpool: “I’m disgusted with these players.

“You are going to war. You know, they are hugging and kissing.

“Don’t even look at the opposition. You’re going to battle against them.”

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

When Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley acted like best mates ahead of Manchester City vs Luton last year, Keane reacted: “Not for me. But we’re all different.”

Fortunately for Martinez, Dalot and Onana, the Irishman was not on punditry duty for Sky Sports today.

Soon after the tunnel love, Man Utd were stunned into silence by Brennan Johnson’s opening goal after just three minutes into the game.

Gary Neville labelled the defending “awful” and “hopeless”.

And things continued to fall apart as Bruno Fernandes was sent off and Ten Hag’s side went on to lose 3-0 to put the boss back under huge pressure.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako, has expressed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the medical sector including an improved welfare package to all health workers, and not just doctors. Salako said the President’s commitment to the medical sector is reflected in the number of doctors in the Federal Executive Council, saying Tinubu’s […]

KRISTINA Mendoza’s transformation from a spirited young gymnast to a professional bodybuilder is a captivating journey of resilience and determination.

She turned perceived disadvantages into strengths, ultimately earning her place in the 2024 Ms Olympia competition.

Kristina Nicole Mendoza is a professional bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast known for her remarkable journey from gymnastics to competitive bodybuilding.

Born with an abundance of energy, Kristina began her athletic career in gymnastics at the tender age of five.

Growing up in Florida, she also engaged in competitive dance and cheerleading.

Despite her athletic background, Kristina faced challenges due to her naturally muscular legs, which she felt were a disadvantage in dance and cheerleading.

However, what was seen as a hindrance in one domain became a genetic advantage in bodybuilding.

Journey into bodybuilding

After high school, Kristina found herself gaining weight and joined a gym to maintain her fitness.

It was during this time that she began receiving comments on her physique, leading her to consider entering bodybuilding competitions.

Her first experience was at the 2016 Dayana Cadeau Classic, where she secured second place in the physique category.

However, Kristina received feedback about her muscular legs, which prompted her to switch categories.

With the guidance of a new coach, she transitioned to bodybuilding, embracing her powerful physique rather than trying to downsize it.

In her first bodybuilding competition, she achieved third place at the 2017 NPC contest and later placed fourth at the NPC Nationals.

Rising star in bodybuilding

In 2018, Kristina earned second place in the Ms International Classic during the Chicago Pro event, and in 2019, she returned to the Arnold Classic, where she claimed the overall title in the Ms International Classic and earned her Pro Card.

Her journey continued with a pro debut at the 2019 Rising Phoenix Bodybuilding event, followed by several more competitions, including placing 6th place at the 2020 IFBB Savannah Pro and 2nd place at the 2021 IFBB Chicago Pro.

In recent competitions, Kristina has continued to excel, achieving first place in Women’s Bodybuilding at the 2023 IFBB Chicago Pro on July 20, 2023, and further solidifying her status as a top competitor by placing first again in Women’s Bodybuilding at the 2023 IFBB Rising Phoenix Arizona Pro on September 30, 2023.

She also competed at the 2024 IFBB Tampa Pro on August 3, 2024, where she placed first.

The victory in Tampa secured her spot at the 2024 Ms Olympia Competition, which is set to take place on October 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator, spoke with Robert Costa on Face the Nation Sunday on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

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