Photo Credit:Associated Press
Michelle Obama has unveiled a striking new look, sharing that she recently got 10 ear piercings in a single sitting. The former First Lady revealed the decision during a February episode of her _IMO_ podcast, which she co-hosts with her brother, Craig Robinson.
The conversation began with Robinson teasing his sister about her new jewellery. “What I’ve learned is that you tried to get your ears pierced and thought I didn’t notice. And I see you got all these new piercings in your ear,” he said. Obama laughed, admitting she had long considered adding more piercings but never followed through. “I have always thought about getting some extra piercings in my ear and just never got around to it,” she explained.
Initially, Obama intended to get only a few piercings. However, once in the chair, she found herself asking the piercer to add more. “I was going in for a few,” she recalled, before saying, “‘Oh, put one there and put one [there]. Oh yeah, let’s try one there.’” By the end of the session, she had 10 new piercings. Robinson responded with a joking “Ouch,” but Obama reassured him, “It wasn’t bad at all.”
Her husband, former President Barack Obama, took longer to notice the change. Michelle joked that it took him several days, saying, “Barack, it took him a couple of days. He was like, ‘You haven’t had your hair up, you’ve had your hair down.’ And I was like, ‘I don’t know. I sleep with you every night, dude.’”
Beyond the playful family banter, Obama connected her new piercings to a broader sense of personal freedom. She noted that younger people around her inspired the decision, describing the trend as a “cluster, a constellation, with twinkles.” The adornments reflect her evolving approach to self-expression since leaving the White House.
In recent months, Obama has spoken openly about embracing styles she once avoided during her time as First Lady. In her coffee-table book The Look_, released in November, she wrote about reclaiming her story through fashion and beauty. “During our years in the White House, people were constantly commenting on my looks and dissecting my clothing choices. That’s part of why I decided to write this book now: it’s time for me to reclaim my story, what fashion and beauty mean to me, in my own words.”
She has also spoken about her decision to wear braids, a hairstyle she chose not to adopt during her husband’s presidency. At the time, she felt the country might not have been ready for it and worried it could become a distraction. Since leaving the White House, however, she has embraced braids as a practical and liberating style that fits her active lifestyle, allowing her to focus less on hair maintenance while enjoying activities like swimming and tennis. For her, the hairstyle represents a sense of freedom and self-expression that she now
Photo Credit:Mario Tama / Getty Images
Paramount Skydance is on track to acquire Warner Bros Discovery in a deal valued at roughly $111bn (£82.4bn), after Netflix withdrew its
bid, citing financial constraints. The exit clears months of competitive maneuvering for one of Hollywood’s most iconic studios.
Warner Bros, which began exploring a sale last year, stated on Thursday that Paramount’s latest offer was “superior” to Netflix’s proposal. Netflix had previously refused to raise its bid, leaving the streaming giant out of the final negotiations.
Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said the decision was grounded in discipline: “This transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price.” They added that while they would have been strong stewards of Warner Bros’ brands, the deal “is no longer financially attractive.”
The acquisition would give Paramount control over Warner Bros’ film and media networks, including HBO Max, CNN, the Food Network, and a
portfolio of sports content. Paramount’s current holdings already include CBS, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon. The merger is poised to reshape both Hollywood’s studio landscape and the broader media ecosystem.
Regulatory approval remains a key hurdle. California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized that the merger “is not a done deal,” pointing to ongoing scrutiny by the state’s Department of Justice. Federal and European regulators must also review the proposal.
Paramount, led by CEO David Ellison and backed by his father, tech billionaire Larry Ellison, sweetened its offer to $31 per share, up from $30, and agreed to cover $7bn should the deal collapse, including the $2.8bn breakup fee owed to Netflix.
The deal has sparked debate over media consolidation and political influence, given Larry Ellison’s ties to former President Donald Trump. CNN staff have been urged to await clarity on the network’s future amid uncertainty.
If finalized, the merger would unite Warner Bros’ franchises, from Superman to Barbie, with Paramount’s lineup, including Top Gun and The
Godfather, creating one of Hollywood’s largest studio portfolios. Share prices reacted sharply: Netflix rose 8.5% in relief, while Paramount jumped 6.2%, and Warner Bros shares lingered below the new bid at $28.80. Analysts view Netflix’s disciplined withdrawal as a move that allows the company to refocus on core streaming strengths, leaving Paramount poised to make a historic mark on Hollywood.
Photo Credit:Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty
He is being held on suspicion of misconduct in public office Thames Valley Police confirmed searches at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk.
Police officers arrived at the residence where he has been staying on the Sandringham Estate estate in Norfolk on the morning of Thursday, Feb. 19, his 66th birthday. Images showed vehicles entering the grounds earlier in the day.
In a statement, Thames Valley Police said they had arrested “a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office” and were conducting searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The individual remains in custody. Authorities did not formally name him.
The development follows confirmation earlier this month that police were assessing a complaint concerning allegations that Andrew shared
confidential material while serving as the U.K.’s special representative for international trade and investment. The claims relate to contact with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew has previously denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. He has not publicly responded to the latest allegations tied to the release of newly unsealed files in January.
Shortly after news of the arrest broke, King Charles III issued a statement expressing “the deepest concern” and emphasizing that “the law must take its course.” Buckingham Palace was not informed in advance of the arrest, according to the BBC. The King added that the appropriate authorities would have the family’s “full and wholehearted support and co-operation.”
Search activity was also reported at Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, where Andrew had lived until recently.
The investigation centers on whether confidential documents connected to his former trade envoy role were improperly shared. Trade envoys are bound by strict duties of discretion, even after leaving office.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said the matter is now a police investigation and stressed that “nobody in this country is above the law.”
As proceedings unfold, officials say the case will follow the standard legal process.
Photo Credit:AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana
Nicki Minaj has launched a fresh attack on California Governor Gavin Newsom following a recent speaking engagement in Georgia, accusing him of being condescending toward Black voters.
In a series of posts on X, the rapper criticised Newsom’s remarks during an event where he was promoting his memoir, Young Man in a Hurry. Reacting to a clip from the appearance, Minaj wrote, “His way of bonding with black ppl is to tell them how stupid he is & that he can't read.”
She continued her criticism, adding, “He's not just TELLING them that they're probably stupid & probably can't read, he's LITERALLY SLOW-ING-DOWN-HIS-SPEECH to make them understand the words that are coming out of his mouth!!!!”
During the event, Newsom discussed his experience living with dyslexia and referenced his low SAT score while speaking about overcoming learning challenges. “I'm like you. I'm no better than you,” he said when asked how he dealt with the disability.
Some social media posts had suggested that the audience at the event was entirely or predominantly Black. However, a video showing people lining up to attend appeared to indicate a racially diverse crowd. The clip shared by Minaj featured Newsom and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, who is Black, but did not show the audience.
Minaj’s comments come amid what some observers have described as a shift in her political tone online. She has previously criticised Newsom over his support for transgender children.
Photo Credit: 60 Minutes/CBS
Anderson Cooper is closing a major chapter of his career.
Photo credit: Getty Images President Donald Trump, 79, attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the...
Photo Credit: Getty Images Omar Artan, who would have been the first Somali referee at the World...
Photo Credit:Getty Images Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has secured a place in November's runoff...
Photo Credit:Getty Images A Google software engineer has been arrested and charged with federal...
Photo Credit:Getty Images Tesla's claim that its Full Self-Driving software is up to ten times...
Photo Credit:Getty Images The Trump administration is establishing a quarantine facility in Kenya to...
Photo Credit: Getty Images South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned recent violent...
Photo Credit: Zach Gibson/Getty Images Candace Owens reignited a dispute with Turning Point USA by...
