Lizzo’s Follower Count Drops By Over 120,000 After Allegations

Aug 4 2023

Lizzo has faced a significant loss of followers on Instagram following allegations of sexual harassment and body-shaming.

Three former backing dancers have sued her for alleged sexual harassment, discrimination, and creating a hostile work environment. Since the news broke, Lizzo lost 123,489 followers on Instagram and over 14,000 followers on Twitter/X.

The singer clarified that the dancers’ claims are untrue and that they had been previously warned about their inappropriate conduct.

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A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

The controversy revolves around a lawsuit filed against Lizzo and the dance team captain, Shirlene Quigley. The dancers accused Lizzo of creating a sexually charged and uncomfortable work environment, including inviting them to touch nude performers and engage in inappropriate acts during a trip to Amsterdam.

The lawsuit also alleges that Lizzo berated and fired one of the dancers for recording a meeting.

Following the lawsuit news, Lizzo’s former creative director and a dancer also claimed to have experienced mistreatment. Lizzo has responded to the allegations, calling them outrageous and expressing her commitment to the respect and empowerment of women.

The situation has put a spotlight on Lizzo’s past interview remarks about witnessing sexual acts involving bananas in Amsterdam’s Red Light District. The singer has been facing public scrutiny and criticism over these recent revelations.

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Free Divers Join Zibel To Clean Malta’s Sea Bed

Aug 4 2023

NGO Zibel shared a video working with a couple of free divers who, without the use of oxygen tanks, dove down to the local sea bed to retrieve polluting rubbish and clean up the Kalanka area.

The video shows the divers submerging into the water and resurfacing to place the pollutants in sacks to be removed from the sea bed.

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A post shared by Zibel Malta (@zibelofficial)

‘Last Friday these free divers showed us what they’re capable of and boy were we impressed’, wrote Zibel, anticipating further collaborations.

Have you ever contributed to a sea clean up?

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AirMalta Chairman Bags €10,000 Director’s Fee, Minister Reveals

Aug 4 2023

Finance minister Clyde Caruana has responded to an ethics complaint against him for allegedly misleading Parliament by providing additional details about Air Malta chairman and CEO David Curmi’s salary.

In a letter to the Speaker of the House, the Standards Commissioner for Public Life, and the media, Caruana clarified that Curmi receives a monthly salary of €21,500 along with an annual director’s fee of €10,000.

Caruana stated that he was informed of the director’s fee by Curmi himself on Thursday and denied any intention to mislead Parliament. The controversy arose when independent candidate Arnold Cassola raised concerns about Caruana’s alleged denial of Curmi’s reported €250,000 salary.

Curmi took up his role in January 2021 during Air Malta’s restructuring efforts to prevent bankruptcy, leading to significant workforce reductions and route closures. The high salary of the chairman has raised eyebrows, especially given the economic challenges faced by many Maltese citizens.

A Freedom of Information request by The Shift revealed Curmi’s €21,500 monthly salary, which Caruana had not initially disclosed in the document submitted to the House detailing appointees’ salaries under his purview. The situation has prompted calls for an ethics investigation into Caruana’s handling of the matter and the appropriateness of Curmi’s salary as a state company chairman.

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Freddie Mercury’s Private Collection On Exhibition Before Auction

Aug 4 2023

A stunning exhibition featuring hundreds of items owned by Freddie Mercury, the iconic Queen frontman, is now on display at Sotheby’s central London gallery.

The exhibition, designed to resemble Mercury’s former home, showcases over 1,400 lots set to be auctioned in six stages.

Among the remarkable items is a treasured Yamaha baby grand piano, estimated to fetch up to £3 million, on which Mercury composed numerous hits. Also on display is the replica of Britain’s St Edward’s Crown and an accompanying cloak, worn by Mercury during his 1980s stage performances, including at Live Aid.

The showcase also features elements from his Japanese collection, including decorative arts, glass, ceramics, and graphic arts. Furniture from his Garden Lodge home, a kitchen with an operating 1941 Wurlitzer jukebox, and unique musical manuscripts, including working drafts of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” are part of the collection.

The auction is being organized by Mary Austin, one of Mercury’s closest friends who cared for the items after his passing. The proceeds will partly benefit the Mercury Phoenix Trust and the Elton John Aids Foundation.

The exhibition is a tribute to Mercury’s love for collecting and will give fans a glimpse into the various facets of his personality through the autobiographical pieces on display.

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