Ending his boxing career amid controversy. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Manny Pacquiao is standing by his anti-gay comments, or at least the general outlines thereof, but others are coming forward to condemn the Filipino boxer’s views. On Wednesday, Nike dropped Pacquiao from it roster of athlete endorsers, a decision applauded by Magic Johnson.
The former Los Angeles Lakers great took to Twitter, saying in a post, “I applaud Nike for terminating Manny Pacquiao’s contract after his derogatory statements that gay people are worse than animals.”
Johnson added that “fans of all walks of life including gay fans supported” last year’s Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather fight, which became the most lucrative in boxing history, “putting $100M in his pocket.” Johnson said of Pacquiao, “I guess to him their money is still green.”
Concluding his Twitter remarks, Johnson left things in no uncertain terms, writing, “I won’t be watching another one of Manny Pacquiao’s fights.”
Pacquiao is set to fight Timothy Bradley for the third time in April, a bout that the 37-year-old boxing icon has said will be the final one of his career. Already a member of Congress in the Philippines, Pacquiao plans on running for a Senate seat, which would require his full-time attention, and possibly the presidency after that.
Before getting dropped by Nike, Pacquiao had posted an apology for his comments on social media, saying, “I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. God bless!” However, he subsequently posted, then deleted, this Old Testament verse:
“If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own hands.”
Pacquiao went on to say that he is “happier” to be “telling the truth.” He added, “I am not condemning the LGBT. What I am condemning is the act.”
In the Philippines, much of which has a conservatively Catholic culture and where Pacquiao is revered, his stance likely will not deter his political campaigns. However, it could well tarnish his legacy in boxing, this after he was cast as the “good guy” in his battle with the brash Mayweather, and it has resulted in backlash from the corporate world.
In addition to Nike, which described Pacquiao’s comments as “abhorrent,” Wonderful Pistachios distanced itself from the fighter. The nut company, which used Pacquiao as an endorser as recently as 2015, had this to say to Ad Week:
“Wonderful Pistachios is not currently affiliated with Manny Pacquiao nor do his views align with ours. Wonderful Pistachios stands firmly for diversity and equality and we proudly support marriage equality and inclusion around the world.”
Another former corporate partner, Nestlé, made it clear (to Gay Star Business) that the company “is not a current sponsor of Manny Pacquiao.” Between his winnings and endorsements, the boxer has made untold millions over his career, so he can weather this storm financially, but his public image has suffered plenty of damage.
What do you think about this? Whose side are you on..
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Friday, 19 February 2016
TONTO IS OFFICIALLY A MOMMA.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh has finally welcomed a baby boy in the United States, where she delivered her baby. tontoThe actress broke the good news on her Instagram page yesterday. She wrote, “Today I experienced the Greatest Miracle known to man. I can’t begin to explain the joy I feel, it’s super awesome. I bless the Lord almighty for his protection/Safety and Strength and the birth of my Baby. My Pregnancy was such a beautiful one Stress free, Lovely, Spiritually great, Healthy and safe. Please join me in welcoming my baby into a perfect and loving world that God my King kong and I will create. I am overwhelmed and over joyed, I am a Mother now. Wow. That’s something I never saw coming but God is indeed the master planner of our lives. His Grace, Love. Mercy, unlimited blessings, protection, Peace and so much more than I can express I have known & can testify to.” “Thank you God(the father,the son and the HolyGhost) for this blissful journey..I indeed gave birth like A Hebrew woman. #PROUDMUMMY #YUMMYMUMMY #LITTLESUNSHINEX #BABYX
Congrats Tonto.
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Adele pulls off an epic prank on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Adele pulls off an epic prank on The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Reason why we love Adele: She can pull off a prank like no other.
The singer joined Ellen DeGeneres on her show recently and the pair decided to play a little prank on employees at a Jamba Juice store.
After Adele's 'assistant' asks the staff to treat Adele like a normal person despite her fame, Adele enters to take centre stage.
First, Adele perplexes the staff by asking for "one small cup but a large". Next, Adele reminds the staff that "money is no object", before asking for all of the smoothies on offer.
At one point, Adele chops off some wheatgrass from the counter and eats it while she waits. And later her bag falls open on the table to expose the contents including scissors, knives and Twizzlers, and finally she asks "Do I have to pay? I'm a star."
We won't give too much away. Watch the whole thing here:
http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/news/celebrity/2016/02/19/adele-ellen-prank
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NATIONAL DRINK WINE DAY
The 20 Hollywood TV Characters Most Likely to Toast National Drink Wine Day
Today is National Drink Wine Day—one of those mysterious holidays that seem to spring fully formed from your Facebook or Twitter feed. A Google search leaves the holiday’s origins ambiguous but seems to at least source it to a year: 2011. So happy Fifth-Annual National Drink Wine Day, everyone. Who are we to argue with such a fantastic idea? To put you in the mood to guzzle some grapes, here are 20 TV characters who know their way around a bottle. Let their hardy livers inspire you.
Tyrion Lannister—Game of Thrones
The shortest member of the Lannister clan is, nonetheless, its most accomplished drinker. Ever since Tyrion made his first appearance in the pilot he’s not been too far from a wine bottle, goblet, or skin.
Cersei Lannister—Game of Thrones
But if anyone could give Tyrion a run for his money in the drinking department, it’s his sister: Cersei. The thirst she developed when holed up during the Battle of the Blackwater in Season 2 has only increased in the intervening years. Maybe if she had been drinking less and scheming more, Season 5 wouldn’t have gone quite so terribly for her.
Alicia Florrick—The Good Wife
Alicia recently got in trouble with her neighbors for running a law office out of her swanky Chicago apartment. But if I shared a recycling bin with the Florrick household, I would have raised a few flags long before. But, as Alicia puts it, she doesn’t need wine—she likes wine. For the record, she likes tequila too.
Lindsay Jillian—You’re the Worst
Any one of the four core characters on this show could have cropped up here but somehow I think Linds is the most inclined to prefer wine. It’s classy, just like her. I’ll see you all back here on National Trash Juice Day when we celebrate all things Vernon.
Robin Scherbatsky—How I Met Your Mother
It’s possible now that she’s found a happily ever after with Ted, Robin is less inclined to drink under a desk while weeping. Then again, when Ted gets out his red cowboy boots, we won’t blame Robin for taking a deep swig, or 20.
The Cul-de-sac Crew—Cougar Town
If you don’t have a Big Carl or Big Joe to call your very own, then fill the closest vase with all the wine you have, make fun of your neighbors, play Penny Can, and fondly remember this late, great show.
Tami Taylor—Friday Night Lights
Truth be told, both Eric and Tami Taylor enjoyed unwinding with a glass of wine, but I decided to put Mrs. Coach on here because . . .
Amy Schumer—Inside Amy Schumer
. . . Amy Schumer paid such a beautiful homage to Connie Britton’s character in her sketch “Football Town Nights.” Bleary eyes, full glass, can’t lose.
Bernard Black—Black Books
I don’t recommend trying Bernard Black’s wine popsicle (or ice lolly if you’re British) at home. Freezing a full, glass wine bottle sounds like a recipe for disaster. But if you can pull it off, more power to you, and may I suggest a nice rosé?
Liz Lemon—30 Rock
You know what pairs well with Night Cheese? Treadmill wine. But if neither of those sounds good, you might want to try some of Liz Lemon’s patented Funky Juice. Find the recipe here.
Hannibal Lecter—Hannibal
What good is an elegantly prepared meal without a nice Chianti to wash it down?
Carrie Mathison—Homeland
I don’t, however, recommend you wash down your meds with wine. But if you do, make sure you’re ready to blow your life up completely and repeatedly.
Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb—The Today Show
O.K., yes, Kathie Lee and Hoda aren’t exactly characters, but, well, aren’t they? Like Tami Taylor before her, Kathie Lee got her own loving send-up courtesy of S.N.L.’s Kristen Wiig. Wiig’s preferred accessory? A wine glass, of course.
Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone—Absolutely Fabulous
Eddie and Patsy—maybe the original Hoda and Kathie Lee?—are back in the news today thanks to the teaser for their upcoming movie. As you might expect, the women have not changed their hard-drinking ways one bit. You wouldn’t want it any other way, would you, sweetie darling?
Skyler White—Breaking Bad
When things got especially rough in the White household, Skyler turned to some classic white-wine therapy to get her through tense dinners and even tenser nights. I’d like to think that with a little bit of closure from Walt, Skyler is no longer hitting the bottle quite as hard. But she should go ahead and do whatever she needs to do to get through. She deserves it.
Olivia Pope—Scandal
If you decide to go full Olivia Pope today and drink red wine while wearing white, then I take my over-sized white hat off to you. You’re a braver drinker than most of us.
Some people had trouble getting into this moody, deliberately paced thriller. Which is understandable. This is one of the first shows written with binge-watching in mind, unfolding like a long, engrossing novel. Episodes don’t really have arcs, they’re just chapters in the longer narrative. If you give the series time, it delivers a story as grim as its Florida Keys setting, all palm-dotted and picturesque, is gorgeous. Like too few shows do, Bloodline has a richly realized sense of place, the melancholy island breezes and ominous storm clouds rolling in off electric-blue water giving a classical family saga—about a black sheep returning to the flock, with disastrous results—the weight of something mythic. Bloodline also boasts one of the best performances by any actor, in any medium, this year: Ben Mendelsohn’s devious, pitiful, funny, scary, tragic Danny is a character for the ages, brilliantly brought to life by an actor working at the height of his powers. If you’re in need of the TV equivalent of a literary beach read, Bloodline is the show for you. — Richard Lawson
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WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD ECONOMICALLY?
During the past few years, consumers have been told that this is the time to invest in diamonds. A flurry of companies has arisen, offering consumers an opportunity to invest in the most desirable categories of polished, colorless diamonds, most often larger than two carats, in the highest color, clarity and cut ranges. Arguing that the production of rough diamonds is dwindling, and that the supply of the top categories will decrease, prices, the investment firms say, will inevitably go up sharply and therefore, diamond are a solid investment. Most industry experts, one way or another, seem to agree with this contention.
But what about natural coloured diamonds? Nicholas Weinberg, of Level Diamonds, an exhibitor at the upcoming Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair, says that to the best of his knowledge, nobody has yet come up with an investment proposal involving natural coloured diamonds. “Only one out of every 10,000 diamonds mined and polished is a natural coloured diamond,” Weinberg noted. “That makes them the rarest of diamonds in the market. And coloured diamonds are consistently outperforming colourless diamonds, and for that matter, the top three coloured gemstones, i.e. sapphire, ruby and emerald. “We have put together a number of ‘natural coloured diamonds investment packages’ that we will be exhibiting at the ADTF next week. he stated "We are excited to be presenting this new project in Antwerp!”
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