Zora music icon Leonard Zhakata has delayed collecting a brand-new car he was gifted by ZANU PF supporter and convicted fraudster Wicknell Chivhayo. The controversial businessman handed over vehicles on Monday to Zhakata, gospel legend Baba Mechanic Manyeruke, and singer Olivia Charamba. By the end of the day, Manyeruke and Charamba had taken possession of their new 2024 Toyota Fortuners, but Zhakata had yet to claim his. Chivhayo shared the gesture on his social media, explaining that the gifts were a tribute to the musicians who inspired him and his late mother, Canisia Chivayo, during challenging times. Chivhayo’s post also reflected on personal moments, including his mother’s death on January 6, 2021, and her impact on his life. “Her sacrifices, hard work, and UNSHAKABLE FAITH in my potential shaped me into the man I am today,” wrote Chivhayo. He revealed he spent his birthday at Glenforest Cemetery, laying flowers in her honor, adding: “The EMOTIONAL weight of the day made it impossible for me to celebrate in the usual way.” Chivhayo used the occasion to celebrate three music legends whose songs he said brought him and his mother solace. “My favorite songs ‘Ndinamatire Ndigo Kunamatirawo,’ ‘Ndiri Munana,’ and ‘Hupenyu Mutoro’ gave us hope and strength to PERSEVERE,” he said, crediting Manyeruke, Charamba, and Zhakata, respectively, for their contributions. The cars were made available for collection at Faramatsi Motors in Harare. Chivhayo described the vehicles as a “small token” to honor the artists’ unmatched contributions to the music industry and their influence on his life journey. “Please accept this as my SMALL TOKEN to appreciate your unmatched contributions to the music industry and your role in shaping many life journeys,” he wrote. Chivhayo pledged to continue supporting individuals of his choice as part of his birthday tradition, which he said is rooted in giving back to the community. While Zhakata’s reasons for the delay remain unclear, his peers have already embraced their gifts, stirring reactions fromfans and critics alike over Chivhayo’s high-profile generosity. Efforts to get a comment from Zhakata were fruitless.
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Journalist Verónica Linares took to her social networks to report an unfortunate incident that occurred last Saturday, December 28. In a video shared on her official Instagram account, the host of ‘América Noticias’ narrated how she was the victim of her bank card being stolen while she was enjoying a family outing with her husband and children at a restaurant. A detail that caught attention was that the criminals left both his wallet and his purse intact, taking only his credit card, which generated concern and alert among his followers. In the video, Veronica Linares He explained that the incident occurred so subtly that he did not realize it at the time, describing it as “the typical, I fell,” referring to the cunning with which this type of criminals usually operate. The journalist took advantage of her platform to warn her followers about the importance of being attentive and taking additional precautions in public spaces. Verónica Linares recounts the theft of her card in a restaurant In her Instagram video, Verónica Linares expressed her frustration at having suffered this assault. According to what he said, this time he did something he had never done before: he neglected himself for a few moments. “Well, I wanted to tell you that they robbed me. I feel very foolish because how many times have I told you not to be careless, but well, I was careless for a little while. I was in a restaurant, with my children, and I never leave my wallet hanging, I always put it in front of me so I can see it,” he said. In his story, Veronica Linares He described in detail how he realized that his card had disappeared, revealing the sophistication with which those responsible for the theft acted. The journalist mentioned that initially she thought it was all a simple oversight, but when she got home and searched other belongings, she confirmed that the card was not in her possession. “When I wanted to pay, I no longer had the card. My husband paid and I thought I had dropped it, because otherwise they would steal your entire wallet or steal your entire wallet. So, when I went home and searched my other wallet, my card wasn’t there, so I hadn’t dropped it, it wasn’t in the car either...”, he concluded. Join our entertainment channel
Concerts, an art trail, Christmas markets and activities, and a huge tree are all part of the celebrations across the area. And with the cost of living still biting, the London Designer Outlet is one of the best places to hunt for a bargain on Black Friday. With scores of additional deals now on, the open air mall next to the National Football Stadium means you can bag luxury items for up to 70 percent off the usual retail price. The open air mall has bargains at up to 70 per cent off the usual retail price. (Image: Chris Winter / Wembley Park) Recent additions include a RITUALS store, and opening on Black Friday, cute lifestyle store MINISO. Along with a Body Shop, The Cosmetics Company Store, and The Fragrance Shop there are some serious beauty and lifestyle bargains to be had. RITUALS Alchemy range. (Image: Trace Publicity) On my recent visit I spotted the RITUALS Advent Calendar on sale at half price. (£60). If you are new to the brand, it's based around a series of bodycare collections; Ritual of Karma, Sakura, Mehr, Jing, Ayurveda, which turn your routines into moments boosting positivity, joy, mind body and soul, peace or wisdom. Wash your hands with one of the samples, to discover which you prefer, then choose from a range of shower gels, body mists and scrubs. I left with a gorgeous creamy body foam and a trio of mini products for just £16. The LDO is also brilliant for shoes and sportswear with New Balance, Nike, Puma, Adidas, ASICS, Vans, North Face, and Converse outlets. It's always worth popping into the Nike store for a bargain as most items have 30 percent off and a few rails discount by a further 30 percent. I managed to scoop up a pair of Nike Jordan tracksuit bottoms - down from £60 to £27 and a tracksuit top for under £20. If it's chocolate advent calendars you are after then head to the Lindt shop where there's huge choice including the chance to customise one. The pick and mix has a mouth-watering array of chocs and I picked up a large bag of Champagne truffles for £12 which will be heaped on the table at Christmas. Fashion and clothing outlets include Boss, Calvin Klein, Champion, French Connection, Levi's, Superdry and Timberland. After a quick browse I popped into M&S to buy some Christmas pyjamas and underwear for stocking fillers. The LDO has plenty of options for the cook in your life, including ProCook, Villeroy & Boch and Zwilling. You can pick up gorgeous Christmas crockery, knives and gadgets including ProCook's cast iron cookware which is a great Le Creuset dupe, for a third of the price. When you've finished with shopping, there are more than 20 eateries including Las Iguanas, Frankie and Benny's, Big Moe's, Wagamama, Pizza Express, Zizzi and Nando's. Watch out for parking charges on 'event days' but LDO shoppers who spend £40 or more get normal price parking in the Red car park. Black Friday deals include up to 40% off Boss Menswear and Dune footwear, Puma has an extra 30% off throughout the store until December 2, Clarks up to extra 20% off until December 1, Timberland an extra 30% off until December 3, and the Cosmetics Company Store an extra 25% off until December 8, while Villeroy and Boch has an extra 20% off until December 2. The LDO i s open 9am to 9pm on Black Friday and Black Saturday.Nittany Lions regulars sustain serious leg injuries at Minnesota
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ANAHEIM, Calif. -- For over two years, Ebonie Vazquez searched to find a mentor of color for her son, Giovanni, now 11 and passionate about playing the violin. She has now found that space at a local church. New Hope Presbyterian Church, a multiethnic congregation led by a Black female pastor in Anaheim, California, started a string orchestra in April, welcoming students, including those who may have trouble getting into and paying for music programs. It's located in Orange County, which is largely affluent. The Rev. Chineta Goodjoin said her church had a smaller strings program for several years. When Goodjoin's daughter Nyla started playing violin with the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, founded in June 2009 by renowned conductor Charles Dickerson, the pastor grew determined to replicate the concept in Orange County with Dickerson taking the lead. The church's orchestra now has about 18 members ranging in age from 9 to 20, playing violin, viola, bass and cello. The orchestra accepts all students without auditions, and it's free. Like the Los Angeles group, the orchestra is also powered by mentors who look like the young musicians they help guide. Ebonie Vazquez says it is empowering for students "to see themselves reflected in their mentors and teachers." "It's important they don't feel like outsiders, but are supported and feel like they belong," she said. "It has definitely helped my son connect more to the music and the craft." During rehearsal, when Giovanni started talking about music, the boy's eyes turned dreamy and his arms became animated. Even as his words gushed out in child-like excitement, they reflected the aura of an old soul. "I just want to be able to express myself in my music and show that I not only have talent, but I also take my time, and I practice," he said. "You can change one little thing, one note, and the music will be totally different. You make your own thing." Giovanni said that in the church orchestra, he could play classical music or he could chill with Imagine Dragons. He also plays violin in his school orchestra and with Dickerson's Los Angeles group. He values being part of the church orchestra because "it's a piece of our community." "They encourage young musicians of color and everyone gets a chance to play and maybe use it as a stepping stone to get better or even turn this into a career," he said. Giovanni thinks it could be cool to play in Carnegie Hall. He pauses, then adds: "But honestly, I just want to play around people who listen to and value music. My favorite part is really to see people enjoy music." Melissa Bausley, a cellist who works in finance and volunteers as a mentor, said she often found herself alone as a Black woman in this realm. "I never had a teacher that was African American growing up and I didn't think it mattered or made a difference," she said. "But now, as an adult, I'd say there is absolutely value in being able to learn from someone who looks like you." Dickerson said he started the Los Angeles orchestra when he was approached by a group of students who yearned to play in their city and neighborhood. "They would have to drive long distances to be in these orchestras where they didn't know the other kids and felt like the odd ones," he said. "The young kids from our communities were always put in the back row and the back row was right next to the door." "It's easy to walk out that door," he added, "when you don't really feel accepted and when you know you're probably not as skilled as the others who have a smattering of connections and have been playing since they were three." Goodjoin said she and her husband, Reggie Goodjoin, a jazz musician and the church's music director, envision an orchestra where "African American kids play classical music and play it well." "Not modified or watered down abridgements, but the real deal," she said. "I like to say they play everything from Bach to Beyonce. We want them exposed to all genres." The children will play sacred and secular music as well as the work of Black composers, and the orchestra is open to children of all faith backgrounds, Goodjoin said. "They learn the music of Count Basie and Duke Ellington and so many others who have forged the path - an experience they might not get in a mainstream school setting," she said. She believes the church is a great place to start talking about equity in music. "We value social justice and equity and we believe we are called to help the marginalized, to set the captives free," Goodjoin said. "And music is freedom." The pastor is already getting positive feedback from parents. One boy who plays the upright bass was about to quit playing because no one in his school orchestra looked like him. "His mom said that when he came here, the pressure to play and compete was taken off and that it's a delight to now watch her son light up feeling a sense of worthiness," she said. Carol Nealy, whose 9-year-old son Johnathan plays the violin, said the church has the ability to nourish the community - be it with food, spirituality or music. "Because of this program, my kids are exposed to the violin. It's no longer something untouchable or foreign," she said. "It'll have an impact for generations because their children will see their parents pick up and play the violin." Elizabeth Moulthrop, executive director of El Sistema, an international network of music education programs that was founded in Venezuela, said she has seen similar programs run out of churches. "Music and art have always been such an important part of the church," she said. "It's a natural place for expression of faith." For those who aspire to advance in the field, such programs also offer access to life-changing summer music camps, college scholarships and connections to jobs, Moulthrop said. Dickerson says the orchestras are an attempt "to add to the value of what we need in our community." "The goal is to uplift young people and give them the opportunity for a better life," he said. "A lot of young people feel like it's not cool to carry a violin down the street," he added. "But, when you play the violin well with other kids who are like you, social acceptance begins to emerge. You feel pride as opposed to shame because you're not out there shooting hoops." The Black Church has always served as a place where the community could come together, Dickerson said. "It's the one place in history where we've been able to assemble without interference from other cultures, so to speak," he said. "The church started banks when Blacks could not put money in banks. They started newspapers when no one was prepared to cover our communities. We even started baseball leagues when we were barred from playing. "If we can come together in the church and create a symphonic orchestra, all I can say is all praise to God."Precision Parts Market Set for Explosive Growth, Projected to Double from $234.8 Billion to $403.22 Billion by 2029 - AriztonOhio State, Michigan players involved in postgame scuffle
Former President Jimmy Carter was remembered for his leadership and commitment to public service following his death. Carter died on Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, at the age of 100. RELATED STORY | Former President Jimmy Carter dies at age 100 President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden: Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian. Over six decades, we had the honor of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe. Donald and Melania Trump: I just heard of the news about the passing of President Jimmy Carter. Those of us who have been fortunate to have served as President understand this is a very exclusive club, and only we can relate to the enormous responsibility of leading the Greatest Nation in History. The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude. Melania and I are thinking warmly of the Carter Family and their loved ones during this difficult time. We urge everyone to keep them in their hearts and prayers. Bill and Hillary Clinton: Hillary and I mourn the passing of Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others—until the very end. Statement from President Clinton and Secretary Clinton on the Passing of President Jimmy Carter pic.twitter.com/1Ejol6yjav — Angel Ureña (@angelurena) December 29, 2024 Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer: President Carter's faith in the American people and his belief in the power of kindness and humility leave a strong legacy. He taught us that the strength of a leader lies not in rhetoric but in action, not in personal gain but in service to others. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell: President Carter served during times of tension and uncertainty, both at home and abroad. But his calm spirit and deep faith seemed unshakeable. Jimmy Carter served as our commander-in-chief for four years, but he served as the beloved, unassuming Sunday school teacher at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia for forty. And his humble devotion leaves us little doubt which of those two important roles he prized the most. U.S. Sen. Jon Osoff (D-GA): Among his lifetime of service and countless accomplishments, President Carter will be remembered for his commitment to democracy and human rights, his enduring faith, his philanthropic leadership, and his deep love of family U.S. Sen. Rafael Warnock (D-GA): President Carter was one of my heroes. His leadership was driven by love, his life’s project grounded in compassion and a commitment to human dignity. For those of us who have the privilege of representing our communities in elected office, Jimmy Carter is a shining example of what it means to make your faith come alive through the noble work of public service. U.S. Sen. John Thun (R-SD): President Carter dedicated his life to serving the people of Georgia and our great country – as a naval officer, a governor, and as the 39th President of the United States. From peanut farming to the presidency and every step in between, his wife Rosalynn was by his side. House Speaker Mike Johnson Because of his work in brokering the Camp David Accords and his advocacy with Habitat for Humanity, the world is a more peaceful place, and more Americans have a place to call home. No one can deny that President Carter led an extraordinary life of service to his country. May he rest in peace.