Home - Page 157 of 302 - AFROCOSMOPOLITAN

TRAVEL: Places And Things To Do In London During Your Next Visit

Features & Interviews

Hi Gloria

-

September 6, 2014

TRAVEL: Places And Things To Do In London During Your Next Visit

If like me, you like city trips, then London is a great place to be. You can never get enough of the city. Whether you would like to visit museums, attraction centres or historical places, the city has them in abundance. If you’re contemplating on taking a trip to London and want to know some of the interesting places to go or stay, check out my list below.

Hotels to Stay

Depending on your budget, there is a wide variety of hotels to choose from. And if you’re on a budget, you can check out Comfort Hotels. They are reasonably priced and well situated in the city. They also have parking spaces, free wifi connection and breakfast is included in the price. In addition, they clean the room daily and change the towels, bedsheets, and give other supplies such as toilet paper, coffee, tea, milk, sugar, and water boiler.

Another budget hotel to look out for is Travelodge, they are similar to Comfort Hotel but do not include breakfast in your booking. Apart from that, you would have to pay for your own internet which cost about £3 for twenty-four hours. The internet is stable and very fast. Another option is to rent a room or an entire apartment on a weekly basis, you can find such places on websites such as flat-club.com, roomorama.co.uk, and many others.

Where to shop

If you like shopping on the high street with shops that cater for a wide range of prices to suit different budget, then Oxford Circus is the best place to be. The best way to get there is with the underground (tube). You can also go with the bus if you do not mind the traffic. And a little bit of warning, driving there with a car would be a big mistake for you as you’ll have to pay congestion fees for your parking. And the traffic can be horrible as well. If you prefer the open markets, Portobello Road Market is open throughout the week. There is also Brixton and Camden Markets, as well as much more.

Things to Do

There are so many things to do in the city. If you love museums, the British Museum is a great place to be. The museum has a great collection of work from all over the world that you would have to plan ahead what you are interested in seeing. Otherwise, you would need a whole week to see everything there and follow the history behind each piece of work. There are many other museums in the city and most of them offer free entrance. You’ll only have to pay if you’re visiting a special exhibition taking place.

ALSO SEE: London Christmas Lights: The Festive Season ‘Christmas Has Arrived, Or At Least It Has In Oxford Circus’.

Another interesting thing to see is the Tower Bridge, a suspension that crosses the River Thames. You can choose to go up the bridge for a fee of about £9.00 for an adult. If you do, you’ll enjoy a beautiful view of the city’s landscape and maybe make some lovely photos as well. Also around the corner is the famous Tower of London. It cost about £20.00 to go inside and see all of the histories that lie inside the castle. Some of the things you’re sure to see in the Tower are royal palaces, prison, armoury, zoo, and much more.

If your love entertainment and media, the BBC Tour is a good place to visit. You will see the newsroom and get some inside and background history on the BBC. You’ll also do some exercise like reading a TV news broadcast and making a radio play (drama). You are allowed to record the news and play. You’ll also visit other studios and get the chance to see the royal mic as well. The cost for this tour is about £14 for an adult.

Buckingham Palace is another place to visit. What you can expect to see are the State Rooms (these are rooms where the monarchs welcomed, entertained and rewarded their subjects as well as dignitaries), the Picture Gallery(displaying some of the best paintings the within the royal collection), Changing the Guard (A colourful British ceremony that last for about 45 minutes), the Garden Shop (where you can buy items inspired by the Royal collection), as well as the garden cafe where you can enjoy some refreshment at the end of your tour. You can pick up an audio gadget to provide you with a lively guide during the tour. Apart from the little tour inside the palace, there are so many other things to see around the neighbourhood. The famous Piccadilly Square and Trafalgar Square is also close by.

Where to Eat

London has a wide range of international cuisine that you can treat yourself to and it would be difficult to start making a list as this depends on your taste. Whether you’re looking for Indian, French, Chinese, Greek, or many other cuisines, the choice and offers are endless.

London is a city of treasure filled with great venues, events, attractions and hidden corners to explore. While this article cannot provide you with all that there is to do in the city, I hope it gives you some valuable info to plan your next trip to London. Also feel free to add some of the things you’ve enjoyed in the city by leaving a comment below.

Beyonce & Jay Z Land Atop The Hot Tours Chart With $96 From On The Run Ticket Sales

General

Admin

-

September 5, 2014

1

American celebrity power couple and music icons, Beyonce and her husband, Jay Z has yet again proven they are the biggest entertainment couple by making about$96 million from their One the Run tour. The tour took place between the 25th of June and the 6th of August and they performed in 16 stadiums.

See below, how it is being reported by Billboard,

“Beyonce and Jay Z land atop the Hot Tours chart, having wrapped the North American leg of their On the Run tour that played stadiums in 16 markets during a six-week span in the summer. Box office grosses totaled $96 million from ticket sales reported by tour promoter Live Nation for 19 sold-out performances during the summertime trek that kicked off June 25 in Florida and wrapped Aug. 6 in California”

Joan Rivers’ Funeral Wish: Valentino, Beyoncé Hair and Meryl Streep Sobbing

General

Admin

-

September 5, 2014

1

In her 2012 book, “I Hate Everyone…Starting With Me“, Joan Rivers wrote her wish on how she would want her funeral to be celebrated. Like a true celebrity, she wanted it to be a red carpet event with all the paparazzi and everything that goes with show business. She her wish and some popular quotes from her book below.

On what she wants for her own funeral
“When I die, I want my funeral to be a huge showbiz affair with lights, cameras, action…I want Craft services, I want paparazzi and I want publicists making a scene! I want it to be Hollywood all the way. I don’t want some rabbi rambling on;

I want Meryl Streep crying, in five different accents. I don’t want a eulogy; I want Bobby Vinton to pick up my head and sing “Mr. Lonely.” I want to look gorgeous, better dead than I do alive. I want to be buried in a Valentino gown and I want Harry Winston to make me a toe tag. And I want a wind machine so that even in the casket my hair is blowing just like Beyoncé’s.”

Besides saying what she wished her funeral would be, the legendary comedienne said so many other things about death, funerals and condolences. Below are some of them.

On obituaries
“I love the obituaries. To me, obituaries are just wedding announcements without the pictures. I read the obituaries carefully, the way Lindsay Lohan reads her Miranda rights.”

On people who die of natural causes
“I hate people who die of natural causes; they just don’t understand the moment. It’s the grand finale, act three, the eleven o’clock number — make it count. If you’re going to die, die interesting! Is there anything worse than a boring death? I think not. When my time comes I’m going to go out in highs type. I have no intention of being sick or lingering or dragging on and on and boring everyone I know. I have no intention of coughing and wheezing for months on end. One morning you’ll wake up and read a headline: Joan Rivers Found Dead…On George Clooney’s Face. Clooney Was So Bereft All He Could Say Was, ‘Xjfhfyrnem.'”

On funerals
“I love funerals! To me a funeral is just a red carpet show for dead people. It’s a chance for mourners from all walks of life to accessorize basic black, and to make a fashion statement that is bold enough to draw attention away from the bereaved but subtle enough so that no one knows that it’s happening. And, it’s a great way to have quiet fun.”

On people who offer condolences
“I hate people who try to make you feel better. Like the neighbor who says, ‘Don’t forget, the first part of ‘funeral’ is ‘fun!’ Or the minister who says, ‘He’s in a better place now.’ I’m tempted to yell out, ‘No he’s not. He had a house in the Hamptons. What’s wrong with you?””

On the pick-up scene at funerals
“As I get older, I’m going to a lot more funerals, and let me tell you something, it’s a great pick-up scene. A graveside funeral is live eHarmony for the bereaved.”

VIDEO: The Best Joan Rivers Moments

Joan Rivers, Legendary Comedienne, Dies at 81

General

Admin

-

September 5, 2014

1

Joan Rivers, the blunt, sharp-tongued comedienne, talk show host and E!’ Fashion Police host, has died. She was 81 at the time of her death. Below is the statement that was released by her daughter, Melissa Rivers.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the death of my mother, Joan Rivers. She passed peacefully at 1:17 PM surrounded by family and close friends. My son and I would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Mount Sinai hospital for the amazing care they provided for my mother.”

“Cooper and I have found ourselves humbled by the outpouring of love, support and prayers we have received from around the world.They have been heard and appreciated.”
“My mother’s greatest joy in life was to make people laugh. Although that is difficult to do right now, I know her final wish would be that we return to laughing soon.”

Made In Nigeria: Bino And Fino, An African Kids’ Cartoon

General

Admin

-

September 5, 2014

0

The face of children’s entertainment is changing with Bino and Fino, a ground-breaking cartoon which is now in its second season. By celebrating the beauty and diversity of the African continent, African parents and those of Caribbean and African descent are finally seeing the diverse cultural representation that they have been looking for with Bino and Fino.

Created by Adamu Waziri, a Nigerian animator, and produced by his Nigerian based animation company EVCL, Bino and Fino is an African educational cartoon about a brother and sister who live in a city in sub- Saharan Africa. In each episode Bino and Fino, with the help of their friend Zeena, the Magic Butterfly and their family, discover and learn things about the world. Aimed at children between the ages of 3 and 6 years, the series shows aspects of African history, culture and languages and educates children from all backgrounds. According to Adamu there is a hunger for such programmes in an ever-growing multi-cultural society and parents feel let down by major international broadcasters.

Adamu and his team have set about helping to change the status quo and with Bino and Fino, the first of its kind to come from Nigeria, and they are succeeding. The pilot episode of Bino and Fino was released in 2010 and has been well received internationally, with profiles on CNN and The Huffington Post. A 24 minute TV feature of the show which is available on DVD has been broadcast on Television in the UK and South Africa, on YouTube and at festivals to a growing fan base of kids and parents from around the world.

The full second season is currently under production in Nigeria by EVCL and is set to be released at the end of 2014.

How Successful Entrepreneurs Are Improving Business Operations With The Latest Digital Technology

General

Admin

-

September 3, 2014

2

How Successful Entrepreneurs Are Improving Business Operations With The Latest Digital Technology

Successful and innovative entrepreneurs get excited by using the latest digital technology to improve business operations and build a better reputation online. Social media is a powerful platform that is used to create new partnerships, connect with customers and improve one’s image. It is common for high-level executives to create personal profiles on some of the world’s most popular social network sites and post updates frequently. One major goal of using social media is to attract a loyal following of diverse online users.

Some people follow successful executives on social media just to get some expert advice on specific topics in niche markets and industries. Social media is also used by executives to establish connections between business and politics. Ordinary consumers and small business owners might not realise the scope of certain regional conflicts. By contrast, high-level executives understand the impact that instability in certain countries can have on a global economy. For example, violence in the Middle East directly influences oil prices. The fluctuation of oil, in turn, affects dozens of other industries. Social media is used to follow exclusive stories such as outbreaks of violence near major oil fields in the Middle East. Corporate executives are very interested in following and sharing such stories with other online users.

Posts about international politics are often featured on the profile page of successful entrepreneurs. Elections, protests and formation of coalition governments in certain countries can impact the economies of other nations. Corporate leaders are extremely concerned about shifts in power in countries that possess relevant resources and manufacturing facilities. Social media posts on major political events become even more captivating when photos and videos are included.

Business leaders are often careful about sharing their personal political beliefs and stands on social media. There is some concern that choosing a political side can polarize a company and an entire customer base. Therefore, executives often refrain from posting any personal comments regarding wars, elections, government debt and similar topics. However, it is encouraged for CEOs to share their moral beliefs on social media. Support for basic human rights, democracy and salary equality can score some big PR points in the media.

Global economics is another popular topic discussed by successful entrepreneurs on social media channels. Charts, reports and other financial data is usually posted by business people who are interested in niche markets such as stocks or commodities. Such social media posts are typically followed by other individuals who have something to gain or lose financially from the topics mentioned. Ordinary consumers of companies are probably not interested in reading analytic financial data that is posted by executives. A businessman like Glen Gonzalez and other investors are examples of successful entrepreneurs who use social media.

High-profile business people often follow other individuals on social media networks. Ordinary consumers are interested in finding out the types of people or entities that are affiliated with certain executives. Business people can show their personal character by using social media to connect with their favourite athletes, entertainers, educators, activists and more. At the same time, entrepreneurs need to publicly display their connections with other important business partners such as investors, company executives and government departments.

First Pic Of Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt’s Wedding

General

Admin

-

September 2, 2014

1

After nine years of dating and six children together, Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt finally tied the knot in France where they also continued with their honeymoon.

Angelina Jolie was looking breathtaking in her Versace gown that was created by Luigi Massi, the master tailor at Atelier Versace.

“Luigi is like family to me and I couldn’t imagine anyone else making this dress,” Jolie told People. “He knows and cares for the children and it was great fun putting it together.”

See more photos of Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt’s wedding below.

Nigerian Woman Gives Birth To “White Baby” In The UK

General

Admin

-

September 2, 2014

0

A Nigerian woman in the UK has given birth to a white baby, and according to doctors, the chances of such a birth is very rare even though her partner is white.

Catherine Howarth is a black woman and her husband Richard, is white. In normal circumstances, the couple would have had a mixed raced baby. But they made headlines because they gave birth to a white child, which according to the doctors, the chances of a a black woman and a white man giving birth to a complete white child is 1 in 1,000,000. When Catherine was handed her baby by the midwife, the new mum was shocked and thought she had been handed the wrong baby.

While it is common for black people to have albino children, doctors have said the baby, Jonah is not an albino.

“Some children get darker after a few weeks when the skin colour they will have for life starts to become obvious. But you can see from the colour at the tips of their ears what that will be. We saw straight away that Jonah was fully white,” says Catherine who’s a financial analyst.

“We have been told that I must have been carrying a recessive gene,” said Catherine.

“My parents were from Nigeria and, for as far back as anyone can remember, my family have all been black.

“But at some point there must have been a white gene in my family that has remained dormant for years and years – until now.

“The doctors said they had researched the chances of this happening and discovered that it was very, very rare.

Al Jazeera Searches For Good Governance In Africa

General

Admin

-

September 2, 2014

1

Al Jazeera Searches For Good Governance In Africa — **President Mahama**

In part two of The Battle for Africa, Emmy-winning Sierra Leonean journalist Sorious Samura travels to Ghana and Botswana in search of that most scarce of African commodities – good governance.

The first episode of the People & Power investigation explored the effects of China’s increasing influence in Africa, but Sorious says that making the documentary helped him realise: “The real battle going on in Africa is not between the West and the East, but between us Africans, who are struggling to find decent leaderships and good governance.”

Ghana has always been at the forefront of history in Africa; it was the first country to start trading with the West, and the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to win the battle for independence – now it looks like Ghana is also winning the battle for good governance. Ghana is at the forefront of doing business with China: in 2012, the Ghanaian government signed $13bn in infrastructure deals with China, representing 33% of Ghana’s GDP. But here, a dynamic civil society and vibrant and independent media mean the government is under close scrutiny.

ALSO SEE: Steal These 21 Asoebi Styles From This Mercy Aigbe Fashion Book.

Sorious speaks to Kofi Bentil, vice president of the Imani Centre; Nana Akwasi, founder of Concerned Ghanaians for Responsible Government; and Kweku Baaku, editor-in-chief of The New Crusading Guide newspaper, who shed light on the battles they have fought, and continue to fight, to make sure Ghana remains one Africa’s most successful democracies.

Sorious also speaks to President Mahama, who outlines his ambitious plans to further redefine Ghana’s relationship with foreign powers. “The economies we inherited were what we’ve been quick to ask our colonial masters. We’re supposed to be the producers of raw materials, which were exported to the colonial metropolis and then they fashioned them into finished goods and re-exported them back to us. So we need to break that structure. Why should we – 57 years after the independence – continue to export gold in its raw form, when we could set up a refinery to refine that gold? When you refine gold, the value of exporting it’s in fact more money than when you export raw bullion. And so there’s a lot that we can do and this government is determined to do.”

ALSO SEE: 18 Fabulous Cold Shoulder Ankara Tops You’ll Fall In Love With.

Botswana is arguably Africa’s most astonishing success story.At independence in 1966, it was one of the poorest countries in the world, but, since De Beers discovered diamonds a year later, visionary leadership has allowed it to emerge as one of Africa’s first middle-income countries, which has now enjoyed 50 years of unbroken peace, prosperity and democratic rule.

The government negotiated two fantastic deals: first, for De Beers to pay them around 70% of the value of each diamond they found, and secondly, in 2006, for De Beers to bring all processing of Botswana’s diamonds from London, so the country now benefits not only by selling its raw materials, but also by producing finished goods. These profits were not used to line the pockets of corrupt politicians, as happened in so many African countries; rather they were spent wisely for the development of the nation.

The government has also negotiated firmly with the Chinese: when a Chinese company failed to work according to the government’s rules when building the airport, the contract was terminated.

But Botswana hasn’t only looked outside to foreign partners for solutions to its development agenda – they looked within to their own traditions and joined tribal leadership with modern democracy to create their own unique brand of government.

Sorious speaks to Balisi Bonyongo, managing director of Debswana; Mosadi Seboko, chief of the Balete tribe; Dikagiso Mokotedi, permanent secretary to the Ministry of Infrastructure; and President Ian Khama, son of the country’s founding father, Sir Seretse Khama.

“We shouldn’t – as a country or as a continent – put all our eggs in one basket,” says Khama. “Anything that you do should be a win-win situation, dealing with any country, whether it’s China or anybody else.”

ALSO SEE: Lovely Off Shoulder Ankara Dresses To Add To Your Wardrobe Now.

The second and final episode of People & Power’s Battle for Africa premieres on Al Jazeera on Thursday, 4 September 2014, at 00:30 CAT.

VIDEO: People and Power – The battle for Africa – Part 1

3 Reasons To Love Celine Boston Bags

Fashion

Hi Gloria

-

September 1, 2014

1

Celine Boston bags are some of the gorgeous types of bags that can really bring out that feminine and posh look out of a lady. That is why they are loved by celebrities and fashion savvy ladies. Check out some of the 5 reasons ladies love this brand and their designs.

1. Stylish – Like mention above, Celine Boston bags are very stylish and loved by celebrities. Some of the celebrities who have been seen rocking the brand are, America actress and singer, Leighton Marissa Meester, Oprah Winfrey, Naomi Campbell, Mary Kate Olsen, Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, Kate Upton, Nicole Richie, Brandy, Lilly Allen and German and international supermodel, Claudia Schiffer. While it seems like most celebrities cannot get enough of their Celine Boston sac, many ladies and especially the fashion savvy ones are also very crazy about this brand and own a piece in their collection. However, with a price range of $1800-$2500, it is no surprise that it is mostly owned and flashed around by celebrities and high class working women who can easily afford it without breaking the bank.

2. Attention Grabbing – Owning a Celine Boston bag is sure to draw attention to the carrier. With its high-quality leather and custom Italian design, the bag is made in a way that it is not overly classy but exclusive. In addition, it is a combination of both classic and modern mix, giving it that cosmopolitan look. All of these combination makes up the right mix to bring out that unique look. Also, the graphic details are beautifully layered in a way that they look intricate but simple at the same time. Take a look at some photos of a Celine Boston sac and you’ll understand the point I’m trying to make.

ALSO SEE: Lovely And Short Ankara Chitenge Cocktail Dresses For Fashionable Ladies.

3. Variety – Celine Boston bags comes in a variety of sizes (small, medium or large), patterns and colours (monochrome or mixed). For the bigger sizes, you can throw in all sort of things like a wallet, a cellphone, and a 10-inch notebook in a Celine sac – and you’ll still have enough space to add other kinds of stuff. In addition, no matter what you stuck it with, it will still retain its beautiful and gorgeous shape. So, whether you’re a nursing mother with so many stuff to take along, a career woman with gadgets and personal stuffs to stuff inside, or a trendy and petite chic looking for a bag that will not swallow her due to its massive size, there’s always a Celine Boston sac to fit your needs and taste.

While a Celine Boston bag is an “it” fashion item for every lady to own, we understand the price can also be a factor to deter many fashionistas from owning this piece of stylish and fashionable item. If you would like to complete your wardrobe with a piece of Celine Boston bag and cannot afford the normal price, the best option is to watch out for the right moment to find a good bargain during a discount season. And remember, most people who own a Celine Boston Sac are smitten with their little piece of fashion statement item. If you’re lucky to find a bargain, you too can be making your own fashion statement with this well designed and crafted handbag.

ALSO SEE: Over The Knee Ankara Dresses For Plus Size Women.