Divvys Blog

May 31, 2018

Donald Trump’s secretary of state spotted at dinner with top North Korean official

A top North Korean official sat down for dinner with Donald Trump’s secretary of state after a planned summit with the US was called off last week.

Ex-military spy chief Kim Yong Chol, who is now one of Kim Jong-Un’s closes aides, landed in the US on a flight from Beijing yesterday.

He is the highest-level official to visit the US in 18 years. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had travelled to New York from Washington for the hour-and-a-half dinner before a ‘day full of meetings’ today, the White House said.

The talks are aimed at determining whether a meeting between Trump and Kim, which was planned for June 12 but later cancelled by the US President, can be rescheduled.

This handout photograph obtained courtesy of the US Department of State shows Kim Yong Chol (L), Vice Chairman of North Korea, during his meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (C) on May 30, 2018 in New York. The North Korean senior official arrived in New York earlier on May 30, 2018 for talks on salvaging a summit meeting between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. / AFP PHOTO / AFP PHOTO AND US Department of State / HO / == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE / MANDATORY CREDIT: "AFP PHOTO / US DEPARTMENT OF STATE " / NO MARKETING / NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS / DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS ==HO/AFP/Getty Images

Preparations for the highly anticipated summit in Singapore are said to be moving forward on both sides of the Pacific despite uncertainty about whether it will actually go ahead at all.

As Kim and Pompeo met in New York, other US teams were meeting with North Korean officials in Singapore and in the heavily fortified Korean Demilitarised Zone.

‘If it happens, we’ll certainly be ready,’ White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said of the Singapore summit. Regarding the date for the meeting, she added: ‘We’re going to continue to shoot for June 12.’

North Korea’s flurry of diplomatic activity follows a run of nuclear weapons and missile tests in 2017. It is believed Kim Jong-un is eager for international sanctions to be lifted in order to build North Korea’s economy and the meeting with Trump would be seen as a major step towards that.

North Korea's Kim Yong Chol, center, leaves a hotel in New York, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. The senior North Korean official arrived in New York on Wednesday in the highest-level official visit to the United States in 18 years, as President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un sought to salvage prospects for a high-stakes nuclear summit. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

But there are doubts whether Kim will ever fully relinquish his nuclear weapon arsenal, said to be viewed as his only ‘guarantee of survival’ in a region surrounded by enemies.

Trump announced that Kim Yong Chol was coming to New York for talks with Pompeo in a tweet on Tuesday in which he said he had a ‘great team’ working on the summit.

Last week the president announced in an open he had decided to ‘terminate’ the summit following a provocative statement from the North.

Trump also issued a veiled threat to Kim, saying: ‘You talk about your nuclear capabilities, but ours are so massive and powerful that I pray they will never be used.’

May 31, 2018

New York Post calls Kim Kardashian ‘Kim Thong Un’ after meeting with Trump and people are upset

by RITEBET, in

In the most 2018 incident yet, Kim Kardashian headed to the White House to talk prison reform with President Donald Trump.

The 37-year-old reality star met POTUS to advocate for a pardon for Alice Marie Johnson, who is serving a life sentence for a low-level drug offence.

Whatever your thoughts about the Kardashians, it’s pretty cool of Kim to attempt to help those mistreated in the prison system – with great-grandmother Johnson already having served 20 years in prison for a non-violent drug trafficking charge.

But certain people and publications didn’t seem to register this – instead focusing on her bum.

New York Post called out for sexism after 'Trump meets Rump' Kim K headline

Today’s New York Post front cover has attracted quite a bit of criticism, after it headlined a picture of Kim and Trump in the Oval Office ‘Trump Meets Rump’.

Because even when involved in politics, women are reduced to their curves. Go figure. Other offensive taglines on the front page read ‘the other big ass summit’ and ‘Kim Thong Un pitches prez on prison reform’.

Ah yes, ‘Kim Thong Un’, because she’s a woman who wears underwear.

ROFL. Unsurprisingly, there were plenty of people taking to Twitter to hit out at the Post for their headline choices:

Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2018/05/31/new-york-post-calls-kim-kardashian-kim-thong-un-meeting-trump-people-annoyed-7592928/#mv-a?ito=cbshare

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MetroUK | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroUK/

The New York Post is pathetic.

Kim Thong Un?

Don't pretend to support women or #MeToo when you can't give @KimKardashian, who was at the White House to fight for prison reform, common decency.@nypost should be ashamed of themselves.
— Kevin Drew (@UndergroundPixl) May 31, 2018

This is so disrespectful! Where are the woman activist, feminist and metoo movement ? @newyorkpost should know that this is misogynistic, shaming @KimKardashian because she is woman that’s wants to make a change. Well y’all had nice headlines for Stormy Daniels I wonder why. pic.twitter.com/LNFLQMeGAr
— Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) May 31, 2018

Love to see #NewYorkPost be shut down for explicit bias. That cover of Kim K was downright disrespectful. Is it because she's a woman actually trying to do the right and good thing? Rather than talk about it?
— X (@LilBubly) May 31, 2018

The New York Post is evil. They referred to @KimKardashian as Kim Thong Un.If you guys don't believe me either Google it or go to the newsstand at 7 a.m. #sexist
— Raven R.🌱 (@raven_wingtips) May 31, 2018

This is misogynistic and disgusting. I'm glad Kim is using her power to make change. Fuck this headline and fuck the New York Post.
— CAY💫 (@babyvolk) May 31, 2018

One person wrote: ‘Hey men who wrote this cover page @newyorkpost, fuck you. @KimKardashian, sorry woman.’

And another tweet read: ‘Love to see #NewYorkPost be shut down for explicit bias. That cover of Kim K was downright disrespectful. Is it because she’s a woman actually trying to do the right and good thing? Rather than talk about it?’

However, there were many others who found the puns hilarious, and congratulated the Post on the front page.

Following the announcement that Kim was visiting the White House, social media was abuzz with shock that the mum-of-three knew her stuff about prison reform – because apparently knowledge of politics and the legal system and reality TV do not align.

You know, despite the current president being a former host of The Apprentice. After her meeting with Trump, Kim said: ‘I would like to thank President Trump for his time this afternoon.

It is our hope that the President will grant clemency to Ms. Alice Marie Johnson who is serving a life sentence for a first-time, non-violent drug offense.

‘We are optimistic about Ms. Johnson’s future and hopeful that she – and so many like her – will get a second chance at life.’

May 31, 2018

Jet Li reassures fans he’s ‘doing great’ after health scare

by RITEBET, in

Jet Li has come out in a final attempt to dispel the rumour that he’s ill.

A picture of the 55-year-old, who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in 2010, looking frail as he posed for a photograph with a fan in Singapore went viral.

His team was force to release a statement confirming that the actor is in fact well.

Earlier this week According to Metro.co.uk, they said he doesn’t have any ‘substantive health issues, and is fine and well’.

His manager Steven Chasman confirmed the hyperthyroidism to Washington Post and said he’s been ‘dealing with it for almost 10 years.’

He added: ‘It’s nothing life-threatening and he’s dealing with it’.

And now, it’s Li’s turn. In a Facebook post, he insisted that he is ‘doing great’.

Jet Li reassures fans he's 'doing great' after health scare

He wrote: ‘I would like to thank all my fans who expressed concerns about my health. I’m doing great and feeling great! I’m excited to share with you all a few projects I am working on in the near future. For now, thank you for all you concern!’

May 31, 2018

Did Kendall Jenner’s ‘new boyfriend’ Ben Simmons ‘cheated on Tinashe’ with model

by RITEBET, in

Kendall Jenner may have found herself at the centre of a huge love triangle, following her rumoured new relationship with Ben Simmons.

The Victoria’s Secret model has been faced with speculation she is dating the NBA star – following his split from Tinashe.

Keeping up so far?

However, just after a story emerged of the apparent new lovebirds, the No Drama singer’s brother lashed out on Twitter at how quickly the athlete had moved on.

And he appeared to hint there had been an overlap in their romances.

In a message to his 1,795 followers, Kudzai Kachingwe wrote: Never met you before in my life.

Days after u break my sis heart u do this…

‘Ppl all lied on her talking fake news about my sis *doing kardashian shit * u cheat on her w a Jenner (sic).’

While responding to another user, he also claimed only called time on their relationship a few days ago.

‘They “broke up” Sunday my guy.. u literally don’t know anything, stay quiet about this (sic),’ he said.

He later added: ‘Sorry for blowing up y’all twitter everyone.

it was actually the only way to defend my sister against all this bullshit.’

The drama kicked off after Page Six reported Ben and Kendall had been seeing each other ‘for a few weeks’ – with the rumoured lovebirds spotted enjoying a lunch date in LA earlier this week.

However, they don’t appear to be following each other on social media just yet, while the Philadelphia 76 star is still following his ex on Instagram.

But Tinashe – who last shared a loved-up selfie with her boyfriend last month – showed she was completely over all the drama, sharing a bikini snap of herself on Instagram.

And, alongside the upload, she simply told her 2.2million followers: ‘I set the bar. I’m the fucking bar.’

Thankful for you ♥️

A post shared by TINASHE (@tinashenow) on Apr 20, 2018 at 7:35pm PDT

May 31, 2018

Official- Frank Lampard named as new Derby County manager

by RITEBET, in

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has been named as Derby County’s new manager. Lampard has been a regular pundit on BT Sport since hanging up the boots in February 2017 and the 39-year-old is set for his first managerial role in first-team football.

His arrival follows the departure of Gary Rowett, with the latter stepping down from his position at Pride Park to take over the reins at Stoke City ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

‘I’ve always wanted to manage a club with a big tradition and history like Derby County, so this is a huge opportunity,’ Lampard said at his unveiling on Thursday morning.

‘I have spent considerable time discussing the role and the club’s objectives with the Chairman and board members.

OFFICIAL: Frank Lampard named as new Derby County manager

‘We want to build on the club’s top six finish in the Championship last season, while at the same time bringing through some of the excellent youth and Academy talent we have at Pride Park.

‘This is my first job as a manager, but I’ve worked closely with some of the best coaches in the game and I’m confident in my own abilities and those of the team around me, including the board.

‘I know it won’t be easy – managing a football team never is – but I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead.’

Derby chairman Mel Morris stated that he was please to bring in a manager with such a high reputation in the game.

I’m delighted to have someone of Frank’s calibre as our new manager,’ Morris said.

‘I’ve always been an admirer of Frank both as a player and a person, especially in the way he conducts himself both on and off the pitch.

‘That impression was only re-enforced when we interviewed him for this role, his passion and humility shone through in equal measure.

‘The board were unanimous that he was the stand-out applicant with many highly desirable and unique capabilities. Few players have achieved what Frank has in his career to date.

‘He’s a winner, a leader who knows what it takes to succeed and who has the character and charisma to be a fantastic manager for us.’

May 31, 2018

Viral Video of British Women Fighting each other on the street with Tea Mugs and Bins

by RITEBET, in

It is like something from Benefits Street and a scene that will make many people ashamed to be British.

Two women were filmed hurling abuse and fighting each other with bin lids and a cup of tea. Identified as Black Juicy and Lizzie, they were seen scrapping in Shildon, County Durham, over the bank holiday weekend.

One woman was arrested but later released without any further action. Black Juicy is the lady with a mint green top while Lizzie is wearing the pink outfit.

It is not clear what they were arguing about but the terms ‘a slut’, ‘an utter slut’, ‘I’m sick of you’, and ‘fuck off don’t call me a slut’ can be heard.

The footage shows Black Juicy standing on her doorstep as the argument begins and when she’s pushed she throws her cup of tea at Lizzie.

Lizzie also lifts her strapless playsuit to show her backside and starts twerking at her. They continue to fight one another and slap each other around the face before Black Juicy pulls Lizzie’s pig tails and puts her in a headlock as they continue punching one another.

They both end up on the floor a couple of times before Black Juicy says ‘You stupid little slag’ as she lifts up her trousers.

John Canty, who runs the Cantys Late Night Show channel on YouTube, said that Black Juicy was arrested after the incident but was eventually released with no further action.

Photos/Video

'Black Juicy' and Lizzie throw cups of tea, abuse and bin lids at each other

Screen-grab from a video showing Black Juicy (blue top) throwing a cup of tea at Lizzie (pink playsuit), Shildon, County Durham, UK, Sunday 27th June, 2018. SHOCKING footage has emerged of a real-life Benefits Street brawl breaking out between two drunk women on the streets of County Durham, England. In the astonishing video, the pair of women get into a physical fight after one calls the other ?a slut? ? ending in them throwing council bins and mugs of tea at each other. The unintentionally hilarious altercation has been viewed over 1.5 million times in the last 24 hours after it was published on social media. The incident took place on Albion Avenue in Shildon, County Durham on Sunday afternoon. John Canty, who recorded the footage, said that one of the women was arrested but released with no further action. The clip begins with the two drunk females called ?Black Juicy? and Lizzie in the middle of an argument on the street. ... SEE COPY AND VID ... PIC BY NEWS DOG MEDIA ... 0121 517 0019

Screen-grab from a video showing Lizzie bearing her bum to Black Juicy who calls Lizzie a 'slut' which then sparks a drunken fight, Shildon, County Durham, UK, Sunday 27th June, 2018. SHOCKING footage has emerged of a real-life Benefits Street brawl breaking out between two drunk women on the streets of County Durham, England. In the astonishing video, the pair of women get into a physical fight after one calls the other ?a slut? ? ending in them throwing council bins and mugs of tea at each other. The unintentionally hilarious altercation has been viewed over 1.5 million times in the last 24 hours after it was published on social media. The incident took place on Albion Avenue in Shildon, County Durham on Sunday afternoon. John Canty, who recorded the footage, said that one of the women was arrested but released with no further action. The clip begins with the two drunk females called ?Black Juicy? and Lizzie in the middle of an argument on the street. ... SEE COPY AND VID ... PIC BY NEWS DOG MEDIA ... 0121 517 0019

May 31, 2018

Joy in newsroom as reporters find out murdered colleague wasn't murdered

by RITEBET, in

Footage has emerged of the moments journalists found out that their colleague Arkady Babchenko had not actually been murdered. They believed that he was dead as a result of an elaborate plot by Ukrainian authorities to fake his death.

Ukraine is now trying to justify the actions saying that there was a Russian plot to kill him.

Less than 24 hours earlier, Ukraine said the reporter had died from three gunshots to the back in the stairwell of his apartment building in a contract-style killing in a case that provoked an outpouring of grief and a diplomatic spat.

‘Thanks to this operation we were able to foil a cynical plot and document how the Russian security service was planning for this crime,’ security service head Vasyl Grytsak said at the press conference.

Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko (C), who was reported murdered in the Ukrainian capital on May 29, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko (R) and head of the state security service (SBU) Vasily Gritsak attend a news briefing in Kiev, Ukraine May 30, 2018. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

ATR journalists react on Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko's appearance during a news conference, in the ATR newsroom in Kiev, Ukraine May 30, 2018, in this still image obtained from a video by social media. Kateryna Lisunova/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES

Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko, who was declared murdered and then later turned up alive, attends a meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in Kiev, Ukraine May 30, 2018. Mykola Lazarenko/Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

Grytsak announced authorities had arrested the alleged mastermind of the plot, saying a Ukrainian citizen named only by the initial G. had offered to pay a hitman to carry out the killing after being recruited by Russian special forces and paid $40,000.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko later met Babchenko and wrote triumphantly on Facebook that ‘millions of people are celebrating’ the journalist’s new lease of life.

The planned attack was ‘organised from Russian territory’ with the aim of ‘destabilising the situation in Ukraine’ and ‘killing one whom Russia fears most of all’, he said.

‘Thanks to Arkady and the Ukrainian security chiefs, for not allowing this scenario to be carried out in our country.’

Anton Guerachtchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister, likened the plot to a story from a crime novel, saying on Facebook that ‘Sherlock Holmes successfully used the method of staging his own death to efficiently solve complicated crimes’.

In this video grab made on May 30, 2018 from a YouTube video posted by Ukraine's security service (SBU), officers arrest the alleged mastermind of an alleged Russian plot designed to kill prominent Russian anti-Kremlin journalist, war correspondent and former soldier Arkady Babchenko whose death from three gunshots to the back was announced less than 24 hours before he finally appeared alive and well at a press conference on May 30 as Ukraine admitted it had faked his death in order to foil an attempt on his life by Moscow. / AFP PHOTO / Ukraine's security service AND YOUTUBE / - / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / YOUTUBE / UKRAINE'S SECURITY SERVICE" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS-/AFP/Getty Images

But Moscow, later Wednesday, condemned the plot, with the foreign ministry saying ‘now the true motives are beginning to be revealed for this staging, which is totally obviously yet another anti-Russian provocation’.

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said it was ‘great news’ that Babchenko was alive but on Twitter she slammed the ‘propagandistic effect’ of the set-up.

Grytsak, during his press conference, thanked Babchenko and his family, who he said were in the loop about the secret operation. The reporter, however, apologised to his wife for putting her through ‘this hell she had to live through for three days…but there was no other option’.

He later defiantly promised on Twitter to ‘die at 96 after dancing on Putin’s grave’. ‘God, it got so boring being dead,’ he wrote. ‘Good morning.’

News of the ‘death’ of the prominent Russian war correspondent and former soldier set off a series of recriminations between Kiev and Moscow, and pictures and flowers were laid by mourners at the Russian embassy in Kiev.

Ukrainian officials led by Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman accused Russia of being behind the killing of the Kremlin critic, a charge that Moscow batted back.

Reporters Without Borders also condemned the faked death. ‘It is pathetic and regrettable that the Ukrainian police have played with the truth, whatever their motive… for the stunt,’ Christophe Deloire, the head of the Paris-based media watchdog, told AFP.

And Russian investigative journalist Andrei Soldatov, a former colleague of Babchenko, also questioned the value of the operation. ‘To me, it’s crossing a line big time. Babchenko is a journalist not a policeman, for Christ sake, and part of our job is trust, whatever Trump & Putin say about fake news,’ he wrote on Twitter.

In this handout picture taken and released on May 30, 2018 by the Ukrainian Presidential press service, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko (L) speaks with Russian anti-Kremlin journalist Arkady Babchenko during a meeting in Kiev. Ukraine admitted it had staged the murder of Arkady Babchenko in order to foil an attempt on his life by Russia, a stunning development in a case that had attracted global headlines.?? / AFP PHOTO / UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / Mykola Lazarenko / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Ukrainian Presidential press service / MYKOLA LAZARENKO" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTSMYKOLA LAZARENKO/AFP/Getty Images

‘I’m glad he is alive, but he undermined even further the credibility of journalists and the media,’ he added.

A number of Kremlin critics have been killed in Ukraine in recent years, with one gunned down on a Kiev street in broad daylight and another whose car exploded.

Babchenko fought in Russia’s two Chechen campaigns in the 1990s and early 2000s before becoming a war correspondent and author. He repeatedly said he faced death threats.

He has contributed to a number of media outlets including top opposition newspaper Novaya Gazeta and is an avid blogger, accusing Russian authorities of killing Kremlin critics and unleashing wars in Ukraine, Syria and elsewhere.

He wrote about his experience as a young soldier in the Chechen campaigns in a book published in English under the title ‘One Soldier’s War’. Babchenko left Russia in February 2017 after receiving threats, living first in the Czech Republic, then in Israel, before moving to Kiev.

He has hosted a programme on the Crimean Tatar TV station ATR for the past year. Babchenko made a name for himself with his poignant reportages from the frontlines, including the conflict in eastern Ukraine that has killed more than 10,000 people.

In recent years his increasingly bombastic posts pushed the boundaries of good taste and some of his colleagues and followers stopped reading him on Facebook.

May 31, 2018

Police dog killed with an axe by Syrian man shouting ‘Allahu akbar’ in Scheidam

by RITEBET, in

A police dog has died after it was axed to death by a Syrian man who attacked police officers trying to arrest him.

Police dog killed with an axe by man shouting 'Allahu akbar'

Neighbours reported the man after he was spotted on the balcony of a flat waving the axe and shouting ‘Allahu akbar in Scheidam, near Rotterdam, Holland.

Officers tried to calm the 26-year-old down but were unable to and he was shot and wounded. When police squads raided the flat he attacked them and stabbed the police dog which died from its injuries.

Police shoot man with axe near Schiedam in Netherlands A police arrest team shot a 26-year-old man in Schiedam. Around half past two in the afternoon the police received a report about a person who from his balcony at the Van den Tempelstraat waved a chopper and called "Allahu akbar".

Schiedam Mayor Cor Lamers issued a statement saying that the suspect was a Syrian who had been living with his father in Schiedam since last year.

‘The man was known to several help organisations but this was an escalation we had not seen coming,’ Lamers said.

The confrontation came a day after a man in Belgium attacked and killed two female police officers and fatally shot a passer-by.

May 31, 2018

Drake issues statement on blackface picture made viral by Pusha T

by RITEBET, in

Drake has issued a statement on the picture of him in blackface used by Pusha T on his new single artwork.

Ramping up the feud between the two rappers, Pusha T dropped a new diss track, The Story of Adinon, which he accompanied with cover art showing Drizzy, 31, wearing blackface and a Jim Crow t-shirt.

The picture was taken as a part of a shoot by photographer David Leyes, with the image being removed from his website gallery following the image going viral with Pusha T’s diss track.

Please stop referring to this picture as “artwork”...I’m not an internet baby, I don’t edit images...this is a REAL picture...these are his truths, see for yourself https://t.co/gd6vRS3HM8 pic.twitter.com/2el58HEZ8F
— King Push (@PUSHA_T) May 30, 2018

It was claimed that the shoot was done in association with the brand Too Black Guys, with Drake previously wearing clothes from the label’s ‘Jim Crow Couture’ range.

However, Drake has now broken his silence on the photo, and explained the concept behind the shoot.

In a note shared to his Instagram story, the Nice For What star wrote: ‘I know everyone is enjoying the circus but I want to clarify this image in question. This was not from a clothing brand shoot or my music career. This picture is from 2007, a time in my life where I was an actor and I was working on a project that was about young black actors struggling to get roles, being stereotyped and typecast.

‘The photos represented how African Americans were once wrongfully portrayed in entertainment. Me and my best friend at the time Mazin Elsadig who is also an actor from Sudan were attempting to use our voice to bring awareness to the issues we dealt with all the time as black actors at auditions.

‘This was to highlight and raise our frustrations with not always getting a fair chance in the industry and to make a point that the struggle for black actors had not changed much.’

While Drake addressed the blackface issue, he has not yet commented on Pusha T’s claims that the Canadian rapper fathered a son with an ex.