Album Review: Sharecropper’s Son by Robert Finley

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefChinese streaming video platform iQiyi has announced plans to raise $285 million from a private placing of shares, part of which will be taken up by parent company Baidu.The move comes in the same week that the NASDAQ-listed company said it was suspending its weekend live broadcasts of English Premier League football (soccer) due to the sport’s public displays of solidarity with Ukraine.iQiyi is understood to have informed the Premier League that it would be removing the coverage following the league’s announcement that a “moment of reflection and solidarity” would be held before matches at the weekend. Several teams also displayed armbands in the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag.

Big Bang member T.O.P expressed his desire overhaul the K-pop system of training and creating idols and artists.In a new interview with Prestige Hong Kong, the South Korean musician spoke about the “harsh” K-pop system, observing how the current training regime affects younger K-pop idols and their mental well-being.“I, myself, am fortunate that I only spent less than a year as a trainee before I debuted – a relatively short time – but after, I saw all the trainees, the boys and girls, they’re under a very harsh system,” T.O.P said.“They’re told what to do and trained just like robots,” the rapper added. “They might get popular, they might get bigger, but in their heart and in ways we can’t see, they’re being isolated, and feel lonely inside.”To address this, T.O.P expressed his desire to change the system and establish a new type of K-pop record company.

Kanye West has shared a new animated video for his ‘DONDA’ track ‘Hurricane’ – check it out below.The track from the 2021 album features The Weeknd and Lil Baby, and is nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the GRAMMYs.The new video sees a number of animated prisoners escaping from a prison island, before an avatar of Kanye rises up from the sea to baptise them and gives a speech, before they all rise into the sky.It follows the controversial music video for Kanye’s track ‘Eazy’, which was shared earlier this month and featured a claymation version of SNL comedian Pete Davidson – who is currently dating West’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian – being kidnapped and buried alive.Check out the ‘Hurricane’ video below.Ahead of the release of the ‘Hurricane’ visual, Kanye appears to have addressed the backlash he faced over the music video for ‘Eazy’.“Everyone lived happily ever after, except Skete you know who – JK he’s fine,” a series of title cards read at the end of the video. The track itself also includes the lyric: “God saved me from that crash / Just so I can beat Pete Davidson’s ass”.In his latest Instagram post, the rapper appears to have responded to the criticism he faced for the visuals.

Luba Mushtuk is taking a well-deserved holiday after an intense season of dancing. The Strictly Come Dancing star didn't have a celebrity partner during the 2021 series but took part in all the group dances, and also participated in the nationwide tour alongside some of her colleagues.MORE: Lorraine Kelly enjoys relaxing holiday retreat with Strictly star Luba MushtukNow, the 32-year-old is relaxing in a sunny destination and couldn't help but show off the stunning scenery on her Instagram.WATCH: Luba talks joining Strictly alongside Johannes and GrazianoTaking to her profile, Luba shared two incredible images showing her posing on top of some rocks by the beach.

Liz Hurley has shared her love and support to her former fiancé Shane Warne's daughter Summer after the star passed away on Friday 5 March at the age of 52.The Australian cricket legend died of a suspected heart attack before being found unresponsive in his room at the luxury Samujana Villa resort in Koh Samui, Thailand.Taking to her instagram feed, Summer, 20, shared a series of intimate snaps and videos of herself with Shane before opening up on her heartbreak following the loss of her father. In one black and white snap, Summer can be seen sitting next to her dad as the pair smile for the camera, another shows her as a young child as she lays fast asleep next to her dad, while several videos show Shane acting silly for her in front of the camera.

Father John Misty has shared a brand new song from his forthcoming album ‘Chloë and The Next 20th Century’ – listen to ‘Goodbye Mr. Blue’ below.‘Chloë and The Next 20th Century’, Tillman’s fifth studio album under the Father John Misty moniker, is set to arrive on April 8 via Sub Pop and Bella Union.The album, which follows 2018’s ‘God’s Favorite Customer’, has so far been previewed with the tracks ‘Q4’ and ‘Funny Girl’.Check out ‘Goodbye Mr.

All ties between Stockport Council and Russian-owned energy firm Gazprom should be cut, according to one councillor in the borough.

A school nurse has described her ‘brutal battle’ with depression over the last two decades and how she has been massively helped by a Trafford community project.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Spanish filmmaker Roberto Perez Toledo’s swan song, “Places Where We’ve Never Been” (“Lugares a los que nunca hemos ido”), will screen in the Zonazine section of the Malaga Film Festival just weeks after the filmmaker’s demise.The 25th Malaga Film Festival runs March 18-27. Variety has been given exclusive access to a clip of his film, which consists of five unrelated but thematically similar stories revolving around five couples.Produced by Deep Entertainment, “Places…” presents five stories: Among them is that of Elena whose dinner order is delivered by a man who turns out to be an old flame.

ABC has dropped a new promo for the Oscars, spotlighting hosts Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes. In the ad (check it out above), the trio discusses the challenge ahead and how they’ll need to stack up against competition from other recent emcees.

Outstanding Original Score for a Studio Film: “Encanto,” Germaine Franco  Outstanding Original Score for an Independent Film: “The Green Knight,” Daniel Hart Outstanding Original Song for a Musical/Comedy: “Just Look Up” from “Don’t Look Up,” Nicholas Britell, Ariana Grande, Scott Mescudi, and Taura Stinson Outstanding Original Song for a Drama/Documentary: “No Time To Die” from “No Time to Die,” Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell  Outstanding Score for Television: “The White Lotus,” Cristobel Tapia de VeerOutstanding Original Score for Interactive Media: “Battlefield 2042,” Hildur Guđnadóttir and Sam Slater The David Raskin Award for Emerging Talent: “Jupiter’s Legacy,” Stephanie EconomouSpirit of Collaboration Award: Composer Carter Burwell, filmmakers Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Helen Skelton took to Instagram on Tuesday to share an incredibly poignant post with her fans.READ: How to talk to your children about the Ukraine/Russia conflictThe TV star – who welcomed her third child in December – shared two photos: the first one, a black-and-white throwback of herself, and the second showing Ukrainian boxing stars Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko.WATCH: Helen Skelton reveals husband's major home transformationShe told her followers: "Slide one … 2012 filming in Kyiv we played football and drank vodka in the streets. Slide two talking to Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko this morning as they defend those streets. Chat felt surreal on many levels.READ: 5 ways to cope with news induced anxiety right nowMORE: What can you do to help Ukraine?"We also spoke to a woman who left her 19 year old son at the border to fight as she crossed to safety with her daughter.

This Morning's Dermot O'Leary marked International Women's Day by honouring the important women in his life, and delighted fans by sharing a rare photo of his wife of nine years.MORE: Dermot O'Leary's ultra-stylish family house with wife Dee is beautiful inside and outPosting on his Instagram, the presenter shared three photos of his "holy trinity," which includes his mother Maria, his big sister Nicola and his wife Dee.WATCH: Dermot O'leary Congratulated For Coming Out In Awkward This Morning Moment"My holy trinity….#internationalwomensday," he simply captioned the post.READ: Dermot O'Leary gives rare insight into marriage with Dee KoppangRELATED: Relive Dermot O'Leary and Dee Koppang's breathtaking wedding day – photosIn the rare snap, Dee can be seen clearly at work, as a large filming camera can be seen next to her. Dermot shared a gorgeous picture of his wife of nearly ten yearsDee is a TV and film director who has worked on some major shows like Bridgerton, The Crown and The Split.The mother-of-one also has credits on Justin Bieber's documentary special All Around the World, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and reality show Ladies of London.Fans loved the rare family tribute, and Dee was one of the first to react, simply commenting a red heart emoji.Dermot and Dee have been together for nearly 20 years, after meeting at a TV production company where they both worked back in 2002.The couple like to keep their personal life private and rarely share family pictures on social media.Dermot, 48, has spoken out before about his wife, praising her for keeping him sane.

When we sit down for our video call with Joanna Lumley, the topic is travel as the 75 year old globetrotter has just completed her latest show, Joanna Lumley’s Great Cities Of The World. As well as chatting about her recent visits to the European hotspots of Rome, Paris and Berlin, she also lets us in on the moment she found out about becoming a dame and admits she’s not at all as glamorous as she might seem, dubbing £16 a “fortune” to spend on face cream. “I love slogging and slugging about a bit,” she says before admitting that she’s lazy with her wardrobe and hair – which she cut herself during lockdown.

Lil Bo Weep, real name Winona Brooks, has died at the age of 22, her family have confirmed. Her father Matthew Schofield shared the heartbreaking news on his Facebook page alongside a series of photos of his daughter. Sharing that she passed away on Saturday 5 March, he wrote: "02/01/2000 to 05/03/2022 "This weekend we lost the fight for my daughter's life against depression , trauma , PTSD and drug addiction that we have been fighting since we got her back from America through emergency repatriation DFAT but broken .

Ashton Kutcher walks and talks with wife Mila Kunis while arriving for a brunch date over the weekend in Los Angeles.

A new song from King Von's posthumous album What It Means To Be King has received a video. This time around it's the solo cut "Too Real" receiving the visual treatment.

London rapper Dizzee Rascal has been convicted of assaulting his former partner Cassandra Jones, the mother of his two children. District Judge Polly Gledhill delivered the verdict at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court early Monday morning.

Former Motherwell captain Carl McHugh admits he still feels the pain of losing the 2018 Scottish Cup final with the Fir Park side.

Renfrewshire councillors have hit out at a decision by ScotRail to cut ticket office hours at stations insisting people's safety will be compromised.

Lakeith Stanfield is opening up about what it was like to return to his former high school after achieving success in Hollywood.

Elizabeth Hurley was left reeling following the sudden death of her former fiancé Shane Warne on Friday. And supporting her every step of the way is her son, Damian.MORE: Elizabeth Hurley's son Damian speaks out after being cut out of £180m willTo mark International Women's Day on Tuesday, Damian honoured his mum – alongside a number of his female friends – sharing a beautiful snapshot of mother and son together.

the Black Keys have always rocked in shades of the blues.But on “Delta Kream,” their 10th studio album, the Grammy-winning duo goes deeper than ever into the genre, with covers of 11 Mississippi hill country blues songs by greats such as R.L.