Raffaella Carrà, Iconic Italian Pop Star, Dies at 78

Smash Mouth have revealed their new singer via a cover of Rick Astley‘s ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ – watch that below.Late last year, the band’s vocalist Steve Harwell announced that he was retiring due to ongoing health issues that he’s been battling for several years.With the new Astley cover, Smash Mouth have revealed that Zach Goode will be their new singer.As Stereogum point out, his previous gigs include roles in bands called Ghoulspoon, Divided by Zero and Secret Seven, and a job fronting a “mock-senior citizen Weezer/Beastie Boys performance art band” called Geezer.Hear his first performance as vocalist of Smash Mouth below.When leaving the band, Harwell told fans: “Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a Rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream. To my bandmates, it’s been an honour performing with you all these years and I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with.“To our loyal and amazing fans, thank you, all of this was possible because of you.

The BBC’s website, Facebook and Twitter were all blocked in Russia overnight.

Stacey Solomon brought her adorable baby daughter Rose onto Loose Women with her on her first day back on the popular ITV show. Stacey gave birth to Rose, whom she shares she fiancé Joe Swash, in October and had been on maternity leave until today, Friday 4 March. Her Loose Women colleagues gushed over how lovely it was to have Rose in their pre-show meeting, for Stacey to then bring her tot on screen later on in the programme.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorRussia’s media regulator announced that it was blocking access to the Facebook network in the country, claiming parent company Meta’s restrictions on Kremlin-affiliated media accounts violated a Russian law banning censorship.In the wake of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, Meta previously said it was “globally demoting” content from Facebook pages and Instagram accounts from Russian state-controlled media outlets such as the Russian military’s Zvezda TV channel and Sputnik to make them harder to find on its platforms. In addition, the social giant has banned ads from Russian state-controlled media and demonetized their accounts.Meta is among a host of other internet media platforms that have restricted or blocked Russian state-sponsored media since the war commenced, including YouTube, Spotify, TikTok, Snapchat and Reddit.

Megan Barton-Hanson and James Lock appear to be back on, after splitting in December. Love Island babe Megan, 27, was filmed by The Only Way Is Essex star Lock, 35, giving him a kiss the cheek as they celebrated Megan's birthday on Friday. Megan was the first to show her on-off beau James off on her social media after their split.The blonde beauty shared a video on her Instagram story showing off gifts, flowers a card and a raunchy cake in a hotel room.

An Ayrshire MP has joined the campaign to see a ban on ‘barbaric’ trophy hunting imports.

The southern Ukrainian city of Kherson has seen a wave of protests today (March 5) as Russian troops advance into the region.

A charity football match that will see former professionals take on celebrities is taking place next month to mark the fifth anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing.

Sport's brand Nike have dropped a clanger involving Manchester United's Marcus Rashford at their American headquarters in Oregon.

Bloom Twins, who’ll also be performing on the night.All money raised will be donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee to support humanitarian and emergency response work in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.On February 24, Russia sent military forces into Ukraine. As reported by The Washington Post, The United Nations has recorded at least 752 civilian casualties so far across Ukraine, with 227 killed and 525 injured, including scores of children.

Taskmaster has launched its own worldwide streaming service, bringing together episodes of the British comedy show alongside international versions.Taskmaster Supermax+ is available now for £5.99 a month. Subscribers will eventually get every episode of Taskmaster ever made, ad free. As of today though (March 5) only the first 3 series of the British version of the show are available, with series 4 joining the service on March 11.“As I’ve been told quite a few times that not everyone everywhere can watch Taskmaster, we wanted to create a channel where fans can watch all episodes ad-free; the complete global home for all things Taskmaster,” reads a welcome message from creator Alex Horne.”Season 9 will premiere soon so people in the US can finally see me dressed up as a mermaid.

Clairo has rescheduled a number of upcoming dates on her US tour due to a sinus infection.The singer is currently on a nationwide tour behind 2021 album ‘Sling’, with support coming from Arlo Parks.Taking to her Instagram Stories, Claire Cottrill wrote: “I’m really sorry to announce that we’ve decided to reschedule the next few shows,” detailing three gigs that will now be moved to July, and two Chicago dates to be shifted to later this month.Of the reasons behind the postponements, she added: “I came down with a sinus infection in the last two days and I haven’t been able to sing at all.“I also just need to take a step back from performing in general (for a little bit),” she wrote. “I hope you understand.”See the post and Clairo’s updated US tour schedule below.MARCH 202216 – Chicago, Riviera Theatre17 – Chicago, Riviera Theatre18 – Minneapolis, The Fillmore20 – Denver, The Fillmore23 – Seattle, Paramount Theatre25 – Portland, Arlene Schnitzer Hall28 – Vancouver, The Orpheum30 – San Francisco, The Masonic31 – Oakland, Fox TheatreAPRIL 20222 – Los Angeles, Greek Theatre3 – Anaheim, House of Blues5 – Tempe, Marquee Theatre7 – Dallas, South Side Ballroom9 – Austin, ACL at Moody Theatre10 – Houston, Bayou Music Center13 – Miami, The Fillmore Miami Beach14 – Orlando, Hard Rock Live16 – Atlanta, TabernacleJULY 202229 – Detroit, The Fillmore30 – Cleveland, Agora Ballroom31 – Indianapolis, Old National CenterFor the tour, Clairo has partnered with SafeTour and Calling All Crows to ensure the safety of attending gig-goers.“Every show will have a person/resource to go to if there’s harassment in the crowd,” she wrote upon the tour’s announcement, adding that a “no bullshit” policy would be in place.

Alzheimer's could be preceded by 10 health conditions up to 15 years before diagnosis, according to new research.

K.J. Yossman British journalist Stuart Ramsay has been shot and wounded while reporting on the conflict in Ukraine.Ramsay, Sky News’ chief correspondent, was driving along a freeway towards Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv alongside camera operator Richie Mockler, producers Dominique Van Heerden and Martin Vowles, and local producer Andrii Lytvynenko on Monday Feb. 28 when their car was ambushed by Russians, who showered it in a hail of bullets.Despite the Sky News team shouting that they were journalists, the shooting did not stop.

With the war in Ukraine continuing to push many of its citizens out of the country amid Vladimir Putin’s invasion, protests continue in Russia.  Thousands have taken to the streets to denounce the war, including the daughters of some of Russia’s most elite figures with ties to the Kremlin.  One of Russia’s most outspoken opponents of the invasion on social media has been Sofia Abramovich, who publicly called out Putin in her Instagram Story with a post that said, "Putin wants a war with Ukraine.The biggest and most successful lie out of the Kremlin propaganda is that most Russians are with Putin." Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with his daughter Sofia Abramovich in the stands. (Mike Egerton/PA Images) The equestrian is the daughter of Roman Abramovich, 55, the owner of the Chelsea Premier League Football Club who has a reported net worth of $12 billion.The club owner has said he will sell the team after mounting pressure brought on by the invasion and his ties to the Kremlin.  Abramovich also announced that he has instructed the popular football club to set up a foundation that will use all net proceeds from the sale of Chelsea to "benefit all victims of the war in Ukraine." Abramovich has yet to be sanctioned over his relationship with Russia.

COVID vaccination will no longer be required to attend gigs in the city.Vaccination has been a requirement of entry for all gigs since live music returned last summer, with anti-vax protestors gathering outside Foo Fighters’ reopening concert at Madison Square Garden.In an announcement in the city’s Times Square, Adams confirmed that from Monday, May 7, vaccination will no longer be required to attend gigs as well as restaurants, bars and gyms.“Businesses previously covered will still have the flexibility to require proof of vaccination or masking indoors if they choose,” Adams’ office confirmed.The Mayor did go on to stress that “COVID changes, it shifts, it modifies, and we must be willing to do the same.”Watch the speech below.Last month, industry insiders and health experts spoke to NME about what US fans can expect from live music during the next stage of the ongoing pandemic.After being postponed three times during the pandemic, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is set to return to Southern California this April. One of the world’s biggest festivals, the event draws up to 125,000 fans to the Indio desert a day, which is why health officials initially forced the event to cancel, pointing to the high risk of viral spread due to the large number of attendees.

Gucci Mane has compared himself to Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin and former American Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama on new track ‘Publicity Stunt’ – check it out below.On ‘Publicity Stunt’, Gucci Mane raps “Ain’t no disputin’, I kill like I’m Putin. Got a truck full of shooters, I move like I’m Trump.

Raffaella Carrà has sadly died.

Raffaella Carrá was an Italian pop star best known in the U.S. for co-starring with Frank Sinatra (1915–1998) in the 1965 film “Von Ryan’s Express.”Carrá began acting in films when she was a child, and she attended Italy’s national film school.

Raffaella Carrà, beloved Italian singer, dancer and actor, who starred with Frank Sinatra in 1965’s Von Ryan’s Express, died Monday. She was 78.