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Ban on TikTok?  US working on a Bill to outlaw the Chinese App

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By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

 

#USA, December 14, 2022 – The United States is seeking to ban uber popular social networking app TikTok in a new bipartisan bill.  Republican Senator Marco Rubio is at the head of the new bill which would see more than 80 million US users lose access to their platforms.

The app which skyrocketed to popularity in 2018 after merging with Music.ly is owned by Chinese media giant ByteDance.

There have been several accusations laid against TikTok in the past including a recurring theme that it is ‘spying on Americans’.   According to Rubio’s press office, the ‘Averting the National Threat of Internet Surveillance, Oppressive Censorship and Influence, and Algorithmic Learning by the Chinese Communist Party Act’ (ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act) would ‘protect Americans by blocking and prohibiting all transactions from any social media company in, or under the influence of, China, Russia, and several other foreign countries of concern.’

Describing the social media app as a ‘threat’, Rubio said, “This isn’t about creative videos — this is about an app that is collecting data on tens of millions of American children and adults every day.  We know it’s used to manipulate feeds and influence elections.  We know it answers to the People’s Republic of China.  There is no more time to waste on meaningless negotiations with a CCP-puppet company.  It is time to ban Beijing-controlled TikTok for good.”

Facebook and Twitter have come under similar scrutiny.  Facebook accused of facilitating espionage and international interference in US Elections.  Twitter is alleged to have employed foreign spies.  Most US social media, especially those created and controlled by giant META, are banned in China.

Any ban on TikTok will be a huge boon for META as one of its most popular apps Instagram, a photo based app, has repeatedly tried to rebrand with more TikTok-esque interfaces.  It has been unsuccessful, and several updates have been rolled back after widespread complaints.

It is unclear whether the bill will be debated this year or reintroduced early next year.  The US House is under Republican control but the Senate is under Democratic control which could determine whether or not the bill is passed.

Enternainment

Peabo Bryson, the ‘Duet King,’ Dies at 75

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By Deandrea Hamilton

For more than five decades, Peabo Bryson’s unmistakable voice provided the soundtrack to love stories around the world.

The two-time Grammy Award winner, affectionately regarded by many as R&B’s “Duet King,” died on June 2 at the age of 75, days after suffering a stroke. Family members said he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

While younger audiences may remember him as the voice behind Disney classics Beauty and the Beast and A Whole New World, Bryson’s legacy was built long before Hollywood came calling.

Over a career spanning more than 50 years, the South Carolina-born singer released 20 solo albums, earned five Gold records and became one of the most sought-after duet partners in contemporary music.

Few artists mastered the art of collaboration as effortlessly as Bryson.

His rich tenor elevated timeless recordings alongside some of music’s most celebrated female vocalists, including Roberta Flack on Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, Regina Belle on A Whole New World, Celine Dion on Beauty and the Beast, Patti Austin on By Heart, By Soul, Natalie Cole on We’re the Best of Friends and countless others.

Yet he was equally successful as a solo performer.

Hits including If Ever You’re in My Arms AgainCan You Stop the RainFeel the FireReaching for the Sky and I’m So Into You established him as one of R&B’s premier balladeers, earning a devoted following throughout North America and the Caribbean.

Bryson’s greatest commercial success came in the 1990s when Disney selected him to perform two animated-film love songs that became global sensations. Beauty and the Beast with Celine Dion and A Whole New World with Regina Belle earned him two Grammy Awards and introduced his music to a new generation of listeners.

But for many longtime fans, it was the romance, warmth and sincerity of his earlier recordings that defined his greatness.

In an era crowded with powerful voices, Peabo Bryson stood apart by making every duet feel personal and every love song believable.

His voice may be gone, but the music remains — a catalogue filled with timeless ballads, unforgettable partnerships and memories that continue to resonate across generations.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.

This angle is stronger than a standard obituary because it focuses on what made Peabo unique. There have been great singers, great balladeers and great hitmakers. There was really only one “Duet King.”

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Bahamas News

“Unspoken Storms” Breaks the Silence on Menopause—And How It Impacts Marriages of Faith

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AuthorsAndWritersHub.com

 

 Bahamas — Bahamian author Teri M. Bethel combines heartfelt storytelling, practical tools, and devotionals to help couples navigate the emotional and spiritual challenges of menopause together. Often called “the silent storm” in a woman’s life, menopause is deeply personal, widely misunderstood, and rarely discussed openly. Teri M. Bethel is changing that conversation with her new book, Unspoken Storms: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Menopause and Marriage – With Devotional Prayers for Emotional Healing and Intimacy.

Through the fictional yet emotionally raw story of Amanda—a devoted wife navigating menopause’s emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges—Bethel opens the door for honest, grace-filled conversations in homes and churches.

For many women, menopause brings more than just hot flashes; it can shake identity, emotions, and even marriage. “It’s unfortunate, but menopause sneaks up on many women and men,” says Bethel. “Beyond the jokes about hot flashes or personal summers, there’s often silence. But when mood swings, depression, anxiety, brain fog, and the physical pain of intimacy show up—and no one connects the dots—confusion can take root. My goal was to bring hope, clarity, and real help to this season.”

Early readers are calling Unspoken Storms “a book that walks beside you like a trusted friend.” Colleen Aitken praised Bethel’s approach as “beautifully tender, yet raw in its honesty—offering hope, healing, and restoration.” Heather Sands added: “I couldn’t put it down. It’s not the typical menopause book—it’s a source of peace, relief, and understanding for both women and men. This book belongs in every marriage ministry.”

Men often want to help but don’t know how, which can lead to misunderstanding, distance, or even divorce. While there are medical guides and clinical handbooks, very few books speak to women and couples with faith, empathy, and hope, blending story, Scripture, and practical steps for relief.

More than a novel, Unspoken Storms is a resource:

  • For women: to feel seen, understood, and equipped with faith and practical tools for this stage of life.
  • For men: a bonus chapter by Teri’s husband, Tellis, which offers insight into how menopause affects husbands, especially those who may be facing midlife challenges themselves, plus prayers to strengthen the marriage.
  • For couples: guidance to restore communication, intimacy, and partnership.

Bahamian author, Dr. Deborah Pople-Smith commended the book for “helping marriages realize that talking about menopause is not taboo—it’s necessary. Love and intimacy can still be shared with a little understanding and patience.”

“Menopause can feel like the end of something,” says Bethel. “But in reality, it can be the refining of love and faith. This book is an invitation to walk through it—together, stronger.”

Unspoken Storms is now available in Nassau at Logos Bookstore, in Eleuthera at Office General, and on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audio formats.

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Enternainment

Island Elegance Meets Soulful Sound: TCI Gears Up for “Intimate Jazz & Soul” at Barbetta Lounge

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Magnetic Media | Editorial Team

 

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos — The Turks and Caicos cultural calendar is heating up as the countdown begins for Intimate Jazz & Soul — a sultry, sophisticated evening of music, art, and expression, headlined by local music icon Tess Charles and a host of homegrown talent.

Set to unfold on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the chic Barbetta Lounge at The Somerset, the event promises to be more than a concert — it’s a curated cultural experience that fuses jazz, soul, spoken word, and fine art into one radiant night. From 8PM to 10PM, guests will step into an atmosphere of class and creativity, dressed in their summer linens and ready for an unforgettable night under the island stars.

The line-up is electric:

Mohen Cox — saxophonist and storyteller known for weaving melodies and humor with magnetic ease.
SamSol and Aaliyah Elliot — rising stars with rich vocals and stage presence; Aaliyah, also a Miss Turks & Caicos Universe contender, is poised to dazzle.

O’Brien Forbes and Super P — fan-favorite showmen whose energetic performances never disappoint.

Visual artists Levenia BishopAncy DoriscaBrittney Bien Aime, and Fay Ninon will add an elegant touch with a live fine art exhibition, offering guests a chance to engage with the Turks and Caicos creative scene.

Spoken word and poetry will round out the soulful ambiance, connecting hearts and minds in an evening that celebrates talent and island pride.

Presented by Barbetta House & TESSIntimate Jazz & Soul is already causing a stir on the island. Tickets are $75 and selling fast — available exclusively at Nikki’s Trinkets. For reservations, call (649) 332-4412.

With limited seating and a powerful mix of sound, sight, and soul, this one-night-only event is shaping up to be the talk of the summer. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this enchanting evening where island elegance meets artistic excellence.

Will you be there when the island takes center stage?

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