Entertainment
Sierra Leone: The West African nation welcoming the world
A new generation of Sierra Leoneans is eager to show visitors that the nation’s civil war is long gone and reintroduce one of Africa’s great destinations to the world.
Sitting in the shade of a palm tree on Tokeh Beach, one of Sierra Leone’s many postcard-worthy, white-sand waterfronts, Peter Momoh Bassie told me his story. “I am not ashamed to say I was part of the rebels because I was captured by force,” he said, looking out over the emerald-coloured water. “I never killed anyone,” he added.
Stories like Bassie’s abound in Sierra Leone, a small nation in West Africa with more than 300km of coastline sandwiched between Guinea and Liberia. The country’s 11-year civil war that ended in 2002 killed more than 50,000 people and displaced 2.6 million more. The rebels captured Bassie when he was just 11 years old. He was held captive for six years, managing to escape – and get caught again – three times.
Today, Bassie works as a tour guide for Tourism Is Life, one of many Sierra Leonean travel companies eager to show the world that the nation is now safe and introduce visitors to its many rainforests, beaches and rich cultural experiences.
Though the war ended more than two decades ago, its legacy – compounded by a 2014 Ebola virus outbreak – has meant that Sierra Leone remains something of an off-the-beaten-path destination, attracting only a small fraction of the visitors who venture to nearby Ghana or Senegal, for example.
Two new 591-foot-tall skyscrapers, linked across the top by a daring “sky pool,” are set to rise above Dubai’s Marasi Marina.
But the soaring 43-foot infinity pool will not be accessible to the public, or even to most of the luxury towers’ residents — it’s part of what its architects describe as an exclusive “ultra-penthouse.”
Comprising 63 luxury residences, the new Regent Residences Dubai will be worth an estimated $1 billion upon its completion in 2027. The 35,000-square-foot penthouse features six bedrooms, a gym and a private elevator.
Dame Judi Dench always has someone with her when she is in public now for a reason.
During a conversation on the “Fearless” podcast with Trinny Woodall, the esteemed actress was asked about attending industry events.
Woodall pointed out that Dench is always with someone.
“I have to now because I can’t see,” Dench said. “And I walk into something.”
When asked about going solo, the star said she’s “not good at that at all.”
“Not at all. Nor would I be now,” Dench said. “And fortunately, I don’t have to be now.”
She laughingly said she has “no eyesight.”
It’s not the first time the Oscar winner has shared about her poor vision.
In 2012, she revealed that she had an age-related condition known as macular degeneration.
At the time she said she didn’t want news of her condition to be “overblown.”
“In response to the numerous articles in the media concerning my eye condition – macular degeneration – I do not wish for this to be overblown,” Dench said in a statement. “This condition is something that thousands and thousands of people all over the world are having to contend with. It’s something that I have learnt to cope with and adapt to – and it will not lead to blindness.”
Dench has previously discussed how the condition has made her work more challenging.
“I mean I can’t see on a film set anymore,” she told the Daily Mail. “I can’t see to read. So I can’t see much. But you know you just deal with it. Get on. It’s difficult for me if I have any length of a part. I haven’t yet found a way. Because I have so many friends who will teach me the script. But I have a photographic memory.”
Dench has had a long and storied career as an actress, including winning a best supporting actress Oscar in 1998 for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in “Shakespeare in Love.”
song originally recorded for Tina Turner’s hit 1980s album “Private Dancer” and thought to be lost has been rediscovered after four decades.
“Hot For You Baby” has been unearthed from the vaults and was played for the first time Thursday when it featured on the UK’s BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
“It’s like Tina Turner meets AC/DC,” was one BBC listener’s reaction.
Recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, the song was written by Australian musicians George Young and Harry Vanda, and produced by John Carter.
Originally intended to be an album track, according to the song’s caption on Turner’s official YouTube channel, it’s unclear how the song became “lost to time.”
The song will be included in a special “Private Dancer” anniversary album slated for release in March.
“This thrilling discovery introduces a fresh chapter in the Private Dancer story,” reads the YouTube caption.
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