Rio de Janeiro launches its festive Carnival celebrations as Mayor hands over the city key to King Momo, marking the start of the five-day event filled with samba and revelry.
Rio de Janeiro officially inaugurated its Carnival celebrations with a ceremonial handover of the city key to the symbolic figure of King Momo on Friday. The city’s mayor participated in this vibrant tradition at a festive event that marks the beginning of the five-day festival. King Momo, represented this year by 28-year-old Kaio Mackenzie from the Mangueira community, embodies a role deeply embedded in Carnival’s ethos, inspired by the Greek mythological figure Momus, who symbolizes satire and irreverence. Accompanied by the Carnival queen and her princesses, Mackenzie danced to lively samba music while confetti cascaded around them, ushering in a period known for its celebratory spirit and societal inversion.
In a separate event, a stretch of Interstate 40 in western North Carolina will reopen this weekend after being significantly damaged by Hurricane Helene’s historic flooding. The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced that the 20-mile stretch of the interstate will officially resume traffic on Saturday. The reopening is significant as it restores a key travel route between western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. However, travelers should be advised that the road has been narrowed to one lane in each direction, along with a reduced speed limit, which could lead to delays, particularly during weekends. Full restoration of the highway to four lanes may not occur until late next year.
In the tech world, Microsoft has announced plans to shut down Skype, the video-calling platform that it acquired for $8.5 billion in 2011. The tech giant revealed on Friday that Skype will cease operations in May 2024, with many of its services being transitioned to Microsoft Teams, the company’s primary video conferencing platform. Users will still have the ability to log into Teams using their existing Skype accounts. This decision reflects a long-term strategy by Microsoft to consolidate its messaging services under Teams.
In northern India, officials have reported that at least 25 construction workers remain trapped following an avalanche near the Mana Pass, close to the Tibet border. The incident, which occurred on Friday in Uttarakhand state, initially buried 57 workers in snow. As rescue operations progressed, a total of 32 workers were rescued, with three being sent to a military hospital for medical treatment. Efforts are ongoing to find the remaining individuals. This region, known for its ecological sensitivity, has increasingly experienced such natural disasters attributed to the impacts of climate change.
In the United States, an economic boycott promoted by a grassroots group called The People’s Union USA commenced recently, encouraging citizens to refrain from spending money for 24 hours as a protest against perceived negative influences from billionaires and major corporations. While participation numbers are unclear, early reports indicate that no significant impact on retail or restaurant revenues has been observed as of midday Friday. The group’s founder has faced scrutiny regarding a criminal record.
Meanwhile, South Korean police have requested the presence of a Japanese woman for questioning concerning an incident involving Jin, a member of the K-pop group BTS. The woman is alleged to have kissed Jin without consent during an event last year, an act that has prompted accusations of sexual harassment. The authorities have opted not to disclose her identity due to privacy considerations, although media reports indicate that the woman is in her 50s and has not cooperated with the police’s inquiries.
In the music industry, rapper Drake has settled his legal dispute with iHeartMedia concerning Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” Court records reveal that Drake previously argued that iHeartMedia had received improper payments from Universal Music Group to enhance the track’s radio airplay. The case, which was underway in Texas, has reportedly concluded with an amicable resolution, although specific details about the settlement have not been disclosed.
Additionally, the Justice Department released a new batch of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, which included flight logs and a partially redacted address book. Despite anticipation, the files largely contained previously circulated information and did not unveil significant new details regarding Epstein’s case.
Lastly, Amelia Dimoldenberg, creator of “Chicken Shop Date,” is set to return to the Oscars red carpet, continuing her mission to infuse fresh energy and reach diverse audiences within traditional media spaces. Known for her awkward yet charming interviews with celebrity guests that often go viral, Dimoldenberg’s appearances are becoming a notable aspect of the awards atmosphere, with high-profile nominees among her anticipated interview subjects.
In a separate development, a U.S. porn actor named Whitney Wright has stirred attention through her unacknowledged trip to Taliban-governed Afghanistan, sharing several images of her experiences in the country on social media. The Taliban did not comment on her visit, which brought back memories of her past controversial trip to Iran during which she faced strict scrutiny over women’s rights.
Source: Noah Wire Services
