North east gets week-long Tier 3 reprieve - as Greater Manchester row rumbles on

Spotify has shuttered its Moscow office in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and will restrict the discoverability of content owned and operated by Russian state-affiliated media.“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the unprovoked attack on Ukraine,” a Spotify spokesperson said in a statement.“Our first priority over the past week has been the safety of our employees and to ensure that Spotify continues to serve as an important source of global and regional news at a time when access to information is more important than ever.”Confirming its Moscow office would be closed “indefinitely”, the streaming platform said they were “providing individual support to our personnel” in Moscow, as well as their “global community of Ukrainian employees”.In addition to restricting the discoverability of Russian state-affiliated media, the platform has also removed all content from Kremlin-backed outlets RT and Sputnik that was hosted on Spotify in the European Union and other markets. Additionally, it has launched a guide on the platform that directs users to localised “trusted news” sources.Spotify has stopped short of shutting off access for their Russian users, however, saying they believe it’s “critically important to try to keep our service operational in Russia to allow for the global flow of information”.“We are exploring additional steps that we can take and will continue to do what is in the best interest of our employees and our listeners,” the statement concluded.Ukraine has been under attack since last Thursday (February 24), when Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in the neighbouring country.

Ghost have unveiled, ‘Twenties’, the latest cut off their upcoming album, ‘Impera’.Released on Thursday (March 3), the single offers listeners a new look into the Swedish metal outfit’s growth, as they meld together chugging guitar riffs with a reggaeton beat and dramatic orchestral instruments.Listen to ‘Twenties’ below.In a recent interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Ghost founder and vocalist Tobias Forge shared that the song was inspired by a Brazilian performance that he had seen on TV years ago that featured aggressive vocals over a reggaeton melody.“It was one of the most musically aggressive things I’ve ever seen. I come from death metal, black metal, punk, where we’re obviously thriving on the idea of being violent – but this was sort of like a party,” Forge explained.A post shared by The Band Ghost (@thebandghost)“Of course, I had heard that rhythm before, but I thought ‘That sounds like a fun way to write an aggressive song that I’ve never really heard’”.‘Twenties’ serves as the third official preview of the band’s upcoming fifth album, ‘Impera’, which is due to release on March 11.

Kelly Clarkson has debuted a rock cover of Ed Sheeran’s pop hit ‘Shivers’ on the ‘Kellyoke’ segment of her TV show.Clarkson has made it customary to perform a cover version of a song requested by her audience to open The Kelly Clarkson Show. For the March 1 edition of the show, the Grammy winner took on Sheeran’s acoustic-guitar led tune, giving it a rock facelift with driving guitars and flashing red lights.Watch Kelly Clarkson perform her version of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shivers’ below.Clarkson has previously covered Sharon Van Etten’s ‘The End Of The World’, Pixies’ ‘Where Is My Mind’, My Chemical Romance’s ‘Welcome To The Black Parade’, and Radiohead’s ‘Karma Police’ among others for the segment, most recently delivering a moving cover of George Michael’s ‘Faith’.

This Saturday, March 5, the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the second year in a row.  In order to attend, visitors will have to pay for a ticket, which has raised equity concerns among members of Sydney’s LGBTQI Communities. The Parade was free to attend when it was held along  Oxford Street in Darlinghurst. Wei Thai-Haynes, a member of the SGLMG Board and activist group Pride in Protest, told Star Observer that “Mardi Gras should be free and accessible to all those who wish to attend.

Michael Sheen is soon going to be a dad of three!

Many of the industry's latest and greatest turned out on Wednesday night to attend the 2022 Billboard Women In Music Awards in Inglewood, California.Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat and rapper Saweetie were among the female musicians honored for their chart-topping achievements over the past year, with Rodrigo snagging the coveted Woman Of The Year gong.The annual ceremony was held at theYouTube Theater at Hollywood Park and hosted by Ciara, who was named Billboard's Woman Of The Year back in 2009. Star-studded:Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat and rapper Saweetie were among the female musicians atthe 2022 Billboard Women In Music Awards in Inglewood, California on Wednesday nightWoman Of The Year Olivia Rodrigo hit the red carpet in a white ruffled spaghetti strap maxi dressand a pair of punky platform boots.The 19-year-old songstress emphasized her tiny waistline with a black leather harness featuring diamond buckles.

Billboard's 2022 Women in MusicAwards are back in Los Angeles.This year's event, hosted by 2008 Woman Of The Year winner Ciara, kicked off on Wednesday, March 2, at8 PM EST, at the YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park.Legendary singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt, 72, was among the top female artists, producers and executives who are being recognizedfor their contributions to the music industry and their communities. Honored! Bonnie Raitt, 72, received the Icon Award at Billboard's 2022 Women In Music Awards show in Los Angeles on WednesdayBefore receiving the Icon Award, in recognition of her incredible career that dates back to 1971, Raitt did a red carpet run-through.Decked out in a simple but sharp all-black ensemble, consisting of slacks, a fitted top, and a blazer with an assortment of heart designs.

Heidi Klum struck a fashionable figure while posing up a storm at the Billboard Women In Music Awards this weekend.The 48-year-old German supermodel encased her enviably svelte frame in an eye-popping multicolored dress at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.She sidled up for the cameras to her sizzling husband Tom Kaulitz, 32, who is known as the guitarist of the German rock band Tokio Hotel. Looking fab:Heidi Klum struck a fashionable figure while posing up a storm at the Billboard Women In Music Awards this weekend Date night:She sidled up for the cameras to her sizzling husband Tom Kaulitz, 32, who is known as the guitarist of the German rock band Tokio HotelHeidi selected a perfectly fitted dress that emphasized her cleavage and threw her svelte midriff into relief during her latest big event.

Guillermo del Toro didn't pull any punches while discussing the latest controversy swirling around the 94th Oscars.The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced last week that eight craft categories would be filmed an hour before the live Oscar telecast and 'seamlessly' edited into the live broadcast.The move has had its fair share of detractors, one of them being two-time Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro, who spoke out about the decision while receiving Filmmaking Achievement Award at the Hollywood Critics Association Awards on Monday. Guillermo speaks:Guillermo del Toro didn't pull any punches while discussing the latest controversy swirling around the 94th Oscars Edited:The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced last week that eight craft categories would be filmed an hour before the live Oscar telecast and 'seamlessly' edited into the live broadcastThe 57-year-old filmmaker was presented the award by his longtime collaborator Doug Jones, when he spoke about the collaborative nature of filmmaking.'Most of the movies that were done here were done against many many difficult odds,' del Toro began.

Matthew McConaughey, 52, may be known for having luscious locks but it wasn’t always that way. The actor turned down rumors that he had a hair transplant when he opened up about using a special topical ointment after noticing he was going bald 19 years ago, in a new interview. He first reflected back on when the hair loss made him buzz off the hair he had left in the 1990s.

A Florida-based dealer pleaded guilty Wednesday to wildlife trafficking charges related to the sale of a capuchin monkey to singer Chris Brown in 2017.Jimmy Wayne Hammonds, 57, of Parrish, who went by the nickname 'the Monkey Whisperer', pleaded guilty to illegally transporting and selling primates, including a species considered endangered.He pleaded guilty during a hearing in Tampa federal court to violating the Endangered Species Act and Lacy Act, according to court records. Pet owner:A Florida-based dealer pleaded guilty Wednesday to wildlife trafficking charges related to the sale of a capuchin monkey in 2017 to singer Chris Brown, shown in January 2020 in Los AngelesHammonds faces up to eight years in prison.

Jason Momoashowed off his unique fashion sense while rocking amauve t-shirt outside the Bowery Hotel in New York City on Tuesday afternoon.For his outing, the 42-year-old Aquaman star paired his plain tee with a pair of black and striped pants and a scrunchy for his flowing locks around his right wrist.As he displayed hisimpressively muscular arms, the father-of-two looked thrilled to mingle with fansgathered to catch a glimpse of him at the intersection of the Lower East Side and East Village. Out and about: Jason Momoa showed off his unique style while rocking a mauve t-shirt outside the Bowery Hotel in New York City on Tuesday In addition to taking selfies with hisadmirers,Momoa took photos of the crowd forming to greet him outside the luxury hotel in downtown Manhattan.

Matthew McConaughey opened up about the luck he's had with hair growth over the past few decades, using a topical ointment.The 52-year-old actor, speaking with LADBible in an interview published Saturday, said that he began noticing he was losing his hair dating back to the late 1990s.'You can go back and look at things like The Wedding Planner and those things,' he said of the 2001 film with Jennifer Lopez. 'I mean, you'll see, I was losing' hair.

Former Victoria's Secret model Erin Heatherton is happily engaged.The model, 32, announced the news via a a selfie she posted to her Instagram on Wednesday.Heatherton showed off her massive engagement ring as she stood arm in arm with her better half who wore a blue zip-up sweater square-rimmed sunglasses. Happy days: Erin Heatheron, 32, announced her engagement via a a selfie she posted to her Instagram on WednesdayShe captioned the snap, 'So happy!!' followed by a crying emoji, a diamond ring emoji and a emoji surrounded by hearts.

She shot to fame as a Victoria's Secret Angel.And Sara Sampaio put her supermodel figure on display when she was spotted stepping out in Los Angeles this Wednesday.The 30-year-old emerged in sunny West Hollywood for a bit of exercise while wearing a set of flesh-flashing workout gear. Angelic:Sara Sampaio put her supermodel figure on display when she was spotted stepping out in Los Angeles this WednesdayHer ensemble allowed her to show off her enviably sculpted midriff to full advantage as she strutted her stuff during her latest outing.The Portuguese bombshell opted for a cleavage-baring bra-lette and a set of matching black leggings plus white sneakers.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy has finally returned home to the United States.

Manchester United are said to be showing 'great interest' in RB Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku.

Jason Momoa steps out of his hotel in a pair of striking pants in New York City on Wednesday (March 2).

Here are your Man City morning headlines on Thursday, March 3.

Olivia Rodrigo and Normani glam up the pink carpet for the 2022 Billboard Women in Music at YouTube Theater on Wednesday night (March 2) in Inglewood, Calif.

Sean McVay is having some fun in the sun with his friends!