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The billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has married a science teacher. MacKenzie Scott, who is the 22nd richest person in the world, has tied the knot with Seattle teacher Dan Jewett. The marriage was mentioned in a letter to The Giving Pledge, an organisation which encourages ultra-rich people to give away their billions. "Dan is such a great guy, and I am happy and excited for the both of them," Bezos said in a statement. Jewett said he would be signing on to Scott's commitment to give away most of her wealth. Since Scott, 50, split from the Amazon founder after 25 years of marriage in 2019 and became worth $53billion (£38billion) according to Forbes, she has set about donating. In December, Scott said she had donated over $4.1billion (£2.96billion) in the four months prior to food banks and emergency relief funds amid the Covid-19 pandemic. That followed donations of $1.7billion (£1.23billion) last year to causes including racial equality, LGBTQ rights, … [Read more...] about Billionaire MacKenzie Scott marries teacher 2 years after split from Amazon’s Jeff Bezos

SWISS voters narrowly swung in favour of a nationwide ban on face coverings in a controversial referendum. Results released on Sunday evening showed 51.2 percent of voters supported the problematic proposal, that forbids women from wearing the burqa or niqab in public spaces. It was championed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), that adopted campaign slogans including, "Stop extremism." The referendum result will be formally incorporated into the Swiss constitution due to Switzerland's system of direct democracy. Supporters of the myopic manifesto argue it will bring crime down, stopping destructive street protests and rowdy football hooligans who can no longer conceal their identity. The country follows France, Denmark, Belgium and Austria in instating a ban on face coverings. The Netherlands also enforced a similar law in 2019 , prohibiting face coverings on public transportation, in government buildings and at health and education institutions. … [Read more...] about Switzerland votes to ban face coverings including burka and niqab in controversial referendum

A NEW Dutch law today bans face-covering clothing including the burka and niqab worn by Muslim women. The partial ban means people cannot cover their faces on public transportation, in government buildings and at health and education institutions. The Netherlands, long seen as a bastion of tolerance and religious freedom, is the latest European country to introduce such a ban, following the likes of France, Germany, Belgium, Austria and Denmark. Muslim rights groups have voiced opposition to the law formally called the "partial ban on face-covering clothing". And an Islamic political party in Rotterdam has said it will pay the €150 fines for anybody caught breaking it. There were no immediate reports this morning of anybody being fined under the new law, which was passed despite the fact that very few women in Holland wear a burka or niqab. In fact, estimates put the number at a few hundred in this nation of 17 million. 'PARTIAL BAN' Far-right lawmaker Geert … [Read more...] about Dutch burka ban comes into force banning ALL face-coverings on public transport, schools and public buildings

MUSLIMS across the globe have been taking part in coronavirus safe celebrations for Eid al-Adha. While some countries, like Kosovo and the United Arab Emirates, have closed mosques for Eid prayers, others have chosen to allow celebrations to go ahead. This year's celebrations began yesterday evening and finished on August 3. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque was hosed down with the threat of coronavirus still a major global concern. The cleaning process followed a big congregation at the Mosque sharing noon-prayers ahead of the holy day. In Indonesia - home to the worlds’ largest population of Muslims - people were allowed to attend Eid prayers in mosques under strict health guidelines. Worshippers were required to bring their own prayer mats and pray several feet apart from one another. They must wear masks and are not allowed to shake hands or hug. Authorities also ordered that the traditional meat for the poor be delivered door-to-door to avoid long lines. … [Read more...] about Eid al-Adha celebrations underway as millions of Muslims around the world take part in Covid-safe festivities

Meghan Markle has claimed the Duchess of Cambridge made her cry in the lead up to her royal wedding. There had been reports that Meghan upset Kate in a row about the flower girl dresses, however she has now said it was actually the other way around. During her interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan said she has now forgiven Kate, saying that she's a "good person". She says that Kate gave her flowers to apologise for the incident. Meghan says that the incident was a "turning point". Speaking to Oprah, she said: "Everyone in the institution knew it wasn't true. I am not sharing that piece about Kate to be in any way disparaging about her. I would hope that she would want that to be corrected." Meghan also claimed that Harry had to have conversations before Archie was born about how dark his skin might be. Meghan said there were "several conversations" about her son Archie's skin tone, adding revealing who was involved in the talks "would be very damaging to them". Harry … [Read more...] about Meghan Markle says Kate Middleton made her cry – but says she’s forgiven her