Beyoncé tends to have better weeks than us mere mortals, but this week in particular has got to be extra special for her. Her Netflix ‘Homecoming’ documentary was released, accompanied by a new album that features her entire Coachella performance, preserved impeccably, forever. You know, that concert that aired over a year ago that made the internet scream for months?
The Beyhive has always been vocal about their devotion towards their idol and with all of those releases in just one week, there were lots of emotions that had to be dealt with. Can you blame them? Beyoncé makes small appearances on social media, mainly using the internet to break it with the release of something epic, like new albums, a short musical film, or a pregnancy photoshoot.
Many memes and reactions were born, all with the uniting thread of Beyoncé. Check out some of our favorites.
20 years in the game and Beyoncé got millions of ppl staying up in the middle of the night, just to watch a documentary about a year old performance. #Homecomingpic.twitter.com/4Bzrg8ueD6
The cannabis industry is so convinced that federal legalization is on the verge of taking hold across the United States that it is already making significant deals to create a stoner superpower for when that happens. Earlier this week, Canadian marijuana producer Canopy Growth, the company working with Constellation Brands on a THC-infused beverage, signed a $3.4 billion deal to take over medical marijuana firm Acreage Holdings as soon as the federal government ends prohibition.
Although the deal was loosely secured in ink this week in New York, nothing is set to happen until Congress pushes a bill intended to legalize marijuana at the national level and that measure is signed into law by the sitting president. It is sort of a preliminary agreement that will really only take shape if shareholders from both camps agree on the transaction. It is also contingent on approval by both U.S. and Canadian regulators. However, the companies believe this is the first step to unleashing the world’s first true ganja giant — and they are confident their shareholder will support it.
“Today we announce a complex transaction with a simple objective. Our right to acquire Acreage secures our entrance strategy into the United States as soon as a federally-permissible pathway exists,” Bruce Linton, co-CEO for Canopy, saidin a press release. “By combining Acreage’s management team, licenses and assets with Canopy Growth’s intellectual property and brands, there will be tremendous value creation for both companies’ shareholders.”
But wait, didn’t we hear that Constellation Brands, makers of Heineken beer, was working on taking a controlling interest in Canopy Growth?
Well, Constellation Brands, which is working with Canopy on a THC brew that will be distributed in Canada, is part of this deal, according to reports. So, it appears that if Constellation decides to flex its stake in the company in the next several years, it could still end up taking a controlling interest. Technically, this would mean that one of the largest brewing companies in the world would become one of the largest cannabis producers as well. Either way it shakes out, Constellation gets to keep members on Canopy’s board of directors. The beer giant is going anywhere.
It is actually a smart move on the part of Canopy to move ahead with this deal now as opposed to waiting for the U.S. government to get its act together. It gets the wheels turning in preparation for federal legalization takes shape, ensuring that Canopy will be the first cannabis company to become a legitimate major player in the newly legal climate. Sure, we hear lots of discussions these days about the players in pot, like MedMen, but none of those will have the strength of Canopy. In a way, this deal almost guarantees that everyone else out there dabbling in marijuana commerce is destined to become mom and pop operations once weed goes fully legal.
Another way to look at this deal is someone knows something. Considering the cold feet the federal government has had over the years concerning the end of pot prohibition, it is difficult to predict when legalization will happen. But Canopy would not have forked over a $300 million down payment if they didn’t have some grip on the timeline. Therefore, it is conceivable that this deal means that federal legalization is right around the corner. Whether that happens this year or next, no one really has a clue. But considering that former House Speaker John Boehner not only sits on the board at Acreage as well as oversees a team of marijuana lobbyists in DC looking to drum up support for legalization bills, we’re going out on a limb and saying prohibition is on its last leg.
So, what does all of this mean for pot consumers? Try buying marijuana products in a manner similar to beer nationwide.
Now that Game of Thrones‘ eighth season is officially underway, Richard Madden is looking back at his beginnings on the acclaimed HBO series with fond memories.
On Thursday, the actor, 32, shared an adorable throwback photo, featuring him alongside GOT costars Kit Harington and Alfie Allen, taken shortly after their first table read for the series.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwaJNxWggNT
In the photograph, both Madden and Harington, 32 (who play Jon Snow and Robb Stark on the show, respectively) smile for the camera, while Allen, 32, (who plays Theon Greyjoy) hams it up in a gray hoodie and keeps his eyes and mouth open wide.
“#TBT This is Kit, Alfie and I after our first read through of S1 Ep1 of Game of Thrones about 10 years ago. KIDZ,” Madden captioned the sweet shot.
The pals appeared to have had fit in a visit to the iconic Northern Ireland Ferris wheel, The Wheel of Belfast, between GOT rehearsals.
Justin Bieber has joined the growing chorus of entertainers calling for Fox News to fire its controversial prime-time host Laura Ingraham.
The Canadian singer-songwriter wrote an Instagram post on Thursday that described Ingraham’s on-air joking and laughing about the death of community activist, rapper and musician Nipsey Hussle as “absolutely disgusting”:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwZ7Sy2nciE
Hussle, who was born Ermias Asghedom, was shot and killed in March in South Los Angeles.
High-profile rappers, including Snoop Dogg, The Game and T.I., have also criticized Ingraham’s coverage. An online petition demanding her termination from Fox has garnered more than 44,000 signatures.
Ingraham made headlines earlier this week when she criticized the inclusion of model and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen in Time magazine’s list of 100 most influential people of 2019.
Teigen fired back in a series of blistering tweets in which she called Ingraham a “white supremacist.” Ingraham has a well-documented history of repeating white supremacist talking points on her widely watched show.
Being a petite woman can be an indicator of several things: you have great genes, you don’t eat very much or you have a crazy fast metabolism. Or in the case of competitive eater Molly Schuyler, you burn calories by devouring opponents twice your size.
During a Twitch livestream of the Foodbeast Challenger League, Schuyler, who happens to be the world’s top-ranked female eater, crushed 360 Burger King chicken nuggets in one hour and 14 minutes. Or as Foodbeast puts it into context for us, that’s 11.5 pounds of fried chicken or 15,300 calories.
The previous mark using the same chain’s nuggets we could find was set by Darron Eats on YouTube, who ate 300 in roughly 50 minutes. Schuyler ate 60 more than he did.
Schuyler looks like she’s having the time of her life eating through the pile of nugs, although she does appear a little worn down near the end. Who wouldn’t be? But even with an array of sauces to act as lubricant, Foodbeast says the texture of the chicken nuggets got hard once they cooled off. “Had they all stayed warm, it’s anybody’s guess as to how many more she could have taken down.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby is due any day now, prompting millions of people to speculate and bet on the name of the latest member of the royal family. Apparently that’s what British people do; they love their royal bets.
British betting company Ladbrokes, who predicted that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge would name their firstborn George, reports that Elizabeth is the current favorite baby name, with 6 -1 odds. This name is followed by Diana and Victoria, with 8 – 1 odds. Other names on the list include Albert, Philip, Grace and Alice with 12 – 1 odds. Arthur, James and Mary are also considered with 16 – 1 odds.
Elizabeth is the leading name due to the expected delivery date of the baby, which may coincide with Queen Elizabeth’s birthday on April 21. “It’s no coincidence that punters backing the royal baby to be born on the Queen’s birthday are expecting Harry and Meghan to opt for ‘Elizabeth’ on the name front,” says Alex Apati, representative for Ladbrokes.
Although Harry and Meghan have said that they’ll make their baby announcements once they’ve celebrated with family and friends, this hasn’t stopped people from betting on the time, date and circumstances of the birth. Most betters believe the baby will be a girl, that she will be born in the afternoon and that the birth date will fall between April 22 and 28.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby will be seventh in line for the throne, giving the couple enough room to break tradition and do as they please. For all we know, the baby’s name could be Kayleigh.
Airbnb is arguably one of the most convenient, money-saving inventions ever. Much like Uber and other apps of the sort, Airbnb has given regular people the chance to provide a service that used to be limited and controlled by companies and hotels. Although these apps and sites have created a large host of problems with hotels and taxi companies, they’ve made it easier for people to find options that accommodate to their budget. Of course, the fact that strangers are running these services has led to a whole new string of issues.
While experiences tend to be positive on Airbnb, there are a few stories out there that make you wish there was more security involved. In worst case scenarios the privacy of clients is violated, with some of them finding hidden cameras in their bedrooms. Here’s what you can do in order to check everything is okay with the place you’ve paid for.
Keep an eye out for unusual or out of place objects
Hidden cameras tend to look clunky and out of the ordinary. While a good hidden camera will be able to fool those who don’t know any better, most people with some sort of knowledge on the matter can differentiate them from other objects. Hidden cameras have lenses, making them easy to spot if you shine a flashlight on them, and they’re always placed very conveniently. Keep an eye out for objects that look like they don’t belong, like a smoke detector tucked in a weird corner or a lamp that’s placed somewhere where its light doesn’t have much reach.
Hidden cameras can record on SIM cards or on Wi-Fi networks. If you see a strange device listed on your phone’s or laptop’s Wi-Fi menu, this could be an indication that there’s a hidden camera around. Network Scanner and other security apps can help you sort this out, listing out all of the devices connected to the network you’re using.
While knowing all of this information makes it easy for you to walk around paranoid all the time, this leaves you no room to have fun on your trip and enjoy yourself. Hidden cameras are dangerous when they’re located in places like bedrooms and bathrooms, which are the spots you should be on the lookout for. A camera in the living room or in the yard doesn’t mean that your Airbnb hosts have bad intentions.
Tiger Woods completed one of the greatest comeback stories in sports this past weekend by winning the Masters It’s his first major tournament victory following an 11-year drought that included national scandals, a debilitating back injury, and more. At various points, commentators said any remaining hope around a Tiger comeback was delusional. He’d never win another major tournament, they said.
But Woods proved all the doubters wrong by coming from behind in his victory at Augusta, a feat he’d never previously accomplished. So what was his secret? Long-time fans and golf watchers surely noticed at least one significant change in behavior from Tiger — he was chewing gum. Like, a lot of gum. Whenever the camera cut to Tiger, it seemed his molars were always moving.
Believe it or not, chewing gum during rounds is a new trend amongst professional golfers. After the suggestion of his teacher Cameron McCormick, Jordan Spieth chewed gum throughout the 2017 British Open to calm his nerves and it worked — Spieth won the tournament.
The New York Times reported last month that Phil Mickelson recently started chewing gum while golfing “to boost his cognitive function.” Data and research backs up Mickelson’s gummy beliefs. “Studies have shown that chewing gum is associated with improved alertness and the ability to process new information, though the results are far from definitive,” the Times’ Karen Crouse wrote.
“The chewing aspect stimulates the frontal cortex,” added Mickelson.
But some have speculated that Woods and Mickelson aren’t chewing regular old bubblegum— they’re chomping on CBD gum. The PGA Tour’s Anti-Doping Agency usually follows the protocol set by the World Anti-Doping Agency. And when WADA announced athletes could use cannabidiol (CBD), as it didn’t consider the substance performance-enhancing, the PGA Tour adopted similar rules.
However, players received an official PGA Tour newsletter earlier this month advising them not to use CBD products. Their reasoning? “CBD products (like all supplements) pose a risk to athletes because they have limited government regulation and may contain THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis that is prohibited,” the newsletter read. Was this newsletter possibly a response to golfers chewing CBD gum? We can only wonder.
But it would also make sense why CBD gum would attract golfers, especially older ones like Mickelson and Woods. Not only would CBD calm any nerves in competitive play, it’d also ease any aches and pains a golfer might endure throughout a given tournament.
“Competition at the highest levels of professional sports can no doubt be very stressful, especially when legacy and money is on the line,” says Chris D’Alberti, the co-founder of a Highline Wellness, a company that produces various CBD products. “CBD Gum is an amazing tool to help reduce the stress levels of top athletes while also boosting their cognitive functioning. Along with lowering the stress levels of athletes, CBD helps reduce inflammation and improve sleep quality for quicker recovery.”
While we can’t confirm it’s CBD gum they’re chewing, all the signs point to why golfers might consider it. Next time you’re on the links, maybe give it a try. It could just be the difference between a bogey and par in your game.
Imagine Martin Sheen, inspired by his role as President Jed Bartlet in “The West Wing,” tossing his hat into the 2020 U.S. presidential race. Or Julia Louis-Dreyfus, capitalizing on her role as Vice President Selina Mayer in “Veep,” joining a ticket with Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders.
Absurd, right?
Well that’s exactly what’s happening in Ukraine.
In the first round of voting for the Ukrainian presidency, comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who played a president in a popular Ukrainian TV series, garnered the biggest share of votes – 30.24% – in a field of 39 candidates.
In the April 21 runoff, he’ll face incumbent president Petro Poroshenko, who received 15.95% of the first round votes. A recent poll has Zelenskiy ahead 61% to Poroshenko’s 24%.
Zelenskiy’s candidacy raises some big questions: Who is Zelenskiy and what can be expected from him? What might his election mean for Ukraine and its relationship with Russia and the West? And does this candidate’s ascension tell us something about the rise of global populism?
From Netflix to the campaign trail
Many politicians have burnished their image on screen before jumping into politics – think actor Ronald Reagan, wrestler Jesse Ventura, comedian Al Franken and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger. But their on-screen personas could diverge significantly from what voters tend to look for in a politician.
In 2015, his production company, Studio Krvartal 95, aired the provocative political series “The Servant of the People,” which is now available on Netflix. In it, Zelensky plays a high school history teacher, who, after a student posts a viral video of him giving a passionate anti-corruption rant, wins the presidential election as a write-in candidate.
The series, which is now in its third season, chronicles the new president’s attempts to fight the deep-rooted corruption at all levels of Ukrainian society. Zelenskliy’s character stands up to the powerful oligarchs, corrupt bureaucrats, members of the parliament, and even his own family members. He is portrayed as an earnestly honest, albeit naïve, leader.
The image resonated with the Ukrainian public, which has become fed up with the seemingly never-ending politicalcorruption in their daily lives.
Zelneskiy’s political ambitions didn’t become apparent until the end of 2018. Right before midnight on New Year’s Eve – the time usually reserved for the presidential holiday address – Zelneskiy made an announcement during a Kvartal holiday special.
“Unlike our great politicians,” he said, “I did not want to make empty promises. But now, just a few minutes before the New Year, I can promise you something and I’ll do it right away. Dear Ukrainians, I am going to run for the president of Ukraine.”
Zelneskiy’s true independence in doubt
In retrospect, his show served as a long-running campaign ad.
Zelneskiy’s writers have a reputation for sharp political commentary. They don’t hide their disdain of Ukraine’s political class and how they’ve run the country over the past 15 years. The acerbic jokes written into the show echo the frustrations of its viewers.
But will President Zelenskiy really be as incorruptible as the character he plays on TV?
“The Servant of the People” airs on the TV channel 1+1, which is owned by Ukrainian oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky. Since Zelenskiy’s announcement, the TV station has been noticeably pro-Zelenskiy in its news coverage.
Then there’s Russia, a constant source of political tension in Ukraine. In 2014, the Russian Federation annexed Crimea, a long-disputed territory between the two countries, via an illegal referendum. Extensive evidence also shows Russia’s active involvement in the five-year war between pro-Russian separatists and pro-government forces that’s raging in Ukraine’s Donbass region, which borders Russia.
Ukraine’s incumbent president, Poroshenko, has positioned himself as the only candidate with a proven record of standing up to Russian aggression. Campaign billboards have appeared throughout the country featuring Poroshenko staring directly into Vladimir Putin’s eyes.
Zelenskiy states that ending the war is his top priority and that negotiations with Russia are absolutely necessary. But he also calls for the creation of Russian-speaking television channels that would be directed toward the population of Donbass.
He claims that this would allow the country to win the information war again Russia propaganda. However, the use of the Russian language in Ukraine is a divisive issue. Since 2014, the Ukrainian government has severely restricted Russian-language broadcasts. This was done to prevent the spread of Russian propaganda and to solidify the status of Ukrainian as the country’s official language.
Zelenskiy’s true posture toward Russia remains unclear.
On the topic of the West, Zelenskiy says he supports Ukraine’s economic integration with Europe. But he believes the question of whether Ukraine should join NATO should be left to the voters through a referendum. It’s a position that raises concerns among pro-West figures in the country, given the recent history of Russian meddling in Ukrainian politics and the disputed referendum in Crimea.
Furthermore, the head of the Russian government-funded television network RT, Dmitri Kiselyov, has spoken warmly of Zelenskiy, suggesting that being an actor shouldn’t be detrimental to his ability to serve as a political leader. To prove his point, he cited former U.S. President Ronald Reagan’s jump from actor to politician.
In recent years, numerous academic studies have documented the spread of populist authoritarian politics all over the world. The 2016 U.S. presidential election, the rise of the Five Star Movement in Italy and Jair Bolsonaro’s victory in Brazil have all been cited as examples of movements that have stoked division, deployed bombastic rhetoric and spread viral memes to win over voters.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy hosts a comedy show at a concert hall in Brovary, Ukraine, in March 2019. AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky
Zelenskiy might not appear to be as divisive. But like these other leaders, he is charismatic and eccentric. Likewise, he positions himself outside of the corrupt political establishment.
Social media has served as a medium to incubate and burnish the images of these populist figures. Indeed, much of Zelenskiy’s campaign has played out in cyberspace, while Zelenskiy continues to be involved with Kvartal 95’s comedic projects. He has yet to formally debate Poroshenko.
In the meantime, the rest of the world can only wait to see whether Ukrainian politics will embark on a new season, or if the Zelenskiy show is about to come to an end.
Actor Richard Madden would prefer to avoid sex scenes altogether.
Madden, who is well known for his previous role as Rob Stark in the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones” and now as David Budd on the BBC show “Bodyguard,” recently revealed to Elle he doesn’t care to film sex scenes — in fact, he “dreads” them.
“I dread doing these things,” Madden, 32, told the magazine, which probed the Scottish actor about his sex scenes in the upcoming movie, “Rocketman.” In the film, which will hit the big screen on May 31, Madden plays singer-songwriter Elton John’s former lover and manager John Reid.
The 22-year-old model filed trademark paperwork for “Bieber Beauty” on April 10 with the intent to launch “beauty and cosmetic products” according to paperwork obtained by PEOPLE from the United States Patent and Trademark Office. She has also already filed to register “Hailey Bieber,” her newly married name, in October 2018 with the intent to launch a clothing line.
The model, who got engaged to Justin Bieber in July 2018 and secretly married him at a N.Y.C. courthouse in September 2018, officially changed her last name from “Baldwin” to “Bieber” on social media two months after the couple said “I do.”
If you are lucky enough to live in a state that is fully legal, you may want to consider these products when heading to the dispensary to buy your party products.
CANNDESCENT’S STYLUS READY-TO-USE VAPE PEN
Canndescent just rolled out the latest product in their Stylus Series. Allow us to introduce to you the Stylus Ready-to-Use disposable vape pen in the brand’s five signature effects — Calm, Cruise, Create, Connect, and Charge. The pens are smaller and more compact, designed to be ultra-portable and easy to travel with. They also free you from the hassle of charging your device because they are designed to hold their charge for all 200 draws, equating to about 50 experiences. Stylus Ready-to-Use pens are perfect for tourists who do not want to invest in their own vape pen battery and separate oil cartridges. Retailing at $65, consumers can enjoy Canndescent’s ultra-premium oil for a little over $1 per psychoactive experience.
We suggest you try the Cruise effect on 4/20. This hybrid strain allows you to keep up the pace, relax your mind, and sail through the holiday without missing a beat.
MR. MOXEY’S MINTS
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to visit Seattle, then you already know about Mr. Moxey’s Mints. Tim Moxey hit a home run with this line of products. They are good enough to almost consider flying to Seattle just to be able to buy them. Thankfully, they have been able to expand beyond the state lines of Washington state.
Mr. Moxey’s Mints are natural, high-quality, cannabis-infused mints made with therapeutic herbs for wellbeing. Delectable and discreet, these microdosed mints have been the best-selling edible in Washington State for over a year, and enable you to choose just the right amount of cannabinoids to suit your system. The mints are crafted in small batches with pesticide-free cannabis to promote wellbeing in mind and body. Each pastille is formulated with herbal synergists tailored to elevate the cannabis experience. Perfect for the subtle 4/20 celebrators.
MOOD33’S CANNABIS-INFUSED TONICS
mood33 is a California-based cannabis beverage brand crafting natural and uplifting herbal tonics, currently with a line of three unique formulations including Joy, Passion and Calm. Each provides its own unique mood-based effect thanks to tailored cannabinoid ratios, natural tea and fruit ingredients, and signature terpene profiles inspired by the aromas and effects of the cannabis plant.
You can mix and match a 4-pack and pop open a few bottles with friends at the park. Cheers!
ORCHID ESSENTIAL’S TASTY TERPENE VAPES
Orchid Essentials is a California-based vape company that creates vape pens and oils with robust flavor profiles that feel as if you are enjoying a nightly glass of wine every time you take a puff. Orchid is unique in the cannabis market in that they do not use PEG, PPG, MCT, or coconut oil as a carrier for the cannabis oil. Instead, they use terpenes – fragrant, organic compounds found in the essential oils of all plants that give, for example, lavender and chamomile their relaxing aromas and citrus fruits their energizing punch. Vaping with terpenes is known to be healthier, and Orchid’s 10 strain options enable you to vary your vaping session to suit your mood or taste preferences.
CALIVA’S REEF LEAF STASH PACK
California’s most-trusted cannabis brand believes in wellness options that work for your lifestyle: motivating the mind, steadying the body, and inspiring creativity. As well as creating pre-rolled joints and some of California’s most popular vapes, they offer two types of classic cannabis flower: Premium Quality eighths, and “Reef Leaf” in a variety of indica, sativa and hybrid blends. Perfect for 4/20 the Reef Leaf Stash Pack kit has all you need for the perfect doobie including a Reef Leaf pouch (5g of pre-ground flower), king size rolling papers, white-tipped matches, and a glass crutch. Sometimes you can get exactly what you want in one convenient box.
SUM MICRODOSE SUBLINGUALS
Looking for fast relaxation without the high on 4/20? Known as the “anti-edible” SUM(Superior Uptake Microdose) are small, discreet sublingual tablet absorbs directly into the bloodstream via the membrane underneath the tongue. SUM has four tablet varieties currently available at select dispensaries in Colorado; Calm, Relief, Focus, and Energy.
