Tag Archives: DNA

AMA, Business

Africa and UK Fashion Designers Unite to Form a Sustainable Creative Skills Exchange Opportunity

MaraviPost

A new peer-to-peer programme pairs emerging designers from the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa for a landmark creative opportunity offering studio space, mentorship, and direct access to buyers, press, and industry leaders

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 18 March 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The British Council together with Paul Smith’s Foundation and Projekt today announced the launch of the Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield a new international exchange programme bringing together a total of six fashion designers from the UK and Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme kicked off effective from 16 to 23 March 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with the aim to collaborate, share expertise, and forge sustainable creative and professional relationships. The programme marks a significant step in positioning London as a genuinely global fashion hub, built on equal partnership rather than one-way knowledge skills transfer.

Farai Ncube, Regional Arts Director, British Council said: ‘This initiative reflects the British Council’s commitment to supporting the creative economy across Africa and the UK by placing creative professionals and their potential at the centre of sustainable growth. Through authentic collaboration, skills exchange, and mutual respect across cultures, we support designers and creative practitioners in building sustainable enterprises and accessing global markets. This cross-continental residency exchange in London and Ethiopia, with an emphasis on craftsmanship and sustainability, will help foster enduring partnerships, facilitate knowledge sharing, and unlock new opportunities for creative talent to thrive and collaborate across borders.’

The six participating designers namely: Solome Asfaw (Ethiopia), Reneta Brehna (UK), Chido Kaseke (Zimbabwe), Bettydora Odhiambo (Kenya), Karoline Vitto (UK), and YAKU (UK) were selected from a closed call application by a jury including representatives from The British Council, Projekt and Paul Smith’s Foundation will receive direct access to industry leaders, buyers, and press through studio tours, professional networking and personal introductions; structured mentorship from Paul Smith’s Foundation’s extensive professional network; production support and facilities access throughout collection development; showcasing opportunities and sustained commercial guidance extending six months post-programme.

‘I was so impressed by the talent of these designers. This kind of residency nurtures the future shapers of the fashion industry, particularly through its invaluable cultural exchange. It reminds us of the importance of learning from voices around the world, and being inspired by our peers,’ said IB Kamara, Creative Director of Off-White.

International designers will be hosted within the Fashion Residency at Studio Smithfield a flagship business development programme for early-career fashion designers created by the Mayor of London, Projekt and Paul Smith’s Foundation, with support from British GQ and the City of London Corporation. The Residency offers free studio space for 18 months and more than 80 hours of business training delivered by industry experts.

‘We’re very excited to be working with the British Council and Paul Smith’s Foundation on this new, innovative programme. Providing subsidised and funded spaces and opportunities for collaboration is a key part of Projekts’ ethos, and we’re proud that this programme reflects our commitment to offering space and infrastructure that enables designers to develop and grow their businesses,’ Nick Hartwright, CEO of Projekt.

Rather than a traditional mentorship model, the programme is designed so that UK and African designers learn from each other sharing perspectives on sustainability, traditional craftsmanship, digital innovation, and the distinct challenges and opportunities of their respective markets. Practical studio sessions are woven together with cultural immersion and reflective learning, creating an experience that deepens each designer’s creative identity and sharpens their commercial edge.

‘We are delighted to be co-creating this new opportunity for international creative exchange. At Paul Smith’s Foundation we champion the enduring value of peer-to-peer support, and are excited to see how these brilliant brands develop their vision through the sharing of knowledge, skills and experiences,’ added Martha Mosse, Director of Paul Smith’s Foundation.

At the heart of Creative DNA x Studio Smithfield is a commitment to genuine creative equality. Rather than traditional mentorship models, the programme aims to strengthen participants’ understanding of sustainability, traditional craftsmanship, and digital innovation while expanding their entrepreneurial and creative skill sets. By blending practical, hands-on sessions with reflective learning and cultural immersion, the programme intends to create a holistic experience that enhances each designer’s creative identity and professional potential.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of ENAMEN Consulting

About The British Council Creative DNA
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2024–25 we reached 599 million people. Creative DNA is a flagship programme of the British Council’s creative economy portfolio in Sub-Saharan Africa. Since 2020, it has supported over 200 fashion entrepreneurs across Kenya, Uganda, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Malawi through mentorship, business development, and showcasing opportunities. The programme is designed to strengthen creative enterprises, foster inclusion, and build international connections between Africa and the UK. www.britishcouncil.org

About Projekt
Projekt was founded by Nicholas Hartwright as a social enterprise in 2012 in response to the lack of affordable creative workspaces in London. Since then, Projekt has opened an arts hotel, multiple creative large-scale music venues and hosts a wide range of events of organisations across its London sites, spanning over a million square feet and directly supporting hundreds of creative business tenants and organisations. Through Projekt’s work with the Mayor of London, the Greater London Authority, the Corporation of London and the British Council, the team at Projekt have come to understand that it’s about providing spaces and building networks, fostering community and shaping culture. This approach to large-scale community building is reflected in Projekt’s ability to collaborate with clients from the ground up and runs through the heart of Projekt’s development and repurposing of every site whether a smaller individual building or a large-scale development project. www.thisisprojekt.com

About Paul Smith’s Foundation
Paul Smith’s Foundation supports early career creative people working in fashion, visual arts, and design. Through in depth and bespoke business mentoring, the Foundation equips creatives with the insight, tools, and network they need to establish and sustain a healthy business for the long term. Through partnerships, we create paid opportunities to freely make, encouraging curiosity and experimentation without financial burden, whilst nurturing potential to help shape a dynamic and enterprising creative sector. https://www.paulsmithsfoundation.org/

The post Africa and UK Fashion Designers Unite to Form a Sustainable Creative Skills Exchange Opportunity appeared first on African Media Agency.

AMA

The CEO of African Media Agency (AMA) named among the 10 PR personalities to follow in 2026

MaraviPost
© Bizcommunity

ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, 14 January 2026-/African Media Agency(AMA)/-AMA founder Eloïne Barry has been named in Bizcommunity’s ranking of the “10 PR personalities to watch in 2026.” A recognition that validates more than a decade of transforming communication and public relations in Africa into a strategic lever for growth.

For Eloïne Barry, this distinction reflects above all an approach: that of an agency that has chosen not to simply relay messages, but to support organizations with their fundamental challenges. “Public relations is not a showcase, but the driving force behind lasting trust: it shapes reputation, that essential DNA that underpins credibility, loyalty, and growth”, she says. It is this vision that has enabled AMA to become a strategic ally for multinationals, development institutions, governments, and innovative African players.

Collaborations that illustrate AMA’s approach
The agency supports major players across the continent. In Côte d’Ivoire in particular, AMA has been working with Yango Côte d’Ivoire, a global technology group, since February 2025 African Media Agency, andwith OMOA, a major player in digital financial services operating in 11 African countries African Media Agency. The agency’s clients also include Imperial College, Thales, MSD, IFC, and dozens of international organizations whose work spans from South Africa to Morocco and from Senegal to Kenya. These partnerships demonstrate AMA’s ability to combine a deep understanding of local realities with strategic deployment on a continental scale.

Strengthening strategic support in 2026
This appointment comes at a key moment when organizations operating in Africa are facing increased demands for transparency and authenticity. In this context, communication and public relations are becoming a fundamental pillar. AMA plans to strengthen its areas of expertise to support companies even more effectively in their sustainable growth ambitions on the continent.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of African Media Agency

About African Media Agency
African Media Agency (AMA) is one of the leading and most trusted independent pan-African communications firms, helping global and African organizations enter, grow, and thrive across the continent. By combining narrative design, strategic communication, and a deep understanding of Africa’s on-the-ground nuances, AMA enables clients to build trust, shape perception, and unlock sustainable market opportunities.

AMA operates through three complementary pillars: AMA Wire, its flagship pan-African press release distribution platform; AMA PR, its communications and advisory arm; and AMA Academy, a training initiative that equips journalists and media professionals with modern storytelling and reporting skills.

Over the past decade, AMA has delivered hundreds of high-impact campaigns for more than 150 clients, including some of the world’s largest corporations, development institutions, and African innovators. With local teams in 30 African countries and operational hubs in Abidjan, Johannesburg, and Durban, AMA stands as a trusted partner for organizations looking to connect authentically and operate effectively across Africa’s diverse markets.

Media Contact:
Mayanka Andrée Tohoua
African Media Agency
Email:  mayanka@africanmediaagency.com
Website: www.africanmediaagency.com

The post The CEO of African Media Agency (AMA) named among the 10 PR personalities to follow in 2026 appeared first on African Media Agency.

Entertainment

Melodee Buzzard’s Cause of Death Revealed After 9-Year-Old Girl Went Missing

Maravi Post Reporter

UPDATE: 12/24/25 1:22 p.m. ET.

Authorities have revealed the cause of death for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, who went missing in October, as gunshot wounds to the head. It has not been revealed how many times Melodee was shot, People reported on Wednesday, December 24.

Melodee’s body was discovered on December 6, outside of Caineville, Utah, the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office confirmed in a Tuesday, December 23, press release and subsequent press conference. Her body was decomposed, which sheriffs believe points to her most likely being killed in October.

One day after DNA analysis confirmed that the remains found in Utah belonged to Melodee, her mother, Ashlee Lynn Buzzard, was arrested for her alleged murder. She was taken into custody on Tuesday “without incident” and booked the Santa Barbara County Northern Branch Jail for first-degree murder at approximately 7:51 a.m., per the sheriff’s office. Ashlee is being held without bail.

“This is an extraordinarily tragic case involving the murder of a child by the very person she relied upon and trusted the most,” Sheriff Bill Brown said in the press release. “While maternal filicide is rare and difficult to comprehend, the evidence in this case clearly indicates a calculated, deliberate, and ruthless act.”

Original story below:

The body of missing 9-year-old girl Melodee Buzzard has been found out of state two months after she went missing in Southern California, a law enforcement source confirmed to NBC News on Tuesday, December 23.

The source said that Melodee’s body was found earlier in December, though further details about the discovery have not yet been shared.

Woman Reunited With Father 43 Years After Being Kidnapped at 3 Years Old

Shortly after her body was found, Melodee’s mother, Ashlee Buzzard, was reportedly taken into custody, according to video shared with NBC News affiliate KSBY. The family’s neighbors said they saw Ashlee being taken by deputies from her home early on December 23. However, it’s not currently clear why she was taken into custody.

The Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Office has not yet confirmed that Melodee’s body was found, though they shared that they had an update regarding the case in an X post. “The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office has major developments in the missing person investigation for 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard. Members of the media are invited to a press conference: Tuesday, December 23, 2025, 2:00 p.m.,” the post read.

Melodee’s disappearance in October has left many people in her community of Vandenberg Village feeling unsettled, while the case has garnered national interest.

Officials previously said that Ashlee, 40, had been “uncooperative and has not provided detectives with any information about Melodee’s current location or condition” amid the search and investigation into Melodee’s disappearance, according to NBC News.

Nevada Mother Andrea Loving Accused of Murdering Her 5-Year-Old Daughter

In October, the Lompoc Unified School District said in a statement that Ashlee brought Melodee to an independent study program in August to enroll her as a student. However, she did not attend through early October, and the district ultimately notified law enforcement about her absences.

Amid the investigation, authorities looked into a road trip the mother-daughter duo took from Southern California to Nebraska that took place between October 7 and October 10.

The sheriff’s office said that one security video captured on October 7 showed Melodee wearing a wig at a rental car business, where the duo picked up a Chevrolet Malibu. Detectives speculated she was wearing the wig to throw off attempts to track or find her, noting that Ashlee herself was known to sport wigs.

Debra Newton’s Arrest Caught on Bodycam 40 Years After Daughter’s Abduction

At one point during the trip, the rental car’s license plate was temporarily switched to a New York plate in an alleged attempt to avoid detection.

Melodee was last seen on the return leg of the trip on October 9 when she and Ashlee were near the Utah-Colorado border. The young girl was not with her mother when she returned the rental car or came back home on October 10, detectives previously confirmed.

Ashlee was previously arrested on suspicion of felony false imprisonment on November 7 in a separate case not related to Melodee’s disappearance. A man testified that Ashlee held him against his will at her home and threatened him with a box cutter, according to KSBY of San Luis Obispo. The charge was ultimately dismissed on November 20, with prosecutors citing contradictory information and insufficient evidence.

Entertainment

How ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 5 Honored Assistant Director After Death on Set

Maravi Post Reporter

Emily in Paris offered a solemn tribute to assistant director Diego Borella, who died during production on season 5.

“In memory of Diego Borella,” a title card read at the end of the season finale, which dropped on Netflix earlier this month.

Us Weekly confirmed in August that Borella died at the age of 47 while the show filmed scenes in Venice, Italy.

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the sudden passing of a member of the Emily in Paris production family,” a spokesperson for Paramount Television Studios told Us in a statement. “Our hearts go out to the individual’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

Will There Be ‘Emily in Paris’ Season 6? What We Know So Far

Borella had collapsed while the crew were preparing a scene at Venice’s Hotel Danieli, according to multiple local outlets at the time. In light of Borella’s passing, the show briefly halted production. Lily Collins, who plays the titular Emily, and her costars resumed filming two days later.

Emily in Paris follows an American marketing executive after she moves from the United States to Paris to begin a new job at a luxury marketing agency. By the end of season 4, Emily was tasked with leading a branch of the company in Rome with new love interest Marcello (Eugenio Franceschini) in tow.

After a whirlwind on-off romance, Emily and Marcello traveled to Venice in the season finale for the city’s fashion week — and the debut of Marcello’s eponymous line. Despite a successful presentation, the couple ended up breaking up when Marcello revealed his plans to move back to Italy to assume control of his family’s fashion house. Emily, for her part, wasn’t ready to say au revoir to the City of Lights.

Diego-Borella_64511027_2430981597133380_7967702600023991733_n
Courtesy of Diego Borella/ Instagram

The final episode further hinted that Emily could reconcile with ex-boyfriend Gabriel (Lucas Bravo), who sent her a postcard to “meet [him] in Greece.”

‘Emily in Paris’ Burning Questions Answered After [Spoiler]’s Proposal

“Gabriel is important. He’s part of the DNA of the show,” series director and executive producer Andrew Fleming exclusively told Us about the chances of reconciliation for the fan-favorite pair. “When he and Emily are in a scene together, something undefinable happens. They have this chemistry. They do. There’s just something about the two of them that’s very watchable.”

Fleming further teased that there’s more to Emily and Gabriel’s story if Emily in Paris gets renewed for a season 6.

“Looking ahead, they’re part of each other’s journey. Who is to say who Emily is going to end up with, but Emily and Gabriel are going to interact with each other,” the director told Us. “Stuff is going to happen [but] I really can’t say anything about what’s going to happen next season.”

Bravo’s Gabriel left his job running the Michelin-winning L’esprit de Gigi restaurant to serve as the private chef on a British businessman’s yacht.

‘Emily in Paris’ Season 5 Ending Explained: Who Is Engaged? Who Broke Up?

“We want to go on a journey,” Fleming said of Bravo’s story arc. “At no point was Luke ever leaving the show permanently.”

Bravo, 37, previously had been critical about his onscreen character, leading to speculation about whether Gabriel would be written off the show.

“The ‘sexy chef’ was very much part of me in season 1 and we grew apart season after season because of the choices he makes and because of the direction they make him take,” Bravo told IndieWire in October 2024. “I’ve never been so far away from him. … There is only so much I can do in the limits of a script. I tried for seasons to bring nuances but we don’t have much liberty on set. We cannot change a word or an emotion. They know what they want and we just have to comply.”

Emily in Paris season 5 is currently streaming on Netflix.

Entertainment

Summer I Turned Pretty’s Sean Kaufman Fails at Flirting in New Show ‘Stumble’

Maravi Post Reporter

The Summer I Turned Pretty Pretty‘s Sean Kaufman is back on our TV screens — but his character isn’t as successful at love this time around.

In Us Weekly‘s exclusive clip from the Friday, December 12, episode of NBC’s sitcom Stumble, Kaufman plays a student named Holden who tries to flirt with cheerleader Sally (Georgie Murphy).

“I think that football player over there likes you,” Sally’s teammate Madonna (Arianna Davis) says. Sally appears confused and replies, “What? No, he doesn’t.”

Holden gives Sally a paper where he wrote that he likes her, but she passes it to Madonna. He then gives her another note that clarifies he meant to give it to Sally.

‘Summer I Turned Pretty’ Cast: See Prime Video Show’s Stars Then and Now

“I think this is for you,” Sally tells Madonna. “He thinks your name is Sally.”

The group is interrupted by cheer coach Courteney (Jenn Lyon), who warns her class not to “drink out of” the water fountain and asks, “Where’s all the school spirit in his place? Why is nobody wearing school colors — especially my cheerleaders?”

Summer I Turned Pretty's Sean Kaufman Fails at Flirting in NBC's Stumble
Danielle Mathias/NBC

According to the official episode synopsis, Courteney “is trying desperately to bring spirit to Heådltston, but it’s impossible.” Her team heads to Sammy Davis Sr. Junior College for their homecoming game, which reminds Courteney “of how much spirit her old school has [before] she’s forced to cheer against Boon.”

NBC’s Stumble is a mockumentary that explores the highly competitive world of junior college cheerleading. In addition to Lyon, Murphy and Davis, the show stars Kristin Chenoweth, Taran Killam, Ryan Pinkston, Jarrett Austin Brown, Anissa Borrego and Taylor Dunbar.

The series is inspired by the Netflix hit Cheer and Navarro College coach Monica Aldama, who is an executive producer on the project. Before the November premiere, Lyon opened up about pulling inspiration from Aldama, 53, for Stumble while still making the character her own.

“Monica is on the page. The writers have created a brilliant character to play, but it definitely is inspired by Monica,” Lyon exclusively told Us. “She is tough as nails and inscrutable at points. But the way she is stern but loving, the way she’d give you the shirt off her back, the way she is driven and committed is all over the DNA of the character.”

Which ‘Summer I Turned Pretty’ Stars Are — And Aren’t — Returning for Movie?

Lyon noted that Courtney is “different” from Aldama in many ways.

“She’s got aspects of Monica, but reading her on the page and getting to collaborate with the writers, the creators and the director, we fleshed out how we wanted Courtney to be — including her level of warmth and wackiness,” Lyon teased. “I love to trip over things on the floor. I love to run into a doorjamb. These are things that Monica doesn’t do.”

Stumble marks Kaufman’s first role since wrapping Prime Video’s hit series The Summer I Turned Pretty. Throughout the show, which aired its finale in September, Kaufman’s character Steven found love with Taylor (Rain Spencer).

Kaufman, 25, is expected to return for the upcoming The Summer I Turned Pretty feature film — but he is also excited to try something new.

“The only criteria [for each new project] is it has to be different. So I really liked stepping out of the comfort zone of a YA show and stepping into horror and this VFX world and sci-fi,” he told Us in August, referring to a role on season 5 of For All Mankind and in the supernatural horror film Other Mommy. “It was such a new challenge for me.”

Stumble airs on NBC Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET before streaming the next day on Peacock.

Entertainment

Why Melissa Joan Hart Won’t Limit Herself to Christian Roles Despite Faith

Maravi Post Reporter

Melissa Joan Hart is proud of her faith — but has good reason for not limiting herself to Christian-based films.

“When I did [the 2015 movie] God’s Not Dead 2, a lot of people asked me, ‘Are you going to only do Christian roles now?’ And I was like, ‘But what does that look like?’ Because, you know, in the story of Jesus, someone plays Judas,” Hart, 49, exclusively told Us Weekly while discussing her partnership with Ancestry.com.

“As an actor, I like to explore all the different reasons why people do things for good or for bad,” she continued, “I’ve played evil [people], I’ve played hoarders, and I just love diving into the psychology of, ‘Why would someone do that? Let me discover why, and then let me try to portray it as honestly as possible.’ And I think that goes across the board in everything.”

Hart explained that she doesn’t “necessarily look to play roles that are Christian,” and is instead interested in finding new ways to tell a “human story.” The star of legendary sitcoms like Clarissa Explains It All, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Melissa & Joey, she has also always been drawn to comedy — and is more than willing to put herself out there in “funny” or “inappropriate” situations, pending there’s a moral baseline to go along with it.

Melissa Joan Hart Jokes Her Sons Want ‘Nothing to Do’ With Her Career

“As long as there’s the proper amount of punishment and goodness coming out of people, then it’s OK,” she said. “It’s OK to play certain roles, as long as there are repercussions for certain behaviors, and then there are rewards for being a good person.”

There are, however, certain parameters for her career choices when it comes to how those decisions may reflect on her family. The eldest of eight kids, Hart said she’s always prioritized making sure her siblings will feel “proud” of what she’s doing, which ensured her children would one day feel the same. (Hart and husband Mark Wilkerson share three kids: sons Mason, 19, Brady, 17, and Tucker, 12.)

“Will my siblings be proud of this? Is this something that’s gonna embarrass them? Is this something and that I knew someday would reflect on any children? If I could look at it from the perspective of my siblings who were alive, then that would translate to the children I haven’t had yet,” she said, explaining her thought process. “So that I could make sure there was nothing I was shy about.”

At the same time, Hart is aware that her kids aren’t exactly fully dialed into what their mom does for a living. “When I was writing my book [Melissa Explains It All: Tales From My Abnormally Normal Life], my husband was like, ‘You sure you want to write that down? Our kids are gonna read that someday.’ I’m like, ‘No, they’re not. My kids are never gonna read my book. OK?’ They might be like, 50 and go, ‘You know what? My mom’s gone now,I’m gonna read my mom’s book. But by then, they’ll be big enough and they can enjoy it.”

Melissa Joan Hart
Michael Tran / AFP

Hart added that her memoir is also “honest,” which is important too. “There’s being honest about your real experiences and your life and your mistakes, because we’ve all made them,” she said. “And as a Christian, I’m a sinner. We’re all sinners. We don’t go to church because we figured it all out. We go to church because we’re trying to figure it out. We go to church to repent and to ask for forgiveness and all the different things so and confess and all that.”

While Hart may not be limiting herself when it comes to her career, faith is still the No. 1 priority for her and her family. Earlier this year, her middle son, Brady, revealed his decision to rededicate himself to Christ with a baptism.

“He has a great youth pastor that has inspired him,” Hart told Us. “He’s got teachers at school that are constantly talking to him about faith, friends that he talks to about faith. And it started to really mean a lot to him in the last year. It started to really resonate with him.”

The Sabrina alum confessed that the day of the service, she and Wilkerson couldn’t hold back their emotions, which Brady was quick to chastise.

“People were handing us tissues! My husband and I sat in the front. We always sit in the back of the church,” she said with a laugh. “We were sitting in the front of the church, right in the aisle, and just bawling. And [Brady’s] like, ‘I looked over at you guys. You were a mess.’ Like, sorry!”

Brady’s involvement with the church is just one of the many things keeping Hart and her kids busy this holiday season, which is why she looked to Ancestry.com to her gifting needs, providing a unique present for loved ones that feels personal.

Fans Go Wild After Clip of Melissa Joan Hart, 47, Playing a Grandma Goes Viral

“I feel like it’s gotten so hectic and crazy and insane — the stress, the chaos, the Instagrammable moments, of, ‘We have to have the perfect Christmas card,’ and the cookies and the baked sales and and even, like, the coat drives and all the things,” she explained. “And potlucks and parties and cocktails. It’s a lot. I was just looking to simplify the holidays. And with ancestry, it was great.”

A subscription-based online genealogy service, Ancestry.com  provides access to a vast collection of historical records, tools to build family trees and DNA testing to help users discover their family history. Hart explained that after using it on her own lineage, she realized it’s a “great gift” that can also be a “safe topic to talk about” at the dinner table.

“I just think it’s super fun. And, I mean, at the center of the holidays, should be family, and I think that that’s what Ancestry does,” she told Us. “I love that and might connect you to, like, past generations, but it’s also there for the future generations. I love adding pictures and records that I have so that someday when I’m gone, my great grandkids can see all these records from generations past. You get to pass it on.”

Entertainment

Why Melissa Joan Hart Won’t Limit Herself to Christian Roles Despite Faith

Maravi Post Reporter

Melissa Joan Hart is proud of her faith — but has good reason for not limiting herself to Christian-based films.

“When I did [the 2015 movie] God’s Not Dead 2, a lot of people asked me, ‘Are you going to only do Christian roles now?’ And I was like, ‘But what does that look like?’ Because, you know, in the story of Jesus, someone plays Judas,” Hart, 49, exclusively told Us Weekly while discussing her partnership with Ancestry.com.

“As an actor, I like to explore all the different reasons why people do things for good or for bad,” she continued, “I’ve played evil [people], I’ve played hoarders, and I just love diving into the psychology of, ‘Why would someone do that? Let me discover why, and then let me try to portray it as honestly as possible.’ And I think that goes across the board in everything.”

Hart explained that she doesn’t “necessarily look to play roles that are Christian,” and is instead interested in finding new ways to tell a “human story.” The star of legendary sitcoms like Clarissa Explains It All, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Melissa & Joey, she has also always been drawn to comedy — and is more than willing to put herself out there in “funny” or “inappropriate” situations, pending there’s a moral baseline to go along with it.

Melissa Joan Hart Jokes Her Sons Want ‘Nothing to Do’ With Her Career

“As long as there’s the proper amount of punishment and goodness coming out of people, then it’s OK,” she said. “It’s OK to play certain roles, as long as there are repercussions for certain behaviors, and then there are rewards for being a good person.”

There are, however, certain parameters for her career choices when it comes to how those decisions may reflect on her family. The eldest of eight kids, Hart said she’s always prioritized making sure her siblings will feel “proud” of what she’s doing, which ensured her children would one day feel the same. (Hart and husband Mark Wilkerson share three kids: sons Mason, 19, Brady, 17, and Tucker, 12.)

“Will my siblings be proud of this? Is this something that’s gonna embarrass them? Is this something and that I knew someday would reflect on any children? If I could look at it from the perspective of my siblings who were alive, then that would translate to the children I haven’t had yet,” she said, explaining her thought process. “So that I could make sure there was nothing I was shy about.”

At the same time, Hart is aware that her kids aren’t exactly fully dialed into what their mom does for a living. “When I was writing my book [Melissa Explains It All: Tales From My Abnormally Normal Life], my husband was like, ‘You sure you want to write that down? Our kids are gonna read that someday.’ I’m like, ‘No, they’re not. My kids are never gonna read my book. OK?’ They might be like, 50 and go, ‘You know what? My mom’s gone now,I’m gonna read my mom’s book. But by then, they’ll be big enough and they can enjoy it.”

Melissa Joan Hart
Michael Tran / AFP

Hart added that her memoir is also “honest,” which is important too. “There’s being honest about your real experiences and your life and your mistakes, because we’ve all made them,” she said. “And as a Christian, I’m a sinner. We’re all sinners. We don’t go to church because we figured it all out. We go to church because we’re trying to figure it out. We go to church to repent and to ask for forgiveness and all the different things so and confess and all that.”

While Hart may not be limiting herself when it comes to her career, faith is still the No. 1 priority for her and her family. Earlier this year, her middle son, Brady, revealed his decision to rededicate himself to Christ with a baptism.

“He has a great youth pastor that has inspired him,” Hart told Us. “He’s got teachers at school that are constantly talking to him about faith, friends that he talks to about faith. And it started to really mean a lot to him in the last year. It started to really resonate with him.”

The Sabrina alum confessed that the day of the service, she and Wilkerson couldn’t hold back their emotions, which Brady was quick to chastise.

“People were handing us tissues! My husband and I sat in the front. We always sit in the back of the church,” she said with a laugh. “We were sitting in the front of the church, right in the aisle, and just bawling. And [Brady’s] like, ‘I looked over at you guys. You were a mess.’ Like, sorry!”

Brady’s involvement with the church is just one of the many things keeping Hart and her kids busy this holiday season, which is why she looked to Ancestry.com to her gifting needs, providing a unique present for loved ones that feels personal.

Fans Go Wild After Clip of Melissa Joan Hart, 47, Playing a Grandma Goes Viral

“I feel like it’s gotten so hectic and crazy and insane — the stress, the chaos, the Instagrammable moments, of, ‘We have to have the perfect Christmas card,’ and the cookies and the baked sales and and even, like, the coat drives and all the things,” she explained. “And potlucks and parties and cocktails. It’s a lot. I was just looking to simplify the holidays. And with ancestry, it was great.”

A subscription-based online genealogy service, Ancestry.com  provides access to a vast collection of historical records, tools to build family trees and DNA testing to help users discover their family history. Hart explained that after using it on her own lineage, she realized it’s a “great gift” that can also be a “safe topic to talk about” at the dinner table.

“I just think it’s super fun. And, I mean, at the center of the holidays, should be family, and I think that that’s what Ancestry does,” she told Us. “I love that and might connect you to, like, past generations, but it’s also there for the future generations. I love adding pictures and records that I have so that someday when I’m gone, my great grandkids can see all these records from generations past. You get to pass it on.”

Entertainment

Guardians Pitchers Indicted on MLB Gambling Charges After NBA Betting Scandal

Maravi Post Reporter

Two Cleveland Guardian pitchers have been indicted by prosecutors on various charges related to a sports gambling scheme.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz have both been accused of rigging bets related to their pitches thrown during MLB games.

Ortiz was arrested in Boston on Sunday, November 9, and will appear in court on Monday, November 10, and Clase is reportedly not in custody, according to federal prosecutors.

“MLB contacted federal law enforcement at the outset of its investigation and has fully cooperated throughout the process,” the league said in a statement to ESPN on Sunday. “We are aware of the indictment and today’s arrest, and our investigation is ongoing.”

Prosecutors claimed in the indictment that gamblers won at least $450,000 wagering on the pair’s pitches between 2023 and 2025. Clase allegedly arranged with a bettor in May 2023, while prosecutors claim Ortiz joined the scheme in June 2025. Both pitchers were allegedly given a cut of the profits.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred Reacts to NBA Betting Scandal: ‘Vigilant’

“The defendants deprived the Cleveland Guardians and Major League Baseball of their honest services,” Joseph Nocella Jr., the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District, said in a statement on Sunday. “They defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. And they betrayed America’s pastime. Integrity, honesty and fair play are part of the DNA of professional sports. When corruption infiltrates the sport, it brings disgrace not only to the participants but damages the public trust in an institution that is vital and dear to all of us.”

Ortiz has denied all charges via his attorney, Chris Georgalis, in a statement to ESPN.

The pitchers could face up to 65 years in prison if convicted.

guardians pitchers arrested gambling
Emmanuel Clase, Getty Images

Clase and Ortiz have been on non-disciplinary paid leave since July, after betting-integrity firms flagged irregular wagering on a pair of pitches thrown by Ortiz in June.

The accusations against the two pitchers include regularly and intentionally throwing balls instead of strikes on the first pitch of at-bats, according to prosecutors (Bettors would wager on the individual pitches).

The charges come in the wake of an NBA sports gambling scandal that saw nearly three dozen people arrested, including Miami Heat star Terry Rozier and Portland Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups.

Before Game 2 of the World Series, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred responded to the NBA scandal, saying the MLB was staying “really vigilant.”

“We didn’t ask to have legalized sports betting,” Manfred, 67, told reporters before the game. “It kind of came, and that’s the environment in which we operate. Now we don’t have a lot of choice about that, and if it’s going to change — broadly change — probably the only way it would happen is the federal government.”

He went on to say he supports business partnerships with gambling companies, arguing that deals with those companies help sports league police gambling.

“Once you’re in that environment where sports betting is happening, the crucial issue is access to data,” Manfred said. “That means you have to have a relationship with the sportsbooks. Like most relationships, if you want something from them, you need to give something back to them. And that’s where those relationships come from.”

Charles Barkley Drags ‘Stupid’ Stars Involved in NBA Gambling Investigation

He continued: “The most important thing that we can do is make sure that we have systems in place that give us access to data, which puts you in a position to determine if there’s something aberrational going on. I think then when you get that, you need to conduct a thorough investigation, make sure that you understand exactly what caused that aberration. And then you need to discipline.”

In February, MLB fired umpire Pat Hoberg for violating the league’s gambling rules.

In June 2024, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani was caught in the wake of a gambling scandal, after his former interpreter pleaded guilty to bank fraud, tax fraud and admitted to stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani in order to place illegal sports bets.

Ohtani denied any knowledge or involvement and was cleared of any wrongdoing after an MLB investigation. He subsequently fired his interpreter.

Entertainment

Stefon Diggs’ Paternity Test Proves He Is Father of Model’s Baby: Report

Maravi Post Reporter

The results of a paternity test reportedly prove that Cardi B’s boyfriend, NFL player Stefon Diggs, is the father of model Aileen Lopera’s baby girl.

“The paternity has been confirmed. Mr. Diggs is the father of the child,” Lopera’s lawyer, Tamar Arminak, told Page Six on Wednesday, November 5. “Now that the child’s paternity has been established and Mr. Diggs has acknowledged his daughter, my client hopes they can work toward being great parents to their child.”

Arminak noted that the case has not been dismissed and “will move forward if the parties are not able to resolve [their issue] themselves.”

Lopera, known as Lord Giselle on Instagram, filed a paternity suit against Diggs, 31, in Los Angeles in December 2024. She requested legal and physical custody of her baby, who was born in April. Lopera named her Charliee Harper Diggs-Lopera.

Cardi B’s Boyfriend Stefon Diggs Being Sued by Another Woman for Paternity

In her filing, Lopera also asked the court to order Diggs to pay child support and cover the expenses related to her pregnancy and legal fees.

In July, the New England Patriots wide receiver responded to the suit. He said he wasn’t certain that he was the father and requested genetic testing. He also asked for joint legal and physical custody of the child if the DNA test proved paternity.

“My client looks forward to the day Mr. Diggs acknowledges and provides for his infant daughter in Los Angeles,” Arminak told Us Weekly in September. 

That month, Cardi, 33, revealed in an interview with Gayle King, “I’m having a baby with my boyfriend, Stefon Diggs. I’m excited.”

Pregnant Cardi B Addresses Boyfriend Stefon Diggs’ Paternity Suit

She added: “I’m happy. I feel like I’m in a good space. I feel very strong, very powerful that I’m doing all this work — but I’m doing all this work while I’m creating a baby.”

Earlier this week, Diggs revealed during his appearance at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York City that he and Cardi are expecting a boy and he’s due “soon.”

Cardi and her ex, Offset, share three children: Kulture Kiari Cephus, 7, Wave Set Cephus, 4, and Blossom Belle, 1. 

Cardi told King, 70, that Diggs makes her feel “safe and very confident and very strong.” He recently gave her a pep talk while she was upset amid the release of her latest album, Am I the Drama

Cardi B Is Pregnant With Baby No. 4, Her 1st With Boyfriend Stefon Diggs

“I was like crying and crying and crying, just because I was getting really nervous with the whole album rollout,” the rapper explained at the time. “People were coming at me very hard; you know, sometimes people love you, people hate you. And people was just saying very mean things about me.”

Cardi continued, “I was like, ‘See, this is why I don’t put music out?’ This is my art and something I put a lot of time to and it’s just like sometimes, when people just rip it apart, it just hurts you and it crushes you. And he was just like, ‘Girl, you better get it together.’ … I feel like feeling safe, feeling confident, it makes you feel like you can take over the world.”

She recently reacted to Lopera’s suit and seemed unbothered, remarking via an Instagram Live, “That’s your baby daddy, bitch? That’s my baby daddy too. Well, what now? I don’t f***ing know. We’ll figure it out, bitch.”

Lifestyle

Missing South African journalist and partner confirmed dead

Maravi Post Reporter

Human remains believed to be those of missing South African journalist Sibusiso Aserie Ndlovu and his partner Zodwa Precious Mdhluli have been discovered in Limpopo province, more than two months after they were last seen.

The bodies were found in a remote bush area and were in an advanced state of decomposition.

While DNA confirmation is still pending, media organisations say forensic teams have already identified the remains. Police have arrested five suspects in connection with the case. Authorities reportedly recovered stolen items, including furniture, appliances, and parts of a vehicle linked to the couple.

Ndlovu, founder of the Pretoria-based Capital Live radio station, had been missing with Mdhluli since 18 February. Their deaths have left the media community reeling.

“I am terribly sad. We held out hope… Our deepest condolences go out to the families,” said Elijah Mhlanga, chairperson of the African Media and Communicators Forum.

The case highlights South Africa’s persistent struggle with violent crime. The country recorded over 26,000 murders in 2024—an average of 72 killings per day.

Source: Africanews