Just days after making the world a sweeter place with her fourth album, Sweetener, Ariana Grande took the VMAs to heavenly heights with the debut performance of “God Is a Woman.” And she had a little help from three of the most important women in her life.

Much like the galaxy-spanning “GIAW” music video, Grande’s performance had a historical twist, with the singer and her crew of 40 dancers (all women, of course) basically reenacting the Last Supper on stage. Ari, dressed in glittering gold, was front and center as they cycled through some pristine choreo in front of a starry backdrop accentuated by Roman pillars.

And just when you thought the female empowerment vibes couldn’t get stronger, Ari’s mom, Joan, her grandma, Nonna, and future mother-in-law — Pete Davidson’s mom, Amy — came onstage and joined hands with Grande as they sang the final, triumphant line: “You’ll believe God is a woman.” Amen!

Grande’s heavenly performance came after she accepted the award for Best Pop Video, for “No Tears Left to Cry.” Her sweet VMA night is only getting sweeter!

England and Sale winger Chris Ashton will face a disciplinary panel on Thursday after he was cited for a tip tackle made in a pre-season friendly.

It was initially reported Ashton had punched Castres’ Rory Kockott but footage shows he lifted his opponent before throwing him to the ground.

He could miss the opening five matches of the Premiership season, with bans for such tackles starting at six weeks.

The red card came in his second game for Sale following a summer move.

The former Saracens winger moved to the AJ Bell Stadium from French club Toulon in July.

His move back to the English game prompted an immediate recall to coach Eddie Jones’ national set-up for a three-day camp last month following a four-year absence from international rugby.

He was part of the Australian’s first England squad in 2016, before serving bans for biting and eye gouging.

Sale begin their league season on 1 September against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop.

The Sharks could also be without Romania prop Alexandru Tarus, who was also shown a red card in the second half of their pre-season match against Castres and cited for dangerous play at the ruck.

“Havana” singer Camila Cabello dominated major categories at Monday’s MTV Video Music Awards, taking home the silver Moon Person award for video of the year and artist of the year. More of the night’s biggest moments: 

Ariana Grande, Pete Davidson pack on the PDA

With little in the way of star power at Monday’s red carpet, all cameras were on the recently engaged Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson, whose whirlwind romance started a little more than two months ago. The couple was lovey-dovey smooching on the red carpet and seated first row, and Grande dedicated her award for best pop video to her fiance. “Pete Davidson, thanks for existing,” she said at the tail-end of her speech. “Love you.”

Red carpet: Ariana Grande, Pete Davidson kiss and more hot couples

Madonna gives head-scratching tribute to Aretha Franklin 

Madonna caught flak on social media when she introduced the award for video of the year, paying tribute to the late Aretha Franklin with a rambling, egocentric story about singing the Queen of Soul’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” at an audition. “The Aretha Franklin tribute is Madonna talking about herself at great length,” one Twitter user complained.

More: Madonna bashed over Aretha Franklin ‘tribute’

Kevin Hart blasts President Donald Trump

In one of the many celebrity takedowns of the evening, Kevin Hart didn’t hold back digs at Trump while presenting the award for best hip-hop video. “I’m looking at this like it’s game day, people, but do not worry because during this game, you’re allowed to kneel,” he said, referencing the NFL’s anthem protest. Trump’s supporters immediately began threatening to boycott Hart. 

Read: Kevin Hart faces boycott threats from Trump supporters after ‘kneeling’ jab

Logic dedicates performance to immigrant families 

After delivering a powerful message about suicide prevention at last year’s VMAs, Logic returned to the show with an equally stirring take on his new song “One Day” with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder. The rapper took to the stage wearing a T-shirt reading “(Expletive) The Wall,” as he was flanked by dozens of children and families with shirts that said, “We are all human beings.” The pro-immigration performance ended with a human-made wall crashing down as people — all of whom have been affected by immigration issues, according to The Hollywood Reporter — embraced. 

More: The VMAs’ most savage moments: Feuding celebrities and political statements

Jennifer Lopez thanks “twin soul” Alex Rodriguez 

Couple goals! Accepting her Video Vanguard award, pop trailblazer Jennifer Lopez thanked her boyfriend of one year, former baseball player Alex Rodriguez. “Alex, you’re like my twin soul,” Lopez said, teary-eyed. “We’re like mirror images of each other. My life is sweeter and better with you in it, because you make me realize every day that the sky is not the limit. … There is so much more to do, to experience, and there is no one I’d rather do it with, baby.”

Read: We swooned when Jennifer Lopez called A-Rod her ‘twin soul’ at VMAs

Blake Lively, Madonna, Backstreet Boys curse on air 

It could prove to be a busy night for the Federal Communications Commission, after multiple celebrities used profanities while presenting awards. We’ll soon find out if MTV will rack up fines for slips such as Blake Lively’s, who said, “(Expletive) normally just works out for me” in a bit with “A Simple Favor” co-star Anna Kendrick about the Rockettes. 

More: Twitter takes down Backstreet Boys over ‘cringey’ performance

Nicki Minaj throws shade, takes a helicopter 

After making headlines this weekend for dissing Travis Scott for earning a No. 1 album over her just-released “Queen,” Nicki Minaj did not come to play at the VMAs. Accepting the award for best hip-hop video, Minaj took a pass at presenter Tiffany Haddish, who made a joke about the since-disbanded Fifth Harmony’s lack of nominations. “Don’t be coming for Fifth Harmony because (group member) Normani (Kordei) is that (expletive),” Minaj deadpanned. She later left in a “Queen”-emblazoned helicopter, following her fierce medley of songs “Majesty,” “Barbie Dreams,” “Ganja Burn” and “Fefe” at the Oculus transit hub for the World Trade Center. 

VMAs’ savage moments: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj and more feuding celebrities

 

 

 

 

 

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Iran has unveiled a new domestic fighter jet, with President Hassan Rouhani saying that Tehran’s military strength was only designed to deter enemies and was aimed at creating “lasting peace”.

Images broadcast on state television on Tuesday showed Rouhani sitting in the cockpit of the new “Kowsar” fourth-generation fighter at the National Defence Industry exhibition in Tehran.

State media said it had “advanced avionics” and multi-purpose radar, and that it was “100-percent indigenously made” for the first time. 

Footage of the Kowsar’s test flights was circulated by various official media.

But live footage of the plane taxiing along a runway at the defence show was cut before it took off.

“When I speak of our readiness to defend, it means we seek lasting peace. If we lack readiness, we welcome war,” Rouhani said in a televised speech shortly after.

“Some think when we increase our military power, this means we seek war. (But) this is peace-seeking because we don’t war to happen,” he added.

“If we don’t have a deterrent… it gives a green light for others to enter this country.”

The plane was first publicly announced on Saturday by Defence Minister Amir Hatami, who had said it would be unveiled on Wednesday.

He gave few details of the project, focusing instead on Iran’s efforts to upgrade its missile defences.

Hatami said the defence programme was motivated by memories of the missile attacks Iran suffered during its eight-year war with Iraq in the 1980s, and by repeated threats from Israel and the United States that “all options are on the table” in dealing with Iran.

“We have learned in the (Iran-Iraq) war that we cannot rely on anyone but ourselves. Our resources are limited and we are committed to establishing security at a minimum cost,” he said in a televised interview.

The US has sold hundreds of billions of dollars of weapons to Iran’s regional rivals, but has demanded that Tehran curb its defence programmes, and is in the process of reimposing crippling sanctions in a bid to force its capitulation.

Twenty years after making her VMA debut, Jennifer Lopez returned to the MTV stage on Monday night (August 20) ready to celebrate her hits, to dance her butt off, and to demonstrate why she’s a venerable Video Vanguard.

The pioneering pop star told MTV News the day before the show that it was “tough” picking out which songs she’d perform for her VMA medley, but her picks proved absolutely perfect. She kicked things off with 1999’s “Waiting for Tonight,” before cycling through a slew of her biggest hits, including “Love Don’t Cost a Thing,” “Jenny from the Block,” and “Get Right.” Between multiple costume changes, she reenacted the Flashdance-inspired choreo from the “I’m Glad” video, and even threw in a couple snippets of other artists’ songs, like Drake’s “Nice for What” and Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow.”

Because she was performing on her NYC home turf, the Bronx native also shouted out New York and even danced inside a subway car with the number six on it: an homage to her 1999 debut album, On the 6.

But J.Lo didn’t just bring the heat on her own — her trusted collaborator Ja Rule bounded onstage for “I’m Real” and “Ain’t That Funny,” and their chemistry was just as cool as ever. DJ Khaled also joined the party for Lopez’s fiery finale of “Dinero.” It was so hot, J.Lo’s boyfriend, Alex Rodriguez, couldn’t help but ogle.

After a sweet speech from Shawn Mendes — who recognized Lopez as the first Latin artist to receive the Video Vanguard Award — the honoree took the mic for an impassioned acceptance speech.

“I grew up on MTV and this is a tremendous honor for me. Dreaming my wildest dreams and then watching them come true — music, acting, performing — this career has always been kind of an obsession for me,” J.Lo said, adding that she always played by her own rules and refused to believe anyone who said she could only do one thing. She finished by shouting out her family, friends, fans, and her “twin soul,” A-Rod — and all of Radio City Music Hall could feel the J.Lo love.

Alex Rodriguez couldn’t stop grinning watching girlfriend Jennifer Lopez crush it on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards Monday night.

Could you blame him? Lopez gave an explosive performance, churning through decades of her hits, from “Jenny from the Block” to “I’m Real,” before being awarded MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, the show’s version of a lifetime achievement award.

A-Rod stood for what seemed like the majority of her performance, even taking video with his phone as she danced.

More: Jennifer Lopez sports tiny bikini and rock-hard abs on 49th birthday

Also: Alex Rodriguez says if you want Jennifer Lopez’s love, you have to answer her calls

During Lopez’s acceptance speech, the star spoke of how her life changed when she had her twins, Max and Emme, now 10. While Emme sat with her grandmother, Max adorably sat on A-Rod’s lap as his famous mom spoke. 

“It wasn’t until I had two little angels come into my life that everything changed. I knew I had to be better,” she said. “I knew I had to be stronger than I had been before. …I stand here stronger and better than ever.”

At the end of her speech, Lopez gushed over her beau of over a year, calling A-Rod her “twin soul.” She added: “My life is sweeter and better with you in it.”

“I love you,” Rodriguez mouthed to her from his seat.

You bet Twitter noticed the smoke show.

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More: VMAs 2018: The winners’ list

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More: Kevin Hart faces boycott threats from Trump supporters after ‘kneeling’ jab

Tribute: Madonna bashed over Aretha Franklin ‘tribute’

Savage moments: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj and more feuding celebrities

 

 

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Muslims across the world are celebrating the festival of Eid al-Adha, which coincides with the final rites of the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.

While many will celebrate on Tuesday, millions of others, including in South Asia, will celebrate the start of the religious holiday the day after.

Eid al-Adha, which in Arabic literally means the “festival of the sacrifice”, commemorates the story of the Muslim Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith.

Muslims believe Ibrahim was commanded by God him to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Tradition holds that God stayed his hand, sparing the boy, and placing a ram in his place.

The day is marked with the sacrifice of an animal, usually a goat, sheep, or cow, and the distribution of the meat among neighbours, family members, and the poor.

In the village of Mina, near the Muslim holy city of Mecca, it marks the day, millions of pilgrims perform the symbolic stoning of the devil.

The five-day-long Hajj is a series of rituals meant to cleanse the soul of sins and instill a sense of equality and brotherhood among Muslims.

The pilgrimage is required of all Muslims with the financial and physical means to perform it.

During the last three days of Hajj , male pilgrims shave their heads and remove the white cloth garments worn during the Hajj, known as the ‘ihram’. Women cut off a small lock of hair in a sign of spiritual rebirth and renewal.

Eid al-Adha is also known as:

• Eidul Adha in the Philippines .
• Eid el-Kabir in Nigeria and Morocco.
• Tabaski in Senegal and Gambia.
• Kurban Bayrami in Turkey.
• Hari Raya Haji in Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
• Eid-e-Qurbon in Iran.
• Bakri-Id or Qurbani Eid in South Asia.

Below are some social media tweets marking the festival: 

My relatives are here to wish you all Eid Mubarak #Gaza #غزة #EidulAzha pic.twitter.com/hATGfy1H3x

— Muhammad Smiry Gaza (@MuhammadSmiry) August 21, 2018

 

Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating! May we all draw inspiration from the values of empathy, charity and compassion that are celebrated during #EidAlAdha.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) August 20, 2018

 

Eid Mubarak! Sophie and I send our best wishes to Muslims in Canada and around the world as they celebrate Eid al-Adha. https://t.co/dUh9FyQYKf pic.twitter.com/nQa5WdhQ15

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) August 21, 2018

 

May all Muslim and Arab nations around the world enjoy and celebrate #EidAlAdha with loved ones, and may it be filled with peace and blessings. Eid Mubarak!

— محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) August 20, 2018

 

His Majesty King Abdullah II and HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II join the families of Fuheis and Salt martyrs in performing Eid Al Adha prayer in Aqaba #Jordan pic.twitter.com/SkLKoi8zqY

— RHC (@RHCJO) August 21, 2018

 

#EidAlAdha
Don’t forget the poor. It’s truly the day of happiness and day brotherhood Muslim united to worship Almighty Allah.. Eid Mubarak from me to your family.. Eid wanagsan pic.twitter.com/6pyz3CqMgk

— Farry Abdi (@AbdiFarry) August 21, 2018

 

Eid Mubarak in some of the main languages of the world. pic.twitter.com/d7L3DgSQBX

— Maqsood Ahmad (@LasaniLogistics) August 21, 2018

 

First sheep is being distributed #EidMubarak #CareForGaza pic.twitter.com/FHYwnTKebQ

— Muhammad Smiry Gaza (@MuhammadSmiry) August 21, 2018

SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies

Chaotic, psychedelic, and captivating, Travis Scott‘s 2018 MTV Video Music Awards performance transported viewers to his vision of Astroworld. The Houston rapper began his set performing “Stargazing” as he traveled through a rollercoaster car emblazoned with the phrase, “Look Mom I can fly.” His heavily processed vocals perfectly matched the kaleidoscope flair of the visual filter. Then before the havoc truly began the camera panned to James Blake as he performed “Stop Trying To Be God,” backed by a choir. However, his angelic falsetto only slowed the anarchy down for a moment.

Before audiences knew what happened, La Flame triumphantly emerged from the mouth of an inflatable golden head made in his image. He then rocketed into performing “Sicko Mode.” Flanked by a crew of dancers, Scott bounded across the stage like a man on a mission.

The theme park-inspired performance is based off Six Flags AstroWorld, which a young Travis visited as a child. In an interview with MTV News, Scott described what the park meant to him growing up.

“At first it didn’t really set in stone what they was actually doing to the city until I was older,” Travis explained. “I was like, ‘Woah, we actually don’t have this place,’ when I wanted to go back when I was like 18 or something. It’s like wow we don’t have it. That’s when it hit me. “

Scott’s Astroworld medley isn’t the first time he performed at the VMAs. Last year, he surprised fans by joining Thirty Seconds to Mars to perform, “Butterfly Effect.” Although, this year it’s safe to say he held his own as the main attraction.

The 2018 MTV Video Music Awards air live tonight on MTV from Radio City Music Hall at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Twitter was not having Madonna’s so-called tribute to Aretha Franklin at the MTV Video Music Awards Monday.

Before presenting the award for video of the year, the singer shared a story about how Franklin “changed the course” of her life — and social media users dragged her for how much it focused on herself as opposed to the late Queen of Soul.

Here are the best reactions:

“Of course Madonna manages to make this Aretha Franklin tribute about her,” one Twitter user said. 

“Is this about Aretha or Madonna,” another wrote.

“This does not sound like a tribute to me,” another said.

“does Madonna know Madonna didn’t die,” another tweeted.

More: Ariana Grande, Pete Davidson kiss and more hot red carpet couples

More: Twitter takes down Backstreet Boys over ‘cringey’ performance

“I see Madonna is still upset Aretha overshadowed her birthday by dying on it, so she’s going to talk about herself as the Aretha tribute,” one user said.

Birthday: Madonna turns 60

“I WOULD HAVE ALMOST RATHER HAD MADONNA BUTCHER AN ARETHA SONG INSTEAD OF TALKING ABOUT HERSELF FOR ALMOST TEN MINUTES LMFAO,” one wrote.

“Girl, can you please talk about Aretha and not yourself. Lord,” singer K. Michelle tweeted.

Others thought about Franklin.

“I would pay to see Aretha’s face right now,” one user wrote.

“this is so offensive to aretha,’ another wrote. 

More: We swooned when Jennifer Lopez called A-Rod her ‘twin soul’ at VMAs

More: Kevin Hart faces boycott threats from Trump supporters after ‘kneeling’ jab

More: VMAs 2018: The winners’ list

More: The VMAs’ most savage moments: Cardi B, Nicki Minaj and more feuding celebrities

More: 7 things you may have missed at the VMAs

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At least nine rockets hit near the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, where President Ashraf Ghani was delivering a speech to mark the beginning of the Eid al-Adha holiday.

Afghan officials on Tuesday said fighting broke out between security forces and armed groups in the city’s old quarter, in which at least two people were wounded. 

“This morning a group of terrorists took over a building in Reka Khana and fired several rockets towards Kabul,” Najib Danishm a spokesman for the interior ministry told AFP news agency.

The attack comes as the Taliban rejected a ceasefire offer from the Afghan government on Monday, saying they would persist with their attacks.

Earlier on Monday, Taliban fighters ambushed three buses carrying nearly 200 passengers travelling for Eid.

Reuters news agency reported that 160 of them were later released, while at least 20 remain captive.

Two Taliban commanders said their supreme leader rejected Ghani’s Sunday offer of a three-month ceasefire, beginning with this week’s Eid, Reuters reported.

In June, the Taliban observed a government ceasefire over the three-day Eid al-Fitr festival, leading to unprecedented scenes of government soldiers and Taliban fighters embracing on front lines, and raising hopes for talks.

But one of the Taliban commanders said the June ceasefire had helped US forces, who the Taliban are trying to drive out of the country. 

Taliban leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhunzada rejected the new offer on the grounds that it too would only help the American-led mission.