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Madagascar receives skull of beheaded king returned by France

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Madagascar receives skull of beheaded king returned by France


Men carry the three Sakalava skulls as descendants of the Sakalava King Toera bow during a welcome ceremony for their restitution to Madagascar from France at the Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo on September 1, 2025. — AFP

Madagascar held a ceremony Tuesday marking the return of three skulls kept by France for 128 years, including one believed to be that of a Malagasy king decapitated by French troops in the 19th century.

France handed over the skulls in Paris on August 27 in the first such restitution since it passed a law in 2023 facilitating the return of human remains taken during its colonial conquests.

The skulls are believed to belong to King Toera, leader of the Sakalava people, who was beheaded by French troops in 1897, and two of his warriors.

They arrived in Madagascar late Monday and were received at the airport by members of the Sakalava group dressed in traditional robes.

Held in three boxes draped with the flag of the Indian Ocean nation, the skulls were driven through the capital Antananarivo to the city’s mausoleum Tuesday, where they were received by President Andry Rajoelina and a gathering of government and Sakalava dignitaries.

They will continue their journey by road to the west coast area of Belo Tsiribihina, about 320 kilometres (200 miles) from the capital, where they are expected to be buried later this week.

The skulls were taken to France as trophies and kept in Paris’s national history museum alongside hundreds of other remains from Madagascar, which declared independence in 1960 after more than 60 years of French colonial rule.

French Culture Minister Rachida Dati said at the Paris event that a joint scientific committee confirmed they were from the Sakalava people but said it could only “presume” that one belonged to King Toera.

France has in recent years sent back various artefacts taken during its imperial conquests, but each time required special legislation until parliament adopted the law simplifying the repatriation of human remains.


Thumbnail image by Reuters — File image of a skull of Namibian genocide victim





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Emma Stone’s new movie sets condition to watch for free

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Emma Stone’s new movie sets condition to watch for free


‘Come bald’: Watch Bugonia for free in early screening

Those who are willing to watch Emma Stone’s latest movie, Bugonia, in an early screening for free must fulfil this condition: come bald.

Yes. That’s what the post on social media read about the Yorgos Lanthimos-directed movie, which gives a nod to the lead actress who got her head shaved for the role.

“Are you bald, or willing to shave your head? On Monday, 10/20, head to the Culver Theater for a FREE advanced screening of ‘Bugonia’,” the DoLA post says on Instagram.

Emma Stones new movie sets condition to watch for free

It adds, “The new Focus Features fever dream from Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Emma Stone and Jesse Plemons.”

The post notes that a barber will be on-site for those who wish to get bald on the spot, stating, “This is real.” And yes, part of it will be filmed.”

It continues for those who wish to see the movie with their hair; tickets are also available. Yargos served as director, while Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias, and Alicia Silverstone starred alongside Emma.

It is worth noting Bugonia will get a wide release on Oct 24 after the limited release on Oct 31.





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Sydney Sweeney advised not to date Scooter Braun for THIS reason

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Sydney Sweeney advised not to date Scooter Braun for THIS reason


Photo: Sydney Sweeney pals requesting her to stay single amid Scooter Braun romance?

Sydney Sweeney has reportedly fallen head over heels for music mogul Scooter Braun.

According to The National Enquirer, while getting serious with Braun, who famously managed stars like Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, was not part of the Euphoria actress’ original plan, she has quickly become smitten.

“Sydney has the world at her feet, she genuinely doesn’t need Scooter’s help to get anything done, but she’s started running all her business decisions by him,” a source revealed.

However, not everyone in her circle is thrilled about the budding romance.

The Emmy-nominated actress was previously engaged to Jonathan Davino, whom she began dating in 2018 before they quietly split earlier this year.

According to insiders, Sweeney’s close friends are “baffled” by the new relationship, especially since she had initially vowed to remain single for at least a year.

“She told them she wanted to stay single to get to know herself after so many years in a relationship,” the tipster added in conclusion.





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Louis Tomlinson gets honest about grieving Liam Payne

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Louis Tomlinson gets honest about grieving Liam Payne


Louis Tomlinson opens up about Liam Payne grief

Louis Tomlinson has opened up about the emotional aftermath of Liam Payne’s tragic untimely death.

Louis’ former One Direction bandmate died aged 31 in Buenos Aires after falling from a third floor balcony at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel on October 16, 2024.

Toxicology report revealed that he had alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system.

In a new interview with The Independent, Louis shared that he has a hard time accepting that Liam is dead.

“I naively thought that, at this point, I’d unfortunately be a little bit more well versed with grief than other people my age,” he reflected, having lost his mother to leukemia in 2016, and his sister to an accidental overdose in 2019.

“I thought that might mean something, but it didn’t at all. It’s something I’ll never really accept. I don’t think,” he added of Liam’s death.

On Thursday, October 16, tributes poured in for the late singer. His girlfriend Kate Cassidy shared a sweet video of Liam attempting to lift her up and failing.

Liam’s sister Ruth penned a heartbreaking note, writing, “1year, 12months, 52weeks, 365days… whichever way I say it, it still means the most heartbreaking truth that you’re not here any more.”

She added, “When you used to go away on tour, and l’d cry that you’d be gone for a while, I always knew you’d come back, but now I can’t get you home, I can’t meet up with you somewhere in the world, I can’t facetime or text to see how you’re doing, it’s an eternal homesick feeling because we can’t go back.”





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