Latest news with #Fierce
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smiley unleashes new album, ‘DON'T BOX ME IN,' with Drake-assisted '2 Mazza'
Key Takeaways: Trending A deep dive into Will Smith's 'Just the Two of Us' and its lasting legacy 14 songs to add to your Father's Day playlist Will Smith unveils 'Pretty Girls' visual and preps for solo tour debut Smiley and Drake's latest track '2 Mazza' highlights their continued chemistry and shared Toronto roots. The track's lyrics reflect humble beginnings and Toronto street life, with production by Boi-1da, Fierce, and Harley Arsenault. Smiley continues to evolve his sound on his new project, DON'T BOX ME IN, with features from Baka Not Nice, Why G, and Icewear Vezzo. Smiley returns with '2 Mazza,' a new collaboration with Drake that anchors his latest project, DON'T BOX ME IN. Dropped on Friday (June 13), the track arrives with an official video and production from Boi-1da, Fierce, and Harley Arsenault. The OVO head honcho takes the lead on the record that sees the artists reflect on humbler days. Drake raps, 'I remember pushin' DT with the tandem, whipping two Mazdas (Double M)/ Grocery shoppin' at Royal York Plaza/ Me and Lil' Sandra was broke on the Gaza/ First-floor room at the airport, Ramada, I'm tryna make the most out of nada/ Now shorty see me and say, 'Oh my God, it's Mr. 2 Mazza.' Smiley matches his storytelling energy, delivering lyrics like, 'I'm still wearin' Prada, n**ga (Prada)/ I still eat McDonald's with you (Yeah)/ I'm still drinkin' bottles with you (Yes), I still leave the glizzies at ya house/ Used to trap with bugs in the couch, used to hide some of my drugs for drought.' Smiley first caught Drake's attention back in 2014. He told HipHopDX, 'He heard those songs and I guess he paid close attention. And then when I took a break and I came back, I dropped this one song called 'Hit' with my other guys on the song. That was the first time I'd ever seen that Drake knew who I was or anything.' His lyrical grind has been non-stop since it was announced that he signed with OVO Sound in 2021. That same year, he teamed up with the Grammy Award winner for 'Over The Top.' With DON'T BOX ME IN, though, Smiley is expanding his artistic realm after feeling his artistry wasn't being taken seriously. 'I'm the type of artist that people don't get right away,' he told iHeart in December 2024. He also teased that DON'T BOX ME IN represented him unlocking a new chapter, but he's already planning for the next one: 'This plan to just drop so much music.' The nine-track project features appearances from Baka Not Nice, Why G, and Icewear Vezzo. And with '2 Mazza' gaining traction with a solid visual, Smiley proves he's not just riding a co-sign, he's creating his own rap movement. You Might Also Like Shannon Sharpe apologizes to Nicki Minaj after past comment sparks diss track response Fathers and their daughters: Check out 13 Hip Hop girl dads
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Tiny but cosy pub in Scots village wins top award after nearly closing
The bar was named the Pub of the Year for the Aberdeen, Grampian and Northern Isles region by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) A small bar in a remote village has won a top pub honour despite almost closing in recent years. The Craft Bar in Pitmedden, Aberdeenshire, faced an uncertain future as it fell into disrepair. But the cosy one-room pub was taken over by local councillor Paul Johnston, who has turned around its fortunes. And the drinking hole has pulled off a remarkable feat by being named Pub of the Year for the Aberdeen, Grampian and Northern Isles region by CAMRA. CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, represent those who enjoy a beer across the UK and they dished out gong thanks to The Craft Bar's impressive turnaround. While Johnston had worked behind the bar in his youth, he had never owned a pub, but felt driven to act when Pitmedden looked like it would be left without a local. 'When we took over the pub was in a very poor state and had severe problems,' he said. 'While it was challenging, as a councillor, saving a pub in my ward felt like the right thing to do.' Johnston was inspired by a close friend, fellow councillor Duncan Borrowman, who had turned around The Bailey Head pub in Oswestry, Shropshire, a venue that has since earned CAMRA's national Pub of the Year accolade. With the help of his wife Roseanne, Paul transformed The Craft Bar into a haven for drink connoisseurs. Today, the bar boasts over 300 wines, 80 gins, and a regularly rotating selection of craft beers sourced from across the north east. 'One of the big assets of the north east is how good our brewing and drinks industry is,' Paul said. 'We use Fierce from Dyce, Six Degrees North from Stonehaven, and beers from Speyside.' Two handpumps at the bar serve cask ales from a variety of breweries, supported by a wide-ranging selection of live key-keg beers from across the UK. The lager lineup changes regularly, often featuring crisp German and Czech pilsners, while cider lovers can enjoy a classic pour from Aspall in Suffolk. For those keen to sample more, a well-stocked fridge holds a comprehensive array of bottled and canned beers. And with a staggering 400 beers and wines available for takeaway or to enjoy in-house for a small fee, the choice is nothing short of impressive. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. That range, along with a clear commitment to quality, has made The Craft Bar a local gem, a place where Pitmedden residents and curious visitors gather to sample weekly selections and unwind in good company. 'I believe that well-run pubs have a great effect on the community. We help people come together and get things done – and there's no better thing than having a nice pint of beer to do it with,' he added. CAMRA praised the bar's inviting layout and thoughtful design: 'A one-roomed corner pub opened in November 2017 and run by an enthusiastic local CAMRA member. "Old church pews provide seating for some of the tables around the walls, whilst other tables are served by bench seating. Has mainly wooden flooring with tiling around the bar, which has a foot rail.'
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Aberdeenshire bar boss reveals secrets to success after winning Pub of the Year
Pitmedden's only pub has been recognised with a national award, seven years after it was saved by a local councillor. Paul Johnston took over The Craft Bar in Pitmedden seven years ago, after the village's only pub had closed. The Craft Bar has been awarded Pub of the Year for Aberdeen, Grampian and Northern Isles. The award was presented by CAMRA, a consumer organisation which recognises pubs for providing high-quality drinks. Although Paul had worked in bars in his youth, he had never owned a pub before. Paul said: 'When we took over the pub was in a very poor state and had severe problems. 'While it was challenging, as a councillor saving a pub in my ward felt like the right thing to do.' Paul was initially inspired to take over the village pub following the success of his friend Duncan Borrowman. Duncan, also a local councillor in Shropshire, had bought The Bailey Head pub in his local village of Oswestry. The pub has also received recognition by CAMRA, winning their overall Pub of the Year Award. Paul runs the bar with his wife Roseanne and has always valued providing a variety of high-quality drinks. After taking over the pub, Paul was keen to expand its drink options and get people to try something new. The Craft Bar is home to more than 300 wines, 80 gins and a variety of craft beers. Paul said: 'One of the big assets of the north east is how good our brewing and drinks industry is. 'We use Fierce from Dyce, Six Degrees North from Stonehaven and beers from Speyside. Because of the wide variety of drinks offered, the pub has become a real community hotspot, with Pitmedden locals and visitors coming by to try new weekly beers and wines. He added: 'I believe that well-run pubs have a great effect on the community. We help people come together and get things done – and there's no better thing than having a nice pint of beer to do it with.'
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Drones Rained Down On Moscow Ahead Of Ukraine Peace Talks
Ukrainian drones pummeled Moscow overnight, only hours before high-stakes talks began in Saudi Arabia between officials from Ukraine and the United States. The attack on the Russian capital, using long-range one-way attack drones, was the biggest of the conflict so far, local officials claimed. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, Ukraine launched 337 drones at Russia overnight, with 91 of these targeting the Moscow region. The attacks on the capital region killed at least three people, set buildings ablaze, and forced the suspension of flights at all four of Moscow's airports, as well as rail services. Two other airports, in the Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod regions east of Moscow, were also closed. Photos and videos posted to social media showed scenes of destruction in the Ramenskoye district, around 30 miles southeast of the Kremlin, and in Domodedovo, in Moscow's southern suburbs, where a supermarket and adjacent parking lot were struck. This killed three security guards and damaged about 40 vehicles, Russian authorities said. Witnesses said that the drone strikes began around 3:00 a.m. this morning, local time. Some Russian citizens took to the Telegram messaging app to complain about the apparent lack of early warning from Russia's emergency services. According to the Russian news outlet Kommersant, Ukraine mainly used its homegrown Liutyi (Fierce) drones for the latest strikes on Moscow. However, at least one unverified video shows what appears to be a Ukrainian version of the Shahed/Geran series, which is the primary long-range one-way attack drone used by Russia to strike targets across Ukraine. It's unclear how many of the Ukrainian drones were successfully intercepted by Russian air defenses, although exorbitant claims have been made regularly in the past. On this occasion, Shot, a Telegram channel with links to the security services, cited a former Russian serviceman who reportedly shot down one of the drones with a hunting rifle in a small village outside Moscow. While Ukrainian drone strikes on targets deep inside Russia, including the capital, have been a feature of the conflict for many months, the overnight raids were clearly timed to send a message ahead of today's talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A senior Ukrainian official said the drone attack should encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept the terms of an aerial ceasefire proposed by Kyiv. 'The largest drone attack in history was carried out on Moscow and the Moscow region,' said Andriy Kovalenko, a Ukrainian national security council official responsible for countering disinformation. He added, 'This is an additional signal to Putin that he should also be interested in a ceasefire in the air.' The large-scale — apparently unprecedented — Ukrainian drone strikes are intended to signal clearly to Moscow and Washington that Kyiv won't accept an unfavorable peace deal and remains committed to repulsing the full-scale Russian invasion. This is a reality that has also been picked up by Russian sources. 'The meaning behind this largest drone attack on the Moscow region is clear — it coincides with the start of negotiations in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine will try to push for an air and naval ceasefire that is entirely unfavorable to Russia,' wrote the popular pro-Kremlin channel MIG Russia on Telegram. 'The raid is meant to suggest that such a decision would supposedly benefit all parties … But it won't work,' the channel added. There has not yet been a formal statement from the Kremlin about Kyiv's proposal for a partial ceasefire, which is expected to include, among others, an end to aerial drone and missile strikes and a suspension of military activity in the Black Sea. However, previous similar suggestions have been rejected by Moscow, which has accused Ukraine of looking to find ways for a pause in the fighting that will allow it to rebuild its military for a future counteroffensive. Ukraine's position is made more complicated by the strained relationship with the United States, which has now hit pause on military support for Ukraine, as well as access to intelligence and satellite feeds. In an effort to try to rebuild the relationship after a disastrous meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington at the end of last month, as you can read about here, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Saudi Arabia yesterday. In addition to pushing for a partial ceasefire on its terms, Ukraine also aims to persuade the Trump administration to restart intelligence-sharing and military aid. There are also the issues of hostage exchanges and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. These are also likely to figure prominently in the talks. For Kyiv, the talks with officials from the United States are far from the only critical aspect of the conflict right now. There is also the increasing difficulty of holding territory in the Kursk region of western Russia, where Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale incursion last August. While you can read more about the current situation on the ground in Kursk here, it's notable that the overnight drone raids also apparently struck multiple targets in this region. Russian authorities said that than 100 drones were launched toward the Kursk region. Today, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its troops had regained more than 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles) of territory and 12 settlements in Kursk in recent days. It's also worth noting that heavy airstrikes have not been all one-way traffic. An especially heavy Russian attack using long-range one-way attack drones and cruise missiles was prosecuted against Ukraine on the night of March 6-7. According to an assessment from the U.K. Ministry of Defense, up to 35 Kh-101 air-launched cruise missiles were launched, together with sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles, and as many as 100 aerial drones. The main targets appear to have been related to Ukrainian energy infrastructure, which Russia repeatedly strikes, especially in the winter months. As for the meeting in Jeddah, it's widely expected that U.S. demands for some kind of minerals deal with Ukraine will be at the center of the discussions, which involve U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his Ukrainian counterparts. Asked on Fox News if he thought Ukraine could sign the minerals deal this week, Trump Middle East aide Steve Witkoff said: 'I am really hopeful. All the signs are very, very positive.' If the parties are able to hammer out some kind of a peace proposal, the big question is what the military terms and conditions will look like. Rubio has previously said that 'both sides need to come to an understanding that there's no military solution to this situation.' 'I'm not going to set any conditions on what they have to or need to do. I think we want to listen to see how far they're willing to go and then compare that to what the Russians want and see how far apart we truly are,' Rubio added. For Russia, Washington's new approach toward Ukraine has been celebrated. After three years of a steadfast U.S.-led bulwark against Russian aggression in Ukraine, Trump's decision to try and extend his rapport with the Russian leader has altered the dynamics of the conflict and geopolitical relations. Russian officials are now indicating that behind-the-scenes discussions between officials in Washington and the Kremlin have been stepped up. Reports today indicate that Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, plans to visit Moscow to meet Putin for talks. While the United States will likely continue to take a hard line with Ukraine in the Saudi talks, there are still plenty more challenges ahead if a ceasefire is to be negotiated, not least Russian willingness to accept whatever kind of deal emerges from today's meeting. Contact the author: thomas@
