Latest news with #HakunaMatata
Cosmopolitan
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Cosmopolitan
This is bananas! The strangest perfume notes that are trending right now, from tar to wet grass
I'm a creature of habit with most things in beauty, including hair salons, concealers and nail appointments, but scent is not one of them. Yes, I have my favourites and the notes that I'm always drawn to (sandalwood, vanilla, and tonka, I'm looking at you!), but I'm always up for trying something new and adding to my burgeoning collection. I've noticed recently, though, there's been a trend for some, shall we say, more 'out there' notes in fragrances. Yep, I'm talking about wet grass, tar, and bananas, y'all. Unsurprisingly, these non-typical notes tend to be picked by more niche fragrance houses and therefore are at a higher price point however, we're here for these out-of-the-box note mashups. Who wants to smell like everyone else anyway? Take a look below for some of the wackiest perfume notes trending right now. According to the song, Hakuna Matata 'ain't no passing craze' and founder of 2787 will be hoping that's the case for the notes in this unique scent. "As Rodrigo Flores-Roux [the perfumer behind the brand] puts it, banana is already a kind of perfume," says 27 87 founder, Romy Kowalewski. "There's something deeply olfactive in its natural structure. A green, almost acetone-like sharpness at the top. A lush, ripe body that moves between jasmine, clove, and even something animalic. Then this soft, velvety dry-down, like a memory still warm in your hands." With bergamot, jasmine and orange flower mixed in with ripe banana and green banana peel accord, it's hard not to be transported to the tropics. To our Senior Entertainment Lifestyle Writer, Lydia, it smells like foam banana sweets, and I can see why on first spritz, but it settles into a yummy, warm holiday scent in no time. Wimbledon fever is not over, not according to D.S. & Durga's scent, Crush Balls which is now exclusively available at Space NK in the U.K. Naturally, it's inspired by the energy of tennis appaz, and with the heart note of, ahem, yellow fuzz, you can see the brand leaned all the way into the sport. While the ball scent is harder to pinpoint, the green crisp blend of grass, rosemary and white cotton is pure tennis-on-a-sunny-day vibes. Personally, to me this scent smells nothing like wet grass and more like clean, sexy man chewing gum, but hey, I could be wrong. The spearmint at the top of the scent is really punchy. To the point where my boyfriend sprayed it in another room, and I was like 'wait, did you just brush your teeth?', the way that the minty freshness wafted into the room. Reviewers say "A refreshing, sparkling fragrance, like fresh sparkling water in which fresh green mint leaves and basil have been crushed. A gem for summer!No 'pool chlorine' vibe at all, People are crazy!" Akro Ink Eau de Parfum 100ml If anyone can actually pinpoint what ink smells like, I'm all ears. Some people say this gives a Play-Doh plasticky kick at first, but for me, the starring black ink accord is shrouded by the notes of jasmine and vetiver. If you're a fan of woody, unisex scents, you might like this. The brand was hoping to meld together the worlds of tattoo artistry and perfumery, but actually, they just made a great perfume. Reviews say 'This is absolutely ballpoint pen and doctor's office at first spray, but I kind of love it. After a while, it does fade to this really nice cedar. Someone described it as santal without the pickle. I could see that.' This scent is dripping with caramel goodness, so gourmand lovers, brace yourselves, you're going to want to click add to basket immediately. With cotton candy teaming up with dulce de leche, aka caramelised milk, it's a sugar-fiend's delight. Think grown and sexy, SdJ. Warm, alluring and syrupy. Not a newbie scent but one that continues to perplex us. That alluring kick of woody tar, the perfect thing to cover your body in after a refreshing shower. Ok, ok, we are being snarky because to be fair, tar is a apart of a tree and, hey, we love woody scents here at Cosmo. This one is a crisp and pretty masculine, which dries down into a really herbaceous scent brimming with green tea. The brand says, 'Perfumer H's Steam eau de parfum conjures images of a cool mist rolling over the hills of an ancient tea plantation forest through a mysterious blend led by aromatic green tea.' If you've ever had a bottle popped on you (it feels less boujee than it sounds, promise), then you know that the smell of champagne on skin is very pungent and not at all inviting. BUT, this scent manages to meld the fun effervescence of champs with the sweetness of honey, smokiness of tobacco and the warmth of amber and leather – a really intoxicating concoction. Reviewers say 'The best fragrance I've ever smelled so far, it's so warm and sexy' For many of us, the smell of weed is not nostalgic, but in this scent it plays into London's swinging sixties and seventies. The brand says, 'The slap of a wood bat on a leather ball, followed by intense giggling and the sound of fabric rustling. It's five o'clock at Biba in London and Jim Morrison is leading a young Debbie Harry astray with a Long Island Iced tea, and a game of cricket in the stock room. Can you smell all the possibilities that curled into a trippy London afternoon in the Seventies? They certainly could.' While some reviewers note that it smells earthy and herbal (probs thanks to the Mary J mixed with the sandalwood, basil et al), others say it smells of 'pure hashish'. Maybe see how it mixes with your pH before you wear it to work? For a less powerful kick, you could try Malin & Goetz Cannabis. Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
7NEWS
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Aussie influencer Al Perkins under fire for patting lions as he strolls next to them at African wildlife reserve
An Aussie influencer has come under fire over a clip of himself patting two lions on an African reserve, just days after a woman lost her arm at a Queensland zoo. Joanne Cabban was attacked by a lioness while visiting her sister at Darling Downs Zoo on Sunday morning. Cabban lost her arm in the horrific incident and remains in a stable but sedated condition at the Princess Alexandria Hospital, where she faces further surgery. Despite that headline-making news, tradie turned reality TV star Al Perkins shared an Instagram clip of himself strolling along a path as he patted the backs of two lions. 'We are in Zambia ... with wild lions,' Perkins said. 'This is crazy.' Zambia, a country in southern Africa bordered by the Congo, Tanzania, Malawai, Zimbabwe and Botswana, is known for its safaris with a network of protected areas where local wildlife roam. Perkins simply captioned the clip Hakuna Matata — a Swahili phrase meaning 'no worries', made famous in the 1994 animated film The Lion King. Far from being supportive, a number of Perkins' fans lashed out at him. 'Haven't (you) heard about the woman in Queensland who lost her arm to a lioness two days ago,' one follower wrote, clearly outraged. 'Meanwhile, in Queensland a lady had her arm eaten off,' another added. 'Luckily you survived! I wouldn't do this ever! They turn very quickly. You was (sic) very brave.' However, other fans were a bit more relaxed about it all. 'Wow, incredible,' one person wrote. 'It's Simba and Nala,' another wrote in another reference to The Lion King. 'So awesome,' another added. has reached out to Perkins for comment. Under investigation WorkSafe Queensland is investigating the Darling Downs Zoo incident. The zoo reopened on Tuesday but its popular lion encounters have been suspended indefinitely. A former staff member spoke to about the incident, saying . 'She was walking the dog past the lion enclosure and put her arm through to pat the lions — as the owners normally do,' the former employee told Zoo and authorities respond to investigation Darling Downs Zoo co-owner Steve Robinson defended the lions' temperament earlier this week, describing them as 'excellent' after being raised at the zoo from birth. He said the best explanation they could offer was 'the lion was just playing'. The zoo has confirmed the animal involved 'would not be put down or punished in any way'. Despite the tragedy, Robinson said community support has been overwhelming, with visitors continuing to show support for the zoo and its staff. Cabban, who had been taking photos for the zoo's yearly calendar, now faces a long road to recovery. Darling Downs Zoo was put up for sale in March for $6 million, the second time the family has attempted to sell it since 2023.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Hakuna Matata! Etawah Lion Safari caretakers raise ‘Simba cubs' and hope: Abandoned by their mothers, five cubs are being ‘hand-reared' by two caretakers
LUCKNOW: In Disney's The Lion King, a young Simba is shattered after the tragic death of his father, Mufasa, under whose shadow he had just started getting valuable life lessons. With no parent to guide or protect him, the poor cub wanders in the wild, rudderless and fending for himself, and ends up eating grubs and insects after befriending Timon and Pumbaa, the carefree meerkat and warthog duo who usher in the 'Hakuna Matata' (a Swahili phrase which means 'no worries') phase in his life. O ver a thousand kilometres away from the Pride Lands, the jungle in African Savanna where Simba's reel-life unfolds, real-life Asiatic cubs in Uttar Pradesh's Etawah Lion Safari are fortunate enough to revel in their 'Hakuna Matata' moment soon after being abandoned by their mothers. For, they found 'surrogate parents', not in the wild, but in a team of wildlife caretakers who extended a helping hand to save them. In what is being hailed as a milestone in India's big cat conservation, caretakers at Etawah Lion Safari have successfully hand-reared five abandoned Asiatic lion cubs — a first-of-its-kind achievement for the critically endangered species. The caregivers, led by Etawah Safari director Anil Patel, turned a crisis into conservation success through round-the-clock bottle feeding, nutritional care, and constant medical monitoring of the cubs. 'These cubs are like our children now. Their mothers might have abandoned them, but they were never alone,' says Patel. Separation & Survival The journey began on Sept 3, 2023, when lioness Roopa rejected her newborn cub, sired by lion Kanha. Recognising the danger to the cubs' lives, the caretakers initiated an emergency hand-rearing process involving bottle-feeding and regular veterinary care. The cub, affectionately called 'Ajju' (named after one of the caretakers Ajay Singh), has grown into a healthy, active lion nearing 18 months of age. This success set the precedent for future interventions. On June 1, 2024, two more female cubs — born to Neerja and Kanha — faced a similar fate when their mother abandoned them shortly after birth. Again, the staff stepped in, ensuring their survival through carefully scheduled feeding, lamb broth, and egg whites to supplement essential nutrients. Recently, on April 21, 2025, Roopa gave birth to four cubs, but two tragically died from accidental crushing — a risk not uncommon in captive breeding. The remaining two were removed and immediately placed under human care. Now, one month old, they are beginning to interact with their keepers, showing signs of good health and behavioural development. The Men & The Miracle This conservation feat was achieved by animal keepers Ajay Singh and Asif Ali, who took up the roles of surrogate parents, putting their personal lives on hold to ensure the survival of the cubs. 'Initially, I had to forget about my home, wife, and children. There were many nights when I couldn't see my family. But when I see these cubs growing healthy and active, I feel it was all worth it,' says Asif. Ajay's dedication earned him the honour of rechristening one of the cubs after him. 'I'm grateful to the Safari for naming one of the cubs 'Ajju'. He is like a part of me now,' he says. High-tech & Human Touch These cubs are housed in specially designed enclosures equipped with 24x7 CCTV surveillance. Hygiene is strictly maintained to prevent infections, and the feeding regimen is followed with precision. Every few hours, the keepers prepare specialised milk formula and proteinrich soups, adjusting the diet according to the development stage of the cubs. 'Asiatic lionesses are highly intelligent and sensitive. If a lioness senses weakness in herself or perceives a threat to the cubs' survival, she abandons them. It's nature's way of focusing on resources — but that's where human intervention becomes crucial,' says the Etawah Safari director. Veterinarians carry out regular health assessments to track growth, behaviour, and emotional development. 'Ajju now behaves like any other lion of his age. That's how we measure success — when handreared cubs act like those growing under natural conditions,' says one of the safari's veterinary officers. Setting An Example With fewer than 700 Asiatic lions left in the wild, primarily in Gujarat's Gir forest, Etawah Safari's achievement is more than a local success. The safari is now documenting its protocols and experiences to share with other wildlife parks and zoos. Plans are also underway to expand training for staff in neonatal care for big cats, further strengthening the park's preparedness for future litters. The safari park authorities plan to refine their conservation techniques. Their achievement sets a precedent for similar conservation efforts, particularly in the preservation of endangered big cat species. The dedication of the staff, combined with scientific approaches to animal care, has created a blueprint for successful wildlife conservation. Their work contributes significantly to the broader goal of protecting and preserving the Asiatic lion population for future generations. 'This is not just about saving five cubs. It's about proving that with dedication, expertise, and empathy, we can give endangered species a fighting chance,' says Patel. Simba may have walked alone, but in Etawah, the lion cubs walk with pride and grow with a human touch.
Hamilton Spectator
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
These actors play father and son in ‘The Lion King' eight times a week, but it's being fathers offstage that's the real thrill
The heat of the lights, the thrum of the orchestra, the applause — this is what David D'Lancy Wilson and Aphiwe Nyezi have always dreamed of. The two men play father Mufasa and son Simba, respectively, in the 'Lion King' musical in Toronto , eight shows a week. The work fulfills them. But it isn't the most fulfilling aspect of their lives by far, they say. Every day, the two men are riveted — elated, even — by something many take for granted: fatherhood. 'It's the single greatest joy that I have,' said Wilson, who is from Ajax, Ont. 'I say that (having experienced) Mufasa. I say that (having experienced) a standing ovation. And I say that that pales in comparison to who I am when I'm offstage.' Actors David D'Lancy Wilson, left, and Aphiwe Nyezi says fatherhood is more fulfilling than going onstage eight times a week in 'The Lion King.' This Father's Day, Wilson and Nyezi are reflecting on both the musical and what it means to be a dad. The 27-year-old 'Lion King' explores themes of family, bravery, responsibility, vulnerability and, most of all, fatherhood. It hits close to home for Wilson and Nyezi, who's from Cape Town, South Africa. Wilson has two boys, ages six months and three years; Nyezi has two girls, ages six months and five years. Fatherhood is the best, and hardest, occupation, the two men say. Harder than remembering the lyrics to 'Hakuna Matata.' Harder than throwing their voices across the Princess of Wales Theatre in downtown Toronto. As a father, there are so many little decisions and calculations to be made every day, said Wilson. 'When are we going to stand behind them? When are we going to hold them and support them? When are we going to let them run off ahead of us?' There is little that can prepare a man to become a father, he added. Nyezi knew fatherhood would change him. 'I knew it was just going to be one of those challenges I was going to face in my life, which was going to make me grow and become a different person, and I welcomed it with both arms. Whatever happens, I said, I'm going to take it in and embrace it and enjoy it. 'Fatherhood made me learn more about myself,' he added. Plus, 'fatherhood teaches you patience.' He needs patience as he waits to be reunited with his children and partner, who are back in South Africa. 'You love your children wherever they are ... (regardless of) distance or circumstance, the love will still be the same.' Nyezi hopes the adventure of travelling abroad for work will set a good example for his girls, showing them that anything is possible. 'I would love for them to look at me as their first role model,' he said. He calls his family every day, sometimes wearing his Simba costume. ('What is that!' his daughter cried the first time she saw him in full stage makeup.) The path to 'The Lion King' has been arduous for both men. 'I've had many hard nights,' Wilson said. 'A lot of crying, a lot of frustration, but it's all worth it!' Especially when his son recognizes his face on the theatre marquee or on TV, points and cries out, 'It's Daddy!' David D'Lancy Wilson as Mufasa in 'The Lion King.' He calls being father to two boys, ages six months and three years, 'the single greatest joy that I have.' Wilson likes to sing the musical's songs to his toddler. 'One of his favourite songs is 'He Lives in You,'' said Wilson. It's a tender duet between Mufasa and Simba. But it's one thing to sing the melodies to his fellow actors, another entirely to sing them to his son. When Wilson last tried to sing the song to his son, he started to break down and couldn't get past the first note. 'The overarching message of the song is essentially: 'I'm not going to be here forever,'' said Wilson. But 'you will always have me here, behind you, in your heart. I will always be there.' That's why it's especially important, the two men say, to pass along good teachings, of love and emotional well-being. 'A child who doesn't receive love will often turn and find love in unsafe ways. They'll be left grasping,' Wilson said. But, as Black fathers, Nyezi and Wilson must also prepare their children for the harsh realities that lie ahead. Black children are not always afforded the same patience and privilege as other children, Wilson said. So he tries to teach his toddler to modulate his emotions and 'act, not react' when faced with injustice. He wants to teach him to identify when things are unfair and how to properly communicate when he feels frustrated. He wants his son to see that there is power in restraint, said Wilson. The idea comes up in the musical, too: 'I'm only brave when I have to be,' Mufasa yells at Simba in the play. 'How does a leader react?' asked Wilson. 'How does a leader regulate? How does a leader communicate? How would you (react) if you had people counting on you?' It's equally important for Black children to know they are loved and to love themselves, said Wilson. He likes to do affirmations with his son. 'We do this thing where we say, 'I am strong, I am loved, I am intelligent.' (It's) just a way for him to (self-regulate) when he's feeling overwhelmed. A constant repetition. And the other day, he said it without prompting,' he added, voice breaking. 'It was one of those beautiful moments: the lessons that you're passing on, they're being received.'
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Harvard researcher released from custody after months in detention
Kseniia Petrova, a Russian scientist at Harvard University's Medical School who was detained after being accused of smuggling undeclared frog embryos into the U.S., was released from custody Thursday. Petrova was arrested by ICE agents at Logan International Airport on Feb. 16 after returning from a trip to France with what were described in a court filing as 'non-hazardous, noninfectious, and non-toxic frog embryos.' She has remained in custody in the nearly four months since her arrest. The Department of Homeland Security, through a spokesperson, claimed Petrova 'knowingly broke the law and took deliberate steps to evade it,' the statement read. The department claimed text messages 'revealed she planned to smuggle the materials through customs without declaring them.' A federal court judge in Vermont ordered Petrova released last month, court records show. She was brought to Massachusetts for a detention hearing on a single count of smuggling goods into the U.S. Following the hearing Thursday, Magistrate Judge Judith G. Dein allowed Petrova's release on conditions. 'I just want to thank everybody,' Petrova said outside the federal building in Boston shortly after her release. She wore a T-shirt that said, 'Hakuna Matata,' a popular phrase from 'The Lion King' that means 'no worries.' 'A lot of people started contacting me and sending me letters, and it was a huge support without which I won't be able to survive,' she said. 'I never really felt alone any minute when I was in custody, and it's really helped me very much,' Petrova added. Petrova, 30, who was brought into court wearing an orange jumpsuit, had been in federal custody since February. Lawyers on both sides came to an agreement on conditions for Petrova's release, which included limiting her travel. Authorities are still holding onto her passport. Petrova must return to court next week for a probable cause hearing on the smuggling charge. 'I hear it's sunny. Goodbye,' Magistrate Judge Judith Dein said after approving the agreement. Greg Romanovsky, Petrova's attorney, said his client hasn't 'decided whether she wants to stay in the United States yet.' 'She has offers from different countries around the world, countries that are eager to support the important research that she's doing. She's weighing her options at the moment, and she's very grateful to be out,' he said. She told The Associated Press in an interview in April that she did not realize the items needed to be declared and was not trying to sneak anything into the country. In May, Petrova was charged with smuggling in Massachusetts as a federal judge in Vermont set the hearing date on her petition. That judge later ruled that the immigration officers' actions were unlawful, that Petrova didn't present a danger, and that the embryos were nonliving, nonhazardous and 'posed a threat to no one.' The judge released Petrova from ICE custody, but she remained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service on the smuggling charge before her release Thursday. Colleagues and academics have testified on Petrova's behalf, saying she is doing valuable research to advance cures for cancer. Recall alert: Frozen fish balls recalled nationwide including in Mass. Popular Eastern fried chicken chain fights bankruptcy to stay open Karen Read prosecutors intended to call witnesses in rebuttal. Why didn't they? Woman dragged into bushes by man with knife on road to Nahant Popular rock band's stolen custom guitar has been found, mandolin still missing Read the original article on MassLive.
