American singer Usher has responded to a bizarre viral rumor claiming that he hired a lookalike or “clone” to perform in his place during one of his recent concerts.
The speculation spread online after footage from Usher’s performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on August 7 went viral, with some fans saying the performer did not look like the 47-year-old singer.
Several social media users questioned whether the person on stage was actually Usher, while others suggested that a body double or even an artificial intelligence generated version of the singer had been used.
The theory gained significant attention, with one post on X claiming that Usher had tried to fool concertgoers and calling for a refund. The post reportedly attracted more than four million views.
Other videos shared on TikTok also questioned the singer’s appearance during the performance.
Some users said his face appeared different from what they were accustomed to seeing, while others pointed to the fact that he was wearing a hat and sunglasses, which made it harder to see his face clearly.
Usher eventually addressed the speculation himself on August 9.
Rather than responding seriously, the singer appeared to find the claims amusing. In comments shared by the official R&B Tour account, he wrote, “Y’all are funny… clone? They can’t clone this?”
In another response, Usher questioned how fans had come up with the theory before adding, “AI ain’t that advanced.”
His comments effectively dismissed the suggestion that he had secretly hired someone to perform for him.
Usher is currently on the Raymond & Brown Tour with fellow singer Chris Brown.
The co-headlining tour, whose name refers to both artists’ surnames, began in June and is scheduled to continue through December with performances across North America.
The latest rumor is not the first time social media users have questioned Usher’s appearance during a performance.
Similar speculation emerged during his Past Present Future Tour in 2024, when some online users questioned his appearance and vocals and suggested that a stand-in might have been used. Those claims were also never substantiated.
The singer has continued to perform despite the latest wave of online speculation, which appears to have been driven largely by differences that fans perceived in short concert videos shared on social media.
Usher broke silence on viral rumors about a lookalike performing for him.
Researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, working with Wismut GmbH and the University of Granada, found that bacteria living in uranium contaminated mine water can help remove the metal from water when supplied with glycerol, a substance that serves as a food source for microorganisms.
In laboratory experiments, about 95 percent of the dissolved uranium disappeared from the water within 130 days.
Uranium is a radioactive heavy metal that is normally locked inside minerals in soil. However, mining and other environmental processes can cause it to dissolve and enter groundwater.
Once uranium becomes mobile in water, it can spread through the environment and pose risks because of its toxicity.
The researchers wanted to understand not only whether bacteria could reduce the amount of uranium dissolved in water, but also what happened to the uranium after it was removed.
The team collected water from a flooded uranium mine in Germany’s Ore Mountains.
The mine, operated by Wismut GmbH, provided researchers with a naturally occurring community of microorganisms.
In the laboratory, the scientists added controlled amounts of glycerol to samples of the mine water and created oxygen free conditions similar to those found deep underground.
As the bacteria used the glycerol as a food source, the concentration of dissolved uranium gradually fell.
After 130 days, only about five percent of the uranium originally dissolved in the water remained. Further investigation showed that the uranium had accumulated within the bacteria’s cell walls.
The researchers then used advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to determine what form the uranium had taken.
Their analysis revealed an unexpected result. A significant amount of the uranium had entered a chemical state known as pentavalent uranium, or uranium with a valency of five.
Pentavalent uranium has generally been considered rare and unstable, with scientists previously viewing it as a temporary chemical state.
The team discovered that the uranium had combined with iron and oxygen to form a compound known as FeU(V)O4.
The compound is particularly interesting because previous research had shown that it could remain stable even when exposed to atmospheric oxygen for more than 25 years.
However, scientists had not previously understood how the compound could naturally form or that bacteria could play a role in its formation.
The new experiments provided another surprise.
When the researchers exposed dried bacterial material containing the uranium compound to oxygen, the amount of FeU(V)O4 actually increased rather than decreased.
This suggests that the compound may be more stable in oxygen rich conditions than previously expected. It also strengthens the possibility that bacterial activity could help transform mobile uranium into a form that is less likely to spread through water.
Dr Evelyn Krawczyk-Bärsch, a scientist in HZDR’s Terrestrial Microbiology research group and a co author of the study, said the findings showed for the first time that bacteria supplied with glycerol can convert dissolved uranium into a stable chemical compound.
However, the researchers stressed that more work is needed before the discovery can be turned into a practical method for cleaning contaminated environments.
The scientists now plan to investigate the uranium binding bacteria in greater detail and study the biochemical and geochemical processes responsible for the transformation.
A better understanding of these processes could help determine whether microorganisms can eventually be used as part of efforts to remediate uranium contaminated water and other environments.
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected role for bacteria in converting mobile uranium into a stable chemical form.
A large study has found that the relationship between alcohol and health may differ depending on both the amount consumed and the type of alcoholic beverage.
Researchers examined health and drinking data from 340,924 adults who participated in the UK Biobank study between 2006 and 2022. Participants were followed for more than 13 years on average.
The findings, presented at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session, showed that heavy alcohol consumption was associated with a significantly higher risk of death, regardless of the type of alcohol consumed.
Compared with people who rarely or never drank, those in the highest alcohol consumption group were 24 percent more likely to die from any cause.
They were also 36 percent more likely to die from cancer and 14 percent more likely to die from heart disease.
However, researchers observed a different pattern among people who consumed lower amounts of alcohol.
At low and moderate levels, beer, cider and spirits were associated with a higher risk of death, while wine consumption was associated with a lower risk.
The difference was particularly notable when researchers examined cardiovascular deaths. People who consumed wine at moderate levels had a 21 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared with those who rarely or never drank.
In contrast, even low levels of beer, cider or spirits consumption were associated with a 9 percent higher risk of cardiovascular death.
Researchers said several factors could help explain the difference. Wine, particularly red wine, contains compounds such as polyphenols and antioxidants that may have cardiovascular effects.
Wine is also more commonly consumed with meals and is often associated with healthier diets and lifestyle habits.
However, the researchers stressed that the findings do not prove that wine itself protects against disease or death.
The study was observational, meaning it examined existing drinking habits rather than assigning people to consume specific types or amounts of alcohol.
Participants also reported their alcohol intake only when they entered the study, so changes in drinking habits over time were not fully captured.
The researchers also noted that UK Biobank participants tend to be healthier than the general population, which may limit how widely the findings can be applied.
Zhangling Chen, senior author of the study, said the findings provide a more detailed picture of how both the amount and type of alcohol may be associated with health outcomes.
Despite the limitations, the large number of participants and long follow-up period provide substantial data on the relationship between alcohol consumption and mortality.
The researchers said further high-quality studies are needed to determine whether differences between alcoholic beverages are directly responsible for the health patterns observed.
Researchers found that heavy drinking raised mortality risks, while lower consumption showed different patterns across alcoholic beverages.
Researchers found that 560 to 610 minutes (roughly 9 to 10 hours) of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week was associated with more than a 30% lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
This is about three to four times the current public health recommendation of at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per week.
The findings come from an observational study published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Researchers from Macao Polytechnic University in China examined how physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness were associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
The researchers analysed data from 17,088 people enrolled in the UK Biobank between 2013 and 2015.
The participants had an average age of 57, with women accounting for 56% of the group.
Each participant wore a wrist device for seven consecutive days to record their usual physical activity.
They also completed a cycling test that researchers used to estimate their VO2 max, a measure of how efficiently the body takes in and uses oxygen during intense exercise.
The researchers also considered factors including smoking, alcohol use, self rated health, diet, body mass index, resting heart rate and blood pressure.
During an average follow up of 7.8 years, researchers recorded 1,233 cardiovascular events. These included 874 cases of atrial fibrillation, 156 heart attacks, 111 cases of heart failure and 92 strokes.
Participants who met the recommended 150 minutes of exercise per week had an 8% to 9% lower cardiovascular risk.
However, activity levels of 560 to 610 minutes per week were associated with a reduction of more than 30%.
Only 12% of participants reached this higher level of physical activity.
The study also found that people with lower fitness levels may need slightly more exercise than highly fit individuals to achieve similar cardiovascular benefits.
For example, a 20% reduction in cardiovascular risk was associated with about 370 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise each week among people with the lowest fitness levels, compared with about 340 minutes among those with the highest fitness levels.
The researchers said the findings suggest that future exercise recommendations could consider individual fitness levels instead of relying entirely on a single target for everyone.
The researchers say, “This finding highlights the steeper challenge faced by deconditioned populations.”
However, the study cannot prove that higher levels of exercise directly caused the lower cardiovascular risk because it was observational.
The researchers also noted that the participants may have been healthier and fitter than the general population, while fitness was estimated rather than measured directly.
Despite these limitations, the researchers said the current 150 minute recommendation remains a reliable minimum, while higher levels of physical activity may provide greater protection against cardiovascular disease.
Adults may need considerably more physical activity than the current minimum recommendation to achieve a substantial reduction in their risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.
The study, published in Neuropsychopharmacology, analysed data from 11,036 children who were followed from ages 9 and 10 through ages 16 and 17.
Researchers monitored changes in their cognitive abilities while also tracking cannabis use and exposure to other substances.
The research used data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, the largest long term investigation of brain development among young people in the United States.
Researchers found that teenagers who used cannabis showed slower improvement across several areas of cognitive performance, including memory, attention, language and processing speed.
Some participants who later began using cannabis initially performed as well as, or slightly better than, their peers.
However, as they grew older and began using cannabis, their cognitive development tended to level off, while teenagers who did not use cannabis continued to improve.
To measure cannabis exposure more accurately, researchers combined participants’ reports with biological testing. y
Hair, urine and saliva samples were used to identify exposure ranging from recent cannabis use to use that had occurred several months earlier.
The researchers also examined whether individual compounds in cannabis were associated with different cognitive outcomes.
In a smaller group of participants, teenagers with evidence of exposure to tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, experienced greater declines in memory performance over time than teenagers without evidence of cannabis use.
Researchers did not observe the same pattern among teenagers with evidence of cannabidiol, or CBD, exposure, although the number of participants in that group was limited.
The findings point to THC as a likely contributor to the changes observed.
Although the differences in cognitive performance were relatively modest, researchers said they could still be meaningful because adolescence is a critical period for brain development.
Small changes in memory, attention or thinking speed could potentially affect learning, classroom performance and everyday activities.
However, the researchers stressed that the study does not prove that cannabis directly caused the slower cognitive development.
Environmental conditions, personality traits and other factors could also contribute to the differences.
The researchers adjusted their analysis for several possible influences, including family background, mental health, use of other substances and participants’ cognitive abilities before cannabis use began.
The research team plans to continue following the participants into young adulthood.
Future research could help determine whether the age at which cannabis use begins and how frequently it is used influence long term brain development.
The researchers say delaying cannabis use may support healthier brain development during adolescence.
A new study has examined how cannabis use may affect the developing teenage brain.
The renewed interest comes from research into high doses of vitamin C given intravenously, rather than through ordinary tablets.
Scientists say intravenous treatment can produce much higher levels of vitamin C in the blood and may cause biological effects that cannot be achieved by taking supplements.
The story dates back to the 1970s, when American scientist Linus Pauling, a two time Nobel Prize winner, worked with Scottish doctor Ewan Cameron to investigate high doses of vitamin C in patients with advanced cancer.
Their early work suggested that some patients receiving large amounts of vitamin C lived longer and experienced an improved quality of life.
However, two major trials conducted by the Mayo Clinic later found no survival benefit from vitamin C pills.
Scientists now believe the difference between intravenous vitamin C and tablets may help explain the conflicting results.
When vitamin C is taken orally, the digestive system limits how much can enter the bloodstream.
Intravenous administration, however, can raise blood concentrations to levels many times higher than those reached through tablets.
At very high concentrations, vitamin C may behave differently from its usual role as an antioxidant.
Laboratory studies suggest it can help generate hydrogen peroxide, a reactive substance that can damage cells.
Cancer cells may be particularly vulnerable because they are already under stress and may have weaker systems for dealing with such damage.
Researchers have tested intravenous vitamin C in small studies involving patients with difficult to treat cancers, including ovarian, pancreatic and brain tumors.
Some studies suggest that combining vitamin C infusions with chemotherapy could help certain patients live longer or experience fewer treatment related side effects.
Other studies, however, have found no clear benefit. Researchers say the studies remain too small and varied to provide firm conclusions.
One of the more consistent findings has involved quality of life. Some patients receiving vitamin C alongside chemotherapy have reported less fatigue, pain and nausea.
Scientists are also investigating whether high levels of vitamin C could affect cancer cell growth, DNA regulation, responses to low oxygen and the immune system.
These findings are still being studied and some remain preliminary.
Researchers therefore say Pauling was partly right to believe vitamin C could have a role in cancer treatment, but he overstated its benefits and was wrong to promote vitamin C tablets as a powerful cancer cure.
For now, large and definitive clinical trials have not shown that high dose intravenous vitamin C can extend the lives of most cancer patients.
Scientists say it should remain an experimental treatment studied in clinical trials or carefully supervised medical settings, rather than a replacement for established cancer therapies.
Scientists have revisited vitamin C’s potential role in cancer treatment
Ntihanabayo Samuel, also known as Kazungu, and 15 other suspects arrested in Kigali were presented by RIB on August 8, 2026. Ntihanabayo was arrested alongside two other employees of Ingufu Gin, including the factory’s quality control officer and production manager.
Oluwatosin Ayayi, the operations manager of Kerry Taste and Nutrition Rwanda, was also among those presented after being arrested in Kigali.
Other suspects presented by RIB included individuals linked to Ebeneza Hub, Sakaza Fruit, Entreprise Urwibutso, African Buffalo, Piphany Company and Lotas Medical Group.
Since August 2, the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) has closed 148 factories producing alcoholic beverages that failed to meet required quality standards and suspended the production of the beverages manufactured by the affected facilities.
The decision followed inspections that found that some of the factories were using improperly processed ethanol in their alcoholic beverages, posing serious health risks to consumers.
The Government of Rwanda says 50 people have died from consuming substandard alcohol since January 2026, while another 100 people have lost their sight. An estimated 11,000 people across the country have also become addicted to the beverages.
RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry said those under investigation include government officials responsible for inspections and issuing permits, factory owners, employees of the closed factories, local government officials and people involved in illegal alcohol production.
“They all have one thing in common. They are connected through the chemical substance ethanol. They are facing four charges: giving a person something that can endanger their life, forging or using forged documents, embezzlement and insubordination,” Dr. Murangira said.
He explained that some factory owners and employees involved in producing substandard alcoholic beverages had been using expired materials and unauthorized measurements in pursuit of profit, without considering the consequences for consumers.
“So far, 80 people have been arrested across the country, 16 of whom we have presented here were arrested in Kigali. Investigations are still ongoing. In reality, nothing can be exchanged for human life because everything being done is in the interest of the public,” Dr. Murangira said.
RIB said inspections conducted in collaboration with relevant authorities found that some factories were operating without registration, while others were producing beverages without the required quality certifications.
Authorities also found factories operating in unhygienic conditions, producing alcohol in unauthorized locations and obstructing inspections by officials.
RIB said investigations into the production and distribution of substandard alcoholic beverages are continuing as authorities work to identify all individuals involved and protect the public from products that could endanger their health.
RIB presents some of those arrested over production of substandard alcohol.Ntihanabose Samuel, also known as Kazungu, is among individuals in RIB custody.
Williams-Paisley, 54, shared photos of herself wearing the items on Instagram on Friday, August 7. She said she was happy to own a piece of Keaton’s distinctive style, but an unexpected moment during the photo shoot made the experience even more emotional.
“Recently I bought this hat and gloves from the Diane Keaton auction. I’m so happy to have some of her iconic style with me,” Williams-Paisley wrote.
While Williams-Paisley and her friends were carefully unpacking the items and preparing to photograph them, a large bald eagle suddenly landed in a nearby tree.
According to the actress, the eagle stayed briefly before flying away.
“THIS IS SO RARE!! It definitely felt like Diane’s energy was around us!” she wrote.
Williams-Paisley included a video of the bald eagle in the Instagram post, alongside photographs of herself wearing Keaton’s hat and gloves. One of the images also showed Keaton wearing the same hat.
The actress revealed that the hat carries the words “NO MORE WAR,” along with a skull and crossbones design that Keaton had added.
“The hat says, ‘NO MORE WAR,’ and she’d added a skull and crossbones. So, I’m passing along her message,” Williams-Paisley wrote.
Williams-Paisley and Keaton first worked together on the 1991 film Father of the Bride, in which Williams-Paisley played Annie Banks, the daughter of Keaton’s Nina Banks.
They reunited for Father of the Bride Part II in 1995. Their professional relationship eventually developed into a close friendship.
Williams-Paisley has previously spoken about how important Keaton was to her, particularly because she was only 19 when she landed her role in the first film.
She described Keaton as a mother figure who made her feel safe and said she was able to talk to her about anxiety and recurring nightmares.
Williams-Paisley also recalled being nervous about meeting Keaton because she had admired her work in films such as Annie Hall, The Godfather and Baby Boom.
Keaton died on October 11, 2025, at the age of 79.
The Grammy-winning artist shared the emotional story during an appearance on the Zach Sang Show, where he reflected on his journey in music and the sacrifices made by his mother, Loraine Smith, while raising him.
Ne-Yo, whose real name is Shaffer Chimere Smith, explained that receiving his first major payment as a songwriter gave him the opportunity to change his mother’s life.
He recalled calling his mother while she was at work and telling her to go home because she would never need to return to that workplace again.
The singer described the moment as one of the greatest achievements of his life, saying that being able to provide such support for a parent is a powerful motivation for many children who want to succeed.
Before becoming one of the most recognised names in R&B, Ne-Yo built his career as a songwriter, creating some of the biggest songs in contemporary music.
His work on Mario’s “Let Me Love You” became a major breakthrough and helped establish him as a talented songwriter before he achieved global fame as a performer.
During the interview, Ne-Yo also spoke about another personal song, “Miss Independent,” revealing that it was inspired by his mother and the strong women he grew up around.
He explained that his childhood was surrounded by women who were hardworking, independent and capable of handling challenges without waiting for anyone to rescue them.
According to the singer, his mother became emotional when she learned the song was written as a tribute to her.
Ne-Yo’s story highlights the personal meaning behind his successful music career.
Beyond awards and international recognition, the singer said one of his proudest moments was using his talent to give back to the person who supported him from the beginning.
The artist has continued exploring new musical directions, including his recent move into country-inspired sounds with his album “Highway 79,” which was released in 2026.
He said his experience entering the country music scene has been more welcoming than he expected, with artists and fans showing interest in his unique blend of R&B and country influences.
For Ne-Yo, the success of his music is not only measured by chart rankings or awards, but also by the lives it has allowed him to touch, especially the life of his mother.
Ne-Yo has shared the powerful story behind the paycheck that gave his mother freedom.
This is the spirit behind Umuganura, one of Rwanda’s oldest cultural traditions.
Celebrated every year on the first Friday of August, Umuganura is commonly described as Rwanda’s harvest festival. But calling it only a harvest festival does not fully capture its meaning.
For generations, Umuganura has been a time for Rwandans to give thanks, celebrate achievements, share with others, strengthen relationships and reflect on what they hope to accomplish in the future.
In 2026, Umuganura is being celebrated today on Friday, August 7.
The meaning and origin of Umuganura
The word Umuganura is linked to the idea of enjoying and celebrating the results of one’s work. Traditionally, it referred to the first harvest and the moment when people gathered to appreciate what they had produced after months of effort.
For Rwandans of the past, agriculture was at the centre of life. A successful harvest meant food, security and prosperity for families and communities.
However, Umuganura was not only about crops. It represented gratitude, unity and responsibility. It reminded people that achievements were the result of commitment, cooperation and respect for one another.
The tradition dates back centuries in Rwanda. Historical accounts describe Umuganura as one of the most important ceremonies in the traditional Rwandan kingdom. At the national level, the celebration was led by the King together with Abiru, royal ritualists who played a significant role in preserving traditional practices.
During the ceremony, the first produce from the harvest was presented as a symbol of prosperity and appreciation. Crops such as sorghum held an important place because they were among the products that represented abundance and wellbeing.
The celebration connected the success of individual families and communities with the prosperity of the entire kingdom.
How Umuganura was celebrated traditionally
Although Umuganura was recognized as a national celebration, it was also deeply rooted in family and community life.
Families gathered together to prepare and share food made from their harvest. Relatives and neighbours came together, stories were shared and people celebrated the results of their collective efforts.
Traditional music and dance were important parts of the celebration, creating an atmosphere of joy and togetherness.
One of the most important values behind Umuganura was sharing. A good harvest was not meant to benefit only one person or one family. People were encouraged to share what they had with others, especially members of their community.
This spirit of sharing reflected the belief that prosperity should contribute to the wellbeing of everyone.
Beyond celebration, Umuganura was also a moment of reflection. People looked at what they had achieved during the year and considered what could be improved in the future.
It was a time to celebrate yesterday’s achievements while preparing for tomorrow’s goals.
Rwandans gather to celebrate Umuganura, a tradition rooted in harvest, gratitude and togetherness at a past event.
The interruption and revival of the tradition
Like many cultural practices, Umuganura experienced changes throughout Rwanda’s history.
During the colonial period, the traditional ceremony was interrupted and eventually abolished in 1925. Since the celebration was closely connected to traditional institutions and cultural identity, its disappearance represented a significant loss in public cultural life.
For many years, Umuganura was no longer celebrated as a national tradition.
However, Rwanda later revived Umuganura as part of efforts to preserve and promote cultural heritage. In 2011, the celebration was officially restored as a public holiday, giving it a new place in Rwanda’s national calendar.
The modern Umuganura maintains the spirit of the traditional celebration while adapting to the realities of today’s Rwanda.
Umuganura in modern Rwanda
Today, the meaning of harvest has expanded beyond agriculture.
While farmers continue to celebrate the fruits of their work, Rwanda also uses Umuganura to recognize achievements in different areas, including education, business, technology, sports, culture, tourism and community development.
For a farmer, the harvest may be crops collected from the land.
For a student, it may be completing an education journey.
For an entrepreneur, it may be building a successful business.
For a community, it may be completing a development project that improves people’s lives.
This broader understanding has allowed Umuganura to remain relevant in a changing society.
The celebration encourages Rwandans to appreciate progress while remembering the importance of teamwork and determination.
Why Umuganura remains important today
One of the reasons Umuganura continues to hold importance is because it represents values that go beyond one day of celebration.
First, it promotes gratitude. It encourages people to recognize the effort behind every achievement instead of taking success for granted.
Second, it strengthens unity. By bringing families and communities together, Umuganura reminds people that progress is often achieved through cooperation.
Third, it preserves cultural identity. As younger generations learn about the tradition, they gain a deeper understanding of Rwanda’s history and values.
For young Rwandans, Umuganura provides an opportunity to connect with their heritage while also celebrating the achievements of their own generation.
The tradition shows that culture is not only about remembering the past. It is also about giving meaning to the present and inspiring the future.
Fresh agricultural produce take centre stage during Umuganura, symbolising the fruits of hard work.Umuganura offers Rwandans a moment to appreciate their achievements, strengthen community bonds and celebrate together. Traditional Rwandan culture comes alive through music, dance and communal celebrations during Umuganura.
