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If you’re in search of a destination that combines incredible wildlife, diverse landscapes, stunning coastlines, and vibrant culture, look no further than South Africa. With a wide range of destinations to visit –encompassing vast grasslands, sandy beaches, and iconic cities like Cape Town and Jo-Berg — the country offers plenty of adventures for every kind of traveler.

One avid explorer who fell in love with South Africa is Ali Alsulaiman.Born in Saudi Arabia, Alsulaiman started his career as a medical doctor in Europe, but he craved more adventure in his everyday life and career. His wanderlust eventually led him to London to pursue his passion for photography and travel.

“I love medicine and the rewarding feeling I have every time I help a patient. However, the practical part is sedentary and it doesn’t allow me to be creative,” he shares, “Traveling, on the other hand, filled my life with passion and drive.”

Now, the doctor-turned-content-creator enthusiastically explores beautiful places around the world while capturing his adventures along the way on camera. Out of the many places he’s ventured to, South Africa proved to be one of his all-time favorite destinations for its heaping of good food, people, adventure, and nature.

To help you make the most out of your next trip to this bucket list location, Alsulaiman is sharing his guide to South Africa below.

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WHY SOUTH AFRICA?

South Africa simply has it all. Beautiful weather, numerous beaches, great food, breath-taking safari experiences, and friendly people! It’s hard not to fall in love with this country! Also, you can’t get bored there as there are many activities from hiking, surfing, horse riding on the coast to trekking in the bush! Therefore, it’s a must-visit country, especially for those who want to unwind, enjoy incredible views and escape the hectic lifestyle.

What’s one thing that every first-time visitor should see or do in South Africa?

Every visitor needs to feel the wild side of South Africa and spend a night in the bush. One of my favorite experiences was a sleep-out under the stars in a tree-house, right under the strikingly beautiful sheer cliffs of the Waterberg in Marataba. An elephant visited me in the middle of the night and two lions roaring just at the bottom of the tree woke me up at 2 am. These are unforgettable moments that everyone should have.

However, if you are in Capetown, then you should definitely meet the penguins at Boulders beach. The ancient granite boulders protect it from the wind and large waves, making it ideal for swimming. If you want to get up close and personal with the penguins, make your way to Foxy Beach. Just don’t get too close – those beaks are razor sharp

South African city with the best food scene?

I really like the food scene of Cape Town. There are lots of little cafes and bistros all over the place, many of them serving excellent fresh seafood — some situated right at the beach with a beautiful view. I would suggest trying the Cousins Trattoria, an excellent authentic Italian cuisine. My favorite meal was their signature dish, Tagliolini tossed in a wheel of Parmigiano.

There are also numerous excellent restaurants for those who enjoy haute cuisine and a classy dinner. My personal favorite in Cape Town is La Colombe, a Michelin Star restaurant. The tuna dish is legendary and the passion fruit curry is one of the most memorable dishes I’ve had on a tasting menu.

Best South African location for spending time in nature?

Bloubergstrand Beach has spectacular views of Table Mountain and the coastline. It’s the perfect spot to go for a stroll and to watch the sunset. It’s also an excellent location for surfers and kite surfers.

Best outdoor excursion or adventure activity to do in South Africa?

Personally, my favorite outdoor activity is horseback riding on Noordhoek Beach. A stretched white sandy beach as far as the eye can see. Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful and tranquil! Magnificent ride on the beach with well-controlled horses. It’s also perfect for a stroll.

Coolest hotel or place to stay?

It’s difficult to mention only one place as South Africa has so many places oozing beauty. If you’re in Cape Town, Villa Obsidian and Llandudno Rock Villa are by far my favorite two places to stay. Rented through CapeConcierge, Villa Obsidian is located in Clifton, my favorite area in Cape Town. The villa is just a few steps from the beach and has the most spectacular view of the twelve apostles.

As for Llandudno Rock Villa, it’s an architectural masterpiece nestled in the natural rock outcrop of the exquisite Llandudno shores. Sitting by the fire, watching the sunset was an absolute highlight of my last trip to Cape Town. With uninterrupted sea and mountain views along with the luxurious design, this villa offered me peace and harmony.

However, if you plan to experience the wildlife, my favorite two lodges are:

AndBeyond Phinda Rock Lodge. Set into a cliff face, with wraparound views of the Lebombo Mountains, this lodge is the ultimate safari destination. With only six intimate suites, each with a plunge pool and a viewing deck to observe rare wildlife. A true paradise, peaceful and relaxing. It’s the most romantic lodge I’ve ever stayed at.

Marataba Mountain Lodge is in its exclusive location, set secluded within the Waterberg and surrounded by Marakele National Park. Just five private Eco Suites — open onto a setting renowned for its magnificent scenery and flourishing wildlife, including the critically endangered black rhino.

On the same private game reserve, Marataba Safari Lodge is a collection of very exclusive luxury tents. Where rich red mountain rock meets lush green plains. I remember stepping out of my tent in the morning and watching an elephant passing by very close and shortly after baboons. I felt so connected to nature. I also loved relaxing at the pool lounge area with a cool breeze and the gentle chirruping of the birds whilst antelopes were roaming around the pool.

Best time of year to visit?

If you’re visiting Cape Town, then I would suggest going from March to May or from September to November. These shoulder seasons boast enviable weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices. If you’re going on a safari, the dry season is from May to October. The grass is shorter and hence has better visibility for wildlife viewing. Nonetheless, I deliberately went there in late November (rainy season) and absolutely loved the green grass as shown in my photos.

Sudan Archives just recently released “Home Maker,” her first song in three years. She stated that it was “about women and the celebration of hair. It’s about representation of different hair textures and embracing all colors and textures of it.” It’s likely not the last material she’ll put out this year, especially since she has just announced a fall tour.

The run begins in June in Portland, Oregon at the Beloved Festival and ends in October in Los Angeles, CA at the Lodge Room. Check out the full dates below.

06/04 — Portland, OR @ Beloved Festival
06/17 — Brooklyn, NY @ BK Mag Fest
06/25 — Calgary, Alberta @ Sled Island Festival
07/07-10 — Winnipeg, Manitoba @ Winnipeg Folk Festival
07/08 — Montreal, Quebec @ Montreal Jazz Festival
07/22-24 — Seattle, WA @ Capitol Hill Block Party
07/29-31 — Denver, CO @ Underground Music Showcase
07/30 — Omaha, NE – Maha Festival
08/19-21 — Hamburg, Germany @ MS Dockville Festival
08/23 — Leeds, England @ Belgrave Music Hall
08/25 — London, England @ All Points East
08/26 — Stockholm, Sweden @ Popaganda Festival
08/26-28 — Darmstadt, Germany @ Golden Leaves Festival
08/28 — Edinburgh, Scotland @ Connect Festival
08/30 — Brighton, England @ Patterns
09/01-04 — Salisbury, England @ End of the Road Festival
09/03 — Bristol, England @ Forwards Festival
09/24 — Solana Beach, CA @ Belly Up Tavern
09/25 — Santa Barbara, CA @ Soho Music Club
09/26 — Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s
09/27 — San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
09/30 — Vancouver, British Columbia @ Fortune
10/01 — Seattle, WA @ Neumos
10/04 — Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
10/05 — Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
10/08 — Ottawa, Ontario @ Bronson
10/10 — Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair
10/11 — Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live
10/14 — Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/17 — Asheville, NC @ The Grey Eagle
10/18 — Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West
10/19 — Nashville, TN @ The Basement East
10/21 — Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room

Details continue to emerge about how the Uvalde Police Department handled the mass shooting that happened last Tuesday, and they have not been encouraging. The picture that has emerged shows that officers were slow to engage with the shooter, who killed 19 children and two teachers. One reason: because, as one official put it, “they could’ve been shot.” The final verdict on what happened may be damning, which may be why the department is reportedly no longer cooperating with investigators.

Multiple law enforcement sources have told ABC News that the department had cut off communication with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) after Friday. That’s when the group’s director, Col. Steven McCraw, held a news conference in which they called officers delaying entry into the classroom that housed the shooter and many of his victims “the wrong decision.”

When reached by ABC News, a spokesperson for the DPS said Uvalde PD had been cooperating, with the chief of police providing an initial interview. That person, however, hasn’t responded to a request for a follow-up discussion made two days prior.

The Uvalde massacre was the worst school shooting since Sandy Hook in 2012, and the most high-profile since the one in Parkland, Florida in 2018. While those on the left (and even Trump cheerleader Jon Voight) have called for renewed discussions about gun control, many on the right have tried to deflect blame elsewhere, from doors to even teachers.

(Via ABC News)

Lil Nas X has had a few unique collaborations in his career, especially those that take place outside of music. He partnered with MSCHF for their “Satan Shoes” collaboration, which was a customized Nike Air Max 97, and that resulted in a lawsuit from Nike which the two sides later settled. He teamed up with Maury for a fictional episode that continued the storyline from his “That’s What I Want” video. There’s also Lil Nas’ upcoming possible collaboration with the Teletubbies. His trend of these types of collaborations will stay alive thanks to the announcement of his partnership with M&M’s.

Together, Lil Nas and M&M’s aim to use the power of “music, art & entertainment” to bring fans together and build connections through initiatives that they will debut later this year. “M&M’s is iconic and I’m a huge fan of the brand,” Lil Nas X said about the partnership in a statement. “I’m excited to work with them on some really cool projects this year that are as colorful as they are.”

Allison Miazga-Bedrick, Mars Wrigley’s Senior Brand Director, said the partnership aligns with M&M’s commitment to “inspiring moments of connection and fun by encouraging a deeper sense of belonging.” Miazga-Bedrick added, “Music is one of the most powerful tools to bring people together. Like our iconic M&M’s brand, music sparks nostalgia, memories, and fun, and we are thrilled to be able to partner with one of the most trailblazing artists in the world, Lil Nas X, to help us further cement M&M’s role within entertainment.”

Specific details about the partnership have not been revealed yet. However, stay tuned for updates on Lil Nas and M&M’s collaboration.

The National recently announced a lengthy North American tour for this summer, but now they’re in Europe. On Saturday, the band played three new songs for the first time in Spain. Luckily, they played the songs again in Paris on Monday night, where fans were able to get footage. The songs are titled “Tropic Morning News (Haversham),” “Grease In Your Hair (Birdie),” and “Bathwater (Mount Auburn).”

The band’s last album was 2019’s I Am Easy To Find. At the time, frontman Matt Berninger told Uproxx about that record: “It’s a different kind of album. I don’t think of it as not representing us, but I’ve always felt like we were a different kind of band than how we are talked about, so this record doesn’t feel like a huge leap to me. But it will to some, because there are so many voices other than mine on it. I’ve always felt like there’s been a lot of voices other than mine already in there, just because I’ve been writing with my wife, Carin Besser, for so long. So it feels like a pretty natural step for us, for this band and this big group of people that’s more than just these five guys.”

Watch the band’s performance above; find the timestamps in the comments.

The Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial wrapped last week after six wild weeks, but in many ways it’s not quite over. For one the jury still has to reach a verdict. For another there will be multiple documentaries about it. (On a more serious note, Heard testified that she’s received “hundreds of death threats” since the trial commenced.) Besides, there are still some surprises to be had. For instance, on Tuesday, the courthouse that has housed the trial was greeted by a pirate ship.

As per Entertainment Weekly, a flatbed truck pulled up outside the courthouse, where the jury deliberates. On top of it was a makeshift pirate ship — a clear illusion to the franchise that turned Depp from acclaimed actor with a spotty box office record to the biggest megastar in Hollywood. The courthouse has attracted legions of Depp’s supporters, but the arrival of a miniature pirate ship atop a truck is definitely next-level.

The trial explored Depp’s claims that Heard defamed him in an op-ed she wrote about abuse in which she did not name him. A lot of skeletons, from both people’s closets, tumbled out over the six weeks. Heard, meanwhile, claimed that her ex-husband’s “smear campaign” has cost her work, including allegedly reducing her role in the second Aquaman, though star Jason Momoa was allegedly “adamant” that she not be dropped.

(Via EW)

National Geographic’s Explorer series returned on May 30th with the latest installment, Explorer: The Deepest Cave premiering exclusively on National Geographic. The Deepest Cave follows renowned caver Bill Stone, which we’d like to point out is probably the best name a professional caver could ever possibly have, on a three-month adventure into the depths of Cheve Cave in Mexico in search of a passage beyond the depth of 7,208 feet in an effort to prove his theory that Cheve is the world’s deepest cave.

Judging from the title, we’re going to go ahead and guess he found that deeper passage. Throughout The Deepest Cave, Stone along with a team of explorers, shimmy and shake their way through 12 miles of tight and twisting passages in a journey that is essentially a reverse Everest into the dark and untouched depths of the Earth.

In this exclusive clip, caver Sean Lewis and director Pablo Durana squeeze through narrow passages in an anxiety-inducing search for a path that will take them even deeper into the cave, and from the looks of it, offer some space to stretch their limbs. Seriously, I don’t know how these cavers cope with the claustrophobia they’re faced with, I don’t even like to be in a crowded elevator! It all seems worth it when Lewis finally slips into a large chamber with beautiful stalagmites and the best reverb you’ve ever heard in your life. As tense and satisfying as watching this journey is, we’re left wondering things like what do cavers do when they get hungry? Are they packing sandwiches? Can you cook in a cave? I guess we’re going to have to watch the series to find out.

Check out the clip above and be sure to catch Explorer: The Deepest Cave on May 20th exclusively on National Geographic before hitting Disney+ on June 3rd.

The Boston Celtics are in the 2022 NBA Finals thanks in large part to the performances of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who have become All-Stars in Boston after being drafted in back-to-back years in 2016 and 2017 with the third overall pick.

Those draft picks came to Boston courtesy of the Nets in what is now an infamous deal that saw Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce go to Brooklyn for a trove of unprotected first round picks and swaps that became one of the all-time most lopsided deals in recent NBA history. The Nets never made it beyond the second round after that trade, as their gamble to load up on aging veterans like Garnett, Pierce, Deron Williams, and Joe Johnson failed to produce anything close to a championship roster.

Once Garnett and Pierce left town, the Nets went back to the basement of the East and saw their 2016, 2017, and 2018 first round picks all end up in Boston, while the Celtics racked up trips to the playoffs and now the NBA Finals. Overseeing the front office for that 2013 trade was GM Billy King, with Bobby Marks, now at ESPN, serving as his assistant GM. With Boston in the Finals, Malika Andrews and the NBA Today crew decided to call in Marks and make him relive and explain what went down on that fateful draft night in 2013 when they shipped out all those picks.

Marks is fairly used to the jokes about that trade at this point, and maybe the most remarkable thing about the segment is that he notes those picks were going somewhere that summer, because the Nets were that itchy to build on a 49-win season and try to crack into the contender realm of the East that they were going to hunt down veterans no matter what.

That deal has become the ultimate warning against mortgaging the future for aging stars, particularly when you aren’t very clearly one piece away from a title — or at least have a team that’s all but guaranteed to be a playoff squad for years to come. It hasn’t stopped teams from chasing stars but we probably won’t ever see a 36 and 37-year-old be the centerpiece of that kind of deal ever again, and Marks will never really live that one down.

For over 30 years, the street artist, activist, and filmmaker known as Banksy has done the unthinkable: They’ve managed to remain anonymous. That hasn’t been easy. Banksy is famous — famous enough that their work has been destroyed by famous celebrities, other artists, and even themself. People have been trying to suss out their identity by hook or by crook. Some even claimed famous people, including members of Gorillaz and Massive Attack, of secretly being Banksy. To that list add a Welsh politician who’s so frustrated at the accusation that he quit in a huff.

The Telegraph spoke with William Gannon, a late-50s man from South Wales recently elected to town council. He’s also spent the last four decades as a community artist, making sculptures as well as graffiti in the town of Pembroke Dock. As such, he’s been accused of being Banksy himself, and the rumor has so upended his life that resigned from his newly elected position, calling it “untenable.” He claims that the claim was spread by a rival for the position he won and then left.

“There’s no truth in it whatsoever, I am not Banksy,” Gannon told The Telegraph. He admitted he’s been in “the same places as Banksy at much the same times doing much the same stuff as a community artist.” (Though a Banksy piece has never cropped up in Pembroke Dock. But Gannon claims it’s just a coincidence and Banksy is not some guy elected to a council position in a small town. “It’s so ridiculous that it’s laugh-out-loud funny, but there’s also a sinister element to it. The joke is on me.”

In his resignation latter, Gannon said he resigned “to protect the reputation of the town, Pembroke Dock did not need another controversial councillor dragging the reputation of the town through the mud.”

But Gannon’s resignation isn’t his final word on the subject. As Artnet points out, he’s started a campaign, in which people who aren’t arguably the world’s most famous street artist can order a pin from Gannon’s website that states, simply, “I am not Banksy.”

“If everyone who is NOT Banksy wears an I Am NOT Banksy badge and Banksy is the only person who is NOT wearing I Am NOT Banksy badge (because they ARE Banksy),” Gannon’s site reads, “then everyone will know that Banksy IS Banksy (because they are NOT wearing an I Am NOT Banksy badge) and, most importantly, Banksy will finally have found out who they are for him/her/them self(ves).”

Alas, Gannon is only handing out 999 of the pins total, which makes it easier for Banksy to hold onto his anonymity. But the campaign is itself more of an artistic expression, he says, meant to question the idea that an artist can claim ownership of something they’ve created. “If I’m Banksy,” he told The Telegraph, “then everybody is.”

(Via The Telegraph and Artnet)

Some people are born with a knack or natural talent for certain things, from sports to music to math to art. At some point, it becomes hard to differentiate between people who are highly trained and people who are naturally gifted, but occasionally a person’s innate abilities are abundantly clear.

Such is the case with Trent, a 24-year-old artist who has gathered a huge following with his on-request animal mash-up drawings. Trent has over a million followers on TikTok. He also has level 3 autism, which impacts his ability to communicate and necessitates help and support with day-to-day functioning. Trent’s parents are his caregivers, and they use TikTok to help Trent share his art, champion his work and answer people’s questions about autism.

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Autistic people sometimes have unique talents, which can manifest as special abilities in memory, math, music, spatial awareness and more. Trent’s parents say he started drawing at as soon as he could hold a pencil. He used to draw on everything—walls, furniture, toys, as well as paper—and his favorite thing to draw is animals. His parents nurtured and encouraged this love of drawing, and when you see how effortlessly he draws people’s animal mash-up requests, you can see why.

In a recent video, Trent drew a “disco zebra with an afro,” a “boxing gorilla” (which he interpreted a bit differently) and a “tiger butterfly.” Watch:

@drawingsbytrent

Check out Trent’s art and merch in his store! #autistic #artist #fyp #trenttok

No pencil sketches. No erasing. No re-doing. Trent is able to draw what he sees in his mind’s eye, using a permanent marker to make a line drawing of it in seconds. It’s mesmerizing to watch.

People have asked if Trent ever makes a mistake and starts over. His dad says no.

“We have never seen him, in 24 years, crumple up a piece of paper and throw it away and start over,” he says.

Very seldomly, he’ll draw a line and then shift his idea, never going back to incorporate that line. But otherwise, he just draws.

Check out the recent drawings he’s been doing of groups of animals with different facial expressions:

@drawingsbytrent

Reply to @melissabolos #autism #artist #fyp #trenttok

Trent doesn’t always use a Sharpie—he usually draws in pen. (Why use a pencil if you don’t make mistakes?)

@drawingsbytrent

Real time #trentsview #artist #artistsoftiktok #asd #autism #fyp #foryoupage

And his drawings can get really interesting and creative as well. For instance, here it looks like he made the animals wear their noses and snouts as hats:

@drawingsbytrent

#trenttok #autisticartist #fyp

Trent has been impressing people with his cartoon animal drawings for many years. This video of him drawing chalk animals on the family trampoline went viral in 2017:

Trent now has a coloring book, a children’s book (written by his parents and illustrated by Trent), and greeting cards for sale. The Drawings by Trent website also sells t-shirts and explains the purpose of the online store:

“At Drawings by Trent we want to encourage families to help their children achieve their full potential, educate communities on the important role individuals of all skill and ability levels play, and inspire everyone to discover and use their own talents. Part of accomplishing those objectives involves helping Trent become a productive member of society while doing something he loves (that’s what we all want, right?). When you purchase a piece of Trent’s art you are not only supporting him, you’re giving families hope.”

It’s great when anyone gets to do what they love and get recognized for it. Check out the Drawings by Trent TikTok channel for more.