Latest news with #Amirah
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Express Tribune
Akon's wife Amirah Iman-Thiam sues Publix
Amirah Iman-Thiam, one of the wives of music artist Akon, has filed a lawsuit against Publix Super Market, alleging she was sexually assaulted by an employee at a store in Roswell, Georgia, in 2022. According to court documents, the incident occurred while she was shopping, when a store clerk, identified as Jonathan Ross, allegedly followed her through the aisles and groped her from behind at checkout. Body camera footage from the aftermath reportedly shows Amirah in visible distress. Ross was arrested at the scene and later pleaded guilty to sexual battery, according to official records. Amirah claims the incident caused lasting emotional trauma, forcing her to cancel a planned 12-city European tour and several collaborations with Grammy-winning producers. She estimates her financial losses at nearly $300,000 and now travels only with private security. She also reports relying on therapy and spiritual healing practices in Senegal to cope with the aftermath. While Publix has denied liability, stating that Ross acted independently, Amirah's legal team argues the company failed in its duty to protect customers. Attorneys claim the supermarket chain has a broader issue, citing 19 prior complaints involving male employees at different locations. They accuse Publix of fostering an unsafe environment and prioritizing profits over customer well-being. 'This isn't about one man. It's a dangerous pattern,' said Amirah's attorney. Records cited in the lawsuit reportedly show Publix has quietly allocated $4.2 million to settle similar incidents since Ross's conviction. As the case heads to court in 2025, Amirah says her goal is to hold corporations accountable and advocate for safer public spaces for women, emphasizing that her legal action is not just personal but part of a larger fight against systemic negligence.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shaquille O'Neal opens up about his bond with daughters Me'arah and Amirah, says sons must move out at 18
(Image Source - Getty Images) NBA superstar Shaquille O'Neal is a giant on the court, but when it comes to parenting, he has a thoughtful approach. During a revealing episode of The Pivot Podcast , he discussed how he treats his kids differently as they grow up. His sons are encouraged to move out at 18, but his daughters can stick around for as long as they need. This shows the importance he places on his relationship with his daughters. Shaquille O'Neal explains why daughters Me'arah and Amirah can stay home while sons Shareef and Shaqir must leave at 18 During his appearance on The Pivot Podcast, O'Neal didn't shy away from expressing his preference — 'I like my girls a little bit better,' he admitted. He further added, 'Because as a man you have to protect, provide and love your woman. I trust them more because they're more sensitive, they're more caring and they're thinkers.' Shaq Opens Up About His Divorce & His Only Regrets: Penny Hardaway & Kobe Bryant | The Pivot Podcast This perspective translates into his household rules. O'Neal stated, 'I tell my boys when y'all get 18 you all got to go. Girls can stay as long as they want.' He encourages his daughters to pursue higher education at their own pace, saying, 'Go to college, get your master's, get your doctorate, I'll pay for it, take your time.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo O'Neal has a big family with six kids. He shares four of them with his ex-wife Shaunie: sons Shareef and Shaqir, and daughters Amirah and Me'arah. He also has a daughter named Taahirah with his ex-girlfriend Arnetta Yardbourgh, plus a stepson, Myles, from Shaunie's past relationship. The ex-Lakers center thinks his daughters are more trustworthy because they're sensitive, caring, and thoughtful. He sees his sons as a bit more impulsive, though, 'You know how boys are. My boys, you bring something in front of them and they're gone.' O'Neal's style shows he wants his sons to stand on their own two feet, but he's always there for his daughters. He thinks it's vital for his sons to make their own choices, while his daughters can choose to stay home and work on their education and personal development. This way of thinking fits right in with his overall take on being a parent. O'Neal has said that being a dad has made him more approachable and understanding. He pointed out, 'Being a dad helped me become more likable... as soon as you have the kids, soon as you open that door, all that has to go away.' His daughters, especially Amirah, really care about him and look out for him. When they're out in public, Amirah often guides her dad away from busy places, suggesting they grab some ice cream to keep things chill. This kind of support highlights the strong connection they have. Also Read: Michael Jordan returns to NBA spotlight as NBC sports' special contributor for 2025–26 season Shaquille O'Neal has a unique way of parenting that really gets to know his kids' personalities and needs. He pushes his sons to be independent by 18, helping them gear up for adult life. At the same time, he lets his daughters stay home and chase their dreams at their own speed, creating a nurturing space for them to thrive. This personalized method shows how dedicated O'Neal is to balancing independence and support in his family.
Boston Globe
19-04-2025
- Boston Globe
How the Cambridge brothel ring case could stop future illegal sex businesses
But Lee's network has also drawn public scrutiny like no other — largely because of state authorities' decision to bring charges against dozens of the alleged customers, what women's advocates called an unprecedented level of public shaming. Advocates and law enforcement officials hope her case will finally serve as a deterrent to others who engage in the exploitation of women, as well as those who bankroll it. Advertisement 'Men have been able to do this and never been held accountable,' said Cherie Jimenez, a Boston-based advocate for exploited women and the head of Survivors of Prostitution Abuse Calling for Enlightenment. 'This was a big deal and this needs to continue.' Advertisement Lee, 42, who emigrated from South Korea about a decade ago and worked in the sex industry on the West Coast and then in Boston, built one of the most lucrative brothel networks on the East Coast, profiting millions, according to court records. Last month, Lee was sentenced to four years in prison, a harsher penalty than the operators of the previous network received, and one that the judge hopes will send its own message of deterrence. But the After These men represent a small fraction of the 2,800 contacts that were listed on the brothel phone, and the criminal charges they face are misdemeanors that typically don't result in jail time. Still, advocates say, the shame and potential career and social consequences that came from identifying the men are the best deterrents, said Mary Speta, the head of Amirah, a Beverly-based organization that helps women leave exploitation. Advertisement 'It just comes back to economics,' said Speta, who was formerly exploited in the illicit industry. 'Without sex buyers, there wouldn't be a sex trade.' Speta referred to From left to right: James Hunt and Morgan Bae , both from Beverly, protest with with EMMA Coalition-Amirah Inc outside the Cambridge Juvenile Court building in Cambridge. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff Advocates cheer what they say is a slow-moving but real trend toward punishing the buyers rather than the women selling sex. None of the women who were working in the brothels were charged, and authorities have said The case continues to roil Cambridge, a city of around 120,000 that is home to some of the world's most prestigious universities. Kimberly Sansoucy, head of the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women, said she's been leading a group that includes business owners, city officials, and property managers focused on curbing the sexual exploitation of women and also elevating the conversation of why it thrives in Cambridge. Should there be training for front-desk agents at hotels to identify the sex trade? Should more about the industry be taught in schools? 'How do we inoculate the community?' she said. There aren't clear answers yet, she said, but the group aims to find some. The Cambridge City Council also plans to hold a hearing on sex work and sex trafficking. The goal, said Councilor Patricia Nolan, the lead sponsor for the hearing, is to begin to answer questions about why the illicit sex trade continues in Cambridge, and what legislative solutions there may be. Advertisement One of the men facing charges is 'Was there something that happened in our city that made this a prime target?' said Nolan, who has called for Toner's resignation. 'Are there ways that the city can do more to make sure this doesn't happen again?' Toner has said he 'won't contest' what's being said about him, but he insisted, 'All Americans, including elected officials, are entitled to the right to due process.' What is clear is that Lee's network largely resembled the In that network, the operators shuttled immigrants who spoke little English between apartments here and in northern Virginia and Atlanta. Men who wished to buy sex were instructed to fill out a form so the network could verify their employment, according to court documents. Federal authorities said the brothel would call the employer to ensure they were telling the truth. Once the men had signed up, they were told to communicate with the brothel's cell phones — the operators in each city had their own, with a local number — through text messages to schedule appointments and negotiate prices. The operators would text instructions, urging discretion. Don't knock on the door — just come in, or text if it's locked. After you're done, exit the apartment building through a side door, not back past the leasing office. Advertisement In 2018, federal authorities arrested five people, including ringleaders Yoon and Taehee Kim, a married couple living in Virginia, as well as two people who had been running the Cambridge brothels. Federal authorities celebrated the arrests, but the case made few headlines locally, and no customers were publicly named. The operators After their arrests, Lee saw the potential to run her own operation in the same mold. Her attorney, Scott Lauer, said she had emigrated to the United States to flee an abusive family and began working in the sex industry herself. She continued selling sex after beginning to operate her own brothels, Lauer said. Court documents call Lee's network 'strikingly similar' to the Kims'. She required One of the apartments Lee used was a few hundred yards from one the Kims used near Alewife, and Lee's booker communicated by text to negotiate with wealthy men. A doctor, a dentist, a councilor, the head of a pharmaceutical company. They all are accused of seeking the same sex services. 'Ms. Lee, stepped into that void and followed the same playbook,' Lauer wrote in a recent court filing. Sean Cotter can be reached at
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sacramento Zoo welcomes newborn giraffe to the herd
( — Sacramento Zoo welcomes a new baby giraffe into the herd. Amirah and her calf have started to bond inside the barn and have already started to walk, said Sacramento Zoo in a Facebook post. On March 11, the family will have the chance to go out into the side yard just off the main giraffe habitat near the above: Beloved pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao make public debut Live Blog: Avalanche warning issued in the Greater South Lake Tahoe area Officials said that the ability for the public to see them will depend on the weather and mom and calf will have the choice to stay in the barn or to come outside. Sacramento Zoo said that the best time to catch them will be around 11 a.m. and noon every day. After the trial period, Sacramento Zoo said they will continue to introduce to the rest of the herd, and mom and calf will soon have access to the full yard. More details to follow as FOX40 receives them. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
04-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
Masai giraffe Amirah gives birth at Sacramento Zoo
Local News SACRAMENTO – A new giraffe has been born at the Sacramento Zoo, zookeepers announced this week. Over the weekend, the Sacramento Zoo says Amirah the giraffe gave birth to a calf. Mom and calf are now bonding behind the scenes, but the zoo says the pair might be visible at times near the side yard of the giraffe habitat. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SacramentoZoo (@sacramentozoo) No official debut date has been given, as zookeepers say it will depend on the health and welfare of the mom and calf. The name of the calf has also not yet been determined. A total of five Masai giraffes now call the Sacramento Zoo home. The new baby marks the 22nd giraffe calf to be born at the Sacramento Zoo since 1954. Amirah had previously given birth back in 2023, but the calf was not viable. © 2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
