Latest news with #Beyoncé
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eleven people injured in crowd crush after a Beyoncé concert. How this happens, and how to stay safe.
Eleven people were injured in a crowd crush incident in an Atlanta train station early Tuesday morning after a Beyoncé concert. Police reported that a woman had screamed and started running for an unknown reason in the Vine City Station, which caused people to panic and rush down the escalator to get to the train platform, a spokesperson for MARTA, Atlanta's transportation agency, said in an email to Yahoo. The incident took place after midnight when people were leaving Mercedes-Benz Stadium after the final performance of Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour. As people ran down the escalator, it briefly sped up before abruptly stopping, causing people to fall forward on top of each other. Ten people were taken to the hospital, including one person who broke their ankle, the MARTA spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo. The spokesperson said that the escalator has since been blocked off and that MARTA and the escalator's manufacturer will investigate the incident. So-called crowd crushes are dangerous and even potentially fatal events that occur when a large group of people is stuck in a confined area and people start to panic, trying to get out. A number of high-profile fatal crowd crush incidents have made headlines in recent years, including the 2021 Astroworld Festival in Houston, where 10 victims, including a 9-year-old boy, died after 50,000 people ran toward the stage during rapper Travis Scott's performance. Another recent crowd crush incident happened in South Korea in 2022, when a horde of people was crammed into a small alleyway during a Halloween party in Seoul. More than 150 people died in the tragic event. G. Keith Still, a visiting professor of crowd science at the University of Suffolk, has studied crowd dynamics for the last 30 years and is an author at the Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA), an organization dedicated to advancing crowd management and security services. He spoke to Yahoo about how crowd crushes happen and what people can do to protect themselves if they end up in one. What causes a crowd crush? Crowd crushes are 'a situation where people fill a space beyond safe limits, making it difficult for individuals to breathe or move freely,' according to GCMA. They are caused by 'overcrowding' and 'poor infrastructure or ineffective communication.' The MARTA crowd crush was caused by a 'cascade reaction,' Still said, which is 'like dominoes falling over.' One woman screamed and started running, so the group around her started running down the escalator, even if they didn't know what was happening. 'People running away from a perceived threat, whether it's real or imaginary or a false alarm, it's still a very logical, rational thing to do,' he said. The Astroworld Festival incident, on the other hand, was caused by packing more people into a fenced-off section than could safely fit within that space, according to Still. How do crowd crushes become fatal? In crowd crushes, Still said, people are packed together so tightly that they start to lose the ability to move their limbs independently and struggle to breathe properly. This is why people tend to suffocate, even if they're standing. 'In these environments, you only have a few minutes to get people out before they become restricted in breathing,' Still explained. 'It's about six minutes before constrictive asphyxia sets in — suffocation.' He added that in many tight spaces packed with large crowds, six minutes is often not enough time for people to remove themselves or for rescuers to try to pull people out. How to stay safe If you find yourself in a large gathering or a situation where you're worried about a potential crowd crush, Still said it's helpful to know where all exits are and to stay on the outskirts of the space. He said it's important to assess the environment and envision what you would do to get out of the area if something happened. 'Just a moment to contemplate as you're entering the venue makes you feel a lot more aware of your surroundings,' he said. Still also advised organizers and venues to keep admission for events below maximum capacity and to have multiple entrances and exits to ensure easy flow in and out of the space. If, as was the case in Atlanta this week, you are in a large crowd and hear someone scream or otherwise have reason to believe there is a threat, Still urges remaining calm and assessing the situation before giving into the natural instinct to run. He recommended asking yourself these questions: 'What triggered this? Was it a scream? Was it a shout? Is it just everybody else reacting?' The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that if you do find yourself in a crowd crush, you should not try to resist the force of the crowd, but try to carefully work your way to the outskirts of the group. The CDC recommends keeping your hands in front of your chest 'like a boxer,' and to try remaining on your feet as long as you can. If you do fall, you should try to protect yourself by curling into a ball rather than lying flat. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Eleven people injured in crowd crush after a Beyoncé concert. How this happens, and how to stay safe.
Eleven people were injured in a crowd crush incident in an Atlanta train station early Tuesday morning after a Beyoncé concert. Police reported that a woman had screamed and started running for an unknown reason in the Vine City Station, which caused people to panic and rush down the escalator to get to the train platform, a spokesperson for MARTA, Atlanta's transportation agency, said in an email to Yahoo. The incident took place after midnight when people were leaving Mercedes-Benz Stadium after the final performance of Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter tour. As people ran down the escalator, it briefly sped up before abruptly stopping, causing people to fall forward on top of each other. Ten people were taken to the hospital, including one person who broke their ankle, the MARTA spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo. The spokesperson said that the escalator has since been blocked off and that MARTA and the escalator's manufacturer will investigate the incident. So-called crowd crushes are dangerous and even potentially fatal events that occur when a large group of people is stuck in a confined area and people start to panic, trying to get out. A number of high-profile fatal crowd crush incidents have made headlines in recent years, including the 2021 Astroworld Festival in Houston, where 10 victims, including a 9-year-old boy, died after 50,000 people ran toward the stage during rapper Travis Scott's performance. Another recent crowd crush incident happened in South Korea in 2022, when a horde of people was crammed into a small alleyway during a Halloween party in Seoul. More than 150 people died in the tragic event. G. Keith Still, a visiting professor of crowd science at the University of Suffolk, has studied crowd dynamics for the last 30 years and is an author at the Global Crowd Management Alliance (GCMA), an organization dedicated to advancing crowd management and security services. He spoke to Yahoo about how crowd crushes happen and what people can do to protect themselves if they end up in one. What causes a crowd crush? Crowd crushes are 'a situation where people fill a space beyond safe limits, making it difficult for individuals to breathe or move freely,' according to GCMA. They are caused by 'overcrowding' and 'poor infrastructure or ineffective communication.' The MARTA crowd crush was caused by a 'cascade reaction,' Still said, which is 'like dominoes falling over.' One woman screamed and started running, so the group around her started running down the escalator, even if they didn't know what was happening. 'People running away from a perceived threat, whether it's real or imaginary or a false alarm, it's still a very logical, rational thing to do,' he said. The Astroworld Festival incident, on the other hand, was caused by packing more people into a fenced-off section than could safely fit within that space, according to Still. How do crowd crushes become fatal? In crowd crushes, Still said, people are packed together so tightly that they start to lose the ability to move their limbs independently and struggle to breathe properly. This is why people tend to suffocate, even if they're standing. 'In these environments, you only have a few minutes to get people out before they become restricted in breathing,' Still explained. 'It's about six minutes before constrictive asphyxia sets in — suffocation.' He added that in many tight spaces packed with large crowds, six minutes is often not enough time for people to remove themselves or for rescuers to try to pull people out. How to stay safe If you find yourself in a large gathering or a situation where you're worried about a potential crowd crush, Still said it's helpful to know where all exits are and to stay on the outskirts of the space. He said it's important to assess the environment and envision what you would do to get out of the area if something happened. 'Just a moment to contemplate as you're entering the venue makes you feel a lot more aware of your surroundings,' he said. Still also advised organizers and venues to keep admission for events below maximum capacity and to have multiple entrances and exits to ensure easy flow in and out of the space. If, as was the case in Atlanta this week, you are in a large crowd and hear someone scream or otherwise have reason to believe there is a threat, Still urges remaining calm and assessing the situation before giving into the natural instinct to run. He recommended asking yourself these questions: 'What triggered this? Was it a scream? Was it a shout? Is it just everybody else reacting?' The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that if you do find yourself in a crowd crush, you should not try to resist the force of the crowd, but try to carefully work your way to the outskirts of the group. The CDC recommends keeping your hands in front of your chest 'like a boxer,' and to try remaining on your feet as long as you can. If you do fall, you should try to protect yourself by curling into a ball rather than lying flat. Solve the daily Crossword
Time Out Abu Dhabi
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out Abu Dhabi
These are the best places to sing your heart out at karaoke in Abu Dhabi
Whether you're hitting the high notes like Beyoncé or mumbling your way through Bohemian Rhapsody, there's a karaoke spot in Abu Dhabi with your name on it. From buzzing sports bars and retro British pubs to neon-lit K-pop booths and late-night Filipino favourites, the capital has something for every kind of performer. So warm up those vocal cords, choose your go-to track, and get ready to bring the house down (or at least get a few cheers from the crowd). Here are the best places in Abu Dhabi to sing your heart out – no talent required, just guts and good vibes. Appaloosa Sports Bar Warm up those vocal cords – Karaoke Night is calling at Appaloosa Sports Bar. Every Friday from 7.30pm, it's your time to shine with your favourite tracks, a buzzing crowd, and good vibes all night long. Whether you're a shower singer or stage star, this is the mic drop moment your weekend needs. Fridays, 7.30pm. Marriott Al Forsan. (02 201 4131). Porters English Pub By no means is this a karaoke specialist, but in the tradition of the best British pubs a good old sing-song is encouraged. Especially on a Saturday night when karaoke machine is wheeled out and free beverages are given to those willing to sing for their supper. Saturday 4pm-9am. Grand Millennium Al Wahda, Abu Dhabi, (02 495 3936). Shams Boutik Ready to live out your K-pop dreams? Step into private coin karaoke booths at Al Wahda Mall or Shams Boutik Al Reem and belt your heart out to your favourite hits for just Dhs45 for 30 minutes. Whether you're chasing that K-drama moment or just vibing with your tone-deaf homies, this experience has all the lights, mics, and photo ops to make it a memory worth snapping. Dhs45 (30 mins). Daily, 11am-11pm. Al Wahda Mall & Shams Boutik Al Reem, @ Sing Galing Bar & Restaurant Over on Al Meena Street the mic is always hot and the energy never drops. Open every night, this all-out karaoke spot is a go-to for anyone ready to belt out their favourite hits, whether you're a pop princess, rock king, or power ballad pro. With open mic nights, live tunes from EMS, and a buzzing crowd every evening, it's a party that doesn't quit. Plus, kabayan friends get a warm shoutout complete with unlimited iced tea. Daily 4pm-3.30pm. Sing Galing Bar & Restaurant, Al Meena Street. (056 236 5068). Taste of Korea Another Korean restaurant that just can't resist handing out karaoke microphones with the all-you-can-eat barbecue. Unlike some of the specialist singing joints there might be a few fellow-diners who are more interested in their kimchi than your Kenny G, but if you can't resist dinner with a mic then come ready to sing. Sun-Weds 2pm-9pm. Cristal Hotel, Electra Street, Madinat Zayed, Abu Dhabi (056 396 0639). You might also like… Abu Dhabi's best restaurants: Everywhere you should eat at least once Your dinner inspo is sorted 12 fantastic road trips across the GCC Fill up the tank and go Abu Dhabi to Dubai by bus: How to travel between the two cities Everything you need to know, from getting a Nol card to bus timetables Old Abu Dhabi: 15 best spots to uncover the history of the capital Peel back the layers of time
Forbes
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Beyoncé Charts An Unlikely Hit Alongside A Country Legend
Beyoncé and Dolly Parton's 'Tyrant' debuts at No. 83 on the U.K. Official Singles chart and earns ... More Parton her first placement on the Hip-Hop and R&B ranking. HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 25: Beyoncé looks on during a campaign rally with Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, at Shell Energy Stadium on October 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Vice President Kamala Harris is campaigning in Texas holding a rally supporting reproductive rights with recording artists Beyoncé and Willie Nelson. (Photo by) Beyoncé's latest musical era brought her to the country field for the very first time. Cowboy Carter was quite the artistic risk for the superstar, but it paid off. The album was well received by critics and many fans, performed well commercially, and even earned the singer the coveted Album of the Year Grammy — an honor she had been working toward for decades. While Cowboy Carter may feature Beyoncé's signature take on the classic American genre, not every track on the project is categorized specifically as country. The powerhouse earns a new hit in the United Kingdom with one of the collaborations from the full-length… but it doesn't bring her to any country tally. Dolly Parton Joins Beyoncé on the U.K. Charts Dolly Parton is credited on two of the 27 songs featured on Cowboy Carter. One is essentially just a spoken word piece, while 'Tyrant' sees the two musicians teaming up for a proper song. That track debuts on multiple tallies in the U.K. this week, after recently going viral as Beyoncé tours Cowboy Carter around the world. 'Tyrant' launches on the Official Singles chart at No. 83. The tune also reaches the Official Hip-Hop and R&B Singles list, coming in at No. 17. Beyoncé Vs. Dolly Parton Parton has only racked up 11 wins on the top list of the most consumed songs in the U.K., while 'Tyrant' brings her to the Official Hip-Hop and R&B Singles tally for the first time. Beyoncé's list of hit songs is significantly longer than Parton's. She has accrued 74 solo smashes on the Official Singles chart — a number that doesn't include her work with Destiny's Child or The Carters. She has also snagged almost as many appearances on the list of the bestselling hip-hop and R&B tracks, as 'Tyrant' marks her sixty-third career win. 'Tyrant' Lands Ahead of 'Crazy in Love' Beyoncé fills two spaces on the Official Hip-Hop and R&B Singles chart with tracks that couldn't sound less like one another. 'Crazy in Love,' often remembered as her breakout solo smash, lives on the list and even advances this frame. 'Crazy in Love' sits one space behind 'Tyrant,' placing one of her oldest cuts next to one of her newest. Beyoncé and Dolly Parton on the Country Charts Interestingly, both Beyoncé and Parton score hit albums on the country charts in the U.K., but not the same ones. Cowboy Carter rises to No. 8 on the Official Country Artists Albums list while dipping from No. 1 to No. 3 on the Official Americana ranking. Parton, meanwhile, claims four spaces on the Official Country Compilations tally, and her The Very Best Of project returns to the summit.
Fashion Network
16 hours ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
How Levi's is blending music, tech and fashion to drive growth
Levi Strauss is riding a fresh wave of momentum, posting a 9% increase in like-for-like sales for the first half of its 2025 financial year. Building on that growth, the denim giant now expects full-year sales to rise by 1% to 2%. But according to CEO Michelle Gass, the results reflect more than a temporary boost—they validate the vision and restructuring she has led since taking the helm in 2023. Under her leadership, Levi's has made bold moves, including divesting its Denizen brand in Asia, exiting its footwear division, and selling Dockers, the iconic chinos label. The company's ' Project Fuel' transformation plan, launched in early 2024, also included a major reorganization of its regional headquarters. These decisions align with Gass's broader ambition to turn Levi's into a global lifestyle brand rooted in denim, with a direct-to-consumer focus. 'The brand has never been stronger, and that's thanks to a combination of things,' Gass told analysts during a recent earnings call. 'We have a rich heritage, but you have to earn that relevance every day. That means showing up wherever the consumer is—on social media, in music, at cultural events, through Beyoncé or Shaboozey's wardrobe.' The Beyoncé partnership, linked to her 'Cowboy Carter' album and tour, is a powerful example of how Levi's continues to blend culture and commerce. 'This quarter, we launched the third chapter of our 'Reiimagine' campaign with Beyoncé, recreating a classic Levi's ad from the archives,' Gass said. 'We rolled out a limited-edition product line and worked directly with her team through our House of Strauss platform to design exclusive, custom looks for her tour. Staying deeply connected to music culture remains a pillar of our marketing strategy.' Levi's music push doesn't end there. In Europe, the brand recently partnered with Barcelona's Primavera Sound festival, launching a capsule collection and branding three performance stages. It also released a special-edition collection in tribute to the legendary British band Oasis. Still, Gass is quick to point out that Levi's rebound isn't built on celebrity campaigns alone—particularly in Europe, where sales rose 15% year over year on a like-for-like basis. 'Last month, I visited key cities like Paris, Barcelona and Milan. I was genuinely impressed by the brand's strength in these markets—both in-store and with younger consumers. Our teams have made real improvements in how and where Levi's shows up,' she said. The group's operating margin hit 17.2% in Q2, a 210 basis-point improvement. France, the UK, Italy and Spain all posted double-digit sales growth. Gass said she met with key franchise partners as well as retail heavyweights like Zalando and Galeries Lafayette —and sees continued potential for growth across Europe. Another bright spot is Levi's 'tops' category, which includes T-shirts, dresses and jumpsuits. 'Last year, we restructured our tops division—and it's paying off. This category is driving our evolution from jeans-only to full lifestyle,' Gass noted. The brand also introduced a new fast-track design function to bring tops and graphic tees to market faster and respond to trends through its direct channels. The brand is leaning into the westernwear revival, citing strong sales for subtle western-inspired silhouettes. Long, baggy shorts—a nod to the Y2K aesthetic—have also performed well. Levi's is branching out from its denim roots with fabric innovations like the 'Linen plus Denim' blend, designed for warmer climates and now used across a wider range of product categories. These innovations support Levi's shift toward a more premium segment. The brand recently partnered with high-end label Sacai and launched its elevated Blue Tab line—moves that allow it to justify selective price increases. Still, Levi's remains a mass-market brand at its core. Gass is focused on leveraging technology and data to refine product offerings and enhance profitability. 'We've streamlined our assortment and introduced newness with discipline,' she said. 'That's helping us drive better productivity and more full-price sales. These choices are key to maintaining our market leadership and growing the average spend per customer.' That discipline appears to be paying off. With strong investor confidence, Levi's and its ambitious CEO are now one step closer to hitting their goals of 5% annual organic growth and 15% operating margins.
