After attending a February 28 protest in solidarity with Ukrainians during the Russian invasion, Avi Schiffmann wanted to raise his level of helping others.

Mercer Islander, 19, and his Harvard University classmate Marco Burstein have teamed up to help Ukrainian refugees by creating an independent platform connecting them with potential hosts in neighboring countries.

Computer science students launched http://UkraineTakeShelter.com March 2.

On the secure website – which is natively translated into Ukrainian, Polish and a plethora of other languages ​​- hosts can list information such as available space, transportation, first aid, languages ​​spoken, custody children, disability support, legal assistance and more.

“Refugees can search easily with comprehensive filtering and quick search results. We prioritize displaying the closest hosts that best match their needs. Additionally, users can flag inappropriate listings or share links to entries with others,” reads an email from Schiffmann.

After the protest, Schiffmann returned home and struggled to research which organizations could help Ukrainians reach the sanctuary, and found that there was a lack of communication between agencies and citizens.

Schiffmann reached out to Burstein the next morning over a video call, and after a discussion of the idea, their website coding, design, and programming began and went two to three days without sleep. Burstein, 18, walked away from the draft to take a midterm but was back in action just after returning home. Schiffmann, who attended Harvard for a semester and is currently taking a break from school, continued to work on the site uninterrupted until the end.

“We found that existing efforts to connect refugees to hosts were extremely inefficient, not scalable, and difficult to sort out quickly. Our goal was to create a site that was intuitive, secure, safe and useful,” Schiffmann wrote in a press kit, adding that he lives in San Diego and Burstein was at Harvard when the website was designed and launched.

Schiffmann said they were trying to get the site talked about in the media in the United States in hopes that people would pass the information on to Ukrainian and Polish news outlets, which he said were not responding quickly to the need for information. ‘shelter. They worked with user experience research teams who interviewed Ukrainians in need and referred them to the site.

“It’s been going well, we now have over a thousand listings worldwide, which is pretty crazy. It’s like doubling every 12 hours,” Schiffmann said in a March 7 interview with the Journalist.

In a separate interview with the Journalist on March 7, Burstein — who is originally from Los Angeles — said he immediately agreed with Schiffmann when he pitched the idea.

“I think it’s amazing. I’m really glad I got to work with Avi on it,” said Burstein, who previously worked on more localized projects with her high school, “But really nothing that seemed to have such a global focus.”

At Harvard, Burstein and his classmates follow the situation between Ukraine and Russia and discuss it on campus. He is therefore delighted to help make a difference for people on the other side of the globe.

“It’s one thing to stand up and talk and hold a sign and do all those sorts of things, but I think what’s really cool these days is this whole new concept of what I did,” Schiffmann said. “It’s more digital activism, where I can build a website or a tool or an app or something – it’s a direct and practical use case for people on the ground in the region .”

Schiffmann, an internet activist who founded and developed one of the first and largest coronavirus tracking websites, nCoV2019.live, added: “Looking to the future, we hope to compile more resources that would help refugees, such as countries currently accepting refugees. and what their processes look like.

During his hiatus from Harvard, Schiffmann is enjoying his freedom to work on his plethora of digital projects while staying in “hacker houses” with other like-minded people. Upcoming trips to Barcelona and Amsterdam are on his program to deepen his work.

“I’m primarily good at just seeing opportunities and gaps and just like filling those gaps and just making useful products,” Schiffmann said, noting that his COVID-19 site was used by hundreds of millions of people around the world. whole world.

The current situation in Ukraine and Russia weighs heavily on Schiffmann’s mind. He said he had five nationalities, some of them in Europe.

“It’s really crazy that there is a war in Europe that I’m afraid I’ll be drafted into if things get worse,” he said.

Actor Daniel Craig poses at the world premiere of the new James Bond film “No Time To Die” at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Britain on September 28, 2021. Image: Reuters / Toby Melville

LONDON – From the return of the cinema’s favorite spy to the ‘Friends’ reunion, an array of stories have dominated the entertainment news headlines this year. Here are some of the biggest stories:

Link 25

• After several delays, the release of the James Bond film “No Time To Die” has given cinemas affected by the pandemic a much needed boost.

Diffusion

• Studios have revamped the schedules and in some cases the films have been released simultaneously in theaters and on streaming platforms.

Broadway, West End

• Broadway in New York and London’s West End have reopened, although COVID security measures are in place. Live music also returned.

Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish

• Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish won the first Grammy Awards while Beyonce became the most awarded female artist in Grammy history, with a total of 28 victories.

Chloe Zhao makes Oscar history

• The Oscars saw “Nomadland” win Best Picture and Best Director for Chinese-born Chloe Zhao, making her the first Asian woman and the second woman to win the award.

Golden Globes aftermath

• The American television network NBC has abandoned its broadcast of the Golden Globes 2022 after a backlash over the ethics of the HFPA group which presents the annual film and television awards and its lack of diversity. The group said it had made sweeping changes and would hold its ceremony in January.

Harry, Meghan in California

• Now living in California, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan sent shockwaves when, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan accused the British royal family of raising concerns about the blackness of the first child’s skin of the couple. She said the stress of life as a royal bride had pushed her to the brink of suicide.

Britney Spears freed

• Pop star Britney Spears regained control of her personal life and money when a judge ended a 13-year guardianship after a long legal battle.

Accidental “rust” shot

• Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed when a gun held by actor Alec Baldwin fired a live bullet on the set of Western “Rust”. Baldwin said the gun exploded while cocking the weapon. The incident is under investigation.

Astroworld scramble

• Ten people died in a stampede at Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in Houston. Lawsuits have been filed against the rapper and the promoters.

“Friends”, “Squid game”

• On television, the cast of “Friends” reunited for a tearful TV show. South Korean Netflix series “Squid Game” has become a worldwide sensation.

ABBA, Adele

• In music, ABBA released their first album in 40 years. Adele stormed the charts with the comeback record “30”. Swift released re-recorded albums to regain control of their first catalog.

Bennifer reunited, Kim and Kanye go their separate ways

• Billionaire Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, now known as Ye, have announced their divorce. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rekindled their romance after nearly 20 years.

Harvey Weinstein extradited, R. Kelly sentenced

• #MeToo-era criminal cases saw former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein extradited from New York to Los Angeles to stand trial on charges of rape and sexual assault. Singer R. Kelly was convicted by a federal jury of sex trafficking.

Deaths

• The world said goodbye to Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts, actors Christopher Plummer, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Cicely Tyson, Helen McCrory and Olympia Dukakis, comedian Jackie Mason, rapper DMX, co-founder of The Supremes Mary Wilson, TV interviewer Larry King, Hustler magazine editor Larry Flynt, fashion designers Alber Elbaz and Virgil Abloh, and composers Stephen Sondheim and Mikis Theodorakis. Record producer Phil Spector died in prison. SM / JB

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Daniel Craig bids farewell to James Bond: “overwhelmingly grateful”

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Led by Beyoncé, female artists take top honors at socially distanced Grammys

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s explosive new biography, Finding Freedom, is coming under fire from Amazon UK readers for its “sugar coated” and “sickly sweet” take on the couple.

The controversial biography of the Duke, 35, and Duchess of Sussex, 39, written by Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, was published earlier this week and was quick to rise to the top of the bests list. -sellers of the media giant as royal fans rushed to pre-order their copy, as it also hit number one on UK and US sites.

However, many Amazon UK readers anticipated the book online, with a comment: “Confused who wrote this … Biographical autobiography written in the style of Mills and Boon. Sweet love triumphs over story of adversity that will be loved by people who love the awakened couple and make fun of others.

It comes after royal pundits have widely swept the biography aside, with some saying it “suffocates readers” with its “exhausting” and “mundane” details, and called it the “pure, undiluted voice of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “.

An Amazon reviewer, who gave the book a star out of five, wrote: “It’s a hagiography, not a biography.”

They continued, “A fairly ordinary book because it is very one-sided! It is a manual guide to settling immature scores.

“I also find it rather bad that the authors are adamant that neither Harry nor Meghan helped with this book, but there are some very, very personal details that could only have come from the couple or very, very close friends. . “

Another called it “poorly written drivel and self-pity”, while another added: “This book is sickly sweet and made of Meg (as H and his friends) kind of awakened Mother Theresa.

The explosive biography was published earlier this week and quickly made it to the worldwide bestseller list on Amazon.

“It is obvious that there has been a huge cooperation with the couple, probably similar to the way Princess Diana has worked with Andrew Morton.

“I just hope the authors share some of their profits because, as they say in the book, both are careful about the money !! Maybe the book should have been titled Finding Gifts.

Another said it should be read with “a big pinch of salt,” explaining, “That may be true, but the spinning wheel must have worked overtime.

“I am amazed that Harry and Meghan say they have not been interviewed. Their friends must have incredible memories of private conversations.

Many Amazon readers have left scathing reviews of the biography, with one commenting that the book was a “gentle” read

However, other readers said the book helped them gain a better understanding of the couple, with a slew of reviews giving the biography five stars.

One of them wrote: “I bought this book thinking it would be a total waste of time, but I was curious what the royal couple wanted the world to know.

‘I started to really sympathize with what was written and I feel like it’s an honest portrayal of what really happened. It’s an (unusual) love story and the circumstances are explained.

Another person, who rated the book with four stars, added: “I found that the authors really humanized the couple.”

Book writers Omid Scobie (left) and Carolyn Durand (right) give personal details about the Duke and Duchess but insist they haven’t interviewed the couple for the biography

It comes after royal experts deliver scathing verdicts on the book, with Richard Kay claiming the biography “doesn’t just feed into suggestions the couple hand-fed these anecdotes – so precise and so private – to the authors. Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand themselves, or allowed others to do so on their behalf, it also invites the kind of intrusion that they are so quick to deplore ”.

Palace insiders described the book as a ‘score settlement’ after Harry and Meghan left the royals for a living in Los Angeles – after suddenly announcing their intentions in January in a move that left the Queen ‘injured “.

The book offers new information on Harry’s falling out with William and how the couple felt ‘thrown under the bus’, after disagreements began when the prince’s older brother called Meghan ‘that girl’ and expressed his concerns that he might precipitate the romance.

The authors say Harry “felt that people working with his brother put things in there to make William look good, even if that meant throwing Harry under the bus.”

Biography offers new in-depth glimpses into Prince Harry and Meghan’s life with their son Archie

Excerpts from the book have already revealed many details of the couple’s departure from the royal family, including how the couple considered driving directly to confront the “devastated” Queen over Megxit after returning from Canada in January.

Sources close to the couple also claim in the book that royal assistants feared Meghan and Harry’s popularity would overshadow that of the royal family itself – and say the couple were jealous of William and Kate getting top roles and “Did not feel supported” by royalty.

The author’s note appears to acknowledge that the writers worked with the couple on the biography, reading: “We spoke with close friends of Harry and Meghan, royal assistants and palace staff (past and present), the charities and organizations they have built for a long time – lasting relationships with and, where applicable, the couple themselves. ‘

Among the new revelations of the book are:

• Meghan Markle has forged such close ties with Prince Charles that she considers him her “second father”;
• Meghan has often been ‘seen with filing cabinets filled with Royal Protocol research’ so she did not take the wrong foot;
• The Queen gave Meghan a royal masterclass in protocol and described Meghan as “very smart and good”;
• Harry felt he had been “thrown under the bus” by assistants working for his brother Prince William;
• The royal courtiers feared that the brother’s quarrel “could spell the end of the monarchy”;
• Meghan left the UK “emotionally bruised and exhausted” after her last frosty event with William and Kate;
• Russian hackers stole hundreds of their personal photos in 2018 after gaining access to an online account.

Since Prince Harry was reported to have started dating Suit actor Meghan Markle, the world has been captivated by their relationship. The couple first bonded romantically in 2016, before announcing their engagement in November 2017, getting married at Windsor Castle six months later and welcoming their son Archie in May 2019.

However, not everything has gone well, they have also had to deal with significant struggles, dealing with an unprecedented level of intrusion into their lives, navigating racial abuse directed at Meghan and dealing with rumors. of rupture between them and the other members of the royal family.

Tuesday August 11, Find freedom, a biography on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, is in press. Written by royal journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand, the book documents journalists’ experience of working close to the couple.

While a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess said The independent that they had no involvement in the book – it is “based on the authors’ own experiences” in the royal press corps – it promises insight into their lives, work and decision to move away from royal life, following interviews with over 100 royal initiates.

Here is our report on Find freedom by reading the book from start to finish:

Please wait a few moments for the live blog to update.

On this day in May 2018, it seemed like nothing could derail the Harry and Meghan fairy tale.

The weather had obeyed and the crowds had come out.

A few of us were given the green light to poke our heads into the church about an hour before the first guests arrived.

The scent of sweet peas and white roses, jasmine and peonies lingered on my nose for the rest of the day.

Britain had gone through a torrid period: terrorist attacks, controversial vote on Brexit, elections without failure.

The marriage was truly celebrated.

But the honeymoon of the divorced American actress and the prince was cut short by the harsh realities of royal life.

The insider account

Now, a new book called Finding Freedom offers a detailed look at what happened behind the scenes.

It’s written by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand – both of whom I knew when I was an ABC correspondent in the UK – and they say they looked for at least two sources for every story they were telling.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, released a statement insisting they had not been interviewed for the book. But none of their friends would have spoken to the authors without the couple’s approval.

This isn’t a rag of trashy gossip about the young couple. Read these chapters and imagine that it is Harry and Meghan speaking the words.

He is sympathetic to them and reveals the mistrust that was already lurking behind the scenes that day.

I have now read the book, available in Australia from today, and spoken with Scobie about its contents. Here are seven things I learned.

1. Why was the book written?

There is no end to the words that have been written about Harry and Meghan, which begs the question: why go back to history?

For Scobie, it was a simple case that there was more to say.

“For a long time we’ve really been used to seeing the narrative around the Sussexes unfold through various anonymous royal sources, palace courtiers, senior aides in various British tabloids,” he told me.

“We very rarely hear from those around the couple themselves.

“I felt there was a lot more to this story than what we had actually heard.”

2. Kate and Meghan are not best friends

Some believed Meghan and the Duchess of Cambridge would become close.

After all, the two were strangers and if there was anyone who would know what Meghan was going through, it would be Kate.

Still, the two women only hung out a few times before the wedding, despite both living in Kensington Palace.

On one occasion, they met while leaving the palace grounds for the same shopping street, but there was no offer for them to go together.

There was no feud though, Scobie said.

“She is (Kate) a woman very focused on her own family and her duties within the monarchy, and sadly busy lives and priorities elsewhere have meant that the friendship between her and Meghan never really gets off the ground. could flourish. “

3. Meghan was not a “difficult Duchess”

The resignation of one of Meghan’s assistants in 2018 sparked a flood of tabloid stories about her inability to work.

It was part of a growing narrative that Fleet Street was chasing that Meghan was a “Difficult Duchess”.

Yet the authors of Finding Freedom discovered that this was not a “resignation” at all.

“There was a much deeper story and the couple had long been unhappy with [the assistant] until the moment she’s gone, ”Scobie said.

However, sources said Harry and Meghan could be “impatient and impulsive” – ​​so were they their worst enemies?

“They were a couple getting results, so they really needed people around them who exploited and embraced the speed they were working with,” said Scobie.

“And so there were times when they often came second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth to other royals.”

4. The silence of the palace overwhelmed them

Finding Freedom explains how Harry and Meghan couldn’t understand why no one was disputing the deceptive and malicious tabloid stories that circulated endlessly.

“They just needed a few people in their corner to defend them,” Scobie said.

“They had seen the palace rush to defend William and Kate, but when it came to the Sussexes they were often left alone and in pain.

“It was times like this that made them wonder where people’s allegiances lay. Were they on the Sussex side or were they watching their own and the others in the institution?”

5. There were also hostile insiders

The book suggested that a senior royal was calling Meghan “Harry’s showgirl” and some royal staff were suspicious of her.

“There is just something about her that I don’t trust,” a royal courtier reportedly said.

Scobie said Meghan is always going to ruffle the feathers.

“Meghan has, in many ways, ticked the right boxes when it comes to her life’s accomplishments,” he said.

“She was an accomplished philanthropist, a seasoned actress. She had seen the world and done a lot of things before entering Windsor House.

“And of course, she was different from the rest.”

6. They’re gone for good

Earlier this year, Harry and Meghan shocked the world by announcing that they were stepping down as senior members of the royal family.

They planned to pursue their own goals, become financially independent and split their time between the UK and North America.

Scobie discovered that they are not only happy in Los Angeles, they are thriving.

And despite having 12 months to decide if they want to join the fold, it’s highly unlikely.

“They have a safe home environment, they can focus on the job they want to do,” he said.

“There have been very few leaks about their personal lives or the work they do, and that’s because they have a team around them that they think they can trust.

“The idea of ​​looking back and re-entering the monarchy in any way just wouldn’t appeal to them.”

7. But they want to fix

The couple want to improve family relationships with The Firm, and rebuilding those strained ties is important to them, Scobie discovered.

Harry and Meghan have been in contact with Prince Charles and the Queen, he said, and “there are signs of hope, but maybe not in a capacity for work”.

However, things are different with William.

Scobie said Harry was offended by William’s advice when he started dating Meghan, particularly the phrase: “Take as much time as you need to get to know this girl. “

“Harry ended up getting some advice he maybe didn’t ask for,” Scobie said.

“We have to remember that these are two men in their thirties and it’s not some kind of dynamic big brother, little brother anymore.

“And that’s something I think William never really got used to and Harry always wanted to change.”

And this is where we come to the saddest conclusion to the book.

The dishes

Finding freedom is revealing of what he reveals about Harry and William and the deterioration of their relationship.

They were always different, one destined to be king, the other struggling to find his own way.

Harry and Meghan can be a lot of things, but they’re not naïve.

They know this book will not mend the already strained relationship with the Royal Family. But it gives them a voice.

I can’t help but think of author Andrew Morton, who revealed after Princess Diana’s death that she was, in fact, the source of his biography.

She remained insistent that she had not participated in the book. Audio cassettes have proven otherwise.

Scobie insists this is not history repeating itself.

Yet decades later, Finding Freedom is Harry and Meghan’s story. If it is not said by them, at least for them.

Royal enthusiasts could finally get answers to the questions surrounding Prince harry and Meghan Markle ‘strained relationship with the British royal family in the new book, Finding Freedom: Harry and Meghan and the Creation of a Modern Royal Family.

While the book written by the royal reporters Omid scobie and Carolyn Durand only hit the stands on August 11, clips of the highly anticipated title aired at The temperature in July. As a result, a spokesperson for Harry, 35, and Meghan, 39, issued a statement denying any involvement.

“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex were not questioned and did not contribute to Find freedom», The statement to Us weekly read. “This book is based on the authors’ own experiences as members of the royal press corps and their own independent reporting.”

Scobie and Durand also dispelled speculation the couple had been interviewed for the book, noting that they had spoken to over 100 sources, including the couple’s inner circle, palace staff past and present and more.

“The book doesn’t claim to have interviews with Harry and Meghan. And neither do we,” Scobie said. The temperature. “I think you can tell from the reports, my time with the couple is enough for me to get to know my subjects.”

The authors did, however, spend time with Harry and Meghan. Scobie was one of three journalists from the Suit the alum’s penultimate engagement in March before the duo officially left their posts as a member of the Royal Family working for Queen Elizabeth II.

“Back at Buckingham Palace, the ACU students are now heading to Westminster Abbey and Harry quietly slipping out the door to say hello, the reality – and the emotions – have finally set in as I do. a farewell hug to Meghan, ”Scobie recalled. “She returns to Canada on the last commercial flight of the day, eager to be back on Vancouver Island in the morning before Archie wakes up.”

Harry and Meghan announced their intention to step down from their senior royal duties in January, less than two years after their wedding in May 2018. In March, they attended their final royal engagements before moving to Los Angeles with their son Archie .

While Prince william has not yet commented publicly Find freedomsaid a source We that he’s not happy with the book.

“William believes the book is their calculated way of controlling the narrative and that they took advantage of their entertainment contacts to be painted in a favorable light,” the source said.

Another insider noted: “Even before the book came out, the bad blood between William and Harry was evident. But it took a whole different turn.

Scroll on for the biggest reveals from the book:

A new retailer book Prince harry and Meghan markleThe exit of the British royal family has been a painful subject for the Duke of Sussex and his brother, Prince william.

“Find freedom made things worse between them, ”said a source exclusively Us weekly.

Written by Royal Journalists Omid scobie and Carolyn Durand, the book takes readers through the origin of the couple’s relationship until their decision to step down from royal duties and move to Los Angeles with their 15-month-old son Archie earlier this year.

Harry, 35, confirmed in 2019 documentary Harry & Meghan: an African journey that he and William, 38, broke up, telling reporter Tom bradby, “We’re definitely on different paths right now, but I’ll always be there for him and, as I know, he’ll always be there for me.”

Although they never went into details of what happened between them, the sons of prince charles and the late Princess Diana issued a rare joint statement in January, denying an “offensive and potentially dangerous” report that William had intimidated Harry and Meghan, 39, into leaving the royal family.

Even if Find freedom caused more tension behind the palace gates, the source said We that William and Harry “are working to get their relationship back on track”. However, the source adds, “There continues to be issues between the brothers.”

Before the book hit stores on Tuesday August 11, a spokesperson for Harry and Meghan said in a statement to We that the pair had no involvement in the making of it. The Duke of Cambridge had his suspicions, however.

“William believes the book is their calculated way of controlling the narrative and that they took advantage of their entertainment contacts to be painted in a favorable light,” an insider said. We in July. Another source added at the time: “Even before the book came out, the bad blood between William and Harry was evident. But it took a whole different turn.

Scobie, meanwhile, defended Find freedom and the 100 sources that contributed to it, telling The temperature, “The book doesn’t claim to have interviews with Harry and Meghan. And neither do we. I think you can tell from the reports, my time with the couple is enough for me to get to know my subjects.

Listen to Hot Hollywood from Us Weekly as Us Editors feature the hottest entertainment news every week!

Royally indignant. Prince william is not satisfied with the content of Find freedom, the new book on Prince harry and Meghan markle, reveals an exclusive source in the new issue of Us weekly.

In the book, released on August 11, the authors Omid scobie and Carolyn Durand detail the shocking developments in the behind-the-scenes relationship that led Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, to step back from the royal family earlier this year. While a spokesperson tells We that the content is “based on the authors’ own experiences as members of the royal press corps” and that the royal couple were not involved, William, 38, believes otherwise.

“William believes the book is their calculated way of controlling the narrative and that they took advantage of their entertainment contacts to be painted in a favorable light,” the source said.

Harry and the Suit alum announced their royal exit in January, less than two years after they tied the knot in May 2018. Since leaving their responsibilities as royals, the couple have briefly moved to Canada and have been since moved to Los Angeles with his 14 month old son Archie.

While Harry and his brother were on thin ice before Find freedom stirred the royal pot, the book only exacerbated their tension. An excerpt from the revealer reveals that the former military pilot was “pissed off” at William, who wanted to “make sure Harry wasn’t blinded by lust” before going public about his relationship with Meghan.

“Even before the book was released, the bad blood between William and Harry was apparent,” another source said. We. “But it took a whole new turn.”

In October 2019, Harry admitted that he and his brother were “certainly on different paths” in an interview for the ITV documentary, Harry & Meghan: an African journey. With new details on the dynamics of the royal family emerging in Find freedom, William feels that he and his wife Duchess Kate are made to look like the bad guys in Harry’s life.

“William is the voice of reason and can’t help but think that Harry’s continued resentment towards him, Kate and the rest of the Royal Family is a sign that he’s struggling to move forward with his life in LA.” , says the first source.

For more on the ins and outs of the Royal Family, watch the video above and download the latest issue of Us weekly, on newsstands now.

Hear Hot Hollywood from Us Weekly as Us Editors feature the hottest entertainment news every week!

Meghan Markle wants the biography of her and Prince Harry‘s life to be released as soon as possible, as she believes the book will set the record straight on why they chose to leave the royal family and to give them a clean slate, an insider exclusively told DailyMail. .com.

The next book titled Finding Freedom: Harry, Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand is expected to be released worldwide online on August 11, with the hard copy going on sale August 20. .

But Meghan, 38, wants the publication date to be pushed back, with a friend explaining: “If Meghan did, the book would come out tomorrow instead of three months from now.

“She said the book would finally set the record straight and show the world why they had no choice but to leave royal life.”

Meghan wants readers to understand that her life hasn’t been a fairy tale, to see “the genuine person that she is” and wants to “shatter that image of being a demanding diva,” the insider added.

The friend added: ‘I think [Meghan] wants people to feel sorry for her, or at least have compassion for her and everything she’s been through, which has been anything but a fairy tale ”

Royal Family by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand is expected to be released worldwide online on August 11, with the hard copy going on sale August 20. .” class=”blkBorder img-share” style=”max-width:100%” />

The next book titled Finding Freedom: Harry, Meghan and the Making of a Modern Royal Family by journalists Omid Scobie and Carolyn Durand is expected to be released worldwide online on August 11, with the hard copy going on sale August 20. .

Meghan and Harry shocked the world in January when they announced they would step down from royal duties and instead work to become financially independent, dividing their time between the UK and North America.

They originally lived in a waterfront mansion on Vancouver Island in Canada before heading to California after Canada announced it would restrict its borders due to COVID-19.

DailyMail.com revealed last week that Hollywood mogul Tyler Perry sent his $ 150 million private plane to pick up the couple and their one-year-old son Archie from Canada in mid-March and took them to live in his $ 18 million Beverly Hills pad. , where they are currently staying.

Despite their mega-rich friends and high-flying lifestyle, Meghan “desperately wants to shatter this image of a demanding diva who has been rude to royal staff and others in her quest for fame and power” , the insider said.

“She said the book would help give her and Harry a clean slate.” Meghan seems to think readers will finally understand the monumental angst and turmoil she has had to endure with a stiff upper lip.

“Meghan said people needed to see her vulnerable side, which the book does in great detail.”

The friend added: ‘I think [Meghan] wants people to feel sorry for her, or at least have compassion for her and everything she’s been through, which has been anything but a fairy tale.

Meghan wants readers to understand that her life hasn’t been a fairy tale, to see “the genuine person that she is” and wants to “shatter that image of being a demanding diva,” the insider added.

The insider also revealed that the Duchess “has a lot to say about what goes on in the book, far more than the public is led to believe.” The only way Finding Freedom was going to be published was if Meghan had the final say and gave it her seal of approval. Pictured: Biography co-authors Omid Scobie (left) and Carolyn Durand (right)

The insider also revealed that the Duchess “has a lot to say about what goes on in the book, far more than the public is led to believe.”

“The only way Finding Freedom was going to be published was if Meghan had the final say and gave it her seal of approval.”

Co-author Omid Scobie recently said the biography gives a true account of the history of the Royal Family, saying: “I have been involved in and around so many engagements as much as possible, and j ‘ve spoken to so many people in their life so no stone has been left unturned.

“I have seen the couple stay true to their own beliefs and stand strong in the face of adversities that have been publicly broadcast in the press, and I would like to think that tells the final story of their life together.”

The book’s description says that “not many people know the true story of Harry and Meghan”.

He vows to go “beyond the headlines to reveal unknown details of Harry and Meghan’s life together, dispelling the many rumors and misconceptions plaguing the couple on both sides of the pond.”

He continues: “With unique access and written with the participation of those closest to the couple, Finding Freedom is an honest, close and disarming portrait of a confident, influential and forward-thinking couple who are not afraid to break up. with tradition. , determined to create a new path away from the spotlight, and dedicated to building a humanitarian legacy that will make a profound difference in the world. ‘

Last week, DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that the royals were staying at Tyler Perry’s ultra-exclusive Beverly Hills mansion and were taken by the producer and actor on a robbery. early in the morning.

DailyMail.com exclusively revealed last Thursday, Harry and Meghan live in Tyler Perry’s $ 18 million mansion in ultra-tony Beverly Ridge Estates just outside Beverly Hills (pictured)

It’s unclear whether Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, are renting out Tyler’s property or staying there as guests, but there is no record of the mansion being sold.

DailyMail.com also revealed last week that Perry sent his $ 150 million private plane to pick up Harry, Meghan and one-year-old baby Archie and brought them to his Beverly Hills pad. Pictured: Perry pictured in a private plane

The couple have never been seen in public with Perry – best known for his cross-dressing portrayal of the fiery Madea in his blockbuster film series – but it is believed he met him through their mutual close friend. Oprah Winfrey.

Perry’s fifty-year-old, eight-bedroom, 12-bathroom Tuscan-style villa sits on 22 hilltop acres in the gated community and offers stunning views of the city from the backyard.

It’s unclear whether Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, are renting out Perry’s property or staying there as guests, but there is no record of the mansion being sold.

A source told DailyMail.com: “Meghan and Harry have been extremely careful in keeping their base in LA a secret.

“Their team helped them choose the location of their transition to Los Angeles wisely.

“Beverly Ridge has its own guarded gate and Tyler’s property has its own gate which is guarded by their security team.

“Beverly Ridge is a great place to stay out of sight. Neighbors are mostly old money and mega rich business types rather than show business gossip.

“It goes without saying that the location is magnificent – one of the most beautiful and desirable areas in LA.”

A pair of hip-hop legends have released a new album that mixes old classics with topical sounds.

“Jazz is dead 001” brings together musicians Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad with some of their jazz heroes. The album features a host of big names from vibraphonist and producer Roy Ayers to saxophonist Gary Bartz.

Over the past year, Younge and Muhammad have recorded the album of new songs using the original instruments and analog recording techniques used in the ’60s and’ 70s. Younge says the project was inspired by conversations. on the current expression, “jazz is dead”.

“I guess the biggest question when you hear ‘jazz is dead’ is who can say what matters? ” he says. “And you know, for us, we look at him as those people who protect art as pioneers in its progression. And that’s what we’re trying to do with “Jazz Is Dead”. “

Muhammad says the album captures “the relentlessness to exist and the ability to vibrate and unite” in these uncertain times.

“We’re more connected, I think now, than at any time at least in the past 100 years,” he says. “But it’s not a connection that has always, I think, had real depth and real consideration. And so we now really consider each other.

Interview highlights

Work with Roy Ayers

Younge: “Well, for people like me and Ali, music means more to us than it should to the average person. So, I mean, when you’re in the presence of someone like that, you know, it’s like being in the presence of a god here on Earth. He has done so much for music. He was so important in our lives with music that just being in the studio with him, not even working, just being in the studio with him was just magical.

On the source of their inspiration for the album

Muhammad: “My introduction to jazz was from my grandmother, and she was a big fan of Duke Ellington, a big fan of Ella Fitzgerald, and I didn’t want any of that … I think because I was born in 1970 and the main source of my, I guess, my time was not Duke Ellington. However, when you hear bands like Earth, Wind & Fire or even Kool & The Gang that merged jazz into what has been called R&B, it kind of opens up the palette and the love story has developed. . And so the exploration went beyond just sampling to picking up instruments for me to really get my own idea of ​​what these greats were doing. It’s just a nonstop trip. So here we are with Jazz Is Dead. And this compilation just based on that, continued to be curious about the process, to be curious about the communication of music and what it means to make freedom music.

Younge: “Let’s go back. What is the first true form of musical art recognized in America? It’s jazz. OKAY. So what is the ideology of this? Well, that’s the voice of black America. Jazz embraced the struggles of black America and we used our instruments as voices. So when you fixate on the fundamental tone, adding harmonics is what makes that fundamental tone different. So we use the same instruments, but we add our own harmonics. We add our struggles. We add our prospects that have been blacklisted around the world. And that was our way of speaking at last. Do you see what I’m saying? It is therefore the foundation of jazz. And it really is something human. You don’t have to be black, you know? It’s a human thing. But it came from this black struggle.

On the song “Conexão” with João Donato, the top bossa nova

Younge: “Well, ‘Jazz Is Dead’ isn’t just a label, it’s a series of concert lineup that we’ve had. So we do these gigs with jazz legends and emerging jazz artists, and we bring them to Los Angeles, do these crazy gigs, and at the same time, unbeknownst to the people who go to these gigs, we’re recording albums with these people. So with João, we brought him here from Brazil, and part of bringing him here was not just making him play his beautiful music for people, but saying, ‘Hey let’s record a full album with you on an analog tape like you did in the 60s and 70s, and use those original instruments as well. And let’s continue those conversations you started back then, but make them more modern. “

On how this music sheds light on these uncertain times

Muhammad: “I think when musicians walk into a room together there is a lot of consideration. And we certainly hope that releasing the album ‘Jazz Is Dead 001’ right now will give people some comfort and that they will have a moment to think, wonder, you know, what’s next, maybe lose. head for a moment and then find yourself. And for me, as one of the really good examples of that is the song “Distant Mode” with Gary Bartz. For me that really highlights where we are right now, and that’s just my take, someone else may have a whole different experience, but this song for me and just the title, it’s like, what’s going on? This is how it starts. I listen to this song. It’s a question. It’s like, what? What the hell is happening? You know, and then there’s an answer. And the answer may seem sweet. It may seem uncertain. And Gary is just playing, it gets you through all these emotions.

Lynn Menegon produced and edited this interview for broadcast with Tinku Ray. Samantha Raphelson adapted it for the web.