Life & Style

Ben Jones, best known for playing mechanic Cooter Davenport on the popular television series The Dukes of Hazzard, has died at the age of 84. His wife, Alma Viator, announced his death in an emotional Facebook post on Sunday, August 9. According to Viator, Jones suffered a massive heart attack while at home. “I lost the love of my life today,” Viator shared, revealing that her husband had been resting in his favorite chair while waiting to watch the Atlanta Braves take on the New York Yankees. She described Jones as a man who lived a “rich full life” and was deeply loved by many. Viator also expressed her heartbreak, saying she loved him immensely and that he would be greatly missed. The news prompted an outpouring of grief from fans, many of whom remembered Jones for his memorable role in The Dukes of Hazzard. Fans took to social media to offer condolences and pay tribute to the late actor. Who was Ben Jones? Born on August 30, 1941, Ben Jones was an American actor, politician, and author. He gained widespread recognition for portraying Cooter Davenport, the friendly mechanic in The Dukes of Hazzard. Beyond his acting career, Jones also entered politics. He served as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Georgia from 1989 to 1993. Ben Jones’ cause of death According to his wife, Ben Jones died after suffering a massive heart attack. He was 84 years old. Ben Jones movies Throughout his career, Jones appeared in several films, including Together for Days, Deep in the Heart, Dakota, Primary Colors, Joe Gould’s Secret, and Unbreakable. Ben Jones TV shows His television credits included The Magical World of Disney, The Dukes of Hazzard, CBS Summer Playhouse, Sliders, As the World Turns, and Surface. Ben Jones leaves behind a legacy spanning entertainment and politics, with his role as Cooter remaining one of his most memorable contributions to television.

Olivia Ponton and Joe Burrow have once again fueled speculation about their relationship after being spotted together at a Cincinnati Bengals practice. The model and the NFL quarterback, who have been romantically linked since 2024, were seen spending time together during the team’s training camp on Sunday, August 9. Their appearance together quickly caught the attention of fans, particularly because Ponton was reportedly seen having a private and relaxed conversation with Burrow on the field. A video circulating online showed the pair sitting together away from the rest of the group. Their comfortable interaction immediately sparked discussion among social media users, with many wondering whether the two are finally becoming more open about their rumored relationship. The sighting also marked a notable appearance for Ponton at a public Bengals event. Her presence at the team’s practice attracted considerable attention, with fans closely observing her interaction with Burrow. Some social media users reacted excitedly to the apparent sighting, comparing the growing interest in Burrow’s personal life to the attention previously received by other NFL stars and their partners. Others urged fans to respect the couple’s privacy and allow them to enjoy their time together without excessive public attention. The relationship rumors surrounding Ponton and Burrow first emerged in December 2024. At the time, Ponton’s name became connected to the Bengals quarterback after she was reportedly present at Burrow’s home during a burglary while he was away in Texas for a game. Reports surrounding the incident stated that Ponton was associated with Burrow and provided information about belongings that could potentially have been missing from the property. The situation brought significant public attention to Burrow’s private life and raised questions about his connection with the model. Burrow later addressed the burglary during a press conference, expressing his frustration over the loss of privacy. The football star explained that living a public life comes with certain challenges but admitted that having personal matters exposed publicly was difficult for him. He also acknowledged that privacy has always been something he values, particularly because his career naturally places him under constant public scrutiny. Despite understanding the realities that come with being a professional athlete, Burrow made it clear that unwanted attention surrounding his personal life was not easy to handle. Since the initial rumors, neither Burrow nor Ponton has publicly confirmed that they are romantically involved. The pair have largely kept their personal lives away from the spotlight, leaving fans to speculate based on their occasional public appearances and interactions. Their latest appearance at Bengals practice has therefore renewed interest in the rumored romance. While their relaxed interaction has certainly caught the attention of fans, there has still been no official confirmation from either of them regarding the nature of their relationship.

Gigi Hadid has made a fresh social media appearance after recently grabbing attention with a wedding ring during a public outing with her boyfriend, Bradley Cooper. The supermodel, who was previously in a relationship with singer Zayn Malik, returned to Instagram on Sunday, August 9, sharing a series of photos that gave fans a glimpse into her summer days with her daughter, Khai. The update came just days after Gigi and Bradley fueled speculation that they may have secretly tied the knot. The 31-year-old model appeared to be enjoying a relaxed summer getaway with family and friends. Among the first pictures she shared was a sweet beach moment featuring Gigi alongside her younger sister, Bella Hadid. Both sisters looked effortlessly stylish as they posed together while enjoying the sunny surroundings. Another photo showed Gigi spending time with a close friend on a yacht, while their daughters were seen wearing matching swimsuits. The collection of images also captured several warm mother-daughter moments, highlighting how the model has been making the most of her summer break with Khai. Gigi’s post quickly attracted significant attention from her millions of followers. While many fans praised the beautiful summer snapshots, others could not help but notice how much Khai has grown. Several followers took to the comments section to express their surprise at seeing the little girl looking noticeably older. Fans described Khai as “so big” and shared their amazement at how quickly she appears to be growing up. The Instagram update also gave Gigi an opportunity to shift the focus away from the recent wedding speculation and toward her personal life and time with her daughter. Rumours surrounding Gigi and Bradley intensified earlier this month when the couple were spotted together in Paris. On Monday, August 3, the pair were photographed walking hand in hand through the French capital, with their jewellery immediately catching the attention of fans. Both appeared to be wearing rings on their hands, leading to widespread speculation that they may have secretly exchanged wedding vows. However, neither Gigi nor Bradley has publicly confirmed that they are married. The couple, who have reportedly been romantically linked since 2023, have generally kept their relationship away from the spotlight. Their rare public appearances have therefore continued to attract considerable attention. Gigi’s ring also became a major talking point among fans. The jewellery reportedly features 33 quarter-carat diamonds set alongside 18-karat yellow and white gold in a Grosgrain design. The ring has been reported to cost around $6,450. Despite the growing speculation, Gigi has not addressed the marriage rumours directly. Instead, her latest Instagram post focused on her summer memories, family and daughter. For now, fans will have to wait for Gigi or Bradley to confirm whether the rings were simply jewellery or a sign of a secret wedding.

Indian actor Govinda once opened up about a difficult phase in Salman Khan’s life before the two actors came together for their successful comedy film Partner. According to Govinda, Salman was going through a period of personal pain and emotional distress at the time, which had made him unusually quiet and withdrawn. Recalling their interaction before the shooting of the 2007 film, Govinda said he felt the need to speak to Salman and encourage him. He believed that when a person is struggling with personal issues, whether related to love, expectations or disappointment, it can become difficult for anyone else to help them overcome their emotions. Govinda remembered telling Salman that he had spent enough time focusing on things outside himself and now needed to look inward. He encouraged the actor to concentrate on his own well-being and work on rebuilding his confidence. The veteran actor also spoke to Salman about his physical fitness. Govinda recalled that he himself was going through a challenging period and weighed around 114 kilograms after stepping away from politics. Despite his own struggles, he tried to motivate Salman and remind him of his potential. Govinda reportedly told Salman that he did not look like a typical hero at that point because he appeared unhappy and sad. Rather than allowing himself to remain trapped in that difficult phase, Salman was encouraged to move forward and regain his confidence. According to Govinda, Salman asked him what he should do next. In response, Govinda advised him to exercise regularly for several hours each day. He also reminded Salman of the qualities that made him special as an actor and a leading man. Govinda compared Salman’s potential with that of legendary actor Dharmendra. He believed Salman had been blessed with a supportive family, a good appearance, personality and the qualities needed to become a major star. His advice was not simply about improving Salman’s physical appearance but also about helping him rediscover his confidence and strength. Govinda further recalled making a prediction about Salman’s career at the time. He told him that he believed he would continue to rule the film industry for the next 10 years. Looking back, Govinda said Salman ultimately proved that prediction right through his continued success and popularity. Their professional association later became particularly memorable through Partner, directed by David Dhawan. Released on July 20, 2007, the romantic comedy starred Salman Khan and Govinda in the lead roles, with the two actors developing a popular on-screen partnership. The film went on to become a notable commercial success and remains remembered for the chemistry and comic timing between its two leading stars. Govinda’s recollection of his conversations with Salman offers another glimpse into the relationship between the actors before they appeared together on screen. His advice also reflected the importance of self-confidence, discipline and perseverance during difficult periods. For Salman, that phase eventually became part of a larger journey that saw him strengthen his image as one of Bollywood’s most prominent stars.

Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan are all set to reunite on the big screen with their upcoming action thriller Haiwaan, and fans will not have to wait much longer for their first glimpse of the highly anticipated film. The teaser of Haiwaan is scheduled to arrive on August 12, marking an important step toward the movie’s theatrical release. The teaser launch will take place almost a month before the film reaches cinemas, giving audiences their first look at the characters, action, and intense world of the upcoming project. The film has already created significant excitement because it brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together after nearly two decades. The two actors previously appeared together in the 2008 action-comedy Tashan, making Haiwaan their first on-screen collaboration in 18 years. The upcoming project is expected to combine action, suspense, and darker emotional elements. While details about the storyline have largely been kept under wraps, the film is said to revolve around a dangerous confrontation involving a blind martial artist and a ruthless killer. Haiwaan is the official Hindi remake of the acclaimed 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam. The original film starred Mohanlal in the lead role and was also directed by Priyadarshan. For the Hindi adaptation, the filmmaker returns to helm the project, adding further anticipation among moviegoers who are familiar with his work. The story follows a blind martial artist who becomes determined to protect a young girl from a psychopathic killer. The premise promises a suspense-heavy narrative filled with danger, unexpected turns, and high-stakes action. The teaser is expected to provide audiences with a better understanding of the film’s tone and the roles played by its leading stars. Alongside Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, Haiwaan features an ensemble cast that includes Asrani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Jisshu Sengupta, and Mohanlal. The combination of experienced performers and a suspense-driven storyline has added to the curiosity surrounding the film. The movie is being produced under KVN Productions and Thespian Films, with Priyadarshan at the helm. His involvement has raised expectations, particularly because the director has previously delivered several successful films across different genres. For Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, the film marks a significant reunion after their previous collaboration in Tashan. Their return together is likely to be one of the major talking points surrounding the movie when its promotional campaign begins in full swing. With the teaser arriving on August 12, anticipation for Haiwaan is expected to increase considerably. The film is currently scheduled to hit theatres on September 11, 2026, giving audiences a little less than a month to get their first taste of what the action thriller has in store.