The advert, which is for a game, asks users if they would “rather slap Rihanna or punch Chris Brown”.

It appears to reference Chris Brown’s conviction for assaulting Rihanna in his car in 2009 while they were dating.

Snap told Newsbeat the advert, which was only published in the US, was published “in error” and had been removed immediately.

Ads on the social media platform are subject to a review process, while it also has a list of banned content.

Snap said: “The advert was reviewed and approved in error, as it violates our advertising guidelines. We immediately removed the ad last weekend, once we became aware.”

“We are sorry that this happened,” it added.

American activist Brittany Packnett picked up on a tweet from Royce Mann, which called the ad “tone deaf”.

The daughter of former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Chelsea, said the advert being approved was “awful”.

Other Twitter users have called it “disgusting” and “disrespectful”.

Snap’s advertising policy is outlined on its website and includes information on its review procedure.

“All ads are subject to our review and approval. We reserve the right to reject or remove any ad in our sole discretion for any reason.

“We also reserve the right to request modifications to any ad, and to require factual substantiation for any claim made in an ad,” it says.

There is also a list of banned content, including “shocking, sensational, or disrespectful content”.

The controversy comes as Snapchat deals with a drop in value following Kylie Jenner announcing she is “sooo over” the app.

The new update, which has not been received well, has made adverts more prominent by placing them in between stories.

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Source: BBC

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“No to Freemasonry and Homosexuality”, an association of around 30 religious groups in Senegal, accuse the singer of using masonic symbolism and being a member of the so-called Illuminati, a conspiracy myth which suggests that a shadowy group of global elites are working to establish a New World Order.

Such claims about Rihanna’s beliefs have been roundly dismissed as outlandish by her collaborators in the past.

Rihanna will be visiting the West African nation in her role as an ambassador for the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

The organisation aims to help fund the teaching of millions of children and young people in developing countries.

Jeune Afrique quotes Senegal’s interior minister as saying he will ensure the safety of all conference attendees.

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Source: BBC

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The singer was asked by a fan to consider using a trans woman to promote her Fenty Beauty make-up range.

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with many gifted trans women over the years,” she replied, “but I don’t go around doing trans castings!”

“I respect all women. Whether they’re trans or not is none of my business.”

The star went on to criticise firms who hire models from minority groups as a “token” gesture.

“I don’t think it’s fair that a trans woman, or man, be used as a convenient marketing tool,” she said.

“Too often I see companies doing this to trans and black women alike.

“There’s always just that one spot in the campaign for the token ‘we look mad diverse’ girl/guy! It’s sad!”

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The conversation took place between Rihanna and a fan called @lbertootero via private messages Twitter. He then took a screen grab of the star’s comments and made them public.

Many fans praised the pop star’s stance.

“As a trans woman I have so much admiration and respect for Rihanna,” wrote one user. “She worded all of that so perfectly and respectful and kind. She’s a true angel.”

“Good on Rihanna to not want to exploit trans women just for the sake of marketing,” added @silbiee, who posts under the name Heart Shaker.

“I’m proud of my idol,” said a Chilean user called Francisca , while US fan Jason simply called Rihanna “queen of lgbt”.

Rihanna has already received praise for her Fenty Beauty line, which caters to a wider range of skin tones and types than most mainstream brands.

She also refuses to test her products on animals, meaning the range will not be available in China where animal testing is required by law.

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Source: BBC

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The ‘Where Have You Been’ hitmaker was spotted smooching an unknown man in a Spanish villa earlier this week and it has now been revealed he is Hassan Jameel, whose family owns the rights to sell Toyota cars in Saudi Arabia.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “This relationship is the real deal. Rihanna has told friends she’s in love with him and seems completely smitten.

“They’ve been spending a lot of time together away from prying eyes and are really serious. They’re really enjoying each others’ company.”

Meanwhile, the 29-year-old singer previously opened up about being in a relationship.

She said at the time: “Guys need attention. They need that nourishment, that little stroke of the ego that gets them by every now and then. I’ll give it to my family, I’ll give it to my work – but I will not give it to a man right now.”

And Rihanna previously confessed she was “numb” whilst she made her album ‘ANTI’ and couldn’t cope with “all the bulls**t and … all the good s**t”.

She explained: “Looking back to 1 year ago…. I released my most anticipated album to date #ANTi ….When I started making this album I never would have imagined how much of a challenge the process would be.

“I was evolving in the midst of making a body of art that was supposed to reflect who I was in that moment, yet it was the very answer I didn’t have! I was numb for a while…numb to all the bulls**t and numb to all the good s**t. But I was determined not to settle for what everybody thought this should be, or when they thought it should come, or how! I stuck to it until I felt something again!”

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Source: Capitalfm

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The 29-year-old singer received a direct message on Twitter from a fan asking how to get over a particularly upsetting breakup, and the ‘Work’ hitmaker took the time to respond, telling the fan their sadness “won’t be forever”.

She wrote in a picture posted on Twitter by user @WaladShami: “Just believe that the heartbreak was a gift in itself! Cry if you have to, but it won’t be forever! You will find love again, and it will be even more beautiful! In the meantime enjoy all that YOU are!!! (sic)”

And Samer, who sent the cry for help to the brunette beauty, recently said the breakup was difficult because it was his “first relationship ever”, and he reached out to Rihanna because she’s “wise”.

He said: “It was my first relationship ever, and they ended it with me in January, but it’s been really hard for a multitude of reasons. I reached out to Rihanna because she’s given me advice many times – she’s wise and s**t.”

Rihanna’s advice on tackling heartbreak might also include indulging in a variety of unhealthy foods to cure her mood, as it was previously revealed the star is a “moody eater”.

Her personal chef Debbie Solomon said: “[She’s a] moody eater … [With previous clients] I would send in a menu on a Sunday or Monday and they would pick for the week, and then I’d be able to shop and prep, but this is nothing like that. We don’t know what we’re gonna want to eat tomorrow, so why even pick today?”

And the ‘Needed Me’ singer is no stranger to feeling “numb”, as she previously opened up about the personal struggle she went through when she was working on her album ‘ANTI’.

She explained: “Looking back to 1 year ago…. I released my most anticipated album to date #ANTi ….When I started making this album I never would have imagined how much of a challenge the process would be.

“I was evolving in the midst of making a body of art that was supposed to reflect who I was in that moment, yet it was the very answer I didn’t have! I was numb for a while…numb to all the bulls**t and numb to all the good s**t. But I was determined not to settle for what everybody thought this should be, or when they thought it should come, or how! I stuck to it until I felt something again! (sic)”

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Source: capitalfm

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