Author: Faith Babatunde

Straw, released on June 6, has skyrocketed to the #1 spot on Netflix worldwide, drawing over 25 million views and 45 million watch hours within just two days. The film has outperformed major titles like Now You See Me fivefold, despite having less time on the platform. Starring Taraji P. Henson as Janiyah Wilkinson, a struggling single mom facing eviction, job loss, and a wrongful arrest, Straw delivers raw emotion and powerful performances. The film explores survival, motherhood, and redemption in the face of injustice. Henson shared her gratitude on Instagram, calling the film “deep, raw, real,” and thanking fans…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue State, calling it a “political spectacle” that failed to address Nigeria’s deepening security crisis. Tinubu visited the Yelewata community on June 18, 2025, where he met victims of recent killings and held a town hall with stakeholders. However, Atiku, through his media aide, Paul Ibe, accused the president of staging theatrics instead of offering real solutions. “Children were lined up in the rain to wave at the president. That’s not leadership, it’s performance,” Ibe told Vanguard. Atiku condemned the government’s failure to arrest suspects involved in the…

Manchester City have been fined over £1 million by the Premier League for delayed kick-offs in nine matches during the 2023/24 season. The breaches occurred between October and February, with the most significant delay recorded as 2 minutes and 24 seconds before the second half of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. According to the Premier League, City accepted responsibility and issued an apology. The league emphasized the importance of kick-off punctuality to maintain broadcasting schedules and uphold the professional standards of the competition. This isn’t the first time City has faced penalties for similar issues—they were fined over £2…

U.S. President Donald Trump announced Thursday that he will decide within two weeks whether to join Israel’s military strikes on Iran, citing a “substantial” chance for diplomatic talks. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that ongoing “correspondence” with Tehran could open space for negotiations, though Iran denies reaching out to Washington or seeking a nuclear weapon. “If there’s a chance for diplomacy, the president’s always going to grab it,” Leavitt said, while adding that Trump remains prepared to act militarily if necessary. The announcement follows heightened speculation over potential U.S. military involvement after Israel targeted Iranian nuclear and military…

Your diet plays a crucial role in maintaining good vision. While some foods support eye health, others can contribute to vision decline over time. Here are 7 common foods that may harm your eyes if consumed excessively: 1. Sugary Foods and Drinks High sugar intake spikes blood glucose, increasing the risk of diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. Sodas, pastries, and candy should be limited. 2. Fried Foods Fried and greasy foods are high in trans fats, which can clog blood vessels in the eyes and raise the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). 3. Processed Meats Bacon, sausage, and deli…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery will begin nationwide distribution of diesel and petrol (PMS) on August 15, 2025, marking a major shift in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector. This rollout is expected to significantly cut fuel logistics costs and improve accessibility for independent marketers, manufacturers, airlines, telecom operators, and other bulk buyers. To support this effort, Dangote has deployed 4,000 CNG-powered tankers and invested in over 100 mobile tankers and refuelling stations, ensuring efficient and eco-friendly delivery. Fuel will be supplied directly from the refinery, eliminating middlemen and further reducing costs. Customers will not bear any logistics expenses, and bulk buyers purchasing…

The Ibukun Awosika Leadership Academy (IALA) has announced the first edition of African Marketplace Dubai 2025, a global showcase of export-ready SMEs and brands from Africa and the Caribbean. The event is set to take place from November 12–15, 2025, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Dubai. Bringing together sectors like fashion, agribusiness, tech, textiles, and the creative arts, this four-day event aims to boost trade, investment, and cultural exchange between Africa, the Caribbean, and the world. Designed as more than just an exhibition, the event will feature: Founder Ibukun Awosika describes it as “a chance to shift global perception and…

Google has strongly opposed a proposal from Meta to use app store data for verifying users’ ages, calling the method ineffective and risky for children’s privacy. In a blog post published Friday, the tech giant warned that such a system would force the unnecessary sharing of personal age data with millions of app developers, even those offering simple, non-sensitive apps like flashlights. The proposal, backed by Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram), aims to restrict minors’ access to age-inappropriate content. However, Google argues that the approach would fail to protect underage users who access content via desktops, browsers, or…

Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has spoken out against the appointment of Eric Chelle, a French-born former Mali international, as head coach of Nigeria’s national football team. In an interview with Channels Sports, Oliseh insisted that qualified Nigerian coaches are available and should be given the chance to lead the team. “I am totally against that role not being handed to a Nigerian,” he said. Since Chelle’s appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in January, the Super Eagles have played five matches under his leadership, winning three and drawing two, remaining unbeaten so far. Despite the positive results,…

At least 59 people have been killed in Yelwata, a border town between Benue and Nasarawa States, following a brutal attack by suspected herdsmen, according to Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia. Governor Alia confirmed the tragic incident on Sunday, stating that military and civil defense personnel were among the casualties, having died while defending the community. The figures were based on headcounts conducted by security agencies in collaboration with affected families. He acknowledged the support of Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, who reportedly shared intelligence on the cross-border violence, which also led to the death of a woman on the…