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Naira Abuse: Court Orders Remand Of Hip-Hop Artiste ‘Terry Apala’

14h

The judge also ordered an accelerated hearing of the trial, before adjourning the matter till May 5th, for trial.

20h

Osamede is a historical fantasy set against the backdrop of the 1897 British invasion of the Benin Empire.

22h

“I’m just trying to do as much as I can while I’m still here”.

Favourite Afrobeats Artist award was first introduced in 2022, with Wizkid making history as its inaugural winner.

Jude reunited with his family in a low-key celebration.

The governor of Benue state praised the award-winning singer for his enduring commitment to the state and his positive impact on Nigeria’s entertainment landscape.

This is not the first time the 83-year-old musician has been targeted by death hoaxes.

While lesser stars have been consumed by fame, Kardashian remains at the height of her powers, defying criticism that she is really only famous for being famous.

Femi Kuti has spent the last four decades as the heir to his father's activism and musical style.

The filmmaker explained that a negative life situation does not necessarily lead to depression.

18h

Universal Music Group’s $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings LLC is set to face a formal investigation by the European Commission, which has raised concerns over the potential stifling of competition in services provided to artists signed to independent labels.

Eniola Ajao’s Owambe Thieves, a crime drama laced with cultural glamour, has made a thunderous entry into the Nigerian box office with an opening weekend gross of N53.6 million.

Makemation, a Nigerian-produced film about dreams, technology, and determination, made an impressive debut at the local box office, grossing N32.9 million in its first run time at cinemas.

The much-anticipated Nollywood dramedy, Family Brouhaha, has made a sensational debut at the Nigerian box office, raking in a whopping N21.4 million in its first week. The star-studded film, which hit cinemas on April 11, has quickly become one of the most talked-about releases of 2025. Directed by Femi Adebayo and written and produced by […]

Nigerian screen legend Richard Mofe-Damijo’s debut film as executive producer, Radio Voice, has made an impressive entry at the Nigerian box office, grossing N34.7 million in its first week of release. The figure, tracked between April 11 and 17, was confirmed by the Nigerian Box Office data service. The film marks a new chapter in […]

Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has forged a landmark public-private partnership with Chocolate City Group, one of the country’s premier entertainment companies.

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Labake Olododo: The Warrior Lord, an indigenous-language epic produced by Nollywood veteran Iyabo Ojo, has officially surpassed N200 million in box office earnings, continuing a wave of commercial success for Yoruba-language cinema in Nigeria.

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Labake Olododo, the latest epic drama from Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo, has emerged as a box office sensation, grossing N172.5 million within just two weeks of its theatrical release.

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Nigerian singer and songwriter, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burnaboy, has said that Nigerian artists earn significantly less for streams from their local audience compared to those from U.S. and U.K. listeners, with payouts up to 90% lower.

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YouTube, the streaming service owned by the search engine giant Google, has increased the price of its YouTube Premium service by 54% in Nigeria.

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Nigerian gospel artists Nathaniel Bassey and Mercy Chinwo have made their mark on the global music scene, ranking among the most-streamed Nigerian acts on YouTube Music for the first quarter of 2025.

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On Sunday, the highly anticipated Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) unveiled its nominees for the 11th edition, recognizing the best in African film, television, and digital content from January 1 to December 31, 2024. Set to take place on May 10, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, the prestigious ceremony will celebrate the industry’s brightest talents […]

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Toyin Abraham’s Alakada: Bad & Boujee has officially grossed N500.3 million at the Nigerian box office, securing its place as the fifth highest-grossing Nollywood film unadjusted for inflation.

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Apple is struggling to turn a profit on its streaming service, Apple TV+, despite investing billions of dollars into original content.

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Nollywood star Timini Egbuson’s latest film, Reel Love, has achieved a milestone, crossing the N300 million mark in ticket sales just five weeks after its release.

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Omoni Oboli’s latest film, Love in Every Word, has garnered 11 million views on YouTube within just seven days of its release.

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In this article, we look at 10 Africans who own foreign football clubs and how they are using their resources and vision to shape the future of the game.

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The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), a premier celebration of African film and television, is set to return for its 11th edition on May 10, 2025, with 28 awards honoring the industry’s brightest talents. This was disclosed by Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, at a press conference in […]

45d

Nollywood actress and producer Toyin Abraham continues her strong presence in the Nigerian film industry as her latest movie, Alakada: Bad and Boujee, approaches the N500 million mark in box office earnings. Since its December 20, 2024, release, the film has grossed N497.98 million, making it one of the highest-grossing Nollywood productions of the holiday […]

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The Lagos State Government commenced the reconstruction of the Oregun Theatre on Monday, which aims to transform the site into a multi-functional cultural hub.

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Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr has released a brand-new single titled “Gimme Dat,” featuring Grammy award-winning artist Wizkid. The highly anticipated track dropped today, April 25, and has already been met

17h

Singer Terry Apala has given activist VeryDarkMan a 48-hour ultimatum to remove a defamatory post alleging his involvement in bribery with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to

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Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy has revealed that the original version of “Laho” with Shallipopi couldn’t be released as planned due to scheduling conflicts with other projects he had lined up.

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Son of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti has shared the emotional struggles he faced in his early music career. Despite his passion for music, Femi said Fela refused to

22h

Actor Uzor Arukwe has spoken on a shocking rumour online claiming he was g@y. Although taken aback, Arukwe, in an interview, expressed love and acceptance for his g@y friends, stating

23h

Fuji icon Wasiu Ayinde popularly known as K1 De Ultimate has revealed he’s a member of the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) despite being a Muslim. In an interview on

Popular filmmaker Biodun Stephen has said that in today’s digital landscape, marketing a film can be more taxing than producing it. Stephen made this statement during a recent chat with

After eight years of working with Warner Music Africa, which provided distribution and artist services to Chocolate City artists via its independent label services division, ADA, Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani aka

After 260 episodes spanning across three spectacular seasons, Wura has bowed out as Showmax’s first Nigerian original telenovela. On Tuesday, April 15, Wura, aired its highly anticipated final episode marking

In an industry where the next big sound is always just around the corner, there are some voices that don’t chase trends—they carry legacy. Johnny Sourou is one such voice.

Nwakaego Boyo is a Nigerian actress and filmmaker, who became famous for her role as Anne Haatrope in the late Amaka Igwe super series, Checkmate, in the 90s. Until her

Daw Studios has announced preparation towards hosting the first Line Array Shoot Out & Audio Fair. According to a statement by the organisers led by Aig Giwa-Osagie, the event is

By Oloyede Toibat Afropop superstar, David Adeleke aka Davido has motivated his fans after releasing his fifth studio album entitled, ‘5ive.’ The 32-year-old took to his Instagram page to announce

Popular Nigerian broadcaster Morounkeji Sowoolu aka K-Show, has taken on a new leadership role as Broadcast Manager in another media company, FemyWalsh Ltd, owners of he Isle 104.9 FM and

Over the past five years, several international brands have been critiqued for cutting corners and deploying stock images, artificial intelligence, and other shortcuts to develop brand collateral and advertising. This

Nigerian historical fantasy ‘Osamede’ is scheduled to screen at the 2025 Cannes Film Market on May 17, 2025 at the Pavillon Afriques. The significant milestone for Nigerian cinema on the

Singer Klever Jay has said that he is deeply grateful for the grace and longevity that have sustained his career in Nigeria’s fast‑evolving music scene. Speaking in a recent interview

Fuji music icon King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal aka K1 the Ultimate has publicly criticised the co-founder of the music genre Alhaji Kollington Ayinla for failing to attend his mother’s funeral

Fuji Icon Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, has reiterated his significant contributions to the growth and development of Fuji music in Nigeria. In a recent interview on

Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) has cemented its place as one of Nigeria’s biggest fame-making machines. For many contestants, walking into the house as ordinary individuals and walking out with a

Ghanaian singer Dennis Dwamena, popularly known as Kidi, has stated that he wouldn’t settle for a woman with a high body count but rather use them as flings. The ‘Cheat

Rapper Erigga has argued that women prioritise financial stability over romance, with “romance” translating to monetary gestures and “love” meaning having their bills footed. He asserted on X that true

Actor and philanthropist Kunle Afod has downplayed the prevalence of sexual exploitation in Nollywood, suggesting that such occurrences are not unique to the film industry. Speaking during an interview on

Ghanaian actress and filmmaker, Juliet Ibrahim, has condemned some television stations in Ghana for violating intellectual property rights by rebroadcasting her films without permission. According to Ibrahim, the pirated films

Afrobeat singer Femi Kuti has disputed claims that Tony Allen co-pioneered Afrobeats with his father Fela Kuti. According to Femi, in a video, Fela was a multi-instrumentalist and composer who

Actress and filmmaker Omoni Oboli has threatened to report Ghanaian TV stations to the President for allegedly airing her movies, particularly, “Twin Deception” without permission. According to Omoni, the film

Afrobeat singer Mayorkun has hinted at marriage, revealing he’s off the singles market. In a recent interview on Arise TV, he disclosed that he’s committed to someone special, although he

Afrobeat singer Mayorkun has shed light on current relationship with DMW Records boss Davido, stating that the latter is still his friend. In an interview on Arise TV, Mayorkun revealed

Fuji singer K1 De Ultimate has expressed deep disappointment and betrayal over fellow music icon Kollington Ayinla’s absence at his mother’s burial ceremony. K1 in an interview on Agbaletu TV,

Grammy-nominated singer Davido has dropped the music video for “Offa Me,” a standout track from his latest album “5ive,” featuring American artist Victoria Monét. The album, released on April 18th,

Kansala, Guinea-Bissau — For centuries, the history of the West African kingdom of Kaabu has been told mainly by word of mouth. Kaabu existed from the mid-1500s to the 1800s. At its peak, it encompassed Guinea-Bissau and reached into what are now Senegal and Gambia. Sometimes Kaabu's story passed from father to son. Often it was passed by griots — or West African oral historians — who sang about the kingdom’s rulers. “The griots have already sung it, but now we know it’s real," is what Nino Galissa recounts in a recent song commissioned by archaeologists from their recent dig in Kansala — a site that was once the wealthy capital of the West African kingdom. Galissa is a direct descendent of the griots who sang for the last emperor of Kaabu. The song performed by Galissa is being shared along with a report of the archaeological findings, Sirio Canos-Donnay from the Spanish National Research Council, which was a lead institution of the dig, told VOA. “He’s combined all of the ways and methods and phrases that are the trade of the griot with the archaeological information and, hence, using that we’ll be able to transmit what we’ve done to the local population in a much more effective manner.” In Kansala, griots have long been the way history lessons were passed between generations. They often sing the history accompanied by the kora, a string instrument that resembles both a harp and a guitar. 'The puzzle you cannot miss' Antonio Queba Banjai, a descendant of the last emperors of Kaabu, remembers listening as a young boy to the griots sing about his ancestors. “Griots are not just important," he said. "They are the puzzle you cannot miss in African history, because to know what we know now is because of griots. I am from the tree of the last emperor of Kaabu. We were educated by the music of kora. The storytellers tell us where we come from.” Banjai is also president of Guinea-Lanta, an NGO that worked with the archaeologists. When team members began the project, they knew they wanted griots and oral history to play an important role in what is the biggest archaeological dig to ever take place in Guinea-Bissau. Canos-Donnay said she hoped that including oral storytelling in this report would show the academic world that things can be done differently and more inclusively. “We should pay and need to pay respect to local ways of producing and consuming history. And the collaboration and the knowledge that can come from that dialogue from these two disciplines is something that is quite extraordinary.” Canos-Donnay and others worked closely to verify that many events griots had sung about for generations actually occurred. One such event was the explosive ending of the kingdom. “Kansala had a fairly spectacular end in the 1860s, when the town was sieged by an enemy kingdom, and the local king realized he was going to lose the battle," she said. "The legend is he set fire to the gunpowder house and blew the whole site up. So, this particular point of the site is where the elders said it happened. And one of the fun things is we proved that’s where it properly did.” The dig also produced evidence of residents’ extensive trading with Europeans – Venetian beads, Dutch gin and more. Joao Paulo Pinto is the former director of Guinea-Bissau's National Institute of Study and Research. He says West African ways of recording history should be taken as seriously as European techniques. “In our system, when you talk about the ritual of passage - everything has a process, everything has a code of conduct," he said. "All our oral history systems have a commitment to the truth. I have a commitment to the truth as I speak, just the same as a book has a commitment to the truth.” As for Banjai, he hopes the project will allow others to learn about the histories and kingdoms of West Africa that he says are too often neglected in school.

The state of Texas has the third-largest Asian American population in the United States, according to the U.S. census, and Chinese people, some whose families arrived more than 150 years ago, make up the largest group. Chinese Americans trace back for generations in the Lone Star State. Their story may not be as well known as that of their counterparts in California or New York City, but it is just as intertwined with America's history. At Rice University, the Houston Asian American Archive, or HAAA, is keeping their stories alive and sharing them with new generations. Launched in 2009, the archive now contains the oral histories of some 500 people in its database, providing a crucial window to the past. "Oral history gives you a sense of immediacy and maybe more informality. And it's also unfiltered," said Anne Chao, HAAA co-founder and program manager. The archive also preserves memorabilia and artifacts from Asian Americans in Houston — a city known for its oil and gas industry. It is also known for space exploration and is home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Albert Gee One Chinese American who found success in 1960s and '70s Houston was Albert Gee, who at the time was considered the unofficial mayor of the Chinese community. Gee appeared with Hollywood celebrities in the society pages of local newspapers and was once invited to the White House of President Richard Nixon. Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1920, Gee and his family moved to New Orleans, where they operated a laundry business. When his father died in 1927, Gee's mother, who did not speak English, decided to take her children back to their home in China, hoping that her three sons would return one by one to the U.S., which they did. "Albert found himself only around 11 years old, coming back to the United States," said his daughter Linda Wu. "He was just working — working and trying to send money back to his mother." Gee returned to the U.S. with his godfather, whom he lived with for a few years in San Francisco, California. Eventually, with the help of friends and relatives, Gee ended up in Houston. He eventually opened grocery stores and restaurants, which became a draw for Hollywood celebrities, who would stay at a nearby hotel when in town. Wu has photos of celebrities such as singer Elvis Presley and comedian Bob Hope posing at the restaurants, some next to her father. Helping newcomers Wu said her parents saw themselves as Americans but never forget their roots. Her mother, Jane Eng, the child of Chinese immigrants, was born and raised in Texas. "I always remember different people coming to live with us at the grocery store, family members who would start their roots here," she said. By assisting newcomers, the established Chinese Americans helped fuel the growth of the Gee family surname in Houston. Not all the Gees in Houston were related, however. Stories about some of the city's Gees can be found in the HAAA database and in the 1998 anthology "The Gees in Houston, Texas." "For the Gee family, it's been discerned that we've come from about three to four villages in China," said Rogene Gee Calvert, who contributed stories about her father, David Gee — no relation to Albert Gee — to the anthology. David Gee David Gee migrated from China to the U.S. in the late 1920s, during the Chinese Exclusion Act, which allowed Chinese merchants, diplomats and students into the country but banned laborers. Gee was 17 when he arrived, but his passport indicated he was four years younger. He was a so-called paper son. "'Paper sons' and 'paper daughters' are the names given to people who buy false papers," said Casey Dexter-Lee, an educator at Angel Island State Park in San Francisco Bay. Part of the island served as a major immigration station from 1910 to 1940. "It's about $100 for each year of life that the person claims," she said. "So a 10-year-old would cost about $1,000 to buy false papers." After arriving in the U.S., David Gee was detained at the Angel Island Immigration Station for almost a year. Eventually, he received permission to stay. David Gee worked in San Francisco with a relative. In 1938, he moved to Houston to join a family friend. He returned to San Francisco to get married, then brought his wife to Houston, where he worked in the grocery business. "There was discrimination and, of course, there were natural barriers of language and just knowing how to navigate … how to get around and what to do," Calvert said. "So, there were some elders who were well-spoken that were respected in the mainstream community that really helped our family." Houston and Jim Crow Chao said the first large group of Chinese immigrants arrived in Houston in the 1940s and '50s. At that time, racial segregation was legal in Texas and Southern states through a series of codes known as Jim Crow laws. "Even though Houston also was subject to Jim Crow law, the law wasn't applied the same way as [in] the other Southern states. And so, there's a sense of more equitable equity in Houston." Chao said, adding that people, including Chinese Americans, settled in Houston because there was a "sense of business opportunity." Being neither Black nor white, the Chinese Texans occupied a gray area under Jim Crow law. "They were just in between and just dependent upon how well the neighborhood or people accepted them," said Ted Gong, senior adviser to the Chinese American Museum in Washington. Albert Gee, as president of the Houston Restaurant Association, took part in the desegregation of the city's restaurants in the early 1960s. Decades later, his work in the community was immortalized in a web comic for Texas students in 2023. The comic is part of a free website called Adventures of Asia, developed by Asia Society Texas, which also collaborated with HAAA to create lesson guides for teachers called Asia in the Classroom. "Our Asian American students in particular said they want to see themselves represented in the curriculum," said Jennifer Kapral, director of education and outreach at Asia Society Texas Center. The Asian population in the U.S. nearly doubled from 2000 to 2019 and is expected to continue to grow, according to the Pew Research Center. But the history of the Asians who settled in the U.S. is missing from many textbooks, Kapral said. "There was a study that looked at 30 U.S. history textbooks from across the U.S., and they found that Asian American history was only mentioned in half of them. And of that half, it was an average of about one to two pages in the entire textbook. So, it's been a big gap." Asian American Houstonians are filling this void by sharing their stories, preserving artifacts from their past, and educating the next generation about how their forebears carved a place for themselves in Texas' largest city.

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis marks 12 years as head of the Catholic Church on Thursday, seemingly out of danger after a month in hospital but with his health casting a shadow over his future. The 88-year-old was, for a time, critically ill as he battled pneumonia in both lungs at Rome's Gemelli hospital, where he was admitted on Feb. 14. The Argentine's situation has markedly improved since then, with the Vatican confirming his condition as stable on Wednesday evening, and talk is now turning to when he might go home. But his hospitalization, the longest and most fraught of his papacy, has raised serious doubts about his ability to lead the world's nearly 1.4 billion Catholics. Slowing down Francis had before now refused to make any concessions to his age or increasingly fragile health, which saw him begin using a wheelchair three years ago. He maintained a packed daily schedule interspersed with frequent overseas trips, notably a 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific region in September, when he presided over huge open-air masses. But experts say his recovery could take weeks given his age and recurring health issues, not helped by having part of one lung removed as a young man. "The rest of his pontificate remains a question mark for the moment, including for Francis himself," said Father Michel Kubler, a Vatican expert and former editor in chief of the French religious newspaper La Croix. "He doesn't know what his life will be like once he returns to the Vatican and so, no doubt, reserves the option of resigning if he can no longer cope," he told AFP. Francis has always left the door open to resigning were his health to deteriorate, following the example of Benedict XVI, who in 2013 became the first pope since the Middle Ages to voluntarily step down. But the Jesuit has distanced himself from the idea more recently, insisting the job is for life. While in hospital, Francis has delegated masses to senior cardinals but has kept working on and off, including signing decrees and receiving close colleagues. But he has missed a month of events for the 2025 Jubilee, a holy year organized by the pope that is predicted to draw an additional 30 million pilgrims to Rome and the Vatican. And it is hard to imagine he will be well enough to lead a full program of events for Easter, the holiest period in the Christian calendar that is less than six weeks away. Many believe that Francis, who has not been seen in public since he was hospitalized, has to change course. "This is the end of the pontificate as we have known it, until now," Kubler said. Unfinished reforms Francis struck a sharp contrast to his cerebral predecessor when he took office, eschewing the trappings of office and reaching out to the most disadvantaged in society with a message that the Church was for everyone. A former archbishop of Buenos Aires more at home with his flock than the cardinals of the Roman Curia, Francis introduced sweeping reforms across the Vatican and beyond. Some of the changes, from reorganizing the Vatican's finances to increasing the role of women and opening the Church to divorced and LGBTQ members, have been laid down in official texts. But a wide-ranging discussion on the future of the Church, known as a Synod, is not yet finished. And there are many who would happily see his work undone. Traditionalists have strongly resisted his approach, and an outcry in Africa caused the Vatican to clarify its authorization of non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples in 2023. "Whether we like him or not, he has shifted the dial, but many things are still pending," a Vatican source said.

ROME — Pope Francis' recovery from double pneumonia continued Wednesday as a chest X-ray confirmed improvement, two days after doctors declared he is no longer in imminent danger of death. The latest medical bulletin said the pope's condition remained stable but indicated a complex picture considering his overall fragility. The Vatican said Francis, 88, again followed its spiritual retreat remotely and resumed physical and respiratory therapy after a quiet night. He continues to receive high flows of oxygen through nasal tubes during the day and a noninvasive mechanical mask to aid his rest at night. His weekly Wednesday general audience was canceled since the Vatican hierarchy is on retreat this week as part of the Lenten spiritual exercises that have been a mainstay of the Jesuit pope's pontificate. Francis faces important milestones this week. On Thursday, he marks the 12th anniversary of his election as the 266th pope. The Holy See has not said how the anniversary, a public holiday in the Vatican, might be commemorated. No medical bulletin will be issued. The former Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected on the fifth ballot of the 2013 conclave that was called after Pope Benedict XVI resigned. While Francis has praised Benedict's humility in stepping down and said he might follow in his footsteps, more recently he has said the papacy is a job for life. Another milestone comes Friday, when Francis marks four weeks of hospitalization. St. John Paul II holds the record for a hospital stay, at 55 days, when in 1981 he underwent a minor surgical operation and then was treated for a cytomegalovirus infection. Francis is on track to equal the second-longest stay, 28 days, which John Paul recorded in 1994, when he had surgery to repair his right hip joint after he fractured his right femur in a fall, according to Gemelli hospital. The Vatican has released no photos or video of Francis since he was admitted. The pope recorded an audio message last week to thank people for their prayers, though the weakness and breathlessness of his voice made clear how frail he was.

The American South has long been associated with white-columned mansions, rustic farmhouses, and aging structures steeped in history. But an exhibition at the National Building Museum in Washington is showcasing the vibrant, modern and forward-thinking architecture emerging from the region today. Maxim Adams has the story. Video editor: Sergii Dogotar, Anna Rice

The Roosevelt Hotel, a New York City landmark for over a century, once again faces an uncertain future. Last month, city officials announced plans to stop using it as a migrant shelter and processing center beginning this summer. Opened in 1924 to cater to passengers using the nearby Grand Central Terminal, the iconic hotel has weathered Prohibition, the Great Depression, a World War and 9/11. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, however, forced the hotel to close its doors to guests due to financial losses before its short-lived reincarnation in 2023 as a hub for undocumented migrants flooding the city. Through it all, the Roosevelt, affectionately known as the “Grand Dame of Madison Avenue,” became a favorite movie backdrop featured in countless Hollywood classics and TV shows. While its fate remains in question, the Roosevelt's past, captured in photographs and movies, serves as a microcosm of New York City and American history. 1924: Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, the hotel opened just four years after the start of Prohibition, the 13-year national ban on alcohol in the United States. While Prohibition forced some city hotels to close, the area around Grand Central flourished in the postwar years, attracting commercial developers, including those behind the Roosevelt. While not among New York's most opulent hotels, the four-star property stood as a towering presence in Midtown Manhattan, rising 19 stories into the skyline. Because of Prohibition, the Roosevelt broke with tradition and featured storefronts instead of lounges and bars on its street level. It was also among the first hotels in the world to offer pet service, child care and an in-house doctor. 1929: With alcohol off the menu, the Roosevelt became a magnet for tourists and music lovers. At the height of Prohibition, famed bandleader Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians performed their first live show at the hotel’s Roosevelt Grill, continuing to entertain fans for the next three decades. Their rendition of “Auld Lang Syne,” a Scottish song about old friendships and loves, became a New Year’s Eve tradition. Variety magazine later hailed Lombardo as the “only Canadian ever to create an American tradition,” cementing his legacy at the Roosevelt. 1943: Hotel magnate Conrad Hilton bought the Roosevelt, along with The Plaza hotel, calling the Roosevelt “a fine hotel with grand spaces,” and took up residence in its Presidential Suite. The acquisition established Hilton as the first coast-to-coast American hotel chain. Four years later, the Roosevelt made history again when it became the first to offer a television set in every room. But Hilton's ownership ended in 1956 when his company was forced to sell the property as part of an antitrust lawsuit brought by the government. 1948: The Roosevelt became a political hub in the mid-20th century, serving as the campaign headquarters for Republican presidential nominee Thomas Dewey in 1944 and 1948. Dewey lost both elections and conceded them from the hotel. In the years that followed, the hotel hosted other high-profile political events. 1970s-2010s: Starting in the 1970s, the Roosevelt, with its neoclassical facade and old- world interior, became a favorite filming location for Hollywood studios. Among the more than a dozen movies filmed there: “The French Connection” (1971), “Wall Street” (1987), “Presumed Innocent” (1990) and “Maid in Manhattan” (2002). Several TV shows have also been filmed there, among them: “Mad Men” and “Law & Order.” 1979: The hotel changed owners multiple times before Pakistan International Airlines, with backing from Saudi Prince Khalid bin Faisal Al Saud, took over its management from a New York real estate family. The agreement came with the option to buy the hotel for $36.5 million after 20 years — a deal the airline finalized in 2000. Considered a national asset by the Pakistan government, the Roosevelt became the preferred lodging place for visiting Pakistani prime ministers and other dignitaries to New York. In the late 1990s, the hotel hosted a live performance in the Grand Ballroom by Junoon, Pakistan’s biggest rock band. 2020-2023: In recent decades, the Roosevelt has struggled financially. In 2020, it closed its doors to guests, citing the “unprecedented environment" stemming from the pandemic. It received a fresh start when New York City signed a three-year, $220 million lease in 2023 to use it as a migrant shelter and processing center. But the lease proved a mere Band-Aid for the struggling hotel. In February 2024, Mayor Eric Adams announced the city was canceling the lease, marking the end of an era in New York history.

NEW YORK — A public memorial service bursting with choral music and the Berklee College of Music's Nebulous String Quartet, with Stevie Wonder and the Rev. Al Sharpton also on the bill, celebrated the life and legacy of Grammy-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack. Flack's songs “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and “Killing Me Softly with His Song" made her a global star in the 1970s and beyond. She died last month at age 88. Wonder was among the artists scheduled to perform during the service at a historic Harlem church, while Sharpton was to deliver the eulogy, according to the memorial program. Flack was an influential performer with an intimate vocal and musical style that ranged easily between soul, jazz and gospel. Her “Celebration of Life” memorial was livestreamed at www.RobertaFlack.com and on YouTube. Here are some highlights: For the memory of a singing legend, an historic location Flack's memorial was open to the public at The Abyssinian Baptist Church. Founded in 1808, it is one of the oldest Black Baptist churches in the U.S. The church was decorated for the ceremony with stunning white and yellow bouquets and filled quickly beforehand. At the center, a screen showed a young Flack at the piano and played highlights of her career. It was a fitting location: Flack grew up with church gospel and her mother played organ at the Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia. As a teen, she began accompanying the church choir on piano. The program featured a powerful quote from Flack. “Remember: Always walk in the light,” it read. “If you feel like you’re not walking in it, go find it. Love the Light.” A celebration of a life in music ... with music “Many of us are here today because she has touched not just our hearts, but she also touched our souls,” said the Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson, the senior church pastor who led the service. Choir performances including a rousing rendition of “Amazing Grace” came in between a video recollection of Flack's life and scripture readings. “That’s what we call church, y’all,” Johnson said at the close of one choral performance. Organ and piano riffs played off and on in the background. "She just sang the song. She let you hear the lyrics. She let you understand the beauty. But I also want you to understand that this woman was also a pure genius," Santita Jackson, daughter of the Rev. Jesse Jackson and a friend of Flack, told the near-capacity crowd. Actor Phylicia Rashad remembered first seeing Flack perform when she was a student at Howard University — to an audience that grew rapt by her quiet, steady voice. Flack lived comfortably with her genius and without having to proclaim it to people, Rashad said. “She wore that like a loose fitting garment and lived her life attending to that which she cared for most: music, love and humanity,” Rashad said. What are some of Flack's best-known songs? Flack leaves behind a rich repertoire of music that avoids categorization. Her debut, “First Take,” wove soul, jazz, flamenco, gospel and folk into one revelatory package, prescient in its form and measured in its approach. She will likely be remembered for her classics. Those include “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," her dreamy cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” written by English folk artist Ewan MacColl for his wife Peggy Seeger. It marked the beginning of Flack's mainstream success when it was used in a love scene between Clint Eastwood and Donna Mills in his 1971 film “Play Misty for Me.” But most will think of “Killing Me Softly with His Song" when Flack's name comes up in conversation. She first heard Lori Lieberman’s “Killing Me Softly with His Song” while on a plane and immediately fell in love with it. While on tour with Quincy Jones, she covered the song, and the audience fell in love with it, too, as they’d continue to for decades.

NEW YORK — Michelle Obama and her brother, Craig Robinson, will host a new weekly podcast series starting this month featuring a special guest pulled from the world of entertainment, sports, health or business. “IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson” will address “everyday questions shaping our lives, relationships and the world around us,” according to a press release. IMO is slang for “in my opinion.” Some of the guests slated to speak to the former first lady and Robinson, the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, include actors Issa Rae and Keke Palmer and psychologist Dr. Orna Guralnik. Other guests include filmmakers Seth and Lauren Rogan; soccer star Abby Wambach; authors Jay Shetty, Glennon Doyle and Logan Ury; editor Elaine Welteroth; radio personality Angie Martinez; media mogul Tyler Perry; actor Tracee Ellis Ross; husband-and-wife athlete and actor Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union; and Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky. The first two episodes — the first is an introductory one and the second features Rae — will premiere on March 12. New episodes will be released weekly and will be available on all audio platforms and YouTube. “With everything going on in the world, we’re all looking for answers and people to turn to,” Obama said in a statement. “There is no single way to deal with the challenges we may be facing — whether it’s family, faith, or our personal relationships — but taking the time to open up and talk about these issues can provide hope.” Obama has had two other podcasts — “The Michelle Obama Podcast” in 2020 and another in 2023, “The Light We Carry." Her husband, Barack Obama, offered a series of conversations about American life between him and Bruce Springsteen. The new podcast is a production of Higher Ground, the media company founded in 2018 by the former president and first lady.

ATHENS — A far-right Greek lawmaker attacked four paintings in an exhibition at the country's National Gallery on Monday, the gallery said, after he had described one as offensive because of its distorted depictions of Christ and the Virgin Mary. The lawmaker, named by the gallery as Nikolaos Papadopoulos, from the ultra-religious Niki party, was temporarily detained, and the gallery said it had had to close for the day due to the incident. The gallery said that with assistance from another person he had violently taken down four paintings included in the exhibition inspired by Spanish master Francisco de Goya. "The above violently detached them from the wall and threw them on the floor, which resulted in their damage," the gallery said in a statement. Papadopoulos' lawyer Constantinos Vathiotis told Reuters that he was illegally detained for five hours. Lawmakers are protected from arrest under the constitution and only parliament can lift their immunity. The exhibition, "The allure of the bizarre," is by a group of Greek artists, with works corresponding with 80 etchings from Goya's late 18th century Los Caprichos series. It has been on display in Athens since January at the country's main gallery, which is a major draw for Greeks and tourists alike. In a question to the culture ministry submitted to parliament in January, the lawmaker said that one painting, among the group of four he is accused of damaging, was "clearly offending the Orthodox Christian faith, directly insulting the holy faces of Virgin Mary and Christ, which are depicted distorted." The culture ministry responded at the time that it "never engages in censorship." The Hellenic League for Human Rights condemned the lawmaker's action, saying "freedom of art and freedom of expression are protected by the constitution and are not subject to the personal taste and religious and ideological beliefs of self-appointed judges and ultimately punishers."

Artificial intelligence companies train their AI models using the works of writers, artists and creatives who typically aren’t credited or compensated. Instead of fighting AI, some tech companies are encouraging creators to take advantage of it. Tina Trinh reports.

The documentary film Porcelain War highlights the struggle of Ukrainian artists and ordinary citizens fighting to save their country and culture in the face of Russian aggression. The movie won the 2024 Sundance Festival Grand Jury Prize for documentaries and was nominated for an Oscar this year. Elena Wolf has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. VOA footage by Elena Matusovsky.

Traditional Korean moon jars and modern takes on the elegant white vases are the focus of a new art exhibit in the Rocky Mountain state of Colorado. VOA Correspondent Scott Stearns has the story from Denver.

KARACHI, PAKISTAN — Two Pakistani women sit together on a couch, rehearsing their lines while a director scrutinizes them. Waiting off camera for his scene is the male lead, an actor blessed with Bachelor hair and fine bone structure. Also out of sight: the Islamabad homeowners, who are holed up in a separate room and whose furniture and knickknacks will be seen by millions of viewers — many from the society that has been their country's neighbor and uneasy sparring partner for much of the past century. This is the set of the Pakistani drama Adhi Bewafai, or Half Infidelity — one of what some in other nations would call "soap operas." But these dramas, it turns out, are not just for Pakistanis. Realistic settings, natural dialogue and almost workaday plots about families and marriages make Pakistani dramas a hit with viewers at home and abroad — especially in the neighboring country that split with Pakistan in 1947 and is its nuclear archrival today: India. Television, it seems, is succeeding where diplomacy sometimes can't. A glimpse into life across the border Several thousand people work in Pakistan's drama industry; the country produces between 80 to 120 shows a year, each one a source of escapism and intrigue. They offer Indians a tantalizing glimpse into life across the border — and manage to break through decades of enmity between the two governments. Maheen Shafeeq, a research associate at the Institute of Strategic Studies in Islamabad, says there is effectively no relationship between the two governments. Each government is fixed on a single issue it cannot move past — for India, it's terrorism; for Pakistan, the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir. "The governments are very much opposed to each other," she says. "They don't agree what they should talk about." Although it's difficult for Indians to visit Pakistan, where these shows are filmed, they faithfully follow the plot twists and turns through platforms like YouTube, ZEE5, and MX Player. For those of a certain generation, however, it wasn't always so easy to keep up. Kaveri Sharma, a writer in the Indian city of Patna, recalls her mother-in-law and aunt jiggling antennas in the 1980s and 1990s in hopes of catching a signal from Pakistan's state broadcaster, PTV. It's how Sharma first realized that the country next door was a drama powerhouse. It inspired her to discover the shows for herself years later, even going on to watch them with her own daughter. "They feel familiar, but they are also a break from our own lives," Sharma says. "I don't see any differences between the two countries. Everything is relatable. I see Karachi and think that it could be Lucknow or Patna. What happens on the shows could happen to me or my friends." She had heard only negative things about Pakistan since childhood — that it was the enemy that would take everything from India. The TV dramas have added subtlety and detail to this image for her. She would love to visit, but is unlikely to get the opportunity. So she explores Pakistan through the locations, malls, offices, streets and restaurants depicted on the small screen. The names of popular Karachi neighborhoods roll off her tongue. Sharma, like Bibi Hafeez in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad and Punita Kumar in the central Indian city of Raipur, raves about the dramas' universality of themes, the strong characterization and the emotional range. "Pakistani characters are not only heroes or villains. They have shades to them, and that is very human," says Kumar, who chanced upon a Pakistani drama through a chunky videocassette when she was a teenager living in the northern Indian city of Aligarh. It was love at first watch. "They captivated me. We got a cable connection that offered PTV. Then YouTube came and I realized I could search for whatever drama I wanted. I haven't taken a stop," she said. "We get exposure to Pakistani life in the scenes, but the struggles the characters have with their relatives are ones I would have with my own." Pakistani TV veteran Khaled Anam is delighted by Indians' enthusiasm for the country's serials and the barriers they help erode. "What Bollywood is to India, dramas are to Pakistan," says Anam, who is based in Karachi and has worked as an actor since the 1980s. He has appeared in many dramas, including the ratings smash Humsafar (Life Partner). India's productions go big, while Pakistan's are more low key India dominates the movie market in South Asia and beyond, with big stars and bigger budgets. Pakistanis have been exposed to Bollywood films for decades, although the prevailing hostile political climate means they can't watch them in movie theaters. The bans are mutual, though. India, like Pakistan, restricts content from across the border in movie theaters and TV channels. And while India is no slouch when it comes to TV production, it doesn't offer viewers what Pakistan does, according to Anam: simplicity, depth of writing and a limited number of episodes. "There are 15-minute flashbacks in Indian serials. (The characters) are decked out and dolled up. It's a fantasy world. The shows go on forever. Everything is 'DUN dun dun!'" says Anam, mimicking a dramatic musical riff and shaking his hands. The actors on the couch in Islamabad are rehearsing lines about a woman who is disrespectful and so, according to one of them, is an unsuitable marriage prospect. The delivery and grammar could be heard in virtually any South Asian household. "Pakistanis are generally emotional people, and that is in their dramas also," says Islamabad-based director Saife Hassan. "It would take me less than two minutes to explain the plot of the super-duper hit Kabhi Main, Kabhi Tum (Sometimes Me, Sometimes You). It's about the emotions between a husband and wife." Hassan, who began his TV career in the 1990s, says Indians frequently comment on his social media pages and send him direct messages about his work. He even recalls Indian viewers praying for the recovery of a character who was in a coma. Hassan would love to see more homegrown dramas make it onto platforms like Netflix, as some Indian shows have with great success. But he wonders whether international audiences would understand and connect with Pakistani stories or lives: "The way we think is different from the West. Our shows are not driven by events. They are driven by emotions." There is also a lack of raunch in Pakistani dramas, which are family-friendly with little to no vulgarity, violence, or even action. Indians, therefore, are a natural audience for Pakistani dramas, Hassan says. "They are our people. They are like us. They eat like us," he says. "I love India, and I love Indians. They have grown out of this animosity."

“Parasite” filmmaker Bong Joon Ho’s original science fiction film “Mickey 17” opened in first place on the North American box office charts. According to studio estimates Sunday, the Robert Pattinson-led film earned $19.1 million in its first weekend in theaters, which was enough to dethrone “Captain America: Brave New World” after a three-week reign. Overseas, “Mickey 17” has already made $34.2 million, bringing its worldwide total to $53.3 million. But profitability for the film is a long way off: It cost a reported $118 million to produce, which does not account for millions spent on marketing and promotion. A week following the Oscars, where “Anora” filmmaker Sean Baker made an impassioned speech about the importance of the theatrical experience – for filmmakers to keep making movies for the big screens, for distributors to focus on theatrical releases and for audiences to keep going — “Mickey 17” is perhaps the perfect representation of this moment in the business, or at least an interesting case study. It’s an original film from an Oscar-winning director led by a big star that was afforded a blockbuster budget and given a robust theatrical release by Warner Bros., one of the few major studios remaining. But despite all of that, and reviews that were mostly positive (79% on RottenTomatoes), audiences did not treat it as an event movie, and it may ultimately struggle to break even. Originally set for release in March 2024, Bong Joon Ho’s follow-up to the Oscar-winning “Parasite” faced several delays, which he has attributed to extenuating circumstances around the Hollywood strikes. Based on the novel “Mickey7” by Edward Ashton, Pattinson plays an expendable employee who dies on missions and is re-printed time and time again. Steven Yeun, Naomi Ackie, Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo also star. It opened in 3,807 locations domestically where it performed best in New York and Los Angeles. Premium large format showings, including IMAX screens, also accounted for nearly half of its opening weekend. Internationally, it did especially well in Korea, where it made an estimated $14.6 million. Second place went to “Captain America: Brave New World,” which added $8.5 million from 3,480 locations in North America and $9.2 million internationally. Its global total currently rests at $370.8 million. Walt Disney Studios is on track to become the first studio to cross $1 billion in 2025 sometime this week. Holdovers “Last Breath,” “The Monkey” and “Paddington in Peru” rounded out the top five. The weekend also had several other newcomers in “In the Lost Lands,” a fantasy film from Paul W.S. Anderson starring Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista, and Angel Studios' “Rule Breakers,” about Afghani girls on a robotics team. Neon upped the theater count for “Anora” to nearly 2,000 screens after it won five Oscars on Sunday, including best picture, best director and best actress. It earned an estimated $1.9 million (up 595% from last weekend), bringing its total grosses to $18.4 million. According to data from Comscore, the 2025 box office is up 1% from where it was last year as of this weekend and down 34.2% from the last pre-pandemic box office year of 2019. “That is the rollercoaster that is the box office,” said Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore. “You have two or three down weeks; it can profoundly impact the bottom line and the percentage advantage. But it will come back again.” Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday. 1. “Mickey 17,” $19.1 million. 2. “Captain America: Brave New World,” $8.5 million. 3. “Last Breath,” $4.2 million. 4. “The Monkey,” $3.9 million. 5. “Paddington in Peru,” $3.9 million. 6. “Dog Man,” $3.5 million. 7. “Anora,” $1.9 million. 8. “Mufasa: The Lion King,” $1.7 million. 9. “Rule Breakers,” $1.6 million. 10. “In the Lost Land,” $1 million.

ROME — Pope Francis continued his recovery from double pneumonia Sunday after doctors reported some positive news: After more than three weeks in the hospital, the 88-year-old pope is responding well to treatment and has shown a "gradual, slight improvement" in recent days. In the early Sunday update, the Vatican said Francis was resting after a quiet night. For the fourth Sunday in a row, the pope will not appear for his weekly noon blessing, though the Vatican planned to distribute the text he would have delivered if he were well enough. The Argentine pope, who has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man, has remained stable, with no fever and good oxygen levels in his blood for several days, doctors reported in a Vatican statement Saturday. The doctors said that such stability "as a consequence testifies to a good response to therapy." It was the first time the doctors had reported that Francis was responding positively to the treatment for the complex lung infection that was diagnosed after he was hospitalized on Feb. 14. But they kept his prognosis as "guarded," meaning he's not out of danger. In his absence, the Vatican’s day-to-day operations continued alongside celebrations of its Holy Year, the once-every-quarter-century Jubilee that brings millions of pilgrims to Rome. On Sunday, Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny, who is close to Francis, celebrates the Holy Year Mass for volunteers that Francis was supposed to have celebrated. Francis has been using high flows of supplemental oxygen to help him breathe during the day and a noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask at night. Francis was hospitalized Feb. 14 for what was then just a bad case of bronchitis. The infection progressed into a complex respiratory tract infection and double pneumonia that has sidelined Francis for the longest period of his 12-year papacy and raised questions about the future.

ASHBOURNE, ENGLAND — This ancient form of football has a rule forbidding players from murdering each other. Every year, thousands of people descend on a small town in the English countryside to watch a two-day game of mass street football that, to the casual observer, could easily be mistaken for a riot. This is Royal Shrovetide — a centuries-old ball game played in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, that, frankly, looks nothing like the world's most popular sport. Or any other game for that matter. "It's like tug of war without the rope," says Natalie Wakefield, 43, who lives locally and has marshaled the event in the past. "It's mad in the best possible way." Hundreds of players Played between two teams of hundreds of players, the aim is to "goal" at either end of a 5-kilometer sector that could take the match through rivers, hedgerows, high streets and just about anything or anywhere except for churchyards, cemeteries and places of worship. The ball is thrown into a crowd that moves like a giant herd, as each team tries to carry it toward their desired goal. Rules are limited but "no murder" was an early stipulation for the game that dates back to at least the 1600s. Good players need to be "hard, aggressive and authoritative," says Mark Harrison, who "goaled" in 1986 and is one of multiple generations of scorers in his family. "You can't practice," the 62-year-old Harrison adds. He stopped competing seven years ago and now serves up burgers to throngs of spectators from a street food truck. "You've just got to get in there and be rough. I am a rugby player ... I'm also an ex-boxer so that helps." Royal approval Harrison had the honor of carrying the then-Prince Charles on his shoulder when in 2003 the now-King of England opened that year's game. "He loved it!" Harrison says. Played over Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday each year, the event is a source of immense pride for the people of Ashbourne in Derbyshire's Peak District. Yet, such a unifying tradition is actually based upon splitting the town into two halves between the "Up'ards" and the "Down'ards," determined by whether players are born on the north or south of the River Henmore. Don't park there On any other days, Ashbourne, around a three-hour drive from London, is quiet and picturesque with a high street lined by antique shops, cafes and traditional pubs. Visitors include hikers, cyclists and campers. For two days that all changes. Large timber boardings are nailed up to protect shop fronts. Doorways are barricaded. "Play Zone" signs are strapped to lampposts, warning motorists not to park there for fear of damage to vehicles, which can be shoved out of the way by the force of the hoards of players trying to move the ball. In contrast, colorful bunting is strewn high above from building to building and revelers congregate, eating and drinking as if it is a street party. Parents with babies in strollers watch on from a safe distance. School holidays in the area have long since been moved to coincide with the festival. "There are people who come and they have a drink and they're just like, 'This is a bit of a crazy thing and it's a spectacle, and now I've seen it, box ticked off,'" says Wakefield, who also used to report on Royal Shrovetide for the local newspaper. "And there are people who are absolutely enthralled by it all, and they get the beauty and complexity of the game and those people follow it year on year." Where's the ball? Play begins with an opening ceremony in a car park, no less, in the center of town. The national anthem and Auld Lang Syne are sung. Competitors are reminded, "You play the game at your own risk." A leather ball, the size of a large pumpkin, filled with cork and ornately painted, is thrown into what is called a "hug" of players. And they're off. As a spectator sport, it can be confusing. There can be little to see for long periods during the eight hours of play each day from 2 p.m. local time. Players wear their own clothes — such as random football or rugby jerseys — rather than matching uniforms. On Tuesday, it took more than 45 minutes to move the ball out of the car park. Onlookers stand on bins, walls and park benches, craning their necks to look down alleyways to try to get a better view. "Can you see the ball?" someone will ask. The answer is often "No." One person thinks it might be in line with a tree over to the right of the car park, but can't be sure. Later that day there had been no sight of the ball for almost two hours until rumors started to circulate that the Down'ards scored what turned out to be the only goal over the two days of play for a 1-0 victory. Deception and cunning With so many players, the hug can be difficult to maneuver but gathers pace quickly, prompting crowds of spectators who'd previously been trying to get a closer look to suddenly run away from the action. The ball can be handled and kicked. Play can be frantic, with players racing after a loose ball wherever it may take them, diving into the river and up and out the other side. While strength is needed in the hug, speed is required from runners if the ball breaks free. Royal Shrovetide, however, can be as much about deception and cunning as speed and strength, it seems. "There's a bit of strategy involved in that somebody's pretending they've still got the ball in the middle of the hug," Wakefield says. "And they're quietly passing it back out to the edge to get it to a runner who has to sneak away in a kind of, I imagine, very nonchalant manner and then leg it down an alleyway." A famous goal in 2019 came as a result of the hug not realizing it didn't have the ball until it was too late. Hidden by two schoolboys standing meters away, the ball was passed to a player who ran, largely unimpeded, for 2 1/2 kilometers before scoring. A ball is goaled when it is hit three times against one of the millstones at either end of the town in Clifton or Sturston. The beautiful game Scorers have likened the achievement to winning Olympic gold. They are carried on shoulders, paraded through the town and celebrated like heroes. "If you can imagine playing for Manchester United in their heyday and they're at Wembley in a cup final. You score the winner. You're there," Harrison says. Scorers also get to keep the balls, which are repainted and become treasured family possessions. It is the game, however, that is treasured most of all. "I just live and breathe it," says Janet Richardson, 75, from Ashbourne, who has been going to Royal Shrovetide since she was a 1-year-old. "I can't sleep because I'm excited. It's so lovely to think that all these people still want to come here and watch this beautiful game that we've got in our town."

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday he was appointing Fox News host Laura Ingraham and Fox Business anchor Maria Bartiromo to the board of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In February, weeks after taking office, Trump fired the center's president, replaced the board of trustees and named himself chairman of the organization. The moves represented a takeover by Trump of a cultural institution that is known for its signature Kennedy Center Honors performances and is home to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera. "This completes our selection," Trump said on social media after announcing the appointments of Ingraham and Bartiromo. Trump said last month special U.S. envoy Richard Grenell will serve as the interim executive director of the center. Since taking office on Jan. 20, Trump, a Republican, has embarked on a massive government makeover, firing and sidelining hundreds of civil servants and top officials at agencies in his first steps toward downsizing the bureaucracy and installing more loyalists. During his first term in office, Trump declined to attend the annual Kennedy Center Honors, considered the top award for achievement in the arts. In December, at the last show attended by former President Joe Biden, the center's leaders made clear Trump was welcome to come in the future. Earlier this week, the hit musical Hamilton canceled its run at the center after Trump's takeover.

SRINAGAR, INDIA — Viral social media posts threw cat lovers in Indian-controlled Kashmir into a tizzy. Panic spread and local veterinarians saw a surge in pet owners coming in with their cats — all because of posts that went viral on social media. It began with a warning in January from veterinarians in the disputed Himalayan region, where the cat population has soared over the past years, partly because of stray cats roaming free and pet stores bringing in ever more costly breeds to keep up with local demand. The vets said there's been an uptick in infections among the feline population due to lack of vaccination and mishandling of strays. What was meant to be a cautionary note was misinterpreted. Video clips and news reports started claiming that cats transmit potentially deadly infections to humans, and that cat-borne diseases can cause miscarriages among women. Days later, the region's animal husbandry department issued a statement saying there's no harm in keeping cats as pets as long as proper hygiene is maintained. But the statement did little to calm pet owners in Kashmir, where cats have been long revered in Islamic folklore for their cleanliness and considered noble and intelligent creatures. Mir Mubashir, a local businessman who lives on the outskirts of Srinagar, the region's main city, said the posts and reports made him worried. His heart heavy, he took Liger, his Persian kitty, to her vet to make sure she was fine. "I felt really scared," he said. Only after the vet's assurances that all was well did he calm down. Reflecting the level of concern, Altaf Gilani, the head of the main Srinagar animal hospital, said they had examined 2,594 cats in the first seven weeks of this year, compared to a total of 1,010 cats in January and February last year. If regular deworming, vaccinations and hygiene protocols are followed, pet owners are not at risk, he said. Keeping cats, much like raising pigeons in Kashmir, is seen as a stress buster and mood elevator in a region long plagued by conflicts. Split between Pakistan and India but claimed by both in its entirety, Kashmir has recently seen two harsh lockdowns, first in 2019, when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government stripped the region's semi-autonomy, and again in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic. More and more people began adopting stray cats during the lockdowns. Children were encouraged to play with them — experts called it pet therapy. "Cats entice you to love them and you get attached once you spend time with them," said Mujtaba Hussain, another cat owner.

SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO — Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman was in an advanced state of Alzheimer's and died of heart disease and other factors likely days after his wife, Betsy Arakawa, died of a rare virus spread by mice, according to autopsy results released Friday in New Mexico. Hackman, 95, Arakawa, 64, and one of their dogs were found dead Feb. 26 in separate rooms of the couple's Santa Fe home. Hackman's heart disease and the hantavirus pulmonary syndrome that caused Arakawa's death were announced at a press conference at the Santa Fe sheriff's office. Hackman's wife died a week before he did, results showed. A reporter asked Sheriff Adan Mendoza if Hackman's advanced Alzheimer's had hindered him from perceiving her death. "I would assume that is the case," Mendoza told reporters. "He was in an advanced state of Alzheimer's, and it is quite possible he was not aware she was deceased," Heather Jarrell, chief medical investigator at the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, told reporters. Arakawa is believed to have died around Feb. 11, authorities said Friday, citing the date of her last email. Jarrell determined Hackman died on Feb. 18, based on his pacemaker activity. Hantavirus is a rare disease in the U.S., with most cases concentrated in the western states of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. In northern New Mexico, the virus is predominantly spread through the droppings and urine of deer mice. The virus is often transmitted through the air when people sweep out sheds or clean closets where mice have been living. It begins with flu-like symptoms and can lead to heart and lung failure, with around 38% to 50% of cases resulting in death. New Mexico has experienced between one and seven cases annually in recent years, according to health data. State health inspectors found no particular sign of rodents inside Hackman's home but did detect rodent activity in structures outside the house, State Veterinarian Erin Phipps told reporters. Hackman and Arakawa, a pianist, had called Santa Fe home since the 1980s and were active in the city's art community and culinary scene. In recent years, the couple were seen less often in town as Hackman's health deteriorated. They lived a very private life before their deaths, Mendoza said. A caretaker at their gated community discovered the couple dead. Sheriff's deputies found Hackman in the kitchen. Arakawa and a dog were found in a bathroom. Both Hackman and Arakawa appeared to have suddenly fallen to the floor, and neither showed signs of blunt force trauma. Arakawa had picked up one of her dogs in a crate on Feb. 9 from a Santa Fe veterinarian, which may explain why the animal was found dead in the crate in the couple's home on Feb. 26, Mendoza said. Phipps said the dog may have died of starvation. Hackman, a former Marine known for his raspy voice, appeared in more than 80 films, as well as on television and the stage during a lengthy career that started in the early 1960s. He earned his first Oscar nomination for his breakout role as the brother of bank robber Clyde Barrow in 1967's "Bonnie and Clyde." He won an Oscar for best actor in 1972 for his portrayal of detective Popeye Doyle in "The French Connection," and in 1993 won an Oscar for best supporting actor for "Unforgiven."

JOHANNESBURG — A new play about anti-apartheid icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela seeks to highlight the struggles of Black women in South Africa who had to wait years for their husbands' return from exile, prison or faraway work during decades of white minority rule. The play about the late former wife of Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first Black president, is adapted from the novel The Cry of Winnie Mandela by Njabulo Ndebele. It explores themes of loneliness, infidelity and betrayal. At the height of apartheid, Madikizela-Mandela was one of the most recognizable faces of South Africa's liberation struggle while her husband and other freedom fighters spent decades in prison. That meant constant harassment by police. At one point, she was banished from her home in Soweto on the outskirts of Johannesburg and forcefully relocated to Brandfort, a small rural town she had never visited nearly 350 kilometers away. Even after she walked hand-in-hand with her newly freed husband in 1990 and raised her clenched fist, post-apartheid South Africa was tumultuous for her. Madikizela-Mandela, who died in 2018 aged 81, was accused of kidnapping and murdering people she allegedly suspected of being police informants under apartheid. She also faced allegations of being unfaithful to Mandela during his 27 years in prison. Those controversies ultimately led to her divorce from Mandela, while their African National Congress political party distanced itself from her. The isolation and humiliation inspired Ndebele to write about Madikizela-Mandela for South Africa's post-apartheid generations. "How can they implicate Winnie in such horrendous events? She is the face of our struggle," Ndebele's character, played by South African actor Les Nkosi, wonders as he describes his thoughts upon hearing the news of the ANC distancing itself. "The announcement invokes in me a moral anguish from which I'm unable to escape. Is she a savior or a betrayer to us?" A key scene addresses Madikizela-Mandela's appearance before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a body formed to investigate human rights abuses during apartheid. She denied murder and kidnapping allegations and declined a request to apologize to families of alleged victims. "I will not be the instrument that validates the politics of reconciliation, because the politics of reconciliation demands my annihilation. All of you have to reconcile not with me, but the meaning of me. The meaning of me is the constant search for the right thing to do," she says in a fictional monologue in the novel. The play also reflects how the Mandelas' divorce proceedings played out in public, with intimidate details of their marriage and rumors of her extramarital affair. For the play's director, Momo Matsunyane, it was important to reflect the role of Black women in the struggle against apartheid who also had to run their households and raise children, often in their husbands' long absence. "It's also where we are seeing Black women be open, vulnerable, sexual and proud of it, not shying away. I think apartheid managed to dismantle the Black family home in a very terrible way. How can you raise other Black men and women when our household is not complete?" Matsunyane said. In the play, one Black woman tells a group of friends how her husband ended their marriage when he returned home after 14 years abroad studying to be a doctor and found she had given birth to a child who was now 4 years old. Another woman tells the same group — who call themselves "Ibandla Labafazi Abalindileyo" (Organization of Women in Waiting in the isiXhosa language) — that her husband returned from many years in prison but left her to start a new family with a white woman. Madikizela-Mandela, played by Thembisa Mdoda, gets to answer questions about her life and the decisions she made during an encounter with the women. The play, which also draws on the protest music of that period, opened at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg and will run until March 15.

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Popular political praise singer, Alhaji Dauda Kahutu, otherwise known as Rarara, has married his longtime lover, Aisha Humaira. The bride, a Kannywood actress, is a band member of the entertainer and his chorus singer. Former governor of Katsina state, Aminu Bello Madari, alongside other dignitaries attended the event which held in Maiduguri, the Borno State […]

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has appointed Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, better known as Tuface, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach. In a viral video on Wednesday, the governor appreciated TuFace for all the support towards his administration, adding that the singer has the capacity to do more. Governor Alia […]

Last week, Nigerian musician Eedris Abdulkareem made headlines over the ban of his new song “Tell Your Papa”, which was banned from airwaves and television stations. The NBC action has since ignited Nigerians to speak out against the government and its policies. Weekend Trust reports. Nigerian musician and activist Eedris Abdulkareem is not one to […]

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Nigerian singer and songwriter, Adedamola Adefolahan, popularly known as Fireboy DML, has revealed that he was on the verge of selling rechargeable lamps under Ajah Bridge in Lagos before ace rapper and music executive, Olamide, signed him to YBNL Nation. In a recent interview on the 90s Baby Show in London, Fireboy, who signed to […]

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Woman discovers husband’s niece is his daughter There was tension in a home abroad after a woman found out that the girl her husband brought into their house as his “niece” was his biological daughter. The incident, which was recorded on video, has gone viral on social media. In the video, the woman was seen […]

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A Working Man Genre: Action/Thriller Cast: Jason Statham, Eve Mauro, Michael Pena, Arianna Rivas Levon Cade was a skilled Black Ops soldier who walked away from war for a quiet life in construction. But when his boss’s daughter is taken by human traffickers, he’s pulled back into a deadly fight. As he hunts for her, […]

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Stop asking me for money – Kizz Daniel to fans Nigerian singer Kizz Daniel has urged his fans to refrain from constantly asking him for financial assistance, especially amidst the ongoing economic challenges in the country. The “Buga” hitmaker, who has been known for offering financial help to his followers through his X page, expressed […]

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Veteran Nollywood actor, Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, popularly known as Kanayo O. Kanayo, has shared a heartfelt message to his daughter, Uloaku, on her 25th birthday. In a post on his official social media account, Kanayo outlined the expectations he has for her in the coming years. Kanayo said before his daughter gets to age 27, […]

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Nigerian music star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has officially announced his white wedding date with Chioma. Davido and Chioma traditionally tied the knot on June 25, 2024. It was all pomp and pageantry as the wedding ceremony brought together some of the big names in politics, business, and entertainment. Distinguished guests who graced […]

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Superstar singer and Grammy Award winner, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, has urged his colleagues to look beyond local success and aim for international stardom. In a post via his Instagram story, Burna Boy said musical success in Nigeria is not worth celebrating. He claimed that the monetary value of 1,000,000 streams in Nigeria […]

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Man throws lavish birthday party for his dog, hires saxophonist A dog lover on TikTok recently surprised his pet with a grand birthday celebration, complete with a live saxophone performance. The owner invited friends and hired a musician to serenade the dog with birthday tunes. A video from the event showed the excited dog listening as […]

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‘Mothers of Chibok’ film spotlights parents’ 10-year anguish A decade after Boko Haram abducted 276 Chibok schoolgirls, a new documentary, Mothers of Chibok, has revealed the enduring pain and resilience of affected parents. The film by Joel ‘Kachi Benson follows four mothers, Yana Galang, Lydia Yama, Ladi Lawan and Maryam Maiyanga, who are still waiting for […]

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Hafsat Abdullahi, popularly known as Havfy, is a multiple award-winning poet, fashion enthusiast, and model. She is also a member of the Grammys Recording Academy and a passionate writer. At just 24 years old, the Nigerian influencer has garnered a following of over one million across social media platforms. Through her voice and platform, she […]

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Popular American singer, Justin Bieber has broken his silence following the ongoing divorce rumours from wife, Hailey Bieber. DAILY POST reports that it was widely rumoured on social media that the couple were heading for divorce. The couple, who had faced public scrutiny over the past few months, got married in September 2018, and welcomed […]

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Bain, a member of the K-pop boy band, Just B, has publicly come out as gay. The 23-year-old opened up about his sexuality during a concert in Los Angeles. This is a rare move in a high-pressure Korean music industry, where artists are very guarded about their private lives. Bain, while performing a solo, said: […]

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Nigerian socialite, Pretty Mike, has advised young women to marry men who can’t bear to see them in pain. Revealing one of the qualities of such men in a post on his Instagram story on Friday, Pretty Mike urged ladies to prioritise marrying “kind men”. He further cited the case of a woman who reportedly […]

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Famous Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, professionally known as Kwam1, has stated that he is a Christian and not Muslim. This is contrary to the public assumption that Kwam1 is a Muslim due to his first name, Wasiu, and how his mother was buried. However, speaking about his religious faith on the Agbaletu Radiovision podcast, […]

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Grammy-winning artist, Burna Boy, has claimed that Nigerian music industry gatekeepers did everything possible to stunt the progress of his career. He disclosed this while reacting to a viral clip from a recent interview where veteran music executive, Obi Asika, claimed that some Nigerian music industry gatekeepers tried to frustrate Burna Boy’s career but he […]

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Afrobeat icon, Femi Kuti has revealed that he faced opposition from his father, Fela Kuti and his fans after he left the Afrobeat pioneer’s band to form his own in 1986. He explained that Fela’s fans turned against him as they saw his exit from his father’s band as a rebellion. The multiple Grammy-nominated artist […]

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Popular Nollywood actor, Uzor Arukwe, has finally reacted to the viral speculations about his sexuality. DAILY POST reports that Arukwe was earlier rumoured to be gay. Addressing the allegation during his appearance on ‘Unfiltered and Extra Spicy’ show, the actor dismissed the viral claim. While confessing his love and support for his gay friends, Arukwe […]

British singer, Ed Sheeran has shared that he once lost his sight temporally after smoking with legendary American rapper, Snoop Dogg. The ‘Shape Of You’ hitmaker disclosed this on his TikTok page recently. Sheeran posted a video of himself with Snoop Dogg, who could be seen wrapping what looks like weed, with the caption, “Last time […]

Ace Nigerian musician Daddy Showkey has criticised the Niger State governor, Umar Bago, for ordering security operatives to arrest any individuals with dreadlocks. DAILY POST reports that Governor Bago gave the instruction in Minna during a security meeting on Tuesday. He explained that the measure is part of his government’s efforts to curb the resurgence […]

Famous Nigerian Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, professionally called Kwam1, has called out his senior colleague and mentor, Ayinla Kollington, for not reciprocating his kind gesture. DAILY POST recalls that Kwam1’s mother died on January 18, 2025, and was buried on the same day in accordance with Islamic rites. However, expressing his anger in an interview […]

Femi Kuti, a multiple Grammy-nominated artist and son of late Afrobeats’ pioneer, Fela Kuti, has refuted the claims that the late legendary drummer, Tony Allen co-pioneered the genre with his father. Allen is widely credited by both local and foreign media as a co-pioneer of Afrobeats for his works as Fela’s lead drummer and music […]

Popular Ghanaian singer, Kidi, has stirred controversy after sharing his opinion on women with high body counts. The ‘Cheat On You’ crooner shared that he is open to having short sexual relationships with women with high body counts but can’t consider a serious relationship or marriage with them. He disclosed this in a recent episode […]

Tribune Online Falz sets the table for ‘The Feast’

Tribune Online Ayra Starr drops anticipated single ‘Gimme Dat’ featuring Wizkid

Tribune Online Teniola Aladese shines in psychological drama ‘Gone’

Tribune Online Cobhams Asuquo’s ‘No More Zero Dose’ highlights urgent need for vaccination awareness

Tribune Online I look forward to day when a female would emerge as Super Eagles coach — Grace Towobola

Tribune Online ‘Kabiyesi’ production celebrates the richness of African storytelling — Seyi Babatope

Tribune Online Seinde Signature brings world renowned celebrity perfumer, Christian Provenzano to Nigeria

Tribune Online ‘How Oprah Winfrey inspired me to start #WithChude podcast’

Tribune Online Ego Boyo joins Cannes Lions Jury

Tribune Online I registered Fuji association with CAC, single-handedly wrote its constitution — Wasiu Ayinde

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Popular Nigerian TikToker, known as ‘Disturbing,’ who was involved in the ‘Justice For Mohbad’ movement, is dead. Naija News reports that a video making the rounds online shows the moment ‘Disturbing’ died during a live stream. Confirming the demise, investigative journalist, Temilola Sobola, shared the viral video via Instagram with the caption, “A popular TikToker known […]

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Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, better known as 2Baba, and his fiancee cum Edo State lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru, have officially formalise their union traditionally. Naija News reports that in a video circulating online, the lovebirds were seen amidst a large crowd at the event. Also in the video, Natasha wore an Idoma outfit with a headscarf […]

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A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, ordered the remand of popular hip-hop musician, Terry Alexander Ejeh, known as Terry Apala, at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until May 5, 2025, when his bail application will be heard and determined. Ejeh, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), faces […]

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Afrobeat superstar, Femi Kuti has disclosed that his father, Fela was displeased with him when he left the Afrobeat pioneer’s band to form his own in 1986. Kuti disclosed that his father fans turned against him as they saw his exit from his father’s band as a rebellion. The multiple Grammy-nominated artist said he was […]

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Nollywood actor, Uzor Arukwe, has recalled how the rumour surrounding his sexuality shocked him. Naija News reports that the movie star in an interview on ‘Unfiltered and Extra Spicy’ podcast, said he was first excited about the rumours because he had assume it was a means to hitting the spotlight. Uzor dismissed the claim of […]

Legendary Nigerian singer, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, is reportedly set to tie the knot with his lover, Edo State lawmaker, Natasha Osawaru. Naija News recalls that in January 2025, 2Baba caused a buzz on social media after announcing a divorce from his wife, Annie Macaulay. The singer also confirmed his romantic relationship with Natasha, stating […]

Famous Nigerian Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde, professionally known as Kwam1, has expressed anger at his senior colleague, Ayinla Kollington, for not reciprocating his kind gesture. Naija News recalls that Kwam1’s mother died on January 18, 2025, and was buried on the same day in accordance with Islamic rites. In a recent interview with media […]

Nigerian singer, Erhiga Agarivbie, better known by his stage name as Erigga, has claimed that Nigerian women often date for financial benefits rather than romance. Naija News reports that Erigga, in a post via his 𝕏 handle on Thursday, April 14, 2025, said that romance to Nigerian women means a monetary gesture, while love to […]

Nollywood actor, Kunle Afod, has asserted that the claims of sexual exploitation in Nollywood are not peculiar to the industry, as romantic advances occur in other professions. Naija News reports that the filmmaker, in a recent interview on Nollywood on Radio, insisted talent ultimately determines success in Nollywood. The 51-year-old actor stated that selling one’s […]

Nigerian singer, Adewale Mayowa Emmanuel, popularly known as Mayorkun, has hinted at being in a new romantic relationship. Naija News recalls that Mayorkun’s last publicly known relationship was with British model Cocainna. However, in October 2023, the singer revealed that they had parted ways because their relationship did not work out. In a recent interview […]

Nigerian music star, Paul Okoye, better known as Rudeboy from the legendary Nigerian music duo Psquare, has shared a post celebrating the release of his elder brother, Jude Okoye from jail. Jude Okoye’s release comes during a tumultuous time, as he has been embroiled in serious legal troubles involving allegations of money laundering and financial […]

Ebele Iyiegbu, wife of businessman, Obi Cubana Iyiegbu, has spoken amidst criticism her husband received over the next-of-kin saga he is currently embroiled in. Cubana is facing backlash from netizens after he came out to correct an impression about his next-of-kin. Obi’s adopted son, Chidi, had posted a video on TikTok with the caption, “Nothing […]

Nigerian Comedian, Seyi Law, has berated the music duo, Peter and Paul Okoye, better known as the defunct Psquare, for not supporting President Bola Tinubu’s government. Naija News reports that Seyi Law, in a recent interview with media personality, Teju BabyFace, accused the singers of being hypocrites. According to the comedian, the singers were not […]

Afrobeats superstar, Davido has shared the story of his first encounter with American R&B star, Chris Brown. Speaking in a recent episode of the Bagfuel Brigade podcast, Davido said Chris Brown changed his life and his career. The ‘Blow My Mind’ hitmaker said his career progressed after he met Breezy in 2018. He said, “Meeting […]

Popular Nigerian rapper, Panshak Henry Zamani, popularly known as Ice Prince, has revealed that MI Abaga taught him how to rap. Naija News reports that the rapper made this known during an interview with Nigerian content creator, Isbaeu, on the ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask’, podcast. Ice Prince described MI as the best rapper, attributing his […]

Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, has expressed her frustration over Nigeria’s electricity tariff band system. Naija News reports that the movie star, in a post via 𝕏 on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, described the current tariff band category as a huge fraud, pointing out the disparity between the high electricity tariffs and the actual supply received by […]

Nigerian Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, better known as Davido, has opened up about his relationship with the embattled Nigerian fraudster cum Lagos socialite, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi. Naija News reports that Davido, in a recent podcast interview, expressed solidarity with Hushpuppi, who is serving a jail term in the US and predicted he […]

Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has formally introduced his fiancée cum Edo State lawmaker, Honourable Natasha Osawaru, to the Idoma traditional leadership and his hometown community. Naija News learnt that the introduction took place on Monday, April 21, 2025, during the Idoma Nation Peace and Unity Symposium at the Och’Idoma Palace […]

Controversial Nollywood singer, Habeeb Okikiola, better known as Portable, has pleaded with his senior colleague cum Grammy award-winning singer, Burna Boy, for a music collaboration. Naija News reports that this comes after Burna gifted him ₦20 million after defeating his colleague, Speed Darlington, in a celebrity boxing match. In a post via his Instagram page […]

Legendary musician, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, has vehemently dismissed the rumours of his death, reassuring his fans that he is alive, healthy, and in high spirits. In a video shared on Tuesday morning, Obey-Fabiyi addressed the false claims with a lively performance that left no doubt about his well-being. The musician, known for his mastery of Yoruba, […]

Controversial Nollywood actress, Lizzy Anjorin, has refuted claims of being jealous of her colleague, Iyabo Ojo’s daughter, Priscilla’s wedding to Tanzanian singer, Juma Jux. Naija News reports that following the success of Priscilla’s star-studded wedding over the weekend, many social media users stormed Lizzy’s page to taunt her, claiming she is jealous of the lavish […]

The president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, has expressed sadness over the death of two Nollywood actors, who were not members of the Guild in Owerri, Imo state. Naija News reports that Nollywood actor, Stanley OnTop, in a post via his Instagram page on Friday, revealed that four actors were rushed to the […]

Media personality, Chioma Ikokwu, popularly known as Chioma Goodhair, has opened up on how she convinced veteran Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo to allow her daughter Priscilla’s relationship with Tanzanian singer Juma Jux. Speaking via Instagram, the socialite explained that Ojo was wary when she became privy of her daughter’s relationship with Jux. However, Chioma stated […]

Nigerian singer, Oludipe Oluwasanmi David, with the stage name Spyro, has stated that there is no difference between secular artist and gospel artist. He claimed that many gospel artists are in the music business to make money just like their secular counterparts The self-acclaimed ‘Jesus boy’ stated this in a recent episode of Hip TV […]

Award-winning Nigerian singer, Peter Okoye, better known as Mr P, has attributed the breakup of their defunct music group, PSquare, to fans’ behaviour. Naija News reports that Mr P, while speaking at the AYLIVE Easter show, stated that constant comparisons between him and his brother, Paul Okoye, fueled tension and ego issues. According to the […]

Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva, has stated that her father opposed her marriage to Olu Jacobs due to their 19-year age difference. Naija News reports that the thespian made this known during a recent appearance on the Stephen Akintayo Leadership podcast. Silva recalled that she met Jacobs while seeking guidance in her early days as […]

Controversial Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has responded to accusations of using diabolical powers to influence his victory during the celebrity boxing match against his colleague, Speed Darlington. Naija News reports that Portable won the match title, ‘Chaos in the Rings’, after Speed Darlington failed to show up for the 2nd round due […]

Nigerian music superstar and Grammy award winner, Damini Ogulu, widely known as Burna Boy, has gifted fellow artist Habeeb Okikiola, popularly called Portable, the sum of ₦20 million following Portable’s triumph in a celebrity boxing match against Speed Darlington. Portable took to Instagram on Saturday to announce the generous gesture from Burna Boy. “₦20 million […]

Popular media personality, Frank Edoho, has stated that most women do not like men who are kind to them. He claimed that there are some strange thing going on in the minds of women that men are trying to be kind to According to him, women prefer “bad boys” who can be nice to them […]

Afrobeats superstar, Davido has revealed that he and his wife, Chioma, do not plan on having more children at the moment. The singer explained that he is currently not ready for more children and he also feels that his wife deserve a break after having three kids. Speaking during a recent episode of Ride Along […]

The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the death of two unidentified Nollywood actors in Owerri, the state capital, after eating rice and drinking wine at a movie set. Naija News reports that Nollywood actor, Stanley OnTop, in a post via his Instagram page on Friday, revealed that four actors were rushed to the Federal […]

The family of renowned Nigerian gospel singer, Bolaji Olarewaju, popularly known as “Big Bolaji” or “Big B,” has confirmed the passing of their beloved son, father, brother, and singer. Naija News reports that Big Bolaji passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025, after a brief illness. The news of his death comes shortly after the […]

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Badmus Okikiola, better known as Portable, has knocked out his rival, Darlington Okoye, popularly known as Speed Darlington, in the bout tagged ‘Chaos in the Rings’. Naija News reports that Portable displayed incredible boxing skills and defeated Darlington by technical knockout in a fight to the finish, which was held on […]

Lagos socialite and nightlife personality, Pretty Mike, has stated that Priscilla initially approved a dramatic appearance at her traditional wedding with Tanzanian singer, Juma Jux. Naija News reports that Pretty Mike, popularly known for his flamboyant and headline-grabbing entrances, recently drew backlash for attending the 50th birthday celebration of Nigerian billionaire, Obi Cubana, with an […]

Fuji musician, Taye Adebisi, popularly known as Taye Currency, has lashed out at those who introduced him to the Ponzi scheme operated by Crypto Bridge Exchange, also known as CBEX. Naija News reports that Currency’s recent lamentation comes amid growing outrage over the collapse of CBEX, which defrauded numerous Nigerians who were lured by promises […]

Nigerian comedian, Oluwaseyitan Aletile, popularly known as Seyi Law, has claimed that his support for President Bola Tinubu has earned him hatred and loss of patronage from some Nigerians, but he has no regrets. Naija News reports that in a recent episode of the Teju Babyface podcast, Seyilaw, who was among the celebrities who campaigned […]

Nigerian influencer and daughter of Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, Priscilla Ojo, has queried fashion model cum content creator, Papaya Ex, over her outfit at her wedding. Naija News reports that Priscilla got married to her Tanzanian lover, Juma Jux, in a traditional ceremony on Thursday March 17 2025, in Lagos State. Nigerian celebrities at the […]

Stand-up comedian, Seyi Law, has stated that he will never support the Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, because of his inability to call his supporters to order. He alleged that members of Obi’s support group, also known as Obidient Movement, attacked his wife and children over his public support for President Bola […]

Nigerian skitmaker, Aloma Isaac, better known as Zicsaloma, has called out the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for alleged unprofessional and inhumane treatment of his mother battling cancer. Naija News reports that Zicsaloma, in a post via his Instagram page on Friday, April 18, 2025, labelled the medical system in Nigeria as terrible, claiming that […]

The estranged boyfriend of Nollywood actress Angela Okorie, Oil Money, has blasted the movie star for calling him out on social media. Naija News reports that Angela in a post via Instagram revealed she recently broke up with her boyfriend due to his alleged cheating with other Nollywood girls. The thespian said she was dating […]

Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo and her ex-husband, Ademidun Ojo, have set aside their differences to celebrate their daughter, Priscilla Ojo’s traditional wedding to Tanzanian singer, Juma Jux. Naija News reports that the former couple appeared in matching traditional outfits, honouring Yoruba customs and presenting a strong front for their daughter’s big day. In a video […]

Social media has been abuzz with photos of the daughter of Nollywood star, Iyabo Ojo, Priscilla, and Tanzanian singer, Juma Jux, following their traditional wedding. Naija News reports that the couple’s traditional marriage comes barely two months after their Nikkah and customary wedding in Tanzania back in February. In the photos shared on their Instagram […]

Nollywood Actress, Angela Okorie, has vowed never to show off her man on social media until she gets married. Naija News reports that the movie star made this known while ranting over her failed romantic relationship in a post via Instagram on Thursday, April 17, 2025. Angela revealed she recently broke up with her boyfriend […]

Talented Nollywood actress cum producer, Eniola Ajao, has denied involvement in the arrest of controversial crossdresser, Idris Okunneye, better known as Bobrisky, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Naija News reports that this comes one year after Bobrisky blamed the movie star for his arrest, after receiving the ‘Best Dressed Female’ award at […]

Nigerian rapper, Chibuzor Azubike Nelson, popularly known as Phyno, has debunked the accusation of selling his ₦10 billion estate in Lagos to an Arab businessman and warning Igbos against investing in the state. Naija News reports that the journalist with the X handle, JustSociety4All, alleged that Phyno reportedly said it was a mistake to invest in Yoruba […]

Nollywood actress cum Politician, Eniola Badmus, has made her first social media post after a viral altercation with her colleague, Laide Bakare. Naija News reports that the movie stars fought at actress, Eniola Ajao’s ‘Owanbe Thieves’ movie premiere on Sunday. Laide had vowed to deal with Badmus for calling her an animal, claiming she brought […]

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Nigeria controversial singer, Badmus Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has escaped re-arrest over another petition against him. Naija News reports that Portable regained his freedom after veteran fuji musician, Okunola Saheed, popularly called Osupa, withdrew his petition against him on Tuesday. Osupa had petitioned the police accusing Portable of criminal defamation, criminal intimidation, inciting public […]

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Nigerian singer, Gabriel Oche Amanyi, better known as Terry G, has opined it is disrespectful to compare him with controversial musician, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable. Naija News reports that Portable is often likened to the ‘Akpako Master’ due to his street-hop musical style and controversial persona. However, in a post via 𝕏 onTuesday, […]

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Nigerian music star, Peter Okoye, better known as Mr P, has opened up about enduring over two decades of betrayal and manipulation from his family. Naija News reports that this comes after the singer testified in a high-profile case before the Federal High Court in Lagos, where his older brother and former manager, Jude Okoye, […]

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Ahmed Opalekunde, the lawyer to Fuji Star, Okunola Saheed, popularly known as Osupa, has opened up on the reason his client terminated his case against controversial singer, Badmus Okikiola, popularly called Portable. Recall that the Kwara State Police Command had dragged Portable before the court following the petition from Osupa. Osupa had made a direct […]

14h

The singer committed the alleged offence in January

15h

The highly anticipated collaboration was released in the early hours of Friday.

18h

“I’m not going to agree to what I’m not just because some people are a specific type of people.”

The public is invited to nominate exceptional young Africans aged 18 to 33 who have made poignant contributions within their communities and industries over the past year

Tony Allen was Fela’s lead drummer and music director from 1968 to 1979.

Pastor Abel Damina criticised his colleague David Ibiyeomie for saying that ‘Jesus hated poverty’. However, the latter has maintained his stance and hit back at critics in a new video.

The film offers a rare opportunity to explore the commercial potential of historical fantasy while introducing global audiences to the untapped cinematic richness of Benin Kingdom lore.

Kwam 1 has unveiled his pivotal role in establishing Fuji as a musical genre in Nigeria.

“On behalf of the state government and our very good people, we want to give you more responsibility.”

This project marks his first full-length work since his 2024 EP ‘Before The Feast‘.

The concert was held just days after the 33-year-old made history by filling the 80,000-capacity Stade De France in Paris.

"I'm totally in love with Bologna. If you want to feel alive, youthful, happy, expressive, loved and the opposite of boredom, then Bologna is for you."

The incident, which occurred last week, involved four actors who reportedly lost consciousness after eating and drinking on set.

She says encouraging the couple on their love-at-first-sight quest was one thing, but convincing Iyabo Ojo was another.

This is not the first time Obey has had to dispel such rumours.

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Entertainment News

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