Author: damazah@gmail.com

Ahmet Davutoglu was once one of Turkiye’s most powerful figures: The academic who helped shape the country’s ambitious foreign policy after the turn of the century, served as foreign minister and prime minister, and was chosen by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to lead the governing Justice and Development Party, or AK Party.But later, he became a critic of the political system he had helped build.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listNow, after announcing that his opposition Future Party would cease political activities, Davutoglu is withdrawing from party politics. He described the decision not as surrender but as an effort…

“Lioness” Season 3 key art featuring Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Michael Kelly and Morgan Freeman.Paramount+Lioness, Taylor Sheridan’s hit military spy series starring Zoe Saldaña, Nicole Kidman, Morgan Freeman and Michael Kelly, returns for its third season on Paramount+ on Sunday.Formerly known as Special Ops: Lioness, Sheridan’s hit espionage thriller kicked off in July 2023 with Season 1 and returned with Season 2 in October 2024. Saldaña stars in the series as Joe McNamara, a CIA station chief who heads the covert operation unit Lioness. ForbesVincent Pastore, Tony’s Enforcer On ‘The Sopranos,’ Dies At 80By Tim LammersJoe’s mission is to recruit…

Angela Nissel’s latest book, Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom Is Dead, is my kind of memoir. Sure, it’s a deeply emotional tale about caring for a terminally ill parent. But it’s delivered with the sort of gallows humor that I often turn to to get me through tough times.Of course, that sort of dark humor should come as no surprise from Nissel. She first made a splash with The Broke Diaries, which grew out of a blog she kept in college detailing her daily struggles and, at times, embarrassment at being a broke student. Eventually she went on to…

Shettima’s breadth of experience and exposure to different levels of governance prepare him for higher national responsibility, contends BABA DANTIYE The question of who provides political leadership for Northern Nigeria has become increasingly important as the region grapples with economic challenges, insecurity, youth unemployment and the need for greater national cohesion. At the centre of this conversation is Kashim Shettima, whose political journey from state-level administration to the highest levels of national governance represents one of the most significant leadership trajectories in contemporary Northern politics. Shettima’s emergence as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has brought renewed attention…

Kayinsola Ajayi added another milestone to his remarkable 2026 season by winning a bronze medal in the men’s 100m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The medal made him the first Nigerian man in two decades to reach the podium in the event at the Games. Fresh from the medal ceremony, the 21-year-old spoke to PREMIUM TIMES about his performance, his quest for gold, the upcoming 4x100m relay, staying grounded amid growing fame, and representing his Ikorodu neighborhood. Question: Congratulations. You’ve just collected your bronze medal in the men’s 100m. You’re smiling today. Has it started to sink in how…

Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi was on target as Fulham came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over Portuguese outfit Farense in their final pre-season fixture of the club’s training camp in Portugal on Saturday. The Nigeria international delivered another assured performance in midfield, playing a pivotal role as Álvaro Arbeloa’s side wrapped up their preparations for the new campaign with a morale-boosting comeback win. Fulham found themselves trailing at the interval after Farense struck first in the opening half, forcing the Premier League side to mount a response after the restart. Their breakthrough arrived when Emile Smith Rowe…

Veteran Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician, Iyun Janet Oluwatoyosi Ajilore, popularly known as Saint Janet, has died after a brief illness. The entertainer reportedly passed away on Saturday, bringing to an end a career that earned her widespread recognition for her energetic stage performances and distinctive style of engaging audiences. Her death was announced on Sunday by publisher and socialite Otunba Femi Davies in a post on his Facebook page. Confirming the development, Davies wrote, “St Janet (Iyun Janet Ajilore), a popular Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician known for her vibrant live performances, energetic stage presence and socially unfiltered party…

Most Pokémon obsessives count rare, absurdly expensive playing cards or pristine, fully boxed game cartridges that have survived decades in the attic among their most prized possessions. But for Mairead Ralph, her Pokémon-related crown jewel is a bit different. “Technically, it’s my husband!” she says.The pair first locked eyes amid decks of Pokémon playing cards and Pokéballs at a fan event 16 years ago and the rest is history. Ralph was among hundreds of Pokémon fans who flocked to Shoreditch, east London, on Saturday afternoon for a pop-up celebrating the 10th anniversary of Pokémon Go, the massively successful augmented reality…

US President Donald Trump says Iran has agreed to the perimeters of a new deal, which would “completely” reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end what he described as Iran’s ‘nuclear threat.’ He announced on Truth Social that the US, in response to this, has suspended its planned attack on the country.  PREMIUM TIMES reported America’s advisory to its citizens in the Middle East, urging them to “consider departing” the region, ahead of the planned strikes and Iran’s expected retaliation. It also asked them to be “prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions.” However, Mr Trump said on Sunday morning…

Seplat Energy Plc has signed a binding Heads of Agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC) to sell a 10 per cent working interest in the NNPC/Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU) Joint Venture for $281.6 million (₦384.38 billion). The company disclosed this in a corporate filing with the Nigerian Exchange Ltd on Thursday. Seplat said the agreement was executed through its subsidiaries, Seplat Energy Offshore Ltd and Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU), following earlier discussions with NNPC. It said the transaction remained subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions, with completion expected in the second…