Author: damazah@gmail.com

EXCLUSIVE: When it comes to breaking box office records this weekend, look out, because Spider-Man: Brand New Day will do whatever a spider can, starting with tonight as the Sony/Marvel Studios co-production is outstripping the Thursday night previews of the 2021 previous chapter Spider-Man: No Way Home, which did $50M. All of this makes sense given the $80M advance ticket sales figure we heard about for the Tom Holland and Zendaya $225M net production. No Way Home (which had previews begin at 3PM on its first Thursday) posted the third best previews ever behind 2019’s Avengers: Endgame‘s $60M (6PM start…

Communities thrive when development is driven not by individuals alone but by strong institutions built to endure. With the inauguration of the Olokoro Development Trust Fund (ODTF), stakeholders are laying the foundation for a governance-driven institution designed to promote sustainable development, preserve community assets and improve the quality of life for present and future generations. Guided by a clear strategic vision and anchored on transparency, accountability and long-term planning, the Trust Fund aims to become a catalyst for inclusive and intergenerational development in Olokoro. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes  Communities often grapple with the challenge of sustaining development beyond the tenure of individual leaders…

Since 2023, Mohammed Ma’aji, a Nigerian Army colonel and the alleged leader of a thwarted coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, had been seeking promotion to the rank of brigadier general. After missing out twice, he reasoned that if taking his deserved place in the military continued to prove impossible, he should aim at taking the whole country. Mr Ma’aji told investigators that he started rallying for the coup in 2023, toward the end of Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The 50-year-old officer from Niger State mentioned his motives included insecurity and the deplorable conditions of serving and retired soldiers and…

NewsFeedResidents in southwestern Japan have had to resort to sleeping in their cars for shelter, after a recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit on Tuesday. At least 34 people were killed, and some 9,000 residents have been placed in evacuation centres.Published On 31 Jul 202631 Jul 2026Click here to share on social mediashare-nodesSharegoogleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has confirmed that the crew of the foreign-registered private jet that landed on a concrete road instead of the runway at Asaba Airport in June remain in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the incident as a serious security breach. Keyamo disclosed this on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television, saying investigations are ongoing to determine why the crew ignored air traffic control instructions and landed outside the airport perimeter. The minister said the incident went beyond an aviation occurrence because the aircraft had been cleared…

•Asks: What did the bombing achieve? •Optimistic that a viable Nigeria is possible By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo Professor Tukur Muham++mad Baba, National Publicity Secretary of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, speaks on the achievements, challenges and future of the organisation, Nigeria’s insecurity and relations with other socio-cultural groups. Excerpts: About two decades after the establishment of the ACF, can you say the organisation has achieved its objectives, or is there still work to be done? In general terms, I think the ACF has stayed the course with regard to its vision and mission. If those constitute its objectives, then it has…

Astronomers recommend elevated locations with unobstructed views to the west.BristolThe Downs Sea Walls Viewpoint, Clifton with Bristol astronomers, Victoria Park and Brandon Hill and Cabot Tower. WalesCardiff, Gower Peninsula, Swansea, and Rest Bay Beach, Porthcawl.WiltshireWarminster Town Park with Starquest Astronomy Club, Cley Hill, Avebury Stone Circle and Barbury Castle.GloucestershireCleeve Hill, near Cheltenham, Robinswood Hill, Gloucester and Chosen Hill.SomersetWells Cathedral Green with the Wells & Mendip Astronomers, Beckford Tower with the Bath Astronomers and Little Solsbury Hill.Devon Exmoor National Park, Norman Lockyer Observatory, Sidmouth and The Poltimore Inn, North Molton, with the Space Detectives.South West and CornwallLowery Cross Car Park, Plymouth…

Siouxperb takes on St Helier and Royal Strike in the pick of Friday’s action from Newcastle – live on Sky Sports Racing.2.45 Newcastle – Coventry let-down Siouxperb back in actionSiouxperb clashes with promising newcomers in the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Novice Stakes. Despite being fancied in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, Archie Watson’s charge disappointed, fading tamely to finish 18th of the 21 runners. He reportedly ran without a left-hind shoe and on the disadvantaged side of the track, which are perhaps fair excuses. Now gelded, the Valmont-owned horse still retains a Gimcrack entry but must return to…

On the surface, Ariana Grande’s “Petal” is a sister album to its predecessor, 2024’s “Eternal Sunshine” — it was made with the same two collaborators, Ilya Salmanzadeh and Max Martin, and it also was entirely written, performed and produced by the three of them. Usually, that formula means a chapter two: more of the same but different. Not this time. This sister is darker, moodier and a lot more blunt than “Sunshine,” and her emotions are more volatile, less heartbroken, and much less internalized. It’s a different Ariana, musically and especially lyrically. Grande braced her fans for a change in a…

1Spooner’s man from Bangkok makes meal (4,3) 1 across. Spooner’s man from Bangkok makes meal. 4 letters and 3 letters.5Bouncer defending right cause (7) 5 across. Bouncer defending right cause. 7 letters.10Square meal left out (4) 10 across. Square meal left out. 4 letters.11Show off magnificent stomach (10) 11 across. Show off magnificent stomach. 10 letters.12Christian Bale finally doing wrong (6) 12 across. Christian Bale finally doing wrong. 6 letters.13PM briefly in front of No.11 preparing joint (8) 13 across. PM briefly in front of No.11 preparing joint. 8 letters.14Dr Faust confused by manuscript showing birthplaces of 6 and 28…