Author: damazah@gmail.com

Ifugao, Philippines – At first light, the village of Batad begins to stir to life beneath the towering cliffs surrounding its amphitheatre-like rice terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Apu Penneng, an Ifugao elder who owns one of the village’s largest tracts of ricefields, struts with youthful confidence along a narrow and steep path in this highland community 1,100 metres (3,608ft) above sea level.Dressed in a traditional loincloth, shawl and headgear, he is heading for the Tanig, an elaborate morning ritual before the harvest begins. At a courtyard next to rows of huts, dozens of village women also gather for the…

A court has upheld the finding that Pauline Hanson engaged in racial discrimination against Mehreen Faruqi when she tweeted the Greens senator should “pack your bags and piss off back to Pakistan”.The One Nation leader launched the appeal in November, almost a month after Justice Angus Stewart found Hanson engaged in “seriously offensive” and intimidating behaviour against Faruqi in the September 2022 social media post that breached the Racial Discrimination Act.On Monday, Stewart’s decision was unanimously upheld by federal court justices Melissa Perry, Geoffrey Kennett, and Elizabeth Bennett after Hanson’s bid failed on all seven grounds.Faruqi was in court for…

Kayode Tokede   The Nigerian equities market has emerged Africa’s strongest performer in U.S. dollar terms with a 68.2 per cent Year- till-Date (YtD) return in the first seven months of 2026. The bourse performance between January and July 24, 2026 outpaced other continental stock markets helped by investors confidence on the back of reforms by the Nigerian government. The strong performance in dollar terms highlights the impact of exchange rate dynamics and renewed foreign portfolio participation.  By comparison, Zimbabwe Stock Exchange, trails Nigeria when returns are converted into dollars, underscoring how currency movements can significantly alter relative market standings from…

Though it has yet to become front-page news in the UK, you should know about the proposed Paramount-Warner Bros merger. It threatens to inflict immense harm on the British public. As actors and public figures who have spent our careers in the arts in Britain – working with British crews, on British stages and sets – we have a responsibility to the public who support, enjoy and consume the art we make.The UK is being threatened by a media merger that would harm our workers, our culture and the public – but we can stop it. We are encouraged by…

A programme designed to get people with additional needs back into work, has been credited with transforming a 27-year-old man’s life.Michael Reynolds, from Shawbury, used to work in catering before he was made redundant during the coronavirus pandemic.Nine months ago, he started volunteering at Fordhall Farm in Market Drayton, which his family said brought him out of a difficult place. Reynolds added it helped him to “get away from day-to-day life,” and acted as “a day out”.He is one of more than 1,350 young people who have been supported through an employability and enterprise programme, delivered by four charities across…

The rookie Jackson Koivun shot a five-under-par 66 to stave off a charging Scottie Scheffler and win ⁠on the PGA Tour for the first time at the 3M Open on Sunday at Blaine, ⁠Minnesota.Koivun, 21, finished ⁠at ​25 under par for a three-shot victory over Scheffler, who closed with a 63 at TPC Twin ⁠Cities. Less than two months ago, Koivun was helping Auburn to its second NCAA championship in a three-year ⁠stretch. He demonstrated more poise while playing the final two rounds ​of his third tournament ‌since turning professional ‌without making a bogey.Denny McCarthy (66), Brian Harman (65), Chandler…

President Curtis is getting sworn into the Rick and Morty universe. Veteran actor Keith David voices the titular commander in chief on President Curtis, the Rick and Morty spinoff that premiered Sunday on Adult Swim following the season nine finale for the flagship series. Stephanie Beatriz and Jim Rash round out the cast for the new project that centers on the leader of the free world and his quirky staff as they navigate an array of unusual crises. David originated the role of President Andre Curtis during a season two episode of Rick and Morty back in 2015 and has…

The Iranian military has said it will halt retaliatory strikes on US allies in the Gulf for as long as President Donald Trump holds off on attacking the country.  PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the US, after 13 days of consistent attacks on both military and civilian infrastructure in Tehran, abruptly suspended strikes. Both countries have not exchanged strikes since Saturday, the first time in 13 days.   The US Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, told Fox News on Sunday that the president had decided to reconsider diplomatic negotiations.  He said Mr Trump was “giving talks some space; he’s giving it a little…

Colombian pop star Shakira has revealed that she was obsessed with having Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy collaborate with her in the release of Dai Dai, the official soundtrack for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Shakira revealed this in a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine, saying that she waited nearly three weeks for Nigerian Grammy winner Burna Boy to deliver his verse on Dai Dai, the official song of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. According to her, Dai Dai blends Afrobeats with Caribbean influences and elements of R&B, making Burna Boy the ideal collaborator. “Once I had this song, I…

Protesters shut roads and the foreign ministry in Tripoli as a civil disobedience campaign over power cuts spreads to more areas.Published On 27 Jul 202627 Jul 2026Protesters in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, have shut down roads and public buildings across the city as a civil disobedience campaign, launched over prolonged power cuts and high electricity rates, spread to more districts.Crowds blocked the coastal road in Janzour, west of Tripoli, late on Sunday, and gathered outside the West Tripoli power station, closing the local municipal council building in protest at the prolonged outages.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of listVideos posted online,…