Author: damazah@gmail.com

Award-winning British-Sierra Leonean journalist and former CNN International anchor Isha Sesay has spoken about her decision to become a single mother through in vitro fertilisation (IVF), revealing that years of career dedication, personal heartbreak and her mother’s prolonged illness shaped one of the biggest decisions of her life. PREMIUM TIMES reported in 2022 that she publicly documented the emotional and physical challenges of fertility treatment, revealing that she underwent multiple IVF cycles, hormone injections, fibroid surgery and the difficult process of selecting a sperm donor. Speaking with Larry Madowo on African Voices, Ms Sesay explained that although motherhood had always…

The people in charge of the Royal Spanish Football Federation wanted the 26 members of Spain’s national team to thrive while training so far from home between first-round games of the World Cup.So they bought signs. So many signs. All of them in Spanish. And they installed them across the team’s practice facilities on a quiet campus in Chattanooga, Tenn.“We want them to feel at home,” Aitor Karanka, the technical director of development for the Spanish team, said in an interview.Some signs are emblazoned with team mottos like “Vamos España” (“Let’s Go, Spain”). Others are bedecked with motivational messages reaching…

new video loaded: Why Lebanon Is Celebrating Brazil’s WinOur correspondent Abdi Latif Dahir visits a Brazil national team World Cup watch party in Tripoli, Lebanon. Brazil is especially popular here as it’s home to the world’s largest Lebanese diaspora.By Abdi Latif Dahir, Christina Thornell and Coleman LowndesJune 26, 2026

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday called for an urgent action against the alarming rate of use of drugs among Nigerian youths. The commission made the call in a statement commemorating this year’s International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Tony Ojukwu, the executive secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, said in the statement that coordinated efforts are needed to address this concern, noting that “substance abuse, particularly among young people, has reached alarming levels and requires urgent and coordinated action from all stakeholders.” The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said this is “a major threat to public…

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has imposed a ₦6 million fine on Saudi Airlines for what it described as consumer-protection-related violations. Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, disclosed this on Friday. Mr Achimugu stated that the sanction became necessary after the airline failed to resolve several outstanding consumer issues, despite repeated interventions by the regulator and an extended period granted for compliance. According to him, the NCAA had previously stepped in to support the airline in managing a situation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja a few months ago that could…

Apple just raised the prices on Macs and iPads in response to the rising costs of memory chips, right in the middle of Amazon Prime Day. That means existing discounts (even small ones) on Apple laptops like the MacBook Neo, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro just became significantly better deals.As an example, the 13-inch MacBook Air M5 that used to start at $1,099 and is currently on sale for $949.99 (at Costco) will soon carry a full retail price of $1,299. That initial $150 discount just became a savings of $350 compared to Apple’s upcoming pricing.There’s no guarantee how long…

Etim Etim explains how a press conference organised by Akwa Ibom State government turned out to be a practical lesson on importance of effective communication. To mark Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno’s third anniversary in office, his Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah, and the entire cabinet recently organized a press conference in the Government House Banquet Hall in Uyo, the state capital. It was essentially meant to showcase the administration’s landmark achievements, but it turned out to be a lesson on the importance of effective communication as a tool for effective leadership. On the second anniversary last year,…

Temperatures broke June records in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands on Friday as the death toll from Europe’s heatwave climbed in Spain and France and authorities cancelled concerts and other public events because of health risks.Germany’s highest ever temperature of 41.3C was recorded provisionally in the south-western city of Saarbrücken, just over the border from France, which this week endured its hottest temperatures three days in a row.Although France’s heatwave has peaked, Health Minister Stéphanie Rist said the “emergence of deaths at home” was of particular concern.World Meteorological Organization spokeswoman Clare Nullis warned of the “major impacts” to health, ecosystems,…

Key events34 min: That’s not the quickest hat-trick at a World Cup finals: Erich Probst of Austria needed just 20 minutes against Czechoslovakia in 1954. But it’s fast! Mon Dieu it’s fast.ShareGOAL! Norway 1-3 France (Dembele 32)It’s a third curler into the bottom right for Dembele, who teases Bjorkan again. A couple of touches to make space. Whip. In. What a player! What a hat-trick, scored in 25 minutes!Share31 min: Schjeldrup slips a ball down the inside-left channel and very nearly releases Stand Larsen. Upamecano does enough to usher the striker away from the box.Share29 min: Aasgaard’s flick down the…

Stellamaris, the widow of the late Nollywood actor John “Mr Ibu” Okafor, has responded to allegations made against her by her husband’s son, Somtochukwu. PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that Somtochukwu accused Ms Stellamaris of selling his late father’s property and misappropriating funds donated for Mr Ibu’s medical care, among other claims. He made these allegations following an interview with content creator Mukoro “King Mitchy” Michelle, in which Ms Stellamaris and her children appealed to Nigerians for financial assistance. In her response, published on King Mitchy’s Instagram page on Friday, Ms Stellamaris denied all of Somtochukwu’s claims. “Before they sold the…