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EXCLUSIVE: Ben Affleck and Jamie Ding didn’t just secure $1 million for Eastern Congo Initiative on Who Wants to be a Millionaire last week, the pair also helped boost ABC to a ratings high. The series boasted its best performance in a year with 4.22M live + same-day viewers tuning in for the July 29 episode, which saw Affleck and Ding clinch the seven-figure prize after correctly answering a question about presidential turkey pardons, per Nielsen. That’s up 4% from the Season 5 premiere’s 4.07M viewers. The series was also the top program of the night for the second week…

Few figures in Nigeria’s cultural landscape embody rebellion, wit, and social conscience as vividly as Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy. For decades, he has occupied a peculiar yet fascinating space between performance and protest, fusing music, media, and activism into a life that has constantly defied convention. In his memoir, 999, Oputa invites readers beyond the flamboyant persona into the intimate terrain of struggle, identity, resilience, and self-invention. Some may view the book as the story of a controversial celebrity, but it is also the testimony of a man who repeatedly and unapologetically chose to live on his…

Holdouts for Trump’s attorney general pick say they will vote in favor of his nominationRepublican senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, two key holdouts on Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination – now say they will vote to advance him to the full Senate.The outgoing lawmakers, who have repeatedly clashed with Trump over the past year, said their concerns were resolved after “successful negotiation of a legally enforceable document” that formally ends the $1.8bn “anti‑weaponization fund” and makes clear that Trump and his family will not receive indefinite protection from audits of future tax filings. Both issues had been deal‑breakers for…

Linus Aleke in Abuja A coordinated intelligence-led operation by the Department of State Services (DSS), supported by Katsina State community vigilantes and specially trained hunters, has led to the elimination of notorious bandit kingpin Idi Abasu Aiki and more than 60 other suspected bandits during a raid in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State. Security sources said Aiki, who was believed to have masterminded several bandit attacks across Katsina and Zamfara States, was among those killed in the operation.  They added that four members of the Katsina State Community Vigilantes and the specially trained hunters also lost their lives…

Pressure is mounting on FIFA president Gianni Infantino ahead of the 2027 presidential election after England, Wales and Serbia became the latest football associations to withdraw their support, intensifying calls for a change in leadership following the collapse of FIFA’s controversial World Cup investment proposal. The growing opposition comes after Infantino was forced to abandon plans to sell minority stakes in a new commercial subsidiary that would have managed the commercial rights to the FIFA World Cup and other major tournaments. Read Also: UEFA declares no confidence in Infantino’s FIFA leadership England, Wales and Serbia withdraw support According to BBC…

Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has commended the meeting between President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), describing it as a positive step towards strengthening democracy and promoting national development. In a statement, Kalu said sincere engagement between government and respected institutions remains essential to nation-building in every thriving democracy. He noted that the Catholic Church has continued to play a significant role in promoting justice, peace, moral values and national unity, while acknowledging the enormous responsibility President Tinubu bears in steering the country through economic…

Your editorial rightly criticises the decision to cease funding the Lovell telescope from March 2028 (The Guardian view on the Lovell telescope: budget cuts to physics are bad science and worse politics, 31 July). There are additional reasons why this decision is so shortsighted. Modern astronomy is no longer simply physics. It brings together physics, chemistry, biology and computing to understand how the universe evolved and where we came from. The universe is an inexpensive laboratory in which we can study the interaction of physical, chemical and biological processes under conditions that can never be reproduced on Earth. Understanding how…

Amstel Malta has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Falcons following their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with special recognition for its brand ambassador, Asisat Oshoala, whose early goal secured the vital win. The result was an important response to Nigeria’s opening defeat to Malawi and revived the Super Falcons’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage as they continue their quest for a record-extending 11th WAFCON title. Oshoala scored the decisive goal in the eighth minute after connecting with a well-worked assist. The Super Falcons then showed resilience to protect their lead despite playing…

By Sharon Adeleye A Nigerian influencer, Hameed Hamidat Oyindamola has revealed spending N2.19 million on outfits, beauty services, content creation, and accommodation to attend the wedding of social media personalities Jarvis and Peller. The expenditure was aimed at achieving a glamorous appearance and creating premium content for the highly anticipated event. The disclosure was made after the wedding ceremony, which drew widespread attention on social media. The influencer shared a detailed breakdown of the expenses incurred while preparing for the occasion. Breakdown of Expenses Dress Making — N400,000 Asoebi — N350,000 Videography — N300,000Hotel Accommodation — N200,000Photography — N200,000 Studio…

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry established by the Oyo State Government to investigate the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area has invited members of the public to submit memoranda and evidence to aid its investigation. The commission said it is seeking information from victims, witnesses and other members of the public with relevant knowledge of the incident as it begins work on uncovering the circumstances surrounding the attack and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents. In a public notice issued on Monday via the state official Facebook page, the commission said submissions should include facts, evidence…