Author: damazah@gmail.com

Cristóbal León and Joaquín Cociña, the Chilean filmmakers who have made a name for themselves with The Wolf House and The Hyperboreans, as well as collaborators of Ari Aster, will world premiere their third feature film, Donkey Princess (Princesa Burro), in the international competition program of the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival on Friday, Aug. 7. As was the case with their first two feature films, their new movie is an ambitious cinematic ride. And it comes in the form of an envelope-pushing fairy tale. The Donkey Princess focuses on Diana, the princess of an ancient kingdom, whose father, King Arthur, has…

By Kingsley Omonobi The Nigerian Army said on Monday that its troops of 34 Artillery Brigade, under Operation Udoka and through the ongoing Operation Eastern Sanity II, have achieved a significant breakthrough with the recovery and exhumation of the remains of the late Chief Ibe Anyadu of Aggah Community. Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Ayeni, Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, while making this known in a statement, said, “Chief Anyadu was allegedly murdered by suspected members of a criminal gang recently apprehended in connection with violent crimes in the region. “This development follows recent intelligence-driven operations that led to the arrest…

James Sowole in Abeokuta The Ogun State Executive Council has approved a fresh set of strategic infrastructure projects, including the construction of new legislative quarters, housing schemes, the reconstruction of the Ogun State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, the rehabilitation of major roads across the state. The Council also approved the upgrading and recognition of traditional stools as part of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to sustainable development, urban regeneration and the preservation of the state’s cultural heritage. The approved projects include the construction of 450 units of two-bedroom semi-detached bungalows with basic infrastructure facilities, the development of 28 new official quarters for…

…Assu⁠res customers of power recov‌er⁠y Ab‌a Power Electric Limited (APLE) has announced sign‌ificant‍ progress in e‌ffo‌rts to re⁠store elect‍ricity supply across its network, assu‍ring customers that o‍ngo‌ing repairs to th‌e gas s‍upp‍ly inf⁠rast‍ructure are‌ nearin⁠g comple⁠t⁠ion. In an update issued on Sun‌day, the m‌anageme‍nt of Aba Power expressed‍ deep regret over the p‍rolonged power outage that had disrupted ho‍mes, businesses‌, and economic activ⁠ities over the past few days. ‍The company acknowledged the in⁠conve⁠nience e⁠xperi‍enc‌ed by custome⁠rs, noting that‌ it fully un⁠derstands the frust‍ration cause‍d⁠ by the interrupti⁠on in electr⁠icity supply. It al‍so expressed app⁠reciation⁠ f‍or the patience, resilience, and understanding⁠…

The smartphone industry’s next battleground may not be the phone itself, but how consumers get it. As premium devices become more expensive, Apple, Samsung, and others are betting that leasing, subscriptions, and guaranteed buyback programs can make upgrading more attractive. This week, Apple launched Apple Upgrade in the U.S. in partnership with Klarna, allowing consumers to lease an iPhone, Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch for a monthly fee with the option to upgrade, return, or eventually purchase the device. Samsung, meanwhile, has been offering its Galaxy Forever program in India, combining financing with a guaranteed buyback to let consumers upgrade…

Reform UK’s pledge to use Navy to stop small boats criticised ahead of press conferenceGood morning and welcome to our coverage of UK politics. Reform UK is today pledging to use the Royal Navy to stop small boat crossings if the party wins the next general election.The boats in the channel would be intercepted by the Navy and returned to France or Belgium under a plan called “operation fortress”.The party proposes to set up a joint military command with units from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, RAF and British army as well as a surveillance command to track incoming boats.Similar…

At least 16 people, according to reports, were killed in separate attacks on three communities in Sokoto State between Friday evening and early Sunday. Daily Trust newspaper reported that 12 people were killed in Lajinge, Sabon Birni Local Government Area, while four others died in Gandi and Maikujera communities in Rabah LGA. At least three other people were injured, while an unconfirmed number of residents were abducted. The attackers also rustled livestock and stole fuel, cash, mobile phones and other goods, forcing several families to flee their homes. PREMIUM TIMES has not independently verified the casualty figures and other details…

The 1994 Commonwealths in Victoria set a new Northern Ireland record for the number of gold medals at a single competition with five, as Johnston claimed a singles title, Neil Sinclair and Jimmy Webb won gold in the ring, while David Calvert and the duo of Tom Hewitt and Samuel Allen were successful in shooting.Calvert would strike again four years later with two golds, one of which came in the pairs event with Martin Millar, and another individual double followed in 2002 in Manchester.The 2010 Games in Dehli are remembered for a hat-trick of boxing golds as Michael Conlan, Paddy…

By Precious Enaike Barely a week after the premiere of Big Brother Naija Season 11, themed “Show Ya Sef,” viewers have already begun sizing up the 24 housemates, with social media buzzing over their personalities, strategies and early interactions. The reality show kicked off on Sunday with 24 contestants — 12 women and 12 men — drawn from different backgrounds. The housemates are Sheba, Araga, Mercedes, Cassi, Temi Nkem, Aikou, Nomy, Yusuf, Bluethopia, Martins, Oyin, Barry, Bells, Chimsom Chuka, Kamsy, Gerard, Abi, Keivo, Neche, Ricky, Flora, Sultex, Goddessa and Tram. Although it is still early days in Biggie’s House, viewers…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Sunday received at his residence in the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, several personalities including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, ex-governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi; and former governor of Osun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola. In a post on X, Makinde said discussions were based on key national issues ahead of the 2027 general elections. He wrote, “Earlier today, we visited Baba, His Excellency Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, in Abeokuta. Our discussions centred on important national issues in view of the upcoming general election.” “We appreciate Baba for his wise counsel at this crucial time…