Author: damazah@gmail.com

It started with the solar glasses, as people desperate to see the most complete eclipse in decades formed long queues to buy the proper protective eyewear. Then, when those sold out almost everywhere, they came for the colanders.Sales of the kitchen staple, which could be used to safely view the partial solar eclipse that enraptured millions, increased markedly, retailers have said.Meanwhile, huge numbers of rental bikes had to be cleared away from the areas around popular viewing spots after people used the cycles in the rush to find a vantage point – then abandoned them once the event was over.And…

Asked what would constitute a successful season for his side, Barry-Murphy said: “We don’t know. I think one of the beauties of this season is that, for a lot of us, we’re going into the unknown.”Our feeling is that we can surprise a lot of people. We have a real hunger and appetite to improve on what we did last season.”Barry-Murphy is preparing for a blockbuster start to the campaign, with Welsh rivals Wrexham at the Cardiff City Stadium for a south-north derby on 17 August.The former Manchester City academy coach says he is unsure whether any more new signings…

The four adult Cascio siblings who allege Michael Jackson sexually abused them on interstate or international trips when they were minors have lost their bid for a public trial of their child sex trafficking claims and must instead go to private arbitration with Jackson’s estate, a federal judge has ruled. In a 10-page ruling obtained by Rolling Stone, U.S. District Judge Hernán D. Vera granted the estate’s motion to compel arbitration, finding the arbitration agreement included in a 2019 settlement with the siblings was enforceable. The four siblings had argued that the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual…

Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti has argued that President Bola Tinubu is not Nigeria’s major problem, blaming the country’s challenges on what he described as deeply entrenched institutional corruption. Kuti said the judiciary and other institutions responsible for upholding accountability should also be held responsible for the emergence of leaders accused of corruption. Speaking on a recent episode of the Good News Naija podcast which started trending today, the musician said that if allegations made against Tinubu were true, a judicial system staffed by people of integrity should have prevented him from contesting the presidency. “Do you think Tinubu is a…

* Submission now to close Friday, August 21 Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill set up by President Bola Tinubu has extended the deadline for the submission of memoranda and position papers on the proposed legislation by eight days. The submission of the proposed bill’s memo and position papers initially billed to close by 5pm on Thursday, August 13, 2026 will now end by Friday, August 21, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. West Africa Time (WAT). According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief of Staff to the President, who also doubles…

By Udeme Akpan & Obas Esiedesa, Abuja Nigeria’s daily oil production declined by four per cent in July 2026, to 1.67 million barrels per day (mbpd) from 1.74mbpd recorded in June, according to the latest production data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC). However, the figures showed that Nigeria sustained production above the 1.5mbpd OPEC quota for the third consecutive month in July. According to the NUPRC data, the country produced 1.505mbpd of crude oil and 0.17mbpd of condensate during the month, bringing total daily production to 1.67mbpd. Daily combined crude oil and condensate production peaked at 1.78mbpd during the…

2K is launching a new AAA game development studio, Small Axe Studios, with an ambitious goal: to build the company’s “next blockbuster sports franchise,” according to a LinkedIn post.The post doesn’t explicitly say what sport this new game will focus on. But an image included in the post features what appears to be a mockup soccer badge, indicating that Small Axe might be making a soccer game that goes head-to-head with EA Sports FC. The Small Axe website also lists senior staffers with experience working on EA’s FIFA series (the former name of EA Sports FC), including studio head Aaron…

The Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Aminu Usman, has described his renomination as the running mate to Governor Umar Namadi for the 2027 gubernatorial election as a renewed call to service. Mr Usman, an engineer made the statement during a parley with members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Jigawa State. He commended his principal, Governor Namadi, for the trust and confidence reposed in him by selecting him for a second term. “I consider this nomination not only a great honour, but also a renewed call to service and responsibility to the good people…

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick is determined to keep pushing to improve his squad this summer.Carrick is about to begin his first full Premier League campaign in charge at Old Trafford.He is acutely aware of the responsibilities that come with being the public face of such a worldwide institution, which he says it is a “privilege” to lead.However, it also means having to address thorny issues with the media, which currently include a perceived lack of signings.Carrick says he is delighted with United’s business so far – they have spent £83m to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans…

According to legend, in the summer of 1873 Anton Bruckner travelled to Bayreuth intending to dedicate one of a pair of scores to his hero, Wagner. Apparently, the two composers got legless and by the time Bruckner arrived back home, he could no longer remember which symphony the master preferred. In a flap, he put pen to paper: “Symphony in D Minor, where the trumpet begins the theme?” he fished. “Yes! Best wishes! Richard Wagner,” was the reply.Anton Bruckner: Symphony No 3 in D Minor Photograph: Harmonia MundiWith its mighty peaks and faint reminiscences of the operas, the Wagnerian aesthetic…