Google has disclosed that YouTube generated more than $60bn (£44bn) in revenue in 2025, underlining the video platform’s growing importance to the company as it focuses on expanding paid subscriptions. The figure, which combines advertising income and subscription earnings, places YouTube well ahead of streaming competitor Netflix, which reported $45bn in revenue over the same…
Google is facing renewed internal pressure after hundreds of its employees called on the company to end its involvement with US immigration enforcement agencies, citing ethical concerns over how its technology may be used. In an open letter released on Friday, close to 900 full-time staff urged Google’s leadership to be more transparent about the…
Bahama Breeze, the Caribbean-inspired restaurant chain, is set to close all of its outlets, bringing an end to a brand that has operated for more than 30 years. Its parent company, Darden Restaurants, announced on Tuesday that the remaining 28 Bahama Breeze locations will be wound down in the coming months. About half of the…
Veteran Nigerian musician Innocent Idibia, widely known as 2Face, has weighed in on the heated debate comparing global Afrobeats star Wizkid to the late Afrobeat icon Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, describing the discussion as misplaced and disrespectful. The debate gained fresh attention after Wizkid recently claimed he was “bigger” than Fela, a remark made in response to…
PepsiCo has announced plans to reduce the prices of several of its best-known snack brands, including Doritos, Lay’s and Cheetos, in response to growing consumer frustration over rising food costs. In a statement released on Tuesday, PepsiCo Foods US chief executive Rachel Ferdinando said the company had spent the past year engaging with customers who…
Nintendo has confirmed that the Switch has become the most successful console in the company’s history, surpassing 155 million units sold worldwide since its launch in 2017. The milestone means the hybrid console has overtaken the Nintendo DS to claim the top spot among Nintendo’s hardware releases. In the wider gaming industry, the Switch now…
The Washington Post has announced plans to cut roughly one-third of its workforce, a move that will significantly reduce coverage in areas including sports, local reporting and international news. The layoffs, confirmed on Wednesday, affect employees across multiple departments, with newsroom staff among the hardest hit. The decision marks another period of turmoil for the…
Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has opened up about how marriage has reshaped his priorities, revealing that he no longer finds clubbing appealing. The singer shared the insight during a recent episode of The Long Form Podcast, where he reflected on how his lifestyle has changed since marrying his longtime partner, Chioma…
Amid rows of aircraft models, mock cockpits and high-tech aviation displays at the Singapore Airshow, one exhibitor has been attracting outsized attention: Comac, China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer. The company has come a long way since its narrow-body C919 passenger jet made its first appearance outside mainland China two years ago. Designed to rival the Airbus…
Netflix has struggled to convince US lawmakers that its proposed takeover of Warner Bros Discovery would serve the interests of consumers, workers and the wider entertainment industry, as bipartisan concerns mount over the scale of the deal. During a hearing on Tuesday, members of the US Senate antitrust subcommittee raised alarms about the potential impact…
Pinterest has terminated the employment of two software engineers after they created an internal tool designed to identify colleagues affected by a recent round of job cuts, the company has confirmed. The dismissals follow an announcement by the social media firm that it would reduce its workforce as part of a shift toward what chief…
Popular skit maker and actor Abdulgafar Ahmad, widely known as Cute Abiola, has dismissed claims that he took a swipe at veteran filmmaker Kunle Afolayan following the director’s recent comments about cinema revenues and film marketing. The controversy began after Afolayan criticised the demands of promoting cinema releases in Nigeria. In a widely shared interview,…
China has announced a ban on hidden car door handles, becoming the first country to formally prohibit the design amid growing safety concerns surrounding electric vehicles (EVs). The decision follows increased scrutiny of EV safety standards globally, particularly after reports of fatal accidents in China involving Xiaomi electric cars. In those incidents, suspected power failures…
Elon Musk has taken another step toward consolidating his business empire, with SpaceX confirming it is acquiring his artificial intelligence company, xAI. The aerospace firm announced the move by publishing an internal memo from Musk, in which he described the merger as a way to bring artificial intelligence, space technology, satellite internet and media platforms…
A new online platform called Moltbook is attracting attention for an unusual reason: it is designed for artificial intelligence systems to interact with one another, not for people. At first glance, Moltbook closely resembles Reddit, with thousands of topic-based forums and posts ranked by upvotes. But unlike traditional social networks, humans are not allowed to…
Afrobeats heavyweights Wizkid and Asake have officially released a joint extended play titled REAL, Vol. 1, marking their first full collaborative project and one of the most anticipated releases of 2026. The four-track EP follows years of fan anticipation after the duo’s earlier collaborations, including MMS and the hit single Jogodo, which enjoyed strong chart…
Starbucks is leaning heavily on technology – including artificial intelligence and robotics – as it works to reverse years of sluggish sales and reconnect with customers. At some drive-through locations across the United States, customers placing orders may unknowingly be interacting with AI-powered systems rather than human staff. Inside stores, baristas are increasingly supported by…
French technology and consulting group Capgemini has announced plans to divest its US-based subsidiary following mounting criticism over the unit’s work for the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). The decision comes after sustained pressure from French lawmakers and public scrutiny surrounding a contract under which Capgemini Government Solutions provided services to help locate…
Elon Musk’s space company, SpaceX, has submitted a proposal to US regulators seeking permission to deploy up to one million satellites into Earth’s orbit as part of an ambitious plan to support artificial intelligence computing from space. In an application filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX argues that so-called “orbital data centres” could…
Organisers of Afro Nation have confirmed Afrobeats heavyweights Wizkid, Burna Boy and Asake as the main headliners for the 2026 edition of the global music festival in Portugal. The announcement was made via the festival’s official social media channels, with organisers describing the lineup as a blend of established African stars and fast-rising international acts….
The idea of sending text messages from the Moon or streaming data from deep space may soon move from science fiction to reality, as NASA and Nokia prepare to install a cellular network on the lunar surface. Under a joint initiative, the two organisations are working to deploy a basic 4G communications system on the…
TikTok’s newly restructured US operation, now controlled by a group of largely American investors approved by President Donald Trump, has stumbled out of the gate amid technical disruptions and growing political scrutiny. Over the past several days, users of the video-sharing app have reported widespread glitches, including difficulties posting content and unexplained drops in video…
Elon Musk’s aerospace company, SpaceX, has submitted an application to deploy as many as one million satellites into Earth’s orbit, a move it says is aimed at meeting the rapidly growing global demand for artificial intelligence computing power. In the filing made to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX proposes the creation of…
Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has reacted to recent remarks made by fellow filmmaker Kunle Afolayan on cinema marketing strategies and blockbuster box office figures. Afolayan had, in a series of public appearances, questioned the sustainability of current promotional methods used to push cinema releases in Nigeria. Speaking during the launch of his…
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has paid tribute to legendary musician and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti following his posthumous recognition at the Grammy Awards, where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award – the first African artist to be honoured in that category. The award, presented in Los Angeles nearly three decades after Fela’s death in 1997,…
Just before lunchtime in Angers, western France, restaurateur Mickael Moureaud scans the dining room of L’Ange Vin with a familiar knot in his stomach. By now, the tables should be mostly occupied. Instead, the room is largely silent. “A year ago, this place would be buzzing by 12:30,” he says softly. “Now, most days, it…
Apple has delivered a strong earnings performance that is easing concerns on Wall Street about the company’s perceived struggles in artificial intelligence, with robust sales of the iPhone 17 taking centre stage. The technology giant reported quarterly revenue of $143.8 billion, comfortably beating market expectations and marking a sharp rise from the $124.3 billion recorded…
A week after Ubisoft unveiled one of the most sweeping shake-ups in its history, unease is spreading through the company’s global workforce – particularly among employees who now find themselves grouped into what the publisher calls its “Creative Network.” The restructuring announcement was stark. Six projects were scrapped, seven major titles were delayed, and two…
Nearly 30 years after his passing, Nigerian music legend and Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti is set to receive one of the most prestigious honours in global music. The Recording Academy will posthumously confer a Lifetime Achievement Award on Fela at the upcoming Grammy Awards, marking a historic first for an African artiste. The honour…
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for a significant shift in international football policy, advocating for the return of Russian youth teams to global competition. Speaking in London during the Women’s Champions Cup weekend, the FIFA chief argued that the current blanket ban, which has been in place for nearly four years, has failed to…
Apple has posted its highest-ever iPhone sales, driven by strong demand for the iPhone 17 lineup during the final quarter of last year, even as other parts of its hardware business faced declines. The tech giant reported quarterly revenue of $144 billion, a 16% increase compared with the same period a year earlier. It marks…
Amazon is winding down its standalone grocery store experiment, announcing plans to close all Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go locations across the United States as it sharpens its focus on the Whole Foods brand. The move will affect roughly 70 physical stores and represents another reset of Amazon’s in-person retail strategy. In a statement released…
Starbucks is rolling out a refreshed afternoon menu in the United States as it looks to attract customers beyond its traditional morning coffee rush. In the coming weeks, the coffee chain will introduce a range of new food and drink options designed for later in the day, including teas, updated energy drinks, matcha-based beverages, and…
Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile has denied a viral claim suggesting he vowed never to marry his longtime partner and the mother of his children, Davita Lamai. The allegation surfaced on X after a user alleged that the music star had publicly ruled out marriage with Lamai despite them having two children together. The post, which…
Kendrick Lamar delivered a dominant performance at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, emerging as the biggest winner in the rap categories and setting a new record in the process. The rapper claimed all four major rap awards on the night. His album GNX was named Best Rap Album, while TV Off, a collaboration…
Eight-year-old American singer Aura V has set a new record at the Grammy Awards, becoming the youngest individually credited winner in the history of the prestigious music ceremony. Aura achieved the milestone at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, where FYÜTCH & Aura V — a musical duo made up of Aura and her…
Meta Plans Sharp Increase In AI Investment, Signals Further Restructuring Meta Platforms is preparing to significantly raise its spending on artificial intelligence this year, nearly doubling its investment despite growing warnings from industry leaders about a potential AI bubble. Speaking during an earnings call on Wednesday, Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said the Facebook and…
China has agreed in principle to grant British passport holders visa-free access for stays of up to 30 days, the UK government has confirmed. The development followed a high-level meeting in Beijing between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking the first official visit to China by a British leader in…
Tesla has reported its first annual drop in revenue as the electric vehicle maker pivots towards artificial intelligence and robotics, marking a significant change in strategy for the company. The firm, led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, said total revenue fell by 3% in 2025, while profits plunged by 61% in the final quarter of…
Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy has disclosed that he and late South African rapper AKA had settled their long-running dispute before the rapper was killed. The two musicians had a public falling out in 2019 following heated exchanges linked to tensions between Nigerian and South African fans during the Africa Cup of Nations. At the…
A new cross-continental music collaboration is raising questions about what the future sound of Nigerian pop might look like – and whether it could carry a subtle French influence. Nine French rap, pop and urban music producers recently travelled to Lagos to work alongside Nigerian Afrobeats creatives, producing more than 60 songs in less than…
Global parcel delivery firm UPS has announced plans to cut up to 30,000 jobs this year as it continues to scale back business with Amazon, its largest customer. The company said the reductions will be carried out mainly through voluntary buyouts for full-time drivers and by leaving vacant positions unfilled, rather than through widespread layoffs….
TikTok has dismissed claims that it is restricting what American users can post, following widespread reports of glitches on the platform shortly after its US operations were spun off from its Chinese parent company. In a statement responding to the concerns, a spokesperson for TikTok US said the issues stem from technical challenges linked to…
Amazon has inadvertently confirmed another wave of job cuts after an internal email referencing ongoing layoffs was mistakenly shared with employees. The draft message, written by Colleen Aubrey, a senior vice president at Amazon Web Services (AWS), was attached to a calendar invitation sent late Tuesday by an executive assistant. The invitation, which reached a…
The Federal Government has congratulated Nollywood actress and filmmaker Toyin Abraham following the box office success of her latest movie, Oversabi Aunty, which has crossed the ₦1 billion mark in Nigerian cinemas. The film, which premiered on December 19, 2025, reached the landmark revenue figure on Monday, further cementing Abraham’s status as one of the…
MTN Nigeria has disclosed that its network experienced 9,218 fibre cuts in 2025, drawing renewed attention to the ongoing fragility of the country’s telecommunications infrastructure. The disclosure was made by the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Karl Olutokun Toriola, in a LinkedIn post titled “MTN Nigeria 2025 Wrapped.” He noted that incidents of theft and vandalism…
A closely watched trial that could reshape how social media companies are held accountable in the United States is set to begin in California, with senior executives from some of the world’s largest tech firms expected to testify. The case, which will be heard at the Los Angeles Superior Court, was brought by a 19-year-old…
Meta Platforms is preparing to trial paid subscription options across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, marking its latest push to expand revenue beyond advertising. The technology company said the proposed subscriptions, expected to roll out for testing in the coming months, would offer users access to additional features, including enhanced artificial intelligence tools. Core functions of…
Nigerian Afrobeats star Davido has dismissed reports alleging that he owes a wedding planner $50,000, describing the claims as unbelievable. The controversy emerged after Funke Bucknor-Obruthe, chief executive officer of the event planning company reportedly responsible for organising Davido’s wedding to Chioma, was said to have accused the singer of failing to settle an outstanding…
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has announced plans to recover outstanding tax liabilities by directing Nigerian banks to debit the accounts of defaulting employers who fail to remit taxes. The move is based on provisions of Section 60 of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) and was outlined in a public notice recently…
