France has passed legislation that will prohibit children under the age of 15 from accessing social media platforms from January 2027, becoming the first European country to introduce such a nationwide restriction. The law, approved by both the French Senate and the National Assembly on Tuesday, requires users to verify their age before opening or…
Access Bank will host the inaugural edition of its MSME Conference on Friday, July 24, 2026, at its headquarters in Victoria Island, Lagos, as part of efforts to support the growth of Nigeria’s micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The conference, themed “AI for SMEs: Scaling Through Digital Tools,” will bring together entrepreneurs, policymakers, business…
In an absolute treat for fans of classic, foundational Afrosounds, Nigerian and Niger Delta heavyweights Timaya and Duncan Mighty reunite for a blazing new single titled Kontrol. Released via DM Records and ONErpm, the track marks a historic link-up between two of Port Harcourt’s most legendary exports. Decades into their respective careers, the duo proves…
The European Union has imposed a record €550 million (£467 million) fine on Chinese e-commerce platform AliExpress after concluding that the company failed to adequately prevent the sale of illegal and unsafe products on its marketplace. The European Commission said its two-year investigation found that AliExpress had breached its obligations under the Digital Services Act…
Live shopping is becoming one of the fastest-growing trends in online retail, helping businesses generate thousands of pounds in sales while giving shoppers a more interactive buying experience. For entrepreneurs like Daisy Kelly, it has transformed an idea born at her mother’s kitchen table into a multimillion-pound business. From Personal Struggle to Multi-Million-Pound Brand Kelly…
Akida Hills has unveiled plans to transform part of Abuja’s Jabi Lake waterfront into a major leisure and tourism destination, with the first phase of the project expected to open in December 2026. The mixed-use development will feature what the company describes as West Africa’s first dancing musical fountain, alongside a range of recreational, entertainment…
Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has revealed that she lost ₦5 million after placing what she described as her first-ever football bet during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. The actress shared the experience in a post on Instagram shortly after Saturday’s final, expressing regret over the outcome and describing the experience…
Marvel Studios and Disney have released the first official trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, giving fans their most detailed look yet at the upcoming superhero blockbuster and confirming Robert Downey Jr.’s transformation into the iconic villain Doctor Doom. Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the film’s first trailer sets the stage for a large-scale multiversal conflict,…
Microsoft’s Xbox has confirmed that it plans to release more permanent console exclusives as part of its long-term strategy, with senior executives saying exclusive titles remain essential to the growth of the gaming platform. The comments were made by Xbox Chief Strategy Officer Matthew Ball and Chief Content Officer Matt Booty during an interview with…
Google and Apple are pushing back against new European Union rules that would require them to give rival artificial intelligence assistants greater access to their smartphone platforms, setting the stage for a major battle over the future of mobile AI. The dispute centres on the European Commission’s latest enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA),…
China’s Jingye Group has said it will seek compensation from the UK government following the nationalisation of British Steel, escalating tensions between London and Beijing over the future of the Scunthorpe steelworks. In a statement released on Sunday, Jingye said it would pursue “full compensation through legal means to the very end” after the British…
Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has challenged fellow artiste Terry G to a celebrity boxing match, saying the bout would help revive the veteran musician’s career. Portable made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds, where he was asked which celebrity he would like to face in the ring. Without hesitation, the singer…
Meta is reportedly in early discussions with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic about leasing computing capacity, a move that could see the social media company expand into the cloud computing market alongside established players such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google. A source familiar with the discussions confirmed that talks are ongoing but remain at an early…
Chili’s is looking to the past as it plans for the future, reviving many of the features that made the restaurant chain a household name in the 1990s. Red leather booths are making a comeback, alongside the brand’s colourful tile tables – this time redesigned without the grout that made them difficult to maintain. Diners…
At least eight people have been killed and 62 others injured after Ukrainian drones struck two warehouses belonging to Russian online retail giant Wildberries, according to Russian authorities. Officials said seven people died and 25 others were injured in an attack on a Wildberries warehouse in Tambov, about 475 kilometres southeast of Moscow. Another warehouse…
Nigerian disc jockey Kubeyinje Otis Ayodeji, popularly known as Baddest DJ Timmy, has publicly accused singer Timi Dakolo of failing to repay an alleged debt. In a post shared on Instagram on Friday, DJ Timmy claimed Dakolo had persuaded him about a month ago to remove an earlier post concerning the alleged debt, promising that…
IBM shares tumbled sharply in premarket trading on Friday after the technology giant warned that second-quarter performance fell well below expectations, putting the company on course for its worst single-day stock market decline in its 115-year history. The stock dropped as much as 24% before the opening bell, surpassing the company’s previous worst trading day…
Chinese artificial intelligence startup Moonshot AI has introduced a new large language model, Kimi K3, which it says is capable of competing with leading AI systems developed by US firms such as OpenAI and Anthropic. The company said Kimi K3 contains 2.8 trillion parameters, a metric commonly used to indicate the scale and processing capacity…
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is set to introduce a biometric identity verification system, known as V-Pass, aimed at improving security and speeding up passenger processing at domestic airports. The initiative, being implemented in partnership with Verxid Technologies Limited, will enable travellers to verify their identities using facial recognition technology, reducing reliance on…
Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has spoken about the challenges of raising children from different relationships, revealing that some of them have started asking difficult questions as they grow older. In an interview with the BBC, the singer said his two eldest daughters, Imade and Hailey, have become curious about why they…
Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC has announced plans to invest an additional $100 billion in its US operations, significantly expanding its manufacturing footprint in Arizona as demand for advanced chips continues to surge. The new commitment raises the company’s total planned investment in the United States to $265 billion. TSMC Chief Executive Officer C.C. Wei said…
Taco Bell has removed lettuce from its menu in parts of the United States after health authorities linked the ingredient to a multi-state outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection that causes severe diarrhoea. The fast-food chain said the decision was taken “out of an abundance of caution” following discussions with public health officials. According to…
Chinese used car e-commerce platform Guazi has expanded its international vehicle sourcing services, offering buyers and dealers in Nigeria and other selected overseas markets access to inspection-backed used vehicles from China. The company said the expansion targets customers across Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and Eastern Europe, where demand for imported used vehicles continues…
Nollywood actress and Special Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on Social Events and Public Hearings, Eniola Badmus, has stirred reactions after saying she does not know what it means to be broke. Badmus made the remark while speaking on the red carpet at the premiere of The Return of Omotara Johnson,…
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, has filed a lawsuit against a user accused of using its Grok chatbot to generate child sexual abuse material (CSAM), marking one of the first known instances of an AI company taking legal action against a user for allegedly creating illegal explicit content with its platform. The lawsuit, filed…
The proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to face a delay as executives involved in the transaction anticipate that a US court will temporarily halt the takeover while it considers an antitrust challenge brought by a coalition of state attorneys general. Although the court has yet to issue a ruling, people…
PUBG MOBILE has rolled out one of its biggest collaborations to date, introducing a major in-game partnership with the popular anime series NARUTO Shippuden alongside a series of activities aimed at engaging its Nigerian gaming community. To mark the release of the latest version update, the mobile gaming platform staged a themed flashmob in Ikeja,…
Award-winning Nollywood actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has encouraged young Nigerians to reject the pursuit of quick wealth and instead focus on hard work, discipline and acquiring practical skills. Speaking in a recent interview with BellaNaija, Akindele reflected on her early struggles, saying she deliberately chose legitimate means of earning a living despite facing financial…
Employees across Xbox-owned studios have been left reeling after Microsoft announced one of the biggest rounds of layoffs in the company’s gaming division, with many workers saying they were blindsided despite weeks of speculation. Morgan Goin, a senior encounter designer at Xbox-owned ZeniMax Online Studios (ZOS), said staff knew cuts were coming but had no…
A Singapore court has ordered Bloomberg and one of its reporters to pay S$460,000 (US$356,000; £266,000) in damages to two Singaporean ministers after finding they had been defamed by a 2024 article about luxury property transactions. The lawsuit was brought by Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam and Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng,…
United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced the next edition of its quarterly UBA Business Series, with a focus on how African entrepreneurs can use customer feedback to develop technology solutions tailored to the continent’s unique needs. The virtual event, themed “Building for Africa’s Realities: Turning Consumer Feedback into Technology-Driven Solutions,” is scheduled to…
Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has revealed that maintaining his lifestyle as a celebrity comes with enormous financial commitments, disclosing that he spends between $200,000 and $300,000 every month. The award-winning singer made the revelation during a recent livestream with streamer Davrel, where he spoke about the realities of life in the…
A coalition of 12 US states, led by California, has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the proposed $110 billion (£85 billion) merger between Paramount and Warner Bros., arguing that the deal would reduce competition, increase prices, and limit consumer choice. The legal challenge targets what would become the largest media consolidation in Hollywood’s history,…
US fast-food chain Chipotle Mexican Grill is set to open its first restaurant in Mexico this week, marking a significant milestone as the company expands into the country that inspired much of its menu. The restaurant chain, which operates more than 4,100 locations worldwide, announced on Monday that the launch represents an important step in…
A decade after it revolutionised mobile gaming, Pokémon Go continues to bring millions of players together, proving that its appeal extends far beyond catching virtual creatures. Since its launch in 2016, the augmented reality game has been downloaded more than one billion times across Android and iOS devices. Even after 10 years, millions of players…
Nigerian content creator and actress Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori, popularly known as Kiekie, has revealed why she chooses not to collaborate with certain colleagues in the entertainment industry. Speaking during a recent podcast interview, Kiekie said she avoids working with skit makers whose content she considers excessively vulgar or indecent, explaining that such collaborations would not…
A University of Plymouth student has developed a low-cost wearable device capable of translating spoken language and displaying real-time subtitles in front of a user’s eyes, offering an affordable alternative to expensive smart glasses. Twenty-two-year-old Milya Mohd Asyraf spent six months designing the prototype as part of her Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree. The device,…
Gloucestershire County Council has launched an artificial intelligence-powered messaging service designed to help unpaid carers access information and support at any time of the day. The new service, called Ask Grace, operates through WhatsApp, allowing carers to ask questions in their own words and receive tailored responses. The AI chatbot provides quick access to trusted…
SpaceX made history when it became a publicly traded company, delivering the largest initial public offering (IPO) ever seen. Yet barely a month after its spectacular Wall Street debut, the excitement that sent its share price soaring has begun to give way to questions about whether the company can live up to its lofty valuation….
Nigerian rapper Olanrewaju Ogunmefun David, popularly known as Vector Tha Viper, has shared how his childhood experiences with his sisters influenced the way he views women. Speaking in a recent episode of the MENtality podcast hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Vector said he does not subscribe to the belief that women are “weaker vessels,” attributing his…
Around 200 jobs could be at risk after John Lewis announced plans to close its in-store foreign exchange services and dedicated gift-wrapping areas as part of efforts to modernise its operations. The retailer confirmed that no final decision has been made and that it has begun a consultation process with affected employees. If approved, the…
Hidden beneath a luxury apartment building in Manhattan, Aldi’s newest US store is proving that bargain hunting can thrive even in one of the world’s most expensive neighbourhoods. For shoppers like 79-year-old Mary Porter, the attraction was immediate. A jar of almond butter selling for just $4 stood out in particular because the same product…
Meta has withdrawn a newly launched artificial intelligence-powered image feature from Instagram just days after its release, following widespread criticism over privacy concerns. The feature, introduced as part of Meta’s new Muse Image tool, allowed users of the Meta AI chatbot to generate or edit images using content from public Instagram accounts by simply tagging…
Nigerian singer Brymo has reignited his long-running feud with fellow artiste Burna Boy, declaring that he intends to retaliate over what he described as an offence committed against him. Speaking during a recent appearance on the NotJustOk podcast, Brymo revisited the public disagreement between the two musicians, which dates back to 2023. The dispute began…
Apple has filed a federal lawsuit against OpenAI, its design subsidiary io Products and two former Apple employees, alleging the artificial intelligence company unlawfully obtained confidential information through the recruitment of key staff. The lawsuit, filed on Friday, accuses OpenAI of engaging in what Apple described as “a pattern of theft” involving sensitive product development…
South Korean semiconductor manufacturer SK Hynix has raised $26.5 billion (£19.8 billion) through its New York stock market debut, completing the largest US share offering ever by a foreign company. The company announced on Thursday that it sold 177.9 million American depositary shares (ADS) at $149 each. On their first day of trading on the…
Nigerian music star Qing Madi has been unveiled as the official face of the new Infinix HOT 70 Pro, as the smartphone maker launches a youth-focused campaign centred on creativity, self-expression and individuality. The partnership pairs one of Africa’s fastest-rising music talents with a brand that has built much of its identity around Gen Z…
Nigerian singer Augustine Kelechi, popularly known as Tekno, has shared his views on the state of modern relationships, claiming that love has changed significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking during a recent interview on Cool FM Lagos, the Pana hitmaker suggested that the prolonged lockdown in 2020 altered how many people viewed their romantic relationships…
The UK government has unveiled proposals to tighten regulations on vaping products, including banning colourful packaging and flavour names inspired by sweets, desserts and cocktails, as part of efforts to curb youth vaping. The measures form part of a 12-week public consultation launched to make vaping products less attractive to children and young people while…
A bidding war has erupted over one of Europe’s best-known budget airlines after EasyJet agreed in principle to a £5.7 billion takeover proposal from US investment giant Apollo Global Management, just days after accepting an earlier offer from rival private equity firm Castlelake. The dramatic twist has set the stage for a contest that could…
