(Brands & Consumers)
The Canadian government is moving ahead with stricter regulations for streaming platforms, introducing a new 15 percent levy aimed at supporting local film, television and digital productions. The policy is part of the country’s Online Streaming Act, legislation introduced in 2023 to ensure major streaming services contribute financially to Canada’s creative industry. Under the updated…
British supermarket giant Morrisons has announced plans to close 100 stores across the UK over the coming months as the company battles rising operational costs and underperforming outlets. The retailer said the affected convenience stores, many of which were acquired through its takeover of McColl’s in 2022, have struggled financially for years despite efforts to…
As youth unemployment in the United Kingdom reaches its highest level in nearly a decade, the head of Amazon’s UK operations says young people are being unfairly blamed for a crisis they did not create. John Boumphrey, Amazon’s UK country manager, believes the real problem lies in a system that is failing to prepare young…
Even as conflict involving Iran sends shockwaves across the Middle East, Abu Dhabi is refusing to slow its ambitious tourism expansion plans. The capital of the United Arab Emirates has faced direct security concerns following missile and drone attacks linked to the ongoing regional conflict. Some strikes targeted infrastructure connected to tourism, raising concerns about…
The global artificial intelligence boom has transformed Samsung Electronics into one of the world’s most valuable technology companies. Surging demand for semiconductors used in AI systems has pushed the South Korean tech giant beyond the $1 trillion mark in market value this year, helping drive South Korea’s stock market into the ranks of the world’s…
SpaceX has successfully launched its massive Starship V3 rocket on a major test flight after an earlier delay caused by a technical issue. The uncrewed rocket, regarded as the most powerful and tallest ever built, blasted off from Texas on Friday evening following days of anticipation surrounding the launch. The test mission marked the 12th…
Two luxury Hermès Birkin handbags confiscated from jailed Vietnamese businesswoman Truong My Lan have been sold for more than $535,000 during a government auction in Vietnam. According to reports, both bags were sold within 30 minutes of bidding, with one white crocodile-skin Birkin bag attracting the highest offer of about $440,144, while the second bag…
Meta has reached a settlement with a school district in the United States that accused social media companies of contributing to a growing mental health crisis among students. The case was filed by the Breathitt County School District, which alleged that platforms owned by Meta and other tech firms were intentionally designed to be addictive,…
President of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has revealed that the company’s refinery project is attracting billions of dollars in investment interest ahead of its planned Initial Public Offering (IPO) scheduled for September 2026. Dangote made the disclosure during a recent visit by Femi Otedola, chairman of First HoldCo, alongside senior management officials of the…
SpaceX has officially unveiled plans to go public in the United States, setting the stage for what could become the largest stock market debut in Wall Street history. The company, founded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, develops rockets, operates the satellite internet network Starlink, and also controls the controversial artificial intelligence company xAI. The upcoming…
A potentially damaging strike at Samsung Electronics has been temporarily suspended after the company reached a tentative pay agreement with its largest labour union just hours before industrial action was set to begin. The decision has eased fears of disruption across the global technology industry, particularly at a time when demand for artificial intelligence (AI)…
Economic analysts and financial experts have reacted to the decision by the Central Bank of Nigeria to retain the country’s benchmark interest rate at 26.50 percent, warning that businesses and ordinary Nigerians may continue to struggle with rising living costs and expensive borrowing conditions. CBN Governor Olayemi Cardoso announced the decision on Wednesday after the…
Google is preparing to return to the smart glasses market more than 10 years after the commercial failure of Google Glass. The tech giant announced during its annual developer conference on Tuesday that the new AI-powered glasses will be released later this year and will feature built-in cameras and speakers designed to work with its…
Swatch chief executive Nick Hayek Jr has defended the company’s latest product launch after large crowds caused disruptions at several stores across the world. The chaos followed the release of Swatch’s collaboration with luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet, a pocket watch known as the Royal Pop timepiece. Speaking to the BBC, Hayek Jr admitted some stores…
Concerns are growing among gamers after reports emerged that several Sony PlayStation Network accounts may have been compromised through what users describe as a major security loophole. The issue gained widespread attention after gaming personality and podcast host Colin Moriarty revealed on X that his PlayStation account had allegedly been hacked despite security protections. Moriarty,…
Starbucks Korea has dismissed its chief executive officer following backlash over a promotional campaign many South Koreans viewed as insensitive to a painful chapter in the country’s history. The controversy erupted after the coffee chain launched a “Tank Day” promotion on Monday, coinciding with the anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising crackdown of May 1980. The…
Banking giant Standard Chartered has announced plans to cut thousands of jobs as the company increases its use of artificial intelligence and automation across its operations. The UK-headquartered bank said it intends to reduce more than 15 per cent of its back-office workforce by 2030, affecting approximately 7,800 roles globally. According to reports, some affected…
African billionaire and industrialist Aliko Dangote has been named the African Energy Person of the Year 2026 by the African Energy Chamber, in recognition of his growing influence on the continent’s energy and industrial landscape. The award celebrates individuals whose contributions have strengthened Africa’s energy security, expanded infrastructure, promoted economic resilience and supported African-led development….
A robotics startup based in Boston, Automated Tire, has unveiled an artificial intelligence-powered tire-changing system capable of replacing tires faster than traditional mechanics without removing the wheel from the vehicle. The company introduced the technology, called SmartBay, this week, describing it as a next-generation automated service platform designed to handle tire replacement, wheel balancing and…
James Murdoch is reportedly in discussions to acquire New York magazine and Vox Media’s podcast network in a deal estimated to be worth more than $300 million. According to reports, Murdoch’s investment firm, Lupa Systems, is currently negotiating the potential acquisition as Vox Media explores options to sell parts of its business amid growing challenges…
Sucker Punch has confirmed that Ghost of Yotei: Legends will not receive any more major updates, disappointing fans who had hoped for additional content for the online multiplayer mode. Legends, the free multiplayer component of Ghost of Yotei, launched on March 11 and recently received its first Raid update. However, the developers have now revealed…
Forza Horizon 6 is already recording massive commercial success ahead of its worldwide release, with reports indicating the racing game has generated more than $140 million from Premium Edition sales alone. The game became available on May 15 for players who purchased the Premium Edition, while the full global release is scheduled for May 19….
Trump Mobile has announced that shipments of its long-awaited T1 smartphone will begin this week, nearly a year after the company first opened pre-orders and collected deposits from customers. The gold-coloured smartphone, branded as the Trump Mobile T1, was initially expected to launch last August but faced repeated delays. The company recently updated its pre-order…
Social media platform X has committed to taking quicker action on reports of suspected illegal hate speech and terrorist content in the United Kingdom under new measures accepted by media regulator Ofcom. The Elon Musk-owned platform said it would review reports submitted through its illegal content reporting system within an average timeframe of 24 hours….
Japanese automobile giant Honda has posted its first annual financial loss in seven decades after its aggressive investments in electric vehicles failed to deliver the expected returns. The company reported an operating loss of ¥423 billion for the financial year ending March 2026, citing weaker-than-expected demand for electric vehicles and changing market conditions. Honda said…
Former England football star David Beckham and his wife, fashion designer Victoria Beckham, have officially joined the billionaire ranks after their combined fortune was estimated at £1.2 billion in the latest Sunday Times Rich List. The achievement makes Beckham the first British sports personality to reach billionaire status, according to the annual wealth ranking. The…
OPay has extended support to more than 1,000 students in Osun State through its Play4aChild Initiative, providing educational materials to learners across several schools as part of efforts to promote access to quality education and youth development. The fintech company partnered with the Do Good Charity Back-To-School project for the outreach, which also benefited 40…
Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani, have agreed to pay a combined $18 million to settle a civil fraud lawsuit filed against them by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The proposed settlement, which is still subject to court approval, relates to allegations made by the SEC in 2024 over…
Across cities like Kansas City, Houston, Miami and New York City, signs of the coming FIFA World Cup are impossible to miss. Billboards tower over busy roads, bars are preparing football-themed events, and stores are already stocking tournament merchandise. The excitement surrounding the global competition appears to be building steadily on the streets. But behind…
The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Lagos has banned Point of Sale (PoS) transactions within its premises as part of measures aimed at strengthening professionalism and security standards. The directive was announced by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the FCID Annex Lagos, Simeon Akpanudom, during a strategic meeting and general…
The United States government has announced that football fans from dozens of countries will no longer be required to pay a $15,000 visa deposit if they are travelling to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup with valid match tickets. The decision affects travellers from 50 countries previously subject to the visa bond requirement introduced by…
Australian supermarket giant Coles has been found guilty of misleading consumers through deceptive discount promotions after a federal court ruled that several advertised price reductions were not genuine. The case was brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which accused the retailer of temporarily increasing prices before promoting them as discounted under its…
FLYGABON, Gabon’s national airline, has officially commenced flight operations from Lagos as part of its expansion strategy across Nigeria and the African aviation market. The airline said the move is aimed at improving connectivity between West, Central, and Southern Africa while supporting regional trade, tourism, and business travel. FLYGABON had earlier launched operations from Port…
Online marketplace eBay has turned down a $55.5 billion takeover proposal from video game retailer GameStop, describing the offer as unsolicited and unattractive. In a letter addressed to GameStop Chief Executive Officer Ryan Cohen, eBay’s Board of Directors said it rejected the proposal after reviewing concerns surrounding the financing structure, operational risks, and long-term impact…
A New Tech Boom With Old Privacy Questions A new generation of “smart glasses” is quietly becoming one of the fastest-growing consumer tech categories in the world. But alongside the rising sales, concerns about privacy are multiplying just as quickly. At the centre of the boom is Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, which are now the…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has postponed proceedings in the tax evasion case involving cryptocurrency company Binance Holdings Limited to allow both parties continue settlement discussions. Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the matter until July 9 after lawyers representing Binance and the Federal Government informed the court that negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute out…
Microsoft and Playground Games are reportedly taking action against players who accessed leaked copies of Forza Horizon 6 before the game’s official launch date. The highly anticipated racing game is scheduled for general release on May 19, while buyers of the premium edition are expected to gain early access from May 15. However, reports suggest…
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has launched a legal challenge against UK media regulator Ofcom over fees and possible penalties introduced under the country’s Online Safety Act. The case, currently before the High Court in London, centres on how Ofcom calculates regulatory fees and fines for major technology companies operating online platforms…
TikTok has announced plans to introduce a paid subscription service in the United Kingdom that will allow users to enjoy the platform without advertisements. The new feature, known as TikTok Ad-Free, will cost £3.99 per month and will be available to users aged 18 and above. According to the company, users will begin receiving notifications…
Heathrow Airport has reported a decline in passenger traffic for April, attributing the drop largely to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to the airport, approximately 6.7 million passengers travelled through Heathrow in April, representing a 5.3 per cent decrease compared to the 7.1 million passengers recorded during the same period last year….
OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman has revealed that younger generations are increasingly relying on ChatGPT not just for online searches, but also for personal guidance and everyday decision-making. Altman made the remarks during Sequoia Capital’s AI Ascent event held in May, where he discussed how different age groups interact with artificial intelligence tools. According…
Google has unveiled a series of artificial intelligence-powered health features aimed at strengthening its position in the growing digital health market, including plans to support devices made by rival companies such as Apple, Garmin, and Oura. The tech company announced that its Fitbit app will be rebranded as Google Health from May 19, introducing a…
At a busy tram stop in Amsterdam, commuters are beginning to notice a dramatic change. The giant advertisements that once promoted burgers, cheap flights and fuel-powered SUVs have quietly disappeared. In their place are posters for museums, concerts and cultural events. The Dutch capital has officially become the first capital city in the world to…
Major technology companies including Microsoft, Google, and xAI have agreed to provide the US government with access to unreleased artificial intelligence models for security testing before they are launched publicly. The move was announced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology as part of efforts to address growing concerns about the cybersecurity risks linked…
A large-scale cyber attack has disrupted operations at thousands of universities and schools across the United States, Canada, and Australia after hackers targeted Canvas, a widely used academic software platform. The attack, which has been claimed by hacking group ShinyHunters, caused major outages and interruptions during a crucial end-of-semester period when many institutions were conducting…
Air Peace has temporarily halted its Lagos to London Gatwick service after a technical issue was discovered on the aircraft during routine safety checks. The airline disclosed the development in a statement issued on Saturday, explaining that the fault was identified shortly after passengers had boarded the plane. According to the carrier, the aircraft was…
TikTok has reduced the use of its AI-generated video summary feature after users flagged several inaccurate and unusual descriptions appearing beneath videos on the platform. The feature, known as “AI overviews,” was introduced experimentally for selected users in the United States and the Philippines. It was designed to provide brief explanations or additional context about…
Millions of football fans in China and India may be unable to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup as negotiations over broadcast rights remain unresolved just weeks before the tournament begins. The delay is considered unusual for an event of such global significance, as television rights agreements for the World Cup are typically finalised several…
African fintech company Flutterwave has announced that two of its marketing executives, Yewande “Wendy” Akomolafe-Kalu and Noel Ozoemena, have been recognised in the inaugural edition of the Top 100 Content Leaders in UK Banking Technology. The global ranking, compiled by Influential Index and supported by FirstWord Media, honours marketing professionals known for creating impactful B2B…
China has halted Meta’s planned $2 billion acquisition of Chinese-founded AI startup Manus, signalling growing concerns over the transfer of sensitive technology amid escalating tensions with the United States. In a brief statement issued Monday, Chinese authorities ordered both parties to unwind the deal following an earlier probe into the transaction. The move underscores Beijing’s…
