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 Dokpesi's Family Crisis Latest Some members of the Dokpesi family have issued a stern warning to the public over circulating reports that some individuals are claiming authority to sell assets belonging to the late Raymond Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications. The announcement comes amid reports of governance tensions within DAAR Communications PLC, the parent company of AIT and Raypower. There were also reports that some buildings and assets, including lands and local stations such as the Asokoro station on Kpaduma Hill, have been sold or shut down, causing distress among staff. In a statement on Wednesday, the family members said the entire estate of the late media mogul has been under probate since his passing on May 29, 2023. Probate is the formal process through which a court validates the deceased person’s will, appoints an executor or administrator, and oversees the proper settlement of debts, taxes, and distribution of the remaining assets to beneficiaries. When someone...

 Somtochukwu Maduagwu's Friend Says She Was about to Leave Her Abuja Home in October, Shares Chat Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu's friend, Adaeze, has said that the late Arise News reporter was planning on moving out of her Abuja apartment in October before she met her untimely end.  The journalist's residence was robbed in the early hours of Monday, September 29, resulting in her death.  Taking to X, Adaeze expressed sadness about Somtochukwu's death and said that the most painful part of it was that she was to move out the following month.  According to Adaeze, they were already looking at houses to buy ahead of her planned exit from her Abuja residence.  Adaeze still cannot come to terms with her friend's demise, lamenting that she keeps going through their messages.  She attached screenshots of her chat with Somtochukwu, showing their house-hunting discussion.  Adaeze wrote: The most painful part is she was just about to move out of here in Octobe...

 Tunisian sentenced to death for Facebook posts criticising president A Tunisian man has been sentenced to death on charges of insulting the president and assaulting state security through posts on social media, the head of the Tunisian League for Human Rights and his lawyer said on Friday. The ruling is unprecedented in Tunisia, where restrictions on free speech have been tightened since President Kais Saied seized almost all powers in 2021. The man sentenced, 56-year-old day labourer Saber Chouchane, is a regular citizen with limited education who was simply writing posts critical of the president before his arrest last year, his lawyer, Oussama Bouthalja, told Reuters. "The judge in the Nabeul court sentenced the man to death over Facebook posts. It is a shocking and unprecedented ruling," Bouthalja said. The judgement has been appealed, he added. The justice ministry was not immediately available to comment. Though courts have occasionally handed down death sentences in T...

 Madagascar president Rajoelina 'ready to listen' but ignores calls to resign Madagascar President Andry Rajoelina said on Friday he was ready to listen to find solutions to problems facing the poor island nation, but ignored calls for his resignation by a nationwide youth-led protest movement. Inspired by similar "Gen Z" demonstrations in Kenya and Nepal, the protests have grown since last week into the largest wave of unrest Madagascar has seen in years, tapping into widespread discontent with high levels of poverty and corruption. The president disbanded the government late on Monday in an attempt to quell public anger, but the move has done little to address grievances that initially erupted in the capital on September 25 over worsening water shortages and power outages. The United Nations says at least 22 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the first few days of the protests. The government rejects those figures. "No one benefits from the destruc...

 Bad Bunny could face ICE action at Super Bowl show, Trump official hints ICE officials could appear at the 2026 Super Bowl, a Homeland Security adviser suggested Wednesday, three days after Bad Bunny was announced as the halftime headliner. The comments came amid a heated political debate, with far-right commentators reacting strongly to the news. Conservative podcaster Benny Johnson asked Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski whether “ICE will have enforcement” at the Super Bowl. Lewandowski, a senior adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, replied, “There is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else.” He added that enforcement would occur at all events, regardless of the performer, saying, “If there are illegal aliens, I don't care if it's a concert for Johnny Smith or Bad Bunny or anybody else… We're going to do enforcement everywhere.” Lewandowski also suggested that choosing performers like B...

Musk reaches $500 billion net worth, first person to do so, Forbes shows Elon Musk became the first person to surpass $500 billion in net worth on Wednesday, driven by a rebound in Tesla shares and rising valuations of his other tech ventures. The milestone comes less than a year after his wealth topped $400 billion, highlighting his position as the world’s richest individual. Musk’s fortune briefly hit $500 billion before settling at $499.1 billion at 5 p.m. ET, according to Forbes’ billionaires index. Much of Musk’s wealth is tied to his roughly 12% stake in Tesla, whose stock has risen about 14% so far this year following a volatile start. Last month, Musk disclosed purchasing around $1 billion in Tesla shares, signaling confidence in the company as it pivots toward AI and robotics. Tesla also proposed a $1 trillion compensation plan for Musk, the largest ever for a corporate executive, setting ambitious operational and financial targets while addressing his requests for a larger st...

 Home Affairs Employee Convicted of Fraud in Calvinia The Calvinia Magistrate’s Court has convicted Dawn Celeste Pieterson (45) on nine counts of fraud and two counts of contravening the Birth and Death Registration Act. The crimes took place between February 2019 and September 2022 while Pieterson was employed at the Department of Home Affairs in Calvinia. As part of her duties, she had access to the national population register, which she abused for personal gain. Investigations revealed that Pieterson took out funeral policies with reputable insurance companies and listed herself as the beneficiary. To claim the benefits, she falsely registered people as deceased by issuing fraudulent BI-1663 death forms. The victims, who were still alive, were recorded as deceased in the system, causing severe disruptions in their daily lives. The case has been postponed to 26 January 2026 for sentencing.

 Nigerian Truck Driver Arrested in R19 Million Drug Bust Near Huguenot Tunnel A 44-year-old Nigerian truck driver has been arrested after police discovered drugs worth nearly R19 million in his vehicle near the Huguenot Tunnel. The truck, which was travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town, was stopped on the N1 during a joint operation involving the Paarl Highway Patrol, Boland K9 Unit, and Provincial Traffic officers. During the search, police found 55.8 kilograms of tik and 30.5 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the truck. The suspect is due to appear in the Paarl Magistrates’ Court on charges of dealing in drugs. One more photo below. 

 Young Teacher, Jeremiah Adina, Reportedly Shot Dead Near Kachia Weeks After Completing NYSC, Kaduna State Tragedy has struck Awon village in Kachia Local Government Area as Jeremiah Adina, a young teacher and recent graduate of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was reportedly killed by gunmen on Wednesday evening. According to a narration shared by Doris Mackson on her Facebook page, Jeremiah had left home in the evening after informing his wife and mother that he needed to attend to an issue in Kachia, about 23 kilometers away. Barely a few kilometers into the journey, the vehicle he boarded was ambushed by armed men. Jeremiah and the driver were shot dead instantly, while another passenger narrowly escaped. She said Jeremiah’s death has thrown his family and the wider community into mourning.  Having grown up as an orphan, he reportedly worked on farms to sponsor himself through the College of Education. He later secured a primary school teaching job, obtained a Bach...

 Ahmadu Bello Stadium Undergoes First Major Renovation Since 1965 Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has reaffirmed his commitment to upgrading the Ahmadu Bello Stadium into a world-class sporting facility that meets FIFA standards. He made the pledge while inspecting the ongoing reconstruction and remodeling of the iconic stadium, which was originally built in 1965 and is now receiving its first major facelift in over 60 years. Governor Sani assured that the project, expected to be completed within 10 months, will restore the stadium’s relevance and enhance sports tourism in the state. In addition to the stadium, the Governor also inspected the Keke–Danbushiya asphalt road project in Millennium City. He emphasized that the road will open up new economic opportunities, improve accessibility, and ease traffic congestion in one of Kaduna’s fastest-growing areas. “These projects reflect our administration’s determination to make Kaduna a hub for sports, healthcare, and infrastructure de...

 LASSA FEVER: NIGERIA REPORTS 2 DEATHS, 11 NEW CASES NCDC confirms 11 new Lassa fever cases & 2 deaths in Week 37, 2025. Total cases: 895, deaths: 166, CFR: 18.5%. DG Dr. Jide Idris stresses early detection & treatment. Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, Ebonyi account for ~90% cases. 21 states, 106 LGAs affected. NCDC urges states to boost public awareness, sanitation & early medical care. Health workers advised to stay vigilant & follow infection prevention protocols.

 SPEAKER MARKS 60TH BIRTHDAY WITH KUJE INMATES, FLAGS OFF EXAM REGISTRATION House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas celebrated his 60th birthday at Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja. Represented by Deputy Chief of Staff Chamberlain Dunku, he launched the registration of 100 inmates for 2025 NABTEB (57) and NECO (43) exams, according to Nigerian Correctional Service PRO Umar Abubakar. This reflects Abbas’ commitment to inclusive governance and education for rehabilitation. Deputy Controller General Olanrewaju Amoran, representing the Controller General, called the venue choice historic and hopeful. FCT Controller Peter Gen noted the visit underscores support for correctional reforms.

 FG Orders Night Construction to Ease Abuja-Keffi Gridlock The Federal Government has directed contractors on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway reconstruction to start night construction to reduce traffic congestion. The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, issued the directive during a project inspection, maintaining the completion timeline of December 2026.

 Ethiopia launches major gas plant, begins construction of oil refinery, fertilizer facility Ethiopia has launched yet another mega economic project and kick-started the construction of additional ones worth $10 billion collectively. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched the completed first phase of Ogaden Liquified Natural Gas Project in Calub, in the country’s Somali Region, TRT Afrika reported. It is a multipurpose plant expected to produce 111 million litres of gas and 1,000 megawatts of electricity. Prime Minister Ahmed also laid the foundation stone of the second phase of the gas project that is bigger with a 1.3-billion-litre annual capacity. The Ethiopian leader also launched a fertilizer plant worth $2.5 billion to be constructed in partnership with Dangote Group, the company of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote. Under an agreement signed in August, Ethiopia will hold a 40% stake, while Dangote Group will own 60%. The plant is expected to produce three million tonnes of fer...

Former senator representing Adamawa North, Elisha Abbo, has denied reports circulating on social media claiming he was arrested and detained by police over the alleged rape of a 13-year-old secondary school student. Speculations surfaced online on Wednesday alleging that the ex-lawmaker was in police custody following accusations that he sexually assaulted a minor at his Katampe residence in Abuja on June 29, 2025. The victim’s family also claimed that senator Abbo repeatedly tried to silence them by sending money to the girl’s father, and further alleged that Senator Aishatu Binani, the 2023 Adamawa governorship candidate, visited them to dissuade them from pursuing the case. But in a swift reaction senator Abbo dismissed the reports as fake news, insisting he is at home and not in police custody. Speaking on phone with our correspondent Abbo described the allegations as a smear campaign orchestrated by political enemies Giving his version of events, the former senator claimed a woman...

  HRH Queen Chanel speaks after OLUWO release video on Ooni of Ife, says all are lies from the pit of hell. PRESS RELEASE From HRH Queen Chanel, Mother of Prince Oduduwa of Iwo Kingdom My attention has been drawn to recent allegations circulating in the media and public space, purportedly involving His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife. I wish to categorically state that such statements are venomously untrue, misleading, and highly damaging to the sacred institution of culture and traditional affairs in Yorubaland. For the avoidance of doubt: I was introduced to Mr. Akanbi by a Popular Lagos Monarch at a party in Ikeja, not by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife. During my time as Olori Oluwo, I respectfully regarded this Lagos Monarch as my Royal Father and continue to hold him in that regard till this day. At no time did this Monarch introduce me to Mr. Akanbi to unalive him or  with any malicious intent. I also recall with fondness that Mr. Akanbi and I once visited the s...

 65-YEAR-OLD BENUE CHIEFTAIN SURPRISES NEW WIFE WITH CAR ON INDEPENDENCE DAY  3rd October, 2025   Chief Atsenda Ishwa, 65, national president of the Ior-Jemgbagh Development Association, gifted his new wife, Mrs. Kpamkwase Atsenda, a Toyota car on October 1st during Nigeria’s Independence Day celebration. The Gboko-based businesswoman, 36, expressed joy on social media, describing her husband as “a father, uncle, and husband in one.” She added: “As e dey pain them, e dey sweet us.” Mrs. Atsenda revealed she met Chief Ishwa while he mediated a dispute with a friend. She said she chose him because of the peace and love she found, insisting that age is “just a number.” Chief Ishwa, who personally delivered the car, said: “God has given me a caring daughter as a wife.” By Terver Philip

 BENUE SUBEB WARNS PUBLIC AGAINST FAKE RECRUITMENT CLAIMS 3rd October, 2025  |  2:41 PM  The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has cautioned the public against falling victim to fraudulent recruitment schemes allegedly being carried out in its name. In a statement signed by the Board’s Information Officer, Akese Emmanuella, SUBEB clarified that the teachers’ recruitment process has already been concluded. The statement stressed that anyone engaging with individuals or groups claiming to offer recruitment opportunities on behalf of the Board does so at their own risk. The public has therefore been advised to disregard such rumours and remain vigilant.

 Sarah Mullally Becomes Leader Of Anglican Church Worldwide As She Has Been Appointed Archbishop Of Canterbury. 63 year old Feminist Dame Sarah Mullally has been named as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury in the Church of England. Sarah Mullally was appointed as the new Archbishop of Canterbury on Friday, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England in the 1,400-year history of the role. Dame Sarah supports same s€x marriages and she described the decision to finally allow priests to bless same-sex couples in 2023 as "a moment of hope for the Church". "In an age that craves certainty and tribalism, Anglicanism offers something quieter and stronger shaped by prayer and lit from within by the glory of Christ. That is what gives me hope." Dame Sarah Mullally - who previously served as the Bishop of London - is the first woman to take over the centuries-old role of Archbishop of Canterbury after her predecessor Justin Welby resigned over his role in cov...

  Niger State Government Signs Multi Billion Dollar MoU with Republic of Benin on Cotton, Maize and Soya Production The Republic of Benin signed a multi-billion-dollar Memorandum of Understanding with Niger State, Nigeria, to boost cotton, maize, and soybean production. The agreement was formalized in Cotonou by Governor Umaru Bago, accompanied by Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi. The deal targets 450,000 tonnes of cotton in Borgu, leveraging Benin’s expertise for high-yield output. It also aims to cultivate 550,000 hectares for maize and soybeans by 2030 through crop rotation, creating one million jobs, promoting sustainable farming, and introducing mechanization and irrigation. The partnership will establish 55 technical centers to train mechanics, drivers, and agronomists, fostering innovation. It includes subsidized seeds and fertilizers, tailored farmer solutions, soil conservation, and progressive irrigation. Joint research and enhanced market syste...

 NAFDAC shuts down two Chinese Supermarkets and eight Cosmetics shops in Abuja The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) closed two Chinese supermarkets in Jabi District and eight cosmetics shops at Wuse Market, Abuja, for violating laws on the sale, distribution, and labeling of regulated products. Under the direction of NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, the enforcement team, led by Mr. Musa Embugushiki, confiscated products worth over ₦170 million. The supermarkets on Mike Akhigbe Way and Ebitu Ukiwe Street were sealed after consumer complaints and surveillance revealed sales of unregistered food items labeled solely in Chinese, violating NAFDAC’s English labeling policy. Despite denials from the Ebitu Street operator, the outlet was fully operational, selling unregistered products. Eight cosmetics shops in Wuse Market were also sealed for selling banned, expired, and unregistered cosmetics, aphrodisiacs, and aesthetic me...

Kwara urges caution as troops target kidnappers The Kwara State Government has urged residents to remain vigilant and restrict non-essential movements as security forces intensify operations against kidnappers’ hideouts across the state. In a statement, the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said security agencies have been reinforced and deployed to suspected bandit enclaves along the Kwara–Kogi border. Olukoju specifically advised residents in Ekiti, Ifelodun, Isin, Oke Ero and Irepodun Local Government Areas to exercise caution, noting that fleeing kidnappers could pose risks to unsuspecting citizens. “We urge people to be very vigilant and limit their movements to essential routines only, to avoid being caught unawares as the kidnappers flee their hideouts. We do not want law-abiding citizens to be affected,” the statement reads in part. While acknowledging the inconvenience of the advisory, the government commended security forces for their renewed operations agains...

 Killings in Ilorin : Alaafin takes proactive steps to fish out perpetrators, checkmate criminal onslaughts.  The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, ,has called on Nigerians to stand together against blood guzzlers and enemies of state, nature, and sound reasoning, who take solace in mindless killings of innocent souls. This, he said would reinforce collective will, to completely snatch the country and destiny from the jaws of insanity and barbarism, just as socio-cultural orientations that uphold the sanctity of life and the intrinsic dignity in the human person must never be surrendered to the ungodly. Oba Owoade gave the admonition on the heels of recent killings of some people who were Yoruba' extraction by those suspected as Fulani herdsmen at Oke Ode area in Kwara State. Disturbed about this ugly development , and putting into consideration the fact that Yorubas and Fulanis had for decades been living harmoniously without let o...

 Tinubu Approves Establishment Of Forest Guards Of Nigeria  President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of forest guards to take charge of 1,129 forests to combat terrorists and bandits, directing the NSA to oversee full implementation, starting with the recruitment of the guards.  This was made known on Wednesday by Sunday Dare, the special adviser to president Tinubu on media and public communication on his official X account. “The President directed that the forest guards be well-trained and armed to carry out their primary duty of flushing out terrorists and other criminals hiding in the forests for illegal activities. The recruitment is a collaborative security effort between the federal and state governments. “The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Ministry of Environment have been tasked with overseeing and ensuring the full implementation of the initiative “Thousands of young Nigeria.

 2Baba denies being arrested in London for assault against wife Nigerian music icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has debunked viral reports suggesting he was arrested in London after a supposed altercation with his wife, Natasha Idibia. In a video shared on social media, the award-winning singer clarified that his failure to appear at a planned UK tour stop on October 2, 2025, was due to a sudden health issue, not a domestic dispute. 2Baba, in an Instagram post, extended gratitude to fans who attended the show despite his absence, assuring them of future performances. He said, “First of all, I want to say everyone that came out, I appreciate you. We had a medical emergency, it was tough. To the organisers and everyone that came out, we go regroup and make something beautiful happen.” Addressing the widespread rumour, the singer criticised those spreading unverified claims, stressing the importance of fact-checking before sharing information. He added, “If una no sabi ...

NBA Offers Free Legal Aid to Nigerians harassed by Police officers Over Tinted Glass Permits The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has pledged free legal support to Nigerians harassed by the police over the controversial tinted glass permit, describing the policy as “illegal” and revenue-driven. In a statement, Olukunle Edun (SAN), Chairman of the NBA’s Public Interest Litigation Committee, said, “We shall invoke the powers of the court to ensure that the Nigeria Police Force does not trample on the rights of Nigerians. Any citizen hara§§ed in the purported enforcement of the illegal tinted glass permit should contact any NBA branch.” He added that the Human Rights Committees of the association’s 130 branches are ready to provide pro bono services, warning that the police could extort up to N3bn monthly under the scheme. The NBA reminded the Inspector General of Police in a letter dated October 2, 2025, that the matter is already before the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS...

 A Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to maintain the status quo in a suit challenging the legality of the reintroduced tinted glass permit. The suit, filed by lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, argues that the police acted beyond the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991, which only allows permits for “good cause” such as health or security needs.  He contends the blanket enforcement violates motorists’ rights to privacy and free movement while enabling harassment by security agents. The police revived the policy through its POSSAP digital platform, citing public complaints and security risks. Official enforcement began in June 2025 after a grace period, later extended twice to October. The police defend the scheme as lawful and necessary, saying criminals often use vehicles with opaque glass to evade detection. Civil society groups and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have opposed...

 Madagascar president Rajoelina to make live address on Facebook Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina is expected to make a live address on his Facebook on Friday, a post on his page said, as protests continue to unfold in the country, Reuters reported. Inspired by similar youth-led "Gen Z" demonstrations in Kenya and Nepal, the protests, which began last week, have grown into the largest wave of unrest Madagascar has seen in years, posing a serious challenge to Rajoelina, who was re-elected in 2023. The president disbanded the government late on Monday, an attempt to quell public anger, but the move has done little to address grievances that initially erupted in the capital over worsening water shortages and power outages. In a post on his X account on Friday, Rajoelina said he had also met various groups for the past three days to discuss the situation in the country.

 Olympic champion Semenya drops landmark legal battle over sex eligibility rules Caster Semenya, the Olympic champion runner from South Africa, is ending her seven-year legal battle against sex eligibility rules in track and field, her legal team announced Thursday. The decision comes after a July ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that had appeared to revive the contentious case. Semenya’s lawyers confirmed they will not appeal the ruling back to the Swiss supreme court, which had been a potential next step. Semenya, a two-time Olympic gold medallist in the 800 meters, has been barred from competing in her signature event at major international meets since 2019 after refusing to take medication to lower her naturally high testosterone levels. Her legal challenge, which has included filings with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the Swiss Federal Tribunal, and the European Court of Human Rights, argued that the rules violated her rights. While the European court found...

Excavators uncover $1 million in gold coins from Spanish shipwreck off Florida’s ‘Treasure Coast’  Beneath the turquoise waters off Florida’s famed “Treasure Coast,” divers from a shipwreck salvage team have uncovered a haul of long-lost Spanish treasure valued at roughly $1 million. The team recovered more than 1,000 silver and gold coins this summer along the Atlantic coast, believed to have been minted in the Spanish colonies of Bolivia, Mexico, and Peru. Centuries ago, the fortune was being transported back to Spain when a hurricane sank the 1715 Fleet on July 31, spilling treasures into the ocean. Over the years, salvagers have retrieved millions of dollars in gold coins from wrecks along the coast between Melbourne and Fort Pierce. Some of the newly recovered coins still bear visible dates and mint marks, offering historians and collectors valuable insights. Sal Guttuso, director of operations for the salvage company, described the find as “both rare and extraordinary,” notin...

 Google trims over 100 design positions in cloud division Google has cut more than 100 employees in design-related positions within its cloud division, according to internal documents. The layoffs affected teams focused on “quantitative user experience research” and “platform and service experience,” along with several related groups. These roles typically use data, surveys, and behavioral analysis to guide product development and design decisions. Many of those impacted are based in the U.S., and some have until early December to transition to other positions within the company. The reductions come as Google shifts its spending priorities toward artificial intelligence infrastructure. Over the past year, the company has offered voluntary exit packages to employees across multiple U.S. units and reduced the number of managers overseeing small teams by over a third. Employees have also been encouraged to incorporate more AI tools into their daily workflows. Google’s cost-cutting eff...

 Trump signs executive order pledging US support for Qatar  President Donald Trump has signed an executive order pledging to defend Qatar, including through military action if necessary, though the exact legal weight of the commitment remains uncertain. The order, dated Monday but posted Wednesday on the White House website, underscores the two countries’ “close cooperation” and shared strategic interests, promising to “guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the state of Qatar against external attack.” The text states that any armed assault on Qatar’s territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure would be considered a threat to U.S. peace and security, with the United States committing to take “all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military — to defend the interests of the United States and of the state of Qatar and to restore peace and stability.” The order followed a visit to Washington by Israeli Prime Min...

Fran Drescher receives star on Hollywood Walk of Fame  Actress Fran Drescher was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during a ceremony Tuesday, becoming the 2,822nd recipient. She received the recognition for her work in film and television. Drescher is best known for co-creating, executive producing, and starring in the CBS sitcom The Nanny, which earned her two Emmy awards and two Golden Globe nominations. Her film work includes roles in This is Spinal Tap, Ragtime, Jack, Doctor Detroit, Cadillac Man, and The Beautician and the Beast. “Fran has not only brought laughter and joy to millions through her unforgettable work on screen, but she has also shown tremendous strength and dedication as a leader for her fellow performers,” said Hollywood Walk of Fame producer Ana Martinez. Drescher served four years as president of SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ union, before being succeeded by Sean Astin in June. At the ceremony, fellow actresses Natasha Lyonne, Renee Taylor, and Lisa ...

Afghanistan restores internet after two days of disruption and flight cancellations Internet service in Afghanistan was restored on Wednesday following a two-day blackout that disrupted daily life, grounded flights, and paralyzed the economy. The outage halted transportation systems, banking services, and health care, while cell phone networks were also suspended, leaving residents largely cut off from communication. The Taliban government, which seized control in 2021 after U.S. forces withdrew, has yet to provide a clear explanation for the outage. Afghan officials offered conflicting statements, with one spokesperson for the Ministry of Telecommunications saying the reason for the shutdown was still unknown. The blackout followed an earlier partial restriction ordered on September 16 in roughly half of the country, justified by a Taliban governor as a measure “for the prevention of vices.” Full mobile and Internet access was suspended on Monday. In Kabul, residents expressed relief ...

Sean 'Diddy' Combs scheduled for sentencing Friday  Sean “Diddy” Combs is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday following his July 2 conviction on two counts of transportation for the purpose of prostitution. The 55-year-old rapper and music mogul faced multiple charges but was acquitted of the most serious accusation, human trafficking. Combs’ attorneys requested a 14-month sentence, nearly equivalent to the time he has already served, while prosecutors have sought an 11-year term. In a 380-page filing, his lawyers highlighted his nearly 13 months in prison as “life-changing” and emphasized his rehabilitation efforts, including becoming substance-free. The memo included letters from family, friends, and business associates urging leniency. Combs has been held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since his September 2024 arrest. Last week, his legal team asked Judge Arun Subramanian to overturn the convictions, claiming Combs’ intent was voyeuristic rather than profit-driv...

Lionsgate to release Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair in December  Lionsgate announced Wednesday that it will release Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair in theaters on Dec. 5. The version combines the 2003 Vol. 1 and 2004 Vol. 2 into a single film, running four hours and 18 minutes with an intermission. The combined film was previously screened in June at Quentin Tarantino's Vista Theater in Los Angeles, with additional showings added in September. Tarantino first presented it at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006, and its U.S. debut was at the New Beverly Cinema. This version removes the Vol. 1 teaser and Vol. 2 recap, while adding alternate lines, a full-color version of a black-and-white sequence from Vol. 1, and a longer animated segment. Tarantino said in a statement, “I wrote and directed it as one movie—and I’m so glad to give the fans the chance to see it as one movie. The best way to see Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair is at a movie theater in glorious 70mm or 35mm.” Li...

 Jane Fonda revives Red Scare-era panel to defend free speech Jane Fonda, along with a group of Hollywood actors, directors, writers, and producers, relaunched the post-World War II Committee for the First Amendment to defend free speech against what they see as political suppression under the Trump administration. The original committee, formed in 1947 by figures such as Gene Kelly, Humphrey Bogart, and Lauren Bacall, opposed the Red Scare-era persecution of left-leaning individuals in Hollywood during the late 1940s and 1950s. In a statement on Wednesday, the new committee said it was reviving the group in response to what it described as a modern campaign to silence critics across government, media, academia, and the entertainment industry. “We refuse to stand by and let that happen. Free speech and free expression are the inalienable rights of every American of all backgrounds and political beliefs — no matter how liberal or conservative you may be,” the statement read. The com...

 SECURITY INFORMATION ON THE ONGOING NEW YAM CELEBRATION IN ANAMBRA: POLICE WARN INTENDING TROUBLEMAKERS TO RESPECT COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AND AVOID PARALLEL EVENTS AND CRISIS Following security information regarding the ongoing New Yam Celebration across various communities in Anambra State, the Police Command has strongly warned individuals and groups against any acts capable of breaching the peace. In particular, any attempt to organize parallel events or to undermine or disrespect community/government-recognized leadership during the festivities will not be tolerated as offenders will be made to face the full weight of the Law. Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc mnips PhD has directed all Divisional Police Officers, tactical teams, and Area Commanders to intensify visibility policing, patrols, and intelligence gathering within their areas of responsibility. These measures are aimed at ensuring maximum security, Law, and Order before, during, and after...

 Illinois- Today, in the early morning hours, a dramatic and fatal incident in New Canton ultimately left three family members deceased. It was a chaotic scene and even the local schools had to be locked down.  Authorities in New Canton responded to a home on the 300 block of Mississippi Street after receiving an alarming 911 call at 6 a.m.   The caller informed dispatchers that her husband, 67-year-old Gerald Waligorski, had shot her. She went on to tell deputies Gerald had also threatened to harm her parents. Due to the threat against the victims' parents, and being afraid Gerald was going to harm the elderly couple, deputies did a welfare check on their home on the 200 block of Monroe Street. Sadly, upon entering the home, deputies discovered both of Gerald's in-laws were deceased. Back on scene at the home of the initial caller, multiple agencies descended on the scene. After unsuccessfully trying to contact Gerald, a SWAT team entered the home where they found Gerald...

  An Illinois woman attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza has been forcibly taken into custody by Israeli forces.  Jessica Clotfelter of Windsor, Illinois, has been forcibly taken into custody by the Israeli government. Jessica had taken to social media and reached out to many news reporters, as well as having her friends reach out to news reporters, warning them that she was about to be kidnapped from her ship. In one video you can see Jessica and others on her ship wearing flotation devices and then after Israeli forces spotlighted their flotilla, video shows absolutely not a soul left on board. She had nowhere to go.  Jessica, who is a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corp, was on one of the 50 ships that made up the Global Sumud Flotilla. Jessica is a Christian woman who felt honored and a calling to help others in need. Jessica's specific humanitarian ship was predominantly full of baby formula and food.  As the ships were drawing near...