Global Pulse

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  • Britain’s Starmer fights for his job as calls for his ouster grow after local election losses

    Britain’s Starmer fights for his job as calls for his ouster grow after local election losses

    LONDON – Less than two years after securing a landslide general election victory that brought his centre-left Labour Party back to national power, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer now faces an existential threat to his leadership, triggered by catastrophic losses across last week’s local, devolved and regional elections.

    The poor electoral showing, widely framed by political analysts as an unofficial public referendum on Starmer’s premiership, has spurred dozens of sitting Labour lawmakers to publicly call for his resignation. With internal party rivals already weighing potential leadership bids, Starmer is gearing up to deliver a make-or-break speech on Monday, where he will attempt to outline a new policy direction and rebuild his government’s flagging political fortunes.

    One backbench Labour lawmaker, Catherine West, has issued an explicit ultimatum: if she is unimpressed by the content of Starmer’s address, she will move to formally trigger a party leadership contest. Though West acknowledged she currently lacks the 51 signatures from parliamentary colleagues required to force a contest, her move is widely seen as an effort to pressure higher-profile potential challengers to publicly declare their opposition to Starmer.

    Among the most talked-about potential challengers is former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who stopped short of directly calling for Starmer’s ouster but acknowledged the party urgently needs to shift course. “The prime minister must now meet the moment and set out the change our country needs,” Rayner said in a statement released after the election results.

    Last week’s elections, held across English local councils, as well as devolved legislative bodies in Scotland and Wales, delivered historic losses for Labour. The party was squeezed from both the left and right flanks of British politics, shedding votes to the right-wing, anti-immigration Reform UK party and the left-leaning Green Party – a shift that underscores the growing fragmentation of Britain’s traditionally two-party system, long dominated by Labour and the Conservative Party.

    Starmer’s premiership has been plagued by unmet promises and repeated missteps since taking office. His administration has failed to deliver the promised economic growth voters were promised, has struggled to repair underfunded, stretched public services, and has not meaningfully eased the persistent cost-of-living crisis that continues to burden working households across the UK. Repeated policy U-turns and mismanagement on high-profile issues, including welfare reform, have further eroded public trust. The Prime Minister also faced widespread backlash for his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a politician long tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to Washington – a appointment that was ultimately scrapped amid the scandal.

    Despite the mounting pressure, Starmer struck a defiant tone in an interview with The Observer newspaper on Sunday, saying he intends to remain in Downing Street for a full decade. He is pinning his political survival on two key upcoming events: his Monday policy speech, and the State Opening of Parliament on Wednesday, where King Charles III will deliver the Labour government’s full slate of upcoming legislative plans.

    A central pillar of Starmer’s proposed new policy direction is a push for closer economic and social ties with the European Union, which the UK left in 2016, following a narrow membership referendum. Starmer’s government has already moved to relax some of the post-Brexit trade barriers that have hurt British businesses since the split, and he now plans to negotiate a youth mobility agreement that would allow British young people to work across EU member states for multiple years. “Brexit has held back our young people. We have to be closer to Europe,” Starmer told The Observer. While Labour campaigned to remain in the EU in 2016, Starmer has repeatedly ruled out seeking full re-entry to the bloc, its customs union or single market – policies that business leaders say would deliver major economic benefits.

    While no high-profile potential challengers including Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have yet to publicly call for Starmer’s resignation, a growing number of backbench MPs are demanding he lay out a clear timeline for stepping down. Unlike many parliamentary democracies, UK political rules allow parties to replace their sitting prime minister mid-term without holding an early general election.

    Josh Simons, a previously loyal Labour MP, wrote in The Times of London that Starmer “has lost the country” and “should take control of the situation by overseeing an orderly transition to a new prime minister.” West echoed that sentiment, framing the internal pressure as a response to voter anger. “Working people sent us a message. We have to listen to that, and we have to change and we have to do it quickly,” she said.

  • Venezuela warns of ‘serious’ environmental impact from alleged oil spill in Trinidad and Tobago

    Venezuela warns of ‘serious’ environmental impact from alleged oil spill in Trinidad and Tobago

    CARACAS – In an official statement addressed to the global community released late Saturday, Venezuela has formally alleged that an oil spill originating in neighboring Trinidad and Tobago has left significant irreversible environmental harm across coastal regions of at least two of its states and a shared gulf in the Caribbean.

    Initial environmental assessments carried out by Venezuelan authorities confirm that the spill has created severe ecological risks for natural habitats in Sucre, Delta Amacuro, and the Gulf of Paria, the country’s Foreign Ministry confirmed. The contamination is already endangering critical mangrove forests, protected wetland ecosystems, and the broader environmental equilibrium that supports biodiversity and local livelihoods across the region, according to the statement.

    Venezuela has not yet released key details about the timeline of the first detection of the spill, nor has it provided an official estimate of the total volume of oil that leaked into the water. As of Monday, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has not issued any public comment, confirmation, or denial regarding Venezuela’s claims of the spill originating from its territory.

    In addition to requesting full transparency about the incident, including details of any containment and mitigation measures already in place, Venezuela is demanding formal reparations for the environmental damage in line with established international environmental law, the official statement added.

    The Gulf of Paria, a semi-enclosed inland sea positioned south of Trinidad and along Venezuela’s eastern coastline, is shared jointly between the two nations. The two countries signed a formal border delimitation treaty in the 1990s that laid out clear terms for the exploration and extraction of hydrocarbon reserves along the shared maritime boundary.

    According to data from Trinidad and Tobago’s own Ministry of Energy, the island nation is one of the largest energy producers in the Caribbean, with extensive oil and gas exploration operations across both onshore territory and shallow offshore waters, including in areas adjacent to the Gulf of Paria.

  • Prizmic follows up on Djokovic exploit by reaching Italian Open last 16

    Prizmic follows up on Djokovic exploit by reaching Italian Open last 16

    Rome’s iconic Foro Italico clay courts have served up another thrilling chapter at the 2025 Italian Open, 1000-level Masters tournament, as 20-year-old Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic continued his Cinderella run Sunday. Fresh off his career-defining upset of global tennis legend Novak Djokovic in the previous round, Prizmic notched another impressive victory, defeating 31st-seeded Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-1, 7-5 to book his spot in the tournament’s final 16.

    Prizmic’s dominance from the opening game left Humbert struggling to find his rhythm. The young Croatian blazed to a 5-0 lead in the first set, closing it out in just 28 minutes, with his signature combination of brute power and pinpoint clay-court accuracy. Even with a mid-set playful trick shot between his legs that cost him a single point, Prizmic never looked threatened. Humbert mounted a tighter fight in the second set, but a third break of serve in the 11th game handed Prizmic the momentum he needed to seal the win on his second match point.

    Speaking to reporters after his victory on Court Pietrangeli, Prizmic kept his expectations grounded while outlining his long-term goals. “I just want to play my game and to be myself on the court and we will see,” he said. “Maybe for me the goal is to be top 30 at the end of the year but I just want to stay healthy and play as much as I can.”

    The run marks Prizmic’s best ever performance at an ATP Masters 1000 event, and the ranking points will lift him 11 spots to world No. 68 when the new rankings are released next Monday, just ahead of the start of the French Open. Up next, Prizmic will face 13th seed Karen Khachanov for a spot in the quarterfinals.

    In other men’s draw action, second seed Alexander Zverev, bidding for his third Italian Open title, cruised to a straightforward 6-1, 6-4 win over Belgian youngster Alexander Blockx, even as rain threatened to disrupt play on the centre court. The German, who won the Rome title in 2017 and 2024 and fell to Jannik Sinner in last week’s Madrid Open final, barely broke a sweat against Blockx, who he had already defeated in the Madrid semifinals. Zverev will next face the winner of the match between Tommy Paul and Italy’s home hope Luciano Darderi in the fourth round. Heading into the next match, Zverev acknowledged Prizmic’s breakout run but said he would remain focused on his own game. “There’s a lot of young guys who are playing great tennis. He’s definitely one of them,” Zverev said. “But I’m going to go match by match, I think that’s the most important thing, not to look too far ahead and focus on the things that you can control.” Zverev and Prizmic are drawn in the same half of the bracket, setting up a potential later meeting between the two.

    Italian crowd favorite Lorenzo Musetti also advanced to the final 16 after a grueling 7-6(7), 6-4 win over Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo. Musetti, who will face clay specialist Casper Ruud next, broke down in tears after the match, telling reporters he had been struggling physically throughout the contest but did not elaborate on his specific ailment. The match featured a combined 81 unforced errors from both players, highlighting the physical toll of clay court competition.

    In the women’s draw, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka put on a dominant display to breeze past Russian player Diana Schnaider 6-1, 6-2 in just 54 minutes, putting her one win away from a highly anticipated showdown with three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek in the last 16. The result equals Osaka’s best performance of a rocky 2025 season, which has seen her knocked out at the third-round stage of both Indian Wells and Madrid by Aryna Sabalenka. With Sabalenka already out of the tournament following a shocking early upset on Saturday, the 15th-seeded Osaka has emerged as a legitimate contender for the Rome title.

    Osaka said she is eager for a potential clash with Swiatek, who is set to face Italian wild card Elisabetta Cocciaretto on centre court in front of a partisan home crowd. “For me those matches are the most fun. I’m excited at the thought,” Osaka said. Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, has struggled for form on clay in recent months: she retired from her third-round match in Madrid last month due to a viral illness, suffered an early third-round exit in Rome as defending champion last year, and needed nearly three hours to get past Caty McNally in her opening match this year. She has not won a clay court title since claiming her fourth French Open crown in 2024.

  • Plane sent to bring Irish passengers home from virus-hit ship

    Plane sent to bring Irish passengers home from virus-hit ship

    A deadly hantavirus outbreak onboard the Dutch-owned cruise vessel MV Hondius has sparked a coordinated international evacuation effort, after the outbreak claimed three lives and forced hundreds of passengers to be repatriated to their home countries for mandatory quarantine.

    The vessel docked at the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife early on Sunday morning, following weeks of the virus spreading among passengers and crew. By the time the ship reached port, passengers from Spain and France had already completed disembarkation and flown back to their home nations, where they are now completing isolation protocols.

    The Irish government moved quickly to organize the repatriation of two of its citizens who were onboard the cruise, deploying an Irish Air Corps aircraft to Tenerife on Sunday afternoon to conduct a specialized aeromedical evacuation. Ireland’s Department of Health confirmed that the operation was designed to transport the two passengers directly back to Irish territory, with the mission contingent on the pair maintaining good health following their disembarkation. Officials added that both Irish citizens have already followed required isolation rules while onboard the ship and are currently in stable good health.

    Spanish health and port authorities confirmed Sunday that the process of evaluating passengers’ health status and coordinating disembarkation was progressing smoothly and as planned. In addition to the Irish passengers, travelers from the United Kingdom, Turkey, and the United States are scheduled for evacuation from Tenerife later the same day, according to official updates.

    The outbreak has already resulted in three fatalities onboard the MV Hondius, two of which have been confirmed as linked to hantavirus infection. All passengers who leave the ship will be required to complete a period of self-isolation after departing Tenerife, a requirement driven by the virus’s maximum incubation period of up to nine weeks. The World Health Organization has formally issued a recommendation that all exposed passengers complete a 42-day quarantine starting from their date of last potential exposure to the virus.

    This is not the first emergency response triggered by the MV Hondius outbreak. Earlier in the crisis, British military medics parachuted into the remote Atlantic island of Tristan da Cunha, a British overseas territory, to assist a British national who disembarked the cruise in mid-April and developed suspected hantavirus symptoms two weeks after arriving. The man, a resident of the remote island, remains in stable condition while isolating. When local oxygen supplies on the island dropped to a critical level, the UK Ministry of Defense arranged for an RAF A400M transport aircraft to drop additional oxygen supplies to the island Saturday.

    Irish officials emphasized that the entire repatriation process has been developed in close consultation with public health experts, with strict protocols in place to protect both returning passengers and local communities. “The return of the passengers has been carefully planned and guided by public health authorities to ensure safety for everyone—these measures protect communities while respecting the dignity and well being of those returning home,” the Irish Department of Health said in a formal statement.

  • Pakistan car bomb attack kills 15 police officers

    Pakistan car bomb attack kills 15 police officers

    A devastating coordinated attack targeting a police checkpoint in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has left 15 law enforcement officers dead, regional authorities confirmed Sunday. The assault, carried out late Saturday in Bannu district, unfolded in multiple phases that caught responding officers off guard.

    According to local police accounts, a suicide bomber first drove an explosives-laden vehicle directly into the perimeter of the guard post, triggering a massive detonation that leveled the checkpoint structure. Photos released from the attack site show extensive destruction: the checkpoint is reduced to crumbled concrete, with twisted metal fragments and charred debris scattered across the surrounding ground.

    After the initial blast, the remaining assailants moved into an adjacent building and opened gunfire on surviving officers. When additional security units rushed to the area to reinforce the outpost, they too came under sustained enemy fire. Rescue teams later pulled three wounded officers alive from the rubble; all three were immediately transported to a nearby medical facility and are currently reported to be in stable condition. Authorities have launched a full search and clearance operation to secure the area and track down any remaining attackers.

    The assault has been claimed by Ittehad-ul-Mujahideen, a fast-growing Islamist militant coalition that official records confirm has ties to the Pakistani Taliban. The alliance formed only last year in April 2025, when three separate violent factions — the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group (HBG), Lashkar-e-Islam, and Harkat Inqilab-e-Islami Pakistan (HIIP) — merged to expand their operational reach, according to data from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies. The institute notes that HBG has a long track record of carrying out lethal attacks in Bannu district, while U.S.-based Combating Terrorism Center at West Point has previously documented Lashkar-e-Islam’s formal alliance with the Pakistani Taliban.

    Local senior police official Sajjad Khan praised his personnel’s conduct during the unprecedented attack. “Our force has shown courage and bravery in this difficult situation,” Khan said in an official statement, adding, “This cowardly act of extremists is intolerable and the blood of those killed will be accounted for.”

    Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari offered formal condolences to the families of the fallen officers, reaffirming the nation’s unwavering support for its security forces. “The nation stands shoulder-to-shoulder with its security forces,” Zardari’s statement read. “The nefarious intentions of terrorists will be defeated.”

    This latest attack comes as Pakistan continues to grapple with persistent insurgent violence across multiple regions. Earlier this year in February, a suicide bombing targeting a mosque in the capital city of Islamabad killed dozens of people and wounded more than 160, an act that the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for. That attack followed just days after a wave of coordinated gun and bomb assaults in southwestern Pakistan’s Balochistan province, where a violent separatist insurgency has persisted for decades.

    Longstanding geopolitical tensions around militant activity have strained relations between Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan. The Pakistani government has repeatedly accused Afghan authorities of harboring militant groups that use Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan, a claim the ruling Afghan Taliban has consistently denied.

  • Magnier wins another nail-biting sprint at the Giro d’Italia as Silva stays in pink

    Magnier wins another nail-biting sprint at the Giro d’Italia as Silva stays in pink

    The 109th edition of the Giro d’Italia wrapped up its opening three stages hosted in Bulgaria on Sunday, with young French sprinter Paul Magnier delivering a dramatic photo-finish victory to secure his second stage win of the race, while Uruguayan trailblazer Guillermo Silva held onto his position as the overall general classification leader ahead of the race’s transition to Italian soil.

    The 175-kilometer third stage stretched from Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited urban settlements, across the Bulgarian countryside to the capital city of Sofia. Three riders – Diego Pablo Sevilla, Alessandro Tonelli, and Manuele Tarozzi – launched an early breakaway immediately after the starting flag dropped, and maintained their gap over the peloton for most of the day. As the finish line came into view, however, the chasing main field reeled in the escapees, setting up a hotly contested bunch sprint.

    In a finish so tight it left even the winner uncertain of the result, Magnier, riding for the Soudal Quick-Step team, edged out Italian sprinter Jonathan Milan by just half a wheel’s length. Dutch veteran Dylan Groenewegen finished a hair’s breadth behind Milan to take third place. Confusion reigned in the immediate aftermath: Magnier initially threw his arm up in celebration, only to lower it just as quickly, unsure if he had crossed the line first. It was the 19-year-old Frenchman’s second stage win of this year’s Giro, following his victory in the opening stage held Friday.

    “I dreamed about it and it was the goal to go for the stage again and the team did an amazing job again,” Magnier told reporters after the official result confirmed his win. “To be honest, I was not really sure I had won the stage. I celebrated and then I thought, ‘oh, I’m not sure’ but in the end I won, so I’m really happy. Now I have to say that I feel really good and I can be with the best sprinters in the world, so I will try to enjoy this moment and keep going like this with the team.”

    Uruguay’s Guillermo Silva retained his overall lead, becoming the first Uruguayan in Giro history to not only win a stage but also hold the race’s iconic maglia rosa (pink leader’s jersey) heading into the next phase of competition. The 24-year-old XDS Astana rider won a crash-disrupted second stage on Saturday to claim the top spot, and holds a four-second advantage over his closest competitors: German rider Florian Stork and Italian climbing specialist Giulio Ciccone.

    Silva expressed his shock and gratitude at holding onto the jersey as the Giro prepares to shift to Italy, saying: “The team is extremely supportive and wanted me to keep this jersey going into the rest day. So we’re going to enjoy it. Today was just unbelievable. Every moment, people were looking at me and I still can’t quite believe it. We’ll try to hold onto it for as long as possible and it’s very nice to carry it to Italy.”

    Following Sunday’s stage, the Giro will hold a rest day on Monday, before resuming competition in Italy with the fourth stage on Tuesday. That 138-kilometer route will run from Catanzaro, in southern Italy’s Calabria region, to Cosenza. The 109th men’s Giro d’Italia will conclude on May 31 in Rome. The 2025 women’s Giro is scheduled to run from May 30 to June 7, with Italian star Elisa Longo Borghini set to defend her title.

  • Beatles’ early years drama starts filming in Germany

    Beatles’ early years drama starts filming in Germany

    Decades after The Beatles reshaped global popular music, a highly anticipated new television drama exploring the band’s little-known formative years has entered production, with filming locations spanning two countries that shaped their earliest identity. Titled *Hamburg Days*, the six-part BBC One project centers on the era between 1960 and 1962, when the fledgling rock group played more than 250 chaotic, career-building shows in Hamburg, Germany’s bustling port city.

    Unlike later Beatles content that focuses on the band’s legendary 1960s global superstardom, *Hamburg Days* spotlights the original lineup that many casual fans do not know well: it includes bassist Stuart Sutcliffe and drummer Pete Best, alongside young founding members John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison. The story draws its core inspiration from the memoirs of Klaus Voormann, a German artist and musician who collaborated closely with the band in later years — most famously designing the iconic cover art for their 1966 *Revolver* album, and even stepping in to play bass on select Beatles recordings.

    The co-production between British and German entertainment firms will split filming between multiple key locations: Liverpool (the band’s lifelong hometown in northwest England), the northern German port of Hamburg, and Munich in southern Germany. Producers have framed the series as an intimate origin story, tracing how the young, scrappy group of British teenagers met Voormann and pioneering photographer Astrid Kirchherr — connections that would spark the artistic transformation that turned them into what would become the most influential music phenomenon in modern history.

    Kirchherr, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 81, is widely credited with shaping The Beatles’ signature early visual identity, including the iconic mop-top hairstyle that became one of their most recognizable trademarks. She was also engaged to Sutcliffe, who left the band to pursue fine arts studies in Hamburg, only to die from a brain hemorrhage at just 21 years old in 1962, a devastating loss that left a lasting mark on the remaining band members. For his part, Best — who was famously ousted from the band by manager Brian Epstein in 1962, replaced by Ringo Starr — has previously spoken publicly about his shock at the abrupt dismissal, a moment the drama is expected to address with nuance.

    The project boasts an acclaimed creative team. The script is penned by Wirral-born writer Jamie Carragher, who previously contributed to the award-winning HBO hit series *Succession*, while directing duties are split between Christian Schwochow, a veteran of Netflix’s *The Crown*, and German filmmaker Laura Lackmann. The newly announced cast features rising young performers: Rhys Mannion will lead as John Lennon, with Ellis Murphy as Paul McCartney, Harvey Brett as George Harrison, Louis Landau as Stuart Sutcliffe, and Patrick Gilmore as Pete Best. German actors round out the key creative roles, with Luna Jane portraying Astrid Kirchherr, Laura Tonke playing her mother Nielsa, and Casper von Bülow taking on the role of Klaus Voormann.

    Cast members joined local officials from both Liverpool and Hamburg for a public event over the weekend, appearing at the opening of a new exhibition of never-before-seen Beatles letters in Hamburg. The gathering included Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, who was in Hamburg for an official trade mission, and Hamburg state secretary Christoph Holstein.

    *Hamburg Days* is not the only major Beatles biographical project currently in production: acclaimed director Sam Mendes is also working on a four-part feature film series about the band, which is on track to release in 2028, with a star-studded cast including Harris Dickinson as Lennon, Paul Mescal as McCartney, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr, and Joseph Quinn as Harrison. For Liverpool, the arrival of the new drama cements the region’s growing status as a major UK production hub: in recent months, Merseyside has hosted more on-location shoots than any other UK region outside of London, with projects including *This City is Ours*, *The Cage*, and the iconic gangster series *Peaky Blinders* all filming there.

  • Bread dresses and gowns inspired by cathedrals at Nigeria fashion spectacle

    Bread dresses and gowns inspired by cathedrals at Nigeria fashion spectacle

    Widely hailed as Africa’s most prestigious red-carpet gathering for film and fashion, the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) touched down in Lagos, Nigeria, last weekend, turning a traditional awards ceremony into a global showcase of African creative excellence. Hosted at the iconic Eko Hotel and Suites, the annual event balances two core missions: honoring standout achievements in African film, television, and digital storytelling, while giving creators and celebrities a high-profile platform to test boundary-pushing fashion designs that spark conversation across the continent. This year, the red carpet leaned into unapologetic, over-the-top creativity, with many stars bringing large entourages to help navigate crowds of photographers and screaming fans while maneuvering oversized, elaborate ensembles.

    One of the most viral looks of the night came from reality TV personality Queen Mercy Atang, who turned heads in a custom gown crafted entirely from more than 500 loaves of bread. Flanked by two attendants carrying additional bread trays and a team of assistants to support the heavy outfit as she walked the carpet, Atang admitted the design left her barely able to move freely — but explained the look was a deliberate marketing move for her own bread-baking business, not just a stunt for attention. “What better stage to promote my brand than the AMVCA?” she told reporters. The design, created by renowned Nigerian designer Toyin Lawani of Tiannah’s Empire, launched a new trend Lawani termed “everyone wear your business,” and quickly dominated social media discussion around the event. While some fans praised the clever entrepreneurial branding, others criticized the design as a waste of food — a claim Atang quickly rejected.

    Ghanaian fashion icon Nana Akua Addo, long known for her dramatic AMVCA appearances, delivered another showstopping moment with a structured silver gown inspired by Germany’s Cologne Cathedral. The architectural design featured hand-painted details mimicking cathedral windows, sweeping cathedral-shaped extensions, and coordinated silver accessories, with Addo’s team on hand to help carry the largest sections of the piece. Designer Abasswoman revealed the creative process began back in November 2025, with final touches completed just 48 hours before the ceremony, built to mirror the centuries-old landmark’s grandeur and meticulous craftsmanship.

    Nigerian actress Uche Montana, who also took home the night’s Trailblazer Award — an honor recognizing rising talents making unique contributions to African entertainment — arrived in a fiery red-and-gold feathered ensemble designed to symbolize “fire and the rebirth of the phoenix.” Montana shared that the look had been in development since the start of 2026, and that she invested a significant personal sum to bring the vision to life, pushing back against the common misconception that all celebrity red-carpet looks are provided for free by brands. “So much financial and emotional work goes into creating these looks,” she explained.

    Beyond the red carpet spectacle, the night delivered emotional and historic moments that celebrated the very best of African storytelling. Bucci Franklin earned the award for Best Supporting Actor for his turn as Oboz, a brash, unapologetically loyal cybercrime boss in the feature *To Kill a Monkey*, a role deeply rooted in the street culture of Nigeria’s Benin region. To prepare for the part, Franklin immersed himself in local influencers, music, and dialect, a commitment that earned widespread praise from audiences for its raw realism. In a moving acceptance speech, Franklin dedicated the win to his mother, who passed away just one week before the film’s premiere. *To Kill a Monkey* also took home the award for Best Cinematography.

    Linda Ejiofor made AMVCA history as the first performer ever to win two of the ceremony’s biggest acting awards in a single night: Best Lead Actress for *The Serpent’s Gift* and Best Supporting Actress for *The Herd*. The star told reporters she had only dared to hope for one win, but her husband had predicted the double victory ahead of the ceremony. She also thanked her mother, who worked with her to refine her Igbo language delivery for her roles until she felt fully confident in the performances.

    The critically acclaimed drama *My Father’s Shadow* capped its historic awards run by taking home three of the night’s top honors: Best Movie, Best Director, and Best Writing, for filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. The project, which explores themes of paternal love, estrangement, and grief, made history earlier this year as the first Nigerian film ever selected for the official lineup at the Cannes Film Festival, and has already screened in theaters across Nigeria and the United Kingdom. It beat out fan favorites including *The Herd*, *The Serpent’s Gift*, and *Gingerrr* to claim the top prize.

    Additional acting honors went to Uzor Arukwe, who took home Best Lead Actor for *Colours of Fire*, while industry veterans Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their decades-long contributions to Nollywood. Kanayo O. Kanayo leaned into his iconic on-screen persona as a stylish, powerful godfather for his red-carpet look, describing the tailored ensemble as a celebration of “old money godfatherism and tailored mafia” style, styled by Prinz Innovation.

    Many stars used the red carpet to celebrate African cultural heritage, with Nollywood favorite Stan Nze — known for his work centering Igbo culture — stepping out in a sleek black ensemble paired with his signature traditional engraved horse-hide hand fan. Reality star and actor Tobi Bakre channeled Yoruba royalty in a handcrafted agbada by designers Deji and Kola, paired with a custom brass ceremonial staff. Actress and producer Monica Friday used her look to make a political statement, wearing a purple ball gown embroidered with the flags of seven nations including Iran, which she described as a tribute to conflict zones around the world and a call for global peace.

    Even without an official best-dressed category this year, fan favorite Osas Ighodaro — a multiple-time winner of the award — delivered one of the most anticipated looks of the night, stepping out in a flowing silver corset gown by Veekee James encrusted with hundreds of crystals and gemstones. Emerging creators from across the continent also brought bold creativity to the red carpet: Angolan actress Lesliana Pereira wowed in a floor-length black gown featuring a half-butterfly wing embellished with shimmering gold and silver stones, while reality star OJ Posharella showcased her own design work in a multi-layered colorful look paired with an oversized statement bow perched on her head.

    As the 12th AMVCA draws to a close, the event once again solidified its reputation as Africa’s leading cultural gathering, highlighting both the growing global influence of Nollywood and the unmatched creativity of African fashion designers.

  • Iran sends response to US proposals to end war

    Iran sends response to US proposals to end war

    Nearly three months after the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran that sparked an open regional conflict, diplomatic efforts have reached a critical juncture: Iranian officials have formally submitted their reply to U.S. peace proposals mediated through Pakistan, according to multiple Iranian state media outlets. As of Sunday evening, neither Tehran nor Washington has released any public details of the response or the original American draft, but reporting from U.S. news outlet Axios has shed light on the framework of the proposal, which is structured as a 14-point memorandum of understanding that paves the way for full negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.

    A temporary ceasefire designed to create space for diplomatic talks has been largely upheld since it was implemented in February, though sporadic exchanges of fire have continued across front lines. However, two major punitive measures have kept tensions high and roiled global energy markets: Iran has maintained a total blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical chokepoint for global oil and natural gas trade, while the U.S. Navy has enforced its own blockade of Iranian commercial ports to pressure Tehran to accept Washington’s terms. The American naval embargo has sparked fierce outrage across Iranian leadership.

    Speaking publicly on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian struck a defiant tone, emphasizing that Tehran would not concede to foreign pressure. “We will never bow our heads before the enemy,” Pezeshkian said in a post to X, clarifying that any willingness to engage in talks does not equate to surrender. “If talk of dialogue or negotiation arises, it does not mean surrender or retreat. Rather, the goal is to uphold the rights of the Iranian nation and to defend national interests with resolute strength.”

    Axios, citing four anonymous sources briefed on the proposal that included two senior U.S. officials, reported the 14-point draft includes core provisions: a permanent suspension of Iranian uranium enrichment, the phased lifting of international sanctions on Tehran’s economy, and the full restoration of unimpeded commercial transit through the Strait of Hormuz. All key terms are contingent on reaching a final binding agreement, the sources added. A senior Iranian lawmaker previously dismissed the American proposal as nothing more than a “wish list” that ignores Tehran’s core red lines.

    Iran has doubled down on its blockade of the strait, which normally carries roughly 20% of the world’s daily traded oil and natural gas supplies. The closure has already driven a sharp spike in global crude prices, and Tehran has issued repeated warnings to neighboring countries and commercial shipping firms that any vessel attempting to cross the strait without prior approval from Iran will face severe consequences. In comments carried by Iran’s official IRNA news agency, military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia dismissed U.S. claims of an effective blockade of Iranian ports, saying “Americans will never be able to turn this vast expanse in the northern Indian Ocean into a real blockade by covering it with their fleet.”

    Tensions have spilled over to neighboring U.S. allies in the Gulf in recent days. On Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) confirmed that a bulk carrier was struck by an unidentified projectile approximately 23 nautical miles northeast of Doha, Qatar. The attack sparked a small fire on board but caused no reported casualties. Iran’s Fars News Agency later cited an anonymous Iranian source claiming the vessel was flagged to and owned by the United States. Separately on Sunday, Kuwaiti military officials confirmed that unidentified drones entered Kuwaiti airspace, and that forces had “dealt with” the incursion. Hours later, the United Arab Emirates announced its air defense systems had intercepted two drones launched from Iranian territory.

    The U.S. has maintained a large and visible military footprint across the Gulf, with permanent military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly predicted a swift end to the conflict, reiterating this week that most global stakeholders understand his core goal of eliminating Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. In a May 6 post to Truth Social, Trump issued a stark threat to Tehran: if Iran rejects the U.S. proposal, “the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before.”

    On Monday, defense ministers from more than 40 countries will gather for a UK-led summit focused on building an international coalition to protect commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities end. UK Defense Secretary John Healey will co-chair the meeting alongside his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin, where coalition members are expected to finalize plans for maritime security patrols in the waterway following a potential ceasefire agreement.

  • Barcelona need a point against Real Madrid to win La Liga

    Barcelona need a point against Real Madrid to win La Liga

    One of the most anticipated fixtures in global football, El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid, takes on unprecedented stakes this Sunday in Catalonia, as Barcelona stands just one point away from securing back-to-back La Liga crowns, while Real Madrid heads into the match fractured by a shocking in-house conflict that has rocked the club this week.

    Led by head coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona holds a commanding 11-point advantage over its century-long rival at the top of the table. A single draw against Real Madrid will be enough to lock in the club’s second consecutive league title, but the Catalan side is chasing far more than just a routine championship. If Barcelona claims victory in Sunday’s Clasico and wins its three remaining league matches after that, it will match La Liga’s all-time record of 100 points in a single season. What’s more, a win over Real Madrid followed by a victory against Real Betis next weekend would make Barcelona the first side in history to complete a perfect home season across La Liga’s current 38-game format. The Clasico also presents a historic milestone for the club: a title clinched in this fixture would mark the first time any side has won La Liga during an El Clasico clash since Real Madrid claimed its first ever league crown in such a matchup back in 1932.

    For Real Madrid, however, the build-up to the match has been overshadowed by an extraordinary public breakdown in team unity. The club is already set to end the current season without a single major trophy, a drought that has only occurred four other times this century. Tensions boiled over this week after a physical training-ground argument between French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni and Uruguayan playmaker Federico Valverde ended with Valverde suffering a head injury that required hospital treatment, ruling him out of the clash for at least two weeks. Valverde’s attempts to downplay the incident, claiming he “accidentally” collided with a table during the discussion and only sustained a minor cut, failed to ease the backlash.

    Real Madrid’s hierarchy responded quickly, issuing a 500,000 euro ($590,000) fine to both players. The club confirmed the pair have since apologized to one another, their teammates, club staff, and the club’s global fanbase. Interim head coach Alvaro Arbeloa defended the players in the lead-up to Sunday’s game, noting that the pair have taken accountability for their actions. “For me, that’s enough. What I’m not going to do is burn them at the stake in public, because they don’t deserve that,” Arbeloa said, adding that Tchouameni will still be included in Real Madrid’s matchday squad for the Clasico despite the confrontation.

    Flick, when asked about the Real Madrid incident ahead of kickoff, acknowledged that such conflicts can occur at clubs across the world, but admitted the incident was unusual. “It happens around the world, so it’s not only a thing at Real… was I surprised? Maybe a little bit,” Flick told reporters. “But in the end, I don’t care about that, because it’s not my club, it’s not my team. So I don’t have to think about that.” The Barcelona coach was quick to highlight the contrast with his own side, emphasizing the unified cohesion within the Catalan camp. “The most important thing, and what I really appreciate a lot in this club, is that we are all going the same way,” the German manager explained. “When something happens, we are talking in the same way.”

    Both sides will be missing key attacking talent for the high-stakes clash. Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe remains sidelined with a hamstring injury; despite returning to group training on Friday, the French forward was not included in the club’s official matchday squad announced Sunday. Barcelona’s teenage phenom Lamine Yamal will also watch from the stands, as a hamstring injury of his own is expected to keep him out of action until this winter’s World Cup.

    The match comes amid a difficult personal time for Flick, after the 61-year-old’s father passed away in the lead-up to the fixture. Barcelona released an official statement offering its full support to the coach and his family, saying “We share his pain and stand with him during this very difficult time for him and his family.”

    For Barcelona, the moment is ripe to cap another dominant domestic season with a historic title clinched against their biggest foe. “We want to win the title, the second in a row,” Flick said. “It’s amazing, not normal, here in Spain. So this is what we want to do, nothing else, nothing more.”