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PRESS RELEASE – EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Commission fines Google pound 890 million for breaches of the Digital Markets Act

Today, the European Commission took two decisions finding non-compliance by Google with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for self-preferencing its own services on Google Search, and for putting in place restrictions on businesses to direct consumers to alternative, often cheaper, purchase channels on Google Play (steering). In this regard, the Commission issued Google a fine of pound 460 million and a fine of pound 430 million respectively.

Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, said: ‘Google has fallen short of effective compliance with the Digital Markets Act, and today we have taken decisive yet balanced enforcement action sanctioning these breaches. The best products should succeed because they’re better, not because they’re owned by the company running the search engine. And European consumers have a right to be told by app developers where to sign up to the best offers, even when the app store owner does not get a cut. This is the promise of the DMA, protecting fairness, choice and innovation in digital markets for the benefit of all European citizens.’

Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, said: ‘The two decisions we adopted today confirm our determination to apply the Digital Markets Act to safeguard business and innovation. We found that Google harms businesses offering similar services, such as shopping or sports, by not granting them the same level of prominence on Google Search. We also found that Google has restricted app developers from offering cheaper offers to customers in the Google Play app store. Google must now bring the non-compliance to an end and to refrain from continuing it in the future. Today’s decisions send a clear message; we will not hesitate to use our tools to safeguard business and innovation opportunities opened up by the DMA.’

More information is available in the press release.

Commission greenlights Sweden’s payment request for pound 1.47 billion under NextGenerationEU

Today, the European Commission positively assessed Sweden’s second payment request for pound 1.47 billion under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the centrepiece of NextGenerationEU.

This is an important step in the delivery of the reforms and investments included in this payment request, which aim to support the green transition, a better functioning of the labour and housing markets, as well as to address demographic challenges.

The Commission found that Sweden has satisfactorily completed the 8 milestones and 8 targets set out in the Council Implementing Decision.

Today’s payment request would bring the funds paid out to Sweden under the Recovery and Resilience Facility to pound 3.11 billion. This amount corresponds to 90.34% of all funds included in the Swedish recovery and resilience plan, with 87.76 % of all milestones and targets in the plan now fulfilled.

With a view to the closure of the Facility at the end of 2026, Member States must implement all outstanding milestones and targets by 31 August 2026 and submit their last payment requests by the end of September 2026.

You can find more information online in our press release.

Today, Greece received its first payment of pound 118.2 million under the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence instrument, representing 15% of its total allocation of pound 787.7 million.

SAFE is a pound 150 billion financial instrument providing loans to Member States. It primarily funds joint procurement of ammunition, missiles, air defence, and ground combat systems produced within the EU. It is part of the European Commission’s ReArm Europe/Readiness 2030 plan, which aims to unlock over pound 800 billion in defence investment across the European Union.

The pre-financing will allow Greece to fast-track priority defence investments, enhance its resilience, and modernise its military capabilities in support of common European objectives. SAFE is intended to facilitate fast, co-ordinated action, strengthen the interoperability of European armed forces, and reinforce Europe’s defence industrial base through joint procurement and deeper cross-border co-operation.

Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space said: ‘Today’s first payment to Greece under SAFE is a clear sign that Europe delivers where it matters most: strengthening our common security and supporting our defence industrial base. By helping Greece move forward with key investments, SAFE reinforces not only national preparedness, but also our shared European resilience and strategic responsibility.’

This payment follows the completion of all required procedural steps and reflects the EU’s commitment to providing timely, practical support through SAFE. Further payments will follow, as agreed milestones and implementation are met.

The SAFE instrument is financed by EU borrowing on the financial markets. This enables competitively priced and attractively structured long-duration loans to requesting Member States. The terms of the SAFE loans benefit from the EU’s strong credit rating. All SAFE loans will be repaid by the beneficiary Member States.

(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Marine Strauss – Tel: +32 2 298 91 03)

Commission approves more than pound 103 million support from the EU Solidarity Fund to help Malta, Portugal, and Spain recover from storms

The European Commission has approved advance payments totaling pound 103.6 million to Malta, Portugal, and Spain under the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), to ease the financial burden of reconstruction efforts after the damage caused by the devastating storms that took place in these countries in January and February 2026.

The advance payments follow the applications for EUSF support submitted by Malta, Portugal, and Spain and the positive technical assessment by the Commission confirming that the criteria for access to the Fund have been met.

Malta was struck between 19 and 21 January 2026 by Storm Harry. The storm caused widespread flooding, coastal damage and transport disruption, with significant impacts on public infrastructure, harbours, fisheries, aquaculture, agricultural assets and local communities. Malta will receive an advance payment of pound 931 014.

Portugal was affected between 22 January and 15 February 2026 by a sequence of exceptionally intense storms. The storms brought strong winds, coastal turmoil and intense rainfall which led to floods and landslides and resulted in 18 fatalities, significant material damage and interruptions in the supply of essential services. Portugal will receive an advance payment of pound 65.37 million.

Spain was hit between 22 January and 14 February 2026 by the same storms as Portugal. The result was prolonged electricity, water and telecommunications cut off affecting thousands of inhabitants. People also suffered significant material losses and many homes were destroyed or left uninhabitable. Spain will receive an advance payment of pound 37.26 million.

The Commission will make a proposal to the European Parliament and the Council of the EU for the three applications. If approved, the final payments will follow later and depend on budgetary availabilities.

Since its establishment in 2002, the EU Solidarity Fund has provided over pound 11 billion in assistance for 148 disaster events, including 128 natural disasters and 20 health emergencies, across 25 Member States and six accession countries.

More information is available online.

Commission adopts assessment report on readmission cooperation

Today, the European Commission adopted its seventh assessment report to the Council on third countries’ level of readmission cooperation under Article 25a of the Visa Code. The report assesses the cooperation of 28 visa-required countries in 2025. Based on the annual assessment, the Commission can propose restrictive visa measures for third countries where cooperation is considered insufficient.

This year, the Commission is not proposing new restrictive visa measures.

The Commission previously proposed visa measures in relation to Bangladesh, Iraq, The Gambia, Senegal, Ethiopia, Somalia and Guinea. The report restates the relevance of the proposal for Senegal (from 2022). The proposal remains with the Council, with the objective of improving readmission cooperation. In view of substantial and sustained improvements in readmission cooperation, the Commission withdrew its proposals for Iraq and Bangladesh in November 2025 and visa measures for Ethiopia were repealed in May 2026. Due to insufficient cooperation, the Council adopted restrictive visa measures for Somalia in June 2026 and Guinea in July 2026. For The Gambia, first stage measures remain in place, after the increased visa fee was revoked in April 2024.

The Commission annually assesses readmission cooperation of visa-required third countries, reports to the Council and actively engages in dialogue to improve readmission cooperation with partners.

The report is not a public document. It will be sent to the Council and discussed with Member States. Commission proposals to the Council on visa measures take into account the Union’s overall relations with the countries concerned. The Commission will continue its active engagement with third countries to improve cooperation on readmission.

Beermen solve import woes with King

In previous import-laden conferences, the San Miguel Beermen had a hard time maintaining a foreign reinforcement.

Since winning the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, San Miguel has flipped through numerous imports with 10 different ones in three conferences.

And in each import-laden conference, they failed to make the finals.

Now, with explosive George King at the forefront of the offense, the Beermen may have found an import for keeps.

On Wednesday evening, King erupted for 41 points to go with 11 rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block in a 128-122 win over the Converge FiberXers.

King shot 16-of-32 from the field in 41 minutes and 31 seconds of action to tow the Beermen to their third straight victory in as many games, while dealing Converge its first loss in the conference.

After the game, San Miguel assistant coach Peter Martin said it is ‘very safe to say’ that their import woes are no more.

‘Very safe. Very, very safe,’ Martin told reporters.

The coach stressed that King makes it easy for the entire team, not just on the court but also off it.

‘Minsan alam niyo, kukunin niya yung board, siya yung mag-ano ng play para sa amin. Makes our job really much easier and talks to the players,’ Martin said.

‘At the start, he won’t be so aggressive, the first game, puro pasa nga siya e. Sabi ko nga sa kaniya, it’s up to him, he knows how to play with these guys, he knows how to motivate,’ he added.

Still, there are still a few nicks to fix, but nonetheless, King seems to be a good fit for the squad.

‘So konti pang familiarity siguro. Depensa na lang siguro, maga-adjust kami konti pa.’

King, who was the import of Blackwater Bossing in previous conferences, is averaging 36 points, 10 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game thus far for the Beermen.

King’s production has been big for San Miguel, whose main man, June Mar Fajardo, is still yet to be 100%.

Martin said that Fajardo is ‘slowly getting there.’

‘I think he’s almost there, 80% in shape. Pero masakit yung kanyang elbow, number one. Number two, before he’s able to incorporate what we’ve been doing for the past five weeks, parang nasisira minsan pag pinapasok,’ Martin said.

‘Di naman sa ano, sa dulo, kailangan namin si June Mar. Ngayon pa lang, he’s feeling his way back. Today, 26 minutes, baka next day, baka same 26 minutes again. Palaki nang palaki yung ambag niya sa team.’

The Beermen will take on the still-undefeated NLEX Road Warriors next on July 26th.

How Olanrewaju Alaka turned TWN Circle’s ‘Beyond Talent’ into a masterclass in brand positioning

On Friday, 3rd July 2026, Talented Women Network Africa, founded by Dr Amarachi Chinweoke Okuwobi, held the inaugural gathering of TWN Circle at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, under the theme Beyond Talent. Olanrewaju Alaka, Founder and CEO of Laerryblue Media, serves as Brand Director of TWN Circle, overseeing the brand and every dimension of the event built around it. Every decision carried a second purpose. The guest cap, the speaker lineup and the run of the show were not just logistics. They were brand and reputation strategy, applied to a room instead of a client.

The brief called for something distinct from a conventional conference: a room built for genuine conversation among high achieving women, not a stage for performance. As Brand Director, Olanrewaju’s mandate went beyond producing a single event. It was to take that vision and build it into a brand, covering guest list, speaker lineup, run of show, media plan and post event rollout, all of it consistent with what TWN Circle stands for.

Federal Palace Hotel was chosen for its prestige and its audio visual infrastructure, in keeping with the calibre of guests and speakers in the room.

Guest capacity was capped at 30 by design. Rather than open public registration, invitations were pushed through a curated WhatsApp broadcast list so the room stayed intentional and exclusive rather than filled by general sign up.

‘Capping the room at thirty was not about the venue. It was a decision about credibility. A room that lets everyone in has no signal value. A room people cannot easily get into is the one people talk about.’ Olanrewaju said.

The day was structured around three pillars: At Home, At Work, and In Your Community. Olanrewaju oversaw the process of matching each confirmed speaker and panelist to these themes and briefing them individually, with each brief covering the event’s purpose, the audience profile, and the length of their slot, confirmed weeks ahead of the event to allow proper promotion.

‘I did not select speakers for their titles. I selected women whose lived experience already answered the themes we built the day around, at home, at work, and in community. Credibility on stage has to be earned, not appointed.’ Olanrewaju explained.

The confirmed lineup: Dr Amarachi Chinweoke Okuwobi as convener and keynote speaker, with Biola Flow (Abiola Adediran), Dr Bolaji Mogaji, Princess Oghene and Toyin Bakare as speakers, and Mojisola Oladapo, CMO of Filmhouse Group, and Minister Anny on the panel.

Producing The Day

Olanrewaju led a small production team through the full run of the show, from red carpet arrivals through to send off. Peace Eze hosted, Olivia co-hosted and managed the red carpet, Obinna handled production, audio visual and photography, and Olanrewaju, as Brand Director, held oversight of the day end to end, without taking a stage role himself.

Media presence on the day included Arise Television, AIT and Guardian Woman, extending the reach of the room beyond the thirty guests inside it.

‘This was not my first time producing a room like this. I convene Apex Network on the same principle, quarterly gatherings for founders and executives built to stay curated rather than filled by open registration. Beyond Talent was that same discipline applied to a new room.’ Olanrewaju said.

The programme opened with red carpet arrivals and an on camera guest introduction moment, followed by the keynote, a full circle introduction round, speaker sessions interspersed with a music and networking break, the panel conversation, group photographs, and a closing send off.

The Outcome

Post event, the rollout Olanrewaju directed as Brand Director included distribution of the press release to media partners, release of edited photography and speaker highlight content across TWN Circle’s social channels, and a direct push to convert attendees into TWN Circle membership while the energy from the day was still fresh.

The room built for 30 outgrew its own cap before the day was done.

‘We built for thirty and the room outgrew the plan. That is not an accident. That is what happens when positioning is done properly before the first invite goes out.’ Olanrewaju added.

For Olanrewaju, Beyond Talent was proof of the same principle he applies to every client, reputation is infrastructure. Built with intention, it holds. Left to chance, it does not.

Olanrewaju Alaka is the Founder and CEO of Laerryblue Media, a PR, reputation management and authority positioning agency working with founders, executives and premium brands across Africa and the UK. He serves as Brand Director of Talented Women Network.

Details of Peter Obi, British envoy’s meeting emerge

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 election, Peter Obi, has disclosed details of his meeting with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery.

He made this known in a statement on Tuesday, adding that their discussions focused on Nigeria’s democracy, economy and the need to strengthen institutions ahead of future elections.

According to Obi, his meeting with the British envoy focused on the state of Nigeria’s democracy, economic challenges and the importance of credible elections.

‘Earlier today, I met with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency Dr. Richard Montgomery. We had a thoughtful discussion on the state of our democracy, the economy, the importance of strengthening our institutions, and the need to ensure that our elections remain free, fair, credible, and truly reflective of the will of the Nigerian people,’ he said.

Obi also appreciated the British envoy for his contributions to strengthening relations between Nigeria and the United Kingdom as the diplomat prepares to conclude his assignment next month.

‘As Dr. Montgomery prepares to conclude his diplomatic assignment in Nigeria next month, I thanked him for his service and for the role he has played in strengthening the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom. His time in Nigeria has been marked by constructive engagement and support for our democratic and economic development,’ he stated.

Obi wished the British envoy success in his next assignment and expressed optimism that bilateral ties between both countries would continue to grow.

‘I wished him well as he prepares for his next assignment and thanked him for the friendship and cooperation he has extended to Nigeria throughout his tenure. I look forward to seeing the strong relationship between our two countries continue to grow,’ he added.

The meeting comes a day after Obi met with the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, Patrick Egloff, where both men discussed Nigeria’s developmental priorities, particularly education, healthcare and poverty reduction.

During that meeting, Obi also commended the Swiss Confederation for its support for Nigeria’s economic, humanitarian and peace-building initiatives, especially in the North-East, while calling for stronger international partnerships anchored on shared values and human development.

Telecom operators challenge FCCPC’s regulatory powers at Appeal Court

The Wireless Application Service Providers Association of Nigeria (WASPAN) has appealed against the Court of Appeal judgment of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which upheld the powers of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on the Digital Economy and Online Non-Interest (DEON) Consumer Lending Regulations.

In a Notice of Appeal dated July 21, a copy of which was obtained yesterday, the association is asking the appellate court to set aside the judgment delivered by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa on July 20, 2026, dismissing its originating summons.

The appeal was filed by the appellant’s legal team led by Oluwakemi Pinheiro (SAN) of Pinheiro LP.

WASPAN urged the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, set aside the judgment and grant all the reliefs sought in its originating summons filed on April 14, 2026.

The association formulated nine grounds of appeal, contending that the trial court misinterpreted key provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), 2018, and wrongly affirmed the FCCPC’s regulatory powers over operators within the telecommunications sector.

A central plank of the appeal is the contention that the lower court erred in holding that Section 2(1) of the FCCPA is an economy-wide legislation without recognising the statutory limitation created by the phrase ‘as may be indicated otherwise.’

According to the appellant, Section 90 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 expressly vests the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) with exclusive responsibility for promoting fair competition and protecting consumers within the telecommunications industry, thereby limiting the FCCPC’s jurisdiction over that sector.

WASPAN argued that the trial court failed to appreciate that where a sector-specific regulator has been granted statutory responsibility, the FCCPC’s powers must yield to that specialised regulatory framework.

The association also challenged the lower court’s interpretation of Section 163 of the FCCPA, arguing that the provision does not confer unlimited powers on the FCCPC to issue regulations on every commercial activity.

It maintained that the Commission’s regulation-making powers are confined to matters expressly contemplated by the Act and that the DEON Consumer Lending Regulations fall outside those statutory limits.

The appellant further contended that although the trial court held that the FCCPC lacks powers to regulate or take over the statutory functions of the NCC and also lacks licensing powers, it nonetheless dismissed the originating summons, a position WASPAN described as legally inconsistent.

Specifically, the association challenged Paragraph 7 of the DEON Regulations, which requires its members to obtain the FCCPC’s approval before engaging in consumer lending services.

According to WASPAN, the requirement effectively grants the FCCPC licensing powers over businesses operating within the telecommunications industry, contrary to the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act.

The association argued that having found that the Commission lacks statutory licensing powers, the lower court ought to have declared Paragraph 7 of the regulations ultra vires, null and void.

WASPAN further submitted that the FCCPC exceeded the powers conferred on it under the FCCPA by extending its regulatory reach into matters reserved exclusively for the NCC.

It also faulted the trial court’s reliance on Section 104 of the FCCPA, arguing that the provision cannot be interpreted as overriding the sector-specific regulatory regime established under the Nigerian Communications Act.

According to the appellant, established principles of statutory interpretation require that where a specific law and a general law regulate the same subject matter, the specific legislation prevails to the extent of any inconsistency.

The appeal also raises constitutional issues, with WASPAN arguing that the DEON Regulations unlawfully interfere with its members’ freedom of association and contractual autonomy guaranteed under Section 40 of the Constitution.

The association maintained that its members have the constitutional right to freely associate, select and collaborate with intermediaries and service providers and that such rights cannot be curtailed by subsidiary legislation.

In its reliefs, WASPAN asked the Court of Appeal to allow the appeal, set aside the judgment of Justice Allagoa delivered on July 20, 2026, and grant all the reliefs contained in its originating summons.

WASPAN has also filed a motion for injunction restraining FCCPC from enforcing the DEON Regulations pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.

Ibadan council boss demolishes criminal hideout in Apata

Executive Chairman, Ibadan South West Local Government, Ambassador Kehinde Adeyemi Akande, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and properties with the demolition of a notorious criminal hideout and den in Odo Ona, Apata area of the Local Government.

The decisive action followed persistent complaints from residents and community leaders over the activities of suspected criminals who had turned the area into a haven for illegal operations.

According to the chairman, the criminals have been terrorising the residents for a long time by vandalising public water pipelines, stealing transformer cables, burgling houses, robbing, and other criminal acts, thereby disrupting the peace and security of the area.

Responding swiftly to the distress call, the council boss led the intervention that resulted in the bulldozing of the hideout used by the suspected criminals for keeping stolen items and their unlawful activities. The exercise was carried out to restore peace, protect lives, properties, public infrastructure, and ensure the safety of all residents.

Speaking further, during the exercise, Ambassador Akande declared that criminality in any form would not be tolerated anywhere within Ibadan South West Local Government. He stressed that his administration remains committed to maintaining law and order and creating a safe environment where residents can live and carry out their daily activities without fear.

Ambassador Akande warned criminals and other perpetrators of illegal activities to desist or face the full weight of the law, adding that the Local Government would continue to collaborate with security agencies and community leaders to get rid of every part of the council area of criminal elements.

He commended the vigilance and cooperation of the Odo Ona community for prompt reporting of the activities of the criminals, noting that effective security is a shared responsibility between government and the people. He encouraged residents to continue to provide useful information that would assist security agencies in preventing crime and apprehending offenders.

The Chairman of Gather Olugbode area of Odo Ona committee in Apata, Mr Adepoju Popoola who spoke on behalf of the committee narrated their ordeal with the criminals, expressed how they often robb and steal from the residents of the area from time to time and thereby expressed appreciation to the Chairman for his swift intervention, describing the demolition of the hideout as a major step towards restoring peace and normalcy in the area. He also pledged continued support for the administration’s efforts to promote security, safety of lives and development across Ibadan South West Local Government.

Present at the venue were political functionaries, the Head of Local Government Administration, Alhaji Tunde Taofeek Olagunju, and the Director of Works, Engr Ademola Moshood Olona, among others

’Delta positioning as emerging investment hub’

Delta State is positioning itself as Nigeria’s next major investment destination through massive infrastructure development, abundant natural resources, reliable power supply and strategic maritime assets, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, has said.

He made this known yesterday at a news briefing ahead of Delta State Economic and Investment Summit 2026 scheduled for between August 3 and 5 in Asaba.

Emu said the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori administration had laid a solid foundation for industrialisation through sustained investments in roads, bridges, power and transport infrastructure.

He said the state’s strategic investments, business-friendly policies and expanding infrastructure were creating an enabling environment for local and foreign investors.

The SSG added that the summit would showcase Delta’s vast economic potential and attract investment across key sectors of the economy.

He said government had built and rehabilitated over 2,600 kilometres of roads and more than 20 bridges, opening up rural communities, reducing transportation costs and connecting economic corridors across the state.

According to him, one of Delta’s biggest competitive advantages is Delta Special Economic Zone, which offers investors access to some of the cheapest and most reliable power supply in Nigeria due to its proximity to the OB-3 gas pipeline.

‘The infrastructure has been provided. Government has created the enabling environment. Investors can come into Delta and enjoy competitive energy costs that many other states cannot offer,’ he said.

Emu says the state already operates an independent power infrastructure supplying about 8.5 megawatts of electricity to government facilities and public institutions, while ongoing electricity sector reforms will further expand access to affordable power for industries.

He highlighted Delta’s strategic maritime advantages, noting that the state boasts of four seaports, two airports and a 163-kilometre Atlantic coastline, making it one of Nigeria’s most strategically-located investment destinations.

The SSG said the Oborevwori administration intended to unlock the vast economic opportunities within the blue economy by promoting aquaculture, commercial fishing, fish feed production, cold-chain logistics, seafood processing and marine transportation.

He says Delta possesses one of West Africa’s largest concentrations of fish ponds around the Ekpan and Ugborikoko axis, where fish farming has transformed livelihoods and created sustainable employment for thousands of residents.

Owolabi Salis meets Atiku, seeks talks with Tinubu, Obasanjo on Democratic Reforms

Nigeria’s first astronaut, Chief Owolabi Salis, has met former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as part of what he described as a strategic consultation with prominent national leaders aimed at charting a new course for Nigeria’s democratic and socio-economic development.

Salis, a New York-based lawyer and chartered accountant, disclosed that the meeting with Atiku marked the beginning of a series of planned engagements with key statesmen, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Heads of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.

According to him, the consultations are driven by growing concerns over Nigeria’s democratic trajectory despite more than two decades of uninterrupted democratic governance.

He lamented that the country had yet to fully harness its enormous potential, attributing the situation to electoral malpractice, weak democratic institutions and self-serving political leadership.

‘It is unfortunate that Nigeria is still drifting after over two decades of democracy despite its enormous potential,’ Salis said.

He argued that the consequences of poor governance are most evident in the widening gap between the rich and the poor, with many Nigerians unable to afford basic healthcare and other essential services.

According to him, thousands of vulnerable citizens continue to die from preventable illnesses because they cannot afford basic medications, while the wealthy often seek medical treatment abroad.

Salis said he personally spends between $4,000 and $5,000 monthly to support indigent Nigerians with food and medical expenses, stressing that the scale of hardship reflects deeper systemic failures.

He also pointed to inadequate infrastructure in many communities, particularly those inhabited by low-income earners, as evidence that governance has failed to meet citizens’ expectations.

The former Lagos State governorship candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) called for comprehensive electoral reforms, insisting that credible elections remain the foundation of national development.

‘There is currently a dangerous trend that allows for rigging and writing of election results, which is dangerous for national development,’ he said.

Recalling his experience during the Lagos governorship election, Salis claimed he witnessed electoral irregularities firsthand while inspecting election materials at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He further expressed concern over declining public confidence in key democratic institutions, including the judiciary and the National Assembly.

While declining to disclose the details of his proposals, Salis said he has developed practical solutions to Nigeria’s democratic challenges, which he intends to present privately to President Tinubu and other national leaders during the planned consultations.

‘I believe I have solutions, but I would rather discuss them directly with the country’s leaders than in the media,’ he said.

Pathum acquire Quintana to bolster porous defence

BG Pathum United have moved to shore up their fragile defence with the signing of Uruguayan Yeferson Quintana from Brazilian side Paysandu, the club confirmed.

The towering 196cm centre-back, who began his career at boyhood club Penarol in 2016, has since had loan spells at San Jose Earthquakes, Cerro Largo, Danubio and Racing Ferrol before joining Defensor Sporting in 2022. He moved to Brazil in 2024, turning out for Portuguesa before Paysandu.

“I am very happy to join the team and have the opportunity to wear this shirt,” Quintana, 30, said. “I can’t wait to get on the pitch and fight for everyone, and for this club’s crest. I will do my absolute best to take this club to its destination. See you at the stadium — I will wear this shirt and play with immense pride.”

Elsewhere, PT Prachuap FC have completed a striking coup, securing former England international Andros Townsend from Kanchanaburi Power.

Prachuap head coach Sasom Pobprasert admitted the move had come as a surprise even within the club.

“It is quite a surprising deal, because we are not a big team that a player of his calibre would ordinarily consider,” he said. “Credit must go to our chairman, Songkiat Limarunrak, who negotiated with the player’s agent just a week before the deal was finalised.”

Sasom added that Townsend’s experience would benefit Prachuap’s younger players. Townsend, who recently worked as a pundit at the 2026 World Cup, is expected to join the squad around July 25.

Meanwhile, the Football Association of Thailand has confirmed the fixture list for the 2026-27 Thai League 2 season, which begins on Sept 4. The campaign comprises 34 matches per club.

The opening match will see Uttaradit host Muang Thong United, while Kanchanaburi Power — now under former Vietnam coach Park Hang-Seo — travel to face PT Satun on Sept 6.

The A24 Blueprint: How an indie underdog rewrote Hollywood’s rules

For quite some time now, I have been closely tracking the absolutely meteoric rise of the indie entertainment juggernaut known as A24. They completely grabbed my attention after a few deep-dive sessions of research, and naturally, binge-watching a select curation of their stellar cinematic offerings. I have come to a definitive conclusion here, my dear readers. Let me break it down for you in my own signature analytical and critical style.

First off, let us state the obvious: A24 has completely rewritten the rulebook of the classic Hollywood studio mold. They have mastered the art of transforming unconventional, high-risk arthouse projects into absolute mainstream gold. While Tinseltown’s legacy powerhouses are furiously recycling the same old s***-predictable, big-budget blockbusters-this independent powerhouse has spent over a decade quietly engineering an unrelenting cinematic legacy. And they have done it on their own terms, built entirely on pure, unadulterated creative freedom.

A24 did not merely disrupt the status quo; they completely redefined modern cinema by transforming into an undeniable cultural force. While the major Hollywood studios clung to formulaic, multi-million-dollar reboots, this bold independent outfit embraced the extraordinary, sweeping the Academy Awards and dictating the global pop culture conversation.

Make no mistake about it-this is not just a streak of beginner’s luck. Trust me on this one. While the massive, big-budget machine of Hollywood continues to suffer from a painful drought of truly original ideas, A24 has consistently gambled on the extraordinary.

But let us not stop there. Let us delve even deeper and break down what I believe has truly made A24 achieve the monumental greatness they are experiencing now. Honestly, it is a rare and beautiful case of all the proper pieces flawlessly coming together in the modern cinematic landscape.

The masterclass of creative freedom

A24 transcends traditional cinema by refusing to treat audiences like casual consumers; instead, it offers intellectual respect long abandoned by mega-studios. The studio champions visionary autonomy for directors, achieves historic avant-garde milestones, and authentically platforms deeply intimate human narratives that consistently outshine CGI spectacles.

Directors working under this banner are never micromanaged by a committee of studio suits wearing ties. Instead, they are literally handed the keys to the vehicle-granting them the creative freedom to navigate exactly where their cinematic vision wants to take them.

Pushing the envelope is more than just a tagline for them; it is a fundamental philosophy. This bold approach allowed the studio to take a surreal, multiverse-hopping tax audit like ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ and transform it into an historic Best Picture winner.

At its core, the studio’s true mastery lies in giving a platform to deeply intimate human stories, such as ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Past Lives’. In doing so, it serves as a brilliant testament to the fact that emotional resonance will always out-heart hollow CGI spectacles.

Reshaping modern horror

You cannot talk about A24 without addressing how they single-handedly weaponized ‘elevated horror.’ Before Ari Aster’s Hereditary or Robert Eggers’ The Witch, the genre was largely trapped in a cycle of cheap jump-scares and predictable slashers. A24 shifted the lens entirely, focusing on slow-burn, atmospheric dread that crawls directly under your skin and stays there.

They realized that the deepest terrors are not monsters hiding in the dark, but the fracturing of the human psyche and family trauma. It is a fascinating, highly analytical formula that has forced the rest of the industry to step up its game.

The cult of cool marketing

Beyond the celluloid, A24’s true brilliance lies in its mastery of counter-culture branding, selling an aesthetic lifestyle rather than just movies. By transforming promotional materials into coveted streetwear and tapping directly into the internet-gen pulse, A24 demonstrates a flawless, modern approach to cinematic engagement.

The road ahead

Hollywood has entered a turbulent era defined by streaming fatigue and volatile box office returns, pushing indie darling A24 to its own cinematic crossroads. As the studio expands into larger-budget fare like Alex Garland’s ‘Civil War,’ purists may worry it risks losing its foundational soul to the commercial machine.

If their track record proves anything, it is that A24 knows exactly how to expertly balance commercial viability with an uncompromising artistic edge. They have proven that there is a massive, global appetite for cinema that challenges, unnerves, and profoundly moves us. Hollywood can keep its predictable formulas; as long as A24 is in the driver’s seat, the future of original cinema remains in very safe hands.