Burna Boy has reclaimed the top spot as Africa’s most-streamed artist on Spotify, setting a new record of 46.84 million monthly listeners.   According to Channels Television, the Nigerian Grammy-winning star edged past Tyla, whose previous record stood at 46.58 million monthly listeners. The streaming milestone has been driven largely by the explosive success of Dai Dai, Burna Boy’s collaboration with Shakira. The song gained global attention after being featured as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and performed during the tournament’s opening ceremony. The track’s global success has boosted Burna Boy’s streaming numbers across key international markets, with Dai Dai climbing major charts in Spain, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Germany. Even before this latest surge, Burna Boy had built a formidable streaming catalogue. His hit single Last Last remains one of his biggest global successes, approaching 600 million streams on Spotify. The record-breaking moment also comes at a strategic time as Burna Boy prepares to release his next studio album and kick off his global Unity Tour later this year. Among African artists on Spotify, Burna Boy now leads Tems, who has 40.64 million monthly listeners. Ayra Starr and Rema also remain among Africa’s strongest streaming acts. Globally, Bruno Mars still holds Spotify’s all-time peak monthly listener record at 133.6 million. He is followed by Justin Bieber with 128.4 million, The Weeknd with 113.9 million, Rihanna with 110.3 million, and Michael Jackson with 109.6 million.

At least 17 people were killed after Russia launched its biggest aerial assault on Kyiv since the start of the war, in a devastating overnight barrage of drones and missiles that tore through residential neighbourhoods.   According to Channels Television, citing AFP, the large-scale attack began late Wednesday and continued into the early hours of Thursday, with explosions shaking multiple parts of the Ukrainian capital as residents rushed into shelters and underground metro stations. Russia fired 496 drones and 74 missiles, including ballistic projectiles, according to Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian authorities said air defence systems intercepted 476 drones and 48 missiles, but several strikes still caused severe destruction across the city. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko described the barrage as the most massive attack on the capital since Russia’s full-scale invasion began more than four years ago. Apartment buildings were ripped apart in multiple districts, leaving families trapped under rubble as emergency workers searched for survivors. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with smoke covering the skyline and residents fleeing with children and pets. Volodymyr Zelensky urged allies to urgently strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, stressing the need for additional Patriot missile systems and licences to manufacture the missiles domestically. “Air defence supplies for Ukraine are an absolute and critical priority,” Zelensky said, while also appealing to the United States for support in boosting missile production. The attack forced around 52,000 people, including 4,500 children, to seek shelter in Kyiv’s metro system, marking one of the highest shelter counts in recent years. Meanwhile, the European Union signalled a tougher response. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said fresh sanctions against Moscow would be proposed following the deadly strike. Despite growing international pressure, the Kremlin signalled no change in strategy. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia would continue increasing pressure on Ukraine to achieve its military objectives. The latest escalation comes as diplomatic efforts led by the United States to end the conflict remain stalled, while both sides intensify attacks deep into each other’s territory.

The Department of State Services (DSS)  has arraigned five Nigerians before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the alleged concealment of the whereabouts of Timiprey Silva.   According to Channels Television, the defendants were arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Peter Lifu on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and allegedly concealing the whereabouts of Silva, who authorities described as a fugitive. The prosecution alleged that the accused became accessories after the fact of felony on April 28, 2026, by concealing Silva’s location. The offences are said to contravene Sections 516 and 519 of the Criminal Code Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. Silva, a former governor of Bayelsa State and ex-minister, has been accused of masterminding an alleged coup attempt against President Bola Tinubu. All five defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Counsel to the DSS, Emmanuel Orubor, asked the court to fix a date for trial and to allow the prosecution to call witnesses. Defence lawyers, including Senior Advocate of Nigeria Sunusi Musa, alongside Ibrahim Imadegbelo, I.G. Kelubia and E.C. Sogo, separately moved applications for bail. They argued that their clients had remained in custody since October 25, 2025, and urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms. Justice Lifu granted bail to each defendant in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum. The court ordered that each surety must provide an affidavit of means, evidence of three years’ tax payment, proof of visible means of livelihood, and recent passport photographs. Pending fulfilment of the bail conditions, the court ordered that the defendants remain in Kuje prison. The matter was adjourned until July 22 for commencement of trial.

The Presidency has dismissed renewed claims by Adeyemi Adeniyi Matthew that he was appointed to lead a presidential agency, insisting he is an impostor who allegedly forged official documents to present himself as Director-General of a non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council.   According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the alleged fraud was uncovered after the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) complained that a parallel body was operating as though it were a government agency. Onanuga said the Office of the Chief of Staff petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police on October 17, 2025, requesting an investigation into individuals allegedly forging presidential appointment letters and presenting themselves as government officials. The Presidency said the forged documents carried fake signatures, reference numbers and official seals, enabling Adeyemi to claim leadership of the fictitious council. It also alleged that he operated from an office at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Abuja, where he met with Nigerians and foreign nationals while posing as a government official. According to the statement, Adeyemi also sought diplomatic assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by requesting a note verbale to facilitate United States visa applications for members of the purported agency. The Presidency further revealed that concerns escalated after Adeyemi reportedly convened a meeting with ambassadors at the Wells Carlton Hotel in Abuja without the knowledge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ministry subsequently sought clarification from the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Office of the Chief of Staff over the status of the council. The Office of the Chief of Staff denied issuing any appointment letter to Adeyemi and stated that the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council did not exist, stressing that federal appointments are processed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. Police arrested Adeyemi on October 27, 2025, at his Abuja office. Searches conducted there and at his Suleja residence reportedly uncovered documents and other exhibits linked to the investigation. Investigators alleged that Adeyemi claimed one Dolapo Babatunde Tanimola assisted him in obtaining the forged appointment letter. However, police said Tanimola had died in a fire incident at Kachi Hotel in Abuja five days before Adeyemi’s arrest. The Presidency said police concluded that the council was fictitious and that the appointment letter and related official documents were forged. Investigators also alleged that Adeyemi falsely represented himself as a presidential appointee and improperly sought diplomatic support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to the statement, investigators discovered that Adeyemi operated 34 bank accounts, including nine allegedly opened in the names of fictitious government agencies. Police also alleged that forged documents were used to open a Central Bank of Nigeria account through the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, although no public funds were deposited into the account. Following the investigation, police charged Adeyemi and two alleged accomplices before the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 27, 2025, on an eight-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining by false pretence. The case is scheduled for hearing on July 27. The Presidency said Adeyemi has continued to claim that he was appointed by the Chief of Staff despite allegedly making contrary statements during police investigations. It added that the Chief of Staff issued another public disclaimer on June 8, 2026, reiterating that Adeyemi was never appointed to any presidential office. The statement also alleged that Adeyemi had previously claimed to head the World Youth Organisation in 2016 before the United Nations reportedly distanced itself from the organisation. The Presidency urged the public and political actors not to rely on Adeyemi’s claims, noting that the matter is before the court and should be allowed to proceed through the judicial process.