Who else? The Paris Saint-Germain head coach won the treble and took the French club to their first Champions League trophy last season playing some wonderful football. He, of course, is not able to be at the ceremony as he is in Marseille for PSG’s rearrange league match. Now for the men’s Johan Cruyff Trophy Here are the nominees for the best head coach of the past season in the men’s game:
The England Women manager has been named the best manager after winning the Euros in Switzerland. Fabio Capello did slightly mispronounce her name – unless she now goes by Sabrina. Women Best manager of the season Former England manager Fabio Capello is on stage to announce the winner of the Johan Cruyff award. Here are the five nominees for the Women’s trophy:
The Barcelona teenager wins the best young player award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony. He wins it for the second year running. Was there ever going to be anyone else? Lamine Yamal could well go on to win the main men’s prize tonight. Ruud Gullit asks him on stage if he is ready for it. All the 18-year-old could say is, “I don’t know”. Gullit says “maybe see you later” as he leaves the stage. Men’s Kopa trophy up first! Here are the nominees for the award given to the best young player:
The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) approved 139 films in August 2025, according to official statistics released on its website. Out of the total, 63 films were rated 18+, 57 were deemed suitable for viewers aged 15 and above, one was rated 12, another received a Parental Guidance (PG) classification, while one was cleared for General Viewing (G). This wide range of ratings reflects the board’s continued efforts to classify films appropriately and guide audiences on age suitability. English-language films led the approvals, with 92 titles accounting for 66.2% of the total. Yoruba films followed with 23 entries (16.5%), while 12 films were in Igbo (8.6%). Ijaw had 7 approved titles (5%), and Hindi films recorded 5 approvals (3.6%). Notably, no Hausa-language films were classified for the second consecutive month. Several notable productions received clearance during the month. Ovi Studios’ Till Death Do Us Part (69 minutes, rated 15) and Wandering Stranger (102 minutes, rated 15) were among them. WissyBelle Productions also had two films approved: For a Season (132 minutes, rated 15) and Broken Pieces (98 minutes, rated 15). The Big Score by Ray & Ijeoma Ventures (98 minutes, rated 18) made the list as well. Veteran actor Jide Kosoko’s historical drama Esugbayi Eleko (119 minutes, rated 12) was also approved. Other notable entries include Damilola Fasesan’s Ewa (158 minutes, PG) and John Musker’s family-friendly Aladdin (90 minutes, G). These selections reflect the creativity and diversity currently present in the Nigerian film industry. The NFVCB also cleared several foreign titles, including Over the Bridge (Hindi, PG), Son of Sardaar 2 (English, 12A), and Param Sundari (Hindi, 12A), demonstrating its commitment to regulating both local and international film content distributed in Nigeria. Speaking on the board’s role, NFVCB Executive Director and CEO Dr. Shuaib Hussein emphasized the importance of responsible storytelling and accurate classification. “The NFVCB’s leadership is committed to supporting responsible storytelling and ensuring that audiences are properly guided through classifications,” he said. With consistent regulatory efforts, the NFVCB continues to play a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s film industry and ensuring that content aligns with societal standards while encouraging creativity and industry growth.
It was an evening of creativity, storytelling, and celebration at Terra Kulture in Victoria Island, Lagos, as the Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), in partnership with MasterCard, staged two original one-act plays — Kingmaker and Book Cover. The event, part of the TAFTA Action Learning Project (TALP X), brought together emerging talents from TAFTA’s training program and showcased their original scripts, exploring themes of resilience, identity, and self-discovery. Before the curtain rose, the atmosphere was energized by saxophonist Timileyin Sax Monac, who opened the evening with a vibrant performance of Davido’s hit With You and another crowd-pleaser, setting the perfect tone. A Platform for Emerging Voices Both Kingmaker and Book Cover featured standout performances from TAFTA trainees, who brought their stories to life with passion and professionalism, earning enthusiastic applause from a full house. Bolanle Austen-Peters, Founder and CEO of TAFTA, expressed her pride in the performers: “I am so proud of what our trainees are doing. TALP is giving them the opportunity to practically showcase what they’ve learned. My vision is to expand TALP beyond Lagos so more young creatives can share their voices with the world.” TAFTA’s General Manager, Joseph Umoibom — also a producer at BAP Productions — highlighted the program’s broad reach: “Through MasterCard’s support, we’ve trained over 50,000 young creatives across Lagos, Ogun, and Kano. Many of these participants are staging their work for the first time on Nigeria’s biggest theatre platform.” He noted that TAFTA is not only training students in performance but also encouraging them to write, produce, and own their creative narratives. More Than Just a Stage TAFTA, founded by the award-winning director Bolanle Austen-Peters, is a creative institution offering free, world-class training in scriptwriting, lighting and sound design, animation, and creative entrepreneurship. Using both online and in-person methods, it equips young Nigerians with the tools and mentorship needed to thrive in the creative industry. Veteran actor and theatre consultant Dr. Afeez Oyetoro commended the initiative: “The creativity and professionalism displayed by these young talents is remarkable. TALP X is not just entertainment; it is education, social commentary, and a training ground for Nigeria’s next generation of theatre professionals.” Hands-On Learning in Action TALP (TAFTA Action Learning Project) is the final stage of TAFTA’s program, where students are grouped into production teams to collaboratively write and perform original plays. This real-world approach transforms learning into lived experience, preparing trainees for careers in theatre and beyond. By the end of the evening, the audience left inspired — a testament to the power of storytelling and the promise of Nigeria’s growing creative community.
The Taliban government has banned books written by women from Afghan university curricula, as part of sweeping new restrictions that also outlaw the teaching of human rights and sexual harassment. Out of 680 titles flagged as “anti-Sharia,” 140 were authored by women, including science texts like Safety in the Chemical Laboratory. Eighteen subjects have also been removed from university programs — six of them focused specifically on women, including Gender Studies and Women’s Sociology. A Taliban official stated these subjects conflict with “Sharia principles and government policy.” The move follows other recent bans, including one on fibre-optic internet in 10 provinces, aimed at curbing “immorality.” Women and girls remain disproportionately affected. They are already barred from schooling beyond sixth grade, and midwifery programs — one of the few remaining education options for women — were closed in late 2024. Former deputy justice minister Zakia Adeli, whose book was banned, said the move reflects the Taliban’s deep-rooted misogyny: “When women aren’t allowed to study, it’s no surprise their writings are also suppressed.” The ban also targets Iranian authors and publishers, reportedly to curb “Iranian influence” in Afghan education. Of the 679 banned books, 310 are linked to Iran. Professors warn the restrictions will isolate Afghan academia. One university lecturer said the banned books had been a key connection to global scholarship: “Their removal creates a substantial void in higher education.” Under the new guidelines, faculty must now create their own textbooks — but whether they can meet international academic standards remains uncertain.
John Legend was honoured with the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the Black Music Action Coalition’s annual event, marking the group’s fifth anniversary. The 46-year-old singer praised BMAC for its advocacy work and vowed to continue uplifting under-represented voices in music. “I’m grateful to be honoured with an award named after my friend and mentor, Quincy Jones,” Legend said. “This work is about collaboration and amplifying voices that need to be heard.” Flavor Flav also attended, applauding Legend’s contributions and stressing the importance of recognition for Black artists. BMAC’s president reaffirmed the Coalition’s mission to promote equity and inclusion in the music industry through initiatives like music grants and pipeline programs.
Copy and paste from Tuesday night. Arsenal struggle to create much all game and then Martinelli saves them off the bench. “But was Mikel Arteta’s line-up just too pragmatic, especially after seeing City drop so deep? “Merino and Rice once again failed to produce much in midfield. Could Eze – brought on at half-time – have started that game? And what would have happened had he did?” Rice: Martinelli always delivers big moments Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice: “Since I’ve come to the club, even before I’ve come – he’s always delivered in big moments. The amount of times he’s scoring in big games for us. “A lot of players can talk if they get put on the bench but every time he comes in, he shows his desire. “The run and finish – it’s unbelievable at that stage of the game. To have that composure, he really deserves it.” For the second time in five days, Arsenal’s substitutes – or finishers, as Mikel Arteta likes to call them – make the decisive impact. The Gunners were staring at defeat but a huge goal from Martinelli ensures the gap to Liverpool is five points, not six. It’s a hugely frustrating end for City, who defended brilliantly for 93 minutes. Guardiola shrugs his shoulders – he decided 25-30 minutes out from the end of the game how he was going to win it and he got so close. “But credit to Arsenal, Eze and Martinelli for that bit of brilliance at the end, but those blue shirts will be disappointed. “It was a bit of a slugfest of a game, a real struggle that will not help either of them and Liverpool maybe the winners.”
