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Maverick Gives Tom Cruise First $100m Opening Weekend

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By Derrick Bangura

The new Top Gun movie has given Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise his first $100 million (£79m) opening weekend at the box office.

Top Gun: Maverick sees him reprise his role as US navy pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell from the original 1986 film.

In its first three days in North American theatres, the sequel earned an estimated $124 million (£98m) in ticket sales, Paramount Pictures said Sunday.

Worldwide, that figure is raised to an estimated $248 million (196m).

“These results are ridiculously, over-the-top fantastic,” said Chris Aronson, Paramount’s president of domestic distribution.

“I’m happy for everyone. I’m happy for the company, for Tom, for the filmmakers.”

Cruise’s previous biggest opening weekend for a movie came in 2005 with War of the Worlds, which raked in $64 million (£50m).

The 59-year-old’s second outing as Maverick also had the fourth biggest opening of any film in the Covid-era, behind the best-selling Spider-Man: No Way Home, second-placed Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and then The Batman.

He was joined by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for the new film’s UK premiere recently.

The original movie flew high above the competition, topping last Wednesday’s weekly UK film chart, as fans – young and old – prepared for the official release of the sequel last Friday.

Becca Monahan, commercial director of the Official Charts Company said it was “fantastic to see Tom Cruise back in the skies again after 36 years”.

“That the original Top Gun has made history by getting to number one on the Official Film Chart and that many of those sales were digital downloads is a great achievement,” she noted.

Liz Bales, chief executive of the British Association for Screen Entertainment agreed, saying she expects that the sequel “takes cinema audience’s breath away on the big screen” – a nod to the original film’s Oscar-winning song.

Critics praised the return of Top Gun: Maverick earlier this month, calling it a “barrier-breaking sequel”.

The Independent called it “as thrilling as blockbusters get”, praising it as a “true legacy sequel”.

The Telegraph called it “absurdly exciting” and “unquestionably the best studio action film in years”.

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Actor Kunle Remi welcomes first baby with wife, Tiwi

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Actor Kunle Remi welcomes first baby with wife, Tiwi

Nollywood actor Kunle Remi and his wife, Tiwi, have welcomed their first child following a challenging medical journey.

The couple shared their emotional path to parenthood, revealing the hardships they endured, including a difficult medical discovery, prolonged bed rest, and over 80 days of faith-driven visits to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

In an emotional video post on Wednesday, the actor via his official Instagram page, @kunleremiofficial, expressed gratitude to God, reflecting on the trials and triumphs of their journey.

Remi wrote: “From an early arrival… to the unfolding of God’s perfect timing.

“From waiting, countless NICU visits, and clinging to God for 11 weeks and three days (that’s 80 days of faith).

“Our story is living proof that God is God — unfailing, unwavering, and faithful till the very end.

“From an unexpected and unsettling medical discovery… to complete bed rest.

“From juggling demanding work schedules… to hopping on flights, both locally and internationally.”

The couple’s love story has been in the public eye, since the actor surprised Tiwi with a marriage proposal during a visit to the United States in early 2024.

They later held a grand wedding in January 2024, attended by top Nollywood celebrities

Fans and colleagues have since flooded social media with congratulatory messages, celebrating the couple’s resilience and the arrival of their baby.

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2Baba’s Family Declares Him Missing, Petitions DSS Amid Controversy

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The family of Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has raised alarm over his disappearance, declaring him missing and petitioning the Department of State Services (DSS) for urgent intervention.

The petition, signed by Wilson Anuge of Anuge, Anuge & Co., has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread concern among fans and the entertainment industry.

The document states: “We are writing to urgently seek your assistance regarding a profoundly troubling situation involving a member of the Idibia Family.

“Mr. Innocent Idibia (also known as Tuface or 2Baba), our client, is reasonably believed to be missing since Monday, February 10.

“We believe that Mr. Innocent left his residence in the early hours of February 10 in his loungewear, suggestive that he was going on his habitual walk, but he has not returned home since then.

“In spite of the best efforts of his family members, staff, and management of his record label to reach or locate him, including reaching out to his friends and acquaintances, all efforts have proved abortive.

“They have been unable to establish any contact or ascertain his whereabouts.”

This development comes just 24 hours after 2Baba’s mother, Rose Idibia, made an emotional appeal to Nigerians, urging them to intervene in a situation involving Edo State lawmaker, Hon. Natasha Osawaru.

In a viral video, Mrs. Idibia accused the 31-year-old granddaughter of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and Deputy Majority Leader of the Edo State House of Assembly of casting a spell on the music star.

She alleged that her son was not in his right state of mind when he proposed to Osawaru, adding that his ongoing divorce battle with his estranged wife, Annie Idibia, had left him vulnerable.

“Good evening, Nigerians. My name is Mrs. Rose Idibia, the mother of 2Face,” she said in the video.

“This message is for Miss Natasha Osawaru of Edo State. I’m calling on all mothers in Nigeria to help me beg her to free my son.

“My son is going through a divorce process, and he is clearly not in his right senses now. I know my son well. That is not him.

“Please Natasha, the beads you put on his hand and on his neck, remove them and free him.”

2Baba’s rumored romance with Osawaru has been a trending topic all week, with reports of the singer visiting the Edo State Assembly complex and later being spotted with the lawmaker at a Lagos nightclub.

The situation has fueled public speculation, adding to concerns over the singer’s mysterious disappearance.

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President Tinubu Hails Tems for Grammy Win, Celebrates Nigerian Music’s Global Impact

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President Tinubu Hails Tems for Grammy Win, Celebrates Nigerian Music's Global Impact

President Bola Tinubu has extended heartfelt congratulations to Temilade Openiyi, better known as Tems, for her remarkable achievement in winning the Best African Music Performance award at the 67th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the President praised the singer for her outstanding artistry, which has once again brought global recognition to Nigeria. “The President celebrates the rise of a new generation of young and multi-talented Nigerian musical artists who have propelled Afrobeats to international prominence, projecting the country’s reputation as a powerhouse of musical innovation, creativity, and cultural influence,” the statement read.

Tinubu highlighted the far-reaching impact of Nigerian music: “From Africa to Antarctica, Asia to Australia, Europe to the Americas, the Nigerian music industry, particularly, Afrobeats has become a source of national pride, promoting a sense of identity and self-expression while uniting people across borders.”

The President also congratulated other Nigerian artists nominated at this year’s Grammys: Yemi Alade, Asake, Wizkid, Lojay, Davido, and Burna Boy. He expressed gratitude for their role in putting Nigeria on the global map of great musical achievements, showcasing the country’s creative excellence.

“You are all inspiration and role models to many young people. The nation remains deeply grateful for your contributions to music, job creation, and tourism promotion. I wish you all continued success in your musical careers,” President Tinubu added.

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