Disney+ is developing Tink, a live-action drama series based on the Tinker Bell character, according to Deadline.
The project is being written and executive produced by Liz Heldens and Bridget Carpenter and is produced by 20th Television, with Gary Marsh attached as an executive producer, along with Quinn Haberman from Heldens’ production company Selfish Mermaid.
The character of Tinker Bell originated in J.M. Barrie’s “Peter Pan” and appeared in Disney’s 1953 animated film Peter Pan. She has appeared in numerous films and series for decades and remains one of the studio’s most recognizable fantasy figures.
Earlier attempts to develop a live-action project centered on the character date back more than a decade. Variety reported that a version announced in 2010 was planned as a live-action romantic comedy with Elizabeth Banks attached to star, while a separate 2015 feature project was developed with Reese Witherspoon set to play the role. That film project was later reworked after Marsh departed his executive role at Disney Branded Television in 2021 to focus on producing.
More recently, Yara Shahidi portrayed Tinker Bell in the 2023 live-action film Peter Pan & Wendy.
Heldens and Carpenter previously collaborated on the television series Friday Night Lights. Heldens’ credits include creating series such as Mercy, Deception, Camp, The Passage, and The Big Leap, and she currently serves as co-showrunner of ABC’s Will Trent. Carpenter’s television work includes 11.22.63, Only Murders in the Building, Parenthood, Westworld, and The Red Road, in addition to her work as a playwright. (AWN)
No fewer than 20 security operatives and vigilantes were reportedly killed when heavily armed bandits ambushed a joint patrol team in Wanka and surrounding communities of the Garga area in the Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Kanam Development Association (KADA) disclosed this in a statement signed by its Secretary, ND Shehu Kanam, and Chairman, Garba G. Aliyu, issued on Saturday in Dengi, Kanam Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The association said the victims included 12 security personnel, among them two senior military officers, and eight vigilante members who were assisting security forces to protect the communities.
According to the statement, the patrol team—made up of military personnel and local vigilantes—was travelling in two vehicles on routine security operations across the communities of Garga, Kyaram and Gyambau when they were suddenly ambushed by hundreds of heavily armed bandits on their way to Wanka at about 2:00 p.m. on Friday.
“In the unfortunate exchange of gunfire that followed the ambush, our nation lost brave defenders who paid the ultimate price in the line of duty,” the statement read.
KADA described the deaths of the security personnel and vigilantes as “deeply painful and unacceptable,” noting that the fallen operatives died while defending rural communities that have long faced repeated attacks.
The association added that after the ambush, the bandits reportedly stormed the Kyaram community, where they looted properties worth millions of naira and rustled a large number of cattle belonging to residents.
KADA warned that the incident was not isolated, stressing that communities around Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau and neighbouring settlements located along the borders of Plateau, Taraba and Bauchi states have endured persistent attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling for the past three to four years.
The association said it had previously issued several appeals to authorities over the deteriorating security situation but lamented that the crisis had continued to escalate.
It therefore called on the local, state and federal governments to urgently intervene to prevent further bloodshed in the affected communities.
Among its demands, KADA urged the immediate deployment of additional military and security personnel to Garga, Kyaram, Gyambau, Wanka and neighbouring communities, as well as the establishment of a permanent security presence in the border areas.
The group also called for coordinated security operations along the Plateau–Taraba–Bauchi border corridor, which it said bandits exploit due to the difficult terrain.
In addition, it appealed for relief support for affected residents, many of whom have reportedly lost homes, livestock and other sources of livelihood as a result of the attacks.
“The people of these communities are law-abiding citizens whose only desire is to live peacefully, farm their land, raise their families and contribute to the development of our nation. They cannot and must not be abandoned to the mercy of armed criminals,” the statement added.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation of the incident from security authorities were unsuccessful, as both the military and the police did not respond to calls and messages seeking confirmation as of press time.
KADA also extended condolences to the Nigerian Armed Forces, the families of the fallen soldiers and vigilantes, and the affected communities, saying their sacrifice would not be forgotten. (Channels)
An overnight blast against an exterior wall of a Jewish school in Amsterdam did not cause any injuries, Mayor Femke Halsema said Saturday, denouncing “a cowardly act of aggression”.
An investigation has been opened and the incident comes after nighttime attacks this week in front of synagogues in the Belgian city of Liege and the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.
Haslema condemned the attack in a statement, noting that Amsterdam’s Jewish community has been “increasingly often confronted with antisemitism and this is unacceptable.”
“A school must be a place where children can attend classes in complete safety. Amsterdam must be a place where Jews can live in safety,” she said.
The police and fire departments quickly arrived at the scene of the blast in Buitenveldert district in the south of Amsterdam, the statement said.
“The material damage is limited,” the mayor said.
The police have CCTV footage of a person placing the explosive device, Halsema said.
Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten called the incident “terrible” on X and said “Antisemitism has no place in the Netherlands.”
“I understand the anger and fear this provokes, and I will quickly meet with the Jewish community. It must always feel safe in our country,” he added.
Israel’s foreign ministry also weighed in on X, saying: “In the Netherlands, an antisemitism epidemic is raging.”
“Where will the next attack be? The Dutch government needs to do much more to fight antisemitism,” the ministry wrote.
Following a similar attack Friday on a synagogue in Rotterdam, Jetten had condemned any act of violence or intimidation against the Jewish community or any other religious minority.
Four men suspected of being involved in the Rotterdam attack have been arrested, Dutch authorities announced Friday.
The series of attacks on synagogues comes after the launch of the US-Israeli war on Iran, a conflict that has since broadened across the Middle East.
On Monday, an explosion shook a synagogue in the Belgian city of Liege before dawn, causing some damage but no injuries.
It was strongly condemned by Belgian politicians and European Union officials.
On Thursday, a man rammed his car into a synagogue on the outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, sparking a blaze.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, died Friday from a “self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” an FBI official told reporters.
Media reports have indicated his relatives were killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon in recent days.
Amid increasing violence and threats against the Jewish community in the United States, there has been a boost in demand for security services specifically protecting Jews, with officers stationed at schools, campuses and other buildings. (Channels)
Paramount Global has reached an agreement to acquire Tyler Perry Studios’ equity stake in the streaming service BET+, marking a major shift in the company’s digital streaming strategy.
The development will see BET+ cease operating as a standalone platform, with its catalogue of more than 1,000 hours of programming integrated into the Paramount+ streaming service by June 2026.
Although the financial terms of the agreement were not officially disclosed, industry analysts estimate the deal to be worth tens of millions of dollars.
The acquisition forms part of Paramount’s broader plan to strengthen its global streaming operations and expand its reach in an increasingly competitive digital entertainment market.
In a memo to staff, BET Networks President Louis Carr described the move as an opportunity to take the platform’s storytelling to a wider audience.
“This powerful next step ensures the stories we champion, the creators we support and the culture we represent go further than ever before,” Carr said.
“Paramount+ will bring global fans more than 1,000 hours of iconic series and films that reflect the full spectrum of the Black experience.”
Under the new arrangement, popular titles such as The Ms. Pat Show, All The Queen’s Men, and Zatima will be available through a dedicated BET hub within the Paramount+ interface.
Despite the sale of his stake in BET+, Tyler Perry is said to still maintain his long standing creative partnership with BET.
The network is to continue to operate its traditional television channels as well as its FAST (Free Ad Supported Streaming Television) channels featuring Perry’s productions. (Leadership)
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the passing of former Green Eagles midfielder and youngest member of the 1980 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) squad, Henry Nwosu, as a great loss to the country.
Nwosu passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 62. The news of his passing was announced by Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami on his social media platforms.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, mourned the loss of Nwosu and extended his heartfelt condolences to the Nwosu family, the Imo State Government, and the Nigerian Football Federation.
He said: “The death of Henry Nwosu is a painful loss to the country, particularly football lovers, because we lost a patriot, legend, and national icon. He made Nigeria proud by winning the African Nations Cup in 1980 for the country.
“Henry Nwosu served the nation passionately and made the country proud by working tirelessly with other members of the Green Eagles to secure Nigeria’s first continental title on home soil.
“He was the youngest member of the 1980 AFCON squad, widely celebrated for his role in Nigeria’s triumph at the tournament. He was a talented midfielder known for his creativity and technical ability.
“Henry Nwosu was passionate about sports, particularly football. He made positive impacts while playing for the national team and later became a prominent figure in Nigerian domestic football.
“Henry Nwosu will be sorely missed. I pray for eternal peace for the deceased, and that God will grant the family, friends, Imo State Government, and football fans the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.” (Channels)
US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged other nations to send ships to help secure the Strait of Hormuz, the critical chokepoint for global oil supplies disrupted by the Mideast war.
Trump, who has said the United States will soon start escorting tankers through the strait, posted on Truth Social that “Many countries, especially those who are affected by Iran’s attempted closure of the Hormuz Strait, will be sending War Ships, in conjunction with the United States of America, to keep the Strait open and safe.”
The US president added: “Hopefully China, France, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and others, that are affected by this artificial constraint, will send Ships to the area.”
Iranian strikes have all but halted maritime traffic in the strait, through which a fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas normally pass. It is just 54 kilometers (34 miles) wide at its narrowest point.
With oil prices spiking, Trump was asked Friday when the US Navy would begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. “It’ll happen soon, very soon,” he said.
In his post on Saturday, Trump asserted that Iran’s military capability had been eliminated but he conceded that it was still able to attack the strait.
“We have already destroyed 100% of Iran’s Military capability, but it’s easy for them to send a drone or two, drop a mine, or deliver a close range missile somewhere along, or in, this Waterway, no matter how badly defeated they are,” he wrote.
As he urged nations to send ships to the strait, he added that “the United States will be bombing the hell out of the shoreline, and continually shooting Iranian Boats and Ships out of the water. One way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!” (Channels)
Nigeria’s football community has been hit with yet another bout of grief following the death of former Super Eagles midfielder, Henry Nwosu, who passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 62.
The news of Nwosu’s passing was announced by Nigerian football legend Segun Odegbami through his social media platforms on Saturday.
According to Odegbami, Nwosu died at about 4:00 a.m. at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Idi-Araba, where he had been receiving intensive medical care since Wednesday, March 11.
“Henry Nwosu passes on! After five days in hospital battling for his life, the one I call ‘Youngest Millionaire’ passed on at 4:00 a.m. this morning at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, where he had been in intensive care since Wednesday,” Odegbami wrote.
“It is with deep pain in my heart that I have to be the conveyor of the news of the death of Henry Nwosu MON. May he rest peacefully with our Creator in Heaven.”
Born in Imo State, Nwosu rose to prominence as a gifted midfielder known for his vision, creativity, and technical skill. He was the youngest member of Nigeria’s victorious squad at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, where the then Green Eagles secured the country’s first continental title on home soil.
His performances during the tournament and in subsequent international appearances established him as one of the most exciting midfielders of his generation.
Beyond his international career, Nwosu was also a prominent figure in Nigerian domestic football, where he earned admiration for his intelligence on the ball and leadership on the field.
After retiring from active football, the former international remained deeply involved in the game, working as a coach and mentor to younger players while contributing to grassroots development.
Nwosu’s death comes just days after the passing of former NFF technical director and Super Eagles coach Adegboye Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup and died at the age of 88. (Channels)
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Friday has convicted and sentenced three people to death by hanging over the murder of a pharmacist.
The convicts are Confidence Kirinee, popularly called General Ilia, Precious Mona and Soniabari Sagha.
The court, presided over by Justice Augusta Chukwu, also convicted one Loveday Legah to life imprisonment for belonging to a secret cult group whose activities led to the murder of a pharmacist identified as Muenalo Sunday from Zaakpo community in Khana Local Government Area of the state.
Justice Chukwu convicted and sentenced the trio of Confidence Kirinee, Precious Mona and Soniabari Sagha to death by hanging for conspiracy, cultism, kidnapping, and murder of the pharmacist on 5th March 2019 in Zaakpo community, Khana LGA.
Justice Chukwu in her judgement held that the prosecution proved the case of conspiracy, cultism, kidnapping, and murder against Confidence Kirinee, popularly called General Ilia, Precious Mona and Soniabari Sagha, and a case of cultism against Loveday Legah.
The judge ruled that with confessional statements and evidence before the court, the suspects, who are members of the Iceland secret cult, actually conspired, kidnapped and murdered their victim, cut off his head and other sensitive organs and later dumped his remains inside a pit, while the head was taken to their shrine in a bush in a neighbouring community.
She held that while Loveday Legah should spend his entire life in prison, Confidence Kirinee, Precious Mona and Soniabari Sagha should be hanged by the neck until they are confirmed dead.
Counsel to the convicts declined to comment on the judgment. The prosecution counsel, speaking to newsmen, Chief State Counsel, Rivers State Ministry of Justice, Precious Ordu, commended the judge for a thorough job, which he described as proof of justice for both the dead and the living.
Ordu said, “The judgment today is a good one. We commend the judge for a thorough work. It has been a hectic one from when we started till date.
“We really thank God that the matter has come to an end. We have done our part and today the judge in her wisdom has convicted the four defendants for conspiracy, kidnapping, murder and cultism.
“It will restore hope to my client, who before now thought she would not get justice from the judiciary.”
He continued, “Today I’m sure she is happy and even the dead is also happy that justice has also been secured on his behalf, notwithstanding that he was brutally killed. He will also rest wherever he is today.”
On her part, the widow of the late pharmacist, who said she has sickle cell disease, Pretty Neewa-Sunday, expressed happiness over the judgment, which she said would allow the soul of her late husband to rest in peace.
She stated, “They have reaped what they sowed because they killed my husband who did not commit any offence.
“My pain is that I have sickle cell disease and only my husband knew how to care for me. Today I have become a widow that neither my husband nor I planned for.” (Punch)
A political advocacy group within the All Progressives Congress on Friday urged the national leadership of the party to exercise caution in selecting governorship candidates for the 2027 general elections, warning that poor choices could threaten the party’s fortunes in the South-West and potentially undermine the re-election prospects of President Bola Tinubu in the region.
The Oyo APC Youth League particularly cautioned against two prominent politicians who had previously failed in their attempts to clinch the governorship tickets in their respective states but are reportedly preparing to contest again in 2027.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the group’s spokesman, Taorid Olawale, said the party must place a premium on integrity, credibility and grassroots appeal in choosing candidates across key South-West states.
He said, “We urge the party to prioritise integrity, credibility, and grassroots acceptance in selecting candidates for key states in the South-west, particularly Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states.
“In Yorubaland, personal history and public reputation of political aspirants remain critical factors in determining electoral support.”
According to him, voters in the region expect candidates whose lives reflect honesty, public service and a genuine connection to the grassroots.
Olawale warned that presenting aspirants with questionable records or widespread public distrust could damage the credibility of the ruling party and weaken its electoral chances in the South-West, particularly in Oyo State.
He further argued that such decisions could also negatively affect President Tinubu’s anticipated bid for re-election in 2027.
The youth league also highlighted the political significance of Ibadan and referenced the counsel of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja, describing him as a respected technocrat, former senator and former governor whose voice still carries weight among the people.
Olawale emphasised that the royal father’s experience in governance and deep grassroots connection make his perspective valuable in guiding both the President and the APC in identifying credible candidates, especially in Oyo State.
He said, “In politics, sins are not forgiven; they are merely kept until the right time for reckoning,” warning that allowing controversial figures to secure party tickets through internal political manoeuvring could have far-reaching consequences for the party across the region.
“The stakes are high, and history will not forgive a misstep. In this regard, an opinion poll has truly indicated that the APC as a party may have a deficit of victory in the next governorship election in Oyo state if it fields any of its old candidates.
“The APC can rob itself of victory if its leadership turns defiant against public expectation of picking a young, fresh, virtuous and modest candidate to represent the party in the 2027 governorship election.”
The spokesman concluded by warning that the decisions taken by the party in selecting candidates for Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states would play a decisive role in determining whether the APC retains its dominance in the South-West or faces rejection by the electorate. (Punch)
The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards have been unveiled, with vampire period horror film Sinners emerging as the year’s biggest contender.
The film earned a record 16 nominations, setting a new mark for the most nominations in a single year and surpassing One Battle After Another, which secured 13 nods.
Other strong contenders include Frankenstein, Marty Supreme and Sentimental Value, each receiving nine nominations across several categories.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Hollywood on Sunday.
Below are nominees in key categories:
Best Picture Bugonia F1 Frankenstein Hamnet Marty Supreme One Battle After Another The Secret Agent Sentimental Value Sinners Train Dreams
Best Director Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another Ryan Coogler — Sinners Josh Safdie — Marty Supreme Joachim Trier — Sentimental Value Chloé Zhao — Hamnet
Best Actor Timothée Chalamet — Marty Supreme Leonardo DiCaprio — One Battle After Another Ethan Hawke — Blue Moon Michael B. Jordan — Sinners Wagner Moura — The Secret Agent
Best Actress Jessie Buckley — Hamnet Rose Byrne — If I Had Legs I’d Kick You Kate Hudson — Song Sung Blue Renate Reinsve — Sentimental Value Emma Stone — Bugonia
Best Supporting Actor Benicio del Toro — One Battle After Another Jacob Elordi — Frankenstein Delroy Lindo — Sinners Sean Penn — One Battle After Another Stellan Skarsgård — Sentimental Value
Best Supporting Actress Elle Fanning — Sentimental Value Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas — Sentimental Value Amy Madigan — Weapons Wunmi Mosaku — Sinners Teyana Taylor — One Battle After Another
Best International Feature Film
The Secret Agent (Brazil) It Was Just an Accident (France) Sentimental Value (Norway) Sirat (Spain) The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia)
Best Animated Feature Arco Elio Kpop Demon Hunters Little Amelie or the Character of Rain Zootopia 2
Best Documentary Feature
The Alabama Solution Come See Me In The Good Light Cutting Through Rocks Mr. Nobody Against Putin The Perfect Neighbor
Films With the Most Nominations Sinners — 16 One Battle After Another — 13 Frankenstein — 9 Marty Supreme — 9 Sentimental Value — 9 Hamnet — 8 (Leadership)
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