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JUST IN: TikTok moves to sell gaming arm

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TikTok owner ByteDance is in talks with buyers including Chinese tech giant Tencent to sell its gaming arm, a company spokesperson said Tuesday, as it seeks to shed once-promising assets in the highly competitive sector.

The discussions would see the firm sell Nuverse, a video game publisher that is a subsidiary of Beijing-based ByteDance.

Nuverse was once viewed by the firm as a vital component in its bid to catch up with Tencent, a leader in the global gaming industry and one of China’s largest media conglomerates.

Efforts to reach a deal are still ongoing, the spokesperson told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The development comes after ByteDance made sweeping reductions to its gaming division last November, including a round of layoffs cutting hundreds of jobs.

The move marked a retreat from the competitive sector — worth $42.2 billion last year, according to official figures – after Nuverse failed to achieve the commercial success ByteDance had hoped for at the time of its launch in 2019.

China is the world’s largest gaming market, and Tencent is the global leader in the sector in terms of revenue.

But it has faced increasing challenges as authorities impose tighter restrictions on gaming, especially for young people.

Since 2021, children under 18 years old have only been allowed to play online between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the school term.

And during next month’s Spring Festival Holiday, users under the age of 18 will face similar limitations, implemented through a real-name verification system, linked to national ID cards, Tencent said.

In a Tuesday WeChat post explaining the rules, Tencent said it hoped “adults and children alike can play games with self-discipline”.

Beijing last month said it might revise newly drafted online gaming rules aimed at limiting in-game purchases and preventing obsessive gaming behaviour, after the regulations triggered a sell-off in major tech stocks.

AFP

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Entertainment

Grammys to honour Fela with special merit award

The Recording Academy described Fela as the “architect of Afrobeat,” noting that the late musician is among ten people to be honoured with the special award.

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Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti will be honoured with a special merit award at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

The organisers of the prestigious award, Recording Academy, announced this via a post on Instagram on Friday, December 19, 2025.

The Recording Academy described Fela as the “architect of Afrobeat,” noting that the late musician is among ten people to be honoured with the special award.

The academy said the Afrobeat legend will be honoured with a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award on January 31, 2026.

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Gbenga Bada Urges NIJ Students: Embrace Passion, Professionalism in Entertainment Reporting

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Seasoned Nigerian entertainment journalist Gbenga Bada has called on students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) to approach entertainment reporting with unwavering passion and strict adherence to professional standards.

Speaking at a recent engagement with students at the prestigious journalism institution in Ogba, Lagos, Bada, who serves as Assistant Entertainment Editor at *The Nation* newspaper, emphasized that the dynamic field of entertainment journalism demands more than mere reporting—it requires genuine enthusiasm and ethical rigor to stand out in an increasingly competitive media landscape.

“Entertainment reporting is not just about chasing headlines or celebrity gossip,” Bada reportedly told the aspiring journalists. “It thrives on passion for the arts, culture, and stories that shape our society, combined with the professionalism that ensures accuracy, fairness, and credibility.

“Bada, known for his in-depth coverage of Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment industry—including music, film, and celebrity features—drew from his extensive experience to inspire the students.

He highlighted the importance of building strong ethical foundations amid the rise of digital media and social platforms, where misinformation can spread rapidly.

The session, part of NIJ’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry practice, resonated with attendees, who praised Bada’s practical insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities in entertainment journalism.

As Nigeria’s creative sector continues to grow globally, voices like Bada’s underscore the need for a new generation of reporters equipped not only with skills but with the drive to elevate the profession.

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Ronaldo featuring in Hollywood’s Fast & Furious film

This move marks Ronaldo’s most significant step into the film industry, aligning with his recent ambition beyond the pitch.

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Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo is officially entering the Hollywood industry, joining the star-studded cast of the upcoming ‘Fast & Furious’ finale.

The announcement was made via Instagram by the franchise’s star and producer, Vin Diesel, who stated that a role was written specifically for the Portuguese legend.

Vin Diesel posted a picture of himself with Ronaldo and revealed that the football star will be a part of the next Fast & Furious film.

On the post, Vin Diesel wrote, “Everyone asked, would he be in the Fast mythology… I gotta tell you, he is a real one. We wrote a role for him.”

Soon after, co-star Tyrese Gibson joined Vin Diesel in announcing the plans to work with Ronaldo in the movie.

Gibson posted an AI-generated picture of himself with the Fast & Furious cast, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, on Instagram.

Gibson wrote, “Welcome to the Family! Cristiano Ronaldo. The Global Dance Just Went Into New Heights.”

This move marks Ronaldo’s most significant step into the film industry, aligning with his recent ambition beyond the pitch.

In April 2025, he announced the launch of his own film studio, UR•MARV, in partnership with acclaimed director Matthew Vaughn (Kingsman). The studio has already financed several action films.

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