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Ayra Starr Paints New York Purple in Strapless Mini Dress for ‘Starr Girl’ Listening Party

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

The Mavin and Republic Records star hosted industry insiders and fans for an intimate first listen to her third studio album ahead of its global release on August 14, 2026.

Ayra arrived in full Y2K mode. She wore a strapless periwinkle blue mini dress with horizontal ruched mesh panels and a bold vertical strip of 3D fabric floral appliqués running down the center bodice.

To balance the bare neckline, she styled the look with a thick multi-row rhinestone choker. She added slim black rectangular sunglasses, cobalt blue open-toe mule heels, a delicate gold chain anklet, and a glittery dark blue hard-shell clutch with “Girl” spelled out in silver lettering.

The singer styled her Y2K-inspired look with a custom Starr Girl clutch and retro updo.

Her beauty was just as statement-making. Ayra wore a retro updo with side-swept fringe, bronze-toned makeup, and sharply defined lip liner.

The listening party offered the first preview of the album before its August 14 release.

The Starr Girl listening session marks a major moment in Ayra’s artistic evolution. The project will feature collaborations with Zayn Malik, Theodora, KWN, Danny Ocean, Leon Thomas, and FOLA.

It also follows the rollout of pre-release singles including *“Tornado,” “Where Do We Go,” “Who’s That Girl” featuring Rema, “Gimme Dat” featuring Wizkid, and “Hot Body.”

With New York painted periwinkle, all eyes are now on August 14 for the official drop.

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Sport

Serena Williams and Venus Williams to reunite for doubles at Cincinnati Open after Wimbledon injury setback

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

Serena Williams will return to the court alongside her sister Venus at the Cincinnati Open, with the pair receiving a wild-card entry into the women’s doubles draw.

The appearance will mark their first doubles partnership since the 2022 US Open and comes weeks after a knee injury forced Serena to withdraw from a planned reunion at Wimbledon.

The WTA 1000 event in Mason, Ohio, runs in mid-August (with the main draw beginning around August 11–13).

Serena, 44, will team with 46-year-old Venus in what tournament organizers and reports describe as a potential stepping stone toward a possible US Open appearance later in the summer—the final Grand Slam of the year, where Serena has not competed since 2022.

Serena’s highly anticipated comeback began earlier in the grass-court season. After nearly four years away from professional competition, she played doubles at Queen’s Club (partnering Victoria Mboko) and in Berlin before receiving a singles wild card at Wimbledon. There, she lost in the first round to Australia’s Maya Joint in three sets. During the match she tweaked her right knee, which later required fluid drainage. She withdrew from the sisters’ scheduled doubles match, posting that she was “heartbroken” and that her knee “just isn’t ready to compete,” while noting the opportunity to play with Venus had meant the world to her.

The Williams sisters rank among the most successful doubles teams in tennis history. Together they have captured 14 Grand Slam titles, including six at Wimbledon and three Olympic gold medals. Their last joint appearance came in the opening round of the 2022 US Open. Venus has also been awarded a singles wild card for Cincinnati.

Cincinnati serves as a key hard-court tune-up before the US Open, which begins in late August. Serena has not yet confirmed broader plans beyond doubles in Ohio, but the entry keeps open the possibility of further competition this summer.

 

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Entertainment

‘Starr Girl Is Coming’: Ayra Starr Kicks Off Countdown to August 14 Album Release

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

Ayra Starr has officially started the countdown to her highly anticipated third studio album, Starr Girl.

The Mavin and Republic Records star announced on August 3, 2026, that the project will arrive in 11 days, with a release date set for August 14, 2026. She shared the news with a sleek video teaser on social media, captioning it: “starrgirl is comingggg. 11 days! are you ready?”

The announcement comes as Ayra continues to recover from a recent surgery. In an Instagram Story update days earlier, the singer revealed she had undergone a complicated procedure and would be taking time away from public events to rest. Despite stepping back, she urged her fans — the Mobstarrs — to keep the momentum going ahead of the album drop.

The teaser clip gives the first glimpse of the Starr Girl era. Dressed in a vibrant blue mini dress, Ayra is seen walking through a city street, climbing a fire escape, and sitting atop a building as the skyline lights up behind her. Glowing stars appear in the night sky to spell out the album title. While the background track remains unreleased, the snippet offers fans a taste of her evolving sound.

Starr Girl follows the release of lead single “Tornado” featuring Fola, which dropped in June. With the release date now locked in, anticipation is building globally as Ayra Starr prepares for her official return to music.

 

 

 

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Sport

Goodness Nwachukwu Smashes Own World Record to Win Commonwealth Gold for Nigeria in Glasgow

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

Nigerian para-athlete Goodness Nwachukwu delivered the performance of the Games on Wednesday, smashing her own world record to win gold in the women’s discus F42-44/F61-64 event at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 27-year-old launched the discus 39.66 metres with her final throw — a massive 3.10m improvement on her previous mark — to claim the top spot and secure Nigeria’s seventh gold medal of the Games.

It was a masterclass in composure and power. Nwachukwu improved steadily through the rounds before unleashing 39.66m in the sixth and final attempt to rewrite the F42 world record and take gold.

The throw bettered her own previous world record of 36.56m, set at Birmingham 2022, the same Games where she won her first Commonwealth gold. With back-to-back Commonwealth titles now to her name, Nwachukwu has firmly stamped her authority on the event.

Posing beside the official Longines scoreboard after the event, the Team Nigeria star let the numbers do the talking: 39.66m, World Record.

Born October 6, 1998, Nwachukwu competes in both discus and shot put in the F42 classification for athletes with lower limb impairments. Competing requires exceptional balance and technique in the throwing circle — a challenge she has turned into strength.

“Walking into the stadium and seeing thousands of people waiting to watch me compete was something I will never forget,” Nwachukwu said ahead of Glasgow 2026. “It brought me so much joy. Winning a medal was a big achievement for me. It opened many doors in my life.”

On Wednesday, she opened another one, straight into the history books.

Nwachukwu’s gold takes Nigeria’s tally to 7 golds at Glasgow 2026.

Nigeria’s Gold Medalists So Far:

– Para Powerlifting: Esther Nworgu, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, Riluwan Idris

– Weightlifting: Edidiong Umoafia, Onome Didih, Rafiatu Folashade Lawal

– Para Athletics: Goodness Nwachukwu

Team Nigeria has also added bronze medals through Kanyinsola Ajayi in the men’s 100m and Temitope Adeshina in the women’s high jump.

With one of Nigeria’s strongest Commonwealth Games campaigns in recent memory already underway, Goodness Nwachukwu’s world-record throw may just be its defining moment.

 

 

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Entertainment

Tems heads star-studded soundtrack for “Children of Blood and Bone” alongside Burna Boy and Ayra Star

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

Grammy-winning Nigerian star Tems has been named Executive Music Producer and Curator for the official soundtrack of Paramount Pictures’ highly anticipated fantasy film, Children of Blood and Bone.

The announcement was made by director Gina Prince-Bythewood at an exclusive trailer screening hosted by Lena Waithe at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York. With the appointment, Tems becomes the first woman to executive produce a soundtrack for a film of this magnitude.

According to Prince-Bythewood, Tems and Burna Boy were key inspirations during the screenwriting process. “I listened to Tems and Burna Boy on repeat while writing,” she said, noting that their sound was essential to shaping the film’s musical identity.

Tems’ 2023 hit “Me & U” is already featured in the movie’s official teaser. Her manager, Muyiwa Awoniyi, confirmed that the singer also recorded three brand-new original tracks specifically for the project. Burna Boy will serve as Executive Music Consultant, while other Nigerian heavyweights on the album include Ayra Starr, Fireboy DML, and BNXN

Described by Prince-Bythewood as an “epic, no-skips” body of work, the soundtrack mirrors the core themes of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel — magic, destiny, resistance, and hope. It blends African rhythms with orchestral elements to reflect the world of Orïsha.

In another milestone, Ayra Starr will also make her Hollywood acting debut in the film.

Set for release in cinemas on January 15, 2027, Children of Blood and Bone is being hailed as a major cultural link between modern African music and global blockbuster cinema. With Tems leading the sound, the project is already being called one of the most important African-led movie soundtracks to date.

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FashionLifestyle

VEEKEE JAMES DAZZLES IN CUSTOM PINK MERMAID GOWN AT DAUGHTER ELIANA’S DEDICATION RECEPTION

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

Nigerian fashion designer Veekee James proved once again why she’s one of the country’s most talked-about style forces, as she made a dramatic entrance at the dedication reception of her daughter, Eliana Adeife Atere.

Held over the weekend under the theme #ElianasFruitGarden, the reception followed the church dedication of baby Eliana. While guests turned up in vibrant outfits, it was the mother of the day who stole the spotlight.

Veekee swapped her traditional white church look for a bold reception outfit: a bespoke pink mermaid gown from her own label, Veekee James.

The couture piece featured a strapless sheer corset with intricate botanical and floral embroidery, flowing into a fitted silhouette with a sculptural, puffed mermaid hem that trailed elegantly. She paired it with an avant-garde fascinator — pink feathered tendrils that added a dramatic, fairytale touch.

She styled the look with a sleek low bun, soft-glam makeup, and a sharp dark lip liner. A cluster of grapes used as a prop in her photos tied perfectly into the fruit garden theme of the celebration.

Friends, family, and fellow creatives gathered to celebrate baby Eliana, whose name means “My God has answered”  making the day as emotional as it was fashionable.

True to form, Veekee James used the milestone to deliver both sentiment and style, reminding everyone that she’s not just celebrating motherhood, she’s also setting the fashion agenda while doing it.

 

 

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Sport

THE SUPER FALCONS ARE READY FOR WAFCON 2026! MEET THE SQUAD & SEE THEIR FIXTURES

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

Nine-time African champions, the Super Falcons, have touched down in Morocco and say they are “locked in” for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as they chase a record-extending 10th continental title.

The tournament, hosted by Morocco kicks off this weekend, and Head Coach Justin Madugu has named a blend of experience and youth for Nigeria’s campaign.

MEET THE SQUAD

Coach Madugu went with a 23-player squad featuring Europe-based stars and home-based talent. Key names expected to lead the charge include:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Anderline Mgbechi

– Defenders: Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin

– Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne

– Forwards: Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu, Esther Okoronkwo, Gift Monday

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade will lead the team, with six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala also in the squad to provide firepower upfront.

The NFF said the final list was selected based on form, fitness and tactical needs after a 3-week camp in Spain.

 

SUPER FALCONS WAFCON 2026 FIXTURES – GROUP B

Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana.

Here’s how the group stage looks:

1. Sunday, July 26: Nigeria vs Tunisia – 5:00 PM, Stade Père Jégo, Casablanca

2. Wednesday, July 29: Algeria vs Nigeria – 8:00 PM, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca

3. Saturday, August 1: Botswana vs Nigeria – 8:00 PM, Stade Père Jégo, Casablanca

The top two teams from each group plus the two best third-placed teams will advance to the quarterfinals.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

Captain Ajibade said the team’s target is clear: “We are here to win it for Nigeria. The jersey is heavy, the expectation is high, but this squad is ready.”

Coach Madugu added that the Falcons are focused on “one game at a time” but are confident of going deep in the tournament.

The Super Falcons last won WAFCON in 2018 and reached the final in 2022, losing to hosts Morocco.

 

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Entertainment

CHILDREN OF BLOOD AND BONE’ PUTS WOMEN AT THE CENTER, ON SCREEN AND OFF

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

The highly anticipated film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel Children of Blood and Bone is being praised not just for its epic fantasy, but for how it celebrates women both in its storytelling and in its casting.

The movie, set in the fictional land of Orïsha, follows young diviner Zélie as she fights to restore magic and overthrow a tyrannical monarchy. At its core, the story is driven by powerful women who lead the resistance, make the hard choices, and carry the emotional weight of a nation.

 

Industry observers note that the film flips the typical fantasy script by placing women at the center of power. From warriors and queens to mothers and rebels, female characters are not side plots. They are the ones driving the revolution.

That commitment extends behind the camera too. The casting has been hailed for putting African and Black women in leading roles rarely seen in big-budget fantasy films. The ensemble features a new generation of actresses alongside established stars, giving global visibility to talent from across the continent and diaspora.

“It’s not just about having women in the story,” a film critic noted. “It’s about women leading the story, and women leading the production that brings it to life.”

Children of Blood and Bone is already being described as a landmark for representation in Hollywood fantasy. With its mix of African mythology, culture, and female-led heroism, the film is positioning itself as both entertainment and a statement.

Fans and cultural commentators say the movie’s message is clear: when women are given the magic, the sword, and the crown, the whole world changes.

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Sport

The Story Behind Nico Williams Giving His FIFA World Cup Winner’s Medal to His Mother

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene

For Nico Williams, the most valuable trophy from Spain’s FIFA World Cup triumph isn’t in a cabinet. It’s around his mother’s neck.

The Athletic Bilbao and Spain winger, 22, has revealed that immediately after lifting football’s biggest prize, he took off his winner’s medal and placed it in the hands of the woman who sacrificed everything for him and his brother: Maria Williams.

“This Belongs To You, Mama”

Speaking after Spain’s historic World Cup final victory, Williams fought back tears as he explained the gesture that has since gone viral.

“From the day we arrived in Spain with nothing, my mother worked 3 jobs to feed us,” Williams said. “She cleaned houses, she worked nights. She and my dad crossed the desert so that Iñaki and I could have a future. This medal is hers. Every sprint, every tackle, every goal — I did it for her.”

Footage from the dressing room showed the young forward hugging his mother tightly before draping the gold medal over her. Maria, visibly emotional, could be seen kissing the medal and whispering to her son.

A Journey From Accra to World Champion

The Williams brothers’ story is well known in Spain. Their parents made the dangerous journey from Ghana to Europe in the 1990s. Nico and older brother Iñaki were both born in Spain and came through Athletic Bilbao’s Lezama academy.

While Iñaki chose to represent Ghana, Nico opted for Spain and has become one of La Roja’s most explosive wide players. His pace and directness were key in Spain’s run to World Cup glory.

But for Nico, football was never just about fame.

“My mum never saw me play in a stadium until I was 18,” he said. “She was always working. So when I won this, the first person I thought of was her.”

The moment has struck a chord far beyond football.

On social media, fans called it “the greatest goal Nico will ever score” and “a reminder of what football is really about.”

 

Athletic Bilbao also paid tribute, posting: “Lezama made the player. Maria made the man. Zorionak, Nico & Maria.”

Spain’s FA President called the gesture “the perfect image of this World Cup — talent, humility, and family.”

Williams says he will get a replica for himself. The original, he insists, stays with his mother.

“She kept us alive,” he said. “She believed in us when we had nothing. A medal is just metal. What she gave me is forever.”

For Spain, it was a World Cup win. For Nico Williams, it was a chance to say thank you to the one person who made it all possible.

 

 

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Entertainment

FAVE TURNS UP THE HEAT IN NEW “DANCE” VIDEO – HER PLATINUM LOOK ALONE WILL GET YOU MOVING

by Women Times on

By Prosper Mene 

Lagos, Nigeria – April 2026

Nigerian songbird Fave is back on our screens, and she came with vibes.  

The singer has released the official music video for her hit single *”Dance”*, and it’s already getting fans on their feet before the first chorus even drops.

The video leans into bold, clean aesthetics that match the song’s smooth Afropop rhythm. Fave debuts a striking platinum blonde hairstyle, paired with soft pink eyeshadow, sharp winged liner, and rhinestones arched above her brows.

She keeps it glam with silver nose rings, gem-studded nails, and a textured blue top accessorized with a chunky metallic silver bracelet. Subtle details like leaf-patterned designs on her hands and wrists add extra flair to every scene.

From the very first shot, Fave is in motion — swaying, grooving, and owning the beat in a way that makes you want to jump up and copy her dance steps.

“Dance” is one of the standout tracks from Fave’s third EP, “RnBling”. The 6-track project marks a new chapter for the singer as it features her first-ever guest appearances on an EP, with vocals from Chike and Yemi Alade.

Production duties on the entire project were handled by Dunnie, Deeyasso, and Damie, giving “RnBling” a cohesive blend of Afropop and R&B that has become Fave’s signature sound.

If you’ve already had “Dance” on repeat, the visuals will give you even more reasons to add it to your playlist.

 

 

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