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The Rise of Nigeria's Digital Herbal Marketplace In Abuja, Nigeria, Oke Bola thought a fertility supplement she found online might help her conceive. Instead, within days of taking it, she struggled to breathe. Her experience reflects a growing online trade in unverified herbal remedies promoted across social media platforms. Bola, who is in her early 40s and has never had children, bought the supplement earlier this year and increased the recommended dosage, hoping for quicker results after hearing about it from friends and family. "I recognised the symptoms of asthma; the wheezing sound at night was familiar," she told Al Jazeera. "When I checked online, I realised it could be from the herbal medication." Her experience is not isolated. Across Nigeria, doctors and pharmacists report a surge in social media-driven self-medication, particularly involving unverified herbal products. This trend is worsening health outcomes, delaying treatment, and adding pressure to an already strained healthcare system serving about 230 million people. Nigeria's young, hyperconnected population increasingly uses digital platforms for health information and advice. But that access has also created what Dr Isaac Kolawole and Dr Fidelis describe as an "algorithmic apothecary" – an unregulated online marketplace where influencers and anonymous sellers promote remedies directly to consumers with little or no scientific backing. Health Impacts of Unverified Herbal Remedies Within this ecosystem, herbal remedies, long part of Nigeria's medical and cultural landscape, are increasingly repackaged as miracle cures, sometimes with dangerous consequences. Doctors report more patients arriving at hospitals only when their conditions have significantly worsened, often after prolonged use of unverified treatments. A consultant nephrologist at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, Dr Yemi Raji, said herbal medicine continues to play a role in kidney disease cases in Nigeria. "When you take herbal medication, you are taking both the good and the bad," he said. "Patients often arrive late, when treatment is more difficult and expensive." Dialysis alone can cost between 50,000 and 100,000 naira ($36-72) per session, several times a week. Studies link herbal use to kidney and liver disease cases across Africa, including findings that about 46 percent of liver disease admissions in one Nigerian hospital involved herbs or roots. A 2022 study found that 76.65 percent of participants had used herbal medicine, with more than a third combining herbal and conventional treatments while 82.44 percent did not inform their doctors. The Algorithmic Amplification Effect On a smartphone screen, relief is just a click away: fertility tonics, eye drops promising restored vision, syrups claiming to "flush out" disease. The advertisements are polished, persuasive and constant, woven into TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X feeds. "The platforms themselves amplify this effect," said Dr Egemba Chinonso Fidelis, a public health advocate known online as Aproko Doctor. "Their algorithms reward engaging content and push it to wider audiences." Even users who try to avoid such content often encounter it repeatedly, shaped by emotional storytelling, music and urgency-driven messaging. A 2025 Nigeria-based study on Jinja Herbal Mixture found it appeared safe for short-term use within tested dosage ranges, but researchers recorded biochemical changes at higher doses, including altered creatinine and sodium levels in test subjects, signs of possible kidney and liver stress. The study called for further research into long-term effects and interactions with conventional medicines. Regulatory Challenges in the Digital Age The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) says it is working to track unregistered manufacturers, but enforcement remains difficult, especially online. "With the sheer volume of products online, enforcement has limited reach," said Isaac Kolawole, the southwest zonal director of NAFDAC. Many sellers use fake or incomplete addresses, making them difficult to trace. NAFDAC requires strict registration, testing and approval before herbal products can be sold or advertised, but regulation has not kept pace with online commerce. Fidelis argued that stronger regulation alone is not enough. "If there are no consequences for lying about healthcare online, people will keep doing it," he said. He noted that scammers have even used AI-generated versions of his image to promote fake products. "Real medicine does not promise to cure everything, and it does not rely on countdowns," he added. "Scammers do." Path Forward for Safer Digital Health As Nigeria's digital economy expands, the intersection of technology and healthcare will only grow more complex. Fidelis stressed that access to affordable healthcare must improve, public trust must be rebuilt, and digital platforms must take responsibility for the health content they amplify. Pharmacist Akinade Akinlolu noted that while conditions like diabetes and hypertension can be managed, online claims often suggest cures. "Economic pressure is also pushing people towards cheaper or 'miracle' alternatives," he added. "Without stronger safeguards," Fidelis warned, "the algorithmic apothecary will continue to grow and put more people at risk." The challenge for Nigeria's healthcare system is to harness the power of digital platforms while ensuring they promote evidence-based care rather than potentially harmful alternatives.

The Partial Internet Restoration Reveals Public AngerThe partial lifting of internet restrictions in Iran has revealed a rising tide of anger about food price inflation as ordinary Iranians decry annual price increases of 308% for vegetable oil, 190% for chicken, and 170% for rice. Iranian authorities began restoring the connection to the global internet that was severed on the first day of the US-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic on 28 February, as it had been during mass protests in January.Connectivity Remains Limited Despite Partial RestorationConnectivity remained patchy on Wednesday, with mobile internet still largely disconnected and many sites remaining restricted. But even the partial restoration was enough to reveal an outpouring of anger over price inflation and food shortages. "Everything is so expensive. It has become a disaster," wrote one user on social media. "You leave the market with a broken heart after spending all your savings. It is unbearable. We have no patience left to lead a normal life."Government Response and Blame-ShiftingPresident Masoud Pezeshkian, who has been given some credit for lifting the internet restrictions, blamed the US for Iran's economic woes, saying Washington "had moved to economic warfare after failing to bring the government down." In a lengthy statement, the ministry of intelligence revealed its concerns that internet freedom could be used for "cognitive warfare", warning that Iran's adversaries aimed to "incite protesters and drag them on to the streets."Hyperinflation Data Reveals Economic CrisisThe government announced the launch of a "resistance economy committee" to crack down on price gouging and address surging shortages, but hyperinflation is now endemic in Iran owing to trade sanctions, exchange rate pressure, and moves taken to reduce subsidies given to traders in January. Data from the International Monetary Fund showed food inflation had risen to between 140% and 200%, pushing overall inflation to 70%. Support for continuing internet restrictions was put at just 9% in a survey published on Wednesday.Government Propaganda and Public ResponseIn an attempt to forestall support for Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late shah, government backers tried to flood the internet with claims directed at "youngsters returning to the internet" that Pahlavi had openly applauded the attacks mounted by Israel and the US. Others expressed simple relief that they could now talk to the wider world. The human rights activist Emadeddin Baghi wrote: "Three bloody months have passed, but not for those who lost a loved one or had their home destroyed. In this period our voices found no echo except on some internal platforms and to the best of our ability we spoke and wrote in defence of the rights of the voiceless."Future Outlook: Digital Rights and Economic InstabilityThe prominent rapper Toomaj Salehi, who was sentenced to death in 2024 for supporting protests in 2022 but was later released, said being connected to the internet was "not a favour to us – it is our right. And without filters as well. Like free elections, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, freedom of parties, and many other freedoms, these are our rights and not favours," he wrote on X. With public sentiment increasingly turning against the government and economic conditions worsening, Iran faces a precarious future balancing between maintaining control and addressing growing public discontent.

The Lead The New York Knicks have finally made it to the NBA Finals, ending a 27-year drought. However, the team's success has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding owner James Dolan. Dolan's Checkered Past Dolan has a long history of poor management and controversy. He has been described as 'masterful at destroying two beloved franchises' - the Knicks and the NHL's New York Rangers. Dolan has been criticized for his treatment of fans, players, and employees, including denying Spike Lee entry to Madison Square Garden and banning former player Charles Oakley from the arena. The Data Analysis Dolan's tenure as owner has seen numerous failed experiments, including hiring Phil Jackson and trading for Eddy Curry. The Knicks have struggled with salary-cap issues and have been unable to attract top free agents. Dolan has been accused of using biometric surveillance technology to track perceived enemies, including fans and former players. The Impact Analysis Dolan's leadership has had a lasting impact on the Knicks and the NBA. His management style has been criticized by former players, coaches, and commissioners. The team's success has raised questions about whether Dolan's approach has finally paid off or if it's just a coincidence. The Prediction As the Knicks prepare to face off in the NBA Finals, it's unclear how Dolan's ownership will be perceived. Will the team's success redeem Dolan's reputation, or will his past controversies continue to overshadow the team's achievements? One thing is certain - Dolan's role in the team's success will be closely scrutinized.

The LeadCorridors have long been more than just passageways in cinema—they are narrative spaces that build tension, create atmosphere, and advance storytelling. The Guardian has compiled a definitive ranking of the 20 most memorable corridors in film history, showcasing how these seemingly simple spaces have become iconic elements of cinematic language.The Art of Cinematic CorridorsFrom the claustrophobic hallways of horror films to the dystopian passageways of science fiction, corridors have served as powerful storytelling devices across genres. The ranking includes entries from 1979 to 2011, with films like "The Thing" (1982), "Brazil" (1985), and "The Raid: Redemption" (2011) demonstrating how directors use these spaces to create memorable sequences.Ranking Criteria and Notable MentionsThe selection process appears to prioritize corridors that have become iconic through their visual impact, narrative significance, and ability to evoke emotion. Notable mentions include:The marble corridor in "Phantasm" (1979), which became a source of nightmares for viewersThe endless grey passageway in "Brazil" (1985), created using forced perspective in a disused flour millThe baroque corridors of "Last Year at Marienbad" (1961), which create a uniquely spooky ambienceThe modern corridor chase in "The Red Queen Kills Seven Times" (1972), featuring a figure in a red cloakThe Impact of Corridors on FilmmakingThese cinematic corridors have influenced generations of filmmakers and continue to be referenced in contemporary cinema. The ranking reveals how directors have mastered the use of confined spaces to build suspense, create visual symbolism, and advance character development. Horror filmmakers, in particular, have long recognized the corridor's potential for terror, using its linear nature to create anticipation and dread.The Future of Corridor Scenes in CinemaAs filmmaking techniques evolve, the corridor continues to be a vital space for cinematic storytelling. With advances in virtual production and immersive technologies, future corridor scenes may push the boundaries of visual storytelling even further. The enduring appeal of these spaces suggests that corridors will remain essential tools for filmmakers seeking to create memorable, tension-filled sequences that resonate with audiences.

The Collaboration Behind 'Fairyland' Sofia Coppola and Andrew Durham are no strangers to each other. They've worked together on various projects, including Coppola's TV show 'Hi-Octane' and her short film 'Lick the Star'. So when Coppola optioned Alysia Abbott's memoir 'Fairyland: A Memoir of My Father', she knew Durham would be the perfect director for the film. Personal Connections to the Story Both Coppola and Durham have personal connections to the story. Durham grew up in the Bay Area of San Francisco in the 1970s with a gay dad, Jerry, who died of AIDS in 1992. Coppola's own experiences growing up with a famous father, Francis Ford Coppola, also inform her perspective on the film. The Film's Themes and Inspiration The film explores themes of family, identity, and coming-of-age. It's a bittersweet father-daughter story that continues a pattern in Coppola's filmography. Durham notes that he and Coppola share a similar sensibility and taste, which made her the perfect producer for the film. The Future of 'Fairyland' 'Fairyland' is set to release in cinemas on May 29. With its talented cast, including Emilia Jones and Scoot McNairy, and its unique perspective on the LGBTQ+ experience, the film is sure to resonate with audiences. As Coppola says, it's in the tradition of championing things you love and believe in – just like her father did at his production company, Zoetrope.

Marilyn Monroe's Inner Circle Marilyn Monroe's life and legacy have been extensively documented, but her friendships with women are often overlooked. The article explores her relationships with those closest to her, revealing a more nuanced side to the iconic actress. Female Friendships Monroe had many female friends, including Amy Greene, the widow of photographer Milton Greene. Greene shared her home with Monroe for several years in the mid-1950s and remembers the scrutiny they faced: "Girlfriends would say, 'Are you out of your mind to have that woman in your house?' I'd say, 'What's wrong with you? There's nothing there. They're business partners!'" The Power of Platonic Relationships Monroe's friendships with women like Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable are well-documented, particularly in films like How to Marry a Millionaire and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Her relationship with Jane Russell, her co-star in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, was particularly significant, with Russell recalling a day at the beach with close female friends: "[We] had wine, music and more talk by the fire … I thought of Marilyn. I wished I had her phone number, because I knew she belonged there, where we were all laughing about our problems." Male Friends and Collaborators While Monroe's relationships with men like John F. Kennedy have been widely reported, her platonic friendships with men like photographer Lawrence Schiller were also important to her. Schiller worked with Monroe on a nude photoshoot, one of the most scandalous of her career. A More Nuanced Legacy The article highlights the complexity of Monroe's relationships and challenges the notion that she was solely a sex symbol. Her friendships with women, in particular, reveal a more vulnerable and human side to her personality.

The Foiled Attack on Taylor Swift's Concert An Austrian man who admitted planning a foiled attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of various mainly terrorism-related offences. The Trial and Charges The state court in Wiener Neustadt on Thursday found the 21-year-old defendant, an Austrian citizen known only as Beran A – in line with Austrian privacy rules – guilty on charges including those related to the concert. Beran A was arrested on 7 August 2024, the day before the first of three planned concerts by the US pop star in the Austrian capital. All three dates were then cancelled, to the dismay of fans and Swift, who wrote afterwards that it was “devastating”. The Planned Attack and Investigation Beran A pleaded guilty to charges related to the planned attack, which carried a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. He covered his face with a ring binder as he entered the courtroom to avoid being identifiable in pictures. “I would just like to say that I am sorry,” he said in a final statement after closing arguments on Thursday. Beran A was found to have tried but failed to illegally buy weapons including a machine gun and hand grenade, and followed instructions in an Islamic State video entitled “Make a bomb in the kitchen of your mom” to produce a small amount of the explosive triacetone triperoxide (TATP). The Impact on the Community Neither Swift nor any of her fans appeared at the trial in Wiener Neustadt, a town south of the capital. The jury, however, found him guilty on all but two of 15 points put to it, including providing moral support to a third man who was arrested in Mecca on suspicion of stabbing a security official at the city’s Grand Mosque. His lawyer, Anna Mair, repeated that her client did not provide material support to the third man, and if anything it was the other way around. The Future Outlook The sentencing of Beran A and his co-defendant Arda K to 12 years in prison highlights the ongoing threat of terrorism and the importance of vigilance in the community.

The Actor's Stand for EqualityLord of the Rings star and prominent activist Ian McKellen has joined a march against the criminalisation of LGBTQ+ people in Commonwealth countries, calling it an "appalling situation." The renowned actor lent his voice and visibility to protesters in central London, highlighting the ongoing legal persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals across nations that were once part of the British Empire.The Commonwealth Walk of ShameThe demonstration, officially billed as the "Commonwealth Walk of Shame," was organized by the Peter Tatchell Foundation and the Out and Proud African LGBTI Network. After being addressed by Sir Ian and Nigerian activist Babatunde Akanwale Osunseyi, marchers set off to protest outside the high commissions of eight Commonwealth countries that criminalize LGBTQ+ people. They began at the Nigerian High Commission before proceeding to those of Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Tobago, Ghana, Jamaica, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.Global Scale of Anti-LGBTQ+ LegislationThe protest specifically highlighted laws in 29 Commonwealth countries where same-sex relationships remain illegal. In six of those nations, LGBTQ+ people face life imprisonment, while Uganda and Nigeria still carry the death penalty for same-sex relationships. Despite the march not being a "huge" gathering, Sir Ian hoped that "word will get back" to people in those countries that they are supported by international voices.Colonial Legacy of DiscriminationBefore addressing the crowd, Sir Ian explained the historical context of these laws: "When Britain had an empire, it introduced into countries far away from here the laws that we had in this country, including the laws against gay people." He noted that while these laws have been repealed in Britain, they "remain stuck in the remnants of the British empire now known as the Commonwealth." The actor emphasized that much of the anti-LGBTQ+ hatred seen across Africa and Asia was "exported there" by "cruel" colonial laws.Call for Commonwealth ActionSir Ian urged Commonwealth countries to "live up to the standards and declaration of the Commonwealth and repeal" these outdated laws. He pointed out that the Commonwealth never discusses this problem on its agenda, and hoped that events like this demonstration would "nudge politicians into talking about something which is of such concern." The crowd held up signs calling for King Charles to "apologise for previous monarchs" and highlighting "75 years" of homophobic persecution within the Commonwealth.The actor stressed that this demonstration was "not about hatred" but about "a love of justice, a love of equality." As a prominent figure with global recognition, Sir Ian's participation brought significant attention to the ongoing human rights issues facing LGBTQ+ individuals in many Commonwealth nations.

The Lead This week at TechCrunch’s StrictlyVC event in Athens, I sat down with three top VCs to discuss the current state of venture investing, the wave of mega-IPOs, and where they see opportunities in AI. VC Insights on AI and Mega-IPOs The conversation featured Niko Bonatsos of Verdict Capital, Andreas Stavropoulos of Threshold Ventures, and Ben Blume of Atomico. They discussed the potential impact of SpaceX's reported $1.75 trillion valuation at IPO, as well as the opportunities and challenges in the AI space. The Data Analysis SpaceX's potential $1.75 trillion valuation at IPO OpenAI and Anthropic potentially not far behind in terms of valuation Three-quarters of all venture capital raised over the last year went into five companies $500 million fund looking at the same opportunities as people investing from a $10 billion or $15 billion fund The Impact Analysis The VCs discussed how the current flood of capital into AI may be justified by future earnings, but also acknowledged the risk of extreme FOMO (fear of missing out). They also touched on the challenges of pricing deals when things are moving fast and the importance of looking beyond age as a proxy for entrepreneurial potential. The Prediction The VCs see opportunities in areas such as consumer fintech, AI interacting with the physical world, and robotics. They predict that the next generation of companies will be able to go after much larger markets and that immigrant founders will continue to play a significant role in driving innovation.