An oil and gas professional turned movie producer, Blessing Amidu, has teamed up with her daughter, Emmanuella, to produce a family-powered animated series titled ‘Secrets of the Multiverse’. A spin-off of the acclaimed 2020 feature, ‘Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters’, the new series explores themes of leadership, morality, and sacrifice through a futuristic African lens. Speaking during a virtual media parley during the week, Amidu noted that her inspiration for the project came from years of bonding over cartoons with her children. “Animation was just a genre I fell in love with, especially because I spent a lot of time with my kids watching cartoons during their growing-up years. And I was enticed or influenced by the characters on TV. And I could see that we didn’t really have African stories to showcase in Nigeria. That was how animation came to be,” she said. On how she chose her daughter to write the series, Amidu explained that she stumbled on Emmanuella’s storytelling gift while searching for writers. Shocked by the high cost of hiring professionals and unimpressed with the story options available, she decided to look inwards. “I stumbled on my daughter’s talent. I had asked her to write a few short stories, and as God would have it, one of the short stories she wrote had so much potential for expansion that I just asked her to write six episodes. When I sent an episode to Adebisi Adetayo, who was the director for LBMM in 2020 and who also directed for SOTM, he was surprised,” she said. Reflecting on the creative process, Emmanuella added, “I wanted something new. When children or even older people move abroad for a little while, it’s easy to lose that connection with yourself, your family and culture. That’s one of the reasons I wrote ‘Secrets of the Multiverse’. It was to remind me of who I am back home, all the things I’ve experienced and the things I’ve learnt. It’s also for people my age to remember what makes us proud Africans.” The young filmmaker added that she hopes the series will inspire young African audiences, especially girls. “The aim of this project, actually, is to remind teenagers and young adults that they can go on to do or to achieve anything they set their minds to. You will always achieve more with a little bit more determination and resilience,” she said.

For Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City side, the celebrations at full-time at Goodison Park on Saturday pointed to a monumental result in the context of their substandard campaign. City have set the benchmark in English football, as the first side to win four top-flight titles in a row, but they will relinquish their hold on the trophy this season. They also fell in the Champions League play-offs - and for 84 minutes on Merseyside, it seemed like they were facing a real battle to compete in Europe's elite club competition next term. But two late goals from the emerging star Nico O'Reilly and experienced midfielder Mateo Kovacic gave City a hard-fought victory at Everton. Asked how big the result was, Guardiola told BBC Sport: "I would say big. We have five, six games left and with the moment they had after [winning against] Nottingham Forest away, [and given that] Liverpool and Arsenal could not win here, it is massively important. "I've tried to convince the players that qualifying for the Champions League is a huge achievement in this country and in this league. "Being in the Champions League is enough, thinking that is not enough for us would be arrogant." City were facing the prospect of being out of the Premier League top five come the end of the weekend, but picked up a pivotal result to strengthen their hopes of Champions League football in 2025-26. The performance of English teams in Europe means the Premier League has received an extra fifth spot in the continent's premier club competition for next season, which leaves City in a healthy position. But they needed a late show on Merseyside for all three points and the reaction at the end highlighted how important a victory it was. City players and staff made their way over to the corner of the stadium where their joyous supporters were housed, taking their acclaim and being serenaded with chants for Guardiola and the departing Kevin de Bruyne. Victory in their next game against Aston Villa, who are also chasing a top-five place, will go a long way to sealing a coveted Champions League spot. "If you win you have character, if you don't win you don't have character - this is the motto," said Guardiola. "What these players have done for one decade, I am so grateful for, whatever has happened - this season more than ever, in the toughest period for many reasons especially injuries. "We were more or less stable, kept going and going for the next time. We are miles away from Liverpool and Arsenal but tonight we sleep fourth. "It is in our hands but we have a final on Tuesday, three games at home, two away and hopefully we can achieve this big success to qualify for the Champions League." Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "That is a massive win for Manchester City. Champions League football for a club of their stature is an absolute minimum." Injuries have had a substantial impact on City this season - and the absences of Nathan Ake, Manual Akanji and John Stones have provided a chance to Manchester-born O'Reilly. He has been deployed as an inverted left-back, often drifting into midfield, and his runs forward have contributed to City's attacking threat. At 20 years and 29 days, O'Reilly became the fourth-youngest player to score in back-to-back Premier League appearances for City after Kelechi Iheanacho, Gabriel Jesus and Phil Foden. "My defending and positioning while defending is definitely improving," O'Reilly told Sky Sports. "Every day I am just learning and I am grateful for that." The left-footer has had an instant impact since being drafted into the team, having had a hand in six goals across his past six appearances for City in all competitions. "He's not really a left-back," Guardiola told BBC Match of the Day. "I would say all of our left-backs score, Josko Gvardiol before and now Nico. He is an attacking midfielder. "We have passes, passes and passes and then we can arrive brilliantly into that position. He has arrived from the academy and is helping us a lot. I am more than grateful. He is taking his opportunity." Team-mate Ilkay Gundogan described O'Reilly as being "very humble and shy" and someone who "doesn't talk much". The German midfielder added: "In terms of talent and quality, not just his size but playing in a position that isn't natural for him at left-back, he's been doing amazing in recent weeks. "He has the technical ability and timing to arrive in the box and score crucial goals. I am very glad for him."

Aston Villa kept themselves firmly in the race for Champions League qualification with a statement win over fellow European hopefuls Newcastle United. Unai Emery's side ran out 4-1 winners with a scintillating display at Villa Park to move level on points with Nottingham Forest in fifth and only two behind third-placed Newcastle. A fifth consecutive league win was the perfect response to exiting the Champions League midweek as Villa fight to return to Europe's premier club competition next season. "Villa have destroyed Newcastle," former Everton midfielder Pat Nevin said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "A lot of teams are beginning to wilt at this stage of the season. Aston Villa aren't. They are looking very, very strong." Speaking on Sky Sports, ex-Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp added: "Aston Villa dismantled the in-form team in the Premier League. From minute one, they were excellent. "Almost a managerial masterclass, from the team he [Unai Emery] picked, the style they played, the substitutions he brought on. Everything he did tonight he got right." Next up for Villa is a trip to Manchester City, another side battling to make the top five. "Belief and showing our capacity - we did it today," Emery told BBC Match of the Day. "Tuesday is another test and another challenge for the team and the club. Man City is another huge test." City kept themselves in the Champions League places courtesy of a 2-0 win at Everton. But with just five points separating Newcastle and Chelsea in seventh - a gap that could be cut to two if the Blues win at Fulham on Sunday - the top-five race looks set to go down to the wire. As such, having spent a large portion of the season in the top three, Nottingham Forest could be sixth by the time they kick off at Tottenham on Monday night. As many as 11 European places are up for grabs and there will definitely be a minimum of eight teams - up from the usual seven - playing in Europe next season, but things could change in the coming weeks. It means Crystal Palace down in 12th still have something to play for. BBC Sport takes a look at how many teams could qualify for each of the European competitions - the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League. Depending on how things pan out this season there will be between eight and 11 teams from the Premier League taking part in Europe next season. A minimum of five of those will be in the Champions League, which is higher than the usual four because of England's performance in Uefa's coefficient rankings. That number could rise to six should Arsenal win the Champions League and finish outside the top four - an unlikely prospect - or even seven if that happens and Manchester United or Tottenham win the Europa League. The maximum number of Premier League teams who could be competing in the Europa League is three. Two places will likely go to the team who finishes sixth and the FA Cup winners. However, if the cup winners have already secured a European place it will then go to the next highest placed side that has not qualified for Europe. A third place could be awarded if Chelsea win the Conference League and fail to qualify for the Champions League. There will be one Conference League place awarded to a Premier League team. Currently, that will go to Carabao Cup winners Newcastle, but that could change if Eddie Howe's side qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League. As Newcastle currently sit inside the top four that looks likely. There is realistic scenario where finishing ninth or 10th in the Premier League could earn you a spot in the Conference League. This could happen, but it is highly improbable. It would require Arsenal to win the Champions League, Manchester United or Tottenham to win the Europa League and Chelsea to lift the Conference League trophy, and all three winners to finish outside the top six. Arsenal are second in the Premier League and highly unlikely to finish outside the top five.

For crypto players, trust isn’t just a feature, it’s the foundation. The rise of digital betting has brought with it a wave of platforms promising fast payments and fair odds. But safety is what separates hype from substance. Players want more than flashy interfaces; they want proof their money and data are secure. In 2025, several platforms are stepping up to meet that demand, with Spartans leading the charge. This list explores the five safest crypto casinos of the year, with a spotlight on Spartans and its standout security features, instant withdrawals, and seamless crypto-native experience. Spartans tops the list for one simple reason: it does everything a secure crypto casino should, and then some. From the moment players sign up, Spartans put control in their hands. The platform skips the usual banking friction by offering pure crypto wallet integration, meaning no third-party conversion layers, no frozen cards, and no personal financial data being stored. What really sets Spartans apart in 2025 is its approach to withdrawals. Winnings land in your wallet almost immediately, without manual approval, delays, or tier-based limits. Security goes deeper than payouts. Spartans uses provably fair gaming mechanics across its thousands of slots, table games, and crash-style experiences. Each game’s fairness can be verified using blockchain hashes, giving players full transparency on every spin or bet. Combined with straightforward onboarding, robust wallet support, and frequent game audits, Spartans provides not just security but peace of mind. For players looking for a platform that respects their crypto and their time, Spartans stands above the rest. Stake.com has built a strong reputation over the years thanks to its community-driven approach, large player base, and wide game selection. Its use of provably fair technology on core games gives it solid credibility in terms of transparency. However, where it falls short in 2025 is speed. Stake still requires manual approval for large withdrawals, which can slow things down for users who win big or deposit significant sums. While it remains a popular option for those who prioritize brand familiarity and enjoy streaming communities, Stake isn’t quite as seamless when it comes to crypto processes. Security-wise, it does offer good wallet protection and account verification systems, but players looking for instant access to funds may prefer a more crypto-native solution like Spartans. Roobet has consistently prioritized fairness and user trust, offering a streamlined gaming experience for crypto users. It has a reliable track record of secure transactions and a provably fair framework, similar to other top-tier platforms. Roobet also collaborates with well-known game providers, which adds another layer of legitimacy. Still, like Stake, it uses a semi-manual system for high-value withdrawals. This may not be a concern for smaller bettors, but it creates friction for those looking for faster turnaround on large wins. The site is well-designed, and support is responsive, but players who want instant crypto movement will notice the delay compared to Spartans’ rapid payouts. 888Casino brings brand confidence from the traditional betting world into the crypto space. With years of licensing history, secure platform design, and strong customer support, it’s a name many players trust. In 2025, the company has started embracing crypto more actively, offering BTC and ETH as payment options. That said, 888Casino’s crypto integration still follows traditional patterns. Transactions can take longer, and the platform may request additional documentation for larger withdrawals. For those used to the quick turnaround of pure crypto casinos, this can feel slow and bureaucratic. It’s a safe option with strong infrastructure, but less suited to those looking for the full benefits of decentralized payments. BetMGM offers a high level of safety, thanks to tight regulatory oversight and well-established licensing. Its reputation in the gambling industry is strong, and the platform’s security features include two-factor authentication, encrypted data storage, and clear user verification. However, when it comes to crypto gaming, BetMGM’s offerings are more limited. Crypto deposits and withdrawals are available but processed through intermediary services, introducing delays and conversion fees. BetMGM is an excellent choice for those who value traditional casino trust models and don’t mind slower crypto workflows. For crypto-savvy players who expect speed and transparency, the experience can feel restrictive compared to something like Spartans. Security is the most valuable currency in online betting, and in 2025, the safest crypto casinos are those that put transparency, speed, and user control first. While all five platforms listed here have proven track records, Spartans clearly leads the pack. Its combination of instant withdrawals, provably fair games, and a fully crypto-native wallet system sets a new standard for safety. For players who take their privacy and payouts seriously, Spartans offers the most secure and streamlined experience available today. Whether you’re playing for fun or high stakes, it’s the one platform where trust isn’t just promised, it’s built into every transaction.