NEWS
US threatens to block China Telecom from American market
The United States of America threatened on Thursday, April 9, to cut off Beijing-controlled China Telecom from serving the US market because of legal and security risks, the Justice Department announced.
A recommendation by the government’s top departments, including Defense, State and Homeland Security, said that the Federal Communications Commission should “revoke and terminate” all authorizations for the Chinese giant’s US subsidiary, China Telecom (Americas), to provide international telecommunications services to and from the United States.
“The Executive Branch agencies identified substantial and unacceptable national security and law enforcement risks associated with China Telecom’s operations, which render the FCC authorizations inconsistent with the public interest,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
If approved, the move could mean that China Telecom’s hundreds of millions of phone and internet customers — it is China’s second largest mobile phone operator — could lose connectivity with or through the United States.
The agencies making the recommendation — which also included the Justice Department, the Commerce Department, and the US Trade Representative — said China Telecom is vulnerable to “exploitation, influence and control” by the Chinese government.
The agencies also made the recommendation based on “the nature of China Telecom’s US operations,” which they said allow Chinese government actors “to engage in malicious cyber activity enabling economic espionage and disruption and misrouting of US communications.”
The recommendation has to be decided upon by the FCC, but will almost certainly involve the White House, where it could be weighed amid ongoing trade negotiations with Beijing.
It came just five days after President Donald Trump’s administration formed an interdepartmental body to formally review national security concerns related to foreign telecommunications companies involved in the United States.
In September 2019 two senators, Democrat Chuck Schumer and Republican Tom Cotton, asked the FCC to consider banning China Telecom and another company, China Unicom, from the US market over national security concerns.
The statement on Thursday, April 9, did not explain specifically what China Telecom had done to spark the recommendation that it be ousted from US telecommunications services.
It said the company has inaccurately reported to US authorities where it stores its US records and how it manages cybersecurity.
US national security officials have displayed increasing wariness of Chinese telecommunications firms and technology.
Washington has banned Huawei, the world’s largest provider of telecoms equipment and a leader in the new 5G technology, from supplying US government systems and has strongly discouraged the use of its equipment by the US private sector. US intelligence believes Huawei equipment could be compromised by Chinese intelligence, and Washington has pressured allies to find other providers as well, AFP reports.
The Nigerian entertainment scene is set for another exciting celebration of music and emerging talent as G Sound Studio presents the Lagos Next Star Music Festival & Talent Hunt 2026, an event designed to discover, showcase, and support the next generation of music stars.
With its focus on discovering talent and providing practical creative opportunities, the Lagos Next Star Music Festival & Talent Hunt 2026 invites aspiring musicians to step forward and showcase what they can offer.
For artists seeking a platform to perform, build connections, and pursue greater recognition, the event could be an opportunity to put their talent in the spotlight.
Interested participants and attendees should contact the organizers directly to confirm registration requirements, prize conditions, and other event details ahead of the festival.
Organized under the theme “Where Talent Meets the Spotlight,” the festival aims to provide aspiring musicians with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, connect with the entertainment community, and take a step toward greater visibility in the Nigerian music industry.
One of the major highlights of the Lagos Next Star Music Festival & Talent Hunt is its talent competition, which offers opportunities for participants to compete for first, second, and third-place prizes.
According to the event promotional materials, winners can look forward to valuable career-support opportunities, including free studio sessions, free music production, free music promotion, and a free video shoot.
These opportunities could help upcoming artists improve their sound, strengthen their musical identity, and gain exposure as they work toward building sustainable music careers.
The event also encourages aspiring performers to take advantage of the platform to demonstrate their creativity, stage presence, originality, and musical potential.
Registration Details and Participationd 👇
Interested talents are invited to register for the competition. The advertised registration fee is ₦10,000.
Prospective participants are encouraged to contact the organizers through the official social media handles or the WhatsApp contact provided on the event flyer to obtain the registration form and confirm the participation requirements.
Registration and enquiries:
- Instagram: @dmartin_opchial
- Instagram: @gsoundoftheyearstudio
- WhatsApp: +234 902 195 7914
- Email: Dmartinprobeat@gmail.com
Beyond the talent hunt, the festival is expected to bring together music lovers, performers, creatives, and entertainment enthusiasts for an evening of live performances and networking.
The event flyer lists several performing artists, including Ovuemax, Mohyen, Sanny Gee, Kushflow 15, Diago, Evron Diver, Milli Moree, Pehgy, Sherico, Egbebomo, Younglucki, and Dmartinpro.
The red carpet is scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM, while the main show is scheduled for 8:00 PM.
With a combination of emerging performers, a competitive talent showcase, and music industry opportunities, the festival is positioning itself as a platform for aspiring artists looking to take their next step.
Event Details At A Glance 👇
- Event: Lagos Next Star Music Festival & Talent Hunt 2026
- Presented by: G Sound Studio
- Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026
- Red carpet: 6:00 PM
- Main show: 8:00 PM
- Venue: De City Lounge, 108 Badore Road, opposite Regal Star School, Badore, Ajah, Lagos
- Registration fee: ₦10,000, as advertised
- Talent hunt prizes: First, second and third-place prizes, with additional creative opportunities advertised for winners
Stay connected to Blow Naija Media for more entertainment news, music updates, artist features, and events from across Nigeria.
Rising Nigerian Afro-Pop artist Emmanuel Oghenekevwe, widely known as Emerson and now requesting to be addressed as Emersonnoni, has released a fresh set of promotional photographs ahead of his next musical project.
The visuals mark a confident step forward for the Ughelli South, Delta State native, who has been steadily building momentum since the February 2026 release of his single Ask Of Emerson (featuring Snazzygrin).
That track, produced by Gluck Beatz and written by Oghene Kevwe Emmanuel, showcased his blend of Afro-Pop energy, storytelling, and contemporary Nigerian sound.
With the new promo images, Emersonnoni appears to be setting the tone for a more defined personal brand.
MAIDEN MOEISHA CREATIVE EXPERIENCE HOLDS THIS FRIDAY
Utibe Utuk
All is set to host a gathering of artists,innovators,creative entrepreneurs,young talents,students and industry professionals as the MOEISHA Creative Experience 2026 takes center stage.
The event, which brings together diverse voices and ideas around art,technology,culture and the future of the creative economy is scheduled for Friday,September 25th from 4pm,toprovide a platform for participants to connect,share ideas,showcase their creativity and explore emerging opportunities at the intersection of art,innovation and technology at Ibom LED Centre.
A major feature of the gathering will be the official launch of The Moeisha Foundation,an initiative focused on empowering young women and fresh school leavers with creative skills and opportunities in digital entrepreneurship.
The foundation is expected to provide opportunities for young people to develop practical skills,discover their creative potential and explore sustainable pathways within the growing digital economy.
Beyond the celebration of creative expression,the MOEISHA Creative Experience is designed to promote networking,collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants from different areas of the creative industry.
The event will take place at Ibom LED,Ibom E-Library,Ibb Way,Uyo,Akwa Ibom State,with free entry for participants. Artists,students,young entrepreneurs,industry professionals and lovers of culture are expected to attend the gathering.
Some of the speakers and panelists to grace the event are Mandu Akpekong (Public Speaker), Sukmama Akpanusong (Tech Entrepreneur),Utonne Ekefre (CEO Latonne Signature) and Emmanuel Udosen (CEO Coddatech Nigeria Ltd), with performances by Udo Mariam, Psc Ben, Ferric Wondaz, Carlos Umoh and Evelyn Praiz to spice up the evening.
The convener,Mekmfonabasi Essien,an artist,creative visionary and curator,said in a chat with this reporter penultimate week that the event was conceived as an avenue to bring people together and create opportunities for meaningful connections within the creative space.
According to her,for a creative community like Uyo,which continues to explore new ways of turning talent and ideas into opportunities,the MOEISHA Creative Experience 2026 provides an avenue for participants to connect,create and discover new possibilities.
She called on young people in Akwa Ibom and neighbouring cities to take advantage of the gathering,describing it as a networking hub capable of opening doors for greater collaboration and creative partnerships.
#Inexperienced
#MOEISHAexperience2026
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