Another Chinese expatriate ‘kills’ Nigerian who rejected love advances (DailyTrust)
Ocheze Ogbonna, a female crane operator at Inner Galaxy Steel Company, Umuahala-Obuzor in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, has been allegedly killed by a Chinese national who wanted to be in a relationship with her.
According to the member representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Chris Nkwonta, Ogbonna died after the Chinese expatriate working at the Inner Galaxy Steel Company located in Umuahala-Obuzor pushed her down from the crane for rejecting his love advances.
The development comes after Frank Geng Quarong, a Chinese man, killed his Nigerian lover, Ummukulsum Sani Buhari, for walking out of their relationship. Read more
EFCC arrests 20 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja (Vanguard)
In a swift and decisive operation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested 20 suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja, dealing a significant blow to the notorious cybercrime syndicate operating in the Federal Capital Territory.
Acting on credible intelligence, EFCC operatives swooped in on the suspects in the early hours of Tuesday, at their hideout in the Lugbe axis of Abuja.
The suspects, mostly in their 20s and 30s, were caught off guard as the operatives stormed their location, seizing several items linked to their illegal activities. Read more
Senate mulls permanent ban on open grazing (Sun)
In a bid to find lasting solutions to the persistent farmers/herders’ clashes in the country, the Senate on Tuesday considered enacting a law to ban open grazing. This is just as the lawmakers rejected a motion seeking for the creation of new grazing routes for cattle rearers.
At the conclusion of its deliberations, the Senate resolved to constitute an ad-hoc committee to organise a national summit to unravel the underlying causes of farmers/herders’ clashes.
A minute of silence was also observed by the lawmakers in honour of those who were killed in Omala LGA and urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide the survivors now living in internally displaced persons’ camps with relief materials to enable them to return to their ancestral homes. Read more
Bill to raise retirement age of policemen passes second reading (Punch)
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to increase the retirement age of Nigeria Police officers from 35 to 40 years of service and from 60 to 65 years of age depending on which comes earlier.
This is just as the lawmakers in the lower legislative chamber also passed for second reading a bill seeking to remove the provisions requiring public servants to declare the assets of their spouses while declaring theirs.
The bill seeks to delete Section 23(7) of the Code of Conduct Act with the argument that it contravenes the provisions of the Constitution which gives the President the power of prerogative of mercy. Read more
Foreign investors’ feedback on economy positive’ – Cardoso (NewTelegraph)
The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso said the feedback and tracking on the economy by the Foreign Direct Investors suggest Nigeria’s economy is on the right course, engendering confidence amongst international investors.
He noted that different circulars and policy initiatives and the clearing of forex backlog by the bank were aimed at instilling confidence in the system.
However, the governor likened Nigera’s market to other markets in the globe that permit free entry and exit. His clarification came on the backdrop of a recent interview by Financial Times purporting that, Foreign Direct Investors were warring for entry into Nigeria market. Cardoso debunked the claim on Tuesday while briefing in Abuja at the end of the 295 session of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting. Read more
EFCC arrests woman in Gombe for alleged naira abuse (Channels)
Officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a woman for allegedly abusing the naira in Gombe State.
The suspect – Janty Emmanuel — was nabbed on Monday, May 20, 2024 by investigators from the anti-graft’s Gombe Zonal Command.
This was disclosed in a Tuesday statement by the EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale. Read more
FG restates commitment to diversify economy through solid minerals (Tribune)
The federal government has restated its firm resolve to diversify the economy through an efficient, effective exploration and exploitation of its solid mineral resources to achieve rapid socio-economic growth.
Receiving an 18-member delegation from Ghana College of Defence Studies led by Brigadier-General Fred Ntiri, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary; Mr Yunnusa Muhammed Director, Artisanal & Small Scale Mining Department informed the visitors that in realisation of a plummeting revenue from a monolithic Nigerian economy, the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration deemed it imperative to diversify the economy in line with its renewed hope agenda.
This, according to him, is aimed at increasing revenue to government coffers and as well enhance the gross domestic product of the country through the solid mineral sector. Read more
Acquire empowerment skills to become self-reliant, Dada charges women (Independent)
Women in Lagos State and Nigeria have been advised to acquire various empowerment skills to become self-reliant, as well as not to get their rights violated.
The state Commissioner for Women and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Cecilia Dada, gave the charge on Tuesday during the 2024 Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the first year of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led second term in office in Alausa, Ikeja.
The commissioner noted that the Lagos State government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, has continued to provide an enabling environment for all, especially women. Read more
Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck wins International Booker prize (Guardian)
Jenny Erpenbeck and Michael Hofmann have won the 2024 International Booker prize for Erpenbeck’s “personal and political” novel Kairos, translated by Hofmann from German.
Erpenbeck is the first German writer to win, while Hofmann is the first male translator to win. The £50,000 prize money will be split equally between the pair.
Kairos tells the story of a relationship set against the collapse of East Germany. The novel is a “richly textured evocation of a tormented love affair, the entanglement of personal and national transformations”, said judging chair and broadcaster Eleanor Wachtel. Read more
Girl group XG drop explosive ‘‘WOKE UP’’ music video (NME)
Korea-based Japanese girl group XG have made their return with a powerful visual for their new single ‘‘WOKE UP’’.
On May 21 at 6pm KST, the septet – formed by Jurin, Chisa, Hinata, Juria, Cocona, Maya and Harvey – unveiled their latest single ‘WOKE UP’ and its music video. The futuristic new visual for the track features the members launching into space as the world explodes around them. Read more
Man charged with spying for China found dead in ‘unexplained’ circumstances (Metro)
A former Royal Marine accused of spying on Hong Kong activists in Britain has died in unexplained circumstances in a park.
Matthew Trickett was among three men charged under the National Security Act with surveillance for the Hong Kong intelligence service and foreign interference.
The defendant had been released on bail and was due to appear at the Old Bailey in London on Friday. Read more
McDonald’s worker caught ‘drying dirty mop under heater’ next to french fries (DailyStar)
A McDonald’s worker was caught drying a dirty mop head in a French fry warmer, right next to the restaurant’s famous chips.
The worker was spotted holding the detachable mop head, which did not appear to be clean, underneath a heat lamp just inches away from the mountain of fresh fries about to be served up to customers.
A photo of the bizarre incident at the McDonald’s branch near Brisbane, Australia, went viral after it was posted on Facebook, Daily Mail Australia reports. Read more
UN says no to Russian-backed resolution to keep space weapons race at bay (UPI)
The United Nations on Monday for the second time in nearly a month failed to adopt a first-of-its-kind resolution, this time Russian-backed, which aims to prevent a weapons race in outer space.
Voting in favor of Monday’s resolution: Algeria, Ecuador, China, Guyana, Mozambique, Russian and Sierra Leone. Voting against: France, Japan, Malta, Korea, Slovenia, Britain and the United States.
Nine votes were needed for it to pass. Switzerland was the one abstention. Read more
Growing calls for Ken Clarke to be stripped of his peerage over infected blood scandal (Independent)
Calls are growing for the former health secretary Ken Clarke to be stripped of his peerage after he was condemned for “indefensible” actions during the infected blood scandal.
Demands for Lord Clarke to be kicked out of the House of Lords are “totally understandable”, a cabinet minister said.
Mel Stride also said the Tory grandee still had questions to answer over the biggest healthcare failure in UK history. Read more
Jennifer Garner concerned ex Ben Affleck will relapse over Jennifer Lopez divorce rumour stress (Mirror)
Jennifer Lopez has reportedly been confiding in husband Ben Affleck’s ex-wife Jennifer Garner after the pair’s reported marital issues, according to insiders
Ben Affleck could relapse due to ‘divorce stress’, fears ex-wife Jennifer Garner.
The Hollywood actor and his Jenny from the Block hitmaker wife, Jennifer Lopez, are currently surrounded by separation rumours. It’s thought the pair’s romance is on “shaky ground” after just two years of marriage, according to insiders. Read more
Nottingham Forest extend Nigeria’s Ola Aina’s contract (Leadership)
Nottingham Forest have extended Super Eagles right back Ola Aina’s contract by one year, stretching his stay at the club to June 2025.
The Nigeria international joined the English Premier League club on a free transfer from Torino last summer, and has had a good first season.
“Nottingham Forest is pleased to confirm that it has activated a one-year extension in Ola Aina’s contract,” the club announced on their official website on Tuesday. Read more
Ronaldo named in Portugal squad for Euro 2024 (BBC)
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in his 11th major international tournament, having been named in the Portugal squad for Euro 2024.
The 39-year-old Al-Nassr forward is the most capped player in international football history, with 206 appearances for Portugal and 128 goals.
Portugal boss Roberto Martinez included Ronaldo as one of seven forward players in his 26-man squad for next month’s tournament in Germany. Read more
Mauricio Pochettino leaves Chelsea after 1 season in charge (ABC)
Mauricio Pochettino has left Chelsea by mutual consent after just one season in charge, the club confirmed in a statement Tuesday.
Sources told ESPN that Pochettino, 52, departed following talks in the past 48 hours with co-owner Behdad Eghbali and co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Pochettino, who also publicly confirmed he had dinner with co-owner Todd Boehly on Friday, guided Chelsea to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, the Carabao Cup final and the FA Cup semifinals during his solitary campaign. Read more
Symonds joins Andretti’s F1 bid as engineering consultant (F1i)
Mere hours after it was reported that Pat Symonds had stepped down from his role as Formula 1’s chief technical officer, Andretti Global has revealed that it has recruited the veteran F1 engineer.
For seven years, Symonds served as F1’s Chief Technical Officer, helping shape the sport’s technical landscape with his expertise.
The 70-year-old heavily contributed to Grand Prix racing’s current ground-effect regulations, but also to the sport’s upcoming 2026 overhaul. Read more
Serena Williams: Tennis great ‘ready to hit some balls again’ as she hints at comeback (SkySports)
Tennis great Serena Williams has hinted at a comeback 18 months after “evolving away from tennis” saying on social media that she is “ready to hit some balls again”.
Williams, 42, said she was “evolving away from tennis” in an essay to Vogue magazine in 2022, and, while she did not confirm the US Open as her farewell event, she was given lavish tributes before each match in New York and waved an emotional goodbye after losing in the third round to Ajla Tomljanovic.
“I am not retired,” Williams said at a conference in San Francisco while promoting her investment company, Serena Ventures in October 2022. “The chances (of a return) are very high. You can come to my house, I have a court.” Read more
3 Britons knocked out of French Open qualifying (BBC)
Heather Watson was one of three Britons to lose in the first round of French Open qualifying on Tuesday.
World number 156 Watson lost 6-3 5-7 6-1 to Croatia’s 214th-ranked Antonia Ruzic.
In the men’s tournament, Ryan Peniston fell 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 to American second seed JJ Wolf. Read more