Ayra Starr placed on bed rest, misses US shows (Tribune)
Singer Ayra Starr is set to miss her shows in different cities of the United States over ill health.
In a statement on her Instagram story on Sunday night, the singer stated that her doctor had placed her on immediate bed rest.
The statement read, “DC, VA & Houston your girl is going through it. My doctor has advised I slow down, hence I’m on immediate bed rest.
“So sorry I couldn’t meet every one of you as planned. I’m also sorry you feel let down but I promise to be back in a special way for you when we’ll have a magical time. Read more
UTME: JAMB warns schools against confiscating candidates’ registration SIMs (DailyTrust)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has raised concern over what it tagged the ‘unholy intrusion’ of the authorities of some elite schools, who confiscated the registration SIMs of their students.
The Board said unlike the West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO), etc., the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Registration and Examination exercises are not school-based.
JAMB spokesperson, Dr FabianBenjamin, in a statement released late Sunday said: “As such, schools have no role whatsoever to play in these operational processes of the Board. This is because these exercises require only the participation and engagement of individual candidates.” Read more
Lagos acquires electric buses for public transportation (Channels)
The Lagos State Government has acquired electric buses for public transportation.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in a statement on Sunday, said the acquisition of the buses is in partnership with Oando PLC, adding that Lagosians can expect cleaner public transportation systems.
He said, “With the ability to travel 280 km at full charge, taking into account our unique travel times in Lagos, our electric buses are a game-changer. With an average daily usage of 200 km by existing BRTs, there is no need to fear that the buses can stop while in transit.” Read more
Minimum wage insufficient for workers –Atiku (Sun)
Former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, flayed the N30,000 minimum wage as no longer sufficient for an average Nigerian worker.
In a statement to felicitate with Nigerian workers on the occasion of the International Workers Day celebrated on May 1, Atiku asked them not to despair but be hopeful.
“In Nigeria of today, the minimum wage of N30,000 cannot buy a full bag of rice, let alone cloth or pay for a worker’s many utility bills. Hyperinflation in all sectors of our nation has constituted serious socio-economic strangulation to the average Nigerian worker, who’s now poorer than in 2015 when APC came to power,” Atiku said. Read more
Institute may sue Lagos over building collapse (Punch)
The Nigerian Institute of Building has said it might take legal action against the Lagos State Government to compel it to fully implement law against building collapse.
The Lagos chapter of the Institute disclosed this at a press conference themed “Building Surveying Practice, Charting a New Course in Building Post Construction Services” to announce the 4th edition of its builders’ business workshop, in Lagos.
The Honorary Secretary of the association, Abiodun Ogundare, said despite various strong laws and regulations, buildings were still collapsing in the state. Read more
May Day: Lawan, Gbajabiamila, Atiku salute Nigerian workers (Leadership)
Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Senate President Ahmad Lawan and the Speaker of the House Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, have saluted Nigerian workers for their resilience, courage and faith in the country.
They sent their goodwill messages yesterday ahead of today’s celebration of May Day also known as Workers’ Day worldwide.
Atiku advised the workers to see this year’s May Day as a moment for sober reflection and stocktaking in view of the myriad of socio-economic problems facing them in the last eight years of the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC’s) administration. Read more
APC legal adviser recommends NWC member Lukman’s expulsion (Nation)
The crisis of confidence in the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has escalated.
Yesterday, the party’s Legal Adviser, Ahmad El- Marzuq, recommended the expulsion of the National Vice–Chairman (Northwest), Salihu Lukman.
Lukman externalised the crisis by dragging the APC, its National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, and National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, to court for an alleged breach of the APC constitution. Read more
Kwara CP orders arrest of Inspector who drank to stupor (Vanguard)
Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr Paul Odama has ordered the arrest of an officer, a Police Inspector, who drank himself into a stupor.
Vanguard gathered that the police commissioner gave the directive following a repulsive video of the police inspector currently trending on social media platforms.
The affected Police Inspector in the state, Stephen Yohana, has been arrested and placed on observation to ascertain his mental status. Read more
Padma Lakshmi claps back at trolls: “I have boobs, I have nipples” (PageSix)
Padma Lakshmi has some choice words for the trolls who criticize her anatomy while she’s cooking up a storm in kitchen tutorial videos.
“I have boobs, I have nipples!” she told Page Six exclusively at the TIME 100 Gala Wednesday. “So does every woman and man on the planet.
“I think we should just be a little more grown-up about it,” the culinary macher continued, “and also just accept that a woman’s body is beautiful and … not totally perfect and stuff and filtered and everything.” Read more
Barack Obama and friends surprise Barcelona restaurant (BBC)
A former president, a world-famous Hollywood director and a rock music icon walk into a restaurant.
It sounds like the setup to a joke, but staff at Amar restaurant in Barcelona witnessed just that on Thursday night.
Employees were left in shock when 44th US president Barack Obama, director Steven Spielberg and musician Bruce Springsteen walked in unannounced.
Chef Rafa Zafra said Amar had been suggested by Spanish-American celebrity restaurateur José Andrés. Read more
Arlo Parks says cancelling string of concerts was ‘‘really difficult decision’’ (Standard)
Arlo Parks said cancelling a string of concerts last year was a “really difficult decision” as there is “always that fear of disappointing people”.
The Mercury Prize and Brit Award winning musician in September scrapped some of her US tour dates before saying she would fly home for a period of rest and recovery.
The 22-year-old later restarted her tour and is to play London, Leeds and Dublin in the upcoming months this year. Read more
Method Man geeks out over sign language interpretation at New Orleans Jazz Festival (HipHopDX)
Method Man has brought many a crowd to its feet during his decades-long career, but a sign language interpreter brought him joy at a recent performance.
While performing with the Wu-Tang Clan at the New Orleans Jazz Festival on Friday (April 28), Mef launched into “Can It All Be So Simple,” a classic from the Staten Island natives’ classic Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) debut album.
It was then that a sign language interpreter jumped to the side of the stage and began encapsulating the song for the benefit of those in the audience who were hearing impaired. Read more
Tom Hanks celebrates 35th wedding anniversary with Rita Wilson (People)
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have achieved another relationship milestone!
The longtime couple celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary, with Wilson sharing a sweet photo of Hanks presenting her with a cake on her Instagram and Twitter Sunday.
“35 years of marriage. April 30, 1988. Love is everything,” she wrote.
Hanks, 66, looks at his wife with adoration in the sentimental snap, holding a cake adorned with yellow frosted flowers and “Happy Anniversary” written on top. Read more
Super Mario Bros. Movie crosses $1b at global box office (EW)
Mario and co. just smashed global box office records.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the first movie of 2023 to gross more than $1 billion at the global box office. The animated adaptation featuring a voice cast of Chris Pratt, Jack Black, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Charlie Day grossed $490 million at the North American box office and an additional $532 million overseas, bringing the grand total to $1.02 billion, per Comscore.
The video game adaptation from directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic debuted in theaters April 5 and grossed $204 million in the first five days of release, becoming the biggest opening weekend of the year. It’s dominated the No. 1 spot for the last four weeks despite a few new releases, including Evil Dead Rise, which opened last week in second place with $23.5 million. Read more
2nd convoy of US citizens fleeing Khartoum arrives at Port Sudan (CBS)
A second convoy of American citizens arrived at the coastal city of Port Sudan on Sunday as part of an evacuation effort organized by the US government. The convoy comprised about eight buses carrying American evacuees from Khartoum amid clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces.
The US government, in concert with its allies, has now facilitated the departure of nearly 1,000 US citizens, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. Fewer than 5,000 US citizens have sought guidance from the government, Miller added.
Sunday’s eligible evacuees will travel by boat across the Red Sea to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where US officials will assist them with consular and emergency services. A U.S. naval craft with military personnel seen on deck also arrived at Port Sudan on Sunday, CBS News foreign correspondent Ramy Inocencio reported. Read more
Eaglets open U17 AFCON campaign with win against Zambia (ThisDay)
Two-time champions Nigeria yesterday picked all three points in a 1-0 win over Zambia to commence their Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria on a promising note.
Favour Daniel struck powerfully past the Zambian goal-tender from a goalmouth melee 14 minutes to the end in Algeria’s second city, giving Nigeria all the honours in a largely average encounter that opened the campaign in Group B.
Nigeria dominated for large swatches of the evening at the Stade Mohamed Hamlaoui but ineffective short passes and poor shooting in front of goal denied them an avalanche of goals against a Zambian team that failed to bite. Read more
Gombe United fail to Stop Bendel Insurance’s 16-Match unbeaten run (DailyTrust)
Bendel Insurance of Benin have stretched their unbeaten run in the 2023 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season to 16 matches after they forced Gombe United to a 0-0 in the Week 16 match played yesterday at the Pantami Stadium Gombe.
Both sides played out a 0-0 draw in the first round and even as yesterday’s match offered the host an opportunity to end Insurance unbeaten run, there was nothing to separate them.
With the crucial away draw, Insurance have maintained their four point lead at the top of the table with 32 points while Enyimba who recorded a vital 1-0 away win at El-Kanemi Warriors are in second place with 28 points. Read more
Newcastle storm back to beat Southampton, Bournemouth trounce Leeds (Eurosport)
Newcastle United took another big step towards Champions League football with a 3-1 comeback victory over Southampton at St James’ Park.
Southampton took the lead in the 41st minute, gang-tackling Joelinton in midfield and breaking forward in numbers. Stuart Armstrong finished the move, lifting them temporarily within three points of Premier League safety.
But Eddie Howe’s side regathered at half-time and patiently built their way back into the game. Read more
Graeme Souness: Former Liverpool and Rangers midfielder to leave Sky Sports after 15 years (BBC)
Former Liverpool, Rangers and Scotland midfielder Graeme Souness is leaving his role as a Sky Sports pundit after 15 years.
The 69-year-old joined the broadcaster in 2008 after a 22-year managerial career, but announced his departure on air after Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
He gained a reputation as a straight-talking pundit, who often clashed with fellow studio guests.
“I owe a hundred apologies,” he said. Read more
Looney’s rebounding sparks Warriors into NBA 2nd round (France24)
Stephen Curry’s epic 50-point effort stole the spotlight but Kevon Looney grabbed 21 rebounds to deliver his own heroics Sunday as Golden State advanced in the NBA playoffs.
The 27-year-old center, a three-time NBA champion with the Warriors, helped Golden State win 120-100 at Sacramento to win their Western Conference series in seven games and reach the second round.
“They kicked our behind on the glass,” Kings coach Mike Brown said. “Kevon Looney was unbelievable.” Read more
Red Bull’s Christian Horner explains poor timing of Verstappen pit stop (ESPN)
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has explained the timing of the pit stop that saw Max Verstappen lose the lead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and fall behind teammate Sergio Perez.
Verstappen took the lead of the race on Lap 4 from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who started on pole position, and was ahead of Perez in second place when he was called into the pits on Lap 10. However, a safety car period immediately after Verstappen’s stop saw Perez lose less time when he made his tyre change and, along with Leclerc, emerge ahead of Verstappen before the race restart.
The safety car came out when AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries hit the inside barrier at Turn 5 and then went straight on at Turn 6 shortly before Red Bull called Verstappen into the pits. The tap against the barrier broke the steering on De Vries’ car and resulted in him being unable to continue, leading to a safety car to allow the marshals to clear the AlphaTauri. Read more