Don’t remove fuel subsidy now, TUC warns Tinubu (DailyTrust)
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has asked President Bola Tinubu to erase the thoughts that he would unilaterally remove fuel subsidy.
The congress said its members were horrified with Tinubu’s inaugural address on Monday when he declared that subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as Petrol “is gone”.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, President and General Secretary of TUC, Festus Osifo and Nuhu Toro, said they expect the President to be wise with the issue at hand. Read more
Peter Obi calls first witness, tenders exhibit of Tinubu’s alleged drug case (Vanguard)
Candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, who alleged that the presidential election held on February 25, was rigged in favour of President Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on Tuesday, called his first witness to testify before the Presidential Election Petition Court, PEPC, sitting in Abuja.
Obi’s first witness, Mr. Lawrence Nwakaeti, who told the court that he is from Ihiala in Anambra State, identified a document relating to a court proceeding in the United States of America, USA, pertaining to Tinubu’s alleged indictment in a drug-related-case.
Whereas the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, through its lead counsel, Mr. Abubakar Mahmood, SAN, said it was not opposed to the admissibility of the document. Read more
DSS denies barricading Lagos EFCC office (Punch)
The Department of State Services has refuted reports that its personnel denied operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission access to its office in Lagos.
The spokesperson for the Service, Peter Afunanya said the DSS was occupying “its own facility” where it was carrying out an operation.
He disclosed this in a WhatsApp message to our correspondent on Tuesday. Read more
We’ll create economic opportunities in Lagos – Sanwo-Olu (Vanguard)
Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised residents of the state and entire Nigerians that his administration would strive to create economic opportunities in the city.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos would not only be the engine room of the country but it would function optimally to bring wealth to Nigeria.
The governor made this known shortly after he was sworn in as the governor for the second term on Monday. Read more
Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy, ill-timed ― SDP’s Adebayo (Tribune)
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the last election, Adewole Adebayo has described the fuel subsidy removal announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as untidy and ill-timed.
Tinubu, on Monday, announced in his inaugural speech as the 16th president of Nigeria that effective from July 1, the fuel subsidy regime would be gone.
Reacting to the announcement, Adebayo said Nigerians would require a shock absorber in the form of alternative measures to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal before any action could be taken in that direction. Read more
Senate Presidency: Orji Kalu insists he won’t step down (Channels)
The Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Kalu is insisting that he will not step down for anyone in the race for the office of the senate president.
Kalu had made his intention clear about becoming the leader of the Senate a few months ago.
“It is my turn to become the Senate President. If I’m elected Senate President, I will be Team Nigeria. I’m going to work in every corner of Nigeria,” the ex-Abia governor said,” Read more
Court justifies FG’s no work, no pay rule against ASUU (DailyTrust)
The National Industrial Court has upheld the no work no pay rule by the Federal Government in the suit filed against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
In a judgement delivered by the President of the Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, the court held that the no work no pay rule enforced by the Federal Government against members of ASUU who went on strike last year is perfectly legal.
According to the court, it is within the right of the Federal Government to withhold salaries of workers who embark on industrial action.
Shania Twain has her army of cowgirls and boys come on over to the Hollywood Bow (Variety)
“It’s been about 25 years since I stood on this stage,” said Shania Twain, not long after the kickoff to her set Sunday night at the Hollywood Bowl. She had that figured about right — the calendar shows she last played America’s most favored amphitheater on May 6, 1999. That was a few weeks shy of the moment that her signature song among all signature songs, “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!,” peaked on the charts.
When she pulled it out as her inevitable final encore number Saturday, it still felt like it was cresting. It’s a song that may never have truly peaked until all the generations represented at the Bowl this Memorial Day weekend have passed away and/or the day the prerogative to have a little fun has been codified into the criminal as a felony. For as long as there are women, and gay men, and straight men relaxed with themselves enough to buy “Let’s go, girls” T-shirt and diode-blinking pink cowboy hats, Twain will own rights to the ultimate ladies’ night anthem, just as surely as she owns the federal trademark on exclamation points. (She does, doesn’t she?) Read more
Ludacris didn’t think one of his biggest hits was going to blow the way it did (HipHopDX)
Ludacris has had a career filled with chart-topping hits, but at least one of those successes came as a shock to him because the song was just a rush-job to fill an album.
The rapper and actor stopped by Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson’s All The Smoke podcast last week, and revealed he had no idea his hit 2000 song “Southern Hospitality” would go on to be as big as it was.
According to Luda, the song was made at the last minute to repackage his independent album, Incognegro, for his major label Def Jam debut, Back For the First Time. Read more
Across the Spider-Verse’s Shameik Moore ”optimistic” on playing Miles Morales in a live-action film (ABC)
Actor Shameik Moore, who voices Spider-Man Miles Morales in the upcoming Into the Spider-Verse animated film, says he’s optimistic about perhaps playing the hero in a live-action film one day.
“My parents were optimistic about my future. I’ve been optimistic about every step of my life up till now and I will remain optimistic,” he says.
The first film, 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse, received critical acclaim and won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Read more
Rock band Royal Blood flips off crowd, storms off stage at BBC music festival (EW)
British rock band Royal Blood had a reception fit for a commoner at one of the United Kingdom’s premier music festivals — and the duo’s frontman was not happy about it.
Mike Kerr, lead vocalist for Royal Blood, appeared to grow frustrated with the audience at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend event, as he stopped to address the crowd during the two-person act’s set on Sunday.
“I guess I should introduce ourselves, seeing as no one actually knows who we are. We’re called Royal Blood, and this is rock music. Who likes rock music?” he asked, and responded with disappointment at the “nine people” who cheered. Read more
Derek Thompson: Casualty’s Charlie Fairhead leaves after 37 years (BBC)
Derek Thompson is to leave BBC drama Casualty after 37 years in the role of Charlie Fairhead.
He is the medical drama’s longest-serving cast member and the only remaining character from the first episode in 1986.
Thompson, 75, said: “The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years. “
The Belfast-born actor will be filming until the autumn, and his final scenes as Charlie will air next year. Read more
Jane Fonda goes viral for throwing Palme d’Or Scroll at Director Justine Triet at the Cannes Film Festival (ET)
Jane Fonda took matters into her own hands over the weekend at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France. The 85-year-old actress introduced the Palme d’Or Award to French director Justine Triet.
Fonda called it a historic moment, noting that seven female directors were nominated for the prestigious award for the first time and applauding the festival for its progress.
She then gave Triet the award for her film, Anatomy of a Fall. Triet became the third female director in the festival’s history to take home the prestigious award, but in the excitement of the moment, Triet failed to take the rolled up scroll that came with the award from the podium where she accepted the honor, after giving her politically charged speech in French. Read more
UK government condemns ”appalling” Ugandan anti-gay legislation that could mean the death penalty in some cases (Sky)
The UK government has condemned Uganda’s new anti-gay legislation that could result in the death penalty in some cases – calling it “appalling” and “deeply discriminatory”.
The version of the bill signed by President Yoweri Museveni doesn’t criminalise those who identify as LGBTQ, which had been a key concern for campaigners who condemned an earlier draft of the legislation as an egregious attack on human rights.
But the new law still prescribes the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality,” which is defined as cases of sexual relations involving people infected with HIV as well as with minors and other categories of vulnerable people. Read more
Coco Gauff overcomes slow start to march on at French Open (RTE)
American sixth seed Coco Gauff recovered from an error-strewn start to begin her French Open quest with a 3-6 6-1 6-2 victory over Spain’s Rebeka Masarova on Tuesday.
Gauff, runner-up a year ago, looked uncomfortable early on with her troublesome forehand frequently letting her down.
World number 71 Masarova, a former French Open junior champion, took full advantage to dominate the opening set and looked on course for a shock victory. Read more
Hearn confirms Joshua will fight Whyte August, Wilder December (Guardian)
Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, has revealed the rest of the former heavyweight boxing champion’s fights this year, starting with a date with Dillian Whyte in August, reports boxing-social.com.
Hearn, yesterday, revealed that Joshua’s camp has received communication from Fury’s team about a potential fight. Fury has been linked to most heavyweights as he searches for a summer opponent and has now turned his attention back to Joshua.
“The Gypsy King’s promoters have made contact with Hearn about a Wembley fight for September, although the Matchroom boss denies a ‘draft contract’ has been received. Read more
Serie A: Napoli set to offer Osimhen new contract (Leadership)
Napoli are reportedly set to offer Victor Osimhen a new contract as they look to keep the striker despite strong interest in him from elsewhere.
Manchester United and Chelsea are amongst the clubs that are tracking Osimhen, who is the top scorer in Serie A this season with 25 goals.
According to Calciomercato, Napoli owner is eager to keep Osimhen at the club and is doing his utmost to convince him to stay. Read more
Juventus reach settlement with Italy FA over player salaries (ESPN)
Italy’s football authorities on Tuesday said they had reached a settlement agreement with Juventus in a case centred on alleged irregularities concerning the club’s payment of players’ salaries.
With the settlement, Italy’s most successful club aims to clear the slate with authorities before the end of the current Serie A season, and provide clarity for its future, which has been clouded by financial scandals.
Based on the agreement, Juventus will pay a €718,000 ($790,000) fine and renounce any appeals in ongoing sports cases. Read more
Chancel Mbemba wins prize for best African footballer in French first division (RFI)
The Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba was on Tuesday awarded the Prix Marc-Vivien Foé to hail his performances as the outstanding African player in the French top flight during the 2022/2023 season.
The 28-year-old headed a list featuring the 2022 winner Seko Fofana from Côte d’Ivoire and the Nigerian Terem Moffi.
The Prix Marc-Vivien Foé was established in 2009 by RFI to commemorate the Cameroonian footballer who died in June 2003 at the age of 28 from a heart attack while playing for his country during a Confederations Cup match against Colombia in Lyon. Read more
Jimmy Butler’s wild 2022 prediction goes viral after Heat punch ticket to NBA Finals (NYPost)
Jimmy Butler knew the Miami Heat would be back.
After the Heat finished off the Celtics on Monday by winning Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, 103-84, a clip began making the rounds on social media from last season – when these same teams matched up in the same round, but it was Boston that went through to the Finals.
After that game in 2022, Butler gave a quote that turned out to be prophetic 12 months later. Read more