Fans, celebs excited as ‘somebody’s son’ finds Tiwa? (Punch)
Earlier in the week, popular singer, Tiwa Savage, set the rumour mills agog when she posted a picture of her and a man on a beach in Rio Janerio, Brazil. She could be seen planting a kiss on the cheek of the mystery man, whose back laced with tattoos, faced the camera.
Expectedly, her post attracted a lot of comments as both celebs and fans made remarks.
Entertainers such as Rita Dominic, Mercy Aigbe, Daniella Okeke, Munachi Abii, Uti Nwachukwu, Destiny Etiko, Iyabo Ojo, Chioma Akpotha and others posted emojis. A social media comedian, Craze Clown, also wrote, “Slide three is going to make a lot of people see life differently.” Read more
Fuel Subsidy: Labour begins nationwide strike wednesday (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has declared a nationwide strike with effect from Wednesday over the increase in the pump price of fuel as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy.
In his inaugural speech, Tinubu had announced that “fuel subsidy is gone.”
This had triggered panic-buying across filling stations nationwide.
Two days later, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) directed its retail stations to sell petrol between N488 and N570 per litre across the country. Read more
Atiku, PDP rigged out of 2023 Presidential Election at collation centers — Witnesses tell PEPC (Tribune)
The Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPEC), was on Friday told that the major rigging of the 2023 presidential election against the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, took place at the Ward Collation Centers where agents of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were allegedly molested and chased away from the centres.
The Court was also informed that results of the February 25 Presidential election which emanated from polling units were fraudulently altered against Atiku and PDP after their representatives had fled Collation Centers for safety of their lives.
Testifying at the Friday’s proceedings, the Borno State Collation Agent of the PDP, Mr Nicholas Msheliza, informed the court that agents of the PDP at the Ward Collation Centers were beaten up and chased away during which results from polling units were completely changed. Read more
Lagos ends 9th Assembly, passes 46 bills, 120 resolutions in 4 years (Vanguard)
Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa has said that the House has passed 46 Bills and 120 resolutions within the period of four years.
Obasa disclosed during valedictory service which also served as the last plenary session today at the Chamber.
It will be recalled that the 9th Assembly was inaugurated on June 7, 2019, and ended on June 2, 2023.
While congratulating his colleagues for a fruitful tenure in office, Obasa solicited the support of the returning lawmakers and other lawmakers-elect to serve as the Speaker of the 10th Assembly. Read more
Lagos warns against panic buying, hoarding of fuel (Guardian)
Following the recent increase in the price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, as a result of the removal of subsidy, Lagos State government on Friday advised residents of the State against panic buying and hoarding of fuel.
In a statement, the Lagos State Government also urged residents to stop patronising black marketers, saying with the new regime on petrol, market forces would determine the prices.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat spoke on Friday during an on-the-spot assessment of some filling stations in the Ikoyi area of the State. Read more
Why we met Tinubu – Makinde, Wike, Ibori (Sun)
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has given reason himself, immediate past governor Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and former governor of Delta State (1999-2007), James Ibori met with President Bola Tinubu.
Makinde revealed that the purpose of their visit was to show their support for the current administration.
On the issue of subsidy, the Oyo State governor described it as a tough decision but that the president has started on the right note. Read more
Subsidy: NLC’s ultimatum a chance for govt to review position – Falana (Channels)
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) says the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)’s ultimatum over the hike in petrol prices is an invitation for the government to review its position on the matter.
President Bola Tinubu had in his inaugural speech declared that “subsidy is gone,” a development that led to the hike in the price of petrol across the country.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the wake of the move reviewed its pump price for the product from about N185 to over N500. Since then, the NLC has asked for a reversal, threatening to protest next Wednesday. Read more
Court sacks Ayu as PDP national chairman (Leadership)
A Makurdi High Court yesterday affirmed that Dr. Iyorchia Ayu can no longer hold office as national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko local government area of Benue State.
A member of the PDP in Benue State, Engr. Conrad Terhide Utaan, sued Ayu after the ward executive committee suspended him after passing a vote of no confidence in him.
In suit No: MHC/85/2023, Engr Utaan, sought among other reliefs a declaration that Dr. Ayu is no longer fit and qualified to hold office as the national chairman of the PDP, having lost membership of the party in his Igyorov Council Ward of Gboko, where he first registered as a member of the party. Read more
Sydney Sweeney says her dad and grandpa turned Euphoria off and walked out of the room (EW)
Euphoria isn’t for everyone!
Sydney Sweeney, one of the stars of HBO’s risqué drama, reveals some of her own family couldn’t watch it.
“My mom visited me on set at the time, so she knew the story and I talked to her a lot about it — my dad didn’t,” Sweeney says in a preview clip from this weekend’s upcoming Sunday Today With Willie Geist. “Yeah, I didn’t prepare my dad. At all.”
Sweeney laughs before continuing, “I mean, how do you bring it up in conversation? And also, when I talk to my dad, it’s usually not about work. We talk, like, father-daughter conversations. He decided he was going to watch it, without telling me, with his parents.” Read more
Taylor Swift fans report “post concert amnesia” after ‘‘The Eras’’ tour (NME)
Some Taylor Swift fans are reportedly having “post concert amnesia” after seeing the pop icon perform during her ‘‘Eras’’ tour.
Taylor Swift kicked off her long-awaited ‘‘Eras’’ tour back in Arizona back in March, and has played numerous shows across the US in the time since.
Now, with stops still set to be made in Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles and more (tickets available here), some fans who have already seen the singer-songwriter perform live have discussed a strange phenomenon they have described as “post concert amnesia” (via Consequence). Read more
Brad Pitt’s Formula One film adds The Crown star Tobias Menzies to cast (Variety)
British actor Tobias Menzies, Emmy winner for Netflix’s The Crown, has joined the cast of Apple Original Films’ Formula One racing feature, Variety can reveal.
Menzies joins a cast led by Brad Pitt, alongside Damson Idris (Snowfall) and BAFTA winner Kerry Condon (The Banshees of Inisherin). The as yet untitled film stars Pitt as a former driver who returns to the sport. Menzies’ role is being kept under wraps at the moment. The film will shoot across various Grand Prix’s this summer.
Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) directs and produces the Apple Studios feature alongside seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton under his Dawn Apollo Films banner; Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films; and Plan B Entertainment. The film is made in collaboration with the whole F1 community – including Formula 1, the 10 teams and the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile). The screenplay is by Oscar-nominee Ehren Kruger (Top Gun: Maverick). Read more
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse: Hailee Steinfield says new film is like ”no other” – as Shameik Moore teases live-action Miles Morales (Sky)
The second instalment of Miles Morales’ Spider-Verse trilogy has hit cinemas this week, as speculation continues about whether fans will get a live-action version of the character.
Speaking to Sky’s Backstage podcast, Shameik Moore, the voice of the animated Spider-Man, said he’s “optimistic” about the prospect.
“I am Miles Morales, I am Spider-Man, and I think that applies to live action as well,” he said. Read more
Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding are going nowhere as ”Miracle” holds firm for 8th week (MusicNews)
Miracle by Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding retains its position at Number 1 on the Official Singles Chart for an eighth non-consecutive week.
The trance thumper now ties with One Kiss with Dua Lipa for Calvin’s longest-running UK Number 1 single. With eight weeks at the top, Ellie creeps up the list of female artists with the longest-running UK Number 1 singles, and now ties with Dua Lipa (with One Kiss) and Shakespeare’s Sister (with Stay).
David Kushner holds steady with Daylight (2), Rema’s Calm Down reaches a new peak (3), and thanks to a big push as his Love On Tour returns to home shores, Harry Styles’ As It Was rebounds back into the Top 5 (4), having previously topped the chart for 10 weeks in 2022. Read more
Over 200 reported dead in horrific Indian train crash (Fox)
Two passenger trains derailed Friday in India, killing more than 200 people and trapping hundreds of others inside more than a dozen damaged rail cars, officials said.
The accident that happened about 137 miles southwest of Kolkata created a chaotic scene of twisted wreckage and desperate rescuers as teams tried to free passengers and recover bodies. The cause was under investigation.
About 900 people were injured in the accident, Odisha state’s top bureaucrat, P.K. Jena, said in a tweet. Read more
Joe Biden says he will sign US debt deal to avoid default (RNZ)
US President Joe Biden declared a “crisis averted” on Friday (US time) in his first address from the White House’s Oval Office, as he touted the passage of a bill to raise the US debt ceiling and curb spending.
Biden, a Democrat, said he would sign the bill into law on Saturday, concluding months of uncertainty and averting what would have been a first-ever US default as early as 5 June.
“It was critical to reach an agreement, and it’s very good news for the American people. No one got everything they wanted. But the American people got what they needed,” Biden said while sitting at the historic ‘Resolute Desk’ in the presidential office. Read more
Osimhen named Serie A best striker (Punch)
Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has been named Serie A best striker for the outgoing 2022/23 Italian League season, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The organiser of the Italian top flight division made this known via their Twitter handle on Friday.
The Super Eagles striker beat off competition from Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez and Rafael Leao of AC Milan to land the award. Read more
Sergio Ramos to leave PSG after final game of season on Saturday (ESPN)
Spain great Sergio Ramos will leave Paris Saint-Germain after their final game of the season on Saturday, both player and club confirmed on Friday.
Ramos’ contract, which is due to expire this summer, will not be renewed, making him available on a free transfer.
“Tomorrow is a special day, tomorrow I will say goodbye to another stage of my life, goodbye to @PSG_inside,” Ramos posted on social media. “I don’t know in how many places one can feel at home, but without a doubt PSG, the fans, and Paris were one of them for me. Read more
UEFA Champions League referee says he accidentally spoke at far-right event in Poland (USAToday)
Szymon Marciniak will still referee the UEFA Champions League final next weekend after apologizing for speaking at an event held by far-right politician Sławomir Mentzen.
Marciniak claimed he had no knowledge that the May 29 event was associated with the Polish extreme-right movement.
Mentzen, the leader of the Confederation party, does not seem like a great guy. Per The Guardian: Mentzen is widely known for launching the political slogan “We stand against Jews, gays, abortion, taxation and the European Union”. In 2021 he made international headlines as the producer of a beer named White IPA Matters, which mocked the Black Lives Matter movement. Read more
Novak Djokovic rips fans at French Open who ”boo every single thing” (Fox)
Tennis star Novak Djokovic has made it clear he routinely will use negativity from a variety of places as motivation.
Whether the negativity comes from the fans, the umpire or a perceived lack of support from his friends and coaches in the stands, the No. 3 player in the world will look for almost anything to fuel him.
Djokovic is facing criticism after a comment he wrote about the clashes in northern Kosovo following a first-round victory at the French Open. Read more
Denver Nuggets power to opening win against Miami Heat (RNZ)
The Denver Nuggets have eased to a 104-93 victory over the Miami Heat in the first game of the 2023 NBA Finals.
Nikola Jokic was the standout player as Denver’s Serbia centre picked up a triple-double – double figures in points, assists and rebounds.
The Nuggets never looked like losing in front of their home crowd in their first finals game for 47 years. Read more
Davis Riley opens with 67, leads the Memorial after opening round (ESPN)
Davis Riley opened with a 67 at the Memorial to finish atop the leaderboard after the opening round for the second straight year. And that’s where the similarities end.
Riley birdied three of his last four holes Thursday afternoon when the turf was firm and the wind was swirling and the bad breaks led to big numbers, as Rory McIlroy found out.
Riley was in a six-way share of the lead last year. On Thursday, he led by one over Matt Wallace. Jordan Spieth was in the group at 69, ending his hopes for a bogey-free day by hitting into two bunkers on the 18th hole and saving bogey from the second one. Read more