Generator fumes kill 7 varsity students in Bayelsa (Nation)
No fewer than seven individuals, reportedly university undergraduates, have lost their lives after inhaling fumes from a generator inside a music studio on Transformer Road, Ebis, in the Amarata area of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state.
The victims, whose identities are yet to be confirmed, were working in the recording studio, which is owned by one of them identified as Akpos Barakubo, when the incident occurred on Tuesday morning.
It is reported that most of the victims were youths, with some of them already married. Read more
CBN raises interest rate to 26.25% (Sun)
In an effort to combat persistent inflation and stabilise the Nigerian economy, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has increased the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 26.25% from 24.75%
This decision was announced by CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, at a press briefing held in Abuja on Tuesday following the 295th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting.
Cardoso said, “The committee’s decisions are as follows: to raise the MPR by 150 basis points to 26.25 per cent from 24.75 per cent. (2) Retain Asymmetric Corridor around the MPR to +100 to -300 points. (3) Retain the cash reserve ratio of deposit money banks at 45% and (4) Retain the liquidity ratio at 30%.” Read more
Lagos to reduce Internet connectivity cost, lays 2,700km fibre (Punch)
The Lagos State Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (LAMIST) on Monday said that it had completed the first phase of a project to reduce the cost of Internet connectivity drastically.
The Commissioner, LAMIST, Mr Olatunbosun Alake, made this known while listing the ministry’s achievements at the 2024 Ministerial Press Briefing in Lagos.
Alake said, during the briefing which was to commemorate the first year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office, that it had laid 2700 kilometres of fibre duct across the state. Read more
Gov Makinde’s daughter graduates from Yale (Tribune)
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has celebrated his daughter, Tobi, on her graduation from Yale University, USA.
Makinde shared photos from the graduation on social media on Tuesday.
He commended her dedication and perseverance, highlighting that her efforts have resulted in this significant achievement. Read more
Sacked workers picket Dana Air over unpaid salaries, gratuities, others (DailyTrust)
No fewer than 100 sacked employees of Dana Air, on Tuesday in Lagos, picketed the head office of the airline over alleged unpaid salaries and outstanding pensions, among others.
The protesters were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions, such as: ‘Expatriates not paid for three months’; ‘Pension deductions not remitted since 2008’; ‘Say No to tyranny’ and ‘7 aircraft, only one serviceable’, among others.
The airlines’ former Training and Cabin Services Manager, Mrs Magdalene Onyeukwu, who was also among the protesters, expressed dismay over the laying-off of the workers, accusing the airline management of lack of empathy. Read more
ASUU protest hits UniJos as nationwide strike looms (Punch)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities which has been agitating for improved funding of the education sector and better welfare for their members may have decided finally to embark on a national strike following the end of the union’s 14-day ultimatum which expires on Sunday
This was as members of the union at the University of Jos on Tuesday protested against the situation calling on the Federal Government to act quickly to avert the impending industrial action
Tuesday’s protest which started around 11 am disrupted the ongoing Second Semester examinations at UNIJOS as union members marched through the university community singing solidarity songs. Read more
Reps urge Police, DSS to fish out criminals in Yagba forests (Vanguard)
The House of Representatives has called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Department of State Services and other security agencies to comb Yagba forests in Kogi State and fish out criminal elements terrorizing the area in recent times.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon Leke Abejide on Tuesday during plenary in Abuja
Moving the motion, Abejide stated that on May 7, 2024, kidnappers numbering 10 and dressed in black, invaded Ejiba community, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, “Stormed the central market area and abducted a prominent businesswoman, Bukky, and a male customer after shooting sporadically, causing panic and fear among the residents.” Read more
Nnamdi Kanu files preliminary objection over alleged treasonable felony (Channels)
Lawyers to the detained leader of the indigenous people of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, have filed a Preliminary Objection at the Federal High Court Abuja, asking the trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, to decline jurisdiction to proceed with the trial against him.
Part of the issue for determination, is whether the court has the jurisdiction to try Kanu for any, or all the offences charged against him in Counts 1, 2, 4,5 and 8, to quash the said counts on the ground that the law which the said counts were predicated, is unconstitutional.
They pointed out that there are two international tribunal decisions against the arrest, detention, prosecution and trial of Kanu, which under the Nigerian constitution, is binding on the court. Read more
Model Anok Yai claims photographer called her a “cockroach” during ZARA photoshoot (Vibe)
Stunning model Anok Yai took to social media Sunday (May 19) with the claim that she was labelled a “cockroach” by a photographer while shooting for clothing brand ZARA.
“Who wants to hear a story?” Yai, 26, began on X/Twitter. “I remember in 2019 being called a cockroach by a photographer. It was from this brand that I used to always work with. I didn’t speak their language and they didn’t speak mine but regardless we were on set shooting look after look after look. (there were days I shot 60+ looks)”
She went on, “On the 2nd to last day, the makeup artist starts powdering my face and the photographer puts his camera down and yells ‘Lotion la cucaracha’ Everyone on set starts smiling and laughing. I can’t react the way I want to react because at the end of the day I’m young, I’m alone, I’m black … anything that I do will affect me, my family, and other black models.” Read more
Prince Harry cannot take allegations against Rupert Murdoch to trial, court rules (NBC)
Prince Harry cannot amend his lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch’s British tabloid newspapers to include allegations involving his wife Meghan and he and others cannot pursue claims against the media mogul himself, London’s High Court ruled on Tuesday.
The prince and more than 40 others are suing News Group Newspapers (NGN) over accusations of unlawful activities by journalists and private investigators, for The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World from the mid-1990s to the mid-2010s.
The cases against NGN are due to go to a trial, lasting up to eight weeks, beginning in January. Read more
Britain covered up tainted blood scandal that killed 1000s, report finds (UPI)
The British government “did not put patient safety first” while covering up a multi-decade tainted blood scandal, leading to thousands of related deaths, a report published Monday found.
Britain’s National Health Service allowed blood tainted with HIV and Hepatitis to be used on patients without their knowledge, leading to 3,000 deaths and more than 30,000 infections, according to the 2,527-page final report by Justice Brian Justice Langstaff, a former judge on the High Court of England and Wales.
Langstaff oversaw a five-year investigation into the use of tainted blood and blood products in Britain’s healthcare system between 1970 and 1991. Read more
British man with ‘heart condition’ dies as 30 injured after turbulence on flight (Independent)
A 73-year-old British man with a suspected heart condition has died and 30 were injured as a Singapore Airlines flight from London was forced to make an emergency landing in Bangkok due to severe turbulence, airport officials have said.
The Boeing 777-300ER plane was en route to Singapore carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew when it made the emergency landing, the airline said in a statement.
Thai airport officials said a 73-year-old British man had died and there were 30 injuries, as flight tracking data showed the flight had plummeted 6,000 feet in a matter of minutes. Read more
ITV Coronation Street in huge schedule shake-up as Lauren Bolton’s killer finally revealed (Mirror)
Coronation Street is undergoing a huge schedule shake-up next week in a climactic week of five episodes with secrets exposed and characters in danger, where Lauren Bolton’s killer is finally revealed
Coronation Street is undergoing a huge schedule shake-up next week as Lauren Bolton’s killer is finally revealed.
The hit ITV soap will be airing a climactic week of five episodes with secrets exposed and characters in danger, starting from Monday 27 May until Friday 31 May. Soap fans will recall that this is a huge schedule shake-up as Corrie usually airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8pm to 9pm. Read more
‘Adriana’ shipwreck: Greek judge dismisses charges against 9 Egyptians (AfricaNews)
Tension was palpable Tuesday (May. 21) in Kalamata, southern Greece, ahead of a ruling by a greek court.
The riot police clashed with protesters. There were no reports of serious injuries in the scuffles outside the courthouse in Kalamata but at least two people were detained.
A Greek judge eventually dismissed charges against nine Egyptian men accused of causing a shipwreck that killed at least 500 migrants last year. Read more
France begins first war crimes trial of Syrian officials (AlJazeera)
France has opened its first trial into officials from the Syrian government of President Bashar al-Assad with three top security officers tried in absentia for complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes.
The Paris Criminal Court was on Tuesday hearing the cases against the officials for their alleged role in the deaths of two French Syrian men, Mazzen Dabbagh and his son Patrick, who were arrested in the Syrian capital, Damascus, in 2013.
Ali Mamlouk, former head of Syria’s National Security Bureau, Jamil Hassan, former director of the Air Force intelligence service, and Abdel Salam Mahmoud, former head of investigations for the service in Damascus, are subject to international arrest warrants and will be tried in absentia. Read more
Super Eagles’ job big one for Finidi – Ndidi (Punch)
As the Super Eagles gear up for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches in June, Leicester and Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has shed light on the team’s mindset and the challenges facing new head coach George Finidi.
In an interview with Arise TV on Monday, Ndidi acknowledged the importance of the upcoming games, stating, “Yeah they (the games) are really important because we know where we stand at the moment. it’s not a good position, to be honest, we should be honest with ourselves.”
He emphasised that the team must approach every opponent with utmost seriousness, adding, “As long as you’re in that group you want to qualify so there are no small countries or small teams.” Read more
Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos to retire after Euro 2024 (ABC)
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos will retire from football after playing for Germany at this summer’s European Championship, the player announced on Tuesday.
Kroos, 34, has won 22 trophies with Madrid since joining in 2014, including four Champions Leagues — plus another with Bayern Munich — and four LaLiga titles.
The midfielder first raised the prospect of retiring in 2022 before deciding to play on for another season, but has now chosen to end his career this summer. Read more
Germany’s World Cup icon Karl-Heinz Schnellinger aka ‘The Volkswagen’ dies at 85 (DailyStar)
German World Cup icon Karl-Heinz Schnellinger has died aged 85.
Schnellinger passed away on Monday after a long battle with illness while at Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital. The defender spent nine years of his playing career with AC Milan – where he then relocated after retiring.
The German, who was nicknamed ‘Volkswagen’ thanks to his reliability, is best known for his performances for the West German national side. Schnellinger was part of the 1958 World Cup squad, and he would go on to play at four World Cups. Read more
Formula 1’s Pat Symonds steps down from CTO role (F1i)
Formula 1 has reportedly bid farewell to a longtime architect of its technical regulations, Pat Symonds, the sport’s Chief Technical Officer since 2017.
According to Motorsport.com, Symonds has stepped down from his position.
The 70-year-old British engineer, who previously enjoyed spells with Benetton, Renault and Williams, enjoyed a tenure as CTO that coincided with a period of significant technical transformation in Formula 1. Read more
Sam Kerr to miss Paris 2024 Olympics: Australia and Chelsea striker ruled out due to ACL injury (SkySports)
Australia and Chelsea striker Sam Kerr has been ruled out of the Paris 2024 Olympics as she continues to recover from injury.
The 30-year-old has been sidelined since January when suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during a warm weather training camp in Morocco with Chelsea.
Left out of Australia’s squad announced on Tuesday for two pre-Olympics friendlies against China, Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson said Kerr would not return in time for the Olympics in July. Read more
President Federation Cup: Akwa United coach Babaganaru wary of Zamfara United (CompleteSports)
Akwa United head coach, Mohammed Babaganaru says his players are fully committed to ensure that they record victories in all their remaining matches this season.
The Promise Keepers will face Zamfara Feeders in the Round of 32 of the Federation Cup on Thursday.
Babaganaru insisted that it is important for his side to give their best against their unknown opponent. Read more