Generator fumes kill mother, son, daughter hospitalised (Punch)
The Delta State Police command has warned the public about the dangers of generator fumes and urged them to be careful.
This warning comes after an incident in which a mother and son lost their lives while using generator inside their house during rainfall.
According to a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on X.com on Wednesday, the mother and son died two days ago in Asaba, the state capital while the daughter is currently receiving treatment at a nearby hospital. Read more
Cybersecurity Levy: TUC threatens nationwide shutdown (Channels)
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has threatened a massive protest that will shut down the Nigerian economy should the Federal Government fail to cancel the controversial cybersecurity levy recently introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The TUC in a statement signed by its President, Festus Osifo, on Wednesday, slammed the directive by the CBN to banks imposing a 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on almost all electronic transactions.
This is after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had heavily criticised the levy which it described as another burden on Nigerians. Read more
Peter Obi slams cybersecurity levy, calls it a burden on Nigerians (Sun)
Labour Party presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi has criticised the enforcement of a 0.5% cybersecurity levy on banking transactions by the office of the National Security Advisor (NSA) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He argues that the levy is an additional burden on struggling Nigerians and contradicts the government’s goal of reducing taxes.
In a series of posts on his verified Twitter handle on Wednesday, the former Anambra State governor stated that the levy is an extra tax on bank transactions, which will harm businesses already affected by inflation and devaluation.
Obi questioned the logic of citizens funding all government activities and emphasised the need for tax cuts to improve the economy. He also expressed concerns about the office of the NSA becoming a tax revenue collection centre. Read more
Residents in Osun bemoan high cost of food items (Nation)
Residents of Osogbo in Osun have bemoaned the high cost of food items in the state, urging the Federal Government to urgently establish price control boards to regulate cost of staple foods.
A cross section of the residents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Osogbo, said the increase in the prices of basic food items in the markets was alarming.
Mrs Bolanle Raji, a baker, decried the sharp increase in the cost of all baking items and other food items in the market. Read more
32m Nigerians to face severe hunger by June 2024 — Report (Tribune)
At least 32 million Nigerians are likely to face catastrophic, famine-like conditions between June and August if no urgent action is taken, according to the latest analysis of Cadre Harmonisé (CH) report, published by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) & more than a dozen international organisations working in the region.
According to the report, the total number of people across West and Central Africa to face food insecurity during the period also referred to as the lean season stands at a staggering 52 million- about 12% of the analysed population.
“Looking ahead, the projected outlook for the period June-August 2024 appears even more severe: nearly 52 million people across the 17 analysed countries are anticipated to face phases 3 to 5 during the lean season of June-August. This translates to 12% of the analyzed population struggling to meet their basic food and nutrition requirements. Read more
1 dies as fuel hawkers, Show Boys clash in Lagos
(Vanguard)
A violent confrontation occurred, yesterday, between diesel hawkers and a group known as ‘Show Boys’ at Mile 2, on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway, Lagos, with one person feared dead and several others injured.
There were different accounts of how the fight broke out. A version of the account said the clash allegedly stemmed from a dispute over the sale of adulterated petrol.
There were different accounts of how the fight broke out. A version of the account said the clash allegedly stemmed from a dispute over the sale of adulterated petrol. Read more
You can’t clear your name through blackmail, FG replies Binance (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government has reacted to the claims by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Binance, Richard Teng, that some Nigerian officials demanded bribe in cryptocurrency payments to end current fiasco.
Teng made these claims in a blog post published by foreign media platforms on Tuesday adding that Binance counsel declined the offer.
Reacting to the allegations on Wednesday, Idris Mohammed, Minister of Information and National Orientation, said Teng resorted to “a diversionary tactic and an attempted act of blackmail by a company desperate to obfuscate the grievous criminal charges it is facing in Nigeria.” Read more
Lagos monarch, others for arraignment over alleged N29m fraud (Punch)
The Federal High Court in Lagos, on Tuesday, fixed June 26, 2024, for the arraignment of a Lagos monarch, Monsuru Abimbola Oladega, and six others over alleged N29.3m fraud.
Other defendants in the charge marked FHC/L/80c/2024 are Abdulfatai Akinwale Bankole, Abubakar Seriki, Razak Alayaki Seriki, Mrs Jemilatu Busari, Amoda Ibrahim and Adams Adebiyi.
The defendants will be arraigned on four counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining, fraud, and retaining preferred against them by the Police Special Fraud Unit. Read more
Michelle Yeoh to star in ‘‘Blade Runner 2099’’ sequel series for Prime Video (Deadline)
Everything Everywhere All at Once Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh has found her next major starring vehicle in “Blade Runner 2099, Prime Video‘s limited series following up the 2017 movie sequel Blade Runner 2049.
Details of Yeoh’s role are under wraps, as is the show’s plot. But it marks the latest expansion of the sci-fi franchise based on Philip K. Dick’s seminal novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, which kicked off with Ridley Scott’s classic 1982 film, Blade Runner. Production recently began overseas, following a delay of nearly a year due to the double strikes of 2023. While it originally had been set to shoot in Belfast, the show wound up relocating to Prague following the work stoppage. Read more
Cyndi Lauper documentary ‘‘Let The Canary Sing’’ set to arrive this June (NME)
Paramount+ has revealed the trailer for an upcoming documentary focused on Cyndi Lauper, titled “Let The Canary Sing”.
Let The Canary Sing seeks to offer fans a deep dive into the pop icon’s storied career and legacy through archival footage and interviews with Lauper herself, as well as other prominent names in music including Boy George and Patti LaBelle among others.
The upcoming documentary will also chronicle Lauper’s impact as an activist for queer rights and allyship, as well as womens’ rights. Read more
AstraZeneca withdraws its Covid-19 vaccine from sale (AfricaNews)
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has formally asked the European Medicines Agency to withdraw its COVID-19 vaccine authorization.
In an update on the European Medicines Agency’s website Wednesday, the regulator said that the approval for AstraZeneca’s Vaxzevria had been withdrawn “at the request of the marketing authorization holder.”
The vaccine, initially approved in January 2021, faced safety concerns over rare blood clots, prompting various countries to halt its use temporarily. Read more
Brian McKnight’s son Niko slams Tyrese Gibson for defending his estranged dad (People)
Brian McKnight’s son is responding to Tyrese Gibson’s defense of the singer’s comments about his eldest children.
“Tyrese used to sleep under our pool table when I was a kid,” Niko McKnight began in an Instagram Story published on Tuesday, May 7, in response to a series of Instagram Stories Gibson, 45, published on Monday.
“I know the 90s RnB brotherhood blood is thicker than anything but you should sit this one out champ. You have relationships to fix with your own children and your own past decisions you’ve made on behalf of p—- and power,” the photographer continued, referencing Gibson’s relationship with his daughters, Shayla, 16, whom he shares with ex-wife, Norma; and Soraya, 5, whom he shares with ex-wife Samantha. Read more
Michael Douglas says Hollywood bosses spoiling sex scenes by meddling too much (Mirror)
Hollywood star Michael Douglas thinks executives are spoiling sex scenes by meddling too much.
The actor, known for steamy scenes in Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct, believes execs are taking control away from directors by using specialist intimacy coordinators. Michael, 79, said: “I’m past the age where I’ve got to worry about that! But it’s interesting with intimacy co-ordinators. It feels like executives taking control from film-makers.”
He accepts the need to make sure women are not being exploited, in the wake of Hollywood scandals. But he says it should be the responsibility of the male actor to ensure his on-screen partner is okay. He told this week’s Radio Times: “In my experience, you take responsibility as the man to make sure the woman is comfortable. You say: ‘I’m going to touch you if that’s all right’. It’s slow but looks like it’s happening organically.” Read more
Stormy Daniels describes awkward and unexpected “sexual encounter” with Donald Trump (Sky)
Porn star Stormy Daniels has described to jurors an awkward and unexpected sexual encounter she claims she had with Donald Trump in 2006.
Ms Daniels was testifying at the former president’s criminal trial over hush money she was paid to keep silent about the alleged encounter during the presidential race.
Ms Daniels, 45, said she tried not to think about having sex with him while it was allegedly taking place. Read more
Armed groups committing atrocities in Mali: HRW (AlJazeera)
Al-Qaeda-linked and warring ethnically-based armed groups are committing atrocities in Mali, Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports.
The watchdog said in a report released on Wednesday that fighters from Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wa al-Muslimeen (JNIM) and Dozo militia killed 45 people in separate attacks on villages in Central Mali in January. Mali has been plagued by such groups since 2015, but late last year, its transitional government ejected a UN peacekeeping mission.
On January 6, a Dozo armed group consisting mainly of ethnic Bambara killed 13 people and abducted 24 civilians in the village of Kalala, which has a predominantly Fulani population. Read more
Super Falcons’ Ihezuo signs new contract with Mexican club (Leadership)
Super Falcons forward, Chiwendu Ihezuo, has penned a contract extension with Mexican club, Pachuca Femenil.
Ihezuo signed a deal until 2027 with an option for another year.
The former Delta Queens player has registered 13 goals and four assists in 17 appearances for Pachuca this season. Read more
Ogunmodede taunts Ilechukwu as NPFL title battle intensifies (Punch)
Remo Stars coach Daniel Ogunmodede seems to be playing along with the mind games of his Enugu Rangers counterpart, Fidelis Ilechukwu, as both teams contend for the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League title, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Rangers hold a tiny one-point lead at the top of the table with 57 points, followed by Remo with 56 points.
Remo were previously four points behind Rangers but cut the gap to one on Monday after beating Rivers United 2-1 in their rescheduled game. Read more
Champions League underdogs Dortmund beat PSG to reach final (ABC)
Borussia Dortmund showed great composure to reach their third Champions League final after Mats Hummels’ second-half goal earned the visitors a 1-0 victory against misfiring Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday for a deserved 2-0 win on aggregate across both legs.
Hummels headed home from a corner five minutes into the second half to send the German club, who won the title in 1997, into their first final in Europe’s top club competition since 2013.
They will meet either 14-time champions Real Madrid or six-time winners Bayern Munich, who meet at the Bernabéu on Wednesday after a 2-2 draw in the first leg, in the final at Wembley on June 1. Read more
Aston Villa, Bournemouth “set to battle for Girona midfielder’’ (SportsMole)
Aston Villa and Bournemouth are both reportedly interested in signing Girona midfielder Aleix Garcia.
The 26-year-old rose through the youth ranks at Villarreal, before completing a move to Manchester City in the summer of 2015.
The move to the Etihad Stadium proved to be unsuccessful, as Garcia headed out on loan to Girona and Belgian side Royal Excel Mouscron.
Garcia left Man City in 2020 to join Romanian club Dinamo Bucarest and then Basque side Eibar, before he returned to Girona in the summer of 2021. Read more
LIV Golf duo Talor Gooch and David Puig receive US PGA Championship invites (IrishIndependent)
LIV Golf players Talor Gooch and David Puig have received invites to next week’s US PGA Championship.
Gooch broke the news himself on social media on Monday, with tournament officials confirming it when releasing the field which will compete at Valhalla Golf Club on Tuesday.
Two places remain open for the winners of this week’s two PGA Tour events. Read more
Olympic swimming champ Ahmed Hafnaoui to miss Paris games (ESPN)
Olympic 400-metre freestyle champion Ahmed Hafnaoui will miss the Paris Games, Africa Aquatics said on Tuesday.
The continental governing body said on its website the 21-year-old Tunisian had confirmed Tunisian media reports that he would not swim at the July 26-Aug. 11 Games.
AA’s report said Hafnaoui had declined to resume training in the United States where he was previously based but did not provide details. Read more