I’m not kidnapped, my wife reading script— Ex-Rivers HoS (Punch)
Former Rivers State Head of Service, George Nwaeke, has denied claims by his wife, Florence, that he was kidnapped.
Nwaeke stated that contrary to her assertion, he is safe in Abuja where he had gone to voluntarily report himself to security agencies over developments in Rivers State.
In a video released in the early hours of Saturday, the former HoS dismissed his wife’s claim as false, suggesting that she had been misled and given a script to read. Read more
Rivers crisis: Wike, Fubara fight about money sharing – Amaechi (Vanguard)
Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has alleged that the ongoing political crisis in Rivers is a struggle over money sharing between suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In an interview with DW on Friday, Amaechi dismissed the feud as a battle for financial control rather than governance, questioning why Nigerians have not demanded transparency from both politicians.
“The fight between the current governor of Rivers State and the FCT minister is about sharing money. If not, what’s the quarrel?” he said. “Nigerians don’t dislike corruption again. I’ve not seen anybody on the street querying what the problem is. Can both of them speak to the public and tell us what the problem is about?” Read more
Saudi Arabia confirms Sunday Eid-el-Fitr (Tribune)
Saudi Arabia has announced that the crescent of Shawwal has been sighted, confirming that Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025.
The announcement was made on Saturday through Haramin’s official Facebook page, a recognised platform for the global Muslim community.
“The crescent moon for the month of Shawwal 1446 was sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be celebrated on Sunday, March 30, 2025. Read more
UK announces visa fee increase from April 9 (Nation)
The United Kingdom has announced a visa fee increase from April 9, affecting multiple categories, including study, visit, sponsorship, and transit visas.
Under the revised fees, a six-month tourist visa will now cost £127, up from £115—a nearly 7% increase. The cost of a two-year visitor visa has risen from £432 to £475, while five-year and ten-year visitor visas now cost £848 and £1,059, respectively.
Students and their dependents will also see a 10% hike, with the previous £490 fee increasing to £524. Transit visa fees have also been adjusted, with air passengers now paying £39 instead of £35, and land travellers paying £70 instead of £64. Read more
Wike honoured by Body of Benchers for judicial support (Sun)
The Body of Benchers, Nigeria’s apex legal institution, has conferred an Award of Excellence on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike for his transformative contributions to judicial infrastructure and the legal profession.
The recognition came during a courtesy visit by a high-powered delegation led by the Chairman, Adegboyega Awomolo, and Vice Chairman, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, at Wike’s Abuja residence on March 28, 2025.
Awomolo, according to a statement issued by the Director of Press, Anthony Ogunleye, praised Wike as a “worthy ambassador” of the legal profession, emphasising his role in advancing judicial welfare through infrastructure projects. Read more
IGP orders FCID to take over investigation into killing of travellers in Edo (ThisDay)
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the violent mob action carried out against a group of travellers by a local vigilante group along the Uromi-Obajana Road in Edo State.
A statement by Force Spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the group of individuals, who were travelling in a truck and claimed to be hunters, were found in possession of 19 locally fabricated firearms when intercepted by the vigilantes, who were not satisfied with the excuse of being hunters to be in possession of such number of arms, concluded they were kidnappers.
“Regrettably, without allowing for due process or proper investigation into their claims, the vigilante group subjected some of them to unlawful mob justice, resulting in tragic consequences. Read more
INEC Speaks On Complexity Of Recall Process (NewTelegraph)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday outlined the complexities and costs involved in the recall process, saying it is like organizing a full election.
Speaking via his verified X handle, the electoral umpire, while discussing “INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024. BVAS and IREV: Facts and Myths,” said the recalling of an electoral member is usually tedious.
The Special Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mohammed Kuna, explained that a recall election involves significant resources, including staff mobilisation, technology, recall material deployments, and transportation. Read more
Jennie becomes the latest face of the Chanel 25 handbag (Harpersbazaar)
Jennie has often been referred to as the “Human Chanel,” and for good reason. The two go together like peas and carrots, and we got our latest proof this week, when the Blackpink member was named the latest face of the Chanel 25 handbag.
“The Chanel 25 handbag symbolizes freedom of movement,” Jennie said in a statement. “It adapts to my various situations and lifestyles, offering flexibility and comfort while allowing me to express my unique style in a different way.” The pop superstar was photographed with the bag in a variety of minimalist shots courtesy of David Sims.
This announcement was just made a couple months after Dua Lipa was announced as a face of the bag as well. Talk about good company. Read more
Myanmar earthquake death toll surges past 1,600 with more than 3,000 hurt as hundreds more trapped under rubble (LBC)
Over 1,600 people are known to have died in the earthquake that rocked Myanmar and large swathes of south-east Asia on Friday, with more than 3,400 injured.
Myanmar’s military-led government said that 1,644 people have now been found dead and another 3,408 injured, with 139 others missing.
The number of victims from the earthquake, which hit near Myanmar’s second-largest city of Mandalay early on Friday afternoon local time, is likely to rise further as rescue work continues. Read more
Trump administration asks French companies to comply with DEI ban (France24)
The Trump administration has written to French companies holding US government contracts ordering them to comply with an executive order banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes, two people familiar with the matter said.
The companies have been told to confirm their compliance in a separate questionnaire entitled “Certification Regarding Compliance With Applicable Federal Anti-Discrimination Law.” Reuters has seen a copy of the questionnaire.
The documents will raise concerns in European boardrooms that the Trump administration is widening its fight against DEI overseas, at a time US President Donald Trump’s actions on tariffs and security ties have upended trans-Atlantic relations. Read more
Fisherman lost at sea for 95 days recounts miraculous rescue (CNA)
“I want everyone to know that God is great. God is beautiful. God wants us all to pray, to have love in our hearts, to help each other,” said Máximo Napa Castro — known as “Gatón” — a Peruvian fisherman who never lost his faith while being stranded at sea for 95 days until he was finally rescued off the coast of Ecuador.
Napa shared with “EWTN Noticias,” the Spanish-language edition of EWTN News, his dramatic story, which made headlines around the world, but now in a more personal way, beginning with admitting that he has never read the Bible, which he now wants to do as soon as he has some money since he lost his boat, his means for making a living.
Upbringing
“Gatón” (“Big Cat”) — as his friends call him because he could no longer be called “Gatito“ (“Little Cat“), as his mother affectionately called him when he was little — comes from a family of humble origins who worked the land growing corn and cotton, something he simply didn’t like to do. Read more
Elon Musk’s AI company acquires X in $45b deal (THR)
X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, has been sold.
Elon Musk said Friday that xAI, his artificial intelligence company, had acquired X in an all-stock transaction that values xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion ($45 billion, his original take-private price, minus $12 billion in debt).
That’s $1 billion more than the take-private price of $44 billion in 2022.
“xAI and X’s futures are intertwined. Today, we officially take the step to combine the data, models, compute, distribution and talent,” Musk wrote on X. Read more
Katherine Ryan shares photo of unassuming ‘deadly’ mole her doctor overlooked (Metro)
Katherine Ryan has shared a photo of the mole on her arm which turned out to be skin cancer.
The comedian, 41, announced last week that she’d been diagnosed with melanoma for the second time, 20 years after the first.
Now, the Duchess star has shared a picture of the mole – which was larger than a normal freckle, and pinky-red in colour – before it was surgically removed. Read more
Iwobi, Bassey in action as Fulham crash out after defeat to Crystal Palace (CompleteSports)
Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey were in action as Fulham crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup following a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
The duo were named in the starting line-up by manager Marco Silva.
Bassey was in action for the entire duration of the game, while Iwobi was replaced by Thomas Cairney eight minutes from time. Read more
Amir Khan blasts Anthony Joshua and explains how Jake Paul can spring ‘massive surprise’ (Metro)
Amir Khan has blasted Anthony Joshua for considering a fight with Jake Paul, warning it could remove him from the heavyweight world title picture for good.
Both Joshua and Paul have teased the possibility of a fight in 2026 in recent weeks with the American claiming the two-time heavyweight champion ‘has no chin and no skill’ after his damaging defeat to Daniel Dubois last year.
While the prospect of Joshua taking on the influencer who has just 12 professional fights on his record – the majority of which coming against former MMA fighters – would once have seemed fanciful, Eddie Hearn has confirmed the two have been in direct talks to make it happen. Read more
Kenya’s national goalkeeper the subject of match-fixing investigation (France24)
Kenya opened a match-fixing investigation Thursday following allegations that a national team goalkeeper helped rig an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed it was aware of videos circulating online involving goalkeeper Patrick Matasi which raised concern about the possibility of match manipulation.
“FKF upholds the integrity of football and has launched an official investigation, in collaboration with FIFA, CAF, and other relevant authorities,” the Kenya football board said in a statement. Read more
Novak Djokovic nears 100th career title in Miami after dominant win over Grigor Dimitrov (Tennis)
Novak Djokovic is closing in on even more rarified air in tennis. The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion’s pursuit of his 100th career ATP singles title will continue on Sunday in the final of the Miami Open after he defeated an ailing Grigor Dimitrov in a one-sided Friday semifinals.
The Bulgarian, who needed medical attention after saivng a match point to defeat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in a nearly three-hour quarterfinal on Wednesday, battled admirably in his return to the court, but didn’t have much to compete with an in-form Djokovic after the opening minutes of the match. Dimitrov broke serve in the first game, but things went south for the 33-year-old in more ways than one from there.
The match was briefly interrupted a short time later as a heckler prodding Dimitrov from the stands was ejected from Hard Rock Stadium, and after the eventful beginning, Djokovic put together a seven-game run from 2-2 in the first set. Read more
Coulthard tells the story of a rocky helicopter journey, featuring ‘asleep’ Lewis Hamilton (PlanetF1)
Lewis Hamilton ‘must have been out partying’
During an appearance on the Red Flags Podcast, 13-time grand prix winner Coulthard was shown a series of memorable photographs and was asked to set the scene for how they came about.One of those was an image of he and Hamilton walking side-by-side in pilot gear, in front of a line of Red Arrows planes, as Coulthard told the story of what was going on. Read more