Jihadists in Nigeria turn to TikTok to spread propaganda (Guardian)
Jihadists in northeastern Nigeria are surging — and using social media to spread the word of their campaigns and recruit fighters.
At least 100 people were killed in the new wave of jihadist attacks in April alone, as the governor of Borno, the epicentre of the violence that has raged since 2009, said the state is losing ground to armed groups.
At the same time, apparent jihadists and their boosters on TikTok were flaunting rifles, grenades and stacks of cash, according to easily accessible videos reviewed by AFP that same month. Read more
Family of abducted Kogi monarch cries for help to raise N50m ransom (Leadership)
The family of Oba James Dada Ogunyanda, the Obalohun of Okoloke held captive by kidnappers have appealed for help to complete the N50m ransom demanded by kidnappers to free the monarch.
The Obalohun of Okoloke community of Yagba West Local Government Area, Kogi State was abducted from his palace by 2am last week Thursday and forcefully led to unknown destination.
A source from the palace who contacted our correspondent on phone debunked the media report that the ransom have been reduced to N12 million by the abductors. Read more
Vatican trip not political, Pope’s message should inspire reform – Obi (Punch)
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, returned from a solemn visit to the Vatican, where he attended the recent inauguration ceremony held by the Holy See.
Obi, in a statement on Monday via X, described the trip as deeply reflective and clarified that his participation in the ceremony was not political and should not be interpreted through a political lens.
“I have just returned from the Vatican, and it was a deeply solemn and reflective visit. My participation in the inauguration ceremony was in line with my previous witnessing of inaugurations, swearing-ins, and official ceremonies across the world — this was no exception,” he said. Read more
Lagos secures $22m for fibre installation, fixes 1,163 roads in two years (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government, through the Infrastructure Maintenance and Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), has secured a $22 million foreign direct investment to boost fibre installations across the state, reinforcing its status as a growing digital hub.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Femi Daramola, and Special Adviser on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, announced this during the ongoing ministerial press briefing to mark Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second-term achievements. Read more
Tinubu approves licenses for Kolmani Oil Project (Channels)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the issuance of critical regulatory licenses for the Kolmani Integrated Development Project.
The project is a multibillion-dollar oil exploration initiative located between Bauchi and Gombe states.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this during the commissioning of the permanent site of the Bauchi Oil and Gas Academy in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state, according to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, on Sunday.. Read more
Federal High Court CJ redeploys judges (DailyTrust)
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says starting January 2025, all commercial buses in the nation’s capital Abuja will be profiled by the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
Wike stated this at the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Abuja on Thursday when he handed over some new cars to beneficiaries to use as taxis.
“They are not paying a dime. No; the government is saying this is our support to feed your family and reduce the cost of transportation in the city… Abuja should compete with other cities in the world,” said the minister. Read more
Nigeria’s capital market key to achieving $1trn economy — Edun (Tribune)
Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, has emphasised the crucial role of the Nigeria’s capital market in achieving the nation’s ambitious goal of attaining a $1 trillion economy.
Speaking at the Capital Market Committee (CMC) meeting, Edun who was represented by Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, highlighted the market’s transformation since 2015, with improvements in governance structures, new products and platforms, stronger regulatory environment, and growing investor participation.
According to the Minister, the implementation of the Capital Market Master Plan (2015-2025), has been instrumental in increasing the market’s contribution to the national economy, developing a sophisticated market structure, and improving competitiveness. Read more
Gwyneth Paltrow tells critics of her $75 vagina candle to “go fuck yourself” (NME)
Gwyneth Paltrow has defended her $75 (£56) vagina candle, telling critics to “go fuck yourself”.
The star launched the now-discontinued product, titled ‘This Smells Like My Vagina’, a few years ago on her website Goop, which drew much press attention at the time.
Opening up about the product at the 2025 Mindvalley Manifesting Summit, Paltrow shared how the candle came about, recalling that they were “messing around with different scents one day”, adding: “And I smelled something and I was like, ‘Oh, that smells like… you know. Read more
Netanyahu says he will allow some aid into Gaza as offensive continues (BelfastTelegraph)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his decision to resume limited aid to the Gaza Strip came after pressure from allies who said they could not support Israel’s renewed offensive if “images of hunger” come out of the Palestinian territory.
The announcement raised hope among Palestinians that desperately needed food, medicine and other supplies would enter – but none had appeared by Monday afternoon.
Israel has meanwhile launched a new wave of air and ground operations across the territory, and the army ordered the evacuation of Gaza’s second-largest city, Khan Younis, where Israel carried out a massive operation earlier in the war that left much of the area in ruins. Read more
Naga Munchetty, 50, reveals she was branded ‘wicked’ for not having children (Standard)
BBC broadcaster Naga Munchetty has opened up about the backlash she faced from her family after she and her husband chose not to have children — and how long it took for her mother to come to terms with it.
Speaking candidly, 50-year-old Munchetty – who opted to be surgically sterilised in her 40s – said: “We liked the life we had and we wanted to pursue that life. Parenthood is expensive, it’s exhausting and a commitment for life.
“My mum will say, ‘You’re still my baby and I worry about you.’ But I remember people saying, ‘That’s so wicked! How can you deny your parents grandchildren?’ Read more
Endangered turtle to be released back into the wild after treatment in Kerry (RTE)
The director of Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium in Daingean Uí Chúis, Co Kerry, has said he is very grateful to Aer Lingus for agreeing to fly Solstice the turtle to the Canary Islands, where it will re-released into the wild.
Kevin Flannery, a marine biologist, told RTÉ Radio One’s Oliver Callan the endangered green turtle is ready for her release after nearly five months of treatment here.
While in the aquarium, the turtle gained strength and around 2kg, after being treated with antibiotics and fed. Read more
Environmentalists question Henry Puna’s role in deep sea mining firm (RNZ)
Environmentalists in the Cook Islands have criticised former Prime Minister and Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) head Henry Puna for joining the board of a deep sea mining company.
Puna, who finished his term as PIF secretary general in May last year, played a pivotal part in the creation of multi-use marine park, Marae Moana, in 2017.
The marine protected area extends over the entire country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), covering an area roughly the size of Mexico. It prohibits large-scale commercial fishing and seabed mining within 50 nautical miles of each of the 15 islands. Read more
Starmer: ‘Sooner or later’ Russia must yield to peace (VOA)
Britain’s leader encouraged his global counterparts to continue pushing for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine at the start of a virtual meeting Saturday intended to end the fighting between the two countries.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told a virtual meeting of mostly European leaders that “sooner or later” Russia would have to engage in talks on reaching a ceasefire in the three-year conflict.
He addressed the group, described as a “coalition of the willing,” of mostly European leaders as well as those from Australia, New Zealand and Canada but not the United States. Read more
Invited Junior Athletes shine in sports festival’s weightlifting (Punch)
Two members of the Invited Junior Athletes for the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ogun State, Amarachi Chijioke and Scholastical Tekumbur, outshone elite athletes in the 45kg women’s weightlifting event, winning two gold, one silver and one bronze on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The weightlifting event began on the opening competitive day at the NYSC Orientation camp, Sagamu, just as other events like kung fu, deaf badminton and badminton also got underway in Ikenne and Abeokuta, respectively.
Chijioke claimed two gold medals in clean and jerk with the best lift of 82kg while she totalled 146kg for the total haul. Read more
Michael Jordan Bulls jersey from ’92-93 season sells for $2.6m (ESPN)
A uniform Michael Jordan wore for 17 games with the Chicago Bulls during the 1992-93 NBA season was sold for $2.623 million, including buyer’s premium, at Heritage Auctions.
Jordan was shown in the jersey on the cover of the Oct. 18, 1993, issue of Sports Illustrated.
Photo-matching services MeiGray and Sports Investors Authentication noted that this is the only Jordan uniform of which they’re aware of to be matched to any season of the first Bulls three-peat. While there wasn’t a definitive photo-match to all the games, SIA’s letter of authenticity notes that “we believe this jersey was very likely worn every road game from November 6, 1992 to March 24, 1993 [32 road games total].” Read more
Scottie Scheffler hails mental strength after PGA Championship win over Jon Rahm (Standard)
Scottie Scheffler hailed his mentality as his greatest strength after overcoming the challenge of Jon Rahm and having to change a non-conforming driver to win the 107th US PGA Championship.
Rahm wiped out a five-shot overnight deficit to claim a share of the lead with seven holes remaining at Quail Hollow, only to collapse down the closing stretch and finish in a tie for eighth.
Scheffler responded to being caught with three birdies in the next six holes to ultimately cruise to a five-shot victory and third major title following his Masters victories in 2022 and 2024. Read more
Tennis star banned for doping after graduating from Nadal academy and facing Murray (Express)
Tennis star Imran Sibille has been provisionally suspended under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. The International Tennis Integrity Agency has confirmed that the 23-year-old provided an in-competition sample while competing in an ITF World Tennis Tour M25 event in Catalonia on March 9 this year.
“The sample was split into A and B samples and the subsequent analysis found that the A sample contained cocaine,” they said, in a released statement. “Cocaine is a non-Specified substance. Findings for non-Specified Substances carry a mandatory provisional suspension – in Sibille’s case, this has been in effect from May 8, 2025.” Read more
The WNBA Rookies to Watch This Season (People)
After a huge 2024 season, the star power in the WNBA is only growing.
Because of superstars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, the WNBA pulled in a record number of viewers and attendance at games. But that was just the beginning new — the 2025-26 season kicked off on May 16 with lots of new talent.
From UConn to USC to France, these players are the ones to watch. Read about the six freshly drafted women who are sure to take the league by a storm. Read more