Lagos arrests 3,786 street traders, environmental polluters, others (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government said it arrested and prosecuted 3,786 street traders, environmental polluters, and cart pushers in the last twelve months.
It is also committed to revolutionising the waste management process from a linear “collect and dump” system to a sustainable circular economy.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this while addressing the media during the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagaulda Kalto Press Centre, Alausa, Secretariat, Ikeja. Read more
Tribunal upholds FCCPC’s $220m fine against Meta (Channels)
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal has upheld the $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Incorporated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In a statement on Friday, the FCCPC’s Director for Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, announced that the tribunal also awarded the commission $35,000 to cover the investigation costs.
Ijagwu noted that the Tribunal specifically determined that the Commission complied with prevailing laws, discharged its mandate, and exercised its powers within the confines of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Read more
I’m honoured, excited over World Bank’s appointment – Dangote (Vanguard)
President and CEO of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has expressed gratitude following his appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, a global initiative aimed at accelerating private investment and job creation in emerging economies.
In a statement confirming the development, Dangote described the appointment as both an honour and a reflection of his long-standing commitment to economic development through private enterprise.
“I am both honoured and excited to accept my appointment to the World Bank’s Private Sector Investment Lab, dedicated to advancing investment and employment in emerging economies,” Dangote said. Read more
Cyber-terrorism: Court orders interim forfeiture of 73 properties linked to Chinese suspects in Lagos (Sun)
Justice Deinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday, April 23, ordered the interim forfeiture of 73 properties, including 1,596 laptop computers recovered from Chinese involved in cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.
They are members of the syndicate of 792 alleged crypto currency investment and romance fraud suspects arrested on December 10, 2024 in Lagos during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judge gave the order, following an ex parte motion filed on April 17, 2025 by EFCC, through its counsel. B.M. Isah, against Genting International Co, Commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said on Friday. Read more
Edo varsity rusticates 34 medical students over exam malpractice (DailyTrust)
Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, says it has rusticated 34 students of the College of Medicine of the institution for two to four semesters over examination malpractice.
The management said the students were found guilty by Mobile Students Disciplinary Committee (college of medicine) of involving in various examination malpractices during the 2022/2023 academic sessions.
The university authorities also disclosed that six other students were exonerated from the allegations levelled against them, two were advised to be of good behaviour, while one was cautioned. Read more
Gombe Easter Tragedy: Police to arraign truck driver for dangerous driving (Leadership)
The Gombe State Police Command has disclosed that it has finished investigation into the fatal accident involving a truck driver who rammed his vehicle into a crowd of Christians staging procession in celebration of Easter Monday in Billiri local government area of the State.
LEADERSHIP reports that the incident led to the death of five persons while 21 others sustained injuries.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Buhari Abdullahi, who made the disclosure on Friday, said the Police found the truck driver wanting in reckless driving that resulted to loss of human lives. Read more
Rivers still fragile despite relative calm – Ibas (Nation)
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has said that although the state is relatively calm, it remains fragile.
He indicates the peace being experienced is still delicate and requires careful handling in the face of a continuing political transition.
Speaking during a meeting with the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight on Friday, Ibas acknowledged the critical role the committee plays in preserving the democratic and constitutional integrity and assured members of his willingness to fully cooperate in their ongoing assignment. Read more
Why Selena Gomez considers vulnerability surrounding mental health ‘scary’ (People)
Opening up about her mental health journey was not an easy thing for Selena Gomez — but she did it for the greater good.
In a new interview published with Billboard Español on Thursday April 24, Gomez revealed why its crucial for her to continue to advocate for mental health.
“At the end of the day I believe it matters to be vocal about issues that matter to you, whether you are famous or not,” Gomez, 32, who’s being honored as Woman of the Year at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music event on Thursday, May 1. Read more
Blake Lively alludes to Justin Baldoni drama at Time100 Gala (PageSix)
Blake Lively subtly referenced her ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni at the Time100 Gala.
“I have so much to say about the last two years of my life, but tonight is not the forum,” the It Ends With Us actress — who was honoured on the magazine’s “Most Influential People of 2025” list — began an impassioned speech at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City on Thursday.
She continued, “What I will speak to, separately, is the feeling of being a woman who has a voice today.” Read more
Why Pope Francis isn’t being buried in the Vatican (CNN)
Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday, is breaking with tradition when it comes to where he will be laid to rest – choosing a light-filled basilica instead of the grottoes of the Vatican.
Popes are usually buried within Vatican City, beneath St. Peter’s Basilica. But Francis will be the first pontiff in more than a century to be buried outside the Vatican, as he requested a “simple” tomb a couple of miles away in the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore – also known as St. Mary Major.
Francis’ funeral will take place on Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, before his body is taken to the basilica – on the other side of the river in central Rome – for burial. Read more
Trump says Xi called him, China trade talks active: Report
(Newsweek)
President Donald Trump said China’s President Xi Jinping had called him, and there are active talks to strike a trade deal, according to Time.
Trump made the comments during an interview with the magazine on Tuesday, April 22. The interview was published on Friday morning.
“I don’t think that’s a sign of weakness on his behalf,” Trump said of Xi, adding that he expected deals to be announced over the coming three or four weeks. Read more
China pledges support for economy, dismisses US claims on tariff talks (AlJazeera)
China’s top leaders have pledged to step up support for the economy stricken by a high-stakes trade war with the United States as Beijing dismisses President Donald Trump’s claims of being engaged in tariffs negotiations.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday that the two nations were not engaged in formal talks on the trade war triggered by US tariffs earlier this month.
US duties on Chinese goods now stand at 145 percent, while China’s retaliatory levies on US imports have reached 125 percent. Read more
Warhol print accidentally thrown away by Dutch town hall (BBC)
A Dutch town hall has admitted that it “most likely” accidentally disposed of 46 artworks, including an Andy Warhol print of the former Dutch queen, during renovation works last year.
Maashorst municipality said the works, including a 1980s silkscreen print of Queen Beatrix worth about €15,000 (£12,800), disappeared during work on a town hall last year.
An investigation said the artworks were stored in a basement during renovations and a lack of guidelines for storing the artworks could have been among the reasons why they ended up being thrown away. Read more
Pep Guardiola, wife to ‘give marriage a 2nd chance’ (Sun)
Pep Guardiola and his wife, Cristina Serra, are reportedly trying to reconcile after spending Easter weekend together in Barcelona.
The couple, who married in 2014, separated in January, with divorce proceedings starting the following month.
However, Catalan outlet El Nacional claims they are now “prepared to give each other another chance.” Read more
Kobe Bryant’s debut jersey sells for $7m at auction (CNN)
The jersey Kobe Bryant wore in his NBA debut sold for $7 million in auction on Thursday.
The sale sets a record for any memorabilia tied to the Los Angeles Lakers legend, per Reuters, who died in a helicopter crash in 2020 along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
The $7 million figure surpasses the previous record of $5.85 million paid for Bryant’s signed, game-worn jersey from the 2007-08 season in which he won his only NBA Most Valuable Player award. Read more
McLaren set to make major announcement as rumoured £150m deal ends early – report (PlanetF1)
McLaren is reportedly set to drop Castore as the team’s apparel partner a year in advance, with Puma being lined up to supply kit for the reigning Constructors’ Champions from the F1 2026 season.
Castore became McLaren’s kit supplier at the start of the 2022 season in a deal worth a reported £30million ($39m/€35m at current exchange rates) per year.
The Manchester-based manufacturer has since added the Red Bull Racing and Alpine teams to its Formula 1 portfolio, with Castore’s reach also extending to other major sports including football and cricket. Read more
Eubank misses weight and fined £375k (BBC)
Chris Eubank Jr will be fined £375,000 after missing the weight by just 0.05lb for Saturday’s grudge match with Conor Benn.
The 35-year-old weighed 0.2lb over the 11st 6lb limit on the first attempt and was still too heavy the second time.
A trimmed and toned Benn – who has operated at welterweight for most of his career – came in lighter than expected at 11st 2lb. Read more
Copa del Rey final referee breaks down over Real Madrid TV pressure (AlJazeera)
Copa del Rey final referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea welled up before Saturday’s match when speaking about pressure officials have faced from Real Madrid TV this season.
Madrid take on rivals Barcelona in the Spanish cup final in Seville and this week the club’s television channel launched a video attacking the official, as they have done to various referees this season.
Los Blancos also published an open letter in February claiming Spanish refereeing was “rigged” and “completely discredited”. Read more