NDLEA intercepts explosives going to bandits (Tribune)
As the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) intensifies operations at drug joints and routes nationwide ahead of the May 29 inauguration of new administrations across the country, its operatives have intercepted a consignment of 32 pieces of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), being taken to bandits’ camp in Niger state.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Marwa (Rtd) has since ordered the immediate transfer of a suspect, Musa Muhammadu caught with the explosives on Monday 22nd May along Wawa road, Kainji, Niger state to the military.
The spokesman of the NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi said in a statement on Sunday that, barely a week after NDLEA operatives at the SAHCO export shed of the Lagos International Airport intercepted a consignment of 30.10kg methamphetamine going to London, UK, another shipment containing 379grams of the same illicit substance concealed in false bottom of six black soap containers, packed in a carton containing local hand fans, heading to Cyprus in Europe, was recovered at a courier company in Lagos by officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI), in the Agency. Read more
Container falls, crushes cart pusher to death in Lagos (Punch)
A yet-to-be-identified cart pusher was crushed to death on Sunday after a container truck fully loaded with concrete stones fell on him in the Dopemu area of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, while confirming the incident, disclosed that the driver was at a top speed when it lost control fell on its side.
According to a statement by LASTMA spokesperson, Taofiq Adebayo, the victim was caught up in the accident while his lifeless body was later recovered by its operatives. Read more
May 29: Be calm, law abiding Peter Obi urges Nigerians (Sun)
Ahead of May 29, swearing-in of the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential candidate as President, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the last election, Peter Obi, has urged his supporters and citizens in general to remain calm and law abiding, as only the court of law will decide the actual winner of the poll in due course.
Obi who spoke on the sidelines of an event in Kaduna State, stated that the unity, peace and security of the country is paramount than any other interest, and as such, he called on all citizens to be law abiding and work for the progress and development of the country.
“We must continue to live on the path of peace, religious harmony, ethnic harmony, coexistence, that is the most important thing for now. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, Hamzat declare assets (Guardian)
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, on Saturday submitted their Asset Declaration Forms.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is in compliance with Paragraph 11 Part 1 to the 5th Schedule of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that mandates political office holders to declare their assets on assumption and at the end of their term in office.
Sanwo-Olu and the deputy had, by their action, satisfied Section 185 (1) of the same Constitution that made it paramount for the political office holders to declare their assets before they take oath of office. Read more
Bode George: I’ve forgiven Tinubu but can’t forget (DailyTrust)
Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, says he has forgiven President-elect Bola Tinubu, but will not forget.
Both men who are from the same part of Lagos have been involved in a rivalry that is over a decade.
Speaking with newsmen, the PDP leader said as a new administration takes over, there is the need for Nigerians to be steadfast in praying for the country. Read more
Police parade Yoruba Nation agitators for hijacking Radio Nigeria Amuludun FM (Independent)
Oyo State Police Command under the gallant leadership of CP. Adebowale Williams has on Sunday paraded five Yoruba nation agitators that were among the intruders that allegedly invaded and hijacked Radio Nigeria Amuludun FM station, Moniya Ibadan at the early hour of Sunday May 28, 2023.
While addressing journalists over the development at the state police Command Headquarters Eleyele Ibadan, the Capital City of Oyo state on Sunday, the state commissioner of Police, CP. Adebowale Williams gave the names of the arrested agitators as Noah Atoyebi, Male, aged-30, Gbenga Adeleke, Male aged-25, Abdulganiyu Mustafa Kolawole, male, aged-35, Bashiru Kehinde, female, aged 30 and Fajola Elija, male, aged – 45yrs. Read more
I apologise for pains I caused, Buhari begs Nigerians (Tribune)
In his last national broadcast before heading home to Daura after his eight years tenure, President Muhammadu Buhari has apologised to Nigerians for what he called the temporary pains and suffering some of his measures to revamp the economy caused them.
He explained during the radio and television broadcast on Sunday morning that they were difficult choices he made for the overall good of the country.
“In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering for which I sincerely apologised to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the overall good of the country,” he pleaded. Read more
37 inmates regain freedom from Kuje, Suleja prisons (ThisDay)
No fewer than 37 inmates have regained freedom from both Kuje Medium Custodial Centre and Suleja Centre following payments of their fines.
The fines, which ranged from N15,000 and N130,000, were paid by public spirited persons in conjunction with Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA).
The Comptroller of Correctional Service for the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Command, Ibrahim Idris handed over five of the released inmates to officials of PRAWA on Friday at the Kuje Correctional Centre, saying all the conditions for their freedom had been met. Read more
The Little Mermaid swimming to No. 1 with $38m opening day at the box office (Variety)
Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid is making quite the splash at the domestic box office this weekend, with an opening day total of $38 million.
The fantasy, which is opening in 4,320 theaters, is expected to gross between $120 million and $130 million over the four-day Memorial Day weekend.
The musical remake, starring Halle Bailey as the mermaid princess Ariel, took in $10.3 million in previews on Thursday, ranking as the seventh-highest haul for a movie rated G or PG. That puts the film on track to gross well over $100 million over the holiday weekend. With a $250 million production budget, “The Little Mermaid” must bait box office success in order to make a reasonable return. Read more
Amanda Peet: New Fatal Attraction offers complex characters, not tired tropes (UPI)
Amanda Peet says her new version of Fatal Attraction retains the basic story of the classic 1987 thriller while reflecting modern sensibilities about gender roles, relationships and mental illness.
Created by Alexandra Cunningham, the Paramount+ series — wrapping up Sunday — is an eight-part remake of the film about a romantic obsession that ends in violence.
The series spans 15 years and stars Lizzy Caplan as Alex Forrest, a woman infatuated with her married colleague Daniel Gallagher after a brief romantic affair. Read more
Taylor Swift and Ice Spice star in ”Karma” remix music video (EW)
Taylor Swift and Ice Spice are out of this world in their music video for “Karma” — literally.
The video for the newly released remix of the track off Swift’s latest album, Midnights shows the two among the clouds, holding lassos around the moon and Saturn (presumably a reference to lyrics in another Swift track, “Seven”), and with the singers’ respective star signs seen behind them. Best of all, it features an adorable cameo from Swift’s cat Olivia Benson, who can be seen sleeping on her owner’s lap.
The “Karma” music video comes after Swift surprise-announced a new deluxe version of her album, Midnights (Til Dawn Edition). “Um. SO much to tell you. I’m a massive fan of this brilliant artist and after getting to know her I can confirm: she is THE ONE to watch,” she said of Ice Spice in the announcement. Read more
Anatomy of a Fall wins the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival (NPR)
Justine Triet’s Anatomy of a Fall won the Palme d’Or at the 76th Cannes Film Festival in a ceremony Saturday that bestowed the festival’s prestigious top prize on an engrossing, rigorously plotted French courtroom drama that puts a marriage on trial.
Anatomy of a Fall, which stars Sandra Hüller as a writer trying to prove her innocence in her husband’s death, is only the third film directed by a woman to win the Palme d’Or. One of the two previous winners, Julia Ducournau, was on this year’s jury.
Cannes’ Grand Prix, its second prize, went to Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, a chilling Martin Amis adaptation about a German family living next door to Auschwitz. Hüller also stars in that film. Read more
The Route 66 star George Maharis, has died aged 94 (FarOut)
The star of the 1960s drama series Route 66, George Maharis, has died at the age of 94.
News of Maharis’ passing, which occurred on Wednesday, May 24th, was reported by the actor’s friend Marc Bahan in a Facebook post. “George is well known for his stardom in Route 66, stage productions, singing, artist, and above all a great guy would do anything for anyone,” he shared, “My dear friend, you’ll be terribly missed”.
Starting his career in off-Broadway productions, Maharis’ first glimpse of success came in the 1958 TV series The Mugger, with this role leading to further success in other small-screen shows, Naked City, Exodus and Search for Tomorrow. Read more
This Morning stars ”threaten to quit” in fallout from Phillip Schofield’s affair revelation (OK!)
The future of This Morning could be at risk as a number of the show’s presenters have threatened to quit, following former presenter Phillip Schofield’s shocking affair revelation.
Following Phillip’s public admission, ITV have revealed that three years ago they investigated the claims that Phillip had had an affair with a much young colleague, but that it was denied by both parties.
The broadcaster released a statement that they were “deeply disappointed” by the TV star’s “admissions of deceit”, adding that he will not be appearing on any ITV shows in the future. Read more
Sudan humanitarian crisis deepens as aid facilities become targets (RFI)
Sporadic fighting has spread from the capital Khartoum to other parts of Sudan, with humanitarian work becoming increasingly difficult.
The International Organisation for Migration says battles have displaced more than a million people inside Sudan, with a further 319,000 people seeking refuge over the border in Egypt, South Sudan and Chad.
At the Chadian border, the UN’s refugee agency, the UNHCR, reported that the number of refugees arriving in Chad from Sudan had now surpassed 90,000. Read more
Feisty affairs as Federation Cup quarter-final battles hold today (DailyTrust)
After the Round of 16 matches were successfully concluded on Thursday, quarter-final matches of this year’s men’s edition of NFF/TINGO Federation Cup competition will take center stage today at four centres.
Therefore, the cities of Awka, Ijebu-Ode, Abuja and Akure will be put on edge with all eight teams, Bendel Insurance, Lobi Stars, Plateau United, Enugu Rangers, Doma United, Sunshine Stars, Kwara United and Warri Wolves eyeing tickets to the semi-finals.
Rangers of Enugu, champions on several occasions, must watch it carefully against giant killers Doma United of Gombe in what promises to be an entertaining afternoon at the Akure Township Stadium. Read more
Flying Eagles fail to break 40-year Brazil curse (Punch)
The Flying Eagles were beaten 2-0 by Brazil in their last group game of the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup on Saturday, but still reached the round of 16 of the tournament as the best third-placed team in the Group stages with six points.
Nigeria will face either hosts Argentina or USA for a place in the quarter-finals.
Nigeria needed at least a draw against the Brazilians to seal top spot in Group D but they found themselves behind in the first half no thanks to Henrique Pedroso and Marquinhos goals. Read more
Chelsea to announce Mauricio Pochettino as new manager signs contract (Standard)
Chelsea are preparing to announce the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new permanent manager with contracts now signed.
The former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain head coach has put pen to paper on a three-year contract to become Graham Potter’s successor, following Frank Lampard’s caretaker spell in charge.
Official confirmation is now imminent, though not unexpected to come before Chelsea’s final game of the season today against Newcastle as Lampard, and a number of players, prepare to say goodbye. An announcement is likely to come within 48 hours. Read more
PSG goalkeeper Sergio Rico in intensive care after horse riding accident (IrishTimes)
Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Sergio Rico is in intensive care after a horse riding accident, the club said on Sunday.
The Ligue 1 champions confirmed Spanish media reports that Rico, PSG’s second-choice goalkeeper, is in the ICU at Sevilla’s Virgen del Rocio hospital. According to local media, Rico was riding when he collided with a runaway horse and was thrown from his mount. He was taken to hospital by helicopter.
“He is in a serious condition,” a PSG spokesperson said on Sunday.
Rico, 29, joined PSG in 2020 after a season-long loan at the club, and has made 29 appearances for the first team. Read more
Tsitsipas survives scare to reach French Open 2nd round (France24)
The Greek fifth seed, who blew a two-set lead to lose the 2021 final to Novak Djokovic, won 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) on Court Philippe Chatrier.
He will next face either Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena or qualifier Emilio Nava.
Tsitsipas appeared to be cruising to victory after battling through the first two sets. Read more
Martin Brundle apologises as Red Bull official turns air blue during Monaco grid walk (Mirror)
Martin Brundle was forced to apologise to Sky Sports viewers after an X-rated blast from a Red Bull official at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Ex-Formula 1 driver Brundle now works as a reporter for Sky Sports and is renowned for his iconic grid walks, which see him wander around the track trying to secure interviews. There have been many famous incidents over the years… and Sunday’s is right up there.
As Brundle tried to talk to Red Bull chief Christian Horner, one of the team’s officials pushed the ex-driver away and told him: “You’ve got to go this way… I’m sorry.” The Red Bull employee then lost his cool and said: “No… I’m going to get in f****** s*** dude!” Read more