Risky pleasure: S3x worker drugs, robs bizman, victim blames wife (Punch)
Tunde was exhausted. He looked pale with his eyeballs bloodshot as he collapsed into a chair in a restaurant, where he agreed to meet this reporter.
His threadbare flip-flop had piles of sand, which littered the spot where he sat in the eatery. With the dirt that settled on his scanty moustache and rough dark face, it appeared he had also yet to have a good bath in days.
But all these mattered less to Tunde, who had just escaped death by a whisker after being allegedly drugged and robbed by a sex worker. Read more
Armed robbers escape with $11 million in Ogun (Vanguard)
A four-man armed robbery gang on Friday afternoon ‘successfully’ escaped with a whopping sum of $11 million at the Oke-Sokori of Abeokuta, in Abeokuta North local government area of Ogun State.
The four-man robbery gang, all clad in black T-shirts and jean trousers, wore black facemasks, and brandished riffles in an operation that lasted about three minutes.
The suspects, however, escaped the scene with their targeted money, stacked in two ‘Ghana-Must-Go’ bags, after demobilizing the car of their victim, a Hausa trader, who rode the area in a Toyota Venza salon car, marked, (ABUJA) ABC 565 GN. Read more
Witnesses in train-BRT staff bus collision narrate experiences to court (Nation)
Witnesses in the March 9 collision between a train and a BRT bus conveying officials of the Lagos State Civil Service to work yesterday narrated their experience to an Ikeja High Court.
The witnesses were presented before Justice Oyindamola Ogala by the Lagos State Government.
The BRT driver, Oluwaseun Osibanjo, is facing a nine-count charge offence bordering on grievous harm and involuntary manslaughter by running into a moving train. Read more
FG unveils Nigeria Air, targets $1b revenue in five years (Guardian)
The Federal government yesterday unveiled the national carrier, Nigeria Air, with the target to generate $1 billion revenue within five years.A Boeing 737-800 series with 180-passenger capacity was unveiled yesterday by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, alongside the Managing Director of Ethiopian Airlines, crew members of Nigeria Air and other stakeholders in the industry.
However, initial plans by the Federal Government for the airline to commence operation with five aircraft was yet not materialise as only one aircraft was unveiled but the minister said there was plan to increase the fleet to 35 aircraft within five years of operations.
He said: “The airline is equal to the size of the market, the dynamics of the market of Nigeria, to its geography and the fortunes of the country. Indeed, we do need the kind of infrastructure that we’re having today in the name of Nigeria Air Limited. Read more
REVEALED: Nigeria Air plane flown into Abuja belongs to Ethiopian Airlines (DailyTrust)
The Boeing 737-800 series aircraft which the Federal Government flew into Abuja for the unveiling of Nigeria Air belongs to Ethiopia Airlines, Daily Trust can confirm.
The aircraft took off from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at 9:55am on Friday and landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 12:43 p.m.
Shortly after the aircraft landed, Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, expressed delight that after “a very long, tedious, daunting and difficult path”, the project had taken off Read more
Court stops suspension of Abure, LP National Chairman (Sun)
An Edo State High Court yesterday dismissed the notice of suspension issued against the embattled national chairman of Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure by some members of his Ward 3 executive in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Following the suspension, Abure and some other executives of the Ward went to court to seek redress.
Delivering judgment on the matter, Justice Emmanuel Okey Aihamoje, said the party ward executive in Ward 3 lacks the power under the LP constitution particularly Articles 17 & 19 and the Electoral Act 2022 as amended to remove the national chairman of the party. Read more
Presidential inauguration: FG declares May 29 work-free day (Tribune)
The Federal Government has declared Monday, May 29, 2023, as a work-free day for all workers in the country to commemorate the inauguration of Senator Bola Tinubu as the fifth president since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.
The declaration was made by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, in Abuja on Friday on behalf of the Federal Government.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Shuaib Belgore, who made this known in a statement, said the Minister felicitated all Nigerians on the momentous occasion. Read more
Gunmen abduct Imo Catholic priest returning from funeral (Punch)
Gunmen on Friday kidnapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Mathias Opara.
The priest was abducted along Ejemekwuru-Ogbaku Road, a highway linking Oguta and Mbaitoli local government areas of Imo State.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the priest was cornered while driving back to Owerri, the state capital, after the burial rites of the father of one of his colleagues at Izombo community, in the Oguta LGA.
The victim was said to be in charge of Man of Order and Discipline of the Catholic Archdiocese, Owerri. Read more
Powerball lottery winner faces lawsuit alleging ticket theft (BBC)
A Powerball ticket must match all six numbers drawn to score the jackpot
The winner of a record $2bn (£1.6bn) US Powerball lottery draw is being sued by a man claiming the lucky ticket was stolen from him.
Edwin Castro, who lives in California, chose to take last November’s jackpot in one lump sum of $997.6m.
But now Jose Rivera, a fellow Californian, says in a civil complaint that the prize money should be his.
Mr Castro has not commented. The California Lottery earlier said it was confident he was the rightful winner. Read more
Run the World cast addresses relationships, careers in Season 2 (UPI)
Run the World stars Amber Stevens West, Tosin Morohunfola, Corbin Reid said their characters face career and relationship crossroads in Season 2, premiering Friday on Starz.
In the Season 1 finale, Whitney (Stevens West) confessed to an affair before her wedding. While Whitney waits to learn if her fiance, Ola (Morohunfola), can forgive her in Season 2, West said Whitney may reconsider marrying himf.
“Part of the journey of Season 2 is her just trying to figure out how to give Ola the space,” Stevens West said in a recent Zoom interview. “And also see if that’s a relationship that she really wants to fight for or if the reason she blew the whole thing up is because she wasn’t truly fulfilled.” Read more
Beyoncé pays tribute to Tina Turner after being accused of ‘mocking’ her abuse (PageSix)
Beyoncé is paying tribute to Tina Turner for paving the way — just one day after fans slammed the “Drunk In Love” singer for “mocking” the late songstress’ history of domestic abuse.
While in Paris for her “Renaissance” tour Friday, Beyoncé told the sold-out crowd to “scream so [Turner] can feel your love.”
“If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner,” the 41-year-old continued. “‘Cause I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner.” Read more
Enter Shikari are ‘buzzing’ to headline Slam Dunk festival after achieving their first number one album (Metro)
Enter Shikari have a lot to celebrate with their album A Kiss For The Whole World going to number one – their first chart-topper.
So don’t be surprised if you see them in a jubilant mood when it comes to their headline set at Slam Dunk Festival this weekend.
Frontman Rou Reynolds says they have a lot planned for the show. ‘We’re buzzing. We’re having meeting after meeting at the moment, sorting out the production and setlist and getting everything organised,’ he says. ‘It’s going to be our most ambitious set ever!’ Read more
How much do Tina Turner’s recordings earn every year? (Billboard)
The solo music catalogue of legendary pop, rock and soul performer Tina Turner still brings in $3.7 million a year in synchs, sales and streaming activity, according to Billboard estimates.
Turner, who died Wednesday at age 83, had not recorded an original new album this century, and had essentially retired from the music world by 2009. However, her catalog continues to bring in millions in revenue, the majority of which is distributed by Warner Music Group.
Most of that $3.7 million annually comes from streams outside of the U.S., which Billboard estimates amounts to around $2 million, with about another $920,000 coming from domestic streams. Her catalog also brings in around $700,000 annually from synchs, Billboard estimates. (All royalties from these grosses go to BMG, who purchased the rights to Turner’s music interests in 2021.) Read more
Cambodia crocodile farmer killed after falling into enclosure (BBC)
Crocodiles are bred for their eggs, skin and meat in Cambodia
A crocodile farmer in northern Cambodia has been torn to pieces by about 40 of the reptiles after falling into their enclosure, local police say.
Luan Nam, aged 72, tried to move one of the egg-laying animals out of its cage when it grabbed his stick in its mouth, pulling him in, police said.
“Other crocodiles pounced, attacking him until he was dead,” police chief Mey Savry told the AFP news agency.
The incident happened near the city of Siem Reap on Friday. Read more
London Grammar announce new remix collection (NME)
London Grammar have announced a new remix collection, which is also set to feature brand new music from the trio.
‘London Grammar – The Remixes’ is a 16-track collection and will be released on July 21 via Ministry Of Sound. It follows the band’s ‘California Soil’ LP from 2021.
Alongside reworks of the band’s tracks from the likes of Jamie Jones and Joris Voorn, it will also feature brand new music from the trio in collaboration with CamelPhat and SebastiAn. Read more
U-20 World Cup: Flying Eagles set for showdown with Brazil (Vanguard)
The Nigerian U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have completed their relocation from Mendoza to Buenos Aires for their upcoming crucial group stage match against Brazil.
The Flying Eagles’ successful venture in Mendoza saw them clinch victories in their opening two matches of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza provided an exhilarating backdrop for Nigeria’s impressive performances. Read more
Ahead relegation decider: Ndidi doubtful for make- or -mar clash against West Ham (Sun)
Leicester City’s interim boss, Dean Smith has provided a worrying update on the fitness of Nigerian midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi ahead of his team’s must-win tie against West Ham United on Sunday at the King Power Stadium.
Ndidi went off injured in the 88th minute in Leicester City’s 0-0 draw with Newcastle United at St James’ Park and was replaced by Nampalys Mendy.
The injury to the Nigerian midfielder is a blow to Smith who needs all his key players available for the crunch encounter against the Hammers on the final day of the season. Read more
Semenyo ready to stop history-seeking Haji as Okpekpe race holds Saturday (Vanguard)
Daniel Simiu Semenyo says he is in good shape to challenge for the men’s title in his debut at the Okpekpe international 10km road race which holds this Saturday in Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government area of Edo state.
The Kenyan is one of the top international elite athletes who will battle it out to be crowned the 2023 Okpekpe race champions.
Semenyo, the fourteenth fastest man ever over the distance won the 10,000m at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya 12 days ago.
He ran 59.52 to win the Istanbul half marathon two weeks earlier. Read more
All eyes on top seed Alcaraz in quest for Roland Garros glory (DailyTrust)
Carlos Alcaraz heads into a Grand Slam as the top seed for the first time at the French Open, with the absence of holder Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s fitness struggles offering him the chance to win a second major and cement his No 1 status.
The 20-year-old Spaniard missed the Australian Open after being sidelined for three months due to abdominal and hamstring injuries but he has been making up for lost time, winning in Buenos Aires on his return and taking two more claycourt titles in Barcelona and Madrid.
Alcaraz, who became the youngest world No 1 last year following his US Open triumph, leapfrogged Djokovic into top spot once again despite being stunned in the Rome third round by Hungarian qualifier Fabian Marozsan earlier this month. Read more
Tyson Fury confirms Anthony Joshua talks with contract send out this week (Metro)
Tyson Fury says talks to fight Anthony Joshua in September at Wembley are back underway with a draft contract sent out this week.
Negotiations that collapsed last year have resumed with hopes to stage one of the biggest fights in the history of British boxing back in the UK this autumn.
Fury has now confirmed the fight is back on the table, inviting Joshua to agree a deal as quickly as possible. Read more
Lewis Hamilton ‘felt improvements’ in practice (BBC)
The Monaco Grand Prix is live on 5 Live and the BBC Sport website
Lewis Hamilton says he “felt the improvements” of his upgraded Mercedes after finishing sixth fastest in practice at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen set the pace from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton said: “The car was generally feeling good.
“It’s a shame we weren’t as close as I’d have hoped at the end but definitely felt the improvements.” Read more