Tinubu mourns Iranian president, others killed in helicopter crash (NewTelegraph)
Following the tragic demise of Iranian President, Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on Sunday, May 19, President Bola Tinubu has joined the rest of the world to mourn his death.
New Telegraph had earlier reported that a helicopter carrying President Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian was involved in a hard landing while visiting a northern region.
The duo were confirmed dead by local media platforms on Monday, May 20. Read more
Lagos police deploy RRS to Third Mainland Bridge to protect users (Leadership)
The Lagos State Police Command has deployed operatives of Rapid Response Squad (RRS) to the Third Mainland Bridge to provide round-the-clock protection for motorists and other users.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who disclosed this on his personal Facebook page on Monday, added that public safety and security remained the priority of the Police Command. Read more
Sheath your swords, Jonathan tells Wike, Fubara (Sun)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stepped in to mediate the escalating political conflict in Rivers State, urging Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike to set aside their differences and collaborate for the benefit of the state’s citizens.
Jonathan made this appeal on Monday during the unveiling ceremony of the Trans-Kalabari Road. Highlighting a growing trend of discord between governors and their predecessors across the country, the former President warned that such conflicts are detrimental to both followers and residents of the affected states.
“Outgoing governors and incoming governors must know that they work together for the collective interest of the citizens of the state, and that is critical,” Jonathan stated. Read more
Teacher beats 8-year-old pupil to coma in Anambra (Punch)
A 30-year-old teacher at Landmark School Mgbakwu in the Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Faith Nwonye has been arrested for allegedly beating an eight-year-old pupil into a coma.
The commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh told journalists in her office on Monday that the school has been permanently shut down by the state government.
Chuma-Udeh disclosed further that she had summoned the school’s proprietor and Nwonye to explain the incident that led to the brutalisation of the primary two pupils. Read more
CAN consoles Sanwo-Olu on aide’s death (Nation)
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Lagos State has consoled Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the government on the demise of Deputy Chief of Staff, Gboyega Soyanwo.
In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Chairman of CAN in Lagos, Rev. Oladapo Daramola, it described Soyanwo’s death as shocking and sad.
Chairman, Bishop Stephen Adegbite said: ”It is with a heavy heart but one filled with gratitude to God that I write on behalf of myself and my family and Christians to express deep commiserations to you, your wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Chief of Staff, Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, State Executive Council and people of Lagos on the shocking demise of Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Gboyega Soyanwo.” Read more
Again, court refuses Kanu bail (DailyTrust)
Again, a Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, dismissed the application filed by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, seeking an order setting aside the 2017 order revoking his bail for alleged abscondment from trial.
Justice Binta Nyako, in a ruling, also rejected Kanu’s request to be transferred to Kuje Custodial Centre in the event that his application for an order vacating the revocation order of his bail was overruled.
Justice Nyako, who said that the court had severally decided on the issue of the IPOB leader’s bail plea, said the only option left for him was to appeal the ruling. Read more
Alleged N6b laundering: Bank staff testifies against Mompha (Vanguard)
A Fidelity Bank compliance officer, Mr Ezekoli Ozoemenam, on Monday testified against a social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha (alias Mompha) charged with six billion Naira money laundering.
Ozoemenam, the fourth prosecution witness, was led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Suleiman Suleiman.
The witness testified about the package of an account of the bank allegedly linked to Mompha. Read more
9 LASU Alumni appointed as judges of Lagos High Court (Channels)
Nine alumni of the Faculty of Law, Lagos State University, have been appointed judges of the Lagos High Court.
They were part of the 13 judges recently appointed to the Lagos State High Court.
Disclosing this in a post on its X handle on Monday, the institution noted that the number is the highest ever recorded at a given time by the university. Read more
Kevin Costner in tears during Cannes standing ovation for passion project ‘‘Horizon’’ (NME)
Kevin Costner was seen getting visibly emotional after receiving a standing ovation for his new film “Horizon: An American Saga”.
The Western, which is described as a two-part event and has been a long-term passion project for the actor and director, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival yesterday (May 19).
Following the screening, Costner reportedly received a seven-minute standing ovation, with footage showing the actor in tears. Read more
Demi Moore transforms for Cannes body horror “The Substance’’ (RTL)
Demi Moore disappears beneath layers of bizarre and hideous prosthetics in her acclaimed new horror film “The Substance” — but thankfully, at least one faithful companion could still identify her on set.
“My little dog… always recognized me. That’s all that counted,” joked Moore, who brought her Chihuahua dog Pilaf to the Cannes Film Festival this week.
Explicit body horror film “The Substance” has been a breakout hit, drawing boisterous cheers, wild shrieks and lengthy applause at screenings in packed theatres along the Croisette. Read more
1-year-old Ghanaian breaks Guinness World Record, inspires call for early talent nurturing (AfricaNews)
Ghanaian artist Amarkine Amateifio is calling on parents across Ghana and Africa to nurture their children’s talents from a young age, highlighting the impact this can have on their future success. This appeal follows the recent achievement of one-year-old Ace Liam, who broke a Guinness World Record, showcasing the potential young children possess when given the opportunity to explore their abilities.
Ace Liam’s groundbreaking achievement was announced at a press conference on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. His journey to the record books began with an ambitious attempt to mimic his mother’s daily activities in her studio.
Chantelle Eghan, Ace Liam’s mother, shared her experience, stating, “He paints when he sees me painting. If I have my setup, he’ll pull his chair and easily come and sit beside me.” She described how, even as a six-month-old, Ace began blending and spreading paint on a canvas, and by 11 months, he was intuitively using a paintbrush. Read more
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault (ABC)
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin committed Monday to keeping U.S. weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces one of its toughest moments against a renewed assault by Russia.
Austin and as many as 50 defense leaders from Europe and around the world were meeting Monday to coordinate more military aid to Ukraine, as Kyiv tries to hold off a Russian offensive in the northeast while launching its own massive assault on the Russia-occupied Crimean Peninsula.
“We’re meeting in a moment of challenge,” Austin said, noting that Russia’s new onslaught of Kharkiv showed why the continued commitment by the countries was vital to keep coming. Austin vowed to keep U.S. weapons moving “week after week.” Read more
Cohen faces more cross-examination as Trump’s trial enters final stretch (AlJazeera)
Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen faces another day of cross-examination, as the ex-United States president’s hush-money trial enters the final stretch this week in New York.
The landmark trial kicks back off in Manhattan on Monday morning with more defence questioning of Cohen, whose pivotal testimony last week directly tied Trump to the alleged hush-money scheme.
Cohen is the prosecution’s last witness and it’s not yet clear whether Trump’s attorneys will call any witnesses – such as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee himself. Read more
ICC seeking arrest warrant against Israel PM Netanyahu over alleged Gaza war crimes (Independent)
The chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has announced he is seeking arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as several Hamas leaders over alleged war crimes.
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan KC issued a statement this morning proposing that arrest warrants are issued for Mr Netanyahu, Israel’s defence minister Yoav Gallant, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, Hamas’ military chief, and Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau.
It marks the first time in ICC history that a sitting head of state and a sitting defence minister of a country supported by other powerful western states, including the UK and US, face arrest warrants, international law experts have told The Independent. Read more
Nursery nurse guilty of manslaughter after baby girl died face down on bean bag (Mirror)
Nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan, who died, had also been tightly swaddled and covered with a blanket by Kate Roughley, 37, at Tiny Toes nursery in Stockport
A nursery nurse who strapped a baby girl face down on to a bean bag for more than a hour and a half has been convicted of her manslaughter.
Kate Roughley, 37, tightly swaddled and covered nine-month-old Genevieve Meehan when she was in her care at Tiny Toes nursery in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport. Read more
WAFU U-17: Golden Eaglets must fight hard to beat Togo — Manu Garba (CompleteSports)
Golden Eaglets head coach Manu Garba says his side will go all out for a win against Togo on Wednesday.
The defending champions recorded their first win at the WAFU B-17 Championship against Niger Republic on Sunday.
Rapha Adams nodded home on 30 minutes to hand the Golden Eaglets a 1-0 victory.
Nigeria now need just a point from the game against Togo to advance to semi-final. Read more
1983 Flying Eagles award scholarship to Ali Jeje’s son (Punch)
Abdul Rahman, the son of late Ali Jeje, the captain of the 1983 set of p
Flying Eagles, the first to represent Nigeria at the World Cup, has been awarded full scholarship by his father’s teammates, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Ali Jeje, then a wingback, led the historic team to the 1993 FIFA World Youth Championship in Mexico, where the country’s flag was raised first at a FIFA-organised tournament.
Despite not making it out of their group, Ali Jeje led by example, with his unwavering dedication to the team and the sport left an indelible mark on the annals of Nigerian football history. Read more
Darwin Nunez gesture shows ‘definite issue’ with Jurgen Klopp, body language guru claims (DailyStar)
Liverpool fans are livid with Darwin Nunez after the striker appeared to not clap Jurgen Klopp during his guard of honour on Sunday.
Klopp bowed out as Liverpool boss with a comfortable 2-0 win over Wolves, bringing his nine-and-a-half-year spell with the club to an end after previously announcing in January he would resign at the end of the season.
Liverpool fans, staff and players serenaded Klopp as the curtain closed on his time as Reds’ boss. But footage of the German’s guard of honour showed Nunez fail to applaud the manager who brought him to Merseyside – just weeks after he deleted all Liverpool references on his Instagram. Read more
Snoop Dogg celebrates Man City’s historic Premier League title — for one reason (HipHopDx)
Snoop Dogg has joined in on the celebrations as Man City won a historic Premier League title over the weekend.
The English soccer league’s 2023/24 season reached its conclusion on Sunday (May 19), with the Pep Guardiola-led Man City being crowned champions in a decisive final round of fixtures.
The Mancunian club beat Londoners West Ham 3-1 on the final day of the season to become the first team ever to win four consecutive Premier League titles. Read more
Jim Otto, NFL Hall of Famer known as ‘Mr. Raider,’ dies at 86 (NBC)
Jim Otto, the Hall of Fame center known as “Mr. Raider” for his durability through a litany of injuries, has died, the team confirmed Sunday night. He was 86.
The cause of death was not immediately known.
“The Original Raider,” the club said in a statement posted on the social platform X. “The personification of consistency, Jim’s influence on the American Football League and professional football as a whole cannot be overstated. His leadership and tenacity were a hallmark of the dominant Raider teams of the 1960s and 70s.” Read more
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp open to retirement from coaching (UPI)
Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp, who announced in January that he would resign at the end of the Premier League soccer season, hinted that he may never work again as a manager.
Klopp made the comments at a news conference Sunday at Anfield in Liverpool, England. The Reds beat Wolves 2-0 Sunday in their season finale. They finished third in the Premier League standings, behind champion Manchester City and second-place Arsenal.
“I don’t know exactly why nobody believes I probably will not be a manager again,” Klopp told reporters. “But I understand because obviously it seems to be a drug. It looks like that because everybody comes back and everyone works until they are 70-something. Read more