Music star, Justin Timberlake has sold his entire song catalog.
Timberlake sold his music to London-based firm Hipgnosis Song Management, joining a wave of music stars who are selling the rights to their music for millions of dollars.
Hipgnosis Management announced on Thursday, May 26, the purchase of all the singer’s copyrights on tracks he wrote or co-wrote — totalling 200 songs, according to Hipgnosis CEO Merck Mercuriadis.
The songs bought include include “SexyBack,” “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and “Mirrors.”
The music catalogue was bought for a value of $100 million, according to the The Wall Street Journal.
Timberlake has been singing for the last two decades after finding fame in 1995 as a member of boy band phenomenon N-SYNC.
After the group’s success, he launched a solo career that has included five studio albums and 40 singles.
The deal covers Timberlake’s publishing rights only, so only songs that he had a hand in writing are included in the deal.
“They’re looking to be put in a position where they can make music for pure purposes going forward based on what they want to do, as opposed to what they have to do for money.”
“I am excited to be partnering with Merck and Hipgnosis — he values artists and their creative work and has always been a strong supporter of songwriters and storytelling,” said Timberlake in a press release Thursday. “I look forward to entering this next chapter.”
According to Mercuriadis, the music catalogue sale took over a year to close.
He now joins the likes of Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Stevie Nicks as artistes who have sold their life’s works for instant cash.
The Chainsmokers, an electronic music hit maker duo, sold their catalog to Hipgnosis in 2019, and Shakira struck a deal with Hipgnosis in January.
“In the case of those younger songwriters, they’re looking to de-risk their future,” Mercuriadis told CNN Business.
Super Eagles Captain, Williams Troost Ekong has stated that the Super Eagles will rise again after the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Troost-Ekong is set to lead the Nigerian team ahead of friendly games against Mexico and Ecuador on May 28 and June 2 respectively.
Despite the Super Eagles losing the 2022 World Cup ticket to bitter rivals Black Stars of Ghana in March, Ekong says the squad will regroup under new coach Jose Peseiro and become great again.
Speaking in an interview with NFF TV from Dallas ahead of the friendly games, Troost-Ekong expressed belief that the team will be back.
“We all arrive from a long travel here in Dallas it was amazing to meet the coach and the new coaching crew.
“Training was good it is great to see there are lots of home-based players here as well who have the chance to show themselves. Everyone is in good spirit and we are waiting for one or two more late arrivals and we are preparing well for the game against Mexico.
“It has been a tough few months for all of us, it’s a big heartache we have to keep on moving. When you fall down you have to stand up again, this team has been down before and came back and I believe we will do it again.
“So it’s great to be up for this friendly games and a chance to play in the AFCON qualifiers in next few weeks, that would be a great chance for us to refresh and refocus ourselves and the focus would be on the next AFCON.
“Lastly, I have to say a big thank you to the fans, I will ask them and encourage them to stay behind team we all know how much it means for us. We really appreciate your support so please stay behind the team.
She added that she is going through a lot because of it now. The student said;
“Good day everybody, I am making this video to apologize to my friends, family, especially Akwa Ibom State University, my school. I am very sorry for the trending video about me, everywhere on social media. I am very sorry.
“This video happened a long time ago and I could not believe that it’ll com out now to hunt me. I am so so sorry. Please forgive me for everything. This video is far from me. currently, I am begging you all, please forgive me and save my life. Help me, because I am passing through a lot, because of all this, mentally and otherwise, thank you very much”
Twitter investors are suing Elon Musk and the social media platform over the handling of Musk’s $44bn take over bid for the company.
The lawsuit alleges Musk violated California corporate laws in different ways.
The lawsuit accuses Musk of “wrongful conduct” as his “false statements and market manipulation have created ‘chaos’ at Twitter’s headquarters in San Francisco”.
The lawsuit also said Musk benefitted financially by delaying the disclosure of his significant stake in Twitter, and his plan to become a board member of the company.
The suit also alleges that several tweets posted by Musk, who is a regular Twitter user with more than 95m followers, were “misleading”.
This included a post in which Musk said his takeover bid for the social media firm was on hold because of his doubts over the number of fake accounts on the platform.
The tweet by Musk on 13 May “constituted an effort to manipulate the market for Twitter shares as he knew about the fake accounts,” the lawsuit said.
The lawsuit also alleges Musk “doubled down” on his allegations four days later, by stating on Twitter that the deal “cannot go forward”.
As at press time, Twitter shares are around 27% lower than Musk’s $54.20 offer price.
Frank Bottini, who is one of the lawyers representing the Twitter investors, said on Friday, May 27, that the lawsuit was filed as Musk “continues to disparage the company he wants to buy for $44bn in an effort to renegotiate the purchase price”.
“The complaint we filed in San Francisco seeks to hold Musk liable for his unlawful conduct,” Bottini said.
Media analysts believe Musk’s tweets that he was concerned about the number of fake accounts, or bots, on Twitter were because he wants to pay less for Twitter than the $44bn agreed with the company’s board in March.
The proposed class-action lawsuit was filed this week at the US District Court for the Northern District of California by investor William Heresniak, who said he was acting “on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated.”
The Federal Government has filed 23-count charges against Peter Nwachukwu, husband of late popular gospel artist, Osinachi, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
The late gospel singer died on April 8 allegedly from complications from injuries she sustained after he assaulted her.
According to court papers filed on May 20, 2022, by Mrs Yewande Gbola-Awopetun, Head, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, Ministry of Justice, Mr Nwachukwu was charged with culpable homicide contrary to section 221 of the Penal Code which is punishable with death.
Count one reads,
“That you Peter Nwachukwu, 56, male, on the 8th of April, 2022 at Aco Estate, opposite police station, Lugbe, Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did commit an offence to with: culpable homicide punishable with death in that you caused the death of Mrs Osinachi Nwachukwu by your various acts of violence and aggravated assault with the knowledge that her death would be the probable consequence of your acts.”
Count two,
“Statement of offence: Wilfully placing a person in fear of physical injury contrary to section 4(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and punishable under the same section of the Act.”
No date has been fixed for the commencement of hearing.
Russian president, Vladimir Putin’s warlord, Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of the Chechen Republic, has threatened to launch a military attack on Poland in retaliation for its steadfast support for Ukraine.
Recall, that Warsaw has been one of President Zelensky’s strongest allies since the invasion by Russian forces began.
Poland has acted as a gateway for thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing to the west, and it has also stood up to Russia in the European Parliament by urging a ban on Russian gas and oil imports, The Telegraph reports.
But Poland has now been caught up in the Russian propaganda campaign which seeks to justify its onslaught on Ukraine.
In a video message on Monday, Kadyrov, 45 – who calls himself Putin’s ‘footsoldier’ – said: ‘Ukraine is a done deal. What I’m interested in is Poland.
‘What is Poland trying to achieve? Once Ukraine is done, we can show you what we’re capable of in six seconds if there is an order.’
Kadyrov has frequently criticized the West on social media over their support for Ukraine.
In his latest directive, he demanded an apology over an act of vandalism in Warsaw earlier this month.
On the anniversary of the Allies’ victory in 1945, a Ukrainian activist threw red paint over Russian ambassador Sergey Andreev as he attempted to lay flowers at the Soviet military cemetery in the Polish capital.
Kadyrov had warned: ‘You better take away your weapons and your mercenaries and officially apologise to our ambassador.’
Kadyrov’s troops have been accused of war crimes in Ukraine and Kadyrov himself has been known to follow them on excursions, although he has denied taking part in any extrajudicial killings.
Kadyrov has been repeatedly accused by the United States and European Union of human rights abuses, which he denies.
Tens of thousands of Russian troops are now heading to the regions of Luhansk and Donetsk known collectively as the Donbas.
The Kremlin is seeking a victory there to prevent losing face over its ‘special military operation’. According to Western officials, Russian commanders believe the Donbas represents their best chance of success.
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has reportedly offered former Anambra State governor Peter Obi the ticket of running mate to the National Leader of the party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
A source told The Nation that while the party is willing to give him the position of vice president, his followers are insisting on the presidential ticket, with Kwankwaso serving as his running mate.
The source who further revealed that zoning of the presidential ticket of the APC and the PDP would determine the final decision of the NNPP, added that Obi, Kwankwaso and some of the party leaders had met to discuss the issue ahead of the party’s presidential primary slated for June 2 in Abuja.
The source said;
“I heard authoritatively that he wants to join NNPP, but whether he will accept to be the vice presidential candidate, which they are prepared to offer him, is not confirmed.
“Dr. Doyin Okupe and some of his followers are hell bent that he must be the presidential candidate, while Kwankwaso serves as the vice-presidential candidate. Wherever the APC and the PDP zone their presidential slots to will be the final determining factor.”
National Chairman of the party, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali who was not forthcoming on whether Obi was heading for the NNPP or what they were offering him, said in a text message “That will be a great news”.
Alkali also revealed that they’ve been talking to several aggrieved politicians from the other parties, with a view to having them cross over to the NNPP, but he ruled out automatic ticket for anybody.
He added that those to be offered the party’s ticket must be ready to play by the rules of the party, adding that offering automatic ticket to anybody would go against the guidelines put in place by the party for its primaries.
He said;
“The truth is that, if you talk of automatic ticket for anybody, that will amount to subverting our guidelines for the primaries, our own constitution and even the Nigerian constitution.
“Election is supposed to be open to everybody, both old members of the party and new comers. But whoever comes in, as long as the sale of form has not been closed, he is at liberty to purchase the expression of interest and nomination forms. He will not be excluded, but may require a waiver from the party.
“The rule is that whenever you join a political party, even though you are accepted as a member of the party, you will require a waiver to show that the party has finally accepted you as a member to stand for election.
“But the issue of automatic ticket does not arise because other members of the party are going to fight him. There are people who will fee aggrieved that you are giving automatic ticket to some people. He should subject himself to primaries and if he is popular, he will emerge.”
Alkali also confirmed that discussions are ongoing to attract other big politicians to the party. He said;
“We are talking to those who have not been treated fairly in other parties. We look for them and reach out to them because this is a Nigerian project.
“We are talking about the future of our country. So, anybody who comes and embraces our core mission and values is welcome because we are going to do things differently from how they have been done in other parties.
“But the person must understand that when you come, you must also be guided by our own rules, our constitution and our code of conduct because that is the only way we can ensure that we are different from others. So, we have been reaching out.”
Senegal’s President Macky Sall has fired his health minister after 11 newborn babies were killed in a hospital fire blamed on an electrical short circuit.
The tragedy late Wednesday, May 25, in the western city of Tivaouane was the latest in a series of hospital deaths that have exposed the weaknesses of the nation’s healthcare system.
Sall declared three days of national mourning.
He wrote in Twitter: “I have just learned with pain and dismay about the deaths of 11 newborn babies in the fire at the neonatal department of the public hospital.
“To their mothers and their families, I express my deepest sympathy.”
The disaster sparked calls for the resignation of Health Minister Abdoudaye Diouf Sarr.
The presidency said on Thursday evening, May 26, that the health Minister would be replaced by Marie Khemesse Ngom Ndiaye, formerly the director-general of the public health authority.
A man has been called “creepy” after he spent £12,500 to become a dog.
The Japanese man who goes by Toko transformed himself into a collie with the help of bespoke costume makers.
He received his dog costume last month and has been sharing videos of himself performing tricks such as fetch and playing ping pong with his paw.
His videos also show him rolling over on command like a dog.
In one of his first clips, he explains via a clipboard: “I became a rough collie because I wanted to be an animal. From now on I’m thinking of uploading videos at my own pace.
According to Japanese media, Toko ordered the “quadsuit” for £12,500 (2 million Yen) fromZeppet which makes sculptures for movies, TV shows.
His videos have generated mixed reactions.
While many hailed him for living out his dream as a dog, others called him creepy.
“What a weird way to spend money! looks so real, like a beautiful collie dog, very original! Greetings,” someone commented.
Suspended Intelligence Response Team leader, Abba Kyari, recently escaped attempted murder by aggrieved inmates at the Kuje prison who accused him of not honouring his bribe-for-release deals when he was in active service.
According to a report by Premiumtimes, the attack occurred on May 4th and there are attempts to move Kyari from Kuje prison where he is currently detained to the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), also known as the Department of State Services (DSS).
The inmates who are said to have been arrested for drug-related offenses, attempted to kill Kyari and claimed the former Kyari prosecuted them despite taking bribes from them.
According to the publication, a source who is a state investigator and intelligence officer, described Kyari as a “dodgy criminal.”
Quoting the inmates, one of the sources said Mr Kyari was “eliminating smaller (drug) dealers to clear the field for Afam Ukatu,” a suspected billionaire drug baron allegedly behind N3 billion Tramadol deal linked to Mr Kyari.
“Inmates claimed that upon his arrest, Abba Kyari demanded bribes to kill the case, then still prosecuted them,” a Kuje prison source who accessed the testimonies of the aggrieved inmates said
It was gathered that Kyari had to pay each of the aggrieved inmates N200,000 ‘in initial settlement fees’ and then ‘procured DSTV subscription for cells to buy loyalty and peace,’ one source told the publication.
The source added that despite this gesture, the aggrieved inmates have continued to threaten Kyari’s life.
“Regardless of the level of protection, they vowed to get him. The inmates have given him an ultimatum to return all he extorted from them or be killed. Relevant officials have assessed that he will be killed or badly injured if he continues to be remanded in Kuje.”a source was quoted as saying
An official recommendation has therefore been made that Kyari should be transferred out of Kuje to an SSS facility.
Meanwhile, a prison source told Premium Times that Kyari has his way in Kuje prison, alleging that the he bought the loyalty of officers.
“So far, he has every relevant officer on his payroll. They do his bidding, he sees his wife, and he has access to mobile devices and marabouts,” a source said
The suspended police chief was arrested and remanded in prison amid his ongoing trial following allegations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) that he attempted to bribe an official of the agency with $61,000 to facilitate the release of seized cocaine.
Kyari had also been accused of committing wire fraud, money laundering and identity theft and was declared wanted by the US government.
A ram has been sentenced to three years in jail after it reportedly head-butted a woman to death.
The ram allegedly launched an attack on Adhieu Chaping, 45, and struck her in the chest multiple times before she died over the weekend.
As part of the punishment, the ram will have to spend time behind bars at a military camp after it was sentenced by traditional leaders in South Sudan.
It comes after the victim’s family were told they would receive five cows from the ram owner as a part of compensation for her death.
“The ram attacked by hitting her ribs and the old woman died immediately,” Police major Elijah Mabor told Sudan’s Eye Radio.
“So this is what happened in Rumbek East in a place called Akuel Yol.
“Our role as police is to provide safety and separate fights. The ram was apprehended and currently under custody at a Police Station of Maleng Agok Payam.”
Authorities confirmed the two families have agreed that the owner will give the family of the deceased cows based on local understanding put in place by community elders, reports Ghanawish.
The owner of the ram has since been identified as Duony Manyang Dhal.
According to County administrator Paul Adhong Majak, the owner and the victim’s family are related and neighbours.
It has been reported that the ram will be gifted to Chaping’s family once it is released from prison, under local law.
The families have had to sign a contract to formalise the agreement with cops, in which community leaders were present as witnesses.
Germany has warned Russian president, Vladimir Putin to halt his war in Ukraine, saying he won’t win it.
Speaking today, May 26 at the ongoing Davos Summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Putin has already failed in all of his strategic aims and Russia’s plan to capture all of Ukraine is “further away today than it was at the beginning” of its invasion on February 24 as Ukraine put up an impressive defence.
“Our goal is crystal clear — Putin must not win this war. And I am convinced that he will not win it,” said the German chancellor” Scholz told Davos World Economic Forum.
“The costs for Putin and his apparatus are enormous, and they continue to rise each day.We must make Putin realize that there will not be a dictated peace, Ukraine won’t accept it – and we either
Putin will only seriously negotiate over peace once he realizes that he cannot break Ukraine’s defence
The German chancellor earlier this month said that European Union must make preparations for rebuilding Ukraine after the war by setting up a solidarity fund to help cover the billions of euros reconstruction will cost.
“Rebuilding destroyed infrastructure and revitalising the Ukrainian economy will cost billions,” he said. “We as the EU must start laying the ground for a solidarity fund financed by contributions from the EU and its partners.”
A husband suffered from memory loss caused by afternoon sex with his wife, according to a new paper by medics.
The report released in the May edition of the Irish Medical Journal, detailed how the 66-year-old man experienced Transient Global Amnesia (TGA) within 10 minutes of sexual intercourse, Mail Online reports.
Medics at the Department of Neurology at University Hospital Limerick said that the case showed that sex could trigger TGA.
The document, called ‘Recurrent Postcoital Transient Amnesia Associated with Diffusion Restriction’, described how he went to A&E and a similar incident occurred seven years prior involving the same man.
It stated that: ‘On the afternoon of presentation, he had engaged in sexual intercourse 10 minutes before the onset of memory disturbance.
‘After seeing the date on his phone, he became distressed that he had forgotten his wedding anniversary the day before.
‘He had, in fact, celebrated his wedding anniversary with his wife and family on the previous day.
‘His autobiographical memory remained intact, but he had no memory of that morning or the celebrations the night before.’
The paper continued: ‘The man repetitively questioned his wife and daughter over the events of that morning and the previous day.
‘No other neurological symptoms were reported and upon arrival to the emergency department his neurological examination was completely normal.’
TGA’s cause is unknown, however, there is a link between sudden memory loss and a history of migraines. Overfilling of the veins due to a blood blockage or another abnormality with blood flow may also be to blame.
In rare cases, TGA has been reported to be triggered by sudden immersion in cold or hot water, strenuous exercise, and sex.
Governor Charles Soludo has said that the “unknown gunmen” behind killings in some communities in South-East region of the country are Igbos.
Soludo said this while declaring curfew in seven Local Government Areas of Anambra state. He added that Anambra is the prime target because it is the most lucrative location for kidnapping for ransom in the South East, and the gunmen’s immense propaganda machine are funded largely by their sponsors from abroad.
The Governor added that they’ve tried everything to indoctrinate the people with all kinds of false emotive narratives, and divert attention from their real objectives.
He also wondered why those who claim to be “fighting for the people”, randomly kill the same people, destroy their livelihood, and stop their children from going to school.
Soludo said;
“Let us be very clear. These criminals causing mayhem in Anambra, albeit of disparate groups and gangs, are Igbos (dominantly from other South East states) whose real objective is lucrative criminality and foisting their idolatrous religion on the region
“Unfortunately, every criminal gang (including cult groups) claims to be a “liberation movement”, making it difficult to differentiate between any genuine agitators from criminals. Unfortunately also, the criminals now dominate the space.
“What has agitation got to do with kidnappings including kidnapping of priests of God, invasion of churches and tabernacles including desecration of the Alters of God? Why is it that everywhere they gather and in every camp they operate, there is a Deity/idol to which they routinely offer blood in sacrifice?”
“From accounts of those kidnapped and later freed the stench of dead bodies in the camps cry up to heaven. We see videos of them and their idol worship; we note their threats to priests and bishops, including threatening to take over some churches?
“The people of the South East, especially Anambra, are predominantly Christians. But with this gang, idolatry is back with vengeance. They forcefully try to convert people, especially the young ones to idolatry by initiating them into cults, swearing oaths to their Deities, with the promise of invincibility. Consequently, these youths join them as members and informants.
“Desecration of our culture: Spilling of the blood of the innocent is considered an abomination by our culture and by our Christian religion. We understand that they kill and harvest human organs for rituals and human sacrifice in their so called camps.
“With their new religion of idolatry and deadly weapons which they use to kill at random, they have tried to create a culture of fear and silence. More recently, the people have begun to question their propaganda, motive and means and they know that they have lost the sympathy of the people. That explains why they desperately tried to ignite a national inter-ethnic crisis by killing some innocent northerners who have lived peacefully in our state for decades to divert attention from their criminality and then seek to re-brand themselves as “defenders of the people”.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and rights activist, Mr Femi Falana has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s Governor, Dr Godwin Emefiele.
Falana made the call while addressing Southwest youths and women conference at Ado-Ekiti on Thursday May 26.
The senior lawyer who noted that Emefiele is card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress, added that his continued stay in office as CBN governor could erode and compromise the credibility of the 2023 general elections.
He added that INEC should not keep sensitive election materials at the CBN with Dr Emefiele sitting in the office as its governor.
Falana said;
“INEC is trying; it has deployed technology to get rid of rigging, but we can no longer keep sensitive election materials in the vault of the CBN.
“This is because the governor of the CBN is a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress.
“It has never happened anywhere in the world; this is very dangerous. The CBN governor’s power is enormous under the CBN Act, so he can’t be a politician.
“We can’t look for an alternative place to keep our electoral materials; it is the CBN governor that must be removed and whether President Buhari likes it or not, Emefiele must go.
“Some Civil Society Organisations have filed a motion against him and we will pursue it to a logical conclusion.’’
Falana also called for the establishment of electoral offences tribunals across the country to prosecute offenders and sanitise the system and also to stem election manipulation and bloodshed.
He added;
“People commit electoral crimes because they are aided by politicians.
“Statistics showed that 750 electoral offenders were arrested in 2011; 900 such offenders were arrested in 2015, and in 2019, a total of 1,120 were arrested.
“Majority of them were not prosecuted; the police even filed motions to terminate some of the cases and discontinued prosecution.’’
All households with a domestic electricity connection will be getting a grant of £400 to help them cope with the rising energy bills.
The new support comes instead of the £200 energy discount people were due to receive from October. The £200 discount had been much-criticised and labelled as a “loan” as the money would’ve needed to be paid back.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak on Thursday May 26, confirmed he will turn the £200 “loan” into a grant; meaning struggling households will not need to repay it.
Mr Sunak will also increase the amount you’ll get off your bill by an extra £200, taking the total discount to £400.
He confirmed the new £400 payments this afternoon in the House of Commons, as part of a wider £15billion cost of living package partly funded by a new windfall tax on energy firms.
The Chancellor said;
‘The outlook for energy prices has changed. I’ve decided those repayments will be cancelled. So, for the avoidance of doubt, this support is now unambiguously a grant.
‘Furthermore, we have decided that the £200 of support for household energy bills will be doubled to £400 for everyone.
‘We are on the side of hard working families with £6 billion of financial support.’
The grant comes in the form of a council tax rebate to households. Energy suppliers will deliver the discount to households with a domestic electricity meter over six months from October.
Direct debit and credit customers will have the money credited to their account, while customers with pre-payment meters will have the money applied to their meter or paid via a voucher.
This support will apply directly for households in England, Scotland, and Wales. Support to people in Northern Ireland is expected to be announced in due course.
The Premier League board has approved the proposed takeover of Chelsea by the Todd Boehly/Clearlake Consortium as Roman Abramovich’s 19 years running the west London club moves closer to its end.
Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Boehly had already agreed a £4.25bn purchase of the Blues, with Roman Abramovich’s ownership tenure poised to end after 19 years.
The total investment will cost £4.25 billion ($5.2bn) with £2.5bn ($3.2bn) ending up being the sale price of the club and an agreement in place that £1.75bn (2.1$bn) will be invested over 10 years.
A statement from the Premier League on Tuesday evening May 24, read:”The Premier League Board has today approved the proposed takeover of Chelsea Football Club by the Todd Boehly / Clearlake Consortium.”
“The purchase remains subject to the Government issuing the required sale licence and the satisfactory completion of the final stages of the transaction.
“The Board has applied the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test (OADT) to all prospective Directors, and undertaken the necessary due diligence.
“The members of the Consortium purchasing the club are affiliates of the Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., Todd Boehly, Hansjorg Wyss and Mark Walter.
“Chelsea FC will now work with the relevant Governments to secure the necessary licences to complete the takeover.”
Boehly is the co-owner of Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Los Angeles Dodgers and a minority investor in the National Basketball Association (NBA) team LA Lakers.
The US magnate will become Chelsea’s controlling owner once the takeover is complete, though California investment firm Clearlake Capital will assume the majority shareholding.
Caitlyn Jenner has claimed that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s marriage wasn’t all roses.
During a recent interview on The Pivot podcast with Channing Crowder, Ryan Clark, and Fred Taylor, Caitlyn spoke about her feelings towards Pete and Kanye as well as how they’ve individually treated Kim.
The former gold medalist also opened up about what she thought might’ve gone wrong during their marriage.
Jenner said;
“But, Kimberly has been through a lot with the guys that she’s been with. You know, especially Kanye — very complicated guy. I liked Kanye, got along with him so well. Two of us did great together, and even when I transitioned, he was so on my side and you know, loving it. But he was very difficult to live with and Pete is 180 degrees [in] the other direction. I mean, first of all, he treats her so well, and when they were over here, Kim [was] so happy and Kim deserves to be happy.”
Jenner also admitted to not meeting Davidson until recently, after urging Kim to bring him over to the house.
She added;
“They came over the other day, because I told Kim, ‘I haven’t even met him yet.’
“So she brought him over and we spent a couple hours here at the house together. And very different than what she would normally date.
“Actually, I’m really into Pete right now with Kim.
“We have a comedian in the family. Yay! We don’t need more rappers. We need a comedian in the family.”
Kardashian began dating Davidson in October 2021 amid her divorce from West.
In March, a Los Angeles judge declared the “Kardashians” star and the Yeezy CEO legally single. The former couple, who tied the knot in May 2014, share four children: North, 8, Saint, 6, Chicago, 4, and Psalm, 3.
Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp has been named Barclays Premier League manager of the of year and the League Manager Association’s manager of the season after Liverpool narrowly missed out on winning the title.
Liverpool finished on 92 points, one behind eventual champions Manchester City after a thrilling final day on Sunday May 22.
Having once trailed City by 14 points, Liverpool went on a 19-game unbeaten run to end the season, with 10 wins on the spin from January to April helping them close the gap.
Reflecting on the Premier League season while accepting his award, Klopp said: “It is a great honour and it was an insane season. The last matchday when only two games were meaningless and, in the rest, we all played for absolutely everything.
Liverpool coach, Jurgen Klopp has been named Barclays Premier League manager of the of year and the League Manager Association’s manager of the season after Liverpool narrowly missed out on winning the title.
Liverpool finished on 92 points, one behind eventual champions Manchester City after a thrilling final day on Sunday May 22.
Having once trailed City by 14 points, Liverpool went on a 19-game unbeaten run to end the season, with 10 wins on the spin from January to April helping them close the gap.
Reflecting on the Premier League season while accepting his award, Klopp said: “It is a great honour and it was an insane season. The last matchday when only two games were meaningless and, in the rest, we all played for absolutely everything.
The Spanish government has donated 4.4 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to the Federal Government towards containing the spread of the Coronavirus
This is contained in a statement by the embassy titled “No one will be safe until we are all safe” in Abuja on Wednesday.
The statement from the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria explained that the donation was in line with its unconditional defence of fair, equitable, and universal access to vaccines against COVID-19.
The mission also disclosed that the ceremony to hand over the vaccines took place on the premises of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), with the support of UNICEF.
The statement said, “With this donation, Spain stands out as the third donor of COVID vaccines to Nigeria. It is the largest donation Spain has done to a single country in Africa so far. Furthermore, these figures place Spain as the seventh-largest donor of vaccines in the world, with 70 million doses already delivered.
“Spain is fully committed to multilateral efforts. Consequently, this donation and more than 90 percent of Spanish donations have been made through the COVAX mechanism.”
“Additionally, the embassy noted that the donation constituted one more action of the team Europe in Nigeria, integrated by the European Union and its member states.”
The embassy said that at the handover ceremony, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Chief Executive Officer of NPHCDA had urged Nigerian citizens to ensure that they received the jabs.
The embassy further said that the Spanish Ambassador, Juan Sell, underscored the importance of reaching every Nigerian citizen and every remote corner of the world if the pandemic were to be contained.
“We have to strengthen primary health systems and we must improve global mechanisms for technology transfer to decentralise the production of health products in all regions, particularly in Africa.
“In that sense, the President of the government of Spain announced at the recent Global Summit against COVID-19 that Spain will donate 300 million dollars for an additional 30 million COVID-19 vaccines and for the strengthening of public health systems.
This will be done “through projects related to COVID-19, which will be implemented by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation.
“Spain has also joined the World Health Organisation’s COVID-19 Technology Access Group and is part of the Team Europe initiative on manufacturing and access to vaccines that the Ambassador of the EU to Nigeria presented.
“This initiative will help create an enabling environment for local vaccine manufacturing in Africa and tackle barriers on both supply and demand sides, backed by 1 billion euros from the EU budget and the European development finance institutions such as the European Investment Bank (EIB).”
Altogether, the EU and EU countries had donated 30m vaccines to Nigeria so far.
Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie has been awarded the Bruno Martini Award for Goalkeeping Revelation of the Season in French women’s football.
The French Association of Professional Football Goalkeeper Coaches awarded the Paris FC goalkeeper for her top performance in the league after she helped her club finish third in the league as they also sealed qualification for a place in next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Nnadozie beat Stade de Reims goalkeeper, Emily Alvarado and Issy GPS goalkeeper, Colette Morche to scoop the award.
The award is voted for by other goalkeepers, professional football goalkeeper coaches, and members of the goalkeeper coaches’ association.
On winning the award, Nnadozie said: “I want to use this opportunity to say a big thank you to the AEGB Football Association France, for this great award. A special thanks to Paris FV, you guys made it possible.”
This was her second nomination for the Bruno Martini Award in two years. She was also selected as one of the best five goalkeepers in the French Women’s league by UNFP, Ligue 1 organisers but missed out on the biggest prize.
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has declared a 6am to 6pm curfew in seven Local Government Areas of Anambra State.
The Governor made the announcement in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday May 25, adding that the affected local governments are Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Orumba North and Orumba South.
The curfew which takes effect from Friday May 27, will be in force until normalcy returns to the affected areas.
Soludo said;
“With effect from tomorrow, Friday, 26th May, 2022, a 6pm to 6am curfew is hereby placed on motorcycles (okada), tricycles (keke), and shuttle buses in Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North and Orumba South Local Governments until further notice.
“Also, motorcycles, keke and shuttle buses are banned from operating in these local governments on Mondays until the Sit-at-Home completely s
A foster mother who killed a baby she was hoping to adopt has been jailed for 18 years.
Laura Castle, 38, was found guilty of murdering 13-month-old Leiland-James Corkill whom she battered to death.
The child was placed in the care of Castle and her husband, Scott, 35, in August 2020.
But five months after, on January 6, 2021, paramedics found the baby unresponsive at the couple’s home in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
He died the following day after doctors found his heart had stopped beating and he had a head injury, which Castle claimed was from him falling off a sofa.
But further investigation found that the foster mum had searched online for what might cause a bleed on the brain while the child was being attended to in the hospital.
The truth about what happened started to come out when a post-mortem confirmed the toddler had suffered a traumatic head injury, which wasn’t an accident.
During her trial, Castle pleaded guilty to manslaughter, claiming she shook him to stop him crying.
But texts Castle sent to her husband revealed her referring to Leiland-James as a ‘proper n*bhead’, a ‘d**k’ and a s**t bag’.
She also admitted ‘smacking’ the child in the messages.
In one text, she wrote: ‘I honestly really don’t like him lately, he’s an absolute moaning winge bag and I totally regret doing this.
‘I’m goin to lose my mind. He just p****s me off all the time, can never just have a nice day or night ever.
‘Although I need to stop smacking him cos if I start I’ll not stop at one point and it’s not getting us anywhere and then I feel bad.’
The court also heard a social worker had reported concerns about the foster mum after she branded Leiland-James ‘lazy’ and ‘big’.
‘I’m just an abusive parent so it seems,’ Castle texted her husband on September 25, 2020, after admitting she was at her ‘wits end’ and ‘leathered’ Leiland-James again.
Following the jury’s guilty verdict, prosecutor Joanne Close called Castle ‘self-centred, abusive and violent’.
She said: ‘His birth mother believed he would be safe and have a good life.
‘His foster parents cared for and loved him for eight months; they described him as a beautiful little boy with the most contagious laugh.
‘But his life was cruelly cut short by the actions of Laura Castle; she was self-centred, abusive and violent and unfit to provide a home to this vulnerable child.’
The celebrant named Nkrumah Samuel, popularly known as Remes Kay, and his friends wore all-white attires as they celebrated in a cemetery.
A high table decorated with drinks and a cake was placed between gravestones as the celebrant made merry with friends.
There were no chairs provided for guests so some relaxed on gravestones during the party.
Now, the celebrant has complained that his life has not been the same since the party.
Speaking in an interview with Abena Gold, the actor said ghosts have been haunting him since his party.
Remes Kay told the interviewer that his motive for celebrating in a cemetery was to pass the message that one’s birthday isn’t just the addition of a year but it also means the subtraction of a year from the years they have to live.
In the interview conducted in his local language, Remes Kay explained that since his birthday party, he has been seeing scary things and he believes ghosts are now after his life.
Manchester United footballer, Marcus Rashford is now set to marry his childhood sweetheart, Lucia Loi, after proposing during their getaway in California.
The England striker got a yes when he went down on one knee to ask the big question on Wednesday, May 25.
The pair, both aged 24, have been dating since the age of 15 when they were pupils at Ashton on Mersey School in Greater Manchester.
Rashford had been planning the proposal for weeks and popped the question to Lucia at a lavish villa after they shared a romantic meal at celebrity seafood restaurant Catch LA, a source told The Sun.
‘They went out in LA for a romantic night together on Tuesday and he proposed. It was extremely romantic.
‘They celebrated afterwards with a group of close friends including his United teammate Jesse Lingard,’ the source said.
Rashford shared news of the engagement on Instagram with a lovely image of them holding each other as they stood atop a bed of white roses in front of a heart-shaped archway.
Another source said: ‘All involved are thrilled at the recent news of the engagement,’ and spoke of Lucia’s influence on the Premier League star, who has received plaudits for his charitable work off the field but has struggled to perform on it since having shoulder surgery.
‘Lucia has been a big part of Marcus’ life… offering stability, a sense of belonging and assurance that can be rare to find,’ the source told The Sun.
Jack Dorsey will reportedly leave Twitter’s board of directors today May 25 – 16 years after co-founding the firm.
He is expected to stand down ahead of the $44billion takeover by Tesla magnate, Elon Musk.
According to the business news website The Street, Dorsey was set to leave Twitter on Wednesday May 25.
Dorsey stepped down as CEO of the company in the fall, handing the reins to Parag Agrawal. He founded Twitter with Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams in 2006.
News of Jack Dorsey leaving the Twitter board comes after a former company veteran and ex-director accused him of stabbing his company’s board in the back by serving up the social media platform on a platter to Elon Musk.
Jason Goldman, the former vice president of Product and member of Twitter’s founding team referenced events that transpired on April 5, the day after chairman Bret Taylor and CEO Parag Agrawal reached an agreement to bring Musk on as a director in exchange for not expanding his stake beyond 14.9%.
During a meeting that the Tesla CEO had requested, Dorsey “shared his personal view that Twitter would be able to better focus on execution as a private company,” according to an SEC filing by Twitter.
This suggests the cofounder, who served on the board alongside Taylor and Agrawal, encouraged Musk to buy the company outright.
“That to me is just a clear backstabbing of the board by the founder when they had a deal in hand to come to a standstill,” Goldman said in the interview.
A Nepalese man has set the record for the world’s shortest living male teenager.
Dor Bahadur Khapangi, 18, was given a Guinness World Records certificate in Kathmandu on Monday, May 23, according to local media reports.
Khapangi, who stands at a height of 73.43cm (2ft 4.9in), was pictured with his brother Nara Bahadur Khapangi, who carried him to the award ceremony, and CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, Dhananjay Regmi.
He was also seen walking with his young niece Om Kumari Pulami Magar ahead of the event.
Photographers and reporters were later spotted crowding around to take a picture of him.
Dor’s Guinness World Records certificate reads: “The shortest teenager living (male) is Dor Bahadur Khapangi (Nepal, b. 14 November 2004) who measured an average of 73.43cm (2ft 4.9in) in Kathmandu, Nepal on 23 March 2022.”
The resumption of the trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, meant to hold on Thursday, May 26, has been adjourned to June 28 for hearing and ruling.
IPOB Lead Counsel Ifeanyi Ejiofor made this known on Wednesday, May 25.
Ejiofor said his team was informed this morning by the Federal High Court’s Registrar that the Court will no longer be sitting tomorrow, May 26, because the presiding Judge, Justice Binta Nyako is indisposed.
Ejiofor said: “Please be informed that we have just received communication from the Federal High Court’s Registrar, notifying us that the Court will no longer be sitting tomorrow, 26th May 2022, on Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
“According to the Registrar, this is because His lordship, Justice Binta Nyako, is indisposed, and as such, the matter is now adjourned to the 28th day of June 2022 for Ruling/Hearing.
“We most respectfully, urge you all to maintain restraint, as you have always done. Keep your eyes on the ball, which is the freedom of Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“Also, please note that Justice delayed is not justice denied. We are aggressively cruising to victory, it is only a matter of time.
“We profoundly appreciate your solidarity, unflinching support and prayers, which have been sustaining us thus far. Please do not relent in your prayers, we do not take it for granted.”
Egyptian midfielder, Mohamed Elneny has signed a new contract with Arsenal football club of England.
The Egypt international has scored five goals in 147 appearances since arriving at the Emirates from Swiss club Basel in 2016.
Elneny made 14 top-flight appearances this season as Arsenal finished fifth in the Premier League, while also helping his country reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, where they were beaten on penalties by Senegal.
He lifted the FA Cup during his first season in north London and spent the 2019/20 campaign on loan at Turkish club Besiktas.
Manager Mikel Arteta told the club website: “Mo is a really important part of the team. He brings endless energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the team and is loved by everyone.
“He’s an important player for us on and off the pitch, a real role model to our younger players and I’m delighted he’s staying.”
“I love this club and I feel like part of this family,” said Elneny. “I want to continue at this amazing club and I’m very happy and very excited for the future.”
The cybercrime unit of the Nigeria Police Force alongside INTERPOL arrested a 37-year-old Nigerian man in an international operation spanning four continents, coordinated and facilitated by the recently created Africa operations desk withing INTERPOL’s cybercrime directorate.
The latest arrest announced in a statement on Wednesday, May 25, follows a major sting last year that resulted in the arrests of more than a dozen suspects allegedly tied to the notorious Nigerian crime ring, dubbed “SilverTerrier” by cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks.
The suspect is alleged to have run a transnational cybercrime syndicate that launched mass phishing campaigns and business email compromise schemes targeting companies and individual victims.
The gang is believed to have targeted at least 50,000 victims since it became active in 2014. Authorities initially tried to apprehend the suspect in 2021 but he fled, only to be detained when he attempted to re-enter Nigeria in March 2022.
“Law enforcement and cybersecurity firms have witnessed the striking increase in many forms of cybercrime in recent years, exploiting the context of COVID-19 and forming what INTERPOL Secretary General Jürgen Stock has called a “parallel pandemic”, the statement read.
INTERPOL’s Africa desk, called the African Joint Operation against Cybercrime (AFJOC) and funded by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, was launched in May 2021 to boost the capacity of 49 African countries to fight cybercrime.
That same month, the police operation, codenamed Delilah, was initiated by an intelligence referral from several INTERPOL partners from the private sector: Group-IB, Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 and Trend Micro.
The intelligence was enriched by analysts within INTERPOL’s Cyber Fusion Centre, which brings together experts from law enforcement and industry to turn information on criminal activities into actionable intelligence. INTERPOL’s AFJOC desk then referred the intelligence to Nigeria and followed up with multiple case coordination meetings supported by law enforcement in Australia, Canada and the United States.
Investigators began to map out and track the alleged malicious online activities of the suspect, thanks to ad hoc support from private sector firm CyberTOOLBELT, as well as tracking his physical movements as he travelled from one country to another. Nigerian law enforcement successfully apprehended the suspect at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.
“The arrest of this alleged prominent cybercriminal in Nigeria is testament to the perseverance of our international coalition of law enforcement and INTERPOL’s private sector partners in combating cybercrime,” said Garba Baba Umar, Assistant Inspector General of the Nigeria Police Force, Head of Nigeria’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau and Vice President for Africa on INTERPOL’s Executive Committee.
“I hope the results of Operation Delilah will stand as a reminder to cybercriminals across the world that law enforcement will continue to pursue them, and that this arrest will bring comfort to victims of the suspect’s alleged campaigns,” the Assistant Inspector General added.
“This case underlines both the global nature of cybercrime and the commitment required to deliver a successful arrest through a global to regional operational approach in combatting cybercrime,” said Bernardo Pillot, INTERPOL’s Assistant Director, Cybercrime Operations.
“The persistence of national law enforcement agencies, private sector partners and the INTERPOL teams all contributed to this result, analysing vast quantities of data and providing technical and live operational support,” Mr Pillot added. “Cybercrime is a threat that none of our 195 member countries face alone.” he added.
Two-time Ukrainian amateur boxing champion, Oleg Prudky has died at age 30 while defending his country in their war with Russia.
The boxer was among four members of the Cherkasy Police special forces who died in an attack on Sunday May 22,after their city base was attacked.
The Ukrainian Boxing Federation said: “We are sad to announce that the master of sports of international boxing class, champion of Ukraine Oleg Prudky, died in battles with the Russian occupiers.
“The Boxing Federation of Ukraine expresses its condolences to the boxer’s family! Eternal memory to you Olezh.”
President of the Cherkasy Boxing Federation Serhiy Tyshchenko added: “Another tragedy in our boxing family. One of the best boxers of Cherkasy region, Oleg Prudky, died in the East.
“I remember now how your coach told you how eager you were to do boxing and cycling for tens of kilometres to get to training.
“I remember how we supported you at the competitions of Ukrainian Atamans, then a whole bus from Cherkasy came to support you and you won! Everyone remembers your incredible fights.
“You are the first in the history of Cherkasy boxing to win gold in the 60kg weight category.
“Oleg was a two-time champion of Ukraine and a master of sports of international class. Your victories and achievements are hard to count, you were a very persistent and hard-working athlete, you trained a lot. You have been a worthy example for future generations.
“Eternal memory, rest in peace friend. Heroes do not die.”
He leaves behind his wife Mariana and their two young daughters.
Prudky was a two-time amateur champ in his homeland and was called up to Ukrainian Otamans team for the semi-pro World Series of Boxing competition, a team Vasyl Lomachenko and Oleksandr Usyk previously represented.
Two boys and four girls have been identified as among 19 students shot dead in a Texas school.
18-year-old gunman Salvador Ramos, marched into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and opened fire, killing 19 students and two teachers.
Before going to the school to carry out the shootings, he shot his grandmother at home. She remains in hospital.
The shooter is understood to have been shot by police.
Some of the victims of the shooting have now been identified as their loved ones share their photos to mourn them.
Ten-year-old student Xavier Lopez was one of the first victims to be named, and was identified by his heartbroken family.
His mother had reportedly attended an awards ceremony for him at the school only hours before the shooting, not knowing this was the last time she would ever see her young child.
Xavier
Nine-year-old Uziyah Garcia was another tragic victim. He would have turned ten this summer, his family said.
Uziyah Garcia
A girl named Amerie Jo Garza was confirmed to have been killed in the sickening attack, ABC News reported.
Her father, Angel Garza, told the outlet that his daughter had turned ten just two weeks ago.
In a statement released by ABC News, he wrote: “Thank you everyone for the prayers and help trying to find my baby.
“She’s been found. My little love is now flying high with the angels above. Please don’t take a second for granted.
“Hug your family. Tell them you love them. I love you Amerie jo. Watch over your baby brother for me.”
Amerie Garza with her dad Angel Garza
Eliahana ‘Elijah Cruz’ Torres, 10, was also identified amongst the dead.
On the day of the shooting, she had said she didn’t want to go to school, her grandfather said, but she was told she had to by her family, Fox News reported.
Eliahana Torres
Makenna Lee Elrod was also confirmed dead by family.
The ten-year-old’s dad, Brandon Elrod, revealed she had been missing since the shooting and said he feared “she may not be alive”.
Makenna Lee Elrod
He told KTRK he was on his way to the funeral home and later, a family friend confirmed her death on Facebook, writing: “Sweet Makenna Rest in Paradise! My heart is shattered as my daughter Chloe loved her so much!
“I’ll never forget how excited she was to meet a new friend from a different school! Just a few weeks ago she got a friendship bracelet from her at the ballpark and she wears it everyday! When she wakes up tomorrow she’s going to be devastated. Praying so hard for her sweet family!”
Steven Garcia and Jennifer Lugo confirmed the heartbreaking news that their daughter, Ellie, was also killed in the Texas school shooting.
Ellie
In a Facebook post, dad Steve wrote: “It’s hard to issue out a statement on anything right now my mind is going at 1000 miles per hour… but I do wanna send our thoughts and prayers to those who also didn’t make it home tonight!!! Our Ellie was a doll and was the happiest ever.
“Mom and Dad love you never forget that and please try and stay by our side.”
Eva Mireles, a fourth-grade teacher who had been at the school for around 5 years, was also killed in the shooting reportedly trying to protect pupils.
Eva Mireles
Her aunt Lydia Martinez Delgado confirmed the death to ABC News.
Delgado said: “I’m furious that these shooting continue. These children are innocent. Rifles should not be easily available to all.
“This is my hometown, a small community of less then 20,000. I never imagined this would happen to especially to loved ones.
Eva Mireles, 44, with her husband Ruben Ruiz, 43, and their daughter Analynn Ruiz
“All we can do is pray hard for our country, state, schools and especially the families of all.”
Mireles was married to Ruben Ruiz, a 43-year-old cop at the local police department, with the couple parents to a college-age daughter.
A second teacher, Irma Garcia, was identified by heartbroken family members and friends as another victim of the shooting.
Irma Garcia
The 46-year-old co-teacher had spent 23 years teaching, and had been nominated as a teacher of the year by the Uvalde Independent School District in 2019.
Sharing news of her death on Facebook, her nephew John said: “My tia did not make it, she sacrificed herself protecting the kids in her classroom, i beg of you to keep my family including all of her family in y’all’s prayers , IRMA GARCIA IS HER NAME and she died a HERO. she was loved by many and will truly be missed.”
According to an unconfirmed report, President Muhammadu has suspended Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Godwin Emefiele has been embroiled in controversy after declaring real interest in becoming Nigeria’s next president and refusing to retire before running.
Emefiele moved a Federal High Court in Abuja to block the country’s election agency INEC from rejecting him following public uproar asking for his resignation immediately after acquiring the All Progressives Congress (APC) N100m form.
In reaction to his appointees’ expressions of interest in running for political office in 2023, President Buhari demanded the resignation of all of his cabinet members.
While some of his appointees obeyed the order, many including the Governor of the CBN failed to resign.
On Tuesday, the CBN governor withdrew the suit he filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation over his presidential ambition.
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, says its members are not behind the beheading of a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Okechukwu Okoye. The separatist group said those who are working against the actualisation of its objectives are trying to portray the group in bad light IPOB said Okoye was beheaded by
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, says its members are not behind the beheading of a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Okechukwu Okoye.
The separatist group said those who are working against the actualisation of its objectives are trying to portray the group in bad light
IPOB said Okoye was beheaded by fifth columnists who are bent on destabilising its struggle in the southeast.
In statement issued on Tuesday, Spokesman of IPOB, Emma Powerful, said the Nigerian government are responsible for the breakdown of law and orders in the south east region, adding that the heinous crimes are being perpetrated by security operatives.
A statement by Powerful reads partly: “We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU strongly condemn the abominable beheading of Hon. Okechukwu Okoye who was abducted a few days ago in his area. We want to also state categorically that contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the Indigenous people of Biafra IPOB could not in any way have had anything to do with this abominable act. It is imperative to state here that enemies of Biafra freedom and traitors in our region are seriously pulling all stunts to derail the freedom of our leader and the freedom of our dear Nation Biafra.
“After thorough investigations by our intelligence team, we found out that the abominable beheading of Hon Okechukwu Okoye is the system of the fifth columnists who are bent to destabilise the efforts of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB. These barbarians have been well mobilised financially and otherwise by DSS, NIA and DMI to create anarchy in our land in an attempt to derail our march to freedom.
“They will commit these heinous crimes and their paymasters will use the Nigeria compromised media houses to accuse IPOB of being responsible for what we know nothing about. The question is why is IPOB being demonised unnecessarily? The simple answer is that we are fighting for the freedom of our people because we rejected their forceful take over of our land.
“The IPOB intelligence unit working round the clock discovered the gimmicks and antics of Nigeria government and its security agencies, especially the Army, DSS, Police, NIA and DMI intelligence. Those pointing accusing fingers at us are the same people sponsoring the disturbing insecurity in our land. BIAFRA LAND has been infiltrated by fulani terrorists wearing Nigerian security uniforms and operating under this guise as agents of death and destruction of Biafraland.
“IPOB is not in the business of kidnapping or car snatching and has never been and will never be and therefore we absolutely has nothing to do with the kidnap of Okechukwu Okoye. These kidnappers, kidnapped this man on the day the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo visited our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in the DSS custody and every member of IPOB was very happy because he was the only Governor in the whole of Biafraland who summoned the courage to visit our leader in Abuja since his extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria.
A Russian journalist accidentally gave away the position of a Russian supersized mortar in a report from the Donbas, and Ukraine duly blew it up a day later, drone footage has revealed.
Aleksandr Kots, a journalist who is pro-Putin was proudly showing off the 2S4 Tyulpan 240mm self-propelled heavy mortar in a propaganda report in Severodonetsk after it was moved from Mariupol where it has been carrying out bomb attacks the last two months.
The weapon is the largest calibre mortar system in service, firing huge 288-pound F864 shells to a range of six miles.
While reporting on TV to Russians back home, Kots’ camera showed several angles of the giant mortar, which can also fire Smel’chak laser-guided rounds, 3B11 nuclear shells, and 308 rocket-assisted cargo shells.
But less than 24 hours after his footage was aired, the mortar was blown to pieces by Ukrainian military forces, who then shared footage of the attack on social media.
The video shows the 2S4 in a huge fireball as its ammunition detonates in another huge blow to Putin’s war against Ukraine.
It is the first confirmed loss of an 2S4 by Russia since the invasion began.
In Ukraine, they have been used to destroy airport terminals in Donetsk and Luhansk, and have also been used in Syria, Lebanon and Chechnya.
Russia reportedly has only 50 2S4 left in operational service, 12 per district-level High Power Artillery Brigade, according to Forbes.
North Korea fired three ballistic missiles early on Wednesday morning, May 25, just hours after US president, Joe Biden left South Korea, South Korea’s military has said.
The launches came hours after US President Joe Biden departed for the US on Tuesday evening, May 24 after a five-day trip that saw him visiting South Korea and Japan.
US and South Korean officials had earlier warned that North Korea appeared ready for another weapons test, possibly during Biden’s visit.
During his visit to Seoul over the weekend, Biden and South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol agreed to hold bigger military drills and deploy more U.S. strategic assets if necessary to deter North Korea’s intensifying weapons tests.
Biden had said the United States was “prepared for anything North Korea does.” While Suk-Yeol said the days of appeasing North Korea were over .
North Korea has been test-firing ballistic missiles since the beginning of this year.
Also, Japan confirmed at least two launches happened on Wednesday but acknowledged there may have been more.
Japan’s Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi said first missile flew about 300km (186 miles) with a maximum altitude of around 550 km, while the second, reaching as high as 50 km, travelled around 750 km.
Kishi criticised the launches, saying they were “not acceptable” adding that it would “threaten the peace, stability and safety of Japan and the international community”.
In a meeting convened after the missile launch, South Korea’s National Security Council called the test a “grave provocation”, the presidential office said.
Western intelligence say evidence is mounting that North Korea is preparing to test a nuclear weapon. This would be its first nuclear test in five years and a major step-up.
The health department in Canadian province of Quebec on Tuesday May 24, confirmed 15 cases of monkeypox.
Canada’s federal health minister also disclosed that more samples from other parts of the country were being sent to a laboratory in Winnipeg for testing.
Jean-Yves Duclos said;
“We expect more cases to be confirmed in the coming days.”
Duclos also disclosed that the federal government began “pre-positioning of the vaccine Imvamune and therapeutics from our National Emergency Strategic Stockpile in jurisdictions across the country.” A small shipment of the Imvamune vaccine was sent to Quebec on Tuesday, he said.
“I want to reiterate to Canadians that this is a different situation than we saw ourselves in with the emergence of COVID-19,” Duclos added, noting that unlike the coronavirus pandemic, Canada has a supply of vaccines on hand already.
The North American country confirmed its first two cases of monkeypox virus infections in the country last week after authorities in Quebec said they were investigating 17 suspected cases.
Nearly 20 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported recent outbreaks of the viral disease, with more than 230 confirmed or suspected infections mostly in Europe.
A Russian Air Force Major General has been killed by Ukrainian forces, making him the highest-ranking fighter pilot to die in the war in Ukraine.
Maj. Gen. Kanamat Botashev, 63, became the 13th general to die in Ukraine when he was hit by a Stinger missile while flying over the Luhansk region on Sunday, sources told BBC Russia.
Botashev, 63, had been enjoying retirement when Russian tanks rolled across the border on February 24 and had not flown since 2012.
His Su-25 fighter jet was hit by a Stinger missile at around 8:25am on Sunday morning in the Donbas skies, and he was unable to eject.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported an Su-25 had been downed in Luhansk, and one of Botashev’s former colleagues confirmed his death to BBC Russian Service.
Botashev’s former colleague told the BBC that ‘he simply could not stay away’ when offered a chance to fly, but the loss of such a high-ranking, elderly general suggests the Russian air force does not have enough pilots capable of conducting sorties over Ukraine.
The retiree is the 10th Russian general believed to have died already in Ukraine, while more than 40 colonels have been killed in bloody fighting.
The Land Forces of Ukraine meanwhile declared in its latest count on Friday that 204 Russian planes have been destroyed over Ukrainian skies.
News of Botashev’s death broke yesterday on several pro-war Telegram channels, but many of the posts were removed by administrators.
One post reported the general’s death and described how his plane was first damaged by a missile, but was then blasted out of the sky by a Stinger.
‘Kanamat died today! Popasnaya district, 8:25… first the plane was hit (by a missile), secondly, bombs – Stinger, at the exit of the attack.
‘There was an explosion in the air and… That’s it.’
One user posted a tribute to the slain general in the Russian Telegram channel Fighterbomber but this was also removed.
‘Farewell, commander… There are few people on this planet who lived in the sky as much as you do. The sky takes the best, today it took you,’ the post read, according to the BBC.
Born in 1959 in Karachay-Cherkessia, Botashev graduated from the Yeysk Higher Military Aviation Institute and quickly established himself as an excellent pilot, qualifying as a fighter-bomber and rising rapidly through the ranks.
Botashev commanded a regiment of the Guards Air Base in Voronezh, a Russian city located roughly 300 miles south of Moscow.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, says its operatives arrived at the Maitama, Abuja home of a former governor of Imo state, Senator Rochas Okorocha, to effect his arrest.
Spokesman of the anti-graft agency, Wilson Uwujaren, in a statement said the move followed the refusal of the former governor to honour invitations after jumping the administrative bail earlier granted him by the Commission.
“EFCC had on January 24, 2022 filed a 17-count criminal charge bordering on diversion of public funds and properties to the tune of N2.9billion against Okorocha,” Uwajaren stated.
“The case was assigned to Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja but attempts to arraign Senator Okorocha were twice stalled owing to the absence of the ex-governor who evaded service of processes
“At the last adjourned date, March 28th, 2022, Justice Ekwo before adjourning until May 30th, 2022, had warned that it was “the last adjournment I shall grant in this matter”.
“In the circumstances, the Commission is left with no option than to effect the arrest of Senator Okorocha and bring him to trial.
Liverpool legend, John Barnes has accused Cristiano Ronaldo of causing ‘disunity and disharmony’ at Manchester United following his return back to the club last summer.
The Portuguese superstar finished the season as the Red Devils’ top scorer with 18 top-flight as the club suffered a bad season, finishing sixth in the Premier League and clinching only Europa League football for next term.
Now, Barnes has claimed United would have been better without Ronaldo.
Speaking on an end-of-season podcast for William Hill, via The Mirror, Barnes said: ‘He (Ronaldo) causes disunity and disharmony.
‘When the ball does not come to him, he throws his hands up in the air… that’s a great example, isn’t it?
‘The harmony at Manchester United is a problem and who causes that disharmony? He (Ronaldo) walks around as though … ‘it’s the rest of them, I’m doing my job’.
‘That’s not what a leader does – that’s what someone who does it for himself does. The fans love him and when things don’t go his way, he’s like … “it’s not my fault.” That is not what a team is all about.
‘So we know Ronaldo has done well for himself but would you rather have no-one scoring 20 goals a season and United finishing higher up?
‘I think they would be higher up if they had a better team. If the harmony is better, Ronaldo won’t score the goals but the team would be a better team and would be winning matches.’
According to ESPN, the team was split into two camps with the British players sticking together and the foreign players following Ronaldo.
And Barnes claimed that the poor performances of some members of the squad is down to Ronaldo’s presence in the side.
He said: ‘He (Ronaldo) detracts from other players. (Marcus) Rashford would have had a better season, (Bruno) Fernandes would have had a better season, (Jadon) Sancho would have had a better season. Whoever signed Ronaldo, it is their fault.’
Barnes was joined on the podcast by Robbie Savage, whose son, Charlie, has recently singed an extended deal at the club.
‘He is great with the youngsters,’ said Savage. ‘Everyone looks up to him – he’s an inspiration to any kid. For my boy, he’s a great example.
‘And if (Raphael) Varane and Sancho and other players had contributed as much as Ronaldo for Manchester United, they would have been in the Champions League places and possibly challenging for the title.’
But Barnes continued to disagree, insisting the Red Devils would be better off without the superstar next season.
‘Would United be a better team without Ronaldo? I think they would. You think they will be better if Ronaldo stays next season? No chance!’
Justice Muhammed Sani of the Federal High Court sitting in Ilorin, on Monday, May 23, 2022 convicted a certain fraudster, Ajewole Oluseyi David, based in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, for offences bordering on internet fraud.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of a duplex situated at Lekki, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, worth over N60million and one Rx 350 Lexus car worth more than N6million, which the convict procured with proceeds of his illegal activities.
Ajewole was prosecuted alongside seven other fraudsters over similar offense by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the EFCC.
A statement released by the EFCC gave the names of the suspects arrested alongside Ajewole as Ebenezer Olamilekan Apata from Akure, Ondo State; Obadun Abiodun Taofeek from Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State; Ayeni Kayode from Iludun-Ekiti, Ekiti State; Alade Oluwatosin Daniel from Owo/Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State; Ojo Tobi from Moba Local Government Area of Ekiti State; Adeyemi Segun from Esa-Oke Local Government Area of Osun State and one Akinrinmola Olumide.
The convicts were among the 30 fraud suspects arrested by EFCC operatives during a sting operation in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State Capital, on April 26, 2022, except for Adeyemi Segun that was arrested in Ogbomosho Area of Oyo State sometime in October 2021.
A 51-year-old man had to be rushed to hospital after getting a carpet cleaning ball stuck in his anus.
The man tried to remove the 7cm to 8cm diameter plastic ball by himself using a screwdriver and a spoon.
When it didn’t work, he turned up to A&E in excruciating pain.
The man and his wife told doctors that he’d inserted the ball two days earlier to “treat his haemorrhoids”, but doctors at the hospital found no evidence that he suffered from haemorrhoids.
Doctors found it difficult to extract the ball as it was wider than the patient’s pelvic outlet.
Having located the ball using X-rays and an abdominal CT scan, doctors attempted to remove the ball but they failed.
In their second attempt, doctors opted for a laparotomy, where “abdominal wall layers are opened layer by layer” before trying to “push the ball down through the rectum”, the Metro reported. However, this method also didn’t work.
Seeing no other way around it, Doctors had to dissect the ball first before they could remove it. They did this by using an electric drill to puncture the ball before chopping it up into three parts.
It took doctors seven hours to complete the surgery and discharge the patient with a colostomy bag, booking him in for a proctosigmoidoscopy examination two months later.
The man has reportedly complied with his treatment plan and follow-up visits after being discharged
Kim Kardashian has revealed that an obsessed fan also made threats against her boyfriend Pete Davidson’s life.
According to legal documents obtained by The Blast, the Kardashians star, 41, included more than 30 letters allegedly sent to her by a fan who threatened her life and the lives of her children.
In the filing, Kardashian’s lawyer Shawn Holley laid out the specific threats made against Davidson
The Blast reported that the alleged stalker wrote, ‘Pete Must and Will Die this weekend and you next weekend’ in one of the letters.
Holley also wrote that the alleged obsessed fan ‘made numerous violent threats against Ms. Kardashian. In addition, he made numerous sexual comments regarding Ms. Kardashian and her partners. He further threatened that he would take actions that would cause Ms. Kardashian and her family to be imprisoned.’
On top of personal death threats, the filing also claimed that the letter had ‘a number of similarities’ between them and a written bomb threat sent to her business office.
She also said in the filing that ‘In multiple letters, he has threatened to kill me. He has made numerous false and delusional claims about me and my intimate relationships. He has also made disturbing sexual references about me in his letters.’
A Los Angeles judge looked at the evidence provided and put a temporary restraining order against the alleged stalker in place.
The Blast reported that ‘The man is ordered to not contact the famous couple in any way, or harass them. Plus, he is not to come within 100 yards of Kardashian or her home.’
A hearing is set for June 13 for Kim to possibly receive a more permanent restraining order.
The newly acquired Nigerian Navy warship, NNS KADA, has arrived the Port of Luanda, Angola for diplomatic visit, enroute Nigeria, Nigeria’s Navy has said.
The port call, according to the Nigerian Navy, is part of scheduled port calls to friendly countries as the vessel heads home to Nigeria.
The Luanda visit comes 13 days after the ship paid a similar visit to the Port of Cape Town, South Africa.
A statement by the Nigerian Navy Spokesman, Commodore Adedotun Ayo Vaughan on Friday, May 20 said the NNS KADA was received by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Angola, Prof Monique Ekpong, the Executive Secretary of the Gulf of Guinea Commission, Amb Adenike Ukonga and a delegation from the Naval Headquarters led by the Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu who represented the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), accompanied by the Defence Attache to Angola, Commodore Mohammed Muye, Commodore Yusuf Idris and Captain Badamasi Yahuza.
During the visit, the CNS representative, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu appreciated the Angolan government for their support in receiving the ship. The representative of the Luanda Port Harbour Master, Joser R Amaral, recalled that Angola and Nigeria has had a long standing relationship over years and pledged to provide any additional support required by the ship.
NNS KADA departed the United Arab Emirates on Friday 1 April 2022 after a Change of Flag ceremony and she is expected to arrive Nigeria on 27th of May.
NNS KADA is a 100 m-long landing ship with a displacement of 1,300 tonnes, a range of 4,000 n miles, and an endurance of 15 days. It has both stern and bow ramps, as well as a flight deck for a medium helicopter. It can carry 235 troops as well as 18 crew. Two davits for launching and recovering landing craft and a 25-tonne cargo crane are options.
It will provide essential sealift capabilities for the Nigerian Navy especially during periods of national emergency.
Manchester City have won the English premier league title after Pep Guardiola’s side beat Aston Villa 3-2 in a dramatic final day of the 2021-22 season on Sunday, May 22.
It is Man City’s fourth Premier League title in five years and comes in a day when their closest rivals for the title, Liverpool, won 3-1 against Wolves at home, giving City a solitary point margin over Liverpool.
City were 2-0 down after Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho scored for Aston Villa.
Ilkay Gundogan headed past Robin Olsen in the 76th minute to pull one back, while Rodri’s strike two minutes later put City at 2-2.
At the 81st minute, City scored a third goal a after Gundogan tapped home from a brilliant pass from Kevin De Bruyne..
Their late goal meant that Liverpool’s own comeback against Wolves was of no use.
Guardiola has now won four Premier titles since arriving at the club six years ago.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) have been ordered by the National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos, to pay over N5.7bn terminal benefits to over 1,000 bank workers affected by the re-capitalisation exercise of 2006.
The affected workers whose banks did not meet the recapitalization requirements, leading to their banking licenses being revoked by the CBN which appointed the NDIC as the liquidator, approached the court in 2018, years after the consolidation exercise of 2006 which saw banks recapitalised from N2bn to N25bn.
While bank workers who sued the two organisations demanding the payment of their terminal benefits, the CBN and NDIC raised several objections, insisting among other things that they were not the employers of the workers and the suit disclosed no cause of action against them.
Justice Paul Bassi who delivered judgment on Monday May 23, in the case filed by 1,116 claimants who had approached the court, dismissed the preliminary objections of the defendants and held that while they may have acted in the general good by raising the capital base of banks in the country, it should not be done at the expense of the former employees.
He noted that by revoking the banking licenses of the non-consolidated banks, the defendants interfered with the employment contracts of the bank workers, a contract which would ordinarily have run its natural course with the claimants paid their benefits at the end.
The court then ordered the CBN and the NDIC to pay the workers N5.7bn within three months from the date of judgment, failure to which would attract 10 percent interest until liquidated.
The court also ordered the CBN and the NDIC to pay another N10m as general damages to the claimants.
Russian president, Vladimir Putin survived an assassination attempt not long after starting his war in Ukraine, the country’s intelligence chief has claimed.
Kyrylo Budanov claimed Putin was ‘attacked.. by representatives of the Caucasus,’ a region that includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and parts of southern Russia around two months ago.
‘[It was an] Absolutely unsuccessful attempt, but it really happened… It was about 2 months ago,’ Budanov said. ‘I repeat, this attempt was unsuccessful. There was no publicity about this event, but it took place.’
If true, it would be the only known attempt on Putin’s life since the war against Ukraine began on February 24.
Budanov did not directly link the assassination attempt to the Ukraine war, and Putin has a number of well-established enemies in the region from previous conflicts.
Putin has previously claimed he has escaped numerous assassination attempts.
In 2017, Putin told filmmaker Oliver Stone that there had been five assassination attempts against him – and the only reason he is alive is because he deals with his own security personally.
‘I do my job and the security officers do theirs and they are still performing quite successfully,’ Putin said in the documentary ‘The Putin Interviews’.
Putin is said to travel with his own sniper squad whose role is to locate any shooters and kill them before they are able to pull the trigger on Putin.
The Anambra Police Command has alleged that some communities in the state are shielding criminals attacking, killing and maiming innocent people.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng E. Echeng made the claim while briefing journalists on the murder of Anambra state lawmaker Hon. Okechukwu Okoye and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka.
Echeng who noted that they have an issue of conspiracy of silence among the communities, added that people know those killing and kidnapping in the communities, but are not ready to talk.
He further stated that people are “mystify” those behind the violent crimes with the tag “unknown gunmen”, when they are known by the various communities.
He said;
“Some of us have come out to tag these people unknown gunmen, while in actual sense they are known. We are trying to mystify something that is not just there. It is time we go into demystifying the tag unknown gunmen. They are not spirits; they are our brothers; they live with us in our communities . That is the obvious truth.
“We know who are these people. The problem the state security have is total conspiracy of silence; when nobody sees something; nobody says something and nobody hears something. Security is collective, everybody has a battle. Crimes are localised, the crimes are committed in our communities and we should be able to say this is what is happening in our communities.
“We are glorifying people that we know and tag them unknown gunmen. We know them and we have actually arrested some of them and they are human beings.”
Echeng also said that though the police is trying to curb violent crimes, the state is however bothered by neighbouring states and it is easy to move in and out.
He added;
“From this night , you are going to hear something because we cannot continue with this. We are taking the fight to them and we believe we will win the battle”
Any new talks between South Korea and North Korea must be initiated by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as the days of appeasing North Korea is over, South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk Yeol has said.
North Korea has launched 15 missile tests so far this year — more than in the past two years combined — and last month Kim vowed to “strengthen and develop” its nuclear forces at the “highest possible” speed.
But Yoon says South Korea and its allies stand ready for any acts of North Korean provocation.
Speaking exclusively to CNN on Monday, May 23 in his first media interview since taking office two weeks ago, Yoon said:
“I think the ball is in Chairman Kim’s court — it is his choice to start a dialogue with us.”
“Just to escape temporarily North Korean provocation or conflict is not something that we should do,” he said, pointing at the previous liberal administration’s conciliatory strategy. “This kind of approach over the past five years, has proven to be a failure.”
Unlike his predecessor Moon Jae-in, who had promoted dialogue and peaceful reconciliation, Yoon has consistently emphasized his tougher stance on North Korea and desire to strengthen South Korea’s military.
He did emphasize though that he didn’t want North Korea to “collapse.”
“What I want is shared and common prosperity on the Korean Peninsula. But I do not believe that enhancing [North Korea’s] nuclear capability is helpful and conducive to maintaining international peace.” He said
A Russian soldier has been sentenced to life imprisonment in Ukraine’s first war crimes trial since Moscow declared war against the country in February this year.
21 year old Sergeant Vadim Shishimarin was accused of shooting a Ukrainian civilian in the head in a village in the northeastern Sumy region.
The Russian soldier pleaded guilty and testified that he was following orders. He told the court that another Russian officer had told him that the Ukrainian civilian, who was talking on his mobile phone, could disclose their location to the Ukrainian Army.
On Monday afternoon, May 23, the 21-year-old sergeant was handed a life sentence.
He was convicted of shooting the Ukrainian man in the head through an open car window in a village in the northeastern Sumy region on February 28, four days into the Russian invasion.
Prosecutors in Ukraine are investigating thousands of potential war crimes following months of wide scale bloodshed following Russian invasion.
The Russian forces bombed a theater where civilians were sheltering and struck a maternity hospital.
Also streets were filled with bodies and mass graves were found in Ukraine’s Bucha after the Russian forces withdrew from the town.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Benin Zonal Command have arrested 22 suspected internet fraudsters.
The suspects were arrested on Sunday, May 22, at their hideout in Asaba, Delta State following actionable intelligence.
The suspects are; Promise Bassey, Raymond Diamond, Ifeanyi Anyasi, Celestine Osalenlen, Johnbull Kingsley, Ikekhua Mately, Clifford Johnson, Akorah Chinedu, Kester Ogochukwu Idugba Junior and Lucky Egwuatu.
Others are Victor Nwabunwanna, Happiness Ayo, Rawlings Nwabunwanna, Eleka Ikeja, Oliseh Emeka, Ozuwa Destiny, Prince Erik Nnamdi, Emmanuel Ochuku Igben, Tochukwu Onyido, Gift Onuajefe and Odosun Matthew.
Items recovered from them include two Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic and mobile phones.
The suspects have made useful statements and will be arraigned in court soon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has listed what he believes will help Ukraine win the war against Russia.
Appearing via video link at the Davos summit Monday, May 23, he asked participants of the business summit to give more weapons and “maximum” sanctions against Russia, lamenting that tens of thousands of lives would have been saved had countries acted faster.
Zelensky delivered the headline speech to the first World Economic Forum to be held in the Swiss Alps in more than two years after the Covid pandemic derailed the event.
The conflict shows “that support to the country under attack is more valuable the sooner it is provided: weapons, funding, political support and sanctions against Russia,” said Zelensky, who received a standing ovation.
Flanked by Ukrainian flags and wearing an olive-green T-shirt, he said that if Kyiv had received “100 percent of our needs at once back in February, the result would have been tens of thousands of lives saved”.
“This is why Ukraine needs all the weapons that we ask for, not just the ones that have been provided,” he said, adding that 87 people were killed in a May 17 strike by Russia on a military base in northern Ukraine.
Zelensky called for an oil embargo on Russia, punitive measures against all its banks and the shunning of its IT sector, adding that all foreign companies should leave the country.
“There should not be any trade with Russia,” he told the gathering.
“I believe there are still no such sanctions against Russia — and there should be.”
Anastasia Radina, a Ukrainian lawmaker, said that her country needs “NATO-style” weapons, including tanks and ground-based air defence systems.
“What we are looking for most importantly are fighter jets and this has been the most difficult discussion,” she said.
“Three months into the war, and tens of thousands lives lost, we are still at the point of discussing if we need fighter jets. Frankly speaking this is outrageous.”
Ukraine is receiving howitzers “but that is not yet enough”, she said.
While the United States, Britain and Canada have moved to ban Russian oil and gas, the European Union has been divided over imposing such a ban.
More than 50 heads of state or government are among the 2,500 delegates at the World Economic Forum under the title “History at a Turning Point”.
Southeast youths have had enough. Henceforth, any attack by gunmen will be met with a commensurate counter-attack.
The youths, identified as Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), declared fire for fire against gunmen killing people in Anambra State.
They also called on Governor Charles Soludo to immediately form security guards in the communities.
The coalition led by its President-General Goodluck Ibem, in a statement yesterday, condemned the gruesome murder of a lawmaker, Okechukwu Okoye.
The killing of the lawmaker on Saturday, the massacre of others on Sunday, and burning of security vehicles and a police station, heightened tension in the state.
The group said it would no longer fold its arms in the face of gun attacks.
“The umbrella body of all the youth groups in the Southeast geopolitical zone condemns in strongest terms the gruesome murder of Hon. Okechukwu Okoye, member representing Aguata 2 state constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly which is Governor Charles Soludo’s constituency.
“There are 7 others among whom are a mother and four of her children killed at Isulo, Orumba North Local Government Area, while the remaining two happened at Abatete in Idemili North. Another man was killed at Nanka in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“It is very unfortunate that some criminals and hoodlums want to turn Anambra State and Igboland into a killing field, but their plot will be dead on arrival.
“The murder of the lawmaker and seven others is a direct message to the Governor and also a message by these criminals that they don’t want him to work for the release of Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody because his release will spoil their illicit business.
“We will no longer fold our arms and complain about the insecurity that has been brought to our doorsteps.
“Now is the time for all stakeholders, businessmen and women, youths, traditional rulers, and all those who have the interest of their home at heart to rise up and defend their homes and communities.
“We call on Governor Charles Soludo to immediately form “Anambra Youth Security Guard (AYSG)” and ensure that the security outfit is fully funded to secure and protect their communities.
“We want Governor Soludo to know that a war has been declared on him and his people and he has to remove his suit and tie to fight to defeat these hoodlums who have vowed to make his state ungovernable,” the group said.
The state police Command said its personnel have identified criminals’ hideouts in the State, dismissing the notion that perpetrators of heinous crimes are faceless.
“We will not spare any of them. Forget the narrative they push that they live in the forest; they create that impression, and then return to the communities where they live,” Police Commissioner Echeng Echeng told reporters yesterday at Awka.
Echeng expressed anger that community residents shield gunmen.
“These people are not spirits, they live with us,” he said.
“We should be able to come up with information of what is happening in our communities, not glorifying them and tagging them unknown gunmen, otherwise we will end up not making headways.
“So, when the community who should help to contribute to security, decide to stay quiet, that is not a good sign. These criminals live among the people.”
The United States is considering sending special operations forces into Ukraine to help guard the US Embassy in Kyiv, according to new report by the Wall Street Journal.
The war in Ukraine started on February 24 but days before, the US evacuated all its staff from its embassy in Kyiv.
Early this week the embassy reopened with essential staff in place.
Now the new Wall Street Journal report says the discussions about sending special ops team are in the preliminary stage and a proposal has not been presented to President Joe Biden for a decision and until that happens, the embassy and its personnel are protected by State Department diplomatic security officials.
US Marines typically guard US embassies around the world, but since the Russian war in Ukraine started, the US believes that the typical Marine Corps embassy guard personnel may not be suited to the uncertain security picture in Ukraine without additional forces.
According to the report, the US officials believe that if special operations forces go into Ukraine, then the US must be able to provide a fast means of getting them and embassy personnel out in the event of an attack of which the only evacuation options are vehicle or rail transport to the border as the US is still not ready to provide air support such as helicopters or fixed wing transport.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the Department of Defense was having conversations with the State Department about security.
“We are having that conversation with the State Department about what their security requirements might look like, but it’s ultimately up to the secretary of state to determine there or anywhere else around the world, how he wants to better secure and protect his diplomats, and if there’s a role we can play, then we will absolutely have that discussion with them,” Kirby said.
An introduction of US forces into Ukraine could raise concerns that it could lead to a perception of US escalation since Biden has been adamant that US ground troops will not fight in Ukraine.
