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 Monster truck crashes into crowd at Colombia show, killing at least 3 and injuring dozens At least three people were killed, and more than 38 others were injured when a monster truck lost control during a show in Popayán, a city in southwestern Colombia, and crashed into spectators after breaking through safety barriers, authorities said. Video and eyewitness accounts show the vehicle veering off the course during a maneuver, striking metal barriers before entering the audience area. Local officials said the crash caused chaos as emergency crews rushed to the scene, and injured attendees were transported to nearby hospitals. Popayán Mayor Juan Carlos Muñoz confirmed the preliminary toll, saying more than 38 people were injured and at least three were killed. Local reports indicated that one of the victims was a minor, and several of the injured were children. Police said the incident may have been triggered by a mechanical failure. A senior officer described the truck as accelerat...

 Shakira draws 2 million to free Copacabana beach concert, generating $160 million economic boost in Rio, officials say Colombian superstar Shakira drew an estimated 2 million people to a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, generating an estimated $160 million economic impact for the city, according to local officials. The massive show, held Saturday in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel, was part of Rio’s “Todo Mundo no Rio” initiative, a city-backed program designed to boost tourism and economic activity during May, typically a slower season for visitors. City agencies reported strong gains across hospitality, food services, transportation, and retail sectors. The event required a large-scale public operation, with expanded security, logistics coordination, and emergency services working at full capacity throughout the night. The concert opened with a dramatic 1,500-drone display forming a glowing she-wolf in the sky, a visual symbol closely associated with the ...

 Cruise ship stranded off West Africa after rare hantavirus outbreak kills 3 and leaves dozens isolated as evacuation plans remain unclear Footage from a cruise ship stranded off the coast of West Africa shows empty decks, masked medical crews moving through corridors, and passengers confined to cabins as authorities work to respond to a rare viral outbreak that has already killed three people and left others ill. The vessel, carrying nearly 150 passengers and crew, is anchored in waters near Cape Verde amid an outbreak of hantavirus, a disease typically linked to exposure to contaminated rodent droppings. Health officials say at least four people are currently sick, while others remain under isolation as investigations continue into how the virus spread onboard. The ship, the MV Hondius, departed from Argentina on April 1 for a long polar expedition toward Antarctica and remote islands in the South Atlantic before the outbreak halted its journey. Passengers described an uneasy but...

 Brazil’s Lula to meet Trump in Washington as trade and diplomatic tensions rise Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Thursday as diplomatic and trade tensions between the two countries continue to build. Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin confirmed the visit and said he is hopeful the talks will further strengthen relations between the two leaders, describing the dynamic as increasingly positive. He said the meeting carries added weight given the countries’ deep economic ties, with the United States serving as Brazil’s third-largest trading partner after China and the European Union, as well as its top foreign investor. The talks come after relations cooled in late April when the United States expelled a Brazilian federal police liaison in Miami over allegations tied to extradition procedures involving a former intelligence official under former President Jair Bolsonaro. Brazil responded with its own re...

 Man killed after being shot seven times at Philadelphia bar; police investigate shooting in Mt. Airy   A man died Monday night after being shot multiple times inside a Philadelphia bar, and police say no arrests have been made. Officers were called around 11:30 p.m. to the Uptown Cafe in the Mt. Airy neighborhood, where they found a 38-year-old man lying near a pool table. He was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities identified him as Kenneth Singleton of the Lawndale section of northeast Philadelphia. Investigators said Singleton suffered gunshot wounds to his torso and arm. At the scene, police recovered seven shell casings from a semi-automatic weapon and a broken pool cue, suggesting the shooting may have followed an altercation. Detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses, and the investigation remains ongoing.

 U.S revokes tourist visas of La Nación board members in Costa Rica, sparking press freedom concerns The United States has revoked tourist visas for five of the seven members of the board of directors of Costa Rica’s leading newspaper, a move that has drawn concern from press freedom advocates and political observers in the country. The decision was confirmed by the newspaper in a statement on Saturday, which said the visas were withdrawn without prior notice or a detailed explanation. The U.S. State Department cited confidentiality rules for not providing further information. Those affected include board chairman Pedro Abreu Jiménez, vice chairman Luis Javier Castro Lachner, and directors Carmen Montero Luthmer, Luis Carlos Chaves Fonseca, and Daniel Lacayo Abreu. The newspaper described the action as a form of pressure tied to its editorial reporting, which has been critical of the government of President Rodrigo Chaves. Its coverage has included investigations into allegations o...

 INEC resumes nationwide Continuous voter registration The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the resumption of the Nationwide Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise which will resume for its third and final phase on Monday, 11th May 2026. It may be recalled that the second phase of the exercise was suspended on 17th April 2026 to allow the Commission clean up the register after its publication for claims and objections by registrants. In a statement released today May 5, Mohammed Kudu Haruna Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, says the third phase of the CVR, which begins on Monday, 11th May 2026, will end on Friday, 10th July 2026. The statement added that during this period, eligible citizens who have attained the age of 18, as well as those who were unable to register during the earlier phases, should seize this opportunity to do so. The statement added that registered voters who wish to transfer their registration, replace los...

 TROOPS ARREST SUSPECTED TERRORISTS, INFORMANT, DRUG PEDDLERS; RESCUE KIDNAPPED VICTIMS, RECOVER EXPLOSIVES IN SUSTAINED OPERATIONS Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), have continued to record significant operational successes across the theatre, including the arrest of suspected terrorists and their collaborators, rescue of kidnapped civilians, and recovery of explosive devices during coordinated operations. In a notable development, troops of OPHK deployed at Ngamdu, while conducting some operational  engagements in Ngamdu town, apprehended two suspected terrorists identified as Haruna Adamu (32) and Ibrahim Adamu (20). Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects fled from Zamfara State into Yobe State. Items recovered from them include a smartphone, keypad phone, power bank, identification card, suspected illicit substances, charms, and other personal effects. The suspects have since been handed over to the appropriate authorit...

 TROOPS OF OPERATION FANSAN YAMMA INTENSIFY OFFENSIVE AGAINST TERRORISTS IN ZAMFARA STATE, NEUTRALIZE MORE TERRORISTS, RECOVER WEAPONS In a continued effort to dismantle terrorist strongholds and restore peace in Zamfara State, troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have executed a series of coordinated clearance operations targeting identified terrorist enclaves. The operations, launched in the early hours of 4 May 2026, covered critical locations, including Maikwanuga village (Talata Mafara LGA),Aljumma, Gidan Dawa, Magami Didi and Tungar Magaji villages (Maradun LGA). During the advance, troops engaged terrorists in Tungar Magaji with overwhelming firepower, neutralizing 2  terrorists and forcing others to flee in disarray. Following the engagement, troops conducted a thorough search of the area, recovering one AK-47 rifle  with 30 rounds loaded magazine and one motorcycle.  The operations are part of a sustained campaign to dismantle terrorist hideouts withi...

 Russian strikes kill at least 22 in Ukraine as ceasefire tensions rise ahead of competing pauses in fighting   Russian drone and missile strikes across Ukraine killed at least 22 people and wounded more than 80 others, Ukrainian officials said Tuesday, as both Kyiv and Moscow prepared competing ceasefire declarations amid continued escalation on the battlefield. The deadliest attacks came during the afternoon, when Russian glide bombs struck the cities of Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Chernihiv, killing at least 17 civilians and injuring 45 others. Separate overnight strikes killed five more people and left dozens wounded, according to authorities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “utter cynicism,” pointing to Moscow’s announcement of a unilateral ceasefire planned later in the week to coincide with Victory Day commemorations marking the end of World War II in Europe. “Russia could cease fire at any moment, and this would stop the war and our r...

 SENATE DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR NIGERIANS KILLED IN SOUTH AFRICA The recurring murder of Nigerian Citizens in Xenophobic attacks in South Africa has drawn the ire of members of the Nigerian Senate as they collectively demand justice for the victims. The Senate this Tuesday at the commencement of plenary condemned the action and called for investigation to find, prosecute and punish perpetrators. It has also resolved to explore parliamentary diplomacy by setting up an adhoc committee headed by the Chairman of Nigeria's National assembly to engage the South African counterpart toward resolving the matter. The Senate President Godswill Akpabio in a motion also demanded accountability over the killing of 28 year old Mene Ogidi in Delta State insisting that the steps taken by the Police must lead to conclusive justice.

 Poor Workmanship, Quack Installers Behind Rising Solar Fire Incidents — Engr. Okolo Warns By Azuka Offor  An Electrical Engineer in the Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Emeka Okolo, has identified poor workmanship and the proliferation of unqualified installers as major causes of fire outbreaks in solar energy systems. Speaking during a recent meeting held at the ministry’s premises in Awka, Okolo stressed that many of the incidents linked to solar installations could be prevented through proper design and professional handling.  He noted that the growing number of “quack installers” in the sector continues to pose serious safety risks. According to him, some clients contribute to the problem by prioritizing low costs over quality, often opting for the cheapest installers without considering the potential dangers involved. Okolo explained that a standard solar home system consists of three key components the battery, inverter, and solar panels and that faults in an...

 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗠𝗿. 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗼𝗿 The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze recieves the first batch of commisoner nominees from Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo for confirmation during today's plenary.  Mr. Speaker has thus referred the following names to the Committee on Screening And Election Matters; 1. Agriculture — Dr. Ben Chuks Odoemena 2. Budget and Economic Planning— Mr. Chukwukadibia Okoye, FCCA 3. Culture, Entertainment and Tourism — Mr. Udoji Amedu 4. Education — Dr. Ekene Ogugua 5. Environment — Dr. Clem Aguiyi 6. Finance — Mr. Izuchukwu M. Okafor 7. Health — Dr. Afam Obidike 8. Information and Value Reformation — Dr. Law Mefor 9. Justice/Attorney-General — Barr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN 10. Lands — Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, SAN 11. Local Government and Community Aff...

 Okpuno-Uruagu Palace Strengthens Traditional Leadership with Inauguration of Obi-in-Council   ‎By Enoch Uzuegbunam/ Ebere Muonwe  ‎ ‎ ‎The Obi Okpuno-Uruagu Palace has hosted a historic cultural ceremony on May 2, 2026, as His Royal Highness, Obi Afam Iloka, formally inaugurated the Obi-in-Council to reinforce traditional governance and community leadership. ‎ ‎The ceremony sponsored by Dr Cletus Ibeto attracted chiefs, elders, political leaders, business executives, and other distinguished stakeholders, was marked by rich cultural symbolism. traditional regalia, including crowns, beads, and insignia of office, were prominently displayed to signify authority, heritage, and ancestral lineage. These symbols underscored the responsibilities of Council members as custodians of tradition, mediators in communal matters, and strategic advisers to the Obi. ‎ ‎In his welcome address, Obi Iloka stated that the establishment of the Council provides an institutional advisory fr...

 OKON AKU OHAFIA CRISIS: PANEL SUBMITS REPORT TO ABSG  The 7-man administrative panel of enquiry instituted by the Abia State Government to investigate the crisis in Okun Aku community, Ohafia Local Government Area of the state has formally submitted its report to the state government.  The empanelling of the panel on 12th March 2026 followed a crisis that erupted in Okun Aku community which led to a casualty in the community. Receiving the report on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the JAAC Secretariat, Umuahia, the Abia state Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, assured that the government would meticulously study the document, before issuing a White Paper in that regard.  The Governor represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu  noted that the document would be studied through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and assured that the outcome would bring lasting peace to Okon Aku community.  “The re...

Alleged ₦110.4bn Kogi Fraud: Court Admits High Court Judgment as Evidence Against Yahaya Bello Justice Maryanne Anineh of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 admitted into evidence a judgment of the FCT High Court against the former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Adoza Bello. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC is prosecuting Bello alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu on an alleged 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of ₦110.4 billion. At the resumed hearing on Tuesday,   prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, informed the court that he was concluding the examination-in-chief of the witness, PW14, Nicholas Okehone, an Internal auditor of the American International School, Abuja. “My lord, on the last adjourned date, I was examining PW14 and I was about rounding up. The witness is here; I can finish so that we can take cross-examination,...

 Egypt incurs $10 billion in Suez Canal losses over Gaza war, president says Egypt has lost about $10 billion in Suez Canal revenues due to attacks on shipping in the Bab al Mandab Strait as a result of the Gaza war, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al Sisi said. Speaking during a meeting in Cairo with Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Sisi said continued attacks on ships in the Bab al Mandab Strait, a key maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, had sharply reduced traffic heading to the Suez Canal, the presidency said in a statement, Anadolu Agency reported. Bab al Mandab is one of the world’s most strategic shipping routes for energy and food supplies, alongside the Suez Canal and the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks on shipping began in November 2023 when Yemen’s Houthi group launched drone and missile strikes targeting vessels in the Red Sea in a show of support for Palestinians facing Israeli a...

Sudan army says UAE and Ethiopia linked to Khartoum drone attack Sudan's armed forces have accused Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates of being involved in a drone attack on Khartoum airport, part of a barrage that ​has shattered months of relative calm in the capital three years into a civil war. Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday rejected what it called ‌the "baseless accusations", denied involvement, and accused Sudan's armed forces of supporting hostile actors and violating Ethiopia's territorial integrity. Sudan has often accused the UAE of supporting Rapid Support Forces paramilitaries who have been fighting the army since 2023, a charge the Gulf state ​denies. Sudan has accused Ethiopia of allowing drones to be launched from its territory. In February, Reuters reported that Ethiopia was hosting a camp to train ​thousands of fighters for the RSF and had upgraded the nearby Asosa airport for drone operations. Ethiopia did not respond to ⁠requests fo...

 Ghana to host global slavery reparations conference Ghana is set to host a major global conference on reparatory justice next month, following what officials are calling a “historic” resolution by the United Nations recognising the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, TRT Afrika reported. According to the Ghana News Agency, the three-day conference will take place from June 17 to 19 in Accra and will be hosted by President John Dramani Mahama, who also serves as the African Union’s champion for reparations. The event follows overwhelming support at the UN, where 123 member states voted in favour of the resolution, with only three countries opposing it—an outcome widely seen as a significant shift in global consensus on historical accountability. In a statement reported by the Ghana Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government said the conference would “chart the next phase of the global reparations agenda” and deepen international dialogue on justice for the desce...

 Two Mauritanian MPs sentenced to four years for 'insulting president' Two female opposition lawmakers in Mauritania were sentenced to four years in prison each after insulting the president and making claims of racial bias, their lawyers told The Associated Press. Last month, lawmakers Marieme Cheikh Dieng and Ghamou Achour were charged with “attacking the symbols of the state” and “calling for gatherings with a view to undermine public security" after they posted messages on social media critical of President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. The two lawmakers had called in several social media posts for Ghazouani's removal. The lawmakers’ attorneys — Mohamed Ould Ahmed Miske, Yaghoub Ould Sèïf and Moctar Ould Ely — confirmed the verdict of the trial at a criminal court in the capital Nouakchott to the AP. The government has not commented on the conviction. The lawmakers are with the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement coalition, which is not a registered political party b...

 Boko Haram terrorist attack on Chad army base kills at least 24 people An overnight attack by suspected Boko Haram terrorists on a Chadian military base has killed at least 24 people, a military official and regional administrator told AFP on Tuesday. The Barka Tolorom base is on the shores of Lake Chad, which straddles Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria. The raid late on Monday "left 25 people dead and 46 others wounded on the Chadian army side," the army source told AFP. The administrative official gave a toll of "24 dead and several wounded." 'Cowardly attack' Both attributed the attack to Boko Haram, with the administrator insisting that "the situation is under control." "Once again, the nebulous Boko Haram terrorist group carried out a cowardly attack last night on our military base at Barka Tolorom," Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said on Tuesday in a Facebook post. "We will continue the fight with renewed determina...

 ANAMBRA POLICE ARREST TWO SUSPECTS OVER MURDER OF THREE RELATIVES, RECOVER BODIES IN SHALLOW GRAVE IN UKPOR, NNEWI SOUTH LGA The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the gruesome murder of three members of the same family whose bodies were discovered in a shallow grave in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area. Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, on the afternoon of 3rd May 2026, arrested one Emmanuel Nnabueze Nnakezie (male, aged 33 years) and Clement Nnaekezie (male, aged 69 years) following a painstaking investigation triggered by credible information on the sudden disappearance of the victims. Acting on intelligence, the operatives trailed and apprehended the suspects in different locations: Oba and Ukpor respectively. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and led the Police to the site where the victims were buried in a shallow grave. The victims have been identified as Robert Nnakezie (male, 67 year...

 Mefor Returns As Anambra’s Information Commissioner  By Rose Oranye  Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has returned Dr Law Mefor as the Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation.  Mefor's nomination, along with 17 others was part of a statement issued by the Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly,  signed by Franklin Osankwa, SA/New Media, Office of the Speaker as first batch of Commissioner Nominees received from Governor Soludo.  Agriculture — Dr. Ben Chuks Odoemena Budget and Economic Planning— Mr. Chukwukadibia Okoye, FCCA Culture, Entertainment and Tourism — Mr. Udoji Amedu Education — Dr. Ekene Ogugua Environment — Dr. Clem Aguiyi Finance — Mr. Izuchukwu M. Okafor Health — Dr. Afam Obidike  Information and Value Reformation — Dr. Law Mefor Others are:   Justice/Attorney-General — Barr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN Lands — Prof. Offornze Amucheazi, SAN Local Government and Community Affairs— Barr. Vin Ezeaka Petroleum...

 Dolly Parton shares new health update: 'I've still got some healing to do' Dolly Parton, the 80-year-old country icon, shared a heartfelt video update with fans on May 4, touching on her health and her first year without her late husband, Carl Dean.  She reassured viewers that despite past challenges including a kidney stone and infection in 2025 she is doing well.  With her trademark humor, Parton compared her body to an “old classic car” needing tune-ups, joking that while her “spark plugs” may need changing, she’ll never lose her spark. Parton also highlighted her ongoing projects, including plans for a hotel and museum in Nashville and the reworking of her autobiographical Broadway musical DOLLY: A True Original Musical.  She expressed regret over missing her Las Vegas residency shows but encouraged fans to enjoy themselves and promised future opportunities to connect, whether in New York or elsewhere. On a more personal note, Parton reflected on life after Dean...

 Umahi signs Tinubu’s nomination form, backs continuity ahead of 2027 The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has signed the nomination form of President Bola Tinubu for a second term, describing the move as a “victory form” and a step towards sustaining ongoing national development. In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, on Tuesday, Umahi said the endorsement represents a broader commitment to continuity and consolidation of the administration’s achievements. He described the nomination form as “a defining moment in Nigeria’s ongoing development journey,” adding that it reflects “a collective commitment to continuity, stability, and the consolidation of gains recorded under the current administration.”

 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerians interested in repatriation from South Africa will be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria. The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja. The briefing came shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele. Mr Ebienfa said the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate. In the recent past, such reparations have been sponsored by Nigerian airline owners, particularly Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace. The Nigerian government, on Sunday, indicated its readiness to repatriate its citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic violence. The effort primarily targets Nigerians who feel threatened by the xenophobic violence and tension in parts of South Africa, as...

 NPF ARRESTS SIX NOTORIOUS KIDNAPPING SUSPECTS, RESCUES VICTIMS IN KADUNA The Nigeria Police Force, through the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of six (6) notorious kidnapping suspects and the rescue of victims in Kaduna State. The suspects, Yusuf Shuaibu (23), Abubakar Bature (19), Yau Murtala, Bello Suleiman (19), Abdul Kareem Nuhu (36), and Ahmed Musa (28), were arrested on 3rd April 2026. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects are members of a kidnapping syndicate operating within Kaduna State and its environs, with links to criminal camps located in Rijana Forest. Further findings indicate that the group was involved in multiple kidnapping incidents, including the abduction of a senior police officer and his son in October 2025. Despite collecting a ransom of Twenty-Four Million Naira (₦24,000,000) and other items, the victims were not released until police operatives intervened, l...

 IGP DISU CONVENES EMERGENCY CONFERENCE WITH SENIOR POLICE LEADERSHIP, ANNOUNCES KEY REFORMS  The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on Tuesday, 5th May 2026, convened an emergency conference with senior strategic managers of the Nigeria Police Force, including the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. The conference, which also had members of the press in attendance, was convened to address critical national security concerns, reinforce accountability within the Force, and outline strategic operational directives for Commands and Formations nationwide. In his address, the Inspector-General of Police emphasized the imperative of transparency, discipline, and leadership responsibility at all levels of command, noting that the evolving security landscape demands a more responsive, accountable, and intelligence-driven policing approach. The IGP directly addresse...