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 NEMA COORDINATES SAR OPS AT THE SCENE OF BUILDING COLLAPSE INVOLVING A THREE STOREY BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT GUDU AREA OF FCT At about 0945hrs on Saturday 16th May, 2026, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was alerted of a building collapse at Gudu District of FCT.  Critical stakeholders including Federal Fire, FCT Fire, NSCDC, NPF, FRSC and Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were activated while a response team of NEMA from the Abuja Operations Office led by the Head of Operations Mr Zakari Abubakar  and operatives from AYA Emergency Response Bay (ERAB) were deployed to the scene for quick response and coordination.  A reinforcement team  from NEMA Headquarters led by the Director Search and Response (DSAR) Air Cdre Bature Usman was also on ground to provide necessary backup and supervision. At the time of this report, the operation is still ongoing. However, sixteen (16) casualties have so far been evacuated to Aso...

 “Happy Birthday my love”, Pierce Brosnan celebrates 73rd with peaceful New Zealand getaway Pierce Brosnan is spending his 73rd birthday away from home, enjoying a peaceful celebration in New Zealand surrounded by nature and family love. The Fast Charlie actor marked the occasion on May 16, with his wife Keely Shaye Brosnan sharing a series of intimate photos from their trip on Instagram. In one image, Brosnan is seen standing on a lush green field lifting his hat toward the sky, with a rainbow stretching across the background. Another captures him smiling calmly while seated on a beach with the ocean behind him. Keely accompanied the post with a simple message of love, wishing her husband happiness on his special day and tagging him directly in the caption. She also expressed gratitude to the luxury stays that hosted them during their travels, including The Landing in New Zealand and a private island resort in Fiji. Pierce and Keely have been married since 2001, building a long-st...

 So cute together - Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi spotted amid ongoing romance rumors Kendall Jenner and actor Jacob Elordi have been spotted spending time together during a series of recent travels, adding fresh attention to ongoing romance speculation surrounding the pair. The supermodel, 30, and the Wuthering Heights star, 28, were photographed on May 15 at Nourish Hanalei, a family-run farm on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi, with images later circulating online. Additional sightings shared by DeuxMoi showed Jenner walking the property while Elordi was also seen at the location, with onlookers describing the pair as appearing relaxed and comfortable together. During the same trip, reports suggested the two stayed at North Shore Preserve Resort and were also seen grabbing coffee and visiting a wine shop around the island. Their travels reportedly extended beyond Hawaii, with the pair later spotted back in Los Angeles on May 14. Reps for both Jenner and Elordi have not commented ...

 Maldivian rescue diver dies during recovery mission for Italian scuba victims in underwater cave tragedy A Maldivian rescue diver has died during a recovery operation for victims of a deadly scuba diving incident involving Italian tourists in an underwater cave in the Indian Ocean archipelago. The diver, identified as Mohamed Mahudhee of the Maldivian national defense force, suffered decompression sickness, known as “the bends,” after surfacing and was later pronounced dead at a hospital in the capital, Malé. Officials said eight rescue divers entered the water during the recovery effort. When they returned to the surface, they realized Mahudhee was missing and later found he had blacked out underwater. Authorities said the risks underscored the extreme difficulty of the ongoing mission to recover the bodies of five Italian nationals who died while diving in a cave at an estimated depth of about 164 feet in the Vaavu Atoll region. Search teams have already recovered the body of di...

 At least 8 dead, dozens injured after bus collides with freight train and catches fire in Bangkok     At least eight people are dead and about 35 others are injured after a public bus collided with a freight train in Bangkok on Saturday, triggering a fire that engulfed the bus and spread to nearby vehicles. The crash occurred around 3:40 p.m. local time near Makkasan train station in central Bangkok. Authorities said the bus appeared to become trapped at a rail crossing after safety barriers came down, before being struck by an oncoming freight train. The impact caused the train to continue forward, dragging nearby vehicles before the bus burst into flames. Witness videos shared on social media showed additional motorcycles and riders being thrown onto the roadway during the collision. Firefighters later brought the blaze under control. Officials said all confirmed fatalities were found on the bus, though the total number of passengers has not yet been determined. D...

 Svitolina beats Gauff in three sets to win third Italian Open title; Sinner reaches Rome final with win over Medvedev  Elina Svitolina captured her third Italian Open title on Saturday, outlasting Coco Gauff in a three-set battle to claim her first WTA 1000 crown in Rome since 2018. Svitolina prevailed 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2 in a nearly three-hour final, adding to her previous victories at the event in 2017 and 2018. The Ukrainian held firm in key moments, including saving multiple break points in the opening set before pulling away in the decider with two breaks of serve. She sealed the win on her third match point with a volley at the net, securing the 20th title of her career. Gauff, who was attempting to become the first American woman to win in Rome since 2016, fought back after dropping the first set by taking the second in a tiebreak. However, she was unable to sustain momentum in the final set after struggling on serve throughout the match. Despite the loss, she said she w...

 Judy Blume became ‘ritualistic’ worrying about her father’s health, calling her mindset a 'terrible burden for a young child' Judy Blume has often spoken about experiencing anxiety as a child, something journalist Mark Oppenheimer explores in Judy Blume: A Life.  During her family’s temporary move from New Jersey to Miami for her brother’s health, Blume worried constantly about her father, who remained behind for work and visited on weekends.  She explained that her fears were tied to the fact that two of his brothers had died at the age of forty-three, which she came to see as a dangerous milestone for him. As her father approached that age, Blume developed ritualistic behaviors, believing her actions could protect him. She described making bargains with God, such as promising to score perfectly on spelling tests in exchange for her father’s safety.  These compulsive thoughts left her feeling responsible for keeping him alive, a heavy burden for a young child. Desp...

 A drive-by butt slapping put an end to a serial butt slapper's reign of unwanted touching. Officers in Cincinnati, Ohio, received a call on May 15th from a woman who claimed a man had slapped her butt as he sped by on an E- bike. Police luckily began to investigate the claims and uncovered multiple recent reports from women claiming unwanted and unwarranted s*xual contact. With one woman reporting just the day before, she had her butt slapped while walking her dog.  The investigation would lead police to identify  the serial butt slapper as Roger Styles.  Roger Styles was taken into custody and charged with three counts of s*xual imposition.

 NPF MOURNS 17  FALLEN POLICE OFFICERS AFTER TERRORIST ATTACK ON ARMY SPECIAL FORCES SCHOOL YOBE The Nigeria Police Force regrettably announces the tragic loss of seventeen (17) police officers who paid the supreme price in service to the nation following a terrorist attack on the Nigerian Army Special Forces School, Buni Yadi, Gujba Local Government Area of Yobe State, in the early hours of 8th May, 2026. The officers, who were undergoing specialized operational training at the institution, lost their lives when terrorists launched a coordinated attack on the facility from multiple directions at about 0115hrs. Several gallant personnel of the Nigerian Army also made the ultimate sacrifice while courageously repelling the attack. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, described the fallen officers as courageous and dedicated personnel who demonstrated exceptional patriotism and commitment to national security through their participation in adv...

 Sailyajit Baruah, an astrologer and Vastu consultant from Assam, has sparked major attention after claiming to have accurately predicted the winners of 105 constituencies in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections before the official results were declared. According to Baruah, the prediction was publicly posted on his Facebook account on April 29 at 3:21 PM, ahead of both exit polls and result announcements. The forecast reportedly included constituency wise names of winning candidates across the state’s 126 Assembly seats. The claim has triggered widespread discussion across political and social media circles, with many calling it one of the most detailed election predictions seen during the Assam polls. Baruah also stated that he had consulted several first time candidates including Rishiraj Hazarika, Himangshu Shekhar Baishya and Arup Kumar Dey, all of whom later secured major electoral victories. Speaking after the election results, the astrologer said political outcomes could be an...

 Joseph “Big Joe” Nyalungu, a controversial figure long linked to alleged rhino poaching syndicates operating around the Kruger National Park, has been shot dead in Mpumalanga.   Nyalungu, a former SAPS member, was for years repeatedly named in major organised wildlife crime investigations involving alleged rhino horn trafficking, racketeering, illegal firearms, explosives and money laundering. He denied various allegations in court matters over the years, and many cases were still before the courts.   Authorities alleged he played a key role in cross-border rhino poaching networks operating in Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Conservation groups and investigators often described him as one of the most prominent alleged underworld figures connected to wildlife crime in the region.   Earlier this month, Nyalungu survived an attempted hit after gunmen opened fire on him at his business premises in Mkhuhlu Crossroads. He was wounded and later discharged from hospi...

 El-Rufai’s Family Accuses ICPC Of Violating Court Order, Denying Access To Doctor, Food The family of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) of violating a court order by allegedly denying him access to medical care and family support while in detention. In a press statement issued by Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the family alleged that two incidents occurred on May 15, 2026, which they described as attacks on the former governor’s constitutional rights. According to the statement, El-Rufai’s personal doctor visited the ICPC facility at about 3 p.m. to discuss the results of recent medical tests conducted on the former governor. However, officials of the anti-corruption agency allegedly denied the doctor access to him, insisting that written approval from the ICPC Chairman was required. The family claimed that the action contradicted an existing court order granting the former governor un...

 IGP DISU VISITS ORIIRE COMMUNITIES, ORDERS INTENSIFIED RESCUE OPERATIONS The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM, today paid a visit to  Oyo State following the tragic attack and abduction incident that occurred in Oriire Local Government Area of the State in the early hours of Friday, 15th May, 2026. The IGP expressed deep concern over the incident and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives during the attack.  The IGP  was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, CP Ojo Adekimi, owing to the strategic proximity of the Oriire axis to communities bordering Kwara State, as well as the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, in furtherance of ongoing efforts to strengthen school safety and coordinate effective response measures. During the visit, the Inspector-General met with the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola...

 DRC reports an increase in Ebola-related deaths as outbreak toll reaches 80 At least 80 deaths have been reported in DR Congo's new Ebola disease outbreak in the eastern Ituri province, authorities said, as health workers raced on Saturday to intensify screening and contact tracing to contain the disease. Officials first announced the outbreak on Friday, with 65 deaths and 246 suspected cases. Meanwhile, Associated Press journalists in Ituri’s capital, Bunia, interviewed locals who recounted their fears and constant burials. “In a single day, we bury two, three, or even more people,” said Jean Marc Asimwe, a resident of Bunia. “At this point, we don’t really know what kind of disease it is,” said Asimwe. Congolese Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said late on Friday that there have been eight laboratory-confirmed cases, among them four deaths. Highly contagious Test results confirmed the Bundibugyo virus, a variant of the disease that has been less prominent in DR Congo’s past o...

 Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy developing third Grown Ups film for Netflix, with Kyle Newacheck set to direct Adam Sandler and Tim Herlihy are writing a third installment of Grown Ups for Netflix, with Happy Gilmore 2 director Kyle Newacheck attached to direct the comedy. The original 2010 film starred Sandler alongside Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade, Salma Hayek, Rob Schneider, Maya Rudolph, and Maria Bello. The story followed a group of childhood friends who reunite for a vacation decades after their youth. A sequel followed in 2013, bringing much of the cast back together. Netflix confirmed the new project but did not share details on returning cast members or a release timeline. Plot information is also being kept under wraps.

 Sierra Leone to take in hundreds of West Africans deported by U.S Sierra Leone has agreed to take in hundreds of West African migrants who are being deported by the United States, its foreign minister told Reuters. The first flight will arrive in Sierra Leone on May 20, Timothy Kabba said, transporting nationals from Senegal, Ghana, Guinea and Nigeria. He did not say how many deportees would be on the flight. “Sierra Leone signed a Third Country National Agreement with the US to accept 300 ECOWAS citizens from the US per year with a maximum of 25 a month," Kabba said, referring to the West African regional bloc. The US has previously sent deportees to African states including Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, South Sudan, and Eswatini. Minister says deal 'part of bilateral relationship' Sierra Leone's arrangement to accept only deportees from ECOWAS countries is similar to Ghana's. It is unclear whether the deportees sent to Sierra ...

 Akume’s Wife, David Mark’s Daughter Among 81 Aspirants in Benue APC Reps Primaries By Paul Aondoakaa  The All Progressives Congress in Benue State has recorded a high number of aspirants ahead of Saturday’s House of Representatives primaries, with at least 81 contenders seeking tickets across various constituencies. Among the notable aspirants are Regina Akume and Blessing Onuh, whose participation has drawn political attention within the state. The Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress is holding a keenly contested House of Representatives primary election on Saturday, with no fewer than 81 aspirants reportedly participating across the state. According to a list released in the early hours of Saturday, the Vandeikya/Konshisha Federal Constituency recorded 14 aspirants, making it one of the most competitive races in the state. The constituency is politically linked to Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia. In the Gboko/Tarka Federal Constituency, seven aspirants ...

 Senate Judiciary Committee summons tech CEOs for hearing on child online safety, expanding scrutiny of social media practices    The Senate Judiciary Committee is calling on top executives from major social media companies to appear before lawmakers next month for a hearing focused on child online safety and the broader impact of digital platforms on users and families. Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, has formally invited the leaders of Meta, Google, Snap, and TikTok to testify at a June 23 hearing titled “Examining Tech Industry Practices and the Implications for Users and Families: Is This Social Media’s Big Tobacco Moment?” The invitations were sent to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. As of now, none of the companies has confirmed participation, though committee staff says discussions are ongoing and they hope to secure commitments soon. A committee spokesperson said the hearing is ...

 UAE says OPEC exit driven by economic strategy, not politics, as oil market tensions and output plans intensify The United Arab Emirates says its decision to leave OPEC and OPEC+ is driven by long-term economic planning and energy strategy rather than political disagreements, according to the country’s energy minister. The statement comes after the Emirates announced it would exit the producer group, which it has been part of since 1967, with officials stressing that the move reflects national priorities and evolving production goals rather than tensions with member states. Energy Minister Suhail Mohamed Al Mazrouei said the decision followed a broad review of the country’s production policy and future capacity. He emphasized that the UAE remains committed to being a stable and reliable global energy supplier, adding that the exit reflects a sovereign choice tied to its economic vision and development of its energy sector. He also rejected suggestions that the move signals divisio...

 OPERATION HADIN KAI AND US PARTNERS NEUTRALISE ISIS GLOBAL SECOND-IN-COMMAND ABU-BILAL AL-MINUKI AND SEVERAL TERRORIST COMMANDERS IN PRECISION AIR-LAND OPERATIONS AT METELE In a landmark joint counter-terrorism operation of historic significance, troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), in close coordination with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), executed a meticulously planned and highly complex precision air-land operation that resulted in the neutralisation of Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, the Islamic State's (ISIS) second-in-command globally and the most senior ISWAP commander operating in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel region alongside several of his key lieutenants and multiple combatants. Al-Minuki, also known as Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali al-Mainuki, was a US-designated Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), designated by the US Department of State on 8 June 2023 under Executive Order 13224 for his role as a leading official within ...

 Pentagon cancels 4,000-soldier Poland deployment, sparking congressional backlash and questions over NATO strategy Army leaders faced sharp questioning Friday as lawmakers expressed frustration over the Pentagon’s abrupt decision to cancel the planned deployment of more than 4,000 U.S. troops to Poland. Acting Army Chief of Staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve told a budget hearing that the order to halt the nine-month rotation for the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division came from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. LaNeve and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said they were informed of the decision and consulted, but they declined to specify when it was made. The unit had already begun preparations on May 1, including cased colors, an advance team deployment, and the shipment of equipment overseas, before the order was reversed. The cancellation, which was confirmed after soldiers began discussing it publicly, has drawn intense scrutiny from Congress, with lawmakers questioning ...

 Putin to meet Xi in Beijing for talks on strengthening Russia-China partnership Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing from May 19 to 20, according to statements from both governments, in a high-level visit expected to focus on strengthening bilateral ties and coordinating on global issues. The meeting comes less than a week after Xi held talks in Beijing with U.S. President Donald Trump, marking the second time the leaders of the world’s two largest economies have met in under a year. Putin’s upcoming visit is being framed by Moscow as part of broader efforts to mark the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation, which underpins relations between Russia and China. During the talks, both sides are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, including economic cooperation, energy ties, and strategic coordination, as well as international and regional developments. Officials from Moscow said the a...

 Lagos State Government has described cooperative societies as strategic institutions for the future whose ecosystem must be repositioned as a critical component of national economic transformation. Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose-Medebem, made the remarks at the Ministerial Avocacy Tour On Cooperative Bank of Nigeria Share Capital Mobilisation & Sensitisation, And Cooperative Sector Digitalisation Drive organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems in Lagos on Monday. According to the Commissioner, Lagos State has adopted the philosophy with deliberate policy actions aimed at modernising, strengthening and repositioning the cooperative movement for greater productivity, transparency and sustainability. Her words: "Our approach recognises that the cooperative sector must evolve beyond traditional thrift and credit administration into a digitally enabled, professionally managed and investment-ready ec...