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I Regret Nothing - Mussolini’s Granddaughter Wins Italy’s Celebrity Big Brother Alessandra Mussolini has emerged as the winner of Italy’s Grande Fratello VIP, the country’s Celebrity Big Brother format, securing the public vote after more than two months in the house. The 63 year old, who is the granddaughter of Benito Mussolini, claimed the title and the prize of around $116,000 after 63 days in the competition.  She reportedly received 55.95 percent of viewer votes in the final, according to local reports. In the final stage of the show, Alessandra faced off against actress and television personality Antonella Elia, ultimately taking the win after a closely followed vote. Speaking after her victory, Alessandra reflected on her time in the house with confidence and satisfaction. “I enjoyed everything to the fullest, just as I am. I regret nothing,” she said, according to reports. Before her reality TV appearance, Alessandra had a long public career as an actress, singer, and later...

 The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Kabiru Turaki, says all aspirants are free to obtain its presidential nomination forms. In a statement issued on Thursday, Ini Ememobong, spokesperson for the Turaki PDP faction, said allegations that party officials prevented presidential hopefuls from purchasing nomination and expression of interest forms are unfounded. Ememobong said the party recently granted an extension for the purchase and submission of nomination forms following appeals from members. “We state clearly that the Interim National Working Committee is not aware of any hindrance by the party through its officials to prevent anybody from purchasing the forms,” the statement reads. “By the amended timetable, the last date for purchase and return of completed forms is Friday, 22nd May 2026, and the special screening for those yet to be screened is on Saturday, 23rd May 2026. He said while the party had zoned the presidential ticket to aspirants from southern Nigeria, the ...

 The Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the 2027 election timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the 2027 election timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Justice Mohammed Umar, in a judgment delivered on a suit brought by Youth Party, held that INEC’s action imposed restrictive timeframes on political parties for the conduct of primaries and other pre-election activities contrary to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026. Justice Umar held that INEC lacked the statutory power to fix or prescribe the timeframe within which political parties must conduct their primaries for the nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections. The plaintiff; Youth Party, had, in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/517/2026, sued INEC as sole defendant. The plaintiff, in the originating summons dated and filed March 11, sought six reliefs. Justice Umar granted all the plaintiff’s six ...

 PRESS RELEASE   DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND ARRESTS SUSPECTED CULTIST, RESCUES KIDNAPPED CHILD; RECOVERS ONE BERETTA PISTOL, ONE LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE SINGLE-BARRELLED GUN, ONE CARTRIDGE, AND PART OF RANSOM MONEY The Delta State Police Command has recorded further operational successes in its sustained fight against cultism and violent crime across the state. 1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER, RESCUE OF KIDNAPPED CHILD, AND RECOVERY OF ₦127,000 PART OF RANSOM MONEY Operatives of the Command Anti-Vice Squad (CAVS), Sector 2, Ughelli, successfully rescued a three-year-old kidnapped child and arrested one Kelvin Ogaga in connection with the abduction. The arrest followed a complaint received on 18 May 2026 from the father of the victim, who reported that his three-year-old daughter had been abducted by the suspect, a commercial motorcyclist who was entrusted with taking the child on daily school runs. It was gathered that the suspect allegedly kidnapped the child and subsequent...

 Executive Order: Pharmaceutical/ Healthcare Manufacturers Access ₦26bn From Initiative The National Coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Dr Abdu Mukhtar says data from Customs indicates about ₦26 billion naira has been accessed by manufacturers under the initiative.               This was at the review meeting of the Technical Working Group implementing the Presidential Executive Order on the local manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products held nearly one year after the policy was introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The review showed positive progress, with sixty-three pharmaceutical companies, representing about fifty-five percent of eligible firms, benefiting from the Executive Order. Dr Abdu Mukhtar says the policy is helping manufacturers become more competitive and profitable, resulting in lower or more stable prices for essential medicines. According to him, t...

 Calabar Court Sends Two Fraudsters to Jail The Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday  May 20, 2026 secured the conviction and sentence of two internet fraudsters  before Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar Cross River State. They pleaded 'guilty' to  two- count separate charges preferred against them by the Commission. One of the charges read: 'That you, IKE EUSTA-PRINCE EZIOMUME "M" sometime between 2024 and 2026 within the jurisdiction of this Honorable court did take possession and control of $200 (Two Hundred United States Dollars) and €260 (Two Hundred and Sixty Euros) intentionally knowing that the money formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit; obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section  18(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act and punishable under the Section 18(3) of the same Act'. ...

 Alleged $525,276 Mining Fraud :  How Victor Ekpong Thompson Used Forged Mining Licence to  Defraud American Investors- Witness A Second Prosecution Witness,  PW2,  Michael Eyo,   in the trial of Victor Ekpong Thompson has told a Federal High Court sitting in Uyo,  Akwa Ibom State  and presided over by Justice Maurine Adaobi Onyetenu that the defendant forged his mining licence and used the forged document to defraud three American investors: Tammy Jenson, Kenneth  Blad, and Peter Jensen to the tune of $525, 276. Thompson was first arraigned on January 29, 2026 on eight-count charges bordering on conspiracy, advance fee fraud, criminal breach of trust, criminal misappropriation and stealing, to which he pleaded ‘not guilty’. One of the charges read: “That you Victor Ekpong Thompson, on or between January, 2025 to June 2025 in Nigeria, within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable court, with the intent to defraud, did fraudulently obtain th...

 EFCC  Arraigns One for Alleged Job Scam in Gombe The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Gombe Zonal Directorate on Thursday,   May 21, 2026, arraigned one Dalhatu Yahaya, before Justice A.M Yakubu of the  Gombe High Court 2, Gombe, Gombe State.  ‎Yahaya was arraigned  on two- count charges bordering on  intent to defraud to the tune of N3,500,000( Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) ‎One of the charges read:“That you, Dalhatu Yahaya sometimes in 2025 at Gombe, Gombe State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, with intent to defraud induced one Abubakar Shuaibu Yakubu to deliver to you the sum of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand (N3,5000,000) as payment to help him secure employment with the Federal Inland Revenue Service, a representation which you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1)  of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under S...

 PRESS SPEECH BY THE ANAMBRA STATE POLICE COMMAND ON THE ARREST OF A POLICE OFFICER CAPTURED IN A VIRAL VIDEO THREATENING VIOLENCE Gentlemen of the Press, The Anambra State Police Command wishes to formally address the public concerning a viral video currently circulating on social media in which a Police Officer was seen threatening violence and engaging in conduct unbecoming of a member of the Nigeria Police Force. Following a prompt review of the video, the Command immediately identified and arrested the officer involved. The Officer is an Assistant Superintendent of Police ASP Newton Isokpehi serving in the Command.  In line with the disciplinary standards and ethical code of the Nigeria Police Force, internal disciplinary proceedings have since been activated against the officer. As part of the ongoing investigation, the officer has also been subjected to a drug test to aid the Command in establishing all surrounding circumstances and ensuring a thorough and transparent ...

 FOREIGN ENGAGEMENTS AND THE DANGERS OF POPULIST SIMPLIFICATION: PETER OBI’S IGNORANCE By Tanimu Yakubu   Introduction Peter Obi’s intervention once again reflects a persistent tendency to reduce extremely complex questions of economic recovery, sovereign diplomacy, and international capital engagement into simplistic populist soundbites. The Real Economic Inheritance No serious analyst disputes that foreign engagements should ultimately produce measurable economic outcomes. The real issue, however, is whether Mr. Obi properly understands the sequence through which nations emerging from fiscal and monetary instability rebuild investor confidence, restore credibility, and reposition themselves within global capital markets. President Tinubu inherited an economy facing severe structural stress: an unsustainable fuel subsidy regime, multiple exchange-rate distortions, collapsing fiscal buffers, mounting debt-service pressures, dwindling investor confidence, and unprecedented depe...

 Lady cries out after boyfriend allegedly refused to send her business money because she said Arsenal wouldn’t win the league A lady has sparked reactions online after sharing how her boyfriend allegedly refused to send her money for business restocking after Arsenal F.C. won the Premier League. According to her, the issue started after she jokingly told him she did not like Arsenal and believed they would not win the league because she preferred Chelsea and disliked the club’s colours. She claimed her boyfriend then jokingly said if Arsenal eventually won, he would no longer send her business money. Thinking it was banter, she ignored it until she later reached out for funds to restock goods, only for him to remind her of the bet and refuse to send the money. The lady said she eventually returned home with little after spending hours waiting, jokingly warning women to avoid “football emotional men.”

 U.S restricts flights from Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan amid Ebola outbreak The Department of Homeland Security announced on Wednesday new travel restrictions affecting passengers arriving in the United States who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan, as an Ebola outbreak continues to spread in the region. Under the new policy, all commercial flights departing after 11:59 p.m. ET that carry passengers who have been in any of the three countries within the past 21 days will be required to land at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Officials said enhanced public health screening measures will be implemented there. Flights operated by the Pentagon are exempt from the order. The restrictions come as health officials monitor an ongoing Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo that has resulted in 139 suspected deaths and nearly 600 suspected cases, according to updates from the World Health Organization. At least 51 cases have been c...

Phil Collins makes rare Buckingham Palace appearance amid ongoing health struggles Phil Collins made a rare public appearance at Buckingham Palace this week, attending a 50th anniversary celebration for King Charles III’s charitable organization focused on supporting young people. The Genesis frontman and solo music icon, who has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for both his band and individual work, has long been connected to the charity, serving as its first ambassador four decades ago. His appearance comes months after he publicly discussed ongoing health challenges. Collins attended the event alongside his ex-wife Jill Collins, who shared a photo on social media showing the pair with singer Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster. In her post, she described the gathering as an honor and noted that despite heavy rain, the celebration continued as guests spent time with King Charles, who she said appeared pleased to see Collins given his long history with the organi...

 Man charged after allegedly driving Tesla Cybertruck into Texas lake to test 'Wade Mode' feature A man is facing multiple charges after police said he intentionally drove a Tesla Cybertruck into Grapevine Lake in Texas to test the vehicle’s “Wade Mode” feature. Authorities said officers responded to the area near Katie’s Woods Boat Ramp after receiving reports of a vehicle in the water. When they arrived, they found the Cybertruck partially submerged close to the shoreline. Investigators said the driver admitted he entered the lake on purpose in order to try out the vehicle’s water-driving capability. However, police said the truck quickly became disabled and began taking on water. Fire crews assisted in removing the vehicle from the lake using a wrecker. No injuries were reported. The driver, identified as Jimmy Jack McDaniel, is facing several charges, including operating a vehicle in a closed section of a park, failure to have valid boat registration, and water safety viola...

UAE completes nearly half of second oil pipeline, bypassing Strait of Hormuz amid energy security push The United Arab Emirates has completed nearly half of a second major oil pipeline designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping chokepoint, according to the head of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. The pipeline project is intended to increase export capacity through the port of Fujairah on the Gulf of Oman, which lies beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Officials said the new route would effectively double existing capacity and is expected to be fully operational in 2027. The project has been accelerated amid the ongoing regional conflict. Company leadership said global energy flows remain overly dependent on a limited number of maritime chokepoints, making alternative export routes increasingly important for supply security. The UAE has already been diverting some crude exports through an existing pipeline to Fujairah, which can handle up to 1.8 million barrels per day. The new p...

Trump signs order directing banks to review customers’ citizenship status in immigration crackdown move    President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing banks and federal regulators to review whether customers may be in the United States without legal status when accessing financial services such as loans, credit cards, and bank accounts. The order instructs financial regulators and government agencies to look for indicators that individuals without legal immigration status could be using the banking system, framing the effort as part of a broader push to reduce what the administration describes as financial risks tied to deportation. The White House argued that lenders could face losses if borrowers are removed from the country and are unable to repay loans. The directive stops short of requiring banks to collect citizenship or immigration status from all customers, a step that had been considered more aggressively in earlier discussions. Instead, it o...

 Air France flight diverted to Canada after Ebola-related entry restrictions blocked US landing over Congo passenger, officials say An Air France flight headed for Detroit was diverted to Canada after authorities determined a passenger from the Democratic Republic of Congo boarded “in error” amid heightened restrictions tied to an Ebola outbreak in central Africa, officials said. The flight, which departed from Paris, was ultimately redirected to Montréal Trudeau International Airport and landed shortly after 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, according to flight tracking data. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson said the aircraft was barred from landing in Detroit after officials enforced new entry rules designed to reduce potential Ebola exposure risk. The passenger’s presence on board conflicted with recently updated U.S. restrictions that limit entry for certain travelers who have been in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, or Uganda within the past 21 days. Under...

 Kontoor Brands agrees to sell Lee denim label to Authentic Brands Group in deal worth up to $1 billion Kontoor Brands has agreed to sell its Lee denim label to Authentic Brands Group in a deal that could reach up to $1 billion, with closing expected in the second half of the year, the companies said Thursday. The transaction includes an upfront payment of $750 million, along with a potential additional $250 million earnout tied to Lee’s future performance under its new ownership. Kontoor’s board unanimously approved the sale, which shifts Lee into a licensing-based model once the deal is completed. The decision marks an exit from Kontoor’s effort to revive the long-standing denim brand, which the company recently placed on the market after an internal review of its portfolio. Analysts had broadly anticipated a lower valuation, making the final price higher than expected and surprising some industry observers. Following the sale, Kontoor will focus on its remaining brands, includin...

BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND PRESS RELEASE POLICE ARREST SUSPECT, RECOVER 18 STOLEN RAMS WORTH ₦7M IN BAUCHI Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested a suspect and recovered 18 stolen rams following a swift intelligence-led operation in Bauchi Metropolis. On 19th May 2026 at about 0200 hours, the Police Monitoring Team attached to the Area Command, Bauchi Metropolis, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a white Hummer bus with registration number DELTA WW-882 ZR and a dark ash Toyota Camry car with registration number BAUCHI NNG-293-AA along Gubi Road, Bauchi. The vehicles were found loaded with 18 rams. One suspect, Sayyadi Abubakar, male, aged 58 years, of Tahoua Town, Maradi State, Niger Republic, was arrested at the scene. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to conspiring with one Alaji Ibrahim and four other accomplices, all of the same address, who are currently at large. The group allegedly stole the rams from a location opposite A.A. Kunya Fill...

 IGP DISU ASSURES ADEQUATE SECURITY, PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT AHEAD OF EKITI GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on Thursday, 21st May 2026, attended the Election Stakeholders’ Meeting and Signing of the Peace Accord ahead of the forthcoming Ekiti State Governorship Election held in Ado-Ekiti, where he reaffirmed the readiness of the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a peaceful, secure, free, and credible electoral process across the State. The event brought together key electoral and political stakeholders including representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, GCFR (Rtd), political parties, candidates, traditional rulers, civil society groups, security agencies, religious leaders, and members of the diplomatic and observer community. The IGP commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Natio...

UPDATED:  Kaduna Court Jails Two Ex-bankers for Theft The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has secured the conviction and sentence of Obadofin Daniel Bamise and Hadiza Oyiza Yakubu, before Justice A.A. Bello of the Kaduna State High Court, sitting in Kaduna for theft.  Both convicts are former officials of a new generation bank. They were prosecuted on separate one-count charges of theft. Obadofin’s charge reads: "That you, Obadofin Bamise Daniel sometime between the 5th of November, 2024 and 23rd of January, 2025 in Kaduna, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being an employee of Access Bank Plc did in your capacity as an employee committed theft in the sum of N433,000.00 (Four Hundred and Thirty-Three Thousand Naira only) being property in possession of Access Bank Plc and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 274 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law, 2017 and punishable under same Law." That of Yakubu...

 Minister Of Foreign Affairs Bianca Meets South Korea’s Chargé d’Affaires ahead of Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers Meeting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu has met with the Chargé d'Affaires, of the  Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Nigeria,  Mr. Tak Namgung ahead of the Korea-Africa Foreign Ministers Meeting in Seoul, South Korea.  A statement by the Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Kimibie Ebienfa says the high-level gathering will host ministers and representatives from 54 African countries to build on the momentum of the Inaugural Korea- Africa Summit. Key focus areas for the meeting include Critical Minerals & Supply Chains - Strengthening cooperation in energy, critical minerals, and logistics in response to global geopolitical risks, as well as economic & Strategic Partnerships, expanding trade, green transition, and digital innovation following up on the 2024 summit objectives.

 JAMB RELEASES  279 RESULTS PREVIOUSLY HELD. The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has released 279 UTME results that were previously withheld for further investigation. In a statement issued by JAMB’s Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the Board says the release followed ongoing investigations into cases of suspected examination malpractice.          JAMB adds that, some results have been outrightly cancelled where evidence of malpractice was established. The Board also states that results from centres where its live monitoring team observed suspicious activities remain withheld pending further investigation. Candidates whose results have not yet been released are advised to check their status by sending “UTMERESULT” to 55019 or 66019 using the same phone number used for registration, to access their released results.

 JIGAWA STATE GOVERNMENT SIGNS PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT TO SUPPORT 20,000 RICE FARMERS The Jigawa State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with StarAgri West Africa Limited as part of efforts to boost agricultural productivity and increase support for smallholder farmers across the state. The agreement is expected to provide agricultural inputs to 20,000 rice farmers engaged in dry season farming, while also introducing targeted interventions aimed at reducing production costs and improving profitability for farmers. Statement by Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor indicates that Governor Namadi presided over the formal signing ceremony held at Government House, Dutse. The Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sandy Eyal signed for StarAgri West Africa Limited MOU, while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Muttaka Namadi, signed on behalf of the Jigawa State Government. Governor Namadi described the collaboration as another major mil...

 Kaduna Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader Clinch APC Consensus Tickets As Aspirants Step Down For Party Unity The Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Dahiru Liman, alongside the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Barr. Magaji Henry Danjuma, and the Majority Leader, Hon. Munira Suleiman Tanimu, have secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets for their constituencies through consensus affirmation exercises conducted across Kaduna State. Rt. Hon. Dahiru Liman was unanimously affirmed as the APC candidate for Makera State Constituency during the party’s primary exercise attended by party officials, electoral officers, and supporters. Announcing the outcome, the Returning Officer, Engr. Ezekiel Samuel Gode, stated that Liman emerged unopposed after being adopted as the sole consensus candidate for the constituency. “Having received the affirmation results from the five voting areas and with no other aspirant in the race, I hereby declare Rt. Hon. Dahiru Liman a...

 VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL FROM ABIA APC GOVERNORSHIP RACE This is to formally announce to my supporters, party members, and the general public that, after wide consultations with family members, friends, and stakeholders, I have voluntarily withdrawn my aspiration to contest for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State. Though difficult, this decision is premised on two major reasons: 1. Considering that my brother, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (MON), has already clinched the senatorial ticket of the party, I believe this decision will allow other aspirants the opportunity to exercise their right to contest for the office of Governor. 2. After wide and due consultations with stakeholders, we concluded that, in the interest of fairness and equity, Abia Central should be allowed to complete its eight years of power rotation, which it has already commenced. I extend my special appreciation to my wife and children, who have stood by me throughout these months ...

 George-Kelly Withdraws From Rivers APC Governorship Primaries After Fubara’s Decision His announcement comes hours after the Rivers State Governor announced his withdrawal from the partys primaries. A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Alabo George-Kelly, has withdrawn from the party’s forthcoming governorship primaries, pledging support for whoever emerges as the party’s candidate. His withdrawal comes hours after Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, also announced his decision to step down from the APC governorship primary race in what observers see as part of ongoing political realignments within the party ahead of the 2027 General Elections. In a statement issued on Wednesday, George-Kelly said his decision followed a crucial stakeholders’ meeting convened by the national leadership of the APC, where deliberations focused on the future of the party in Rivers State and the need for unity and strategic alignment. The aspirant, who ...

 Former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon has reopened contentious debates over the causes of the 1967–1970 Nigerian Civil War, claiming in his new autobiography that the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, deliberately frustrated repeated attempts to prevent the conflict. In *My Life of Service and Allegiance*, Gowon offers a detailed personal account of the political mistrust, constitutional crises, and failed negotiations that plunged the country into war following the 1966 military coups and subsequent ethnic violence. “Ojukwu deliberately and effectively thwarted every effort we made to amicably resolve our national issues,” Gowon wrote. The former military leader recounted how the federal government pursued political settlements amid widespread outrage in the Eastern Region over the killings of Igbos in parts of Northern Nigeria, which fueled separatist sentiments. He said the federal side approached the landmark January 1967 Aburi meeting in Ghana with genuin...

 Hugh Jackman blames ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness for Nicole Kidman drama Hugh Jackman is reportedly frustrated over feeling isolated in Hollywood and believes his ex-wife, Deborra-Lee Furness, is behind it.  According to insiders, Jackman thinks Furness and her circle have been quietly influencing others against him, leading to strained relationships with longtime friends such as Naomi Watts, Russell Crowe, and Nicole Kidman.  The tension became more visible at the 2026 Met Gala, where Kidman, a co-chair of the event, allegedly avoided Jackman and his new partner, actress Sutton Foster, while showing support for Furness. Sources claim Jackman has asked Furness to stop fueling the situation, especially since he feels it is unfairly affecting Foster’s reputation.  He is said to be protective of her and upset that people who once welcomed her socially are now distancing themselves.  Jackman reportedly believes the fallout has gone beyond a typical breakup and has e...