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 BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND  PRESS RELEASE  POLICE RESCUE 2 TEENAGE GIRLS ABDUCTED FROM TARABA, ARREST 2 SUSPECTS IN KIRFI LGA Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have rescued two 13-year-old girls and arrested two suspects in connection with criminal conspiracy and abduction in Kirfi Local Government Area. According to the information, the arrest and rescue  were carried out by DPO Alkaleri Division and team, who later transferred the case to Kirfi Division on 15th June, 2026 at about 1400hrs based on jurisdiction. The operations followed a complaint lodged on 10th March, 2026 by a 57-year-old father of one of victims, a resident of Fangari Hamlet via Bali LGA, Taraba State. The complainant stated that his 13-year-old daughter, Aisha and her friend Zainab, also 13-year-old, left home and all efforts to trace them proved abortive. Subsequently, police intelligence led investigators to Bara Town, Kirfi LGA, Bauchi State, where the victims were found. Furthe...

 Recording Academy adds five new Grammy categories, updates rules for 2026 awards NEW YORK - The Recording Academy is introducing five new categories and making several rule changes for the 2026 Grammy Awards in an effort to reflect the evolving global music landscape. Among the new additions is a best Asian pop music performance category, which will honor performances across genres such as K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and other Asian pop styles, with the award going to performers. A new best traditional pop vocal performance category will recognize artists whose work does not fit within modern pop styles. A best Latin song category will spotlight songwriters for Spanish-language Latin recordings. Changes are also coming to existing categories in R&B and folk music. The academy is adding a best R&B collaboration or duo/group performance category alongside a revised best R&B solo performance award. In folk, the best folk album category will be split into best contemporary folk al...

Trump cancels Jay Clayton's DNI confirmation hearing, naming Bill Pulte acting intelligence chief and stalling FISA reauthorization push  President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is canceling a Senate confirmation hearing for Jay Clayton, his nominee for director of national intelligence, in a move that further complicates efforts to restore a key surveillance authority that recently expired. The announcement, posted on Truth Social, effectively clears the way for Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to serve as acting intelligence chief beginning Friday. The decision follows months of political friction over the intelligence post and a stalled effort to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Clayton, currently serving as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, had been nominated to lead the intelligence community after Democrats objected to earlier plans tied to Pulte’s temporary role. However, bipartisan concerns ...

 Brazil Supreme Court convicts Eduardo Bolsonaro of coercion in coup trial interference case, sentences him to 4 years in prison    Brazil’s Supreme Court has convicted former lawmaker Eduardo Bolsonaro of coercion in connection with efforts to influence the trial that led to the conviction and 27-year prison sentence of his father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, over an alleged coup attempt. He was sentenced to four years and two months in prison after all five justices agreed he illegally interfered in the proceedings by lobbying the U.S. government to pressure Brazilian officials into halting the case. One of the justices said his role as a federal lawmaker did not include conducting foreign lobbying against Brazil. Eduardo Bolsonaro’s legal team rejected the ruling, arguing there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction. He has been living in Texas since early 2025. The case unfolds against ongoing political tensions involving Brazil’s judiciary and interna...

 I’ve Been in Rehab - Lil Nas X Opens Up About Bipolar Diagnosis and Mental Health Journey Lil Nas X has returned to social media after a long break, sharing an open update about his mental health journey and recent diagnosis. In a video posted on Instagram on Wednesday, June 17, the 27-year-old artist spoke about stepping away from the public eye and seeking treatment over the past months.  He revealed that he has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has spent time in rehab as part of his recovery process. He explained that he has been focusing on rebuilding stability in his life, spending time between family in Atlanta and friends in Los Angeles while working on grounding himself. He also shared that he is now receiving professional support through therapy and psychiatric care. Lil Nas X, whose real name is Montero Hill, said he had suspected something was going on for years but avoided confronting it due to fear of medication and public perception. He spoke candidly abo...

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has warned residents against recruiting criminals from outside the state to carry out kidnappings and other violent crimes, describing the trend as a major setback to ongoing efforts to improve security. The governor issued the warning on Wednesday while speaking at the 2026 Ministers’ Conference organised by the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benin City. Okpebholo expressed concern over the security situation in the state, alleging that some individuals were deliberately exaggerating incidents of crime and spreading false information on social media to discredit his administration. According to him, investigations by security agencies have uncovered the involvement of local collaborators who allegedly recruit armed gangs from outside Edo State to perpetrate kidnappings and other criminal activities. “Do you know one painful thing? Our people are now going outside Edo to recruit criminals to help them do the job....

 LAGOS LAW REFORM COMMISSION ENGAGES TOURISM, AGRICULTURE MINISTRIES ON SECTORAL LAW REFORMS The Lagos State Law Reform Commission recently held consultative engagements with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Systems as part of ongoing efforts to review, modernise and harmonise sectoral laws for improved governance, institutional efficiency and sustainable development in Lagos State. The engagement with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture was initiated and led by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Oluyemisi Ogunlola.  The delegation was received by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Princess Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, alongside relevant departmental and agency representatives. Speaking during the session, Mrs. Ogunlola stated that the engagement was convened to examine grey areas in the draft legal framework proposed by the Ministry and its agencies, particularly issues relating to overlapping responsibilit...

 A 14-year-old Ohio girl has taken her own life, and her family believes that social media played a role. Szedi Roush sadly took her own life on Friday, June 12th. The loss of such a young and vibrant life has left the Blanchester, Ohio community shocked and filled with grief as they struggle to make sense of her passing.  Szedi was a student at Blanchester High School, where she was very active in sports and, by all outward appearances, a happy and outgoing teen. However, Szedi's family says there was a side to her kept hidden from her family. Despite being hidden from family, Szedi posted about her feelings  on TikTok. Her father says her most recent post described her feelings, and the method she intended to take her life, garnered over 40 reactions ranging from likes to hearts. They feel that is unacceptable and that Szedi's passing can help other youths reach out for help in the future.  Szedi's presence at school and at home will be greatly missed.  The fa...

 FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Denies Land Grabbing Allegations, Defends Acquisition for Judges’ Quarters Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly rejected claims that he is a land grabber, insisting he is simply performing his official duties. Wike made the declaration on Wednesday during the inauguration of the Federal High Court Judges Quarters in the Katampe area of Abuja. The project is part of a series of initiatives marking President Bola Tinubu’s third year in office. Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Tinubu at the event. Addressing critics on social media, the minister explained the background of the land acquisition.  “When we came here looking for land to construct judges’ quarters, there was no road, but last year, Mr. President commissioned all the roads within this Katampe,” Wike said. He noted that the land originally belonged to Julius Berger PLC, which had been allocated the property 15 years earlier but made no ...

 FG Released Only N2.68tn of N54.93tn Budgeted for Road Projects Between 2023 and 2026 — Treasury Data The Federal Government released only N2.68 trillion for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects between 2023 and April 2026, despite making budgetary provisions amounting to N54.93 trillion for the sector during the period, according to data obtained from the Open Treasury Portal. The figures reveal a significant gap between approved allocations and actual cash releases, highlighting the financing challenges that continue to hamper the execution of capital infrastructure projects across the country. The development comes as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to showcase projects under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the ongoing Renewed Hope Media Tour organised by the Presidential Communications Team. An analysis of Treasury records showed that road-related projects received a budgetary allocation of N2.53 trillion in 2023, with actua...

 Presidency: FG not considering new taxes on telecom services, petroleum products The federal government says it is not considering the introduction of new taxes on telecommunications services or petroleum products. The clarification comes after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) advised Nigeria to extend value-added tax (VAT) to fuel products and to introduce excise duties on telecommunications services to raise government revenue and fund development and social spending.

 Kaduna Govt Compensates Victims Of 2015 Alhuda Huda Demolition In Zaria The Kaduna State Government has compensated victims affected by the 2015 demolition of properties around Alhuda Huda College in Zaria, in a move aimed at addressing a longstanding injustice suffered by affected residents. The compensation exercise, approved by Governor Uba Sani, comes shortly after the state government approved compensation for affected farmers in Giwa Local Government Area. The demolished houses, located behind Alhuda Huda College, were reportedly removed during a previous administration without compensation to residents, leaving many families facing economic hardship and years of uncertainty. To implement the compensation package, the Director-General of Kaduna Geographic Information Service, Dr. Bashir Garba Ibrahim, led a delegation to Zaria where offer letters for new residential plots were presented to beneficiaries. The plots were allocated at zero premium as part of efforts to restore ...

 Commissioner Condemns Vandalism of Soludo Smart School Project, Reaffirms Commitment to Quality Education By Obiageli Nwankwo The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, has condemned the vandalism and theft of facilities at the ongoing Smart School project in Uga, describing the act as a setback to government efforts aimed at providing quality education for children across the state. Dr. Ogugua made the remarks on June 15, during an inspection visit to the project, where he assessed the level of work at one of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s flagship Smart Schools and witnessed the significant transformation taking place at the facility, expressing concern over the destruction and theft of some infrastructure by individuals suspected to be members of the host community. According to the Commissioner, the vandalism represents more than the loss of physical assets, as it undermines investments designed to improve educational opportunities for future generations. “It ...

 Anambra Holds Workshop on Plea Bargain, Criminal Justice Reforms in Awka By Chinelo Okeke  The Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Anambra State, Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, on Wednesday addressed stakeholders at a workshop on Plea Bargain and Key Innovations in the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), held at Finotel Classique Hotel, Awka. The capacity-building programme, organized by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Phase II Programme in collaboration with the  Anambra State Ministry of Justice, is designed to strengthen the implementation of plea bargain processes and deepen ongoing criminal justice reforms in the state. Participants at the workshop included Judges, Magistrates, prosecutors from the Ministry of Justice, Police, members of the Plea Bargain Committee, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Judicial Correspondents, and Defence Counsel, reflecting a broad-based engagement of key justice sector stakeholders. The initiat...

 Floyd Mayweather faces felony charges for alleged theft and check fraud American boxer Floyd Mayweather is facing two felony charges in Las Vegas over allegations that he wrote a bad check to purchase a watch from a luxury resale store.   Mayweather was scheduled for an initial appearance Monday in Las Vegas Justice Court. He was not physically present for the hearing, but an attorney represented him, according to the Clark County District Attorney’s Office.   His case is scheduled for a hearing in September.   Mayweather, 49, was charged in April with theft as well as drawing and passing a check without sufficient funds with the intent to defraud, according to court records.   Prosecutors in Clark County allege that in December 2024, Mayweather wrote a $200,000 check through Wells Fargo Bank to Las Vegas designer resale store Gold and Beyond, despite having insufficient funds in his account, according to the criminal complaint.   The felony charges come a...

 Shakira and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo Spark Dating Buzz After Los Angeles Outing Shakira and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo are generating fresh dating speculation after the two were photographed together in Los Angeles. The singer and the The Lincoln Lawyer actor were recently seen leaving the Sunset Tower Hotel, according to photos shared by DeuxMoi.  The images quickly caught fans' attention, with many wondering whether the outing was simply friendly or something more. Neither Shakira nor Manuel Garcia-Rulfo has publicly addressed the nature of their relationship. The sighting came during a brief break in Shakira's *Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour*. The global superstar had just wrapped up two performances in Los Angeles as the latest leg of the tour got underway. What makes the timing especially interesting is that Shakira recently spoke candidly about her personal life and suggested that dating is not currently a priority. The singer, who shares two children with former partner Gerar...

 Bride-to-Be Sara Ceccantini Dies in Greece Car Crash During Bachelorette Trip A bride-to-be has lost her life following a car crash during her bachelorette trip in Greece, just days before she was due to get married. Sara Ceccantini, 37, was visiting Mykonos with friends when the vehicle she was travelling in was involved in a collision with another car, according to reports from Greek and Italian media outlets. The crash is said to have happened overnight between Sunday, June 14, and Monday, June 15. Ceccantini was seated in the back of the car at the time of the incident, alongside three other passengers. Emergency responders rushed her to hospital in critical condition, but she later passed away from her injuries. One of her friends was also injured and remains under medical care. Authorities in Greece are still investigating the exact circumstances surrounding the collision. Ceccantini, originally from Arezzo in Italy, was due to marry her fiancé, Luca Bugialli, on June 20 in ...

 Zendaya Flaunts Wedding Ring as She Steps Out With Tom Holland After Marriage Confirmation Zendaya appeared on the red carpet with her wedding ring on display as she joined Tom Holland for their first public appearance since confirming they are married. The couple were photographed in Amsterdam on Wednesday during promotional activities for the upcoming Spider-Man film, stepping out together at the H’ART Museum. Zendaya, 29, drew attention as she arrived in a red leather mini skirt paired with a black and silver jacket. She completed the look with Tiffany jewelry, including earrings and a Bird on a Rock ring, while prominently showing her wedding band. Tom Holland, 30, appeared alongside her in a tailored suit and striped tie, as the pair posed together for cameras and greeted fans. Their appearance comes shortly after Holland addressed long-running speculation about their relationship status in an interview with Esquire UK, where he spoke openly about his personal happiness and c...

London court acquits former Nigerian minister Diezani Alison-Madueke of bribery charges Former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has been acquitted of all bribery charges against her following a high-profile corruption trial in the United Kingdom. A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London on Wednesday, June 17, found the 65-year-old not guilty on six counts, including five charges of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. Alison-Madueke had consistently denied all allegations throughout the proceedings. Prosecutors alleged that while serving as Nigeria’s petroleum minister between 2010 and 2015 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, Alison-Madueke received significant benefits from oil and gas industry figures seeking lucrative contracts in Nigeria. According to the prosecution, she was provided with what was described as “a life of luxury” in London in exchange for influence over the award of energy contracts. However, Alison...

 NASARAWA POLICE COMMAND WARNS AGAINST VIOLATION OF THE ELECTORAL ACT, ORDERS STRICT ENFORCEMENT The Nasarawa State Police Command has in strong term warned the general public,  politicians, their supporters, and political groups against engaging in political rallies, processions, and other forms of campaigns in violation of the provisions of the 2026 Electoral Act. The warning is sequel to a violent clash between supporters of rival political office seekers in parts of the State, which resulted in the destruction of property, vandalisation of campaign billboards, and damage to vehicles belonging to innocent members of the public.  A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer SP Ranhan Nansel says the Command notes  that Section 98 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, stipulates that political campaigns shall commence not earlier than one hundred and fifty (150) days before polling day and shall end twenty-four (24) hours prior to the day of the election. The Commis...

 BAUCHI STATE POLICE COMMAND  PRESS RELEASE  BAUCHI POLICE ROLLS OUT MOBILE COURT AS ENFORCEMENT AGAINST UNREGISTERED VEHICLES, CONCEALED NUMBER PLATES BEGINS In line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc (+), NPM and in fulfillment of its mandate to ensure road safety and national security, the Bauchi State Police Command has commenced strict enforcement against unregistered vehicles and the use of concealed/fictitious number plates across the state. Accordingly, the Command, in collaboration with the State Judiciary, has deployed Mobile Courts to the five Area Command Headquarters, and strategic locations within Bauchi metropolis. The Mobile Courts have already commenced swift prosecution of offenders. The operation targets vehicles operating without proper registration, vehicles with covered/obscured plates, and those using unauthorized or fake number plates. The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+),...