NEWS

American media mogul and founder of Cable News Network (CNN), Ted Turner, has died at the age of 87. According to reports, Turner’s company, Turner Enterprises, confirmed his death in a statement released on Wednesday, noting that he passed away after battling Lewy body dementia, a degenerative brain condition. Paying tribute, CNN’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Mark Thompson, described Turner as a bold and visionary leader who was deeply involved in shaping the network’s direction. He praised Turner’s fearless approach and willingness to trust his instincts, adding that his legacy remains central to CNN’s identity and global influence. Born Robert Edward Turner III on November 19, 1938, Turner was an influential entrepreneur, television producer, and philanthropist. He ma...

A group of protesters, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, stormed the Abuja headquarters of MTN Nigeria, voicing anger over the rising cost of telecom services. Chanting slogans like “MTN Ole!”, the demonstrators accused the company of unfair pricing and called for immediate reductions in charges. They insisted that Nigerians deserve better service for the amount they pay, citing cases where users reportedly paid significant sums without receiving the expected data. One protester said many customers are experiencing similar issues and urged MTN to end what they described as exploitative practices. Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has ruled out any economic retaliation against South Africa, despite growing concerns over xenophobic attacks on Nigerians. He was responding...

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has responded to recent unrest caused by anti-foreigner protests in major South African cities including Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria. According to Ramaphosa, South Africans are inherently not xenophobic, but are going through tough economic pressures at the moment.  The president made the remarks on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 during an official visit by his Mozambican counterpart, President Daniel Chapo. Regarding migration, Ramaphosa encouraged foreign nationals in South Africa to have proper documents to be in the country.  “We have passed the law that people who do not have the necessary work permits in South Africa should not be employed. We encourage all people from other nations to ensure they have the proper documentat...

The Bauchi State Government says it is aiming to reach about 2.6 million children in the ongoing Supplemental Immunisation Plus Days (SIPDs) campaign for Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV). The Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Board, Dr Rilwanu Mohammed, disclosed this during the official flag-off of the exercise at Bayan Fada Primary Health Care Centre in Bauchi metropolis. According to him, about 1.7 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed across the state to support the campaign, which is being implemented simultaneously in all 20 local government areas. Mohammed explained that trained vaccination teams have been deployed for a house-to-house outreach to ensure that no eligible child is left behind in the exercise. He added that the integrated immu...

The Federal Government on Wednesday banned recipients of honorary degrees from prefixing “Dr” to their names in official, academic, or professional usage. It declared that the use of the title by such recipients constitutes a misrepresentation of academic credentials, which will henceforth be treated as academic fraud, with attendant legal and reputational consequences. The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, disclosed this on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, while briefing State House correspondents on two Federal Executive Council approvals that had not been announced at the last cabinet meeting, which held on April 30. Alausa, who appeared alongside the Minister of State for Education, Prof Suwaiba Ahmad, said the FEC approved a uniform policy for the award and use ...

Two Ohio brothers who posed as Middle Eastern royalty have been sentenced for their roles in a series of fraud schemes totaling roughly $21 million. Zubair and Muzzammil Al Zubair, roughly 42 and 31, were sentenced on Tuesday, May 5, to 24 and 23 years in prison, respectively, according to local outlet Cleveland. “You stole a lot of money, defrauded people, and put East Cleveland in a terrible light,” US District Judge Donald Nugent said, referring to the brothers. “You basically flaunted it by driving around in a Rolls-Royce and taking private planes.” According to prosecutors, the crimes were carried out with the help of a former East Cleveland mayoral aide. The mayoral chief of staff the pair bribed, 56-year-old Michael Smedley, was also sentenced to just over eight years...

Sam Smith and their boyfriend of more than three years, fashion designer Christian Cowan, are engaged. The couple, who attended the 2026 Met Gala together on Monday, May 4, were overheard talking about their engagement at the Mark Hotel before walking the red carpet, Page Six reports. “From what I understand, it was a private engagement,” a hotel lobby spy told the publication. “They are over the moon, and from what I hear, so in love!” Smith — who identifies as non-binary and uses “they/them” pronouns — later posted about the duo’s outfits on Instagram. Quoting Cowan, Smith captioned the carousel, “I have always loved Erté. I love the way he brought costume art to the world through his visionary illustrations. “The infamous 1920s...

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered firearms in the state. In a statement on Tuesday, the command’d spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said stolen items were also recovered following a swift police response in Auchi, where the robbery took place. The statement read, “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough with the arrest of a suspected armed robber and the recovery of a firearm and stolen items following a swift police response in Auchi. “On 2 May 2026, at about 02:00hrs, actionable intelligence was received at Auchi Division that a four-man armed robbery gang had invaded the residence of one Mr Okologho Prosper in the Comprehensive Secondary School area of Auchi. “Acting promptly on the information, t...

The Nigerian passport climbed six places on the Henley Passport Index since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, rising from a global rank of 95 in January 2024 to 89 in the latest April 2026 edition. However, the actual number of countries Nigerian passport holders can visit without a visa has fallen by two destinations. This is as Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Somalia, Mauritania and São Tomé and Príncipe, among others, have moved Nigeria to the “visa required” category in recent years. According to the April 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index, Nigeria’s visa-free destinations stand at 44, down from 46 in January 2025 and 45 in January 2024. The data, drawn from three successive annual editions of the index obtained by The PUNCH, shows...

Tension gripped parts of Lagos on Tuesday after a gas explosion occurred along Adeleye Street in the Doyin area of Orile-Iganmu, leaving one person seriously injured. The incident reportedly happened while a gas attendant was refilling a cylinder inside one of the shops situated in front of a demolished building, triggering panic among residents and traders nearby. The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the explosion in a statement, noting that it received an emergency call at about 12:23 p.m. and arrived at the scene within minutes. Firefighters from the Sari Iganmu and Ajegunle Fire Stations were promptly deployed to contain the situation and prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining structures. According to the agency, the explosion occurred in one of two shops...