Senator Sandy Onor has been declared winner of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Governorship Primaries in Cross River State.

Senator Onor polled 236 votes defeating his closet opponent Senator
Gershom Bassey with 175 votes to become the party’s flag-bearer for the 2023 general elections.

He beat six other candidates with a total of 236 votes while Sen. Gershom Bassey who came second polled 175 votes, closely followed by Hon. Danial who polled 147 while Arthur scored 6 votes, Nkoyo Toyo 4 votes, and Filia Henshaw 2 votes.

READ MORE: GTBANK DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE.

Sen. (Prof.) Sandy Onor who was voted to represent the Central District of Cross River at the National Assembly in 2019 has been an ardent advocate for quality representation.

He took the bold step and was the first aspirant to purchase a nomination and interest form and the only aspirant outside the Southern Senatorial District to do so.

With this development, Sen. ( Prof.) Sandy Onor will face whoever emerges as the candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress and other parties come 2023.

POUNDS TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE? VISIT ABOKIFX RATE NOW.

Sandy Onor Wins PDP Governorship Primaries In Cross River

President Joe Biden will receive the K-pop megastars BTS next week as part of a series of events celebrating Asian-Americans and denouncing racism against them, the White House said Thursday.

Anti-Asian sentiment and violence in the US have grown during the coronavirus pandemic, which originated in Wuhan, China.

Biden’s predecessor Donald Trump often called the bug the “China virus” or the “kung flu” and these remarks have been seen as stirring up anger against Asians among conservative Americans.

Biden will receive the Korean boy band on May 31 “to discuss Asian inclusion and representation, and to address anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination which have become more prominent issues in recent years,” the White House said in a statement.

It called BTS “youth ambassadors who spread a message of hope and positivity across the world.”

The seven floppy-haired musicians of BTS, all in their 20s and often sporting earrings and lipstick, appeal to a generation comfortable with gender fluidity.

They are credited with generating billions for the South Korean economy, and their label enjoyed a surge in profits despite holding fewer concerts during the pandemic.

POUNDS TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE? VISIT ABOKIFX RATE TODAY.

Biden at 79 is the oldest person to assume the US presidency.

Since taking office in 2020 he has launched a major campaign to reach out to young people by working with young celebrities and social media influencers.

Biden has received pop singer Olivia Rodrigo at the White House, and the Jonas Brothers, a popular band, has taped videos with Biden promoting Covid-19 vaccinations.

Biden To Receive Korean Boy Band BTS At White House

An anti-crime operation in a Rio de Janeiro slum left at least 22 people dead Tuesday, officials said, a year after the bloodiest-ever favela raid in the city’s history.

A further seven people were hospitalized, according to health officials, while police said one of the victims was a female bystander felled by a stray bullet.

Military police said they came under gunfire as they approached the northern Rio slum of Vila Cruzeiro in the early morning hours with the mission of locating and arresting “criminal leaders.”

The toll doubled from the initially reported 11 deaths as more bodies were uncovered in the aftermath.

Police said at least 11 of the dead were “suspects.”

At least 19 schools in the area closed because of the gunfire, residents said.

Police helicopters were also struck by bullets during the deadly exchange.

Police often carry out raids in Rio’s teeming slums in a bid to fight drug trafficking.

READ MORE: BLACK MARKET DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE

This time, they said they were looking for gang leaders from other parts of Brazil hiding out in Vila Cruzeiro.

“It was an operation planned for weeks, but we identified criminal movements during the night and decided to intervene,” said team member Colonel Luiz Henrique Marinho Pires.

He said the suspects were readying to move to another favela.

This was the deadliest police raid since 28 people died a year ago in a favela called Jacarezinho — the largest such toll in the city’s history.

Vila Cruzeiro, a favela crowded onto a hillside not far from Rio de Janeiro’s international airport, was also the scene of a violent confrontation in February, when police killed eight people.

Tuesday’s pre-dawn raid targeted the Comando Vermelho, or Red Command, one of Brazil’s most powerful crime gangs “responsible for more than 80 percent of the shootings in Rio,” a police spokesman told TV Globo.

Officers seized 13 assault rifles, four pistols, 20 motorcycles and 10 cars in the raid.

The operation was criticized in some quarters for its use of overwhelming force and the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office announced the opening of an investigation into police conduct.

“Another massacre. Schools closed, thousands of people terrorized,” tweeted left-wing city councilman Tarcisio Motta.

“The policy of extermination runs its course in Rio.”

Residents and activists have often denounced official abuse during such anti-crime operations, including extrajudicial killings of suspects, which they say often goes unpunished.

“These operations in the favelas put the entire population at risk and prevent the functioning of public services. We know they would never be tolerated in upscale neighborhoods,” Guilherme Pimentel, a public defender, told AFP.

Rio police officers were meant to start wearing cameras on their uniforms this month to film all acts in the line of duty, but use of the equipment has been postponed.

Security experts believe cameras may help prevent abuse but will not solve all the problems, and their introduction should be accompanied by comprehensive police reform.

Experts advocate for abandoning confrontation in the endless fight against drug trafficking, with a focus instead on disrupting the gangs’ money flow.

“Rio needs a new public safety policy that is not the bullet,” Human Rights Watch said.

Brazilian police are among the world’s deadliest, responsible for more than 6,100 fatalities in 2021 — an average of 17 per day, according to a violence monitor count.

At Least 22 Killed In Latest Police Raid On Rio Favela

The head of corporate communications of the Central Bank, Osita Nwanisiobi stated that rumors of a purported sack of the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, is not true.

Osita denied the rumors in a phone conversation with Nairametrics stating that “he is not aware of any sack of the CBN Governor”. He also reported that the CBN Governor is in Davos on official assignment.

Several online media blogs have published reports of a purported sack of the Governor of the Central Bank of Africa’s largest economy with some mentioning that “it was unconfirmed” even though they went ahead to publish.

Other sources close to the presidency and the CBN Governor were also contacted to confirm if the rumors were true. And all the sources claim no knowledge of a purported sack.

The CBN Governor has been under pressure since he declared interest in running for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Emefiele had approached the court seeking a restrain of the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from hindering him from running for the office of the president.

The judge granted the order following an ex-parte motion filed by one Nkwo Augustine Eddiego against the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria and INEC seeking an order to restrain the defendants.

However, sources indicate the Presidency was unhappy with the moves chiding him for taking INEC to court for a matter that was not in contention.

Mr. Emefiele has since withdrawn the suit against INEC and Attorney General from restraining him from contesting for President.

The CBN recently increased interest rate from 11.5% to 13% citing rising inflation and the need to avoid a lack of demand for Nigeria’s bonds.

The last time a CBN Governor was sacked was when Emefiele’s predecessor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was suspended by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Rumours of Emefiele sack not true – Osita Nwanisiobi

Unlike most years, there is not a clear-cut ‘group of death.’ Generally speaking, there tends to be one group that features three or four teams that could contain an outside chance at a deep run in the tournament.

In 2018, Argentina, Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria battled in Group D. Four years prior, Italy, England, Uruguay and Costa Rica had a tight race to make it out of the group.

The groups for World Cup 2022 are well-balanced. Consequently, each game will carry importance as only the top two teams advance after the round-robin three-game first stage.

The groups for the World Cup in Qatar are just about set. Three teams are yet to punch its ticket to the World Cup. A UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff between Ukraine, Scotland and Wales will produce a team in Group B. Then, there are two intercontinental playoffs. Peru plays whichever team advances out of Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Finally, Costa Rica and New Zealand go head-to-head for a spot in Group E.               

Group A consists of Unlike most years, there is not a clear-cut ‘group of death.’ Generally speaking, there tends to be one group that features three or four teams that could contain an outside chance at a deep run in the tournament.

The groups for the World Cup in Qatar are just about set. Three teams are yet to punch its ticket to the World Cup. A UEFA World Cup qualifying playoff between Ukraine, Scotland and Wales will produce a team in Group B. Then, there are two intercontinental playoffs. Peru plays whichever team advances out of Australia and the United Arab Emirates. Finally, Costa Rica and New Zealand go head-to-head for a spot in Group E.

Group A consists of Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands.

Group B consists of England, Iran, USA, WAL/UKR/SCO.

Group C consists of Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland.

Group D consists of France, AUS/UAE/PER, Denmark, Tunisia.

Group E consist of Spain, CRC/NZL, Germany, Japan.

Group F consist of Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia.

Group G consists of Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon.

Group H consists of Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, Korea Republic.

If anything, the group to keep an eye on is Group F. Belgium and Croatia are both strong sides. Four years ago, Belgium finished third while Croatia were runners-up to France. Canada finished on top of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying standings and has one of the most promising players in the world, Alphonso Davies.

GTBANK DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE? VISIT ABOKIFX RATE NOW.

The groups for the FIFA World Cup 2022 begin their battles on Monday, Nov. 21. In each group, the order is the same. The first matchday has ‘team 3’ play ‘team 4,’ while teams 1 and 2 play each other.

Then, on matchday two, No. 1 plays No. 3, No. 2 plays No. 4.

Finally, the last remaining matchday sees the last remaining game. In this case, team 1 plays team 4 and team 2 plays team 3.

That can be confusing, but World Soccer Talk has the full schedule of World Cup games and how to watch them on U.S. TV and streaming.

What are the groups for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar?

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker have said "I do" for the third time. The reality TV star and musician exchanged vows in front of their family and friends in Portofino, Italy, on Sunday. 

Kourtney's three children – Mason, Penelope, and Reign – and Barker's children – Landon, Alabama, and Atiana De La Hoya – were by their side. The reality TV star shared her wedding photos on Instagram with two posts, one of them captioned, “Happily ever after."

In addition to their children, the couple’s family and friends flew out to Italy for the wedding. Kourtney’s sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, and Kylie Jenner, as well as their mother Kris Jenner attended the wedding. Musician Machine Gun Kelly and actor Megan Fox were also spotted. Singer Beyonce might be one of the many big names on the guest list, according to news reports.

READ MORE: CBN DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE

Before their lavish wedding in Italy, Kourtney and Travis officially married during an intimate ceremony in California on May 15. The couple also had a ‘practice wedding’ in Las Vegas on April 4, following their appearance at the Grammy Awards.

Kourtney and Travis exchanged vows at L'Olivetta, a villa that is owned by Dolce & Gabbana, according to People. Kourtney was seen wearing an unconventional wedding dress: a short, fitted white dress with an oversize veil, paired with sheer gloves and white heels. Travis was seen in a formal black suit.

Meanwhile, Kourtney’s sister Kim wore a high-neck, figure-hugging black gown with a cross necklace, black heels, and a small black handbag. Their sister Khloe’s look was equally dramatic, featuring a black gown paired with a large gold headpiece, and black gloves. Kendall, who was joined by her boyfriend, basketball player Devin Booker, opted for a sleeveless floral dress. Kylie, too, wore a figure-hugging floral dress.

Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox looked fashionable, while attending their friends’ wedding in Italy. While Megan wore a black gown, Kelly wore a blue suit. The couple posed together for several photos at the wedding.

Kourtney and her former partner Scott Disick share three children: Mason, Penelope, and Reign. Barker has three children from his previous relationships: Atiana, Landon, and Alabama

Kourtney Kardashian Weds Travis Baker in Italy

Health authorities in North America and Europe have detected dozens of suspected or confirmed cases of monkey-pox since early May, sparking concern the disease endemic in parts of Africa is spreading.

Canada was the latest country to report it was investigating more than a dozen suspected cases of monkeypox, after Spain and Portugal detected more than 40 possible and verified cases.

Britain has confirmed nine cases since May 6, and the United States verified its first on Wednesday, saying a man in the eastern state of Massachusetts had tested positive for the virus after visiting Canada.

The illness, from which most people recover within several weeks and has only been fatal in rare cases, has infected thousands of people in parts of Central and Western Africa in recent years but is rare in Europe and North Africa.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday it was coordinating with UK and European health officials over the new outbreaks.

“We really need to better understand the extent of monkeypox in endemic countries… to really understand how much is circulating and the risk that it poses for people who are living there, as well as the risk of exportation,” infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove said at a WHO press conference on Tuesday on global health issues.

The first case in Britain was someone who had traveled from Nigeria, though later cases were possibly through community transmission, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said in a statement.

“These latest cases, together with reports of cases in countries across Europe, confirms our initial concerns that there could be spread of monkeypox within our communities,” said UKHSA Chief Medical Adviser Dr. Susan Hopkins.

The WHO said it was also investigating that many cases reported were people identifying as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men.

“We are seeing transmission among men having sex with men,” said WHO Assistant Director-General Dr. Soce Fall at the press conference.

“This is new information we need to investigate properly to understand better the dynamic of local transmission in the UK and some other countries.”

GTBANK DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE? VISIT ABOKIFX RATE TODAY.

The UKHSA noted that monkeypox has not previously been characterized as a sexually transmitted disease, underscoring that “it can be passed on by direct contact during sex.”

“Anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, can spread monkeypox through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, or shared items (such as clothing and bedding) that have been contaminated with fluids or sores of a person with monkeypox,” a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statement said Wednesday, adding that household disinfectants can kill the virus on surfaces.

The illness often starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle ache and swollen lymph nodes before causing a chickenpox-like rash on the face and body, the US agency explained.

The Massachusetts Department of Health, said that the case there — the first confirmed this year in the United States — occurred in a patient who had recently traveled to Canada and “poses no risk to the public, and the individual is hospitalized and in good condition.”

Health authorities in Canada’s Quebec province announced they were investigating at least 13 suspected cases of monkeypox, the public broadcaster CBC reported Wednesday.

The cases were flagged to Montreal authorities after diagnoses were made in several clinics specializing in sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) told CBC it had called on “public health authorities and laboratory partners across Canada to be alert for and investigate any potential cases.”

According to the CDC, there were no reported cases of monkeypox for 40 years before it re-emerged in Nigeria in 2017.

Monkeypox Virus Spreads To North America, Europe

The Lagos State Commissioner Of Police, Abiodun Alabi, has stated that many motorcycle operators are criminals in disguise who perpetrate nefarious acts across the state.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a ban on motorcycles, popularly known as Okadas, in six local government areas on Wednesday after what he described as “a critical review” on the “menace that has not abated.”

Speaking on Channels Television’s flagship show Sunrise Daily on Thursday, commissioner Alabi disclosed that many of the riders were unlicensed after consultations with executive bodies within the state.

READ MORE: CBN DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE.

“I want to be emphatic here, most of them are criminals masquerading as okada riders,” Abiodun said

“We have arrested so many of them with locally made pistols in the course of their operations and many of them have been charged to court.”

The commissioner also lamented the level of crime committed with the aid of motorcycles in communities across the nation’s economic hub.

“They use these okadas to commit a lot of crimes in so many communities; that is why we have been having a lot of dialogue and consultations with their unions,” he said.

“The best way out is to get them off our roads because a lot of them are masquerading as okada riders but are criminals.”

Commissioner Alabi was however not reluctant to admit that the ban had some drawbacks.

“We know that banning the Okada riders can actually increase the crime rate. And we are not unmindful of that and we are already putting in place a lot of strategies to contend with it,” he said.

“We know that it will send a lot of them to unemployment. We are aware of that and are preparing for it.”

'Most Okada Riders In Lagos Are Criminals,' Says CP

Tom Cruise made it clear there was no chance “Top Gun: Maverick” would be released first on a streaming platform despite multiple pandemic delays, as he visited Cannes on Wednesday. 

“I make movies for the big screen… I love this experience and I want other filmmakers to have that experience,” Cruise told an audience at the Cannes Film Festival.

He was speaking ahead of the European premiere of the much-anticipated sequel to his 1986 blockbuster.

The film was supposed to have its first big screening in Cannes way back in 2020 before the festival was cancelled by the Covid pandemic, which was followed by a series of postponements to the film’s release.

Asked if he had considered debuting “Top Gun: Maverick” on a streaming platform — as happened with several big productions in 2020 and 2021 — Cruise was emphatic: “That was not going to happen, ever.”

“Look at us all together, we’re all united, we all speak different languages, different cultures… but we’re able to come together around a shared experience,” he said of his love for movie theatres.

“Cinema is my love, my passion. I always go to movies when they come out. I’ll put my cap on and sit in the audience with everyone. I’ve spent a lot of time with theatre owners.”

Cruise has become an ambassador for cinemas — even sneaking into a screening of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” at the height of the pandemic in summer 2020 in a bid to boost sales.

With “Top Gun” out worldwide next week, and two “Mission: Impossible” sequels due in 2023 and 2024, Cruise hopes to play a key role in helping theatres recover from the ongoing slump triggered by the pandemic.

“I go to cinemas and there’s people there who are serving the popcorn and running these theatres. I tell them: ‘I know what you’re going through, just know we’re making ‘Mission: Impossible’, ‘Top Gun’ is coming out…”

Tom Cruise: ‘I Make Movies For The Big Screen’

Big brother Naija has announced applications for it’s seventh edition.

The reality TV show houses over 20 contestants to battle for a grand prize of N85million.

Contestants must survive every eviction week and obey all big brother house rules for 71 days to emerge winner.

The announcement reads: “Biggie is calling you back home #BBNaija Season 7 auditions are officially open, are you the next Efe, Miracle, Mercy, Laycon or Whitemoney? This is your time to show Biggie what you’re all about audition here:africamagic.tv/bbauditionAudition now!”

NAIRA TO DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE? VISIT ABOKIFX RATE TODAY.

The show started in 2006 with Katung Aduwak emerging winner.

Big brothers has churned out contestants who went on to become celebrities.

Winners for subsequent seasons were: Efe, Miracle, Mercy, Laycon and White money respectively.

With every edition comes with a theme. The first season’s theme was “BBN”, Second and the third season was “See Gobe“ and Double Wahala”, fourth season; “Pepper Dem’, the fifth season was ‘Lockdown Edition’, and the sixth season was “Shine Ya Eyes”

The theme for this year’s season is yet to be unveiled.

Ukraine wants a spot reserved in the European Union, even if obtaining full membership could take time, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Thursday in Berlin. 

“It is not about the fastest possible membership for Ukraine in the EU. But what is very important for us is for this spot to be reserved for Ukraine,” he told German broadcaster ARD.

“We hear often that Ukraine belongs in Europe, belongs in the European family, and now it’s about reserving this place,” he added.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned early this week that it would take “decades” for a candidate like Ukraine to join the EU.

READ MORE: GTBANK DOLLAR TO NAIRA EXCHANGE RATE

Macron suggested instead that a broader European political community could be created to include members like Ukraine or post-Brexit Britain.

Kuleba said he did not have sufficient details to weigh up Macron’s suggestion for a wider European club.

But he said that “as far as we understand, the French proposal doesn’t contradict granting Ukraine EU candidacy status”.

The contrary would go against public statements made by EU leaders on how Ukraine is part of the European family, he warned.

“I can tell you right away that no alternative to European integration of Ukraine will be acceptable,” Kuleba added, speaking to journalists after he met leaders of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats.

NAIRA DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE? VISIT ABOKIFX RATE NOW.

Kuleba, who is in Berlin to meet political leaders of Europe’s biggest economy before heading to Weissenhaus to attend talks with counterparts from the G7 most industrialised nations, also took pains to smooth over any remaining tensions with German leaders.

He noted that Germany was now stepping up in the response against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.

“We see that Germany has currently taken the leading role,” he said.

Kuleba said he will discuss further sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

Another key topic, the minister said, is the battle against global food shortages sparked by the war.

'Ukraine Wants a 'Reserved' Spot in EU,' Says Dmytro

Hours after announcing his decision not to buy the APC presidential nomination form, Adamu Garba has dumped the party, alleging that it has “lost its moral bearings.”

Mr Garba said the APC has drifted from its core values.

“I cannot continue to retain membership of a party that favours money beyond competency, vested interest beyond common interest, chronic elitism beyond public good, politics of exclusion beyond inclusion.

“I do not in all honesty, sincerely and with consciousness believe that any young man in Nigeria has a future or model worthy of emulation for the benefit of Nigeria in APC. I believe the party has drifted so much from the original beliefs of its foundation to something more cynical, undemocratic institution,” he told the BBC Hausa.

Mr Garba has not announced the party he would be joining.

He had on April 18 taken to Twitter to announce his decision to contest to become Nigeria’s next president under the APC.

In his mission statement, he promised to make the Central Bank of Nigeria independent and ensure the reorganization of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation.

He said his decision was because the party has turned its primary election into a business venture.

“I see this (fee) as an outrageous and unnecessary way of getting money for the party. They have turned it into a business venture and it’s unacceptable. They don’t consider your capacity or what you’ve done for the development of the party.

“I’ve consulted widely, and I’ll not be consulting because I’ll not get money from well-wishers and still go-ahead to purchase forms at such an outrageous fee. I’m against financializing the political space in the country because I want us as the youth not to set a bad precedent that will make it difficult for the youth and the poor candidates to contest in an election,” he told BBC Hausa.

Ex-presidential aspirant Adamu Garba dumps APC

Nigerian newspapers,on one page.