TIME Magazine’s recent 100 Most Influential People in AI list, released on Thursday, 5th September, 2024, caused a stir by featuring actress Scarlett Johansson prominently while excluding Elon Musk. The second annual AI edition, emphasized that 91 of the 100 entries were new to this year’s list to reflect the fast-evolving nature of the AI space. Many believed Musk’s work in founding AI-related companies like xAI, Tesla’s AI-driven technology, Neuralink, and OpenAI (which developed ChatGPT) should have earned him a place on the list. In addition, Critics argued that Musk had been a major player in advancing AI technology, recently…
Author: Esther Salami
Two Nigerian brothers, Samuel Ogoshi (24) and Samson Ogoshi (21), were sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison on Thursday, September 5, 2024, by a federal judge in Michigan. The brothers were found guilty of orchestrating a sextortion scheme that led to the suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Marquette, Michigan, in March 2022. The brothers lured Jordan by posing as a teenage girl through a hacked Instagram account with the username “dani.robertts”. They solicited explicit photos and eventually blackmailed him for $1000. After receiving $300, they continued to threaten him with one threat reading, “I have screenshot…
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig. Gen. Yusha’u Ahmed has assured corps members that their monthly allowances will be increased once the new minimum wage is implemented by the federal government. Ahmed made this statement on Tuesday while addressing the 2024 Batch ‘B’ stream two corps members at the Kebbi State orientation camp in Dakingari and the Sokoto State orientation camp in Wamakko. He said that the NYSC was committed to ensuring corps members receive improved stipends in line with the approved wage increase for civil servants. “Corps Members have been assured that as soon…
Christianah Idowu, a 21-year-old student from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), was tragically murdered by her abductor, Ayomide Adeleye, a 200-level student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). Christiana was declared missing on August 19, 2024, by her parents. She was allegedly said to have been kidnapped while traveling from her home in the Itaoluwo area of Ikorodu to the University of Lagos (Unilag), where she was undertaking industrial training. The abductors initially demanded a ransom of N3 million for her release. After negotiations, the family paid N350,000, but despite fulfilling this demand, the abductors ceased communication with the…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Bill Gates described Nigeria’s tax collection as “pretty low” during his address at Nutrivision 2024, a youth dialogue on nutrition in Abuja. He suggested that Nigeria could become a net food exporter if proper credit facilities, advice to farmers, and soil surveys were implemented. Gates said agricultural productivity was important, especially in rural northern areas, to boost income, equity, and nutrition. He also mentioned the need for better funding of health programs, urging Nigeria to prioritize efficient public healthcare systems to build citizens’ confidence in government initiatives. 2. Julius Abure’s National…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed feelings of betrayal by the federal government over the secretive increase in petrol prices. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) raised petrol prices from about N600 to N855 per litre at its outlets. NLC President Joe Ajaero highlighted that the labour union had accepted an N70,000 minimum wage in July based on the government’s promise not to increase fuel prices. Ajaero demanded a reversal of the petrol price hike and the 250% increase in electricity tariffs, stating that the government must respect citizens’ rights…
Ugandan marathon runner Rebecca Cheptegei, 33, is fighting for her life in a Kenyan hospital after a horrific attack allegedly carried out by her former boyfriend. The incident occurred on Sunday in the small town of Endebess, located in Trans Nzoia County, where Cheptegei had been training following her participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics. On the afternoon of September 1, 2024, a violent altercation broke out between Cheptegei and her former boyfriend, identified as Dickson Ndiema. According to local police reports, Ndiema allegedly sneaked into Cheptegei’s compound while she and her children were at church. Upon their return, a…
Francisca Owumi, a former contestant and first runner-up of the inaugural season of Big Brother Naija (BBNaija) in 2006, has passed away. The news of her death was confirmed by her family through an Instagram post on August 29, 2024. The post, which shared the sorrowful news, read: “A daughter and sister. May her soul rest in peace, Amen.” According to reports, Owumi succumbed to a brief illness. She was a standout figure in the first season of BBNaija, remembered for her dance moves and engaging personality. During her time on the show, she competed alongside notable housemates including Katung…
Israel is witnessing widespread protests following the confirmation by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that the bodies of six hostages, held by Hamas in Gaza, were retrieved on Sunday. The hostages—Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Ori Danino—were reportedly killed shortly before IDF forces reached their location after nearly 11 months in captivity. On Sunday evening, protesters blocked the entrance to Jerusalem for over two hours before shifting to Tel Aviv, where an estimated 300,000 people gathered to demand an immediate hostage deal. The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, representing the relatives of those still…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Adams Oshiomhole, Senator representing Edo North, sparked outrage by commenting that Betsy Obaseki, wife of Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, “has no child.” The controversy arose after Betsy Obaseki claimed that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had a wife among the contenders, implying this was a reason for women to support him. In response, Oshiomhole criticized her statement, pointing out that she and her husband are childless and have not adopted. His remarks received backlash on social media, with many criticizing the personal nature of his…
On Saturday, August 31, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the recovery of the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in Rafah, located in southern Gaza. They had been abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, and were brutally murdered by the terrorists just days before the rescue operation, as reported by IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari. The bodies were found in a tunnel complex, about 20 meters underground, just one kilometer away from the site where Farhan al-Qadi was rescued earlier in the week. IDF forces were operating carefully in Rafah, suspecting that more hostages could be…
Chidinma Adetshina, a 23-year-old law student who previously faced xenophobic backlash in South Africa, has emerged victorious as Miss Universe Nigeria 2024. The grand finale took place on Saturday, August 31st night at the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria. Adetshina, who represented Taraba State, beat 24 other contestants to claim the crown, positioning her as Nigeria’s representative at the Miss Universe 2024 competition scheduled for November in Mexico. This victory comes after great ordeal for Adetshina, whose participation in Miss SA 2024 took a sharp turn when she was forced to withdraw from the Miss Universe South…
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games officially kicked off on Wednesday with a vibrant opening ceremony held on the iconic Champs-Elysees and Place de la Concorde. For the first time, the Paralympic opening ceremony was hosted outside the main stadium, with the Parisian backdrop adding to the event’s grandeur. The opening ceremony saw 4,400 competitors from 168 delegations parade into the venue, with French President Emmanuel Macron officially declaring the Games open. The ceremonial lighting of the Paralympic cauldron was performed by five French Paralympians, including gold medallists Alexis Hanquinquant and Nantenin Keita. The Nigerian delegation, which includes 35 athletes, will…
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé’s X (formerly Twitter) account was compromised overnight on August 28, 2024. The hack led to a series of provocative posts that stirred considerable controversy. The hacker took advantage of Mbappé’s platform to promote a cryptocurrency token named ‘MBAPPE,’ which saw its value skyrocket to tens of millions before collapsing. The account also featured several inflammatory tweets. Among the most eye-catching posts were those praising Manchester United. One tweet proclaimed: “Manchester is Red,” while another referenced the notorious United social media account @UTDTrey. The hacker also stirred up the football world by declaring: “Cristiano Ronaldo is…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. Nigerians are calling for the arrest of Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Canada-based Nigerian, and her accomplices after a viral TikTok video showed them advocating for the poisoning of Nigerians of Yoruba and Benin descent. The video, which has sparked widespread outrage, depicts Sunnberger instructing others to poison the food and water of the Yoruba and Benin people. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Director-General of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, confirmed Sunnberger’s identity and stated that Nigerian groups are reporting her to Canadian authorities. The video has led to demands for the arrest of all…
South Africa’s Johann Rupert has overtaken Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote to become Africa’s richest person, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Rupert’s net worth has surged by $1.87 billion year-to-date, reaching $14.3 billion, driven by the strong performance of his luxury goods conglomerate, Compagnie Financière Richemont. Meanwhile, Dangote’s wealth has decreased by $1.7 billion, dropping his net worth to $13.4 billion, primarily due to economic challenges in Nigeria. Johann Rupert’s Business Empire Johann Rupert, 74, is the chairman and controlling shareholder of Compagnie Financière Richemont, a Switzerland-based luxury goods company. Richemont is the world’s largest luxury watchmaker and owns…
On August 28, Nigerian social media activist Martins Otse Vincent, widely known as Verydarkman (VDM), took to Instagram to reveal details about an encounter at a police station that has since sparked widespread public interest. In his post, VDM described how he unexpectedly met Nigerian singer Dammy Krane in custody during a visit to the station. VDM explained that he had gone to the police station to thank the officers who had assisted him with his work. While there, he was informed by another detainee that a celebrity with dreadlocks was being held in one of the cells. Intrigued, VDM…
Woolwich Crown Court in London has sentenced four Nigerians to prison for their involvement in an extensive scheme that forged over 2,000 marriage certificates to illegally assist Nigerian nationals in remaining in the United Kingdom. The sentences, ranging from six months to six years, were handed down on Tuesday. The convicted individuals—Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade (41), Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo (38), Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi (31), and Adekunle Kabir (54)—were found guilty of various charges related to the production of fraudulent documents aimed at exploiting the European Union Settlement Scheme. The fraudulent activities were carried out between March 2019 and May 2023.…
Grammy-winning singer Mariah Carey is mourning the tragic loss of both her mother, Patricia Hickey, and her sister, Alison Carey, who passed away on the same day over the weekend. In a statement released on August 26, 2024, the iconic singer expressed her deep grief: “My heart is broken that I’ve lost my mother this past weekend. Sadly, in a tragic turn of events, my sister lost her life on the same day.” Carey, 55, shared that she felt fortunate to have spent the last week with her mother before her passing, adding, “I appreciate everyone’s love and support and…
Tigran Gambaryan, a Binance executive detained in Nigeria on money laundering charges, has reportedly suffered severe health deterioration during his six-month detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). According to his family, Gambaryan is now unable to walk due to intense pain from a herniated disc in his back. The family has accused the Nigerian authorities of denying him access to appropriate medical care, which has worsened his condition to the point where he is now bed-bound, requiring blood thinners to prevent clots due to muscle atrophy. On July 30, 2024, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High…
Nigeria’s first Olympic medalist, Nojim Maiyegun, passed away on Monday at the age of 85 in Vienna, Austria. According to reports, Maiyegun died of natural causes after battling an illness for several months. The former boxer had been virtually impaired for years and was in and out of the hospital over the past six months. Maiyegun made history by winning Nigeria’s first Olympic medal, a bronze, in the Light Middleweight (71 kg) boxing category at the 1964 Tokyo Summer Olympics. He shared the bronze with Poland’s Józef Grzesiak, marking Nigeria’s first Olympic medal since the country began participating in the…
The campaigns of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are at odds over the rules for their upcoming debate, particularly whether microphones should be muted when a candidate is not speaking. The high-profile event which is scheduled for September 10, 2024, in Philadelphia, comes just weeks after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race following a disastrous debate performance, leaving Harris as the Democratic nominee. The dispute centers on whether microphones should remain live throughout the debate or be muted when a candidate is not speaking, a condition both Biden and Trump accepted during their June debate…
On Monday, August 26, a major fire broke out at the Spectrum building in Dagenham, East London, in the early hours of the morning. Residents described a terrifying experience as fire alarms failed to sound, and escape routes were blocked. Cydney Parker, a 26-year-old mother of two, recounted her ordeal to Sky News: “I’ve looked outside and seen loads of fire engines pull up… I looked through the front door and the whole corridor is covered in thick black smoke… We had to run and we realised that the [exterior] fire gate had been padlocked shut so we couldn’t get…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories; 1. The government’s recent decision to impose an 18-year age restriction on students taking the National Examinations Council (NECO) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams has sparked widespread outrage among parents and stakeholders. Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman announced that both NECO and WAEC must enforce this age limit, which aligns with the existing rule that students must be 18 to take the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). While the government argues that this policy is not new and reflects the standard educational timeline, many parents and educators are concerned that…
Pavel Durov, the CEO and co-founder of the popular messaging app Telegram, was arrested on Saturday at Paris-Le Bourget airport after arriving from Baku, Azerbaijan. French authorities detained Durov under a warrant related to alleged criminal activities facilitated through Telegram, including drug trafficking, child sexual content, and fraud. Telegram responded swiftly to the arrest, issuing a statement on Sunday asserting that Durov, 39, has “nothing to hide.” The company criticized the accusations, stating, “It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.” Telegram stated that its moderation efforts are “within industry…
Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories: 1. The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has declared a nationwide seven-day warning strike starting from Monday, August 26, 2024, at 12 am. The strike is in protest of the abduction of Dr. Ganiyat Popoola, a registrar at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, who has been held captive since December 27, 2023. Despite her husband’s release in March, Dr. Popoola and her nephew remain in captivity. NARD President, Dr. Dele Abdullahi, announced that the strike would be total, with no concessions or emergency care provided during this period. The strike follows…
NASA has announced that American astronauts, Barry “Butch” Wilmore (61) and Sunita Williams (58), who have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) since June 5, 2024, will return to earth on February 2025 via SpaceX. Originally set for an eight-day journey, the pair has now spent over 80 days in space and will remain until February 2025 due to the spacecraft’s malfunctions. At the press briefing on Saturday, August 24, 2024, NASA officials announced the astronauts would be brought back to Earth aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The Boeing Starliner, which made its maiden crewed voyage, faced…
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has come under great criticism from the Kennedy family after making a significant political move on Friday, August 23, by suspending his independent presidential campaign and endorsing GOP nominee Donald Trump during a speech in Phoenix, Arizona. Citing three main issues—free speech, the war in Ukraine, and the “war on our children”—Kennedy explained that he no longer saw a viable path to the White House. He mentioned that processed foods, chemicals, and obesity were harming U.S. children and that joining Trump was “a difficult sacrifice” for his family but necessary for the future of America’s youth.…
Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber joyfully announced on Friday, August 23, the birth of their first child, a baby boy named Jack Blues Bieber. The couple, who have been married since 2018, shared the news on Instagram, with Justin posting a touching photo of baby Jack’s tiny foot alongside the caption, “WELCOME HOME.” Hailey reshared the post on her Instagram Story, adding a blue heart emoji to celebrate the arrival of their newborn. Friends and family of the couple expressed their excitement on social media. Kylie Jenner, a close friend, commented on Justin’s post, writing, “I can’t handle this little…
Renowned whistleblower and undercover journalist Isaac Bristol, popularly known by his pseudonym @PidomNigeria, was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on August 5, 2024. His arrest and subsequent inhumane treatment in police custody has ignited a public outcry, leading to the trending #FreePidom campaign. Bristol, well-known for exposing high-profile corruption and human rights abuses in Nigeria, had over 200,000 followers on X. His sudden disappearance from the platform on August 15, 2024, after a bail document surfaced identifying him as “Bristol Isaac,” raised concerns about his safety. The whistleblower had gone silent for several days, prompting widespread calls for…
