The chimney above the Sistine Chapel.
White smoke rose from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, indicating that cardinals have successfully elected a new pope.
The identity of the pope has yet to be revealed.
The 133 voting cardinals deliberated in the Sistine Chapel since Wednesday, the first day of the conclave.
Gunmen suspected to be armed herders k!lled a chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Akaabo Johnson and three other people in Mbatsada communities in Mbalom and Mbasombo council ward in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
The suspected armed herders invaded the communities around 4:35 pm on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in a commando way and shot indiscriminately, resulting in the death of four people.
The Chairman of Gwer-East LGA, Timothy Adi, who confirmed the incident to the punch on Wednesday, said the attack was unprovoked.
Adi, who decried the activities of armed herders in the council, said that the Tuesday attack was the second within the last two weeks
He said that security men had been deployed to the area to secure the boundary lines of the local government area, in a bid to prevent further attacks.
“Four dead bodies among them an APC elder in the ward were recovered and there bodies taken to St. Gregory Hospital morgue,” he said.
“I urge residents, particularly the youth, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to relevant security agencies
“We must remain united and steadfast. This attack is a tragedy, but we will not allow fear to rule us. Governor Alia is not resting—plans are underway to put an end to these unprovoked attacks."
The chairman commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his prompt intervention and timely support that had facilitated the rapid deployment of security forces to contain the situation.
The ongoing trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, continued on Wednesday May 7, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja with the Federal government prosecution counsel playing some of the ”Radio Biafra”’ broadcast and videos made in open court to establish the allegation of terrorism preferred against him.
The broadcast and video documents, which were marked as exhibits, were tendered through the 2nd prosecution witness (PW-2), identified as BBB, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The recordings were said to have featured statements allegedly made by Kanu during periods of national unrest, including the 2020 EndSARS protests and various security incidents in the South-East.
According to reports, in one of the broadcasts, Kanu was reportedly heard lamenting Fulani herders’ attacks and accusing Nigerian governors of betraying the South-East region.
He also reportedly made controversial remarks about prominent political figures, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and former Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The content of the broadcasts reportedly ranged from calls for self-defense to direct criticisms of perceived government failures.
It was gathered that a key point of contention was the interpretation of the broadcasts, as while the prosecution argued that the statements incited violence and promoted secessionist agendas, Kanu’s defense team, led by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), maintained that the broadcasts were political expressions protected under constitutional rights & travel guides
The prosecution’s witness, under examination, confirmed Kanu’s identity in the videos and attempted to link the broadcasts to violent incidents, including attacks on security facilities.
However, when questioned on certain charges, the witness admitted being unaware that some of the said charges had been previously struck out by the court.
A notable portion of today’s hearing also centered around the 2017 proscription of IPOB.
The defense made no objections to the admission of the proscription document but pointed out that the ban was imposed through an ex parte order without IPOB’s legal representation.
The court was also presented with a letter from the former Attorney General of the Federation directing Kanu’s arrest, a document which the defence insisted was not initially served to them.
Justice Omotosho had earlier insisted that all evidence must be duly served to the defence in the interest of fair hearing.
The trial was adjourned to Thursday, May 8, for continuation of the examination of prosecution witnesses.
American media stocks dropped on Monday, May 5, following President Donald Trump's announcement of a 100% tariff on all movies produced outside the United States, a move that could significantly impact Hollywood's global operations and the broader entertainment industry.
The proposed tariff, though lacking in specific details, raises uncertainty about whether it will apply to films on streaming platforms, theatrical releases, or if it will be calculated based on production costs or box office revenue.
In 2023, American movies generated $22.6 billion in exports, contributing to a trade surplus of $15.3 billion, according to data from the American Motion Picture and Television Industry. The potential impact of the tariff comes at a time when Hollywood increasingly relies on international production hubs. A recent survey by ProdPro revealed that the top five preferred production locations for studio executives planning for 2025 to 2026 were all outside the U.S., driven largely by tax incentives and cost efficiencies.
Streaming services, particularly Netflix, may be the most vulnerable to the tariff policy, analysts told Reuters. Netflix has built its content model around a global production network aimed at delivering localized and international content. Following the announcement, Netflix shares fell 4.9% in premarket trading, leading the decline in media sector stocks.
Despite Los Angeles’s reputation as the center of the movie industry, none of this year’s top ten Oscar contenders were filmed in the city, highlighting the extent to which production has shifted overseas. Many studios now operate through a global supply chain, with filming in Europe, post-production in Canada, and visual effects work outsourced to Southeast Asia. A forced return of production to the U.S. could drive up costs substantially.
Shares of major entertainment companies, including Walt Disney Co, Warner Bros, Discovery, and Universal-owner Comcast, also declined on Monday, dropping between 0.8% and 2.7% amid investor concerns over the financial implications of the proposed tariffs.
Suspected bandits have k!lled an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Isah Yunusa, in Kaduna State.
The incident occurred on Sunday night, May 4, 2025, when the bandits set up a barricade on the Kaduna to Kachia road, attacking travelers.
Security analyst and conflict journalist, Bakatsine, who disclosed this on Monday, said the late officer was attached to the First Lady of Zamfara State, Huriyya Dauda Lawal.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has reaffirmed his loyalty to former governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, declaring that he will continue to follow the political path laid by his predecessor.
Speaking on Sunday, May 4, at the Kano Government House while addressing 484 local government councillors from the state’s 44 LGAs, Yusuf said, “We will continue to follow the path of our leader. Wherever he goes politically, we will follow. He is our leader and we are proud of him.”
His statement comes amid increasing defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), fueling speculation that some governors may soon switch allegiances. Yusuf’s remarks were seen as a firm reaffirmation of loyalty at a time when party alignments are under pressure.
The governor also urged councilors to strengthen grassroots engagement and serve as a crucial link between the government and their communities.
“You are the eyes and ears of government at the grassroots,” Yusuf was quoted as saying by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa. “Go back to your wards, listen to the people, and present their most urgent needs. Once you do that, we will act.”
He announced that nearly N5 billion has been earmarked for ward-level projects to address local infrastructure needs, including classrooms, drainage systems, and other community-specific priorities.
“We must be sincere, transparent, and committed in the way we use public funds,” the governor said. “Every kobo must go into projects that directly benefit our people.”
“Life is strange and painfully private. Many don’t know that back in 2005, my mother was falsely accused of stealing N5,000 by my aunt. No one believed her innocence. She was banished from our village—her own home—without any chance to defend herself,” she wrote.
I remember clearly that day, she had just returned from the farm with firewood. She went to Nkwo market to sell them. When she came back, my aunt showed up at our house with the vigilante group. Everything changed from that moment.
Even after the banishment, she kept visiting us quietly still checking in on her children. She came often until I finally left the village in 2008. She continued seeing my younger siblings until around 2011. During those years, she kept asking about me, but we couldn’t speak. There was no communication. No phone. No way to connect.
As I grew older and came of age, I began to search for her but I still haven’t found her. Her own family doesn't seem to know her whereabouts either. I don’t know if she’s still alive. I don’t know where to look anymore. And the pain of not knowing never goes away.
Please help us find my mother.
Name: Obioma Maria Ezike AzodoFrom: Nawgwu, Dunukofia LGA, Anambra State
She has been missing, and we are very worried. If you have seen her or have any information about her whereabouts, please contact me immediately. Kindly share this post to help spread the word. Thank you.
Adesina made the known in a statement on Thursday, May 1, following his keynote address at Chapel Hill Denham’s 20th anniversary dinner.
He said Nigeria urgently needs to transform its economy to become a developed country by 2050.
He said: “Nigeria belongs in the league of developed nations. To get there, we must shift our mindset and pursue rapid economic growth.”
Adesina blamed Nigeria’s economic decline on decades of policy failures, weak institutions, and dependence on crude oil exports.
“Our GDP per capita in 1960 was 1,847 dollars. Today, it stands at 824 dollars. Nigerians are worse off than 64 years ago,” he stated.
He identified poor fiscal discipline, policy inconsistency, weak governance, and lack of economic diversification as key drivers of the regression.
Adesina compared Nigeria’s economic performance with South Korea, whose GDP per capita was lower in 1960 but now stands at 36,000 dollars.
The AfDB chief called for a complete policy overhaul and stronger institutions, warning that without bold reforms, Nigeria would continue to fall behind.
He urged Nigerian leaders to end oil dependence and invest in technology, industry, and innovation to build a resilient economy.
“Underdevelopment should not be accepted as our destiny. We must break free from this pattern,” he said.
As the way forward, Adesina outlined five priorities: universal electricity, quality infrastructure, rapid industrialisation, innovation-driven growth, and competitive agriculture.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to become an African industrial powerhouse, citing the Dangote Refinery as a transformative example.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated that Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), does not require a coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or backing from political elites to secure victory in the 2027 general election.
This stance comes amid growing discussions in Nigeria’s political landscape about opposition unity ahead of the next presidential vote.
In an interview with Punch, Theophilus Ndubuaku, deputy president of the NLC’s political commission, described Obi as a widely admired politician with the capacity to defeat President Bola Tinubu in a transparent election. He dismissed any possibility of Obi returning to the PDP, characterizing the party as “crisis-ridden and near-empty.”
“Peter Obi doesn’t need any coalition to win the 2027 presidential election. He is a sellable candidate,” Ndubuaku said. “If you recall, he was already coasting to victory in the 2023 elections before the controversial glitches. He even defeated Tinubu in his own stronghold in Lagos, which shows Nigerians want him in power.”
Ndubuaku added that Obi's political strength lies in his wide national appeal and integrity, asserting that with a credible electoral process, he is confident of Obi’s victory. He noted that Obi can rely on his network of supporters both within and outside the country to strengthen his chances.
The Obidient Movement, a grassroots support group for the former Anambra governor, recently reaffirmed its loyalty to Obi, regardless of his political platform for the 2027 election. The group’s national coordinator, Yunusa Tanko, said Obi remains the most viable candidate to address Nigeria’s economic and governance challenges.
Ndubuaku emphasized that Obi appeals across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and dismissed the PDP as a viable platform for serious contenders. “No serious candidate will consider the PDP as a viable platform at this point,” he said. “While LP’s crisis — centering around Julius Abure — has been settled by the Supreme Court, the PDP is still battling a hydra-headed crisis. Moving from LP to PDP would be like jumping from frying pan to fire.”
On concerns regarding zoning and regional power rotation, Ndubuaku said Obi’s competence should take precedence over political arrangements. He acknowledged that some stakeholders worry Obi might serve a full eight-year term if elected, potentially altering the power-sharing equilibrium, but dismissed such fears as secondary. “We know Obi doesn’t need two years to revive Nigeria. He’s not desperate for power,” he said.
Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, has declared that there should be no negotiation or ransom payment to terrorists, i...
