Actor Taylor Wily, who starred in the reboot of crime drama Hawaii Five-0, has died at the age of 56.

His entertainment lawyer confirmed his death to the BBC’s US partner CBS News. A cause of death was not given. The BBC has approached his representatives for comment.

The actor, who was from Hawaii, had a recurring role as Kamekona Tupuola on Hawaii Five-0, which he reprised in Magnum P.I.

Tributes have been pouring in, including from Peter Lenkov, executive producer on both shows.

“I am devastated. Heartbroken. I’ll post some detailed feeling in a few days. Just too hard right now,” he wrote on Instagram, along with a picture of himself and Wily.

In a further post, he said he “fell in love” with Wily at the very first audition.

“You came in with a towel on your head mopping up sweat, and I was smitten. You charmed me into making you a regular… on the show… and in my life,” he wrote.

“You were family. And I will miss you every day, brother.”
He added that the pair had spoken last week, and had laughed at how right Wily had been for the role.

“Five-0 was our dream job. And I was so lucky we got to share that magic together.”

Wily was originally a sumo wrestler but left the sport in the late 1980s after suffering several knee injuries. He later competed in UFC before turning his hand to film and television.

He starred as confidential informant Kamekona on Hawaii Five-0 between 2010–2020, before appearing in seven episodes of Magnum P.I.

His other credits included a role alongside Jason Segel and Mila Kunis in Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

But for Wily, Hawaii Five-0 remained his favourite role.
“It’s the best job in the world — you get to play Hollywood but be right here in Hawaii,” he said. “Home.”

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, better known by his stage name Wizkid, on Thursday, made a series of thought-provoking statements on social media platform X.com

The Grammy-award-winning Nigerian singer, widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential artists in Africa, took to X on Thursday to share his views on religion and spirituality.

Wizkid, who has achieved global recognition with hit songs like “Essence,” “Come Closer,” and “Ojuelegba,” among others, wrote, “I could start a church if I wanted.”

This statement has since caught the attention of his massive fanbase, sparking speculation and discussions. However, it is unclear what his genuine intentions were when he posted those.

The 33-year-old Afrobeats, R&B, and pop music artist, further in a series of posts added, “Jesus is King,” and “After God na God. No go whine.”

Wizkid, who hails from Lagos, Nigeria, has achieved numerous accolades throughout his career, including a Grammy Award for his contribution to the album “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyoncé. He has also won several other prestigious awards, such as BET Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and MOBO Awards, among others.

Grammy-nominated Afrobeat musician, Seun Kuti, has lamented that Burna Boy is erroneously being credited for records set by him and others in the Nigerian music industry.

He recalled that Burna Boy was widely reported as the first artiste to play in Coachella in 2020 despite his (Kuti’s) performance at the festival in 2012.

He also mentioned that before Burna Boy earned his first Grammy nomination for Best World Music Album with African Giant, his elder brother, Femi Kuti had received multiple nominations in the category.

Speaking in a recent interview with The Public Republic, Kuti lamented that his album ‘Black Times’ was nominated for Best World Music Album years ago but no African award organiser considered it for a nomination.

The controversial singer stated that despite earning another Grammy nomination for his contributions to Janelle Monae’s ‘Age of Pleasure,’ which was nominated in the Album of the Year category at the 2024 Grammys, the media didn’t mention him among the Nigerian artists nominated for the 66th Grammys.

“My brother [Femi Kuti] has been nominated at the Grammys multiple times. They’ve nominated me, I was also nominated in the last edition. It was only my name that they [Nigerian media] didn’t mention among the Nigerian artists who were nominated for the 66th Grammys. That’s what they do every time as if I’m from Togo.

“That’s how they said Burna boy was the first Nigerian artiste to play in Coachella in 2020 where me I’ve played in 2012 as if I’m from Togo,” he lamented.

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, aka Portable, has accused his colleague, Davido, of chasing clout with their recent dinner in the United States.

He lamented that, instead of making music with him or gifting him money, Davido used him to trend.

Portable insisted that the DMW boss should have given him at least $10,000.

The ‘Zazu’ crooner stated this in a video message shared via his Instagram page recently.

“Davido ripped me, you invited me out for a dinner in America, but you didn’t give me a verse or money, you just used me to trend. You should have given me at least $10,000,” he said.

Portable and Davido fell out after the former publicly accused the latter of giving him “bad advice” during their dinner in the United States.

Davido reacted by unfollowing Portable on Instagram, and the ‘Zazu’ crooner also unfollowed him.

Veteran Nollywood actress, Stella Ikwuegbu, has died.

The sad news was revealed by movie producer, Stanley Nwoko, aka Stanley Ontop via his Instagram page, on Sunday.

Nwoko revealed that Stella, who was battling with leg cancer, died today, Sunday, June 16th.

He wrote: “Popular Nollywood actress/veteran Mrs Stella Ikwuegbu is dead.

“The Veteran Actress left this world today after battling with leg cancer.

“Rest well madam Stella.”

Another colleague, Ijele Ozioma Christy Ejiofor, wrote: “Ukwu Gi Dia. Why? You scaled through several, accidents and all. Eniure/Achiere came, and in less than a week, it killed you. Oh my… I feel bad.

“Stella Ikwuegbu, nenu Jennifer, you didn’t enjoy a thing. Why? Just why?”

Controversial American rapper and model, Rubi Rose, has retracted her claims that she was 16 when she became a video vixen.

Rose gained popularity after her appearance in the Migos 2016 hit single ‘Bad and Boujee’ music video.

Featuring on a recent episode of the Joe Budden podcast, the rapper claimed she was 16 at the time.

“Migos’ ‘Bad and Boujee’ was the first video I ever did. I think I was 16 or 17 when I did the video,” she recalled.

Her claims earned backlash as the age of consent in America is 18, with many questioning why an underage was used as a vixen in adult music video.

Reacting to the backlash, Rose clarified that she was 18 when she appeared on the video and not 16 as claimed on the podcast.

“I was 18 in bad and boujee video, my bad y’all,” she wrote via X.

Nigerian singer Guchi , known for the hit single, ‘Jennifer’, has revealed that she worked in an ice cream shop in other to fend for her family.

In an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the singer revealed that while working tirelessly to provide for her family, her boss unexpectedly became her “destiny helper” after overhearing her singing while on the job.

“I used to work in an ice cream store. I didn’t want to sit down and say I have a passion for music and wait for Don Jazzy to come and sign me in my house. I had to feed my siblings and my mother,” she explained.

Describing the pivotal moment that changed her life, the singer said, “This particular day, I was at the back, singing and preparing the ice cream so I could pour it inside the machine then my boss walked in and asked who was singing, and they all screamed Guchi.

“So he said, I like your boldness and then put his hand in his pocket. I thought he was about to give me a tip I would use to go home that day but he brought out a card. I felt so disappointed. I didn’t know that was my destiny helper.”

Internet sensational actress, Ramota Adetu popularly known as Aunty Ramota, has debunked the rumour that she was in a coma as a result of an unsuccessful Brazillian Butt Lift.

She made this known in a video that trended on Wednesday.

In the clip, Aunty Ramota was seen eating and showing off her full body while claiming that nothing was wrong with her.

Speaking in the Yoruba language to dispel the rumour, the small-statured actress said, “My lovers, thank you, nothing happened to me. This is my body.”

Recall that some online platforms reported that the actress was wheeled into a recovery room in an unidentified hospital in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

In a now-viral video, a lady who appeared to be Ramota was carried around by medical personnel in a yet-to-be-identified hospital.

Ramota, who is known for her comedic roles, appeared unconscious in the footage as she was seen breathing through an oxygen mask.

An individual claimed Ramota came for a BBL surgery that was not successful.

“What is Ramota doing here? What has she come to do here? Why is she here? Do not call me into this kind of situation. Do not call my name. I am not here,” a voice can be heard saying.

Another person in the video responded: “She came to do BBL. Yes. She is just here since after the operation they performed on her.”

The rumours went viral on social media, stirring curiosity and concerns among her fans.

Reacting to the speculation via Instagram, the comedian and on-screen ‘husband’ of Aunty Ramota, Ganiyu Kehinde, popularly known as Ijoba Lande, said he was unaware she underwent surgery.

The skit maker argued that rumours about Aunty Ramota undergoing butt surgery and falling into a coma are “false”.

“Please, Nigerians, all that they have been saying about Aunty Ramota being in a coma is a lie. She is not in a coma. There is no one I know with her that I could reach. And I did not intend to talk about it before, but anytime I came online, people kept asking me about the whereabouts of Aunty Ramota.

“I thought it was real also when I saw a video of Aunty Ramota being pushed on the bed. I swear to God I do not know anything about it,” he said.

Nigerian Rapper, Vector Tha Viper has suggested that Grammy-winning singer, Burna Boy has a lot to say but not “skillful lyrically.”

Appearing on a recent episode of the Afrobeats Podcast, Vector explained that for a presentation to be interesting, one have to be skillful lyrically.

“Burna Boy has a lot to say so let him say it. But if you have a lot to say, for you to be interesting, you have to be skillful lyrically,” he said.

He, however, urged Burna Boy not to be afraid of speaking his mind, adding that as an artiste he has the right to express himself lyrically.

Recalls that Burna Boy sparked controversy in last year after accusing Nigerians of appreciating him enough despite making the country proud “every chance” he gets, on “Thanks”, a J.Cole feature from his seventh studio album, “I Told Them.”

Ayra Starr has made history as the first Nigerian female artist to grace the U.S. Billboard 200 Album chart.

The singer achieved the feat with her sophomore album, ‘The Year I Turned 21’ which debuted at No. 195 on Monday.

“Debuts on this week’s #Billboard200:

No. 2, @ATEEZofficial Golden Hour : Part.1 (EP)

No. 5, @ShaboozeysJeans Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going

No. 17, @themarias Submarine

No. 102, @crowdermusic The Exile

No. 169, @carinleonofi Boca Chueca, Vol. 1

No. 195, @ayrastarr The Year I Turned 21,” Billboard charts tweeted.

The album is also the first project by a female Nigerian artist to debut on the UK Official Album chart.

It debuted at N0. 80 in the UK and N0. 72 in France.

Burna Boy’s ‘Love, Damini’ which reached NO. 14 remains the highest-peaking Nigerian album in the U.S. it’s also the first Nigerian album to top the UK album chart.

Canadian singer Celine Dion has shared that she hid her struggle with Stiff Person Syndrome for 17 years before revealing it to the public.

In an interview with Hoda Kotb on the Today Show this week, Dion revealed that she was secretly battling the illness while managing her late husband, Rene Angelil’s cancer battle and raising their children.

The 56-year-old singer who first revealed her diagnosis in 2022, confessed that she has been experiencing symptoms way back in 2008.

“We did not know what was going on [with me]. I did not take the time… I should have stopped, took the time to figure it out,” she said.

“And like it wasn’t enough, my husband as well is fighting for his own life.

“I had to raise my kids, I had to hide, I had to try to be a hero – while feeling my body leaving me,’ she continued. ‘[I was] holding on to my own dreams.”

The ‘Think Twice’ crooner explained that she eventually opened up about her illness because keeping it from “the people who got her to where she was” was a huge “burden”.

Celine Dion recently stated that her Stiff Person Syndrome feels like she’s “being strangled”.

She added that that she often suffers from cramps and even had broken some ribs.

Nigerian disk jokey Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, has urged her fans to always celebrate their achievements.

Cuppy, who is known for flaunting her achievements on social media, said celebrating one’s achievements builds confidence and motivation.

The music star, who recently revealed that she plans going back to school for her fourth degree, stated this on X on Tuesday.

She wrote, “Be proud of yourself and be your biggest cheerleader. Make sure you celebrate your achievements to build confidence AND stay motivated!! [Hash tag] CuppyOnAMission.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has threatened to ban Apple Inc. devices from his companies if OpenAI’s artificial intelligence software is integrated into its operating system.

On Monday, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the company will integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

Reacting via X, Musk described the plan as an “unacceptable security violation,” and threatened to ban the 1.4 billion Apple users worldwide from his companies.

He warned that if Apple goes ahead with the plan, its users would have to drop their devices at the door of his companies.

He wrote, “If Apple integrates OpenAI at the OS level, then Apple devices will be banned at my companies. That is an unacceptable security violation.

“And visitors will have to check their Apple devices at the door, where they will be stored in a Faraday cage.”

Controversial social media critic, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has regained his freedom after spending over two weeks in detention.

Otse was billed to be released one week after his arraignment by the police for cyberstalking and bullying on May 22, 2024.

A viral video on X Monday shows VeryDarkMan walking into his fans after he was set free.

Recall that the social media critic was arraigned before the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, facing five counts of cyberstalking involving the Nigeria police and Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dike, to which he pleaded not guilty.

His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, applied for bail, but the police prosecuting team informed Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon that they needed more time to respond to the application, leading the court to adjourn the bail hearing to May 29.

The prosecution sought to have the blogger remanded in prison custody, but his lawyers successfully argued for his remand in police custody instead.

The court granted this request, and Verydarkman was subsequently taken to the National Cybercrime Centre.

Popular Yoruba actress and comedian, Ramota Adetu, popularly known as ‘Aunty Ramota’, is said to have fallen into a coma following a Brazillian Butt Lift (BBL) surgery she underwent in a hospital in Ikorodu on Saturday, June 8.

A blogger, Tosin Silverdam, in a post on Instagram claimed that Aunty Ramota had undergone the BBL surgery to enhance her appearance.

Tosin said the procedure encountered complications, resulting in her current comatose state.

“Aunty Ramota slipped into a coma on Saturday, June 8th, subsequent to her BBL surgery at a hospital in Ikorodu, Lagos State, due to surgical complications,” Tosin said.

The incident has sparked a range of reactions, with some questioning the authenticity of the news, while others expressed genuine concern and hope for her prompt recovery.

In response to the news, popular actress Toyin Lawani commented, “It’s a skit, forget. I’m not even falling for this. I’m just imagining how it will look on her legs. I know it’s a joke though. No doctor will do that to her; they would be jailed. It’s not ethical because of her condition.”

Howard University has revoked the honorary degree conferred on music mogul Sean Combs, popularly known as Diddy, over sexual assault allegations.

A spokesperson for the university informed Fox on Friday that the honorary degree, given to Diddy in 2014, has been returned and unanimously accepted by the Howard University Board of Trustees.

This acceptance revokes all honours and privileges associated with the degree.

Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.

Diddy is facing scrutiny after a video emerged showing him apparently assaulting his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, in a hotel hallway in 2016. The recently obtained video from eight years ago, exclusively obtained by CNN, showed Diddy chasing after Ventura while wearing only socks and a towel. This video gave credence to Ventura’s November lawsuit against the music mogul.

In May, the rapper apologised, describing his actions as “inexcusable,” but he did not mention Ventura by name. He said, “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was f—ed up – I hit rock bottom – but I make no excuses. My behaviour in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”

Diverse reactions have continued to trail the result of the autopsy conducted on singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

The autopsy result which surfaced on the Internet on Friday, May 7, 2024, revealed that although there was no conclusive proof of the cause of the late singer’s death, he appeared to have died from a reaction to drugs.

The report of the autopsy conducted at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital revealed that samples of Mohbad’s gastric content, blood, bone marrow, liver, kidney, and lungs were received for a complete toxicology examination.

The report read, “It is noteworthy that the body neither had an autopsy nor embalmed before interment on the second day. Following the Order for Exhumation, the body was exhumed on 21/09/2023 (eight days after the burial).

“Autopsy revealed moderate to marked decomposition of organs. Aside from the superficial injury on the right forearm, no significant gross finding could be attributed to death.

“Against this background, samples were taken for toxicology. This was to determine if there was any anaphylactic reaction, substance abuse, overdose or common household poisoning. Toxicology revealed positive findings of Diphenhydramine, an anti-histamine. However, this concentration was not in a fatal or lethal range. The other analytics were unremarkable.

“Unfortunately, this was prevented or made impossible by the burial of the deceased on the second day. In the light of the preceding, the cause of death could not be ascertained. However, the possibility of a fatal anaphylactic shock (drug reaction) could be considered given the absence of any significant post-mortem and toxicology findings.”

However, the report has stirred mixed reactions, as some of the late singer’s fans argued that the result was released late. In contrast, others stated that his father’s action of burying him immediately hurt the autopsy result.

A fan, augustinaariemi, commented, “My own is that Baba Bohbad didn’t do well by burying that boy like that. He is one of the reasons that boy has not got justice.”

Leeeymarrrrh wrote, “The father is part of the people that did not allow this guy (Mohbad) to get justice.”

The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday fined Multichoice Nigeria, the owners of DSTV and GoTv services, the sum of N150 million for disobeying its orders, which restrained the pay-TV company from increasing its monthly subscription pending the determination of the suit brought before it.

The tribunal also ordered the pay-TV company to provide its Nigerian customers with a one-month free subscription to its DStv and GOtv packages.

Recall that the tribunal had previously ordered Multichoice not to increase its subscription fees without proper notice, following a lawsuit filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Festus Onifade, who said the 8-day notice given for the price increase was inadequate.

Onifade then proceeded to file contempt charges against Multichoice after it disobeyed court orders and proceeded with its price hike as announced via email to its customers.

The contempt charges which were filed on May 7 were instituted against the Manager of the Abuja branch of Multi-Choice Nigeria Ltd, Mr Mohammed Sani.

The contempt was hinged on the company’s disobedience to the court order and Onifade, sought an order of the tribunal, directing MultiChoice to pay the sum of N1 billion “or any amount the tribunal deemed fit appropriate in this circumstance for the company’s deliberate actions in disobeying, contravening, and failing to comply with the interim order” granted on April 29.

In a Notice of Consequence of Disobedience to Order of Court, Form 48, marked: CCPT/OP/02/2024 dated and filed on May 7, the notice, warned Sani against disregarding the tribunal order.

“Take notice that unless you obey the under-listed order of the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, Abuja, given on the 29th day of April 2024, thus: “An order restraining the 1st defendant/respondent either by itself, agents, representatives, officers or privies, howsoever described from carrying out the impending increase in tariffs and cost of its products and services intended to take effect from 1st May 2024, until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice already filed before this tribunal”.

Multichoice, on its part, argued that previous rulings had settled price regulation issues.

Onifade insisted the length of notice was inadequate and more pressing than the price hike itself, prompting the tribunal to affirm its jurisdiction and ruling against Multichoice.

The court fixed July 3 for a hearing of the substantive suit of the plaintiff.

A World War Two US Navy veteran travelling to France for an event marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings has died, a veteran organisation has confirmed.
Robert “Al” Persichitti from Rochester, New York, was airlifted to a hospital in Germany on 30 May after suffering a medical emergency aboard a ship heading to Europe.

He died the following day, aged 102.

Remembered as a “great, humble man,” Mr Persichitti was involved in the allied operation in Japan.

Honor Flight – a veteran organisation Mr Persichitti belonged to – confirmed his death on social media and said he had “served his country bravely without hesitation”.

The non-profit helps transport former US servicemen to the memorials of the respective wars they fought in.

The 102-year-old was selected to attend the event in Normandy by the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, which paid for and organised the trip, a local affiliate of CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, reported.

“I’m really excited to be going”, he told broadcaster WROC-TV a day before he set off.

His cardiologist had encouraged him to travel, he added.
Al DeCarlo, who served alongside Mr Persichitti in Japan, was also on the trip. He told local media in Rochester that his friend did not die alone.

“The doctor was with him… he was at peace and he was comfortable,” he said, according to ABC news agency affiliate, WHAM-TV.

“She put his favourite singer, Frank Sinatra, on her phone and he peacefully left us.”

The pair served in Iwo Jiwa together, a Japanese island the US captured from the country’s imperial army in 1945.

Mr Persichitti’s friend of 46 years, Pastor William Leone, told WHAM-TV “he had a real zest for living” and would visit children in local schools to talk to about his experiences.

The veteran was also a former teacher. In April, students at a local school helped organise a birthday celebration in his honour.

In 2020, he was named an honouree of New York State Senate’s Veteran Hall of Fame by the then Senator Rich Funke.
His local chapter of Honor Flight in Rochester said they will miss him.

Popular content creator and actor Adebowale Adedayo, popularly known as Mr Macaroni, has urged the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress, APC, to rise up to its responsibilities.

The thespian stated that if APC knew what Nigerians deserved back then, they should have no problem understanding what the people want now that they are in power.

He added that Nigerians are suffering and the government needs to rise to its responsibilities.

On his X handle, Mr Macaroni wrote: “No Political party enjoyed opposition like APC! They cursed at Jonathan and his family everyday. Nobody protest reach them.

“If APC knew what the people deserved back then, they should have no problem understanding what the people want and deserve now!

“The people are suffering!

The Government should wake up!”