Rivers Elders Seek Full Restoration Of Democracy, Hail Wike, Fubara Reconciliation

Following recent reconciliation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum has demanded that Rivers State’s state of emergency be immediately lifted.

The Forum described the political crisis that has rocked the state over the past few months as a “sad development that deeply wounded the soul of our dear state and cast an undeserved shadow on our collective image, unity, progress, and prosperity,” at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

The elders commended both leaders for what they described as a “show of maturity and courage” in accepting peace while applauding President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the crisis.

The Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, Alabo Dr. Gabriel Toby, acting chairman of the forum, said, “This is exactly what we, the Rivers Elders and Leaders Forum, had sincere requests for from the beginning. “Unfortunately, our initial efforts were not heard,” which necessitated our formal appeal to Mr. President.

Read more about Wike Tells Coalition, Stop Using Nigerians For Personal Affairs, and Read More Here.

The Forum also emphasized that Rivers State’s existence was solely influenced by its involvement.

No political favor, reward, or personal gain are sought. Our only desire is for the leaders of our state to work together for the common good of all, according to Dr. Toby.

The elders expressed hope that the reconciliation’s terms are fully complied with the rule of law and are anchored in the 1999 Constitution.

The Forum urged the authorities to reinstate all of the country’s democratic institutions now that peace has been restored.

The statement stated that “we hold the position that all suspended democratic structures must be completely restored and that the State of Emergency must be lifted.”

Michael Madsen’s cause of death confirmed as Reservoir Dogs star found dead at home aged 67

Michael Madsen, the actor from Reservoir Dogs, passed away at the age of 67 after being discovered “unresponsive at home.” The actor, who also appeared in Kill Bill, was discovered dead in his Malibu home on Thursday morning, according to his manager.

Authorities said they didn’t anticipate any foul play from his manager, Ron Smith, who claimed he died from a cardiac arrest. Michael Madsen has been producing some incredible films for independent film, including the upcoming feature films Resurrection Road, Concessions, and Cookbook for Southern Housewives, according to a statement released.

Additionally, Madsen was working on a new book, Outlaw Thoughts and Poems, called Tears For My Father. One of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, Michael Madsen will be greatly missed.

In the acclaimed movie Reservoir Dogs, Michael Madsen portrays Mr. Blonde.

The US actor gained notoriety for his frequent collaborations with renowned director Quentin Tarantino, appearing in films like The Hateful Eight, Kill Bill: Vols 1 and 2, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

In a notorious torture sequence from Stealers Wheel’s 1972 classic Stuck In The Middle With You, Madsen performed an infamous dance to the iconic song “Mr. Blonde.”

His publicist noted that Madsen had a significant impact on the film industry with a career that spanned more than 300 titles and spanned more than 40 years.

His manager, Ron Smith, said he died from a cardiac arrest
According to his manager, Ron Smith, he died from cardiac arrest (Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images).

The actor also appeared in the first three Free Willy movies, which starred Jason James Richter as Jesse Greenwood’s adoptive father, in a notable role.

He appeared in the James Bond film series Die Another Day and Thelma And Louise and Donnie Brasco.

Virginia, 63, his actress sibling, wrote in a heartfelt statement about her brother. My brother Michael has left the stage, she said in a statement to Variety. He had velvet and thunder. Mischief that is tenderly wrapped.

A poet who pretends to be an outsider. A father, a son, and a brother, all tempered by a lasting love. We’re not mourning a famous person. We are grieving with ferocious hearts and flesh, not a myth. who roared through life in a roaring, brilliant, and ignoble fire. Who leaves us with echoes of gruff, brilliant, and unrepeatable, half legend, half lullaby?

I’ll miss the sudden laughter and the sound of him, “I’ll miss our inside jokes.” I’ll miss my big brother and the boy he was before the legend. Thank you to everyone who reaches out in memory and love.

We’ll discuss how we’ll celebrate his life in the future, but for the time being, we stick together and let the silence speak for themselves.

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Alcaraz, Kartal & Norrie feature as Raducanu faces Sabalenka

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Wimbledon 2025

Venue: All England Club, June 30 – 13 .

Three British players submitted a Friday application for a spot in the fourth round of Wimbledon, but Emma Raducanu will need to defeat the world number one to qualify.

In the final match on Centre Court, British No. 1 Raducanu will face Aryna Sabalenka, who has triumphed in the past three Grand Slams.

At the same time as Wimbledon last year, Raducanu defeated three of her top ten opponents, including Maria Sakkari, who was then world number nine.

Carlos Alcaraz applauds the crowd on Centre Court after his victory over Oliver Tarvet on WednesdayGetty Images
In their third matchup on Center Court, American fifth-seeded Taylor Fritz faces Spanish 26th-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who will face Sabalenka.

In both of his Wimbledon matches so far, Fritz has been set for five.

Alcaraz, the second seed from Spain, takes on Jan-Lennard Struff from Germany.

At 13:00 BST, Kartal, who is attempting to reach the fourth round of a major for the first time, squares off against France’s Diane Parry in the opening match of the season on Court One.

Norrie, who reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2022, takes on Mattia Bellucci from Italy.

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Friday is the first day of the mixed doubles competition at this year’s Wimbledon, and the men’s and women’s doubles competitions will continue.

Following their victories in 2021 and 2022, Neal Skupski and Desirae Krawczyk form a formidable partnership in the British market. On court 14, they face Sadio Doumbia and Wu Fang-hsien.

In a new all-British partnership, Emily Appleton will partner with Heather Watson, who won alongside Henri Kontinen in 2016 alongside fellow Brit Julian Cash.

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Naomi Osaka, a four-time major winner, has so far been unnoticed at Wimbledon.

The Japanese player is currently in the fourth round of the tournament after going through her first two matches without dropping a set despite having a difficult season so far. In the first match, she takes on Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova from Russia starting at 11:00.

Madison Keys, the sixth seed and Australian Open champion, faces German Laura Siegemund, who some have chosen to challenge for the title.

Joao Fonseca, a rising teenager from Brazil who only won his first ATP Tour grass-court match the week before Wimbledon, wraps up play against Nicolas Jarry from Chile.

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Michael Madsen’s final interview saw Reservoir Dogs star slam ‘overrated’ co-star Johnny Depp

In what is thought to have been his final interview before he passed away on Thursday at the age of 67, Michael Madsen criticised Donnie Brasco co-star Johnny Depp.

Michael Madsen has died(Image: Getty Images)

Michael Madsen slammed fellow actor Johnny Depp in his last interview before his death. The Reservoir Dogs star died on Thursday at the age of 67.

At his Malibu home, Michael was discovered to be unresponsive. He was most well-known for his roles in Kill Bill and the Quentin Tarantino film.

On his One Big Movie podcast, the Hollywood star sat next to Stephen Baldwin in what is thought to be his final interview before he passed away. In the conversation, Michael praised Stephen’s brother, Alec Baldwin, but wasn’t as kind toward Johnny, a member of Pirates of the Caribbean.

Johnny Depp
Michael Madsen wasn’t impressed by Johnny Depp(Image: Getty Images)

He stated to the host that he had a large collection of posters similar to those displayed in Stephen’s interview before speaking. Michael did not elaborate on how his home was destroyed in the wake of the Woolsey Fire in Malibu in 2018.

Stephen picked up his brother Alec as the conversation between the two got going. In 1994, Michael co-starred with Kim Basinger, Alec’s ex-wife. Alec shared a humorous account from the time, stating that the duo was interested in halting filming for a day.

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He claimed that Michael responded to Michael’s phone in his hotel room when it rang. Before getting up on the caller, he claimed to put on a hilarious combination of a Latino and Chicago accent.

Michael Madsen
Michael was honest with his thoughts on Johnny Depp(Image: Getty Images)

“Goddamnit, Alec, you’re the funniest mother f***er,” Michael opined. “Goddamnit, you’re the funnyniest mother f***er.”

But he confessed to thinking Johnny’s performance in Donnie Brasco was overrated. Johnny starred opposite Al Pacino in the Mafia movie, playing an FBI agent who goes undercover to infiltrate the family of one of the mob’s most prominent members. He then finds himself getting caught up in their world and grows further apart from his own.

And Michael, who portrayed Sonny Black in the film, acknowledged how disappointed he was with Johnny’s performance. When Johnny’s name was mentioned in the conversation, he said, “I don’t get it.”

He remarked about his work, “It just didn’t work for me.” There is no way to let a man join the family.

He continued, “Yeah. I see. It wasn’t terrible; it was just dull. It lacked life. I couldn’t understand how lifeless it was. I didn’t understand it.

Michael was allegedly having cardiac arrest when he passed away on Thursday. No foul play is suspected, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

In a statement released by directors Susan Ferris and Ron Smith, as well as publicist Liz Rodriguez, it was stated that “Michael Madsen has been doing some incredible work with independent film, including upcoming feature films Concessions and Cookbook for Southern Housewives,” and that he was eager to start this chapter of his life.

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“Michael Madsen will be missed by many,” said the Hollywood legend.

Abraham completes Besiktas move from Roma

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Tammy Abraham, a forward from England, has signed for Turkish side Besiktas.

The 27-year-old will initially sign for a season-long loan worth 2 million euros (1. 72 million), and if certain requirements are met, the switch will become permanent for a permanent amount of 13 million euros (£11. 2 million).

After spending the previous season on loan at AC Milan, Abraham made his return to Roma, where he scored ten goals and placed eighth in serie A.

“Double digits for every minute of effort and goals!” Thank you, Tammy,” Milan remarked when he announced his departure.

Abraham, who has three goals in 11 England appearances, began his career at Chelsea and spent time on loan at Swansea, Bristol City, and Aston Villa before signing for Roma for $ 34 million in 2021.

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Russia becomes first country to recognise Afghanistan’s Taliban government

In an effort to establish friendly relations with Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, which were under US control when American troops withdrew from the country four years ago, Russia has accepted the credentials of a new Afghan ambassador.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Thursday that the official recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan will give a boost to the development of productive bilateral cooperation between our nations.

Russia becomes the first nation in the world to recognize the Taliban government as a result.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Afghan foreign minister, stated in a video of a meeting with the Russian ambassador to Kabul on Thursday that “this courageous decision will serve as an example for others.”

Russia was ahead of everyone once the process of recognition began.

Washington, which has frozen billions in the country’s central bank assets and put sanctions on some senior Taliban leaders, is likely to be watching closely, which has contributed to the country’s banking sector being largely disconnected from the global financial system.

When US forces supporting Afghanistan’s internationally recognized government pulled out in August 2021, the group seized control of the country.

Since then, Moscow, which referred to the US withdrawal as a “failure,” has since started to normalize relations with the Taliban authorities in order to see them as potential economic partners and ally in the fight against terrorism.

The top diplomat of the Taliban met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow last October, and a delegation from the Taliban took part in Russia’s flagship economic forum, which was held in Saint Petersburg in 2022 and 2024.

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, referred to the Taliban as “allies in the fight against terrorism” in July 2024, particularly against ISIS-K, a terrorist organization that has carried out deadly attacks in both Afghanistan and Russia.

The organization’s Supreme Court in Russia removed the designation as a “terrorist” in April.

Lavrov urged Moscow to pursue a “pragmatic, not ideologised policy” in the face of the Taliban in the month that Lavrov claimed “the new authorities in Kabul are a reality.”

attempting to exert influence

Over the past 20 years, Moscow’s attitude toward the Taliban has dramatically changed.

Former US-backed Mujahideen fighters who fought the Soviet Union in the 1980s formed the group in 1994 during the Afghan Civil War.

Moscow suffered a crushing defeat in the Soviet-Afghan War, which may have accelerated the USSR’s demise.

Russia’s “terrorist” blacklist was put on hold by the Taliban in 2003 because of its support for separatists in the North Caucasus.

Russia and other nations in the region have to reevaluate their positions of influence as a result of the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

After the Taliban took control, Russia established its first business representative office in Kabul, and it has made it known that it intends to use Afghanistan as a gas transit hub for Southeast Asia.