Barack and Michelle Obama Strike Podcasting Deal With Spotify

Spotify Technology SA struck a deal for the entertainment-production company started by Barack and Michelle Obama to develop and produce podcasts that will be available only on the streaming service.

The former president and first lady, whose company is called Higher Ground, are expected to participate in at least some of the podcasts covering a range of topics, the companies said Thursday. That could potentially mean hosting, narrating or interview roles. Financial terms of the multiyear agreement weren’t disclosed, nor were details about programming or how many podcasts the deal might include.

The partnership comes after Spotify, already the second-largest podcast platform, behind Apple Inc., recently acquired a trio of podcasting companies for around $400 million—part of a plan to spend as much as $500 million altogether on such deals this year.


“We are thrilled that not only will the Obamas be producing content, but that they will be lending their voices to this effort,” said Spotify content chief Dawn Ostroff.

Mr. and Mrs. Obama established Higher Ground Productions last year when signing a multiyear deal to produce shows and documentaries for Netflix Inc.

SOURCE - WSJ

Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk Split After 4 Years Together

Bradley Cooper and Irina Shayk have split after four years of dating, PEOPLE confirms. Cooper, 44, and Shayk, 33, have officially decided to end their relationship and are amicably working out how to share custody of their daughter Lea De Seine, who they welcomed in March 2017, an insider tells PEOPLE.
The Oscar-nominated actor and the supermodel began dating in the spring of 2015.

The pair have kept their relationship private, with Shayk telling Glamour UKin February 2019 she preferred to keep their romance out of the spotlight.

“I have a lot of friends who share a lot of their personal life on Instagram or social media, very publicly. I admire it and I think it’s great – but I think it’s all about personal choice,” she said.

“Because my work requires me to be out there, I just decided my personal life will be quiet. That’s why it’s called personal, because it’s something for you and your family, and I feel happy with it.”
However, a source told PEOPLE at the time that raising their child is more important than getting married.
“They’re focused on their daughter, and they seem happy together.”

Anthony Joshua enjoys night out in New York as he makes his first public appearance after Andy Ruiz Jnr defeat (Photos)

British-Nigerian boxer, Anthony Joshua has been pictured for the first in public since his shocking defeat by Andy Ruiz Jnr on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old who was dropped four times before the referee stepped in in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden was spotted enjoying a night-time stroll as he exited Golden Swan Garden, a small park in West Village in New York on Wednesday.

Joshua spoke out about his defeat on Wednesday, addressing his fans via  YouTube.' I took my first (professional) loss,' he said. 'How to explain that feeling? It has happened to me before but I feel like those times I lost years back have made me a stronger person,' 
' It hasn't really changed me, my work ethic, my mindset, what I stand for, the people I'm still loyal to — my trainer Rob McCracken, my amateur coach at Finchley ABC. I'm still going to work with these guys, they'll teach me everything I need to know.

'They've done a great job for me not only inside the boxing ring but mainly as a human. They've really developed me as a person which is really important. These guys have been with me for years.' 
The boxer who has vowed to win back IBO, IBF, WBO, and WBA also refused to make any excuses for his defeat to the Mexican.
'There was no contaminated food. I know there's a lot of accusations or worries about what was wrong with me,' Joshua added.
'But I want to tell you this — I'm a soldier and I have to take my ups and my downs. And on Saturday I took a loss and I have to take it like a man. I have to take my loss like a man, no blaming anyone or anything.
'I'm the one who went in there to perform and my performance didn't go to plan. I'm the one who has to adjust, analyze and do my best to correct it and get the job done in the rematch.
'Boxing is a part of my life and I'm a champion at heart. Congratulations to Andy Ruiz, he has six months or so to be champion because the belts go in the air and he has to defend them against myself.

NBC shuts down AIT, Ray Power FM indefinitely

The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended indefinitely the license of Daar Communications Plc, owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power.

The Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, who made this known to journalists this evening, said the ban is as a result of the broadcasting station's failure to abide by the broadcasting code.

Below is the statement from NBC

“Following monitoring reports and complaints from concerned Nigerians about the broadcast contents of Daar Communications Plc’s AIT/Raypower broadcast stations, the NBC have over the last 2 years summoned on several occasions management of the company to address issues regarding the operations of AIT/Raypower with the company, particularly, Political Platform and Kakaaki aired on AIT,” he said.

“In one of our meetings, held on 2nd June, 2017, the Commission expressed its disappointment with the way and manner Hate Speech, divisive and inciting comments are applied in discussion of national issues in breach of the provisions of the NBC Act and Broadcast Code.

“Again, on 15th August, 2017, it became imperative to invite the company for yet another meeting on almost same issues. Furthermore, while addressing another meeting on 7th February, 2018 we highlighted issues of concern to the Commission which indicated that the company had been breaching the provisions of Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of the broadcast Code. The company’s delegates in their response promised to abate the breaches and comply with the law.

“However, on October 18, 2018, the Commission was disturbed with the manner in which social media issues became part of the mainstream media unedited on AIT/Raypower, and was constrained to issue a generic letter to all broadcast stations on.

“Instead of making amends, the management of Daar Communications Plc resorted to the use of media propaganda against the regulator. Even the letters from the NBC were posted on social media platforms,” he said.

“Needless to state that Daar Communications have over the years turned themselves into a bad example of how a professional broadcast outfit should not be run.

“In their relationship with the NBC, Daar Communications carry on, as if it is beyond the regulatory direction of the Commission. They don’t pay their licence fees as and when due.

“Its broadcast is patently partisan and one sided and deliberately inciting and heating the polity. The management of the Company has created the habit of using the channel to fight its personal battles contrary to the statutory requirements of the law.

“Today the 6th of June, 2019, AIT/Rapower embarked on use of inflammatory, divisive, inciting broadcasts, and media propaganda against the government and, the NBC for performing its statutory functions of regulating the broadcast industry in Nigeria.

“Consequently, after several meetings with management of Daar Communications Plc and many letters of warning. The NBC, today 6th June, 2019 took a decision to suspend the licence of Daar Communications Plc for failure to abide by the Commission’s directives, the provisions of the NBC Act Cap N11

“The SHUT DOWN order is until further notice.” Kawu said

Earlier today, the chairman of the station, Raymond Dokpesi, held a press conference where he accused President Buhari of using the NBC to victimize him.

“I have it on strict authority and very assured information that the highest echelons of government, the Presidency, queried and challenged the NBC that they were not doing their jobs: ‘How on earth could they be hearing and seeing on AIT what they termed hate speech?’

“Any criticism of this government is hate speech. The NBC is acting under the authority of the President and Commander-in-Chief. The licensing fees in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world. There is no country in the world where you have this type of exploitative fees. I have appealed for a reduction because the payments cannot be sustained by private broadcasters in Nigeria.

“This economy has plummeted. This government has called this organisation unprintable names which has deterred several advertisers from patronising AIT. I sought an audience with the NBC DG. I called, sent letters and sent text messages to him, but he refused. In spite of the fact that we have to run generators 24-hours of the day, I remain committed to keeping the spirit of broadcasting alive,” Dokpesi said at the press conference

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu swears in six newly-appointed Permanent Secretaries

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sworn in the six newly-appointed Permanent Secretaries just as he announced the redeployment of some serving ones.

A statement by the Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri- Okunola said that the action was to reinvigorate the State’s policy implementation apparatus, adding that the appointment of new Permanent Secretaries took effect from June 1, 2019.  

The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries and their portfolios are Dr. Ademuyiwa Benjamin Eniayewun, Health Service Commission; Mr. Olumide Olufolami Erinle, Education District IV; Mrs. Okelola Oludara, Education District VI and Mr. Wasiu Adedamola Akewusola, Ministry of Housing.

Others are Mrs. Yewande Abiodun Falugba - Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and Mr. Mustapha Abiodun Osi-Efa, Local Government Establishment and Pensions Office.  

The redeployed serving Permanent Secretaries are Mr. Timothy Olukayode Ogunnubi, Local Government Service Commission; Mrs. Samiat Olatokunboh Adeleye, Ministry of Education; Arc. Foluso Adebayo Dipe, Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development; Mrs. Maryrose Omotola Akinsanya, Parastatals Monitoring Office.    

Other redeployed ones are Mrs. Adebunmi  Elizabeth Adekanye, Ministry of Home Affairs; Mr. Segun Olufemi Adeniji, Ministry of Science and Technology; Mrs. Toyin Idowu Awoseyi, Teaching Service Commission. They also include Mr. Abdul-Ahmed Olorunfemi Mustapha, Office of Civic Engagement; Mrs. Boladale Aderemi Dapo-Thomas, Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment; Mrs. Omobolanle Modinat Ogunmola, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives; Mrs. Ganiat Raji, Audit Service Commission; Mrs. Adetutu Abiola Liadi, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget; and Mrs. Sinatu Bandele Fadipe to Civil Service Pension Office.  

The Governor tasked the new Permanent Secretaries to discharge their duties diligently and see their appointments as service to humanity.

Singer, Cassie reportedly expecting her first child with boyfriend Alex Fine 9-months after Diddy split

American singer and dancer, Cassie Ventura, 32,  is reportedly pregnant and expecting her first child with boyfriend, Alex Fine.

 A source close to the couple revealed to The Shade Room that Cassie is “preggers by her new boo.”

Cassie started dating Alex Fine, a physical trainer, following the end of her decade-long relationship with the rap mogul, Sean “Diddy” Combs. 

The couple met after Diddy hired Fine to be Cassie's personal trainer. But the pair went public with their romance in December, and ever since then they have been inseparable.