Donald Trump said he wants to grant green cards to foreign graduates from US colleges, in an apparent softening of his typically hard-line view on immigration, a key election issue.

The Republican candidate made the remarks in a podcast published Thursday, days after President Joe Biden announced a citizenship pathway for immigrants married to US nationals, counterbalancing his recent crackdown on illegal border crossings.

“What I want to do and what I will do is, you graduate from a college, I think you should get automatically as part of your diploma a green card to be able to stay in this country,” Trump told the All-In podcast.

A green card is the commonly used name for a permanent resident card in the United States and a step toward citizenship.

Trump said this should include “anybody who graduates from a college,” including those who complete two-year programs, known as junior colleges, and doctoral graduates.

Asked initially on the podcast if he would promise to help import the “best and the brightest around the world to America,” Trump replied: “I do promise.”

He added: “I know of stories where people graduated from a top college, or from a college, and they desperately want to stay here… and they can’t.

“They go back to India, they go back to China. They do the same basic company in those places and they become multi billionaires employing thousands and thousands of people,” Trump said.

He also said that US companies need “smart people,” adding “they can’t even make a deal with a company because they don’t think they’re going to be able to stay in the country.”

“That is going to end on day one,” Trump added.

During Trump’s 2017-2021 presidency, he ordered construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border and implemented a travel ban on people from mostly Muslim countries.

His comments came after Democrat opponent Biden on Tuesday relaxed visa rules for around half a million spouses of US nationals, making it easier for them to obtain citizenship.

The president also simplified the process for migrants who came to the United States illegally as children — known as “Dreamers” — to get work visas if they’ve graduated college and have a “high-skilled job offer.”

Biden — often accused of being soft on immigration by Republicans — earlier in June signed an executive order barring migrants who enter the United States illegally from claiming asylum when numbers surge past 2,500 in a day.

Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus popularly known as Portable has vehemently criticized media personality Isaac Fayose, alleging hypocrisy and insincere displays of love.

The “Zazoo” coroner took to his Instagram DMs to lambast Fayose in a tirade laced with heavy Yoruba expressions.

The conflict began when Fayose criticized Portable in a public comment section, prompting an outraged response from the singer.

Portable accused Fayose of privately expressing admiration for him in direct messages while publicly speaking ill of him.

“Why are you talking bad about me, now you’re telling me in my DM you love me. Love yourself, no use your love spoil love for me,” Portable said partly in the video.

The singer went on to mock Fayose, asserting that he is not as famous as he believes and dismissing him as not being on the same celebrity level.

This incident has stirred reactions from fans and followers with many expressing their opinions.

Nigerian singer, Anthony Ebuka Victor, popularly known as Victony says rapper Olamide, inspired him to make his forthcoming project ‘Stubborn’ an album.

The singer spoke about his encounter with Olamide at a listening party for the project scheduled for a June 28 release.

The ‘Soweto’ hitmaker revealed that the YBNL label chief executive encouraged him to make ‘Stubborn’ an album.

Victony said the rapper, fondly called Baddo, told him he needed to put out an album “when the fans are yearning for it”.

He added that Olamide’s backing prompted his decision to make ‘Stubborn’ an album instead of an extended play as announced. Victony who recently revealed qualities of his ideal woman said:

“Stubborn was supposed to be an EP. I felt like I was not album-ready.”

“Before the release of the single ‘Stubborn’, I went to Baddo’s house to seek advice like my big brother.

“The meeting had a different outcome. I went there with my guys, just discussing with Baddo. He told me, ‘Look, you do not want to put out a body of work when your fans are no longer yearning for it.’

“That hit me because I feel like I am a project artiste and that is how people understand me best. I thought about it and I am like, ‘Why not? What is holding me back?’ And then I tweeted a picture with Baddo.

“That very day was the day we decided to make this an album. I had announced Stubborn as my next project but as an EP.”

Born Anthony Victor, Victony rose to fame a few years ago after collaborating with Mayorkun for ‘Holy Father’.

He is signed to Mainland Block Party, a record label owned by the Nigerian music executive Tobi Mohammed.

In May, Victony released ‘Stubborn’ a track off the forthcoming debut album.

Victony’s 14-track album features Asake, Shallipopi, Shorae Moore, Saint Jhn, and Teezo Touchdown.

Popular Twitter influencer Danny Walter has ignited a heated debate on social media by declaring that his success in life is not attributable to God.

In a viral video, Walter, who has a reputation for criticizing religious figures on Twitter, openly stated his disbelief in the existence of God and dismissed the notion that the Almighty played a role in his achievements.

“I hustled my way to the top,” Walter said in the viral video. 

He went on to challenge the idea of divine help, suggesting that if God indeed helps people, He should redirect His focus to aiding the poor and those in need of favors.

Walter’s comments have stirred significant controversy, drawing mixed reactions from the public.

Reacting to the backlash that trailed his statement, Danny posted:

“Can’t believe you guys are mad at me for saying God should not help me but help poor people. Don’t you want God to help poor people abi what’s the problem??!”

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Popular American reality star and model Kim Kardashian has opened up about her future plans and how many years she believes she has left to look beautiful.

The fashion mogul, known for her significant influence in the entertainment and fashion industries, disclosed that she believes she has only ten more years to maintain her current looks.

During a discussion about her long-term goals, Kim said;

“I’ve got about 10 years where I still look good, so that’s all I’ve got in me.”

Kim went on to outline her aspirations beyond the next decade. She mentioned a desire to transition into acting, planning to take on a movie role each year.

Following this period, she envisions stepping away from the limelight to take some personal time.

“I can do a movie a year. I’ve got about 10 years where I still look good, so that’s all I’ve got in me, and then I’ll take some time off,” Kim said.

In other news, American reality star and businesswoman Kim Kardashian opens up about her decision to divorce her Rapper ex-husband, Kanye West.

Kim Kardashian sheds light on the personal struggles she faced due to Kanye’s personality.

She revealed the complexities and challenges that ultimately led to the end of their marriage.

She stated that Kanye West was the best rapper of all time and the richest black man, but lacks character, adding that she divorced him because of his personality.

Speaking in a recent episode of the Big Boss show, Kim said:

“I married the best rapper of all time. Not only that, he is the richest black man in America, a talented legit genius…

In a surprising and fiery outburst, Nollywood legend Kanayo O Kanayo ignited social media with a sensational video where he openly criticized Juliet Ifechi Unigwe, the mother and manager of his younger colleague, Angel Unigwe.

The veteran actor began by accusing Mrs. Unigwe of holding numerous movie producers to ransom, revealed that he had heard about her numerous misdeeds from other filmmakers she had allegedly ghosted as well.

Kanayo alleged that Mrs. Unigwe extorts money from these filmmakers and fails to honor her commitments. He revealed that he is the latest victim to fall prey to her unscrupulous tactics.

Detailing his grievance, Kanayo recounted a recent incident on his set. The movie legend said he had arranged for Angel Unigwe to work throughout the day, only for Mrs. Unigwe to storm onto the set at 9 PM, forcibly removing her daughter despite the agreed-upon time not having lapsed.

Kanayo viewed this abrupt action as a blatant breach of contract and a disruptive affront to the professionalism expected in Nollywood.

The actor didn’t stop there. He issued a stern warning to his colleagues, emphatically stating that any movie producer who hires Angel Unigwe without her completing her obligations on his project would incur his wrath.

He threatened to personally disrupt their productions until the proper procedures were followed. 

Kanayo passionately stated that his drastic actions were aimed at addressing the widespread unprofessionalism that has crept into the modern Nollywood scene.

Award winning Nigerian R&B singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems has recently opened up about what it’s like to be in a romantic relationship with her.

In a recent conversation with actress Chinasa Anukam on the ‘Is This Seat Taken’ podcast, Tems likened dating her to discovering a one-of-a-kind flower.

According to the Grammy-winning singer, her personality may not immediately captivate you, but it holds beauty within.

She did, however, warned that there may be some unexpected hurdles along the way.

“Dating me is like stumbling upon a rare species of flower that looks black from the outside and when you open it, it has pink, purple but in the middle, there’s a stone,” Tems said.

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the expulsion of former deputy governor, Philip Shaibu as a sign of panic by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Recall that Shaibu was expelled from the party, alongside the PDP South-South Vice Chairman, Dan Orbih, after declaring support for the APC ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

Reacting to the development, the APC stated that Shaibu was welcome to return to the party.

The party maintained that it would embrace Shaibu and others when they decide to join.

Speaking via a statement on Thursday, the opposition said,  “The hurried suspension of Philip Shaibu, the immediate past deputy governor of Edo State, and Hon. Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama by the Governor Godwin Obaseki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party is a sign that the remnants of the PDP are in panic mode as the election draws nearer.

“The All Progressives Congress in Edo State is aware that both politicians are community builders that have contributed to the development of the state both in and out of government, and the party is proud of them, especially with the contributions they have made for the enthronement of good governance that Senator Monday Okpebholo will bring to bear as from November 12, this year.

“Our party, the APC will not hesitate to embrace Shaibu and Ogbeide-Ihama whenever both gentlemen decide to bid the sinking ship of PDP goodbye.”

The Federal Government has begun the proposed audit of the N2.7tn fuel subsidy claim by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, The PUNCH has learnt.

An audit firm, KPMG had conducted an initial audit reducing the claims from N6tn to N2.7tn.

However, in the new audit, the government said it had approved the engagement of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation to verify the claims made by the corporation regarding the amount the government owes the oil firm.

This process was confirmed by the Director, Home Finance, Ali Mohammed, during the April 2024 Federal Account Allocation Committee meeting.

The government said an update on the issue would be provided during the May FAAC meeting.

The PUNCH had reported last month that the audit would span from 2015 to 2021, aiming to verify the authenticity of NNPC/Federation Account claims on the N2.7tn while it considered hiring an external audit firm.

On May 30, 2023, a few hours after the “subsidy is gone” declaration by President Bola Tinubu, the NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, told State House correspondents that the federal government still owes the firm the sum of N2.8tn spent on petrol subsidy.

While saying the NNPCL footed petrol subsidy bills from its cash flow, Kyari said the government had so far been unable to pay back the N2.8tn.

He said “Since the provision of the N6tn in 2022, and N3.7tn in 2023, we have not have not received any payment whatsoever from the Federation.

“That means they (the Federal Government) are unable to pay and we’ve continued to support this subsidy from the cash flow of the NNPC. We are waiting for them to settle up to N2.8tn of NNPC’s cash flow from the subsidy regime and we can’t continue to build this.”

However, a copy of the minutes of the FAAC meeting obtained by our correspondent, however, revealed that the government had begun the audit of the N2.6tn subsidy claim.

The minute read in part, “On the forensic audit covering the period 2015 to 2021 to authenticate NNPC/Federation claims in respect of N2.7tn withheld by NNPC Limited: The Director, Home Finance informed members that the process of the forensic audit of NNPC Limited as reported at the last meeting was in progress. He assured that an update would be provided on the matter at the next meeting.”

Members of the committee also bemoaned the refusal of the NNPCL to comply with the revised exchange rate of N693.50/$1 in converting federation revenue.

According to them, NNPCL has declined to adhere to the revision of the May 2023 Central Bank of Nigeria exchange rate from N436.38/$1 to N621.86/$1, and subsequently to N693.50/$1, as instructed by the CBN.

On the refusal by NNPC Ltd to comply with the revised exchange rate of N693.50/$1 in converting Federation revenue, the Vice Chairman, Post-Mortem Sub-committee,  warned that “If NNPC Ltd continues to disregard the use of the agreed rate without presenting any authority to that effect, FAAC will be left with no option but to take appropriate action to recover the Federation funds.”

The minute further read, “At the last meeting of FAAC, it was reported that there was a review of the May 2023 CBN Exchange rate from N436.38/$1 to N621.86/$1 and a further review to N693.50/$1 in line with the directive of CBN. NNPCL was directed to comply with the revised exchange rate of N693.50/$1 and re-compute all the Royalties, Taxes and other revenue items for May 2023 and revert.”

 The official informed the meeting that at the April 2024 meeting of the sub-committee, NNPCL complained that the proposed review would result in a refund of N16,829,747,742.96 to the Federation Account by the company.

He concluded that the sub-committee expected that the Federation Account be refunded the amount of the exchange rate but NNPCL used it to defray the subsidy claim. He recommended that FAAC should decide on the matter.

He recalled that the sub-committee had reported the implication of the “weighted average rate” on PMS computation and discovered that the exchange rate differential for the period of June to December 2023 was N937,961,442,969.83, contrary to the NNPCL claim of N1,675,920,811,819.

He stated that the Sub-committee recognised only the exchange rate that was backed by law and that NNPCL was mandated to provide authorisation for the use of weighted average exchange rate on PMS Dollar payments. He disclosed that NNPCL in response, requested the Sub-committee to write the company officially to enable the release of the NEC approval on the issue.

He suggested that NNPC Ltd should be called to order and hoped that the matter could be resolved amicably with the company.