Vandals in the US have attacked the homes of the leaders of the two houses of Congress on the eve of a new session and the swearing-in of lawmakers.
Police said fake blood and a pig’s head were left outside the California home of Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In Kentucky, graffiti was scrawled on the house of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican.
Congress is deadlocked over a relief package for the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday the House voted to increase the one-off payments sent to individuals from $600 (£440) to $2,000. The Democratic-controlled chamber passed the bill with the help of more than 40 Republicans.
But the Republican-led Senate has not approved the bigger cheques, despite calls to do so from US President Donald Trump.
What happened on Sunday?
The two houses of Congress convened for a new session, with recently elected lawmakers sworn in.
Ms Pelosi was re-elected as House speaker by only seven votes, after a handful of fellow Democrats defected.
Mr McConnell remains as Senate majority leader but could be unseated if the Democrats win special elections for both Senate seats in Georgia on Tuesday.
Control of the Senate is likely to determine the fate of President-elect Joe Biden’s legislative agenda. If the Republicans win, they will retain a narrow majority, giving them the power to vote down bills coming from the House.
Before Christmas, Democrats and Republicans blocked each other’s attempts to amend a vital $900bn (£665bn) stimulus package. The legislation, which comes with a $1.4tn federal budget attached, was agreed by both sides.
However, it was vetoed by President Donald Trump, who uncharacteristically sided with Democrats in wanting higher payments of $2,000, rather than $600.
“The Senate is not going to be bullied into rushing out more borrowed money into the hands of Democrats’ rich friends who don’t need the help,” Mr McConnell said on Wednesday.
What damage was done to McConnell and Pelosi’s houses?
On Saturday Mr McConnell’s house in Louisville, Kentucky, was daubed with the words “were’s my money” and “Mitch kills the poor”.
In a statement, Mr McConnell said he appreciated all Kentuckians who took part in the democratic process “whether they agree with me or not”.
“This is different,” he said. “Vandalism and the politics of fear have no place in our society.”
San Francisco police said they were investigating the incident at Ms Pelosi’s home. Graffiti was daubed on her garage door, which was later covered over with black plastic bags.
She has not yet commented.
The UK-Nigerian artist is shortlisted in five genre categories as well as Diaspora Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year
Princess Wonda has been nominated in eight categories at the Diaspora Creatives Awards 2026, the awards body confirmed on its official nominee list.
The UK-Nigerian Afrofusion artist is shortlisted for Diaspora Artist of the Year, Best Female Artist, Songwriter of the Year, and five genre awards: Best Afrobeats Artist, Best Amapiano Artist, Best Afro-Fusion Artist, Best Afro-R&B and Afro-Soul Artist, and Best Afro Pop Artist.
The Diaspora Creatives Awards, which runs under the line “Stars Beyond Borders”, holds its inaugural ceremony on Saturday 21 November 2026 at Atlanta Virtual Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Public voting is open now at diasporacreativesawards.com.
Responding to the news on Instagram, Princess Wonda said she was “truly feeling honoured to be considered in 8 categories”.
The nominations were announced on 12 September, three weeks after she released Magic Hour, a seven-track EP produced by Mr Marz and Indigo Beats with guitar from Fiokee. The project passed three million Spotify streams in under two weeks and was her first EP or album since her 2021 debut Fantasy Fair.
She headlines 229 in London on Saturday 10 April 2027 with The Magic Hour Live Experience, a full live show with band, dancers and special guests. Tickets are on sale.
Every icon starts with a single spark. For emerging Nigerian Afrobeats artist Queen Geradzzy, that moment came back in 2013 on the vibrant streets of Lagos Mainland. Watching Tiwa Savage command the stage with poise, power, and unapologetic femininity, a young Geradzzy didn’t just see an artist—she saw a blueprint for her own future.
What began as a childhood dream quickly grew into an undeniable calling. By 2019, Geradzzy took a leap of faith, moving to Lekki to immerse herself fully in the heart of the Nigerian music industry. Years of quiet dedication, vocal refinement, and deep creative exploration followed. Today, that discipline is paying off as she prepares to step into the global spotlight.
Queen Geradzzy’s music sits at an exciting intersection where classic Afrobeats rhythms meet polished international pop and R&B. Her sound is inherently versatile—catchy, sensual, deeply emotional, and effortlessly relatable.
Much like the artist herself, her music balances soft vulnerability with an unshakeable, ambitious confidence. She brings a fresh perspective to modern African pop, leading with strong feminine energy and an aura of intentional mystery that leaves listeners wanting more.
Geradzzy’s upcoming debut EP is designed as a formal introduction to her artistry and personal journey. The project captures her evolution as both a woman and a musician, weaving through themes of romantic attraction, self-discovery, resilience, and personal growth.
With her eyes firmly set on the international stage, Queen Geradzzy is building a brand rooted in memorable melodies, high-concept visual storytelling, and live performances crafted to resonate across cultures.
The little girl from Lagos Mainland who once watched her idol on screen is now ready to build an empire of her own. Keep your eyes on Queen Geradzzy—her story is just getting started.
So I was scrolling earlier and stopped on this NNPC Retail flyer because it’s literally just a big question mark and a line that says “66 Reasons Why You Need To Watch This Space.” Nothing else. No context, no explanation, just vibes and mystery.
It also speaks to our Naija slang and banter (the “Omo,” “Gbas Gbos,” and “Sapa” ones had me laughing).
It’s part of their ongoing “66 Reasons Why We Love Naija” series, so it seems to be leading up to something for October 1st. What they are clear about is that you need the NNPC Fuel App to be in the loop. They describe it as fast, secure, reliable, and rewarding, and they’ve made it easy with a QR code you can scan straight from the post.
If they’re trying to build hype, it’s working on me. SCAN THE BAR CODE HERE.
-
Audio10 years agoPage – Day Break Everywhere Burst
-
Audio5 years agoShadykarz – Forever
-
Audio10 years agoJuniorboy ft. 9ice – IRAPADA
-
Entertainment Gists6 years agoEx-Beauty Queen, Sandra Benede Shares Sexy Photo
-
Audio5 years agoSimi – Happy Birthday ft. Adekunle Gold, DeJa
-
Audio5 years agoRuger – Bounce
-
Mixtapes4 years agoMixtape: DJ DimpleNipple – The Best Of Amapiano Thrills
-
Editorials3 years agoSa’eedah Imam On Creating Her Imprint In The Nigerian Music Industry As An Emerging Creative Writer