Army, Police, DSS kill IPOB/ESN fighters in fierce fight in Asaba (Nation)
Troops of 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police and Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have killed two Indigenous People of Biafra/Eastern Security Network (IPOB/ESN) fighters and arrested five others after a fierce encounter at Fuji junction in Asaba, Delta State.
A statement by Nigerian Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the encounter on Monday followed distress calls that the community was under attack by the terrorists.
The statement said: ” The combined troops swiftly responded; and the terrorists succumbed to the overwhelming firepower of the troops, after two of their members fell in the fire fight that ensued, while the survivors fled to their hideout around Okpanam river, the statement said. Read more
President Tinubu receives Benin Republic, Niger and Guinea Bissau leaders (VON)
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has received Presidents Patrice Talon of Benin Republic, Mohammed Bazoum of Niger Republic and Umaro Emballo of Guinea Bissau at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The three leaders, who arrived at the State House at 10:56 GMT were received by protocol officials and immediately ushered into the new banquet hall where they immediately went into a closed meeting with their host.
They are expected to discuss multilateral issues that will further cement the existing cordial relationship between their countries and Nigeria. Read more
Drama as EFCC disowns lawyer prosecuting Stella Oduah in fresh suit (Tribune)
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday, disowned a lawyer, Ibrahim Mohammed, who filed a fresh charge bordering on perjury and document falsification against the former Aviation Minister, Sen. Stella Oduah in the name of the commission.
EFCC’s lawyer, H. A Okonofua, told a Federal High Court, Abuja, that the commission did not send Mohammed to prosecute Oduah, the sole defendant in the matter.
Upon resumed hearing, though Mohammed and Oduah were not in court, Okonofua told the trial Judge, Justice James Omotosho that an investigation carried out by the anti-corruption agency revealed that, “the counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed, was de-seconded back to Nigeria Police on 14 November, 2022, and he was not sent to represent the EFCC to prosecute the defendant,” in the charge he filed in June. Read more
Lagos Taskforce impounds 91 motorcycles (Guardian)
The Lagos Taskforce has impounded 91 motorcycles while carrying out raids in different parts of the state.
This was disclosed via a tweet by Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“In a bid to maintain sanity on our highways as promised by Gov @jidesanwoolu, the Lagos State Taskforce carried out coordinated raids of okada riders operating on Mile 2, Amuwo Odofin and Toyota busstop today. A total of 91 motorcycles were impounded,” Akosile tweeted. Read more
Lagos police seize N13m Indian hemp (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has intercepted substances suspected to be Indian hemp worth N13m from two men along Mushin, Isolo Road in the Isolo area of Lagos State.
According to a statement on Monday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, the illicit drugs were conveyed by Fidelis Otiga, 49 and Chukwuma Kennedy, 50, in a Toyota Sienna car with number plate KJA 118 HV last Wednesday.
He said the items were recovered at midnight when they were stopped by policemen from the Aswani Police Division during a routine stop-and-search on the road. Read more
NNPCL further increases fuel pump price to N617 per Litre (Sun)
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has further jerked up pump prices of Petrol, known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from 537 to 617 naira Per Litre.
Recall that in May a day after President Tinubu was sworn into Power the Nation’s Apex Petrol station increased the fuel price from N195 per litre to 537 per litre.
The development was occasioned by Tinubu’s inaugural speech, where he said fuel subsidies would be removed. Read more
Kaduna residents groan as fuel price increases (Channels)
The price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol have gone up across Nigeria and residents of Kaduna are not finding it funny, saying that the situation “is becoming unbearable”.
The increase in petrol price took Nigerians by surprise on Tuesday with many petrol stations including those of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) adjusting their pump to a new price higher than what was being sold.
Some major and independent marketers have adjusted their petrol pump price to N620 per litre, while some are still selling at N540 and N550 per litre within the state capital. Read more
APC leadership: South-East should produce next National Chairman – Osita Chidoka (Vanguard)
A former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has justified why the next national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC should be produced by the South East.
According to Chidoka, zoning to chairmanship of the party to South-East would ensure inclusive representation.
Chidoka stated this in a statement via his verified Twitter handle on Monday.
According to him, the resignation of the APC National Chairman and Secretary has paved the way for the party to reorganise its leadership. Read more
Benedict Cumberbatch brought to tears by family tribute on Bear Grylls show (NME)
Benedict Cumberbatch was filmed in tears on an episode of Bear Grylls’ survival skills series Running Wild when the broadcaster paid tribute to his late grandfather.
Cumberbatch was one of the latest high profile stars to join the intrepid explorer, this time on an excursion around the Isle of Skye.
The actor, whose grandfather Henry Carlton Cumberbatch was a submarine officer during WWI and WWII, became emotional when Grylls surprised him at the end of the episode. Read more
Huw Edwards scandal: BBC “in touch” with family of person at centre of explicit photos allegations – corporation boss Tim Davie (Sky)
BBC boss Tim Davie says the corporation has been in touch with the family of a person at the centre of allegations surrounding Huw Edwards.
Speaking at a pre-arranged Lords Communications Committee session on Tuesday, the director-general said: “We have been in touch with the complainant, we want to be engaged and appropriately listening and understanding their concern,” after earlier accusations it did not respond quickly to complaints from the family of the young person.
Mr Davie was also asked about holding the BBC’s high-paid talent to account, responding: “I think the the history of this industry is such that we should all be concerned and appropriately diligent around the abuse of people in powerful positions”. Read more
Number of Britons regretting Brexit hits new record high: Survey (Al-Jazeera)
The proportion of Britons who say Brexit was a mistake has hit a new record high this month, a survey from pollsters YouGov shows.
With few economic benefits to show for the June 2016 vote to leave the European Union, 57 per cent of Britons said the decision was the wrong one compared with 32 percent who thought it was correct, YouGov said on Tuesday.
More than half – 55 per cent – said they would vote to remain in the EU against 31 percent who said they would stay out if the referendum were to be held again. Read more
The Boy And The Heron scores biggest ever opening weekend for Hayao Miyazaki (ScreenDaily)
The Boy And The Heron, the first film in 10 years from iconic animation director Hayao Miyazaki, has broken box office records on its opening weekend in Japan despite receiving no marketing push.
The Studio Ghibli film, which is locally titled Kimitachi wa Dō Ikiru ka? (How Do You Live?), opened Friday (July 14) and earned $15.46m (Y2.14bn) over four days, which included Monday’s Marine Day national holiday. It was distributed by Toho.
The figures mark the biggest-ever opening weekend for Miyazaki as well as the highest-grossing opening weekend in Imax theatres, where it took $1.7m from 44 screens across Japan – the first Studio Ghibli film to open simultaneously on the large-screen format. Read more
Ronan Keating to return to stage at festival just days after beloved brother’s tragic death (OK!)
Irish popstar Ronan Keating is officially playing Finland’s Vauhtiajojen Race and Rock Festival this coming weekend, despite the devastating loss of his brother Ciarán on Saturday.
Car salesman Ciarán was in a horrific car collision while on his way to watch son Ruairí play football for Cork City against Sligo Rovers, which led to Ronan, 46, to ‘drop everything’ while with his wife Storm and return home to Ireland.
According to The Mail, the fatal road incident involved two cars in the neighbourhood of Ballymiles, with the driver of the other vehicle said to be receiving treatment for severe injuries at Mayo University Hospital. A high school teacher and a third passenger were also hospitalised. Read more
Trump says he is a target of January 6 federal investigation (AlJazeera)
Former US President Donald Trump has said that he has been informed by authorities that he is a target in a federal United States investigation into the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot – the latest legal woe that he would be facing as he campaigns for the White House again in 2024.
Trump said in a statement on Tuesday that he received a letter from Special Counsel Jack Smith on Sunday asking him to report to a grand jury – an investigative panel – in four days, “which almost always means an Arrest and Indictment”.
Federal authorities have not confirmed Trump’s account. Smith’s office declined to comment on the former president’s claims when reached by Al Jazeera. Read more
Asylum seeker barge docks in Britain as migration bill becomes law (UPI)
A former gas-field accommodation barge converted to house 500 asylum seekers docked on Britain’s south coast Tuesday as the government’s controversial drive to “stop the boats” shifted into high gear.
The 10,000-ton Bibby Stockholm cruised into Portland Harbor in Dorset behind a tugboat fresh from a re-fit in Falmouth, Cornwall, just days before the first residents were due to board and hours after the highly contentious Illegal Migration Bill finally cleared the House of Lords.
The barge is one of three the government plans to use to alleviate “unsustainable pressure on the U.K.’s asylum system” and reduce the millions of dollars currently being spent on accommodating asylum seekers in hotels. Read more
Man Utd agree £47m deal for Inter keeper Onana (BBC)
Manchester United have agreed a £47.2m (55m euros) deal for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana. The Old Trafford club will pay £43.8m up front for the Cameroon player, with an additional £3.4m in add-ons.
United hope he will be able to join them on their upcoming tour of the United States – although they have to arrange a visa for the 27-year-old.
Manager Erik ten Hag moved for the keeper at the end of the season after previously working with him at Ajax. Read more
Napoli offer Osimhen N6.5b annual salary (Punch)
Italian champions, Napoli, have offered Victor Osimhen a new two-year contract extension with a salary worth N6.5bn — €6.5m plus €1m in bonuses, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Osimhen, who has two years left on his contract at Napoli, had demanded a salary of €7m annually to extend his current deal with the Italian champions, who are keen to tie him down to a new deal amidst interests from some of Europe’s top clubs.
The new proposed deal, it was gathered, will include a release clause worth £170m for the Nigerian striker. Read more
Chelsea issue Wesley Fofana injury update amid claims he has ruptured his ACL (Metro)
Chelsea have confirmed that Wesley Fofana has undergone surgery on a significant knee injury amid claims the Frenchman has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.
The centre-back, who moved to Stamford Bridge in an £80million deal from Leicester City last summer, has been hampered by injuries over the past few years but had worked his way back to full fitness in the second half of last season.
He was a surprise absentee from Chelsea’s pre-season tour squad for their trip to the United States, however, with a statement on Monday simply referencing a ‘knee injury’. Read more
Mauro Bandeira: Arsenal midfielder joins Colchester United on season-long loan (BBC)
Colchester United have signed Arsenal’s teenage Portuguese midfielder Mauro Bandeira on a season-long loan deal.
The 19-year-old played three times for Arsenal Under-21 in the EFL Trophy last season after signing his first professional contract a year ago.
Bandeira is U’s boss Ben Garner’s fourth signing of the summer ahead of the new League Two season. Read more
Mikael Ymer banned for 18 months by CAS after missing 3 out-of-competition doping tests (USAToday)
Swedish tennis player Mikael Ymer was banned for 18 months on Tuesday for missing three out-of-competition doping tests in a 12-month period.
The decision came from the Court of Arbitration for Sport after it partially upheld an appeal from the International Tennis Federation.
“Having already been cleared once, and wholeheartedly standing by the fact that I do not feel that the third offense was committed, I find their decision to try me again and subsequently find me guilty unfair,” Ymer wrote on Twitter. “On top of that, I find it difficult to comprehend that they found an 18-month suspension to be just punishment.” Read more
Megan Armitage to become 1st Irish rider in women’s Tour de France (RTE)
Megan Armitage will be the first ever Irish female rider to compete at the Tour de France Femmes after being included in the Arkea Pro Cycling team’s selection for the second edition of the event.
The Offaly native is part of the seven-strong team put together by the French outfit in time for the first stage which will take place on 23 July.
“Megan Armitage has great climbing qualities,” team manager Franck Renimel said. Read more