Best UTME candidate clears WASSCE result with 8 A1 (Punch)
The best candidate in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination, Kamsiyochukwu Umeh, has again shown her academic prowess, clearing her papers in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination with 8 A1 and a B2.
The 16-year-old student of Deeper Life High School, Mowe, Ogun State, scored A1 in English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, Further Mathematics, Economics, Civic Education, Computer Studies and Dyeing and Bleaching, and a B2 in Physics.
Umeh was earlier celebrated for being the top scorer in the 2023 UTME with a cumulative mark of 360. Read more
Body of man who plunged into Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge recovered (Guardian)
The body of a yet-to-be-identified man who jumped from the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge into the lagoon has been recovered.
The man on August 8, 2023, simply let himself down into the massive body of water in what looked like a suicide act.
Rescuers made up of the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and the State Waterways Authority (LASWA) frantically tried to find the man, but their efforts failed. Read more
Niger Coup: ECOWAS may opt for diplomatic negotiations as 7-day ultimatum fails (Vanguard)
The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, on Thursday said that the seven-day ultimatum issued to the military junta in the Republic of Niger to reinstate the sacked President, Mohammad Bazoum has not yielded the desired results.
This is as indications showed that the regional body may opt for dialogue and diplomatic negotiations in a bid to restore democracy in Republic of Niger.
Speaking in his opening remarks at the extraordinary Summit going on at the Old Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu said that all the relevant parties including the coup leaders will be involved in a bid to have an amicable resolution in the Niger crisis. Read more
Illegal Possession of Firearm: Court to hear Emefiele, FG’s applications on Aug 15 (Channels)
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till Tuesday, Aug 15th, further hearing in the applications filed by the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele seeking to stop the Federal Government from further remanding or prosecuting him on the charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunitions or on any other charge for that matter.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo ruled that the application which touched on the jurisdiction of the court was priority and would be taken alongside another application filed by the government seeking leave to appeal against the order granting bail to the suspended CBN governor. Read more
FG earmarks N1b for establishment of Diaspora Center for Research (DailyTrust)
Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arc. Sonny Echono, has disclosed that an allocation of N1 billion was provided in the Fund’s 2023 budgetary allocation under the Special Intervention Initiative for the establishment of Diaspora Center for Research and Development.
Echono stated this when the Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa, paid a courtesy visit to him on the implementation plan for the successful execution of the Diaspora Research Centre for Development project.
He hinted that the allocation letter had been given to University of Ibadan with recommendation that the Institution submits implementation plan for effective take-off of activities. Read more
Plateau: Mutfwang expresses worry over renewed killings as police confirm attack (Sun)
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has expressed worry over the escalation of killings on the Plateau.
The fresh attack is coming a few weeks after Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) launched a special Operation codenamed, Operation Hakorin Damisa, to crush the killings in Mangu and surrounding local government areas.
Mutfwang, in a statement signed by the Director of Press Affairs, Bere Gyang, said he’s deeply saddened by the bloody attack that claimed several lives in the Heipang community of Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area. Read more
We’ll find amicable solution to political crisis in Niger Republic – Tinubu (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu, has assured that the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government will employ an amicable solution to resolve the political crisis in Niger Republic.
President Tinubu gave this assurance in his opening address at the ECOWAS Extraordinary meeting, which is currently holding (Thursday) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said, “I trust that our deliberation will be productive and fruitful, leading us to finding an amicable solution to the to political crisis in Niger; Read more
Tribunal sacks Kano NNPP Rep (DailyTrust)
The National and State House of Assembly elections petition tribunal in Kano has nullified the election of Muktar Umar Yerima of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Yerima as winner of the House of Representatives election for Tarauni Federal Constituency.
But the three-man panel of the tribunal led by Justice I.P. Chima held that Yerima was not qualified, having forged his primary school certificate. Read more
Selena Gomez to host 1st annual Rare Impact Fund benefit for mental health this fall (People)
Selena Gomez is set to host a night of fun this fall — and it’s all for a good cause.
The Only Murders in the Building star announced Thursday that she will host her first annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit in Los Angeles in October in support of youth mental health organizations.
The big night marks the first fundraising event hosted by Rare Beauty, the cosmetics company Gomez, 31, launched in 2020. The Rare Impact Fund is dedicated to addressing mental health stigmas, and expanding mental health services and education for young people worldwide. Read more
Elon Musk to auction Twitter signs and other memorabilia (BBC)
Multi-billionaire Elon Musk is putting Twitter building signs and other items from the company up for auction just weeks after the firm’s rebranding as X.
Among the 584 lots on offer are coffee tables, outsized bird cages, and oil paintings of images that went viral.
Also listed are tens of desks and chairs, a DJ booth, and enough musical instruments to equip a band.
Since buying the social media platform last year, Mr Musk has cut thousands of jobs in an effort to lower costs. Read more
Emmy Awards postponed until January in wake of strikes (RTE)
The Emmy Awards have been postponed by almost four months, organisers have said, as crippling strikes by Hollywood’s actors and writers drag on with no resolution in sight.
In what is a big year for Irish screen talent, television’s equivalent of the Oscars had been due to take place this September but will now be held in mid-January next year, broadcaster Fox and the Television Academy said in a statement.
“We are pleased to announce that the 75th Emmy Awards will now air on Monday, January 15, 2024,” said a Fox spokesman. Read more
David Harbour wants to be known for more than Stranger Things (FilmNews)
David Harbour intends to concentrate on movies once Stranger Things ends because he wants to be known for more than his famed role.
The 48-year-old actor gained global recognition for his portrayal of Jim Hopper in the Netflix sci-fi series Stranger Things in 2016 and the show is set to conclude with the fifth season, which has yet to be filmed.
In an interview with Insider, Harbour explained that he wants to focus on shedding the character that made him a star by making “original movies that go to the movie theaters”. Read more
Rapper Lil Tay, 14, and her brother die “unexpectedly” as tributes pour in (OK!)
Rapper Lil Tay has sadly died “unexpectedly” at just 14 years old, as her family confirmed the “devastating” news with a statement about their loss.
The teen star and social media favourite, whose real name is Claire Hope, died alongside her older brother, and the family are dealing with an unimaginable tragedy.
Sharing the news in a statement online, Lil Tay’s family members wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing.
“We have no words to express the unbearable loss indescribable pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock.” Read more
Bishops protest Biden administration’s addition of abortion to pregnant workers protections (CNA)
Catholic bishops are criticising the Biden administration’s proposed rules related to the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act that would force employers to make accommodations for women who receive abortions.
The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which passed Congress with bipartisan support in 2022, established new protections for workers who are pregnant or recently had a child. It requires that employers make reasonable accommodations for women based on known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or other related medical conditions as long as such accommodations do not create an undue hardship on the operations of the business.
Although the law makes no mention of accommodating women who abort their children, the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on Monday issued proposed regulations that defined abortion as one of the “related medical conditions.” Read more
Dozens killed as wildfires ravage Hawaii island of Maui (AlJazeera)
At least 36 people have been killed and several thousand were forced to flee as wind-fuelled wildfires devastated much of the resort town of Lahaina on Hawaii’s Maui island, in what residents described as an “apocalypse”.
“As the firefighting efforts continue, 36 total fatalities have been discovered today amid the active Lahaina fire,” the Maui county government said in a statement on Thursday.
The fires began burning in the United States island state early on Tuesday, putting more than 35,000 people on Maui – as well as homes, businesses and utilities – at risk, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said in a statement on Wednesday. Read more
Ighalo, Osimhen join FIFPRO to call out NFF over Super Falcons’ unpaid bonuses (Punch)
Some football stakeholders in the country have joined voices in calling on the Nigerian Football Federation to pay outstanding allowances owned by members of the Super Falcons.
These stakeholders including present and past Super Eagles, in the light of Tuesday’s solidarity statement by global player union, FIFpro, calling on the NFF to upset the backlog, also joined in the demand.
FIFpro’s statement was shared on Instagram by Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala. Read more
England relief as Lauren James will return for Women’s World Cup final (Standard)
England forward Lauren James has been hit with a two-match ban after her red card against Nigeria.
James was sent off in the last-16 Women’s World Cup tie after stamping on the back of Nigeria forward Michelle Alozie.
The red card meant the 21-year-old was automatically suspended for one game, but that has been increased to two matches. Read more
Lionel Messi’s MLS debut postponed amid Miami’s Leagues Cup run (ABC)
Lionel Messi will have to wait a few days longer to make his official debut in Major League Soccer.
It was announced Wednesday that Inter Miami’s Aug. 20 home matchup against Charlotte FC, long expected to be Messi’s first action in MLS, has been postponed to a later date.
A postponement was required due to both teams’ progress in the Leagues Cup, where Miami will host Charlotte in the quarterfinals on Friday. Read more
US Open prize money has Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcarez discover lucrative award (Mirror)
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will soon turn their attention to the 2023 US Open as they compete for a record-breaking prize pot.
Tournament organisers have significantly increased the amount of money up for grabs compared to last year, adding to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the event which begins in New York later this month. Wimbledon champion Alcaraz, the defending champion on the men’s side, will be looking to repeat his past heroics after beating Casper Ruud in last year’s final.
Then, Alcaraz walked away with prize money of £2 million for winning his first Grand Slam title. But this year, the winner will receive an even more substantial payout. Read more
NBA fines Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards $50k for “recklessly swinging” chair (People)
NBA star Anthony Edwards has been fined $50,000 by the NBA for “recklessly swinging a chair in frustration that struck two bystanders” after a playoff game in April.
The fine comes nearly four months after the Minnesota Timberwolves player missed a 3-point overtime buzzer-beater in a playoff match against the Denver Nuggets on April 25.
The game led to his team’s elimination from the playoffs, and after he missed the shot, Edwards, 22, ran off the court and was seen spinning a chair and apparently tossing it before going into the locker room. Denver won the series 4-1, and ended up winning the 2023 NBA championship. Read more
Tottenham reject Bayern’s €100m+ offer for Kane (ESPN)
Bayern Munich are deciding whether to give up on their attempts to sign Harry Kane after Tottenham rejected their latest offer for the England captain, sources told ESPN.
Sources with knowledge of the talks have suggested that Bayern’s latest bid exceeded €100 million ($110m) when performance-related add-ons were included.
Bayern also set a deadline of last Friday night for a response and have threatened to move on to other targets if Spurs did not accept their terms. Read more