Comfort Emmanson breaks silence after Ibom Air Incident (Channels)
Comfort Emmanson, an air passenger embroiled in a controversial Ibom Air incident, has given a detailed account of the events on board the flight that led to her arrest, arraignment, and eventual discharge by a Lagos court.
In a video shared on her Instagram page on Sunday, Emmanson expressed gratitude to supporters who stood by her during what she described as a “traumatic” ordeal.
Narrating her version of events, the real estate consultant recalled that on August 10, 2025, she boarded a flight from Uyo to Lagos. Read more
PDP, ADC, LP kick as APC sweeps bye-elections (Vanguard)
The All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, showed its electoral might by clinching 12 of the 16 legislative seats contested in Saturday’s bye-elections across 12 states of the country.
According to the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the APC won all seats on offer in the bye-polls in Ogun, Edo, Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, Jigawa, Adamawa and Kogi.
It shared the two seats in Kano with the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP but had no answer to the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anambra; and the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Oyo. As it is, the APC won in 12 constituencies; APGA won in two; PDP won in one, and NNPP in one. Read more
Groups decry killing of hippopotamus, seek end to human-elephant conflicts (Guardian)
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has condemned a recent video showing the unlawful killing of a hippopotamus in Etsako Central Council in Edo State by a local vigilante.
The hippopotamus involved belongs to the species Hippopotamus amphibius, commonly known as the common or river hippo, a species currently classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. While populations of this species endure in pockets across Nigeria, recent estimates indicate that only about 100 individuals remain nationwide, underscoring the critical importance of their protection.
Additionally, Nigeria historically hosted a subspecies of the pygmy hippopotamus, Choeropsis liberiensis heslopi, which once inhabited the Niger Delta region. Unfortunately, this subspecies is now considered locally extinct. Read more
Lawmakers under fire over bribe-for-bill allegation (Punch)
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has called on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to “urgently refer the allegations made by a Reps member, Ibrahim Auyo, to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.”
Jigawa lawmaker Auyo last week alleged that House members paid between N1m and N3m to have their bills presented at the Green Chamber.
However, some of his colleagues in the House dismissed the allegations, insisting Auyo must substantiate his claims when the House resumes plenary. Read more
Kayikunmi evicted from BBNaija season 10 (Nation)
Big Brother Naija housemate Kayikunmi has been evicted from the “10/10” season.
After a dramatic search for an envelope containing an immunity card, 23 housemates were put up for possible eviction, and Kayikunmi ultimately became the fifth to bid farewell to the show, after Sabrina’s exit on Monday due to medical reasons.
This unexpected turn of events has left the remaining 24 housemates on high alert, as they scramble to regroup and reassess their strategies in the battle for the coveted grand prize. Read more
Bishop Idahosa’s family converts 100-year-old ancestral home into nursing college (Tribune)
A century-old ancestral home in Ehor, Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo, has been transformed into a modern College of Nursing Sciences, marking what community leaders describe as a historic turning point for education and healthcare in the region.
The imposing structure, once the country home of the late Rt. Rev. Johnson Wilfred Izevbokun Idahosa, the first Bini Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Benin, will now house the Bishop JWI Idahosa Memorial College of Nursing Sciences.
Unveiling the project, the Idahosa family said the initiative was conceived both as a tribute to their patriarch’s legacy and a response to the growing demand for well-trained health professionals in Nigeria. Read more
109 senators’ pay enough for 4,708 professors’ salaries (DailyTrust)
About N2.354 billion in pay cheques, comprising the monthly salaries of the 109 senators and the cost of running their offices, is enough to pay monthly wages of 4,708 professors at universities across the country, Daily Trust can report.
Debates have continued over the perceived imbalance in the remunerations of political office holders and academics.
Recently, the social media was awash with reports of Professor Nasir Hassan-Wagini of Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina, who was seen selling vegetables he produced at a market in Batsari as well as several other lecturers doing “side hustles”. Read more
Huge crowds gather in Israel calling for hostage deal & end to Gaza war (BBC)
Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered in Israel to call for an end to the Gaza war and a deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
The largest crowd was seen in Tel Aviv’s “Hostages Square” on Sunday, with the organisers saying the government’s plans to seize control of Gaza City risked the lives of around 20 hostages still being held by Hamas.
A one-day national strike – part of wider protests – closed roads, offices and universities in some areas. Nearly 40 people were arrested during the day. Read more
YouTube throws hat in the ring to host The Academy Awards – Report (Deadline)
YouTube is tossing its hat in the ring to host the Academy Awards, per a report from Bloomberg.
Though film’s biggest night has long been aired on ABC, it’s no surprise that other media companies are making plays for the coveted awards show. In recent years, streamers like Netflix and Prime Video have begun to diversify their content, aiming to include more live events to pull in additional subscribers and ad revenue.
The Google-owned video platform has inquired about buying the rights to the Oscars, according to two unnamed sources cited in the Bloomberg report. As with other sites, Read more
Superman actor Terence Stamp dies aged 87 as family release emotional statement (Unilad)
Actor Terence Stamp, who most famously played Superman villain General Zod, has died at the age of 87.
The family of the one-time Oscar-nominated actor confirmed his death in a statement issued this morning (August 17).
His family issued the following statement: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come. We ask for privacy at this sad time.” Read more
Sam Asghari roasts Kevin Federline over tell-all book (MusicNews)
Britney Spears’ ex-husband Sam Asghari has shared his thoughts about Kevin Federline’s upcoming memoir, You Thought You Knew.
Asghari took a swipe at the father of six – who shares two sons with Spears – telling TMZ, “Well, he was a professional father, so it would be the first book that’ll tell you how to be a professional father.”
The Iranian-born model is presumed to be alluding to the child support payments he received from the pop star. Read more
Israel intensifies Gaza City attacks, forcing starving Palestinians to flee (AlJazeera)
Israel’s military has stepped up attacks on Gaza City as part of its expanded operations aimed at seizing the last major population centre in the enclave, forcing tens of thousands of starving Palestinians to flee again.
The Gaza City neighbourhoods of Zeitoun, Sabra, Remal and Tuffah have particularly borne the brunt of the Israeli bombardments in recent days as a spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Israel’s plans to forcibly displace Palestinians to southern Gaza would increase their suffering.
Thousands of families have fled Zeitoun, where days of continuous strikes have left the neighbourhood devastated. At least seven people were killed on Sunday when an Israeli air strike hit al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. Read more
3 people killed, 8 injured in shooting in Brooklyn club (NBC)
Three people have been killed and another eight people injured in an overnight shooting at a club in Brooklyn, New York City police said early Sunday.
The shooting took place at the “Taste Of The City Lounge” on Franklin Ave in the Crown Heights neighborhood, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told a news conference.
There were multiple shooters involved, Tisch said, adding that police were still investigating and that nobody was in custody. Read more
D’Tigers down hardfighting Cameroon 99-90, pick quarterfinals ticket (Guardian)
D’Tigers, yesterday in Luanda, Angola, showed their determination to reclaim the AfroBasket title when they defeated hard-fighting Cameroon in the last Group B game of the championship at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, Angola.
D’Tigers last won the title 10 years ago, but the manner they have approached this edition shows a team determined to regain the crown.
Nigeria started the campaign with a 77-59 defeat of Madagascar and an 87-66 victory over defending champions, Tunisia, before yesterday’s masterclass against Cameroon. Read more
Christantus Uche wreaks havoc on Celta Vigo (Sun)
Christantus Uche, who could leave Getafe at the end of the transfer window, showcased an impressive performance at Balaídos. Despite the absences in the squad, the Azulones achieved a significant victory.
The only player making an impact for the home side was Iago Aspas, who gave it his all but was consistently challenged by Getafe’s goalkeeper, David Soria. In contrast, the standout performer for the visitors was Christantus Uche, whose tremendous display earned him three points for his team.
The Nigerian striker is currently in the spotlight for a possible exit this summer, as Ángel Torres needs to balance the books and register new signings that had to watch the first game from home. If this was his last game for Getafe, he could not have chosen a better send-off. Read more
Why Arsenal are ready to win the league as stakes rise for Arteta (BBC)
This season is set to be the most important in Mikel Arteta’s five and a half years in charge of Arsenal.
They have revamped their squad with £190m worth of signings as they look to win the Premier League for the first time in 21 years.
The Gunners have finished second for the past three seasons in a row but have now made a big push over the summer to end that drought. Read more
NASCAR pit crew helps rival team (Road&Track)
Bubba Wallace was running in second place in the final stage at Richmond Raceway after winning the second stage when his race started to fall apart. The jack was dropped too quickly on his lap during the 308 pit stop, and his left front tire was not fully secured. His 23XI Racing pit crew tried to get his attention and get him to reverse into the pit box, but Wallace didn’t get the message until he was further down the pit lane with the wheel already detached.
Coming by the Joe Gibbs Racing pit box for the No. 19 of Chase Briscoe, Wallace was called in to get his tire reattached by a fellow Toyota team driver who was involved in the last lap 199 crash. Briscoe has rebounded from his involvement in the crash to run in the top ten in the final stage.
“Pull in right there, Pull in right there,” The 23 XI Racing team radioed Wallace. Read more
Christian Horner leaves F1 headache behind with lavish summer holiday (PlanetF1)
Christian Horner has been spotted out and about for the first time since being removed from his posts at Red Bull.
The former Red Bull CEO and team principal has kept a low profile ever since news of the shock decision to remove him, made by Red Bull GmbH, but has been spotted on holiday with his family in Croatia.
Horner’s last public appearance was at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, with the British executive receiving his marching orders from his position just two days later as Red Bull Racing’s parent company opted for change by slotting Laurent Mekies into Horner’s roles as CEO and team boss. Read more