Family escapes death as building collapses in Lagos (Punch)
Family members living in the boys’ quarters behind a storey building on No 49 Oyinlola Street, Off Adealu Bus Stop, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State, escaped death by a whisker when the quarters caved in on Saturday.
Following the collapse, people in the area alerted emergency responders including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, which stormed the premises to observe the situation.
The Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, in a statement on Sunday, said the boys’ quarters self-collapsed, adding that none of the family members were affected. Read more
US, UK, Europe-bound cocaine, opioids concealed in shoe soles, clothes seized in Lagos (Nation)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted various quantities of cocaine and opioids such as tramadol, pentazocine injection, morphine sulphate, and ketamine injection, among others concealed in soles of shoes, clothes and other items being shipped to the United States, United Kingdom and Cyprus from Lagos.
This was according to a statement by the director of media and advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, July 14.
Babafemi said while no less than 250 grams of cocaine going to Cyprus was hidden in the soles of custom-made shoes, over five kilograms of opioids heading to the US and UK were discovered by NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigations (DOGI) in clothes and other household items meant to be shipped through some courier firms in Lagos. Read more
Arsonists set fire on Emir Sanusi II’s palace in Kano (Leadership)
A fire outbreak, suspected to have been set by unidentified persons, has destroyed parts of the palace at Gidan Rumfa, where the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, resides.
Sources within the palace reported that the affected area was at Kofar Kudu, a section where the Emir holds court sessions every Monday. “It was the palace at Kofar Kudu. You know the palace has an entrance from inside while the main entrance is from the front (outside). The key was forced open and what was suspected was that they broke in, set the fire and locked the door,” said a source.
The fire reportedly destroyed the throne, air conditioners, and other valuables within the palace. Despite the severity of the damage, the Kano State Fire Service was not notified. Read more
Tinubu’s ADC accepts royal stool, to appoint placeholder (ThisDay)
The Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lt. Col. Nurudeen Yusuf, will receive his staff of office as the next ‘Elemona of Ilemona’ in Oyun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He will however, appoint a regent to hold forth for him on the throne, pending his retirement from the military service.
The kingmakers had selected the military officer for the stool occupied by his late father, Oba Yusuf Omokanye Oyekanmi, who died at the age of 95 in May. Read more
Smuggler kills Customs Officer while evading arrest (DailyTrust)
An officer attached to the Federal Operations Unit, Zone B of the Nigeria Customs Service has been killed by a suspected smuggler.
The officer lost his life while the suspect was evading arrest at Achilafia along Daura-Kano Road in Jigawa State.
The Customs officer was identified as Inspector of Customs (IC), Hamza Abdullahi Elenwo. Read more
Attack on former US President Trump ‘‘distasteful’’ – Tinubu (Vanguard)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned an assassination attempt on former US President, Donald Trump.
According to Tinubu, the incident was distasteful, stressing that ‘violence has no place in democracy’.
Recall Trump, the Republican candidate for the November election, was rushed off stage when gunshots were fired at a campaign rally on Saturday in Pennsylvania, in a shocking incident that will fuel anxiety in the run-up to the 2024 election. Read more
Supreme Court Verdict: Fayose backs govs coronating LG bosses (Channels)
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose says nobody can become a local government chairman without the support of the serving governor of a state.
He said the state and local tiers of government are inseparable and that no one can “take the baby from the mother”.
“While I love and I do not believe that any governor should take local government funds, may I say to you clearly this evening that you cannot take the baby from the mother,” Fayose said on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme. Read more
Kwara disburses N32.6m to victims of Lagos market inferno (Leadership)
The Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) has disbursed the sum of N32,600,000 to traders of Kwara origin living in Lagos State, whose businesses were affected by the recent inferno at the popular Dosumu Market.
At the presentation of a symbolic cheque held at the KWASSIP office in Ilorin, the state capital, KWASSIP general manager, Dr Abdulwasiu Tejidini, said Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq commiserated with the victims over the incident.
Tejidini reiterated the governor’s continued support to all Kwarans at all times.
“Today, we present a cheque of Thirty two million, six hundred thousand naira to the Kwara indigenes living in Lagos State, over the recent Dosumu Market inferno that affected their businesses. This is a testament to Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq’s priority to welfare of all Kwarans across board, regardless of their locations,” he said. Read more
Princess Kate appears at Wimbledon amid cancer battle (USAToday)
Princess Kate is stepping back into the spotlight amid her battle with cancer.
The Princess of Wales, 42, made a rare appearance Sunday during the men’s singles final at Wimbledon, where she received a standing ovation as she arrived with her 9-year-old daughter, Princess Charlotte. Kate flashed a big smile as she waved to the crowd.
The princess wore a purple dress with a ruched bodice and carried a tan bag, accessorizing with gold jewelry. She also donned her signature purple-and-green striped bow, the official colors of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, of which she is a patron.
“Great to be back at @Wimbledon!” Kate shared on Instagram. “There’s nothing quite like The Championships.” Read more
‘‘Truth prevails’’ says Strictly’s Shirley Ballas amid Giovanni Pernice claims (Standard)
Shirley Ballas said “the truth prevails” as she reflected on her experience with former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice amid allegations against his teaching methods.
Last month show bosses confirmed the Italian dancer will not return for its forthcoming 20th anniversary series following claims of abusive or threatening behaviour, which he denies.
Pernice previously said in a statement that he is co-operating fully with an ongoing BBC investigation and that he looks “forward to clearing my name”. Read more
Richard Simmons shared message about enjoying life months before his death (People)
Richard Simmons shared an optimistic message about enjoying life in the months leading up to his death.
The fitness guru, who died at age 76 on July 13, previously spoke about enjoying “life to the fullest” in a candid Facebook post on March 18, as he also shared tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
“I have some news to tell you. Please don’t be sad. I am … dying. Oh I can see your faces now. The truth is we all are dying. Everyday we live we are getting closer to our death,” Simmons began the post. Read more
James B. Sikking Dies: Hill Street Blues, Doogie Howser, M.D. actor was 90 (Deadline)
James B. Sikking, the actor known for his roles on shows like Hill Street Blues and Doogie Howser, M.D., has died. He was 90.
Sikking died of Dementia on Saturday at his Los Angeles home, where his publicist Cynthia Snyder tells Deadline that the actor was surrounded by family in his final moments.
“In a remarkable career, Sikking’s wonderfully exciting face gave us drama, comedy, tragedy and hilarious farse. His career spanned over six decades in television, film and on stage,” said Snyder in a statement, adding: “His talent, integrity and imagination intrigued and delighted audiences.” Read more
Despicable Me 4 reigns at box office, while Longlegs gets impressive start (ABC)
Gru and the minions celebrated a second week in first place at the North American box office this weekend, while a small horror movie called Longlegs upset the starry $100 million Fly Me to the Moon.
The supremacy of Despicable Me 4 was hardly a surprise, as the Universal and Illumination franchise added $44.7 million and pushed the film over $200 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. But the big upset came further down the charts with Longlegs more than doubling the debut of the Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum romantic comedy Fly Me to the Moon. Read more
US politics must never be a ‘killing field’, Biden warns (BBC)
US President Joe Biden has condemned the assassination attempt on his predecessor Donald Trump in a primetime address from the White House, telling Americans that US politics must never be a “killing field”.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, was wounded in the ear after a gunman opened fire at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. One person was killed and two more were critically injured in the attack.
In the Oval Office address – just the third of his presidency – Mr Biden urged Americans to “take a step back” and warned that “political rhetoric in this country has gotten very heated”. Read more
Rwandan President Kagame deflects retirement questions, focuses on upcoming election (VOA)
Rwandan President Paul Kagame wrapped up his reelection campaign Saturday, two days before voting takes place on Monday. The incumbent faces two opponents who say he has overstayed. Kagame tells reporters that his supporters want him to run for another term.
At a news conference following his last campaign rally, Rwandan President Paul Kagame told reporters that his priorities for the country he’s been leading since 2000 will not change.
“Priority No. 1 after we’ve gone through all of this is to continue to make as much progress as we can in the area of security and stability for our country, socio-economic development progress … we are building our country, growing it toward prosperity,” he said. Read more
Ndidi happy to be back in EPL (Punch)
After spending the 2023/24 season in the Championship, Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, said he was happy to be back in the English Premier League, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Having left the King Power Stadium at the end of last season as a free agent following the expiration of his contract, the midfielder penned a new three-year contract at the club last week and is on course to spend a decade with the Foxes.
Before renewing his contract with Leicester, Ndidi emerged as one of the most sought-after players with several clubs showing interest in the Nigerian. Read more
NPFL: Mbah splashes N50m, other rewards on victorious Rangers (Nation)
Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah, has announced a cash reward of N50 million to Rangers International Football Club of Enugu for winning the 2023/2024 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).
The governor announced this when he treated the Nigerian champions to a state banquet at the Government House, Enugu, thanking them for etching Enugu state on the African and global map.
He said: “We are indeed very proud of you. I cannot tell you enough what this NPFL title you have brought here represents and means to us.
Copa América final start delayed after fans rush gates (ESPN)
The start time for the final of the 2024 Copa América between Argentina and Colombia was delayed for over 75 minutes on Sunday following a security breach in which fans broke through one of the main entry gates.
The game, which was originally scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET, kicked off at 9:22 p.m.
Video on social media from earlier in the day showed fans breaking through the southwest gate at Hard Rock Stadium, with some being tackled or otherwise apprehended by police and security personnel. A security guard manning an interior entrance to the stadium confirmed to ESPN that the southwest gate at the venue had been locked down due to a breach. Read more
Euro 2024: Spain coach hails history-makers, warns of more to come (ABC)
Coach Luis de la Fuente celebrated Spain’s history-makers and warned there is still more to come after they became the first team to win the European Championships four times by beating England 2-1 in Sunday’s final at the Olympiastadion.
Mikel Oyarzabal struck an 86th-minute winner after Cole Palmer had cancelled out Nico Williams’ opener as Spain made it seven wins from seven at Euro 2024 without needing penalties, scoring 15 goals in the process, which set a new tournament record.
On route to the trophy, they had to beat holders Italy, hosts Germany and pre-tournament favourites France and England, but De la Fuente said he always believed in Spain’s chances even if they were considered outsiders one month ago.
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon for 2nd year in a row (PBS)
Carlos Alcaraz was ready from the get-go this time. A year ago in the Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz got off to a slow start, dropped the opening set and needed five to claim his first championship at the All England Club.
Sunday’s rematch began with a game that felt monumental: 20 points across nearly 15 minutes, portending an engrossing, back-and forth contest — and a long one. There were moments of brilliance from both men. Alcaraz, though, was better. Just as he would be for nearly all of the next two hours.
Alcaraz learned from 2023 and applied those lessons to 2024, adding up to a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4) victory over Djokovic for a second consecutive Wimbledon championship and fourth Grand Slam title in all. And to think: He is still just 21. Read more
Frustrated Caitlin Clark swats defender’s eye and draws a technical (DailyMail)
Caitlin Clark has lashed out at an opponent in the Indiana Fever’s latest back-to-back win against the Minnesota Lynx, as she lost her cool with a player after an intentional foul on a fastbreak.
At the end of the third quarter of Sunday’s 81-74 win, Clark got a steal near Indiana’s basket before rushing down the floor in transition, only to be grabbed at halfcourt by Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini.
Annoyed by how she was fouled, the 21-year-old point guard swatted her right hand at Zandalasini after the whistle was blown. Read more