FG reveals identity of woman threatening mass killing of Nigerians in Canada (Nation)
The federal government has disclosed the identity of a Canada-based woman who allegedly threatened to kill fellow Nigerians living in the North American country.
In a video clip circulating on X (formerly Twitter) obtained by The Nation, a woman’s voice is heard making anti-Yoruba comments in what appears to be a virtual meeting on TikTok.
The woman spoke mainly in Pidgin English. Read more
Ex-lawmaker repays N3.2m student loan taken in 1970s (Punch)
A former member of the House of Representatives, Lanre Laoshe, has repaid his N1,200 student loan received between 1976 and 1979 with N3,189,217.00 to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, a statement by NELFUND said on Tuesday.
Laoshe, according to the statement signed by Nasir Ayitogo of the communications department who benefited from the defunct Federal Government Student Loan Scheme, expressed gratitude for the financial support he received during his education.
He calculated the current equivalent of the loan using historical exchange rates from the Central Bank of Nigeria and repaid the amount as a token of appreciation to the Federal Government. Read more
Police arrest nurse over death of lady Undergoing butt enlargement in Lagos (Leadership)
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an unnamed nurse over the death of a 36-year-old woman, simply identified as Abiola, over a failed butt-lifting procedure allegedly carried out on the deceased by the nurse.
Lagos State’s Police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to newsmen in Lagos on Wednesday.
He remarked that the nurse was arrested after the Maroko Police Division received a report on Tuesday at about 11:40 am from the driver of the deceased, whose name was also not disclosed. Read more
Ajaero to appear before police over ‘‘terrorism financing’’ Thursday (DailyTrust)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, will on Thursday face the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to answer some questions that relate to allegations on terrorism financing.
The labour leader, according to the police in a letter sent to him last week, will also offer explanations to the allegations that border on “criminal conspiracy, treasonable felony, subversion and cybercrime”.
Daily Trust reports that the police had on August 19 directed the NLC president to appear before the officers on August 20 at the headquarters of defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) popularly known as Abattoir, where the IRT office is located. Read more
Nigeria Immigration repatriates Zimbabwean Bishop for violating immigration laws (VON)
The Nigerian Government has repatriated a Zimbabwean Bishop, Eben K. Nhiwatawi, for violating immigration law.
The cleric was on 24th August apprehended in Yola, Adamawa State by personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).
A statement on Wednesday by the spokesman of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kenneth Udo, said “Mr. Eben K. Nhiwatawi, a Zimbabwean Bishop, was apprehended in Yola, Adamawa State over violation of Immigration protocols.” Read more
CDS Musa signs MoU on security cooperation with Nigerien counterpart (Channels)
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, on Wednesday, met with General Moussa Salaou Barmou, Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Armed Forces, in Niamey, Republic of Niger to forge a common goal towards deepening the fraternal bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Niger and exploring opportunities to enhance security cooperation.
Defence spokesman Brigadier General Tukar Gusau, in a statement, said during the meeting, both parties recognised the importance of sustained dialogue and collaboration in addressing mutual security challenges and strengthening the strategic partnership between Nigeria and Niger. Read more
Abuja: How serving Naval officer killed man, stole his Prado Jeep (DailyTrust)
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has arrested a Nigerian Navy personnel, Abdul Rasheed Muhammad, for the murder of Aminu, the son of former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral I. I. Ibrahim (retd).
CP Benneth Igweh, FCT police commissioner, while parading the suspect on Wednesday in Abuja, said Muhammad killed Aminu and stole his car two weeks ago.
According to Igweh, the car has been recovered. Read more
Kwara man cries for help as wife delivers 11 babies (Leadership)
A 56 year-old indigene of Ilorin in Kwara State, Yahaya Nafiu, whose wife gave birth to 11 babies in Benin Republic, has cried out for help.
Nafiu appealed to spirited individuals to assist him with money to enable him cater for the babies and their mother.
The wife, 54-year-old Alake was delivered of 11 babies in Port Novo Ajasse, Cotonou in Benin Republic.
It was learnt that the babies, eight boys and three girls are alive except two of the girls that died during delivery. Read more
Venice Jury President Isabelle Huppert voices concern for “very weak” state of film industry (THR)
French screen icon Isabelle Huppert, president of the 81st Venice Film Festival‘s main competition jury, took the stage Wednesday afternoon to share her thoughts on how she will approach her role as the event’s de facto artistic judge-in-chief. The gathering was marked by a triumphant tone from Venice artistic director Alberto Barbera, who sat by Huppert’s side and noted that his glamorous Italian festival will feature more big-name stars on its red carpet over the coming week than in any year of recent memory.
But there was also a palpable undercurrent of angst over the myriad tech-driven business challenges that continue to roil the global independent film business. Read more
South Africa’s Johan Rupert overtakes Dangote as Africa’s richest man (AfricaNews)
South African luxury goods magnate Johann Rupert has become Africa’s wealthiest person, overtaking Nigeria’s Aliko Dangote, who previously held the top position.
Rupert, 74, controls the world’s largest luxury watchmaker, Cie Financiere Richemont, through a family trust. This Switzerland-based company owns prestigious brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre and Cartier.
According to the latest figures from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Rupert’s net worth has climbed to $14.3 billion, pushing him ahead of Dangote, whose fortune has dropped to $13.4 billion. Read more
‘‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3” Trailer: Keanu Reeves’ Shadow battles Sonic and Jim Carrey’s Dr. Robotnik returns (Variety)
Paramount has released the first trailer for “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” which introduces one of the blue speedster’s most iconic foes, the evil Shadow the Hedgehog — who’s voiced by Keanu Reeves. The “Sonic” threequel will premiere in theaters on Dec. 20.
The third film — which was greenlit prior to the release of 2022’s second installment — will explore new areas of the video game universe created by Sega. Though plot details have been kept under wraps, the post-credits scene of “Sonic 2” teased the inclusion of Shadow. Read more
Michael Keaton thinks he “sucked” in his Batman director Tim Burton’s Dumbo remake (EW)
Michael Keaton definitely does not think his performance in Tim Burton’s live-action Dumbo remake deserved a handful of peanuts as a reward.
The Oscar-nominated star of Burton’s upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice revealed in a new interview that while he’s fond of his Batman director enough to team up with him on multiple projects over the years, he’s not fond of his own work in Disney’s 2019 Dumbo movie.
“I love working with Tim so much, but I don’t think we ever really analyzed why we work pretty well together; we just do,” the 72-year-old told The New York Times. “I think I let him down on one movie, but that’s just me, and it bugs me to this day. I was clueless on Dumbo. I sucked in Dumbo.” Read more
Oasis break silence on Glastonbury 2025 rumour ahead of major UK reunion tour (DailyStar)
Oasis have finally broken their silence on Glastonbury 2025 rumour ahead of their UK reunion tour.
Earlier this week, the 90s rock group confirmed their major comeback tour 15 years after their explosive split. The band will be reuniting for their major 14-date tour across the UK, including four nights at Wembley arena in London and Heaton Park in Manchester.
Following their surprise reunion, rumours quickly circulated suggesting that the brothers would make an appearance at Worthy Farm next year. It was rumoured that the Don’t Look Back In Anger hitmakers would be one of the headline acts at Glastonbury. Read more
Captain of superyacht that sank off Sicily declines to respond to prosecutor questions, lawyer says
(WashingtonTimes)
The captain of a superyacht that sank during a storm off Sicily last week, killing seven people, decided not to respond to prosecutors’ questions Tuesday, his lawyer said.
James Cutfield, a 51-year-old New Zealand national, is under investigation for possible manslaughter and culpable shipwreck charges and was questioned for the third time by the Termini Imerese prosecutors Tuesday.
“He just exercised his right to remain silent, probably prosecutors were expecting that,” lawyer Aldo Mordiglia told The Associated Press, adding that the captain’s legal team has just been named and needs time to work on his defensive strategy. Read more
Telegram founder Pavel Durov facing charges over allowing criminal activity on messaging app (Sky)
Pavel Durov, the chief executive of Telegram, is to face further investigation over allegations he allowed criminal activity on the messaging app.
French judges have barred Mr Durov from leaving France pending further investigation, but he has avoided being held in custody with a €5m bail.
The billionaire founder of the encrypted messaging and social media app was arrested in France on Saturday after his private jet landed at Le Bourget airport outside Paris. Read more
Super Eagles: Labbadia to stick with trusted German assistants (CompleteSports)
Newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Bruno Labbadia is expected to stick with his trusted German assistants as he put together his backroom staff.
Labbadia, who was appointed Super Eagles head coach on Tuesday is expected to bring in at least two foreign assistants.
The 58-year-old will also work with a number of local assistants. Read more
NPFL refs get pay rise, gadgets (Punch)
Referees in the Nigeria Premier Football League will smile to the bank in the 2024/25 season, which begins on Saturday following the decision of the NPFL board to raise their pay by 50 per cent, aside from being provided with the newly acquired communications gadget, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
This is in fulfilment of the promise of the league board chairman, Gbenga Elegbeleye, at the end of last season.
President of the Nigeria Referees Association, Sani Zubairu, confirmed on Tuesday that the referees are already in training ahead of the commencement of the league on Saturday. Read more
Cristiano Ronaldo to be honoured as all-time Champions League scorer (ESPN)
Cristiano Ronaldo will receive an award from UEFA for scoring the most goals in Champions League history, the European football governing body said on Tuesday.
Ronaldo has 140 goals in 183 games in the competition, appearing for Sporting CP, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus.
The forward will be honoured at the 36-team league phase draw ceremony in Monaco on Thursday. Read more
Juan Izquierdo, Uruguayan footballer, dies aged 27 after collapsing on pitch (Guardian)
Uruguayan footballer Juan Izquierdo, who collapsed on the pitch after suffering an irregular heartbeat last week, has died, his Club Nacional team has announced.
The 27-year-old had been undergoing medical treatment since he collapsed during the second leg of a Copa Libertadores round of 16 tie against Sāo Paulo at Brazil’s Morumbi stadium on 22 August.
“It is with the deepest sorrow and shock in our hearts that the Club Nacional announces the death of our beloved player Juan Izquierdo,” Nacional wrote on X. “We express our most sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and loved ones. All of Nacional is in mourning for his irreparable loss.” Read more
Paris prepares for Paralympic Games opening ceremony (ITV)
Paris is readying itself for another spectacular show this evening with the Paralympic Games opening ceremony due to kick off at 7pm UK time.
It is just weeks after the French capital hosted the Olympics, and 4,400 athletes with disabilities, permanent injuries or impairments will compete in 22 sports in the upcoming 11 days. It is the first time Paris has hosted the Paralympic Games.
The Games will run from August 29 to September 8. Read more
IRFU announce 37 central contracts for women’s game (BBC)
The Irish Rugby Football Union has announced 37 central contracts across the Women’s High Performance Programme as the Ireland Women’s XVs and Sevens squads build towards the 2024-25 season.
The Ireland Women’s XV will be back in action when they host Australia at the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday 14 September as part of Irish Rugby’s 150th Year celebrations.
Scott Bemand’s squad then travel to Vancouver for their WXV1 campaign in the autumn, before they turn their attention to next season’s Women’s Six Nations and Women’s Rugby World Cup in England. Read more