Killing of Kaduna wedding guests: Shariah Council furious (Sun)
The Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN) has condemned the brutal killing of 12 Muslim travellers from Kaduna State, who were returning from a wedding in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State on Saturday, describing the massacre as barbaric, inhuman and uncivilised.
In a statement yesterday, the Council lamented the recurring pattern of violence in Plateau State, which it said had become a notorious hotspot for religious and ethnic bloodshed, particularly targeting Muslims.
The statement by the Kaduna State Secretary of the Council, AbdurRahman Hassan, said: โThis latest bloodbath is one too many. Plateau State has continued to witness coordinated attacks on innocent Muslim travellers. From the Du Pond carnage to the cold-blooded murder of Major General Idris Alkali (retd), these atrocities are chilling reminders that Muslim lives are still treated as expendable.โ Read more
JAMB fixes mop-up UTME for 96,838, delists 113 centres (Punch)
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has announced Saturday, June 28, 2025, as the date for the conduct of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination mop-up.
In a statement released by its Public Communications Adviser, Dr Fabian Benjamin, on Sunday, the board disclosed that a total of 96,838 candidates would be participating in the mop-up exercise.
โThese include 5,096 spill-over candidates, those who experienced biometric verification failures during the main UTME, and 91,742 candidates who were absent during the main and resit examinations,โ the statement read. Read more
Plateau killings: Death toll hits 13 as survivors narrate ordeal (DailyTrust)
The death toll of the Fridayโs attack on the wedding travellers at Mangun community in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State has risen to 13.
In addition to the eight corpses that were recovered on Saturday, the bodies of the four travellers earlier declared missing were said to be recovered yesterday; while one of those injured was also confirmed dead.
The victims, comprising 32 men, women and children, were travelling in an 18-seater bus belonging to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, from Basawa community in Zaria, Kaduna State, to Quaโan Pan LGA of Plateau when they were attacked. Read more
Coalition: ADA leaders begin mass mobilisation nationwide (Vanguard)
Following their application before the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, seeking the registration of a new political party, leaders of the proposed anti-Tinubu coalition, who are pushing for the All Democratic Alliance, ADA, have commenced mass mobilisation across the country, Vanguard has learned.
Vanguard also gathered that the leaders of the proposed party are also upbeat about being registered by the electoral commission.
Members of the anti-Tinubu coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi; his Kaduna State counterpart, Nasir el-Rufai, the convener of the League of Northern Democrats, Dr Umar Ardo and a host of others. Read more
We have no party registration application before us, says INEC (Nation)
No group has applied for registration as a political party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said.
The electoral umpire insists that associations seeking to be registered as political parties must follow laid-down guidelines and abide by the legal and administrative requirements for registration.
Admitting that over 100 associations are in the queue, the commission said none of them has submitted a formal application to it yet. Read more
Oluwo bans alcohol within palace premises (Guardian)
The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has announced a ban on the consumption of alcohol within his palace and its surrounding premises.
The monarch made the declaration on Saturday during a meeting with palace staff held to mark his 58th birthday.
In a video shared by his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oba Akanbi said the decision was aimed at maintaining the sanctity of the palace. Read more
Seed disease, unchecked export cause severe ginger shortage (Leadership)
Ginger, once a robust segment of Nigeriaโs agricultural economy, has been blighted by a severe shortage due to a deadly seed disease and unregulated export pressure.Green job opportunities
Nicknamed โGinger the Goldโ for its high value and global demand, the crop is in sharp decline, a crisis threatening farmersโ livelihoods, domestic supply, and Nigeriaโs position in the international spice market.
LEADERSHIP Sunday findings revealed that this scarcity is primarily attributed to a fast-spreading fungal disease that broke out in 2022 and 2023 and decimated the crop. Read more
Bride among 2 killed after gunmen open fire at wedding reception in France (Metro)
A bride was shot dead as she left a wedding reception with her new husband and son in France last night.
Three people, including a 13-year-old child, were also injured, Le Parisien reports, while one of the attackers also died.
Four hooded men arrived at the end of the party in Goult, Vaucluse, and opened fire at around 4.30am this morning, the paper said. Read more
Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 22, Syrian authorities say (BBC)
Pictures from inside Mar Elias Church showed a heavily damaged altar, pews covered in broken glass and a bloodied floor
At least 22 people have been killed and 63 others wounded in a suicide bomb attack at a church in Damascus, Syria’s health ministry has said.
A man opened fire with a weapon at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in the Dweila neighbourhood during a service on Sunday evening before detonating an explosive vest, according to the interior ministry.
It said the attacker was affiliated with the jihadist group Islamic State (IS). There was no immediate claim from the group itself. Read more
Iranians react after US bombs three nuclear sites in support of Israel (AlJazeera)
Iranians inside and outside the country have been closely monitoring and reacting to rapidly unfolding events after United States President Donald Trump ordered the bombing of Iranโs top nuclear sites amid the ongoing conflict with Israel.
US bunker-buster bombs dropped from B-2 Spirit strategic bombers and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from naval platforms hit Iranโs three main nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan early on Sunday. Trump claimed the nuclear facilities were โtotally obliteratedโ, though there has been no evidence shown as of yet to confirm that.
Iranian authorities confirmed the strikes after several hours, but said there was no radioactive leak. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also confirmed there was no off-site contamination. Read more
Coleen Nolan to be grandmother for third time (FilmNews)
Coleen Nolan’s daughter, Ciara Fensome, is pregnant with her first child.
The mother-to-be took to her Instagram on Saturday to announce that she is expecting a baby with her fiancรฉ, Maxx Innes. The new arrival will be Loose Women star Nolan’s third grandchild.
This latest family news comes after Innes popped the question during a holiday in Vietnam last year. Read more
ECOWAS leaders meet in Abuja amid regional tensions and leadership transition (AfricaNews)
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) convened on Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. Regional heads of state gathered to evaluate the bloc’s current state, which continues to grapple with internal instability following a wave of military coups in several member countries.
ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray is scheduled to present an update on the status of negotiations regarding the formal withdrawal of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. This move would reshape the bloc’s political and economic landscape.
The summit comes as Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to step down from his role as ECOWAS chairman, a position he assumed in Bissau in 2023. Read more
Drake Reveals His Staggering Gambling Losses (HipHopDx)
Drake has revealed the staggering amount of money that he has lost gambling so far over the last month alone.
Posting on his Instagram Stories, a screenshot of his gambling account revealed the 6 God had wagered almost $125 million over the last month and was more than $8 million in the hole.
The screenshot revealed that Drizzy had lost almost $6 million in the last week. Read more
AFN shocked by alleged Ofiliโs nationality switch request (Sun)
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) is shocked and surprised with the news making the rounds that one of the countryโs top female athletes, Favour Ofili is seeking to switch allegiance to Turkiye.
The President of AFN, Chief Tonobok Okowa said on Sunday that, โJust like every other sports loving person in Nigeria, on the continent and beyond that he and his newly elected board read and heard her desire to change nationality from the media.โ
โIf this is true, it is sad, disheartening and painful but we are yet to get any official statement from her or any correspondence from World Athletics (WA), on her request. She is a promising athlete with huge potential.โ Read more
Nigeria celebrate historic African flag football titles (Punch)
Nigeriaโs male and female flag football players are basking in the euphoria of their historic double, after clinching both the menโs and womenโs titles at the maiden African Flag Football Championships in Cairo, Egypt, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The tournament was held from Friday, June 20 to Saturday, June 21.
The Nigerian men edged a thrilling final game, winning 13-12 to claim gold over host, Egypt in front of a loud and high-spirited home crowd inside the Club One Stadium in Maadi, Cairo, where distinguished guests included Egyptโs Minister of Youths and Sports, Dr Ashraf Sobhi. Read more
NBA star Durant to join Rockets in blockbuster trade (BBC)
Two-time NBA champion Kevin Durant will join the Houston Rockets in a blockbuster move from the Phoenix Suns.
The 36-year-old forward will join the Rockets at the start of July in a deal involving eight other players.
In exchange, guard Jalen Green and small forward Dillon Brooks will move to Phoenix – who will also gain the 10th pick in Wednesday’s NBA Draft and five future second-round picks, according to reports in US media. Read more
Antonio Rudiger accuses Club World Cup opponent of racism in Real Madrid game (Metro)
Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger has accused Gustavo Cabral of racial abuse during his teamโs Club World Cup victory over Pachuca on Sunday.
The alleged incident occurred in stoppage time as Rudiger was seen approaching referee Ramon Abatti after an exchange with his opponent.
Cabral, a defender for Mexican club Pachuca, is alleged to have called Rudiger a โnegro de mierdaโ โ a Spanish insult that translates as โf***ing n*****โ โ sources inside the stadium have claimed to the Daily Mail. Read more
Real Madrid beat Pachuca at Club World Cup despite Asencioโs early red card (AlJazeera)
Jude Bellingham and Arda Guler scored late in the first half to help 10-man Real Madrid to a 3-1 victory over Pachuca in a Group H clash played amid sweltering conditions in Charlotte, North Carolina, the United States.
Federico Valverdeโs sliding volley in the 70th minute sealed Xabi Alonsoโs first victory as Madrid manager on Sunday.The result puts his sideโs FIFA Club World Cup campaign back on track after a dramatic 1-1 draw against Al Hilal in Wednesdayโs opener, and despite Sundayโs early dismissal of defender Raul Asencio. Read more