Lagos robbers attacking motorists on Deeper Life bridge caught (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspected traffic robbers, Alaba Ibrahim and Hammed Ibrahim, for dispossessing motorists of their valuables in the Gbagada area of the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Wednesday, said the suspects were arrested by policemen on a routine patrol following a tip-off that some persons were moving suspiciously on the Deeper Life Bible Church Bridge at Gbagada.
Hundeyin said, “Officers of Ifako division of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested one Alaba Ibrahim, 35, and Hammed Ibrahim, 39, along Gbagada Road. A third suspect took to his heels upon sighting the policemen
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had been operating at that spot during gridlock, distracting motorists and subsequently carting away their phones and other belongings. Read more
Sanwo-Olu approves marginal increase in BRT fare (Nation)
In sustaining the operations of regulated bus services in Lagos State, the State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved a flat rate increase by N100 in fares for all Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Standard routes.
With the increase, a bus ride from Ikorodu – TBS will now cost N600 from N500 while Berger to Ajah is now N700, up from N600. Oshodi to Abule Egba will cost N450 from N350 and Abule-Egba-CMS-Obalende will attract a fare of N600.
The increase, which will come into effect on Wednesday, 13 July 2022, is aimed at ensuring sustainability of the BRT and standard route schemes.
The Governor in consenting to the fare increase also approved a proposal for a bailout for the bus operating companies (route franchise operators/concessionaires), in order to cushion the effect of the harsh operating environment, safeguard private partnership investment, and forestall the demise of formalised bus operations in the state. Read more
My next album for generation unborn — Jesse Jagz (DailyTrust)
Iconic rapper and music producer, Jesse Jagz has revealed that his next album is for the generation.
Jagz made this known via his Twitter handle on Wednesday, June 29.
He said, “My next album is for the generation unborn!! I make music for the future, that’s why it takes a lot of time but be patient. It’s worth the wait!!”
His next album ‘family tree” will be his sixth solo album and it is expected to be released this year. Read more
40 Americans take Igbo names in Enugu, claim ancestry (Guardian)
No fewer than 40 students and faculty members from Morehouse College Glee Club in Atlanta, United States of America (USA) have traced their ancestry to the Igbo and taken new Igbo names to suit their new status.
This is as some of the students stated while performing the Igbo name-giving ceremony at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) said that they traced their Igbo ancestral roots through DNA tests conducted on them.
Performing the Igbo-name-giving ceremony at the occasion attended by several members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the traditional ruler of Ibagwa-Aka community in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area of Enugu State, HRH, Igwe Hyacinth Eze, explained that the reunion was an indication that Igbo exists in all parts of the world.
Expressing happiness that the students had been able to trace their roots, he stated that the spiritual, cultural and economic exchanges which would happen as a result of the reunion would ultimately lead to the development of Ala-Igbo. Read more
38 Nigerians deported from UK arrive Lagos (Vanguard)
No fewer than 38 Nigerians deported from the United Kingdom, in the early hours on Thursday, arrived in Lagos.
According to authorities in Nigeria, the deportees, who are mainly mothers and grandmothers, arrived at the Murtala Muhammed international Airport, Ikeja.
They arrived in Lagos early this morning with one Home Office charter flight.
It was gathered that some members of LGBTQ communities seeking asylum were among the deportees. Read more
Renewable energy firms propose solar integration (Punch)
Chint Global and other non-renewable energy firms have proposed solar integration to solve energy challenges in Nigeria.
Speaking with The PUNCH on the power generation gap in Nigeria at the Power & Water Nigeria Exhibition and Conference 2022 in Lagos, Chint Global Country Manager for Nigeria, Michael Chen, said Nigeria had been a major target for solar power distribution.
“Egypt has about 100 million people, but Nigeria has 200 million people. However, the power generation capacity of Egypt is about 60 gigawatts while Nigeria has 13 gb watts. So, the capacity of power generation in Egypt is about five times that of Nigeria. Nigeria has a 200 million population, and one of the biggest GDPs in Africa.
“This will make Nigeria a bigger market for electrical equipment. This is a good opportunity for marketing and a means to contribute to Nigeria with our professional equipment and services to make this country a better place,” he said. Read more
Communities berate Katsina govt over dilapidated structures in schools (Independent)
Despite the huge annual budget for the education sector in the last seven years of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration, some communities in Charanchi LGA of Katsina State have berated the government over the situation of abandoned dilapidated classrooms and structures destroyed by rain storm in schools.
The pathetic situation of the classrooms is said to have been reported to the concerned authorities, yet nothing is being done to remedy the structures.
Our Correspondent who visited Sake Primary School disclosed that only three out of the seven classrooms are being put to use, as a result of the situation of the other structures.
This has led pupils of primary four, five and six to be clustered in one class to receive their daily lessons. Read more
Ekweremadu appears before UK court over organ harvesting charges (Channels)
The former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on Thursday appeared before Uxbridge Magistrate’s Court in London, facing charges under Britain’s Modern Slavery Act.
Ekweremadu’s case, a source told Channels Television, was fast-tracked. He was in good shape, wore a grey tracksuit, and spoke twice during his appearance to confirm his name and date of birth.
His wife Beatrice, who in her defence, asked the court to allow her to appear by his side because she has not seen him since the hearing last Thursday, was not granted such a request.
The prosecutor claims that David Ukpo, who alleged that he was coerced to donate his kidney to the Senator’s daughter, is 15 years old. According to court, David was allegedly picked up off the street in Lagos by a criminal gang some months ago with the intention of organ harvesting. Read more
Murder: Jos Court sentences 3 to death by hanging (DailyTrust)
A high court in Jos, Plateau State, has sentenced three persons to death by hanging over the death of one Joseph Gosum.
The court found the trio guilty of the two count charges brought against them by the Plateau state government.
Presiding judge of the court 3 of the state high court Jos, Justice Arum Ashom, while delivering the landmark judgement on Thursday, said the court found the trio guilty of culpable homicide.
The court held, “That, you Terry Kefas, Samson James, Emmanuel Jah and Patrick Nyam him December 2015 at Gadabiu in Jos North local government area within Plateau Judicial Division agreed among yourselves to cause the death of one Joseph Gonsum by stabbing him to death. Read more
Howard Stern says he is running for President in 2024, claims Bradley Cooper wants to be his VP (People)
Stern-Cooper 2024?
Days after Howard Stern hinted at a possible presidential run, the radio host, 68, claimed on Wednesday’s episode The Howard Stern Show that Bradley Cooper wants to be his running mate.
“I have some exciting news I’d like to share with you,” Stern told his SiriusXM listeners, before explaining that he was “texting back and forth with someone I was interested in potentially being my vice president when I run,” without naming the candidate.
Noting that the individual texted him, “I wanna congratulate you,” and said, “You have my vote,” Stern detailed that the pair shared “a very lovely conversation,” before he asked the person to be his vice president.
“You wanna know what he said?” Stern continued. “‘Done. Done. Done.’ In other words, ‘I’m in.’ It’s exciting.” Read more
Ticket to Paradise: Trailer released for new George Clooney and Julia Roberts rom-com (Standard)
The trailer for Ticket to Paradise has just dropped: George Clooney and Julia Roberts’ first headlining rom-com in decades, and their first time starring together. The Hollywood icons will play a divorced couple who go to Bali to try and foil their daughter’s marriage to a local.
The trailer, which was released yesterday, has already garnered over two million views. It sees Roberts and Clooney reunite on a plane, bicker, and then agree to put their arguments aside for the sake of their daughter.
“I won’t let her throw her life away. We need to trick her into dumping him,” says Roberts. “As much as this will pain us both, we have to call a truce to make this work.”
“Did you make a pact not to murder each other until you murder me first?” says their daughter upon receiving them. Read more
Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Busta Rhymes, Halsey, Pusha T to be featured on Calvin Harris’ new album (Variety)
On Wednesday, producer/DJ/recording artist Calvin Harris shared the news of his new album “Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2,” the follow-up to his critically acclaimed “Vol. 1” from 2017, with nearly 20 mostly marquee artists named as collaborators for the Ag. 5 release, from Justin Timberlake to Pusha T to Halsey to Snoop Dogg.
Harris uploaded a minute-long teaser video to his social media — complete with a view of crashing waves and funky guitar riffs — to announce the collaborations, which also include Pharrell, Busta Rhymes, Stefflon Don, Chloe Bailey, Charlie Puth, Shenseea, Tinashe, Normani, Lil Durk, Offset, 6lack, Coi LeRay, Latto, Swae Lee and Jorja Smith.
This announcement comes after the Scottish producer already teased the album with Dua Lipa and Young Thug’s mutual participation in the album’s first single “Potion,” released in May. Around the same time, he tweeted the second volume would be “the maddest album I’ve ever put together by a lonnnggg way.”
Pharrell, Young Thug, Snoop Dogg and Migos’ Offset are some of the returning artists from Vol. 1 to appear on Vol. 2. The first volume of “Funk Wav Bounces” included A-list hits like the Frank Ocean and Migos-featuring “Slide,” “Rollin” with Future and Khalid and “Feels” with Pharrell, Katy Perry and Big Sean. Read more
R. Kelly survivors detail abuse in impact statements (BBC)
Some of the women who were abused by singer R. Kelly described how he had “destroyed so many people’s lives” as they addressed him in court before he was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Wednesday.
“You made me do things that broke my spirit. I literally wished I would die because of how low you made me feel,” one survivor told the disgraced star in the New York hearing. “Do you remember that?”
Another sobbed as she told the court that Kelly victimised her after she attended one of his concerts at the age of 17.
“I was afraid, naïve and didn’t know to handle the situation,” she said, explaining why she didn’t speak up at the time. “Silence is a very lonely place.”
The singer, who was previously best known for chart-topping songs like Ignition (Remix) and I Believe I Can Fly, heard seven impact statements from his victims in court shortly before he was jailed for racketeering and sex trafficking crimes. Read more
SXSW to make international debut in Sydney in October 2023 (NME)
The annual South By Southwest festival – better known these days as SXSW – will expand to Australia next year, marking the first time in the event’s 36-year history that an international edition will be held.
Since its launch in 1987, SXSW has grown exponentially; this year’s edition, for example, ran for 10 days across March 11-20. It’s long called Austin, Texas home, but the team behind it have held spin-off events – like North By Northwest (NXNW) in Portland, North By Northeast (NXNE) in Toronto, and West By Southwest (WXSW) in Tucson – in years past. Australia’s iteration will be the first to bare the primary SXSW branding outside of the US.
It’ll launch in Sydney next year, running across October 15-22. Venues, performers and speakers are yet to be announced, however APRA AMCOS – the music industry organisation spearheading SXSW’s Asia-Pacific expansion – revealed today (June 30) that SXSW Sydney will host more than 1,000 events.
Like the Austin festival has grown in recent years, the Sydney iteration of SXSW will feature an eclectic mix of live music, film, gaming and technology. Throughout its eight-day run, the event will host dedicated programs for artist showcases, film screenings, live gaming sessions and product demonstrations. There will also be a conference element, featuring a roster of keynote speakers, panels, summits, networking events and parties. Read more
Knives Out sequel lands world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival (CP24)
Another layer of the “Knives Out” mystery series will be peeled back at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Organizers say they’ve landed the world premiere of “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” with Daniel Craig reprising his role as detective Benoit Blanc.
The Rian Johnson-directed film is the first title to be announced for this year’s TIFF, which takes place from Sept. 8 to 18 in Toronto.
While the storyline has been mostly kept under wraps, it will see Blanc venture to Greece where he faces a new cast of characters played by Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Kate Hudson and Dave Bautista. Read more
Cameron Diaz is ‘Back in Action,’ comes out of retirement to star in new Netflix film with Jamie Foxx (USAToday)
Cameron Diaz is back!
After her last film appearance in 2014’s “Annie”, Diaz announced her retirement in 2018. Now, Diaz will make her movie comeback in the upcoming Netflix film “Back in Action,” starring alongside Jamie Foxx.
Foxx shared news of Diaz’s return on Twitter Wednesday posting a recording of a three way call between Diaz, Foxx and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.
“Cameron, I hope you aren’t mad I recorded this, but no turning back now. Had to call in the GOAT to bring back another GOAT,” tweeted Foxx, who co-starred with Diaz in the 2014 film “Annie.” Read more
Israeli PM Naftali Bennett says he will not run in upcoming election (France24)
Israel on Wednesday moved closer toward its fifth election in less than four years, plunging it deeper into political uncertainty as it grapples with rising living costs amid renewed international efforts to revive a nuclear deal with Iran.
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced he would not run in the upcoming election but would retain his position as alternate prime minister after his coalition partner Yair Lapid takes over as head of the caretaker government.
“I leave behind a thriving, strong and secure country,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “We proved this year that people with very different opinions can work together,” he added, referring to his ideologically diverse coalition.
Last week, Bennett moved to disperse parliament after a series of defections made his ruling coalition no longer tenable. The final vote on the bill to dissolve the Knesset, which was set to happen by midnight, was delayed until Thursday due to the many amendments filed, Israel’s public broadcaster Kan radio said. Read more
CAF Awards: Osimhen snubbed, Moses Simon, Amoo make nominees’ list (Punch)
Super Eagles midfielders, Moses Simon and Akinkunmi Amoo have been shortlisted in the nominees’ list for the Confederation of African Football Awards 2022.
CAF released the list of nominees in different categories for male footballers on Thursday with Africa Cup of Nations winner Sadio Mane, and former Liverpool teammate, Mohammed Salah making the nominees’ list.
Simon, who plies his trade in France with FC Nantes, was the only Nigerian player nominated in the Player of The Year (Men) category.
The Jos-born speedster was pivotal to Nantes 2021/22 season, where they finished ninth in the Ligue 1 and won the Coupe de France after beating Nice in the final. Read more
Gabriel Jesus Arsenal squad number revealed as new striker given Emirates Stadium tour (FootballLondon)
Gabriel Jesus will sign for Arsenal after Manchester City agreed to the sale of the Brazilian international in a £45 million deal. The striker has already completed his medical with the club and is currently finalising his duties before it is officially announced.
Many speculated as to what number the 25-year-old would wear at the club next season. A leaked video of Jesus walking around the club in his new Arsenal shirt has indeed revealed that the No. 9 is all his.
Vacated after the departure of Alexandre Lacazette, Jesus takes the number previously worn by the likes of the late Jose Antonio Reyes, Nicolas Anelka, Alan Smith and Charlie McNicholas. The more recent history of the number has not been the most successful.
Lucas Perez, Lukas Podolski, Chu-young Park and Julio Baptista have all been adorned with the famous number. Arguably the player that broke the mould in the Emirates era was the Croatian international Eduardo, up until he suffered a broken leg. Read more
Basketball crisis: Dare must resign, insists D’Tigress star, Kienka (Punch)
Despite the approval by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), for the immediate return of Nigeria to international basketball competitions, some stakeholders have been left disappointed with Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, and called for his resignation, insisting he didn’t properly manage the crisis in the sector, The PUNCH reports.
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Ismaila Abubakar, at a press briefing in Abuja last Thursday announced the reversal after the sports minister Sunday Dare and other stakeholders reportedly lobbied for it to be rescinded.
The sports ministry had announced the ban on May 12 following a crisis in the Nigeria Basketball Federation that produced parallel presidents of the federation, with incumbent Musa Ahmadu-Kida elected in a poll in Benin City, on January 31 while Igoche Mark emerged winner of the election held in Abuja the same day.
The FG’s U-Turn was, however, too little too late, with basketball’s global governing body, FIBA, already kicking out five-time African champions D’Tigress out of the 2022 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Australia and replacing them with Mali. Read more
Chelsea handed major Neymar transfer boost as Romelu Lukaku Inter Milan deal confirmed (FootballLondon)
Chelsea are still waiting to make their first transfer of the summer, with the window starting to heat up. Reports suggest Thomas Tuchel has over £200million to spend under new owner Todd Boehly.
A number of players have already left the club, with plenty more expected to leave in the coming weeks. Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are among the names mentioned with an exit.
In return, Tuchel has the task of making additions to his squad in preparation for the next campaign. High-profile players have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, but there is yet to be a first signing made.
Le Parisien, via GFFN, reported that Neymar’s departure from PSG this summer now appears to be a given, with the Brazilian no longer comfortable at the club and the Ligue 1 Champions open to selling him at the right price. Read more
Everton takeover latest as ‘multi-club portfolio’ plan emerges (Liverpool Echo)
Everton could be the head of a multi-club ‘portfolio of sports clubs’ if a takeover is completed by a US consortium.
The Toffees are subject of interest from US real estate tycoon Maciek ‘MG’ Kaminski, chief executive of the Minnesota-based Talon Real Estate, which holds retail, residential and commercial properties across Middle America.
The takeover interest is being led by former Manchester United and Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon, while billionaire mining and investment magnate John Thornton has also been reported to be involved in the consortium previously.
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is understood to be willing to sell the club that he acquired for £220m back in 2016 given the struggles on and off the field, with the club having lost more than £372m over the past three years and still having to find up to £500m in financing to complete the stadium build at Bramley Moore Dock. Moshiri’s investment into the club since 2016, which hasn’t delivered success, is thought to be over £700m with all things considered and a heavy loss on that investment is almost certain if he does sell. Read more
Stefanos Tsitsipas happy to ‘start small’ in bid to upset Nadal and Djokovic at Wimbledon (Express)
Stefanos Tsitsipas feels he’s in the best place possible coming into Wimbledon to mount a serious challenge for his first major title and upset Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s dominance. Throughout Tsitsipas’ junior career, the Greek tennis ace was tipped as a future Grand Slam champion.
And he made an instant impact as a pro and had his breakthrough at the 2018 Canadian Open where he defeated four top 10 players, including Djokovic before losing to Nadal in the final. A serial winner on tour now and ranked as one of the best players in the men’s game, Tsitsipas is now at a stage in his career where he’s expected to challenge for big titles.
But the majors have proven to be troublesome for Tsitsipas, particularly Wimbledon throughout his young career. He’s never progressed past the fourth round and his last two championships prior to this year saw him knocked out in his opening match.
What’s changed this time around is that Tsitsipas has finally broken his duck in winning his first grasscourt title in the warm-up events for Wimbledon. While his opening match win over Alexander Ritschard was far from convincing, both Nadal and Djokovic also struggled in their first-round ties. Read more
Fred Couples blasts Phil Mickelson for LIV Golf decision (NYPost)
Fred Couples has had a good relationship with Phil Mickelson over the years, but he said that’s over now that the six-time major winner has left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Couples, a Hall of Famer and PGA Tour loyalist who has often spoken out against Saudi-backed LIV Golf recently, told Golf.com on Wednesday that Mickelson and the other defectors have effectively been muzzled by the new series and it shows in their press conferences.
“These guys — you’ve seen their interviews, right?” said Couples — who is in charge of the U.S. squad in the Icon Series being held at Liberty National in Jersey City, N.J., a new match-play event that features 12 golf-loving U.S. athletes versus 12 counterparts from around the world. “Have you ever seen Phil look so stupid in his life? They know it’s a joke.”
Couples was referring to two awkward press conferences Mickelson had with the media — one before the debut LIV event outside of London and the other at the U.S. Open. The second LIV event begins Thursday in Portland, Ore. Read more