Lagos task force arrests 114 in Ikoyi black spots (Punch)
The Lagos State Task Force has arrested 114 suspects and seized 2,000 litres of diesel in a raid conducted on Ikoyi black spots.
The spokesperson for the agency, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, noted in a statement on Wednesday that the operation led by the Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, was conducted on Monday night, targeting multiple black spots in Ikoyi.
“The raid resulted in the confiscation of over 2,000 litres of illegally stored diesel and the arrest of 114 suspects. Read more
Community sends SOS to Sanwo-Olu (Nation)
Ajasa/Isoto community market members and their executives have cried out to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the alleged constant visits by teams of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and some unidentified group of people to their market, located at Isoto area, Ajasa on Command Road in Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area.
They said their cry was based on the information gathered from some of them, who came to the market with notice of demolition, alongside groups of people identified as chairman and other members of Katangowa second hand products market, telling them that Ajasa market will be reallocated to them. Read more
Dangote Refinery Threatens Europe’s Existing 90 Refineries – Report (NewTelegraph)
The 650,000 per day capacity Dangote Refinery has been reported to have threatened the continued operations of Europe’s existing 90 refineries.
Reuters on Wednesday also reported that Dangote refinery which was built at the Free Zone in Lekki, Lagos may lead to the closure of a decades-long fuel trade from Europe to Africa worth $17 billion a year.
It reported that unnamed analysts and traders have expressed concerns that that the refinery is already exerting pressure on European refineries because of heightened competition. Read more
Mohbad: Aloba family conducts fresh autopsy (Leadership)
The family of the late singer Mohbad, born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, has conducted another toxicology test to determine the cause of the singer’s death.
Mohbad died under mysterious circumstances on September 12, 2023, and his body was buried the next day.
On September 21, his body was exhumed, and an autopsy was performed following public outrage. However, in May, Wahab Shittu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), stated that the pathologist in charge of the autopsy informed the coroner that Mohbad’s body had decomposed by the time the test was conducted, making it impossible to ascertain the cause of death. Read more
Reps Deputy Speaker asks South-East not to join planned nationwide protest (Channels)
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on Wednesday urged the people of the South-East not to join the planned anti-government protests.
This request comes after President Bola Tinubu signed the South East Development Commission bill into law.”
Kalu said President Tinubu has shown his resolve to heal the wounds of the past, as the newly signed bill will tackle ecological problems and other related environmental or developmental challenges in the south-east states, and address infrastructural damages suffered by the zone as a result of the civil war. Read more
MAN, LCCI Lament Continuous Hike in Monetary Policy Rate by CBN (ThisDay)
In separate press releases, the MAN and the LCCI stated that despite the continuous increase in MPR over the past two years resulting in a weighty 1,475 basis point hike from 11.5 per cent in May 2022 to 26.25 per cent in May 2024, inflation had remained persistently high, reaching a staggering 34.19 per cent in June, the highest since March 1996.
According to the Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir, the new MPR would further “constrain the growth of the manufacturing sector, as the purchasing power of consumers, production levels, competitiveness and sales will face further decline. Read more
Govs set to deliberate on LG autonomy (Tribune)
Governors to deliberate on LG autonomy, LGs financial autonomy: Governors meeting, NGF workers minimum wage, Governors meet in Abuja, Minimum Wage: Resign if you can’t pay, Nigerians react to Governors
The 36 State Governors under the aegis of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) are presently converging in Abuja to deliberate on key national issues including Local Government autonomy.
The meeting is to be chaired by the NGF Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State.
The Supreme Court had on Thursday, 11th July, 2024 declared that it is unconstitutional for state governors to hold onto funds meant for local government administrations. Read more
Hardship: Stranded foreign scholars’ allowances slashed by FG (Sun)
The federal government has slashed the allowances of foreign scholars who are currently stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria, among others by 12.7%.
The announcement was made through the Federal Ministry of Education, with the reduction attributed to the current economic crisis bedevilling the country.
The development comes following Nigerian students studying in Russia, Morocco, Algeria, China, Hungary, and other nations on the Federal Government’s scholarship decrying their unpaid stipends for eight months. Read more
Black women-led stream gets 90K viewers, raises $1.5M US for Kamala Harris in a few hours (CBC)
Shortly after US President Joe Biden stepped down from the presidential race on Sunday and endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris, Nyki Robinson’s phone started blowing up.
“We’re glued to the television, and then I get a text message in the afternoon saying Black women are gathering on a call tonight,” Robinson, founder of the non-partisan Black Girls Vote, told As It Happens host Nil Köksal.
“Next thing you know, I had that text message at least 10 times from different individuals.” Read more
Biden says he’s “passing the torch” to unite nation (VOA)
President Joe Biden said he is “passing the torch to a new generation” as he explained his abrupt departure from the 2024 presidential race to Americans for the first time on Wednesday night, during an Oval Office address capping more than 50 years in politics.
“I revere this office,” Biden said. “But I love my country more.”
Biden, 81, rebuffed weeks of pressure from Democrats to step aside after a disastrous debate performance on June 27, saying at one point that only the “Lord Almighty” could convince him to go. Read more
Plane crash in Nepal kills 18 people, with the pilot the sole survivor (CBS)
At least 18 people on board a small plane were killed Wednesday when it crashed shortly after taking off from the airport in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu. The pilot of the plane was the lone survivor, national aviation officials said. He was being treated for serious injuries at a local hospital.
A fire broke out on the aircraft not long after it took off from Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, and it quickly crashed to the ground near one of the runways. The incident happened at around 11:15 local time (12:30 a.m. Eastern), according to a statement by the country’s civil aviation authority.
The statement said the plane “crashed on the east side of the runway” and that the fire that had engulfed the aircraft “was brought under control and the rescue work started immediately.” Read more
Blake Lively jokes Ryan Reynolds is “supporting” her at his “Deadpool & Wolverine” red carpet premiere (People)
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are stepping out in the Big Apple for his big premiere!
On July 22, the couple, who tied the knot in 2012, treated fans to a joint appearance on the red carpet for the world premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine in New York City.
Lively jokingly tells PEOPLE at the event that rather than supporting Reynolds, 47, that “he’s supporting” her tonight. “I feel like he’s my plus one. That’s the energy I’m giving.” Read more
Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford supports Anton Du Beke after Strictly ‘‘misconduct’’ claims (DailyStar)
Ruth Langsford and Shirley Ballas publicly supported Anton Du Beke amid the Strictly scandal.
The professional dancer was reportedly named as the “fourth star dragged into the misconduct probe” on the beloved BBC show. It is understood the judge, 58, “raised concerns” over a resurfaced historic row and alleged “1970s-style behaviour” with his former celebrity dance partner Laila Rouass.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Loose Women host Ruth also showed her support to the beloved dancer, who she was paired with during the 2017 series. Celebrating the award-winning dancer’s 58th birthday, she shared a sweet snap of the pair backstage when they were on the show. Read more
HMV boss says more people buying DVDs and Blu-ray (BBC)
More shoppers are buying Blu-Ray and DVDs of movies and TV shows despite the rise in streaming platforms, the boss of HMV has claimed.
Phil Halliday, managing director of HMV, said the retailer was in “good health” with all of its main product areas back in growth.
His comments come after the revival of the High Street stalwart, which was saved from administration in 2019.
Mr Halliday said that “physical visual” sales had increased, adding that “4K and Blu-Ray have been doing particularly well”, but figures suggest sales across the industry are still declining. Read more
UCLQ: Troost-Ekong Marks Return From Injury With Winning Goal For PAOK (CompleteSports)
William Troost-Ekong scored the winning goal as PAOK overcame Bosnian club Borac Banja Luka 3-2, in the UEFA Champions League first leg, second round tie on Wednesday.
It was Troost-Ekong’s first game since the AFCON 2023 final in february following an injury-induced layoff.
With the game tied at 2-2, Troost-Ekong scored in the 51st minute to give his Greek side the first leg advantage.
Tje return leg will come up on July 31 with the winner over two legs advancing into the third round. Read more
Olympics: Falcons ready for any opponent, says Ucheibe (Punch)
Super Falcons midfielder Christy Ucheibe has expressed confidence in the team’s ability to overcome any opposition at the Paris 2024 Olympics, asserting that Nigeria can compete with the best teams in the world.
The Super Falcons will play their opening match against Brazil on Thursday (today), and while speaking to SportsBoom.com, Ucheibe shared her excitement about being part of the squad for the Games and her aim to help Nigeria secure a gold medal.
“I am so happy to be among the squad going for the Olympics in Paris 2024. I am grateful to God for the opportunity. It has not been easy, but He made it possible,” Ucheibe said Read more
France tops U.S., Morocco wins in wild start to Olympic soccer (WashingtonTimes)
On a wild opening day for the Olympic men’s soccer tournament, the United States came within the width of the crossbar from taking the lead against host nation France.
Within moments, Alexandre Lacazette had the ball in the back of the Americans’ net – and when Michael Olise added a second for the French, they were on their way to a 3-0 win.
“It was unfortunate — on another day maybe it goes in,” said Djordje Mihailovic, whose long-range effort came back off the bar when the Group A game in Marseille was still goalless in the second half. “I think most importantly, (we need to) emotionally recover because we were in the game for the first 70 minutes, even after they scored, we responded very well.” Read more
Cantwell set for Rangers exit after handing in second transfer request (DailyMail)
Todd Cantwell has played his final game for Rangers after last night handing in a second transfer request.
Ibrox boss Philippe Clement revealed the news after his side’s 2-1 pre-season defeat to Birmingham City, with the unplanned loss of another leading player representing a major dilemma for the Belgian ahead the new season.
The English midfielder was omitted from Clement’s squad for the clash at St Andrews along with defender Connor Goldson, who now looks set to complete his move to Cypriot club Aris Limassol. Read more
NBA chooses Amazon over Warner Bros. Discovery for streaming package (UPI)
The NBA agreed to an 11-year deal worth an estimated $77 billion and makes Amazon Prime Video its third streaming partner, along with NBCUniversal Media and Disney.
The three streaming platforms are slated to start showing NBA games at the start of the 2026 season.
“Warner Bros. Discovery’s most recent proposal did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer,” the NBA announced in a statement Wednesday. Read more
Sinner withdraws from Paris Olympics with tonsillitis (RTHK)
Men’s tennis number one Jannik Sinner withdrew from the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, days before it begins, after falling ill with tonsillitis.
The Italian said he was “sad and disappointed” to drop out, adding that he had started feeling unwell on Monday after a practice week in Monaco.
“After seeing my doctors on Tuesday and waiting an extra day to give myself some more time to see if my condition would improve, things unfortunately got worse,” Sinner, 22, said in a statement. Read more