*Man strips self naked to protest hardship in Lagos (Punch)*Protests: Vandalism, cable cuts trigger massive network outage – ALTON (Sun)

Man strips self naked to protest hardship in Lagos (Punch)

As Nigerians stage protests across the nation to voice their concerns about economic hardship and difficulties, an unnamed man chose to go naked to protest in Lagos State on Thursday.

In a viral video circulating on social media, the man could be seen naked and walking the street of Ojota, among other protesters, and singing “Solidarity forever.“

PUNCH Metro reports that a nationwide protest has erupted across Nigeria, as citizens express their frustration over the country’s prevailing economic hardship. Read more

Protests: Vandalism, cable cuts trigger massive network outage – ALTON (Sun)

There have been several complaints from telecoms subscribers on social media about network disruptions since Thursday. Some users linked it to a government plan to disrupt the ongoing protests.

NetBlocks, a watchdog organisation that monitors cybersecurity and internet governance, reported a 40% drop in MTN’s network connectivity, which it stated may limit the visibility of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests.

However, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), confirmed that vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure, including internet cables, occurred on Thursday, causing damage and impacting network performance. Read more 

#EndBadGovernance: Kano Worst Hit By Protest, Not Acceptable – Sanusi (NewTelegraph)

The Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed sadness on the outcome of the #EndBadGovernance protests, which he lamented has negated the progress of the State years back.

Emir Sanusi said he was specifically disturbed at the destruction of the NCC digital centre which was built by billions of Naira and aimed at training and retraining the Youths of Kano to pass their internet and computer examinations.

Muhammadu Sanusi ii, who was speaking to the Media at the Emirate Palace, on Saturday, said, “Today is a sad day for the People of Kano on what had happened to the State, we sympathize with the entire Indigents of Kano”. Read more 

Cleric commits to tackling hunger (ThisDay)

Amidst the growing hunger crisis in the country, the Senior Pastor of Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM), Dr. Wole Oladiyun, has shared a proposal to address food insecurity in Nigeria by implementing an agricultural model through local governments.

During his sermon, Oladiyun, in a statement, reassured his congregation that God was working to fix Nigeria. While acknowledging the complexity of the nation’s challenges, he cautioned that repairing a flawed system takes time. He encouraged Nigerians to remain hopeful, as improvements are imminent.

In his proposal, Oladiyun suggested revamping food security through a local government model. With Nigeria having 774 local government areas, he proposed that the federal government should collaborate with the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) to initiate a massive food production project in each of these areas. Read more 

AOPI, UNILAG VC preach peace (Nation)

The need for peace in Nigeria was again re-echoed last week when some eminent Nigerians gathered in Lagos for the Apostle of Peace Society International (AOPI) Annual Peace Award and Investiture.

Speaking, the National President of AOPI, Eng Paul Duro Ajisafe, in his welcome address, said irrespective of differences, Nigerians through collective efforts, could build a Nigeria where every citizen can live in harmony and security.

According to Ajisafe, while AOPI  has been in existence for more than 26 years, it has been a beacon of hope, a lighthouse guiding the weary and the troubled toward the tranquil shores of peace. Read more 

Atiku advocates support for #EndBadGovernance protest (Tribune)

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has praised the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest, urging Nigerians to show solidarity and support for it.

In a statement he issued on Friday, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, noted that the nationwide demonstration provides a vital channel for the public to express disapproval of government policies.

He said it has also furthered the essential conversation about good governance in our nation. Read more 

Hunger Protest: Armed Forces will not watch while the nation burns, CDS warns (Vanguard)

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa has called on groups protesting against hardship in the country to prevent anything or actions that could lead to mayhem and destruction, warning that the Armed Forces and security agencies will not fold their arms and watch while the country burns.

His words: “Let us avoid anything that will bring mayhem within our communities. We have seen the level of destruction that was carried out just on Thursday. So you can imagine if this continues for so long.

“What we saw at the beginning, was some semblance of a very peaceful demonstration, but which was quickly taken over by a bunch of criminals that didn’t mean well. Read more

Kaduna Electric disconnects govt house after closure of its office (DailyTrust)

The Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has disconnected the Kaduna Government House over N2.9 billion debt.

The company in a statement signed by the Head, Corporation Communication, Abdulazeez Abdullahi, said the government house had not paid for electricity consumed in seven months.

Recall that in the early hours of Friday, the state government through its tax agency, the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) sealed the electricity coy over N600 million tax liabilities. Read more 

Isla Fisher takes credit for introducing a legendary Hollywood icon to his future wife (DailyMail)

Isla Fisher took to social media on Friday to take credit for introducing legendary Hollywood comedian Larry David to his wife Ashley Underwood.

The Australian actress, 48, made the surprising admission on Instagram, as she shared a precious birthday tribute to her close friend Ashley.

Alongside a sweet photo of Isla posing up a storm with Ashley and her husband Larry, 77, she wrote some heartfelt words. Read more

Ethiopia to save $4.9b after completing debt restructuring exercise (AfricaNews)

Ethiopia’s State Finance Minister, Eyob Tekalign, said on Friday it expects creditors will agree to restructure $4.9 billion of debt when it completes its current restructuring exercise.

The announcement comes as the country puts its long-delayed debt overhaul back on track after securing a new International Monetary Fund financing programme.

Agreed at the end of last month, the deal with the IMF will see Ethiopia receive financing of $3.4 billion for the four-year programme. Read more 

Justin Timberlake’s driving licence suspended in New York over drink-driving arrest (SCMP)

Justin Timberlake made a virtual court appearance on Friday in his drink-driving case on Long Island, saying little during the brief proceeding as a judge accepted his not-guilty plea and suspended his right to drive in New York.

Police in the seaside village of Sag Harbor arrested Timberlake on June 18 after they say he ran a stop sign, veered out of his lane and got out of his BMW smelling of alcohol.

The former NSYNC singer, who is on tour in Europe, was not required by the court to return to the US for his court date. He is performing on Saturday night in Antwerp, Belgium. Read more 

Aerosmith announces retirement from touring due to Steven Tyler’s vocal injury (CBS)

Massachusetts-based rock band Aerosmith has announced that they’re retiring from touring and cancelling their farewell tour due to lead singer Steven Tyler’s vocal injury.

In a statement posted on social media, the band said, in part, “We’ve always wanted to blow your mind when performing. As you know, Steven’s voice is an instrument like no other. He has spent months tirelessly working on getting his voice to where it was before his injury. We’ve seen him struggling despite having the best medical team by his side. Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible. We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage.” Read more

Daniel M. Selznick Dies: Director, Producer, Executive with ties to early Hollywood was 88 (Deadline)

Daniel Mayer Selznick, one of Hollywood’s last direct connections to the industry’s founding families, died of natural causes on Thursday, August 1 at the Motion Picture Country Home in Woodland Hills, California at 88.

He had been a longtime and beloved resident at the retirement home, overseeing the construction of the Louis B. Mayer Theater on the campus, and also speaking at the opening of the remodeled theater complex in 2017.

During his time at the Motion Picture Home, he wrote a memoir, Walking with Kings, which will be published next year by Alfred Knopf. The book recounts in vivid detail the author’s recollections of growing up as a young prince of Hollywood. Read more 

Turkey blocks Instagram after removal of Haniyeh condolence posts from platform (TimesOfIsrael)

Turkey on Friday blocked access to the Instagram social media network, the national communications authority said without explanation, following censorship accusations against the US company by a high-ranking Turkish official.

The BTK communications authority said in a post on its website that “instagram.com has been blocked by a decision on the date of 02/08/2024,” without adding further details.

The Sabah newspaper, which is close to the government, said access was blocked in response to Instagram removing posts by Turkish users that expressed condolences over the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of the Hamas terror group. Read more

Slain Hamas leader Haniyeh’s funeral held in Qatar, Israel warned of revenge (NewArab)

The funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh took place in Qatar on Friday following his assassination two days ago in Iran’s capital Tehran – one in a series of killings of senior figures in the Palestinian group as Israel’s war on Gaza rages.

Mourners at the ceremony in a large mosque just north of the capital Doha included Khaled Meshaal, who is tipped to be the new Hamas leader.

Other senior Hamas officials and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani also attended. Read more 

Echegini faults Super Falcons’ approach in Paris (Nation)

Super Falcons midfielder Jennifer Echegini has disclosed that Nigeria’s senior national team failed again against Japan in their last group game of the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic Games because of their lack of firepower in the attack.

Echegini noted that the Super Falcons would have gotten better results  than they did in their three games if they had taken more risks in the final third than they did in France.

In their final group game against Japan at the Stade de La Beaujoire in Nantes, the new PSG signing delivered what turned out to be the Super Falcons’ only goal of the tournament. Read more 

France and Argentina players clash in ugly scenes after Olympics football grudge match (Standard)

France and Argentina players and staff clashed on the pitch at full-time as the hosts edged a bad-tempered match 1-0 in Bordeaux to reach the semi-finals of the men’s Olympics football tournament on Friday night.

Tempers flared after the final whistle as substitutes and coaching staff all spilled onto the pitch amid ugly confrontations.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta’s fifth-minute header settled the contest to set up a last-four meeting with Egypt, while France’s Enzo Millot was shown a red card after the final whistle and a late goal from Michael Olise was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) following a lengthy review due to a foul in the build-up by Maghnes Akliouche. Read more

Newcastle in talks to sign Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi (BelfastTelegraph)

Newcastle have opened talks with Crystal Palace over highly rated England defender Marc Guehi, the PA news agency understands.

It is understood the Magpies have registered their interest in the last week and held initial talks over a player who is valued at in excess of £60 million.

Guehi, who made 29 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles last season, started six of England’s seven games at the Euro 2024 finals and only missed the seventh, the quarter-final victory over Switzerland, through suspension. Read more 

Paris 2024: Novak Djokovic to face Carlos Alcaraz after ending Olympic Games semi-final hex (RTE)

Novak Djokovic will meet Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster gold medal match after finally breaking his Olympic semi-final hoodoo.

Remarkably, this was the fourth time Djokovic had made it this far at the Games and the first time he has come out on top, with a bronze in 2008 his only previous medal.

Now he is guaranteed to better it after defeating Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-2, setting up a rematch of the Wimbledon final, where he was well beaten by Alcaraz.

Djokovic left Roland Garros on Thursday evening very concerned that he had sustained more damage to his right knee, which has been strapped up since he underwent surgery following a meniscus tear at the French Open. Read more

Lakers unveil statue of Kobe Bryant and daughter Gigi outside Crypto.com Arena (NBC)

The Lakers unveiled a statue in honor of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Friday outside Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

The statue, the second in Bryant’s likeness outside the House That Kobe Built, was revealed in a private tented ceremony and will be available for public viewing this weekend. It depicts Bryant with his arm around Gigi sitting courtside at a Lakers game Dec. 29, 2019.

It is one of three planned monuments in tribute to the Lakers great, who was among nine people, including daughter Gigi, killed in a January 2020 helicopter crash in Calabasas as they traveled to a basketball tournament northwest of Los Angeles. Read more 

Fulham sign Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe on 5-year deal (IrishExaminer)

Fulham have signed midfielder Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.

England international Smith Rowe has agreed a five-year contract at Craven Cottage, with the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.

The 24-year-old joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of 10 and progressed through the ranks to make 115 senior appearances for the Gunners in all competitions. Read more

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