Minimum Wage: Group calls on NLC, TUC to declare nationwide strike (NewTelegraph)
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have been urged to immediately mobilize and declare a nationwide strike over the minimum wage and the recent hike in electricity tariff.
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) made the call in a statement made available to New Telegraph on Sunday, June 30.
The group said that the organised labour in their struggle for minimum wage, should mobilise widely for a 48-hour general strike and mass protest to demand a minimum wage of not less than N200,000 and the reversal of all anti-poor policies (privatization, deregulation, subsidy removal, electricity tariff hike etc). Read more
NDLEA intercepts N7.35b codeine consignments in Port Harcourt (Nation)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted 6,125 cartons of codeine syrup containing 1,050,000 bottles of the opioid worth N7, 350,000,000 in street value, at the Port Harcourt Ports Complex, Onne, Rivers State.
According to a statement by the Director of Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday, June 30, the seizure made from six containers on Saturday 29th June 2024 was the third of such in the past four weeks.
He said this followed credible intelligence and diligent tracking of the consignments from their port of departure. Read more
VeryDarkMan not arrested, only invited for questioning — Police (Leadership)
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has explained that controversial social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan or VDM was not arrested as being reported but only invited for questioning by the Police.
The FCT Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement on Sunday evening, said the social media influencer has since been released after giving his statement regarding a matter involving him.
LEADERSHIP had earlier reported on Sunday that the vocal VDM was re-arrested by the FCT Police Command over alleged defamation following an alarm raised by his counsel and Abuja-based lawyer, Deji Adeyanju. Read more
Sexual intercourse with minors under 13 attracts life jail — Delta PPRO (Punch)
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, has warned that engaging in sexual intercourse with either a boy or girl under 13 years old is considered defilement and is punishable by law with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Edafe made this known in a post on X.com on Sunday.
He emphasized that consent is not a valid defence in such cases and that attempts to cover up defilement can lead to additional charges of aiding and abetting. Read more
NAF airstrikes destroy illegal oil refining sites, eliminate terrorists (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has destroyed several illegal oil refining sites in Rivers and eliminated scores of terrorists in Niger in recent coordinated air strikes.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, on Sunday in Abuja.
Gabkwet said that as the activities of oil thieves and economic saboteurs had become sophisticated, so also the NAF and other security agencies re-strategise to checkmate their activities and be ahead of their game. Read more
Police crack down on pro-Palestine protest, arrest six Shi’ites in Abuja (Vanguard)
Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police command have arrested six members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as Shi’ites, in Abuja during a pro-Palestine demonstration.
The protesters, including Ishaq Haruna, Nura Attahir, Ali Muhammad, Abba Abdulkareem, and Abubakar Hamidu, were detained at the SARS Police Detention Facility in Garki, Abuja.
According to eyewitnesses, the police used force to disperse the protesters, who were gathered at the National Mosque in Abuja to show solidarity with Palestine. Read more
Sanwo-Olu, Fagbemi, Ambode, others hail Kazeem’s contribution to legal practice (Sun)
Last week, former Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Adeniji Kazeem, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, received praise for his substantial contributions to legal practice. The accolades were given at the launch of his book, Nigerian Law of Electronic Transactions, in Lagos.
The event saw high-profile attendees, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, a senior advocate of Nigeria, former Lagos State governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN), Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and current Lagos State Attorney-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN).
Fagbemi, who chaired the occasion, lauded Kazeem for his dedication and insightful contributions to the dynamic field of legal practice. He emphasized the timely nature of Kazeem’s book, underscoring its importance in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Read more
Security operatives foil suicide bombing plot in Borno, arrest 2 (Tribune)
In a significant breakthrough, security operatives arrested two female Boko Haram suicide bombers in Gwoza town on Sunday, preventing another potential catastrophe.
This came a day after four suicide suspected Boko Haram bombers attacked the town, killing 18 people and injuring many others.
According to intelligence reports at least 30 female Boko Haram suicide bombers were sent to Gwoza to carry out attacks, with four detonating their explosives on Saturday. The remaining bombers are still at large, and authorities have launched a massive manhunt to apprehend them. Read more
Tyla performs ‘Jump’ with Gunna, Skillibeng after Best New Artiste win at BET Awards (RollingStone)
Tyla performed “Jump” during the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday. The South African singer has had a stellar Sunday night, having won Best New Artiste and Best International Act prior to her set.
She was up against Sexyy Redd, October London, Fridayy, Bossmon Dlow, Ayra Starr, 4Batz, and 41 for Best New Artist. The award was presented by a reunited A Different World cast.
During Tyla’s acceptance speech for Best New Artist, she shouted out one of her favorites whom she competed with for the award. “Firstly, I love Sexyy Redd. Oh my gosh, I can’t I love her so much,” Tyla said. “I just want to dedicate this one to Africa. You know, I want to dedicate this one to all the African superstars before me that didn’t get these opportunities that I’m getting. Yeah, it’s just amazing. And Africa to the world guys!” Read more
Tom Hanks made $40 million from Forrest Gump after adding clever clause into his contract (Unilad)
Hollywood actor Tom Hanks definitely made a genius decision when he reportedly decided to insert a specific clause into his Forrest Gump contract.
In 1993, Hanks, then 37, nabbed the role in Robert Zemeckis’ award-winning movie after Grease star John Travolta decided to turn the part down.
The California native – who also beat out Bill Murray, Chevy Chase and Matthew Broderick to the role – began portraying the titular character in August of the same year and eventually went on to win Best Actor at the 1995 Academy Awards. Read more
5 people killed and scores wounded in propane tank explosion (Metro)
At least five people have been killed and 63 others injured in a propane tank explosion at a restaurant in Turkey.
Footage captured on street CCTV shows the front of the building being blown up to pieces in a massive explosion in the city of Izmir, the third-largest in the country.
Multiple cars and surrounding houses in the Ayrancılar neighborhood were damaged. Read more
‘Inside Out 2’ tops North American box office with $57.4m (UPI)
Animated adventure, Inside Out 2, is the No. 1 movie in North America for a second weekend, earning an additional $57.4 million in receipts, BoxOfficeMojo.com announced Sunday.
Coming in at No. 2 is A Quiet Place: Day One with $53 million, followed by Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 1 at No. 3 with $11 million, Bad Boys: Ride or Die at No. 4 with Kalki 2898 AD at No. 5 with $5.5 million.
Rounding out the top tier are The Bikeriders at No. 6 with $3.3 million, The Garfield Movie at No. 7 with $2 million, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes at No. 8 with $1.7 million, Jatt & Juliet 3 at No. 9 with $1.52 million and Kinds of Kindness at No. 10 with $1.5 million. Read more
Princess Diana’s niece Lady Kitty Spencer finally reveals baby daughter’s name (Mirror)
Lady Kitty Spencer has revealed the name of her daughter months after confirming she had given birth, but the notoriously private Royal Family member has only just unveiled the name
Princess Diana’s niece Lady Kitty Spencer has revealed the name of her baby daughter.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday, June 30, the royal revealed her newborn’s name in a black and white photo post. The 33-year-old uploaded a photograph with her daughter as the pair perched on a window ledge together. The youngster was seen glancing out of the window as she was held by Lady Spencer. Read more
At least 7 dead as fierce storms lash France, Switzerland, Italy (AlJazeera)
Ferocious storms and torrential rains that lashed France, Switzerland and Italy this weekend have killed seven people, local authorities have said.
Three people in their 70s and 80s died in France’s northeastern Aube region on Saturday when a tree crushed the car they were travelling in during fierce winds, the local authority told the AFP news agency on Sunday.
A fourth passenger was in critical care, it added. Read more
Kendrick Lamar questioned by Keke Palmer over ‘69 God’ Drake diss: ‘What am I missing?’ (HipHopDx)
Kendrick Lamar‘s rap beef with Drake has spawned numerous slogans and references, and Keke Palmer is puzzled by one in particular.
Both rappers have dropped multiple diss tracks aimed at each other over the past few months. Among the many songs that emerged from the ongoing feud is K.Dot’s Mustard-produced joint “Not Like Us,” which features him making fun of his adversary’s “6 God” title (a reference to his home city of Toronto aka. the 6ix) with the bars: “Freaky-ass n-gga, he a 69 God.”
Confused by this line of attack, the 30-year-old television and film star took to Instagram on Friday (June 28) and questioned the logic behind it. Read more
Nwokolo claims fifth belt with WBA, UBO win (Punch)
Nigeria’s Emeka Nwokolo captured the vacant WBA North American Boxing Association super welterweight and Universal Boxing Organisation world super welterweight belts after defeating Colombia’s Jeovanis Barraza on Sunday at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The fight headlined the “Down & Dirty 10” event, a show promoted by Reyes Boxing in the USA.
Nwokolo scored a comprehensive win with judges’ scores of 120-108, 120-108, and 118-110, showcasing his dominance and superiority despite Barraza’s bravery and drive. Read more
Uruguay’s Marcelo Bielsa suspended for Copa match with USMNT (ABC)
CONMEBOL has suspended Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa for the team’s 2024 Copa América group stage finale against the United States.
The suspension is the result of Uruguay entering the pitch late for the start of their 5-0 victory over Bolívia on Thursday. Copa América regulations state that “teams must strictly respect the schedule set for the start of the game,” and that “the coach of the team concerned shall in all cases be held responsible” for infractions.
The first violation results in a warning, while the second triggers a one-game suspension for the coach. The Uruguayan Football Association was also fined $15,000. Read more
Sainz looking on bright side with ‘bonus’ podium in Austria (F1i)
Carlos Sainz insisted that he was “quite happy, quite proud” of finishing on the podium today in the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
It hadn’t been the smoothest of weekends for the team, but Sainz started and finished the Sprint race in fifth place, and started Sunday’s race from the second row alongside George Russell.
Sainz tangled with Lewis Hamilton in the opening laps and was initially passed by the Mercedes, but Hamilton went off track in the process and had to give the place back. Read more
Dele-Bashiru set to join Lazio on loan (CompleteSports)
Nigeria midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is set to complete a loan move to Serie A club Lazio from Hatayspor.
According to Sky Sport Italia, Lazio will pay Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor €2m loan fee.
Lazio have an obligation to buy the player at the end of the season for a further €4m.
The total package is lower than the €7m release clause in Dele-Bashiru’s contract. Read more
Chelsea agree £30m Dewsbury-Hall fee with Leicester (BBC)
Chelsea have agreed a £30m fee with Leicester for midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
The 25-year-old is set to have a medical at Stamford Bridge and will sign a six-year deal until 2030.
The player rejected a similar move to Brighton last week.
Leicester were targeting £40m for Dewsbury-Hall and an earlier bid from Chelsea was rejected, but significant pressure from Premier League profit and sustainability regulations may have been a factor behind them accepting less. Read more
Grandma, 58, makes Olympic team for race walking: ‘Never known anyone who is as mentally tough’ (People)
A Pennsylvania grandmother is headed to the Olympics — for a sport she previously retired from!
Michelle Rohl, a distance runner turned racewalker from Wisconsin, previously competed for Team USA in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, but retired from the sport over two decades ago to homeschool her five kids, The Morning Call reported.
Now 58, Rohl, who just welcomed her first grandchild three months ago, has returned to the sport with a vengeance, competing in the 20-kilometer race walk in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on Saturday, June 29 — and qualifying. Read more