NBA confirms Suleja killings, vows to take action (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has confirmed the killings in Suleja area of Niger State, vowing to take action.
Daily Trust had reported how some persons were killed when security operatives forcefully dispersed the crowd of protesters who blocked a major road, leaving passengers trapped for hours.
When contacted over the shooting, Wasiu Abiodun, spokesman of the Niger Police Command, had said he would verify and get back to our reporter but he never did. Read more
Protest: Police restore peace at Lekki Phase 1 toll gate (Nation)
Mobile policemen deployed at the Admiralty Lekki Phase 1 Toll Gate in Lagos State have restored normalcy to the area following attempted eruption of violent protest.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent monitoring the protest at the toll gate on Thursday, reports that some protesters had gathered in the area in spite of a court order restricting protest and banning protesters within the vicinity.
NAN reports that a Lagos High Court had on July 31, 2024, restricted protesters taking part in the nationwide protest to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu area of the state. Read more
Police arrest 2 suspects with weapons in Lagos (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspects and recovered a large cache of weapons in the Mushin area of the state.
According to a statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on Thursday, the tactical team responded to a call about armed men on Agoro Street, Mushin, around 1 am.
The team arrested Sherrif Mustapha, 42, and Suturat Lateef, 28, while one other suspect escaped. Read more
Nigeria’s economy loses over N500b in single day to nationwide protests (NewTelegraph)
Despite the stern warnings, threats and appeals by the Federal Government, NASS, State governments, Security agencies and some Organised Private Sector (OPS) groups on the planned nationwide protests to be shifted, several business activities were undoubtedly affected and stalled by the organised
#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria# protesters in major cities across the country as they remained under lock and keys for fears of reprisal attacks by protesters.
In fact, investigation by New Telegraph correspondent showed that many businesses did not opened for operations as fears grip business owners, mostly MSMEs, manufacturing companies, ICT centres, Petrol stations outlets and other key players in the nation’s economy.
However, economic experts predicted that the country’s economy may have lost over N500 billion in a single day to the first day protest in all key sectors of the economy for not being able to opened for businesses business to the general public over fears of looting, lynching and destruction of office complex. Read more
Hunger: Protesters angry as Gov Fubara offers money for bread and ‘pure water’ (Leadership)
The hundreds of #EndBadGovernance protesters in Rivers State got angry on Thursday after Governor Siminalayi Fubara announced that he will provide them with stipends for bread and ‘pure water’ pending when government will combat hardship and hunger in the State.
The protesters, numbering over 2,000, had defied the morning rain to march from Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, located along Aba Road, Port Harcourt, to the Government House, to register their grievances over the hardship being experienced in the country.
But, addressing the protesters, made mostly of young men and women, Governor Fubara said: “Our youths, I know that you are angry; I agree with you that there is hunger. We agree but because we preach good governance, hunger will disappear very soon. Please, like I said, we are going to support you. Read more
#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protest: Police arrest journalists, protesters in Calabar (Punch)
Several journalists and activists have been beaten, handcuffed, and taken by security agents to unknown locations in Calabar, Cross River State.
Our correspondent reports that the managing editor of the online newspaper CrossRiverWatch, Mr Jonathan Ugbal, is among the arrested journalists.
It was gathered that they were taken by security personnel, along with other activists who engaged in a peaceful protest early Thursday morning, to an undisclosed location. Read more
Pandemonium as youths, protesters clash in Bayelsa (Vanguard)
There was pandemonium at the Biogbolo suburb of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital during the hardship protest as a group of youths reportedly clashed with protesters along the Chief Melford Okilo Road.
It was gathered that the community youths are against the hunger protest.
The end bad governance protesters who were accompanied by two police vans were allegedly attacked unexpectedly from behind with bottles, planks of wood and other weapons. Read more
Port Harcourt turns ghost town amidst ‘End Bad Governance’ protest (Channels)
In Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Day 1 of the nationwide ‘End Bad Governance’ protest left the city looking like a ghost town.
Places known to be a beehive, even on public holidays, are a shadow of themselves.
Our correspondent who went around to observe the town, noticed that the lively and bubbly city of Port Harcourt has gone dry, with the only chants and sounds coming from the procession of the protest. Read more
Carrie Underwood confirmed to replace Katy Perry on American Idol (Standard)
Carrie Underwood is replacing Katy Perry as a judge on American Idol.
Fireworks singer Perry, 39, made her final appearance as a judge on the talent show in May after seven seasons on the panel.
Country superstar Underwood, 41, is now set to take her place behind the judges desk alongside Lionel Richie, 75, and Luke Bryan, 48. Read more
Matt Damon brings whole family to ‘Instigators’ premiere (UPI)
Matt Damon and his wife, Luciana Barroso, turned heads at the New York premiere of his latest film, The Instigators.
The couple, who have been married since December 2005, made the event a family affair, bringing their four daughters — Isabella, 16, Stella, 13, Gia, 14 and Barroso’s 24-year-old daughter, Alexia, from a previous relationship. Damon’s mother, Nancy Carlsson-Paige, also attended the premiere Wednesday.
Damon, who stars alongside Casey Affleck in The Instigators, plays Rory, a struggling father who teams up with ex-con Cobby, portrayed by Affleck, to pull off a heist against a corrupt politician. As the heist spirals into chaos, the duo finds themselves in a high-stakes chase, pursued by police, bureaucrats and crime bosses. They turn to Rory’s therapist, played by Hong Chau, for help evading capture and completing their mission. Read more
Pharrell Williams’ Lego biopic ‘‘Piece by Piece’’ to close London Film Festival (Variety)
This year’s BFI London Film Festival is going from the Blitz to the, well, bricks.
Having already announced that Steve McQueen’s WWII drama “Blitz” will open the 68th edition of the festival, it’s now been revealed that “Piece by Piece,” Pharrell Williams‘ animated Lego biopic, will close the event. Read more
Teenager charged with stabbing 3 girls to death named as Axel Rudakubana (Metro)
The 17-year-old boy charged with the murders of three young girls during a knife rampage at a holiday club in Southport can now be named as Axel Rudakubana.
It comes after the Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, took the ‘exceptional’ step of lifting reporting restrictions which previously banned him from being identified due to his age.
The court heard Rudakubana was due to turn 18 next week, on August 7. Judge Menary said: ‘Continuing to prevent the full reporting has the disadvantage of allowing others to spread misinformation, in a vacuum.’ Read more
UK dance music pioneer DJ Randall has died, aged 54 (MixMag)
Jungle and drum ‘n’ bass pioneer DJ Randall has died, aged 54.
Representatives for legendary DJ, producer and label head, real name Randall McNeil, confirmed his death to Mixmag yesterday (July 31). A cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Born in East London, Randall began learning how to DJ in the late ’80s, first encountering acid house during Notting Hill Carnival in 1987. Read more
US reaches plea deals with 9/11 accused, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (AlJazeera)
The United States has announced plea agreements with three men held in Guantanamo and accused of plotting the September 11, 2001, attacks, including alleged mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
The Pentagon did not release full details of the deals involving Mohammed, Walid bin Attash, and Mustafa al-Hawsawi, but US media reported the three would plead guilty in exchange for a life sentence rather than the death penalty.
They were due to face trial in a military court at the maximum-security facility, but their cases have been bogged down in legal manoeuvring for years. Read more
Russia to free Gershkovich and Whelan in major prisoner swap (BBC)
Three US citizens imprisoned in Russia, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, are expected to be released on Thursday under a prisoner exchange deal.
Gershkovich, US Marine veteran Paul Whelan, and Russian-American radio journalist Alsu Kurmasheva will be released under the deal agreed by the Biden administration, a senior US official confirmed.
In total, the exchange will involve 24 prisoners held in Russia, the US, Germany and three other Western countries. The swap has not happened yet but is expected later on Thursday. Read more
Sevilla announces 2-year deal for Iheanacho (Sun)
La Liga giant, Sevilla FC, has officially confirmed the signing of Nigerian international and former Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, Soccernet.ng reports.
The contract of the 2013 FIFA U-17 golden boy with the East-Midlands expired in June which ended his seven-year stint at the King Power stadium.
Meanwhile, the seven-time Europa League champions, Sevilla, emerged the frontrunner to secure the signature of the creative forward, with interests from top clubs in Europe for his signature. Earlier, Soccernet.ng reported that the Nigerian was slated for a medical examination yesterday, and an official announcement would follow. Read more
Olympics: AFN,NOC bicker over Ofili’s botched 100m bid (Nation)
The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) may have a case to answer in the omission of Favour Ofili’s name from the list of Team Nigeria athletes who are to compete in the blue-ribbon women’s 100m race of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Ofili was originally listed to compete in both the 100m and the 200m events in Paris but the 21-year-old went to town late Tuesday night that she was not registered with World Athletics for the 100m hence she would only compete in the 200m.
“I qualified, but those with the AFN and NOC failed to register me,” she said. “If those responsible are not held accountable for taking this opportunity from me, neither organisation can ever be trusted in the future!” Read more
US-born swimmer proud to represent Sudan, his parent’s country, at Olympics (AfricaNews)
Twenty-one-year-old swimmer, Ziyad Saleem, is one of four athletes representing Sudan in three disciplines at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Born in the United States, he says he’s proud to be racing in the 200m backstroke on behalf of his parents country.
“I’m super grateful, I’m excited to go back to Sudan, I was able to win gold medals at the African championships and also Arab, but I was never able to go back and kind of enjoy that with them,” he said. Read more
Gordon Hayward ends NBA career after 14 seasons (ABC)
Gordon Hayward has retired from the NBA after 14 seasons, he announced on social media Thursday.
“Today, I am officially retiring from the game of basketball,” Hayward wrote. “It’s been an incredible ride and I’m so grateful to everyone who helped me achieve more than I ever imagined.”
A versatile forward, Hayward — the ninth overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft by the Utah Jazz — was an All-Star in 2017 with Utah before signing with the Boston Celtics as a free agent that summer. Hayward suffered a gruesome leg injury in his first game for Boston, an injury that cost him that season and saw him need another one to round back into form. Read more
Terrence Williams survives knockdown to earn split decision (BoxingScene)
Welterweight Terrence Williams got off the canvas to win a split decision over Roberto Escobar in a back-and-forth fight at the ProBox Event Center in Plant City, Florida, on “Wednesday Night Fights.”
Scores were 58-55 (Williams), 57-56 (Escobar) and 58-55 (Williams).
Both fighters started strong, each landing a hook, with the 23-year-old Williams (7-0, 5 KOs) delivering the sharper left hand. Escobar (6-3-1, 4 KOs) brought the pressure as the fast-handed Williams attempted to slow him down, making for an exciting first round. Read more
Boxer tearfully quits Olympic fight after punch by opponent who failed gender eligibility test (Independent)
Italy’s Angela Carini quit 46 seconds into her Olympic boxing match with Imane Khelif on Thursday, after the Algerian – who failed a gender eligibility test last year – landed the first significant punch of the fight.
The pair were competing in the women’s 66kg category, in a round-of-16 bout in Paris, but the fight had barely begun before it came to a premature end.
After an early pause in the fight, due to Carini needing to adjust her head guard, Khelif landed a clean right hand. Almost immediately, Carini motioned to her team and opted against continuing, with the referee waving off the contest. Read more