Nigerians can now travel to UAE – FG (DailyTrust)
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached an agreement on the issue of visa ban.
Addressing State House Reporters at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister said that, “You are aware that Nigeria has been discussing with the United Arab Emirates on the issue of Visa for Nigerian passport holders going to the United Arab Emirates.
“Today, an agreement has been reached on that, and effective from today 15th July, Nigerian passport holders are able to obtain visas to go to the United Arab Emirates. Read more
NLC warns against transferring minimum wage to concurrent list (Vanguard)
The President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, has warned against the National Assembly members’ recent decision to remove wage from the Exclusive to Concurrent list in the constitution.
Ajaero gave the warning on Monday while addressing participants at the opening ceremony of the 2024 annual Rain School of the NLC, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.
He also warned that if National Assembly members came up with such a law to allow each state governor to determine the minimum wage, he would mobilize labour stop movements for one month in the country. Read more
Lagos adds 5,000 vehicles to LagRide fleet (Punch)
Five thousand new vehicles have been added to the fleet of the Lagos State e-hailing taxi initiative, popularly called LagRide.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made this known in a Monday statement, noting that he supervised the signing of a Joint Venture partnership between IBILE Holdings Limited and CIG Motors Company Limited for the acquisition of 5,000 brand-new vehicles adding to the LAGRide fleet.
The governor said in the coming weeks, “we are expected to take delivery of 2,000 units of the new vehicles in the first phase while the rest will be delivered in tranches. Our new fleet will have 1,000 electric vehicles, demonstrating a commitment to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and pruning the carbon footprint.” Read more
NNPCL, CBN, others assure Nigerians of imminent economic recovery (NewTelegraph)
Stakeholders in the country’s economy, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) among others, on Monday, declared that the ailing economy was getting revitalized based on emerging indicators.
The stakeholders gave the assurance at a critical interactive session of the joint Committee of the National Assembly on Finance with the Ministers of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, Budget and National Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, Minister of State Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Group Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mela Kyari and the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Yemi Cardoso.
Making his presentation, the Group Executive officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari informed the Committee led by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) that based on emerging indicators in the Energy and Gas sector, Nigeria would be net exporter of petrol by December this year. Read more
Wait for Appeal Court – Judge tells parties in Lagos land dispute (Sun)
A Lagos High Court of Justice,Ajah Division, sitting in Badore and presided over by Hon Justice Ganiu Aliu Safari has granted an injunction restraining the execution of the judgment on the large expanse of land in the Eyin Osa Epe community in the Free Trade Zone in Lagos State .
The honourable justice also ordered the respondents ,who are the judgment creditor ,the Ottun Family and the Lagos State Government “to maintain status quo ,pending the determination of the suit at the Appeal Court of Justice .
Honourable Justice Aliu Safari had earlier in 2023 in a matter with the Suit No LD/8916/2014 between Moshood Olushola Ottun & 1 other and The Governor of Lagos State & 3 others set aside a Certificate of Occupancy No. 33/33/2022F dated 17/12/2021,issued by the Lagos State Government. Read more
Why we must support Tinubu to succeed, by Fubara (Nation)
Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara has rallied support for President Bola Tinubu calling on everybody to back the administration to succeed.
Fubara spoke when he received the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, led by its Chairman, Chinedu Ogah, in Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The Governor said: “Let me thank you, more especially for coming to see us. Let me on behalf of the Government and the good people of Rivers State, assure you that you have not made any mistake. Read more
NNPP 2023 Guber Candidate in Gombe dumps party (DailyTrust)
The 2023 gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Gombe State, Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, has announced his resignation from the party.
Mailantarki lost the election to incumbent Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC), finishing third behind the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Muhammad Jibril Barde.
In a resignation letter addressed to his Herwagana Ward chairman, Mailantarki expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent the NNPP in the 2023 governorship election. He stated, “I am writing to inform you of my intention to resign from my position as a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). I deeply appreciate all the executive members and others who supported me throughout my journey in the 2023 elections.” Read more
LG Autonomy: Makinde convenes emergency stakeholders’ meeting, sets up committees (Tribune)
Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Monday, set up two committees to critically study the July 11 Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local government areas in the country.
The two committees: Legal and Technical, have the mandate to examine the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, understand the actual orders of the Supreme Court, and look at how implementable the judgment is.
At an emergency stakeholders’ meeting held at the executive council chambers of the governor’s office, State Secretariat, Ibadan, Governor Makinde said the move became imperative because preliminary observations point to confusion, conflicts between the Supreme Court judgment and the provisions of the constitution. Read more
Sarah Michelle Gellar and Rose McGowan lead tributes to “force of nature” Shannen Doherty (NME)
Tributes have been coming in from friends and colleagues of the late actress Shannen Doherty, who passed away over the weekend.
The Charmed, Heathers and Beverly Hills, 90210 star died on Saturday (July 13) at the age of 53 after a nine-year battle with breast cancer.
“It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of actress Shannen Doherty. On Saturday, July 13, she lost her battle with cancer after many years of fighting the disease,” announced Doherty’s longtime publicist Leslie Sloane. Read more
Salma Hayek impresses with stunning photo alongside lookalike mum from 80th birthday (Hello!)
Salma Hayek delighted her fans with a touching tribute to her mother, Diana Jiménez Medina, on her 80th birthday. The actress shared a beautiful photo of herself with her mother, highlighting their striking resemblance.
“Happy 80th birthday, Mom, and happy 77th birthday, Aunt Charo! I love you both very much. Mom, each year I celebrate your life with more love and gratitude,” she captioned the post. Fans were quick to comment on how much the two look alike, with one admirer noting, “Now we know where Salma got her looks!” Read more
‘Stranger Things’ unveils season 5 first look as Noah Schnapp teases their “best season yet’’ (People)
The cast of Stranger Things is back in action!
On Monday, July 15, Netflix released a first look at the highly-anticipated fifth and final season of the hit series, and revealed Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly and Alex Breaux will be joining the cast for the upcoming season.
The behind-the-scenes footage kicks off with series creators Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer explaining, “We’re about halfway through filming now and it’s exciting. There’s so much going on. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Stranger Things season 5.” Read more
Timothée Chalamet in talks to star in Josh Safdie’s next film ‘‘Marty Supreme’’ (THR)
Timothée Chalamet is eyeing the lead role in Josh Safdie’s next film.
The actor is in final negotiations to star in A24‘s upcoming feature “Marty Supreme,” The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Plot details are under wraps, but the movie is said to be a fictionalized original work.
Safdie is set to helm the film from a script he co-wrote with Ronald Bronstein. Producers include Safdie, Chalamet, Bronstein, Eli Bush and Anthony Katagas. Read more
Trump taps Ohio senator Vance as his running mate (VOA)
Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday selected J.D. Vance, a senator from the Midwestern state of Ohio, as his running mate in November’s presidential election.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social media platform, saying he decided the Marine Corps veteran and Yale Law School graduate is “the person best suited” to become vice president of the United States.
Shortly after Trump’s naming of the 39-year-old Vance, the bearded senator took a victory lap on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee as thousands of delegates cheered. Vance is expected to address the gathering on Wednesday, the night before Trump formally accepts the party’s presidential nomination for the third consecutive time. Read more
Car bomb kills Somalis watching Euro football final (BBC)
Several people have been killed after a car bomb exploded outside a popular cafe packed with football fans in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.
The bomb went off on Sunday night at 22:28 local time as patrons at Top Coffee were watching the Euro 2024 football final between Spain and England.
Police said at least five were killed in the explosion and 20 more injured. Security sources later told the AFP news agency the death toll had risen to nine. Read more
Man appears in court charged with murder over bodies found in suitcases (Standard)
A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with two counts of murder over the deaths of two men whose remains were found in suitcases in Bristol.
Yostin Andres Mosquera, of Scotts Road, in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, was charged earlier on Monday with murdering 62-year-old Albert Alfonso and 71-year-old Paul Longworth between 8 and 10 July in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
The defendant, 34, assisted by a Spanish interpreter, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth in a short hearing at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday. Read more
2024 Olympics: Super Falcons are as good as Brazil – Payne (DailyTrust)
Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne has declared that her side is as good as Brazil, a side Nigeria play against in the forthcoming Olympic 2024 in Paris.
Nigeria will return to the Olympics for the first time in 16 years, and they will kick off their journey against South American giants Brazil.
The Super Falcons secured their place at the 2024 Olympics in Paris by defeating South Africa in the qualifying round, with an aggregate scoreline of 1-0.
Ahead of their opener against the Samba girls, midfielder Payne says while the Brazilians are a good team, they are on Nigeria’s level. Read more
Kwara United sack 22 players ahead new season (Punch)
No less than 22 players of Kwara United have been laid off ahead of the incoming season, according to the management of the club.
Confirming this to journalists in Ilorin on Monday, , Bashir Badawiy, General Manager of the club, said an additional 23 players from the Nigeria Premier Football League have been recruited to fortify the club ahead of the 2024/25 NPFL season.
Addressing players and coaching crew of the club on Monday, Badawiy said Abayomi Samuel from 3SC, Jimi Iteji from Plateau United have joined the squad for next season, alongside Kazeem Badmus, Adamu Abubakar and Ifeanyi Ogba from NPFL champions, Enugu Rangers. He also called on the players to eschew indiscipline and work with the philosophy of the club. Read more
Eddie Howe and Lee Carsley among the front-runners to succeed Gareth Southgate if England boss exits (IrishIndependent)
England will not be short of interested candidates to succeed Gareth Southgate if he decides to step down after a second successive European Championship final defeat.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be near the top of any shortlist, but there are other coaches who will come under consideration and would be interested in the job.
Southgate is taking time to decide his future as manager following Sunday night’s defeat by Spain in Berlin. Read more
Colombia FA president arrested after Copa America final descends into chaos (Mirror)
The head of the Colombian Football Federation, Ramon Jesurun, was arrested after Sunday’s Copa America final, according to Miami-Dade Police records. He faces three counts of felony battery.
Jesurun and his son, Ramon Jamil Jesurun, were both detained at Hard Rock Stadium during a chaotic event that saw police make 27 arrests and eject 55 people from the venue.
The 71-year-old football official is accused of assaulting a law enforcement official or event employee on all three counts. Jesurun was arrested on Monday and ordered to pay a $1,000 bond for each of the first two charges. As of 5 p.m. ET on Monday, he remained in police custody, reports the Mirror US. Read more
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow confirmed for Paris Olympics
(RTE)
Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow will once again represent Ireland in golf at the Paris Olympic Games, replicating the team that competed in Tokyo.
The tournament takes place in Le Golf National, in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, near Versailles to the southwest of Paris, the venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup.
In Tokyo, McIlroy finished tied for fifth, one shot shy of a bronze medal. His playing partner is going to Paris with podium ambitions, with Lowry saying: “My first experience in Tokyo was amazing and it feeds you with the hunger of wanting to do it again and to come back and give it a better shot this time. A lot of what I’ve talked about and done this year has been geared towards the Olympics in Paris. Read more
Piastri nearing maiden Grand Prix win as ‘‘hardest part nailed’’ (F1i)
Oscar Piastri has expressed growing confidence that he is on the cusp of his maiden Grand Prix win after several near misses, insisting his McLaren team has got “the hardest part nailed”.
Save for Miami, Piastri has finished every race this season among the top ten, while he scored runner-up podium positions in Monaco and in Austria.
However, while the young Aussie already has a Sprint race victory on his CV, thanks to his win in last year’s short form event in Qatar, he could have added a proper Grand Prix triumph to his track record this season had he not endured various challenges such as strategic errors by his team or qualifying setbacks, like his controversial and frustrating lap deletion in Q3 in Spielberg. Read more