One killed, N200m property lost as police, Shiite clash (Punch)
At least one member of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria was gunned down while rescue and emergency equipment worth N200m was destroyed during a clash between the police and members of the IMN in Abuja on Monday. Our correspondent who visited the scene on Ahmadu Bello Way, learnt that the clash started after members of the IMN who belong to the Shiite Islamic sect, started a procession around 12pm. However, on getting to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the police attempted to stop their procession. Read more
Lagos holds entrance exams into technical colleges on Wednesday (Nation)
The Lagos State Technical and Vocational Colleges will hold its entrance examination for the 2019 session on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at all the five centres in the state. This is coming on renewed commitment of the Lagos state Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to invest more in technical and vocational education in order to ensure the creation of platform where youths would not only be armed with employable skills but would be given requisite education that would make them fit into the changing 21st century. Read more
Repentant Boko Haram members can become President, says general (Punch)
The General Officer Commanding, 7 Division, Maj. Gen Abdulmalik Biu, says repentant terrorists who lay down their arms stand the chance of becoming great in society and even emerging as the President of Nigeria. Biu said this during an interview with journalists in Borno State while calling on Boko Haram members to lay down their arms. He said, “Boko Haram should lay down their arms unconditionally and be accepted in their community; opportunities are out there for them. They can be rehabilitated. Read more
Why Shiites ought to be celebrating – Presidency (Punch)
The Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, has said the Islamic Movement of Nigeria should be celebrating the decision of the Federal Government to end its involvement in the trial of its leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. Shehu, who spoke on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television, criticised the group for its failure to accept the “olive branch” in the Presidency’s response to the violent protests of the IMN members in Abuja. Read more
Alleged assault: Court fixes August 20 for Abbo’s trial (Punch)
A Zuba Chief Magistrates’ Court Abuja, on Monday, fixed August 20, for the trial of Senator Elisha Abbo who allegedly assaulted a nursing woman in Abuja. The offence that bordered on criminal force and assault which is contrary to section 263 and 264 of the penal code. The Magistrate, Abdullahi Ilelah, also ordered the prosecution counsel, to supply the defendant’s counsel with all the materials he intends to rely on to defend his client. Read more
Fasoranti’s daughter: Nobody is safe, happy in Nigeria – Anglican Bishop (Punch)
The remains of the late Mrs Funke Olakunri, the daughter of the leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, was committed to mother earth on Monday, amidst tears from her family, friends, and well-wishers. Olakunri, the third daughter of the nonagenarian Afenifere leader, was killed by some gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen along Ore-Shagamu expressway in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, some days ago. Read more
We’ll not allow primaries divide APC in Bayelsa, says Lokpobiri (Guardian)
The immediate past Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri says the issue of the method of primaries for the upcoming governorship polls in Bayelsa will not divide the APC in the state. Lokpobiri, who is the governorship aspirant of the APC in the upcoming polls, said that despite divergent views on the method to be used, the party would eventually come to an agreement on what was best for it. Read more
Ganduje constitutes committee on remodelling Almajiri System of Education (Nation)
Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has constituted a powerful Technical Committee that would review and reposition the Almajiri system of education with a view to pull them out from the street. The Technical Committee is billed to fashion out ways of integrating the Almajiri system into the mainstream curriculum-based education system that complies with international best practice as manifested in Muslim countries across the globe. Read more
Unpaid salary: Nasarawa Assembly uncovers abnormalities in LG system (Punch)
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly committee investigating non-payment of June salary to Local Government staff and other deductions of Local Government funds has discovered abnormalities in the Local Government system in the state. Mr. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the House made this known on Monday after the Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali (APC-Lafia North) presented an interim report of the committee during the House proceedings in Lafia. Read more
Anambra traders suspend ex-leader over alleged treachery (Nation)
The Board of Trustees of the embattled Amalgamated Market Traders Association of Anambra State (AMATAS) has suspended its former President General, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo. The board said the decision to suspend Ezenwankwo followed alleged connivance with the State Government to destroy the association. Read more
Ethiopia referendum: Dozens killed in Sidama clashes (BBC)
At least 25 people have died in clashes between Ethiopian security forces and activists in southern Ethiopia, hospital officials have told the BBC. The officials said security forces fired bullets during the protests across the Sidama region. Activists from the Sidama ethnic group were set to declare their own federal state on Thursday. They accused the government of failing to hold a promised referendum on the issue. Read more
South African graft monitor ‘deceitful’, ‘not honest’: top court (Guardian)
South Africa’s apex court ruled Monday the country’s anti-corruption ombudswoman had been “deceitful” and ordered her to pay from her pocket part of the legal costs incurred in a row with the central bank. Busisiwe Mkhwebane is South Africa’s Public Protector — a position with a constitutional mandate to investigate public corruption and misconduct — but is viewed by some as an ally of graft-tainted ex-president Jacob Zuma who appointed her before he was ousted. Read more
Israel razes Palestinian homes ‘built too near barrier’ (BBC)
Israel has begun demolishing a cluster of Palestinian homes it says were built illegally too close to the separation barrier in the occupied West Bank. Security forces moved in to Sur Baher, on the edge of East Jerusalem, to tear down buildings said to house 17 people. Residents said they had been given permits to build by the Palestinian Authority, and accused Israel of an attempt to grab West Bank land. Read more
Paris braces for record heat as Europe scorched again (Guardian)
Parisians were on Monday bracing for potentially the hottest ever temperature in the French capital this week as a new heatwave blasted into northern Europe that could set records in several countries. Temperatures were already set to top 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday in Paris, but the mercury could soar beyond 40C on Thursday and topple a temperature record dating back to 1947. Read more
Hong Kong protests: Police criticised over mob violence (BBC)
Hong Kong police are facing accusations of failing to protect pro-democracy activists who were attacked by unidentified assailants on Sunday. Opposition lawmakers say police inaction allowed criminals to beat up peaceful demonstrators after a rally. Dozens were injured when they were set upon by masked men wielding sticks. Read more
France finds wreckage of submarine that disappeared in 1968 (Nation)
The French Navy has found the wreckage of its ‘Minerve’ submarine, which disappeared off the coast of Toulon in the Mediterranean Sea in 1968, leading to the loss of 52 lives. “We have just found the Minerve. “It was a successful operation, a moment of relief and a demonstration of technical prowess. “I would like to spare a thought for the families of those who have waited for this moment for so long,’’ said French Armed Forces Minister, Florence Parly, on Monday. Read more
Animal abuser who kicked cat ‘to death’ as pals laughed spared jail (Metro)
A man who was filmed kicking a cat that was later found dead close to where it landed has avoided jail. Johnathan Taylor, 20, pleaded guilty to animal abuse on Thursday in Kansas City after originally denying that he was at Center High School where the cruel abuse took place. Taylor was ordered to be placed on probation for two years and make a $500 donation to the Kansas City Pet Project. A judge also sentenced him to perform 80 hours of community service at an animal shelter. Read more
Iran says it arrested CIA spies and sentenced some to death (BBC)
Iran says it has arrested 17 spies who it says were working for the CIA, and sentenced some of them to death. The intelligence ministry said the suspects had been collecting information in vital sectors – including military and nuclear areas of activity. US President Donald Trump has dismissed the claims, saying the report is “totally false”. Tensions have escalated in recent weeks between Washington and Tehran. Read more
Seth Rogen slams Game of Thrones writers for failing to address backlash and has a dig at final season (Metro)
Seth Rogen has come forward as one of the millions of Game of Thrones fans shattered by the disappointing finale, slamming showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff for pulling out of last weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con. The pair are yet to address on backlash surrounding Game of Thrones season eight as a petition amassing more than 1.5 million signatures demanding the last six episodes were rewritten continuing to soar, while they have both been listed as ‘bad writers’ on Google in one final blow from fans. Read more
CAF member to challenge FIFA’s African football takeover plan in court (Punch)
FIFA’s plan to take over the running of African football is set to face a possible roadblock, with an executive committee member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) saying he will challenge the decision in court. Hasan Bility, who is from Liberia and a CAF executive committee member for last two years, said he will ask the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport to declare invalid the agreement by which FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura will be sent on a secondment to overhaul the African governing body. Read more
My heart is with Barcelona, says Griezmann after ugly Atletico Madrid exit (Punch)
Antoine Griezmann on Monday said he couldn’t wait to make his Barcelona debut and that his heart was with the team as he tries to move on from a sour exit from Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid. Griezmann’s 120 million euros ($135 million) transfer was contested by Atletico, who insisted Barcelona should have paid a higher price for the World Cup-winning French striker. But he told media in Tokyo: “I am very happy about the outcome of my transfer. I am very eager to play as soon as possible.” Read more
Willian claims Chelsea have offered him Eden Hazard’s No.10 shirt (Metro)
Willian has revealed that Chelsea have offered him the No.10 shirt ahead of the new season. The number has been vacant following Eden Hazard’s €100million (£90m) move to Real Madrid earlier this summer and no official announcement has been made over which player will take over the honour from the Belgian. Christian Pulisic, who many view as Hazard’s natural replacement at Stamford Bridge, wears 10 for the United States, but the winger is yet to be handed an official squad number. Read more
Barcelona’s Rakitic unmoved by transfer rumours (Punch)
Barcelona midfielder, Ivan Rakitic, accepts that his days at the Nou Camp may be numbered, but says he is concerned with concentrating on preparation for next season with the Spanish champions. He stated this at a news conference in Tokyo on Monday following the arrival of Frenkie de Jong from Ajax and 31-year-old Sergio Busquets signing a new five-year deal last year with the club. Barcelona’s midfield is looking a little crowded and the Croat could be the man to be shipped out in the summer. Read more
Paedophile footballer Adam Johnson goes clubbing in ‘fresh kid’ shirt after release from jail (Metro)
Shamed footballer Adam Johnson has been pictured wearing a shirt with the words ‘fresh kid’ on a night out. The convicted paedophile was snapped wearing the clothing in Middlesborough four months after his release from prison. Johnson, 32, a left-winger who played for Middlesborough, Sunderland and Manchester City, was jailed for sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan. Read more
Ajax face awkward Champions League qualifier against PAOK (Punch)
Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists Ajax were on Monday drawn to face Greek champions PAOK Thessaloniki in the third qualifying round for this year’s group stages. The Dutch side does not get automatic entry into the group stages despite winning the Eredivisie for the 34th time and coming within seconds of reaching the Champions League final. If they beat PAOK, Erik ten Hag’s team will still need to win a play-off to join the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Juventus in the main competition. Read more
Shane Warne picks his Australia and England teams for first Ashes Test (Metro)
Shane Warne has picked his Australia and England teams for the first Test of the 2019 Ashes series. England will bid to complete an unprecedented double this summer by following up their World Cup triumph with victory in the Ashes. Joe Root’s side were beaten 4-0 by Australia 18 months ago but will be buoyed by their recent success at home against the Aussies, having won the last four series held in England. Read more