Police arrest 3 over sex worker’s death during fight at brothel (Guardian)
Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested three individuals in connection with the death of a commercial sex worker at a brothel in Akure, the state capital.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, the incident occurred over the weekend in a popular brothel located in the Cathedral area of Akure.
The deceased reportedly complained of tiredness during a sexual encounter with a customer, who became enraged when she was unable to continue. Read more
Cleric jailed 53 years for sexually assaulting 14-year-old daughter (Punch)
A 45-year-old pastor, Ndukwe Ogbu, has been convicted and sentenced to 53 years imprisonment for defiling and sexually assaulting his 14-year-old daughter by penetration by a Lagos State Sexual Offences Court, sitting in Ikeja.
Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe ruled that the prosecution had proved beyond a reasonable doubt all the elements of the charges against Ogbu.
During sentencing, on Monday, the judge held, “The evidence presented leaves no room for doubt. The convict’s actions are reprehensible, and justice must be served.” Read more
Those who think PDP is dead are dreamers – Bode George (Channels)
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has dismissed suggestions that the party is no longer viable, describing those holding such views as “dreamers”.
The elder statesman, who spoke on the Monday edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today in response to a question about those who believe the PDP “is dead,” said, “No way; those are dreamers. I’m telling you they are first-class dreamers.
“In political management, ownership structure, camaraderie—what we have in the PDP, they don’t have.” Read more
PDP sinks deeper, 5 gov set to defect (Sun)
There is palpable anxiety in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over plans by five of its governors to defect in the coming days.
Daily Sun gathered that the governors include two second term governors and others, who are in their first time.
In the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, the PDP controlled 13 states, including Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Osun and Oyo states. Read more
Wike slashes UniAbuja land from 11000 to 4000 hectares (DailyTrust)
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, says his administration has recovered 7,000 hectares of land out of the 11,000 hectares originally acquired by the University of Abuja.
Wike stated this at the commissioning of the newly constructed access roads in the Giri District of Abuja.
He expressed concern over what he described as “land grabbing” by the university, accusing it of fencing off large swathes of land without proper approval or documentation. Read more
Kidnappings: Youths set Emir’s palace, NDLEA office ablaze (Vanguard)
Angry youths in Lafiagi, headquarters of Edu local government, on Monday stormed the Palace of their monarch, the Emir of Lafiagi, and the office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the town and set them ablaze over unabated Kidnappings in the area.
Tension had gripped the Lafiagi community on Monday, a development that prompted protests by youth in the community to express their feelings on the abduction of a popular businessman.
The angry residents had earlier staged a protest on Monday over the latest kidnap incident, blocking roads, burning used tyres and demanding urgent government intervention before they went to burn their monarch’s palace and the NDLEA office. Read more
Chike gave me all royalties for ‘Realness’ song – Ayo Maff (Nation)
Singer Ayo Maff has expressed his gratitude to fellow artist Chike for his generous contribution to their collaborative song “Realness” and for giving away all song royalties to him.
According to Ayo Maff, Chike provided his services pro bono, featuring on the track without charging for his verse or studio time.
He added that Chike attended the song’s listening party, which demonstrated his support for the project. Read more
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘GNX’ becomes longest running number 1 rap album ever (HipHopDx)
Kendrick Lamar now has the longest running number one album of all time on the Billboard’s rap charts.
GNX, which was originally released last November, has been number one on the chart for a record breaking 22 weeks, highlighting the longevity of the project.
The previous record holder was Pop Smoke for his posthumous album Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon which held on to the number one spot for 21 weeks. Read more
Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura & more among early contenders to watch (Variety)
With the first wave of Oscar predictions for best picture rolling in, the field for the 2026 ceremony is already shaping up to be as exciting as in years past.
It’s stacked with a compelling mix of Hollywood veterans, global talents and bold career pivots. George Clooney has strong early buzz for his turn in “Jay Kelly,” a stripped-down Hollywood dramedy from Noah Baumbach that could bring the two-time Oscar winner back to the Dolby Theatre. Read more
At least 7 people killed during recent anti-government protests in Togo (AfricaNews)
At least seven people have been killed and many more injured during recent anti-government protests in Togo’s capital, Lomé, according to preliminary figures provided by civic groups on Sunday.
The protests were over recent constitutional reforms that could cement President Faure Gnassingbé’s long hold on power. Videos emerged showing apparent abuses by security forces.
Police fired tear gas in several neighborhoods of Lomé and reportedly used batons to beat protesters, severely injuring some, according to footage that appears to be from the scene. Read more
Last minute deal rocks Bryan Kohberger murder trial (Newsweek)
Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in the University of Idaho student murders, has agreed to a plea deal that would spare him the death penalty in exchange for a guilty plea, according to multiple national media outlets including Fox News and ABC.
Kohberger, 30, is accused of fatally stabbing Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20, during a 4 a.m. home invasion on November 13, 2022.
The victims were all University of Idaho students living in an off-campus house in Moscow when the deadly attack happened. Read more
Why is Prada caught in a sandal scandal in India? (AlJazeera)
When models sashayed down the ramp at Milan Fashion Week last week, Harish Kurade looked at them on his smartphone in awe, sitting in his village in southern Maharashtra state, more than 7,000km (4,350 miles) away.
Models were showcasing a new line of open-toe leather sandals, designed by Prada, the iconic luxury fashion house. However, in India, the visuals raised a furore among artisans and politicians after the Italian giant failed to credit the ancient Maharashtra roots of its latest design.
“They [Prada] stole and replicated our crafty work, but we are really happy,” said Kurade in a chirpy tone. “Today, the world’s eyes are on our Kolhapuri ‘chappals’ [Hindi for sandals].” Kolhapur is a city in Maharashtra after which the sandals are named. Read more
As Squid Game ends, South Koreans return to the reality that inspired it (BBC)
Millions of fans are bidding farewell to Squid Game, the Emmy award-winning TV series that has topped Netflix’s charts and become a symbol of South Korea’s ascendance in Hollywood.
The fictional show follows cash-strapped players as they battle it out in a series of traditional Korean children’s games – with a gory twist, as losers are killed in every round.
Squid Game has sucked in viewers since 2021 with its candy-coloured sets and bleak messages about capitalism and humanity. And with its third and final season released last Friday, fans across the world are returning to reality. Read more
Napoli recalls Osimhen for pre-season training (Guardian)
Italian news outlet, La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sunday, reported that Napoli have been forced to include Victor Osimhen in their squad for the pre-season in mid-July pending the any deal that will take the Nigerian to another club permanently.
The Nigeria international has returned from a loan spell at Galatasaray and has already rejected a €30m-a-year offer from Al-Hilal, as Football Italia exclusively reported earlier this month.
The Saudi Pro League side haven’t yet given up on the Partenopei ace, but if they fail to reach an agreement with the striker by mid-July, Osimhen will be formally called up to start the pre-season with the rest of the team. Read more
Flying Eagles reopen camp for CAF Boys’ Cup (Punch)
Nigeria’s U-20 male team, the Flying Eagles have converged again on Abuja, the country’s capital for their final phase of preparations for the CAF WAFU B U-20 Boys’ Cup which will be played in Ghana from July 10 to 23, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The tournament is said to be organised to foster regional collaboration and showcase emerging football talent across West Africa. The maiden edition in Accra, Ghana will bring together 13 national U-20 teams from across WAFU Zones A and B.
After ending their initial camping abruptly due to the postponement of the tournament, the head coach of the team, Aliyu Zubairu confirmed the resumption of the team after a new date was announced by the organisers.. Read more
Alcaraz Survives, Sabalenka cruises on Wimbledon’s hottest opening day (Channels)
Carlos Alcaraz survived a major scare in his Wimbledon opener on Monday while Aryna Sabalenka kept her cool to progress on the hottest opening day in the tournament’s history.
Temperatures at the All England Club on Monday topped 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 Fahrenheit), surpassing the previous record for the start of the tournament of 29.3 Celsius set in 2001.
Alcaraz dug dip for a 7-5, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, 2-6, 6-1 win over 38-year-old Fabio Fognini in a gruelling clash lasting four hours and 37 minutes on Centre Court. Read more
LeBron James to become first NBA basketballer to play 23rd season (AfricaNews)
When he takes to the court in October, US basketball star, LeBron James, will become the first NBA player in the history of the professional league to play a 23rd season.
He’s exercising the $52.6 million dollar option in his contract to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers until the seasoning end April 2026.
It is the biggest deal of the 40-year-old’s esteemed career and trumps the $48.7 million salary he earned last year. Read more
Fluminense into Club World Cup quarterfinals after stunning Inter Milan 2-0 (AlJazeera)
Fluminense have reached the Club World Cup quarterfinals with a stunning 2–0 win over Inter Milan as German Cano’s early goal and Hercules’s stoppage-time strike toppled the Champions League runners-up.
Fluminense struck after three minutes when Cano pounced on a deflected cross and headed in from close range, putting the ball through goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s legs for a dream start in the sweltering heat in Charlotte, North Carolina, the US on Monday.The Brazilian side nearly doubled the lead in the 30th minute, when Sommer spilled Jhon Arias’s initial effort and Samuel Xavier fired the rebound attempt narrowly wide of the far-left post. Read more