Police hunt man who killed apprentice with shovel (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has launched a manhunt for a middle-aged man identified simply Olumide after he allegedly beat his apprentice, Adeyemi, to death in the Alagbado area of the state.
Olumide was said to have hit the 19-year-old deceased with a shovel on the head while punishing him for an offence.
Adeyemi however succumbed to the injury sustained from the impact of the shovel attack. Read more
Drug trafficking trial: A-Court declines to quash charge against Abba Kyari (Vanguard)
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, yesterday, declined to stop the trial of a detained Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, who is facing drug trafficking charges.
The court dismissed as lacking in merit, an appeal the suspended DCP filed to quash the eight-count charge the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, preferred against him.
Kyari, who hitherto headed the Police Intelligence Response Team, IRT, was accused of tampering with cocaine that was seized from two convicted drug peddlers: Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne. Read more
Appeal Court dismisses Sylva’s suit, upholds Diri’s election as Bayelsa Gov (Channels)
The Court of Appeal Abuja has dismissed the appeal brought before it by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva to challenge the judgment of the Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
The Tribunal had in its judgment delivered May 17, 2024, in Abuja, upheld the election and the return of Senator Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Eruwjadkpo as lawfully elected governor and deputy respectively.
Justice James Abundaga who read the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal affirmed the declaration of Diri and the People’s Democratic Party PDP as the joint winners of the November 11, 2023 poll. Read more
Philip Shaibu under gun attack 1 day after ‘‘reinstatement’’ as Deputy Gov (DailyTrust)
Comrade Philip Shaibu, impeached but reinstated deputy governor of Edo State, came under gun attack in Benin City, capital of Edo State, on Thursday.
Shaibu, whose impeachment was voided by a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, had returned to Edo from Abuja when his convoy was attacked.
He was in company of the Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, when the assailants who reportedly killed a policeman in their convoy, struck. Read more
Why I intervened in national minimum wage negotiations — Tinubu (Tribune)
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday explained why he had to intervene in the negotiations for the new national minimum wage.
He said he considered the economic challenges faced by many Nigerians and the urgent need to provide relief.
This is outlined in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity). Read more
Fubara speaks up after PDP Governors’ Assembly in Enugu (Independent)
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has shown appreciation for the backing of his fellow party members in the PDP during the political challenges in his state.
After the PDP Governors’ Forum gathering in Enugu, Fubara shared on social media that the meeting was “productive and beneficial,” emphasizing the aim of providing democratic benefits to their constituents.
He expressed, “To enhance collaboration and exchange governance insights, I participated in a session with my fellow PDP governors at the Enugu meeting on Wednesday, where various national and party matters were thoroughly deliberated.” Read more
Police stop varsity workers from protesting in Abuja (DailyTrust)
There was a mild drama at the popular Unity Fountain in Abuja on Thursday as police operatives prevented non-teaching workers from universities across the country to embark on a protest.
Daily Trust reports that the university workers under the aegis of Joint Action Committee (JAC) had earlier scheduled to hold a peaceful protest to press home their demands over non-payment of their four months’ salaries.
The workers are members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU). Read more
Muslims urge Lagos govt to declare Hijrah Holiday (Nation)
The Lagos Central Mosque has commemorated the 1446AH Hijrah with a call on the state government to emulate other states in declaring a public holiday for subsequent celebrations of the new Islamic year.
The Baba Adinni of Lagos State and Executive Chairman of Lagos Central Mosque, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy, urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to emulate Oyo, Ogun and Osun states in declaring every Muharram 1, as a public holiday.
The event, held at the Lagos Central Mosque, Idumota, was well-attended by the representatives of the divisional Imams, scholars, leaders of various Muslim associations, women groups, students from Arabic and Islamic institutions, among others. Read more
Rihanna shares “proud” major news ahead of the Paris Olympics (Hello!)
Rihanna is the master of keeping everyone on their toes with her savvy business moves, surprise performances and growing family with partner A$AP Rocky; the beauty mogul’s latest deal is no different.
The superstar announced via social media on Thursday that she has inked a deal with none other than the 2024 Paris Olympics – does this woman ever sleep?
The post featured a picture of Rihanna walking hand-in-hand with one of her Fenty Beauty lip products, which held a glass of wine in its drawn-on hand. Read more
Christopher Reeve’s son Will Reeve teases cameo in James Gunn’s ‘‘Superman’’ (Deadline)
Will Reeve, the son of the late Christopher Reeve, is teasing his cameo on James Gunn’s “Superman.”
In a new interview, Reeve confirmed he will make an appearance in the DC Studios superhero movie in a nod to his late father.
“I know the folks making the film, and they’ve been so kind to me and my family, and I had a free day, so we made it [happen],” Reeve told TMZ. Read more
Bob Newhart, Beloved comedian, actor and Newhart star, dies at 94 (People)
Bob Newhart, the award-winning comedian and actor, has died. He was 94.
Newhart’s publicist Jerry Digney announced in a press release obtained by PEOPLE that the actor died at his Los Angeles home on Thursday, July 18, following a series of short illnesses.
With more than six decades in show business, the beloved entertainer was most remembered for his roles in the CBS series The Bob Newhart Show, which ran from 1972 to 1978, and Newhart, which ran from 1982 to 1990. Read more
Cheng Pei-pei, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Come Drink With Me Star, dies at 78 (Variety)
Cheng Pei-pei, the Chinese-born action film icon who starred in Ang Lee’s Oscar-nominated Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and King Hu’s seminal wuxia feature Come Drink With Me, has died. She was 78.
Cheng, considered a pioneer of martial arts roles for female actors, died in the San Francisco Bay Area on Thursday. She had long suffered from a degenerative brain disease and has donated her brain to medical research. Read more
Man shot dead by police after knifing officer in Paris near Champs-Elysées (LeMonde)
A policeman was wounded with a knife on Thursday, July 18, near the Champs-Elysées, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. Law enforcement officers opened fire on the attacker, seriously wounding him, according to a police source speaking anonymously to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The man later died from his wounds on Thursday, a source in the prosecutor’s office who asked not to be named told AFP. He added that a criminal investigation had been launched into the man’s attack on the officer. Read more
Bangladesh protesters set state TV HQ ablaze as death toll mounts, internet cut (NewArab)
Bangladeshi students set fire to the country’s state broadcaster on Thursday as protests against civil service hiring rules escalated, with the death toll mounting to at least 39 and authorities imposing what one monitor called a “near-total” internet blackout
Police fired rubber bullets at hundreds of protesters, who fought back and chased retreating officers to the headquarters of Bangladesh Television (BTV) in the capital Dhaka.
Demonstrators set ablaze the broadcaster’s reception building and dozens of vehicles parked outside. A station executive later told AFP that staff had safely evacuated the building. Read more
Dinosaur skeleton fetches record $44.6m at auction (BBC)
A large dinosaur’s skeleton has fetched $44.6m (£34m) at a Sotheby’s auction in New York City – the most ever paid for a fossil.
The plant-eating stegosaurus – nicknamed Apex – is 11ft (3.4m) tall and 27 ft long from nose to tail, and ranks high among the most complete skeletons ever found”, Sotheby’s said.
It was sold to an anonymous buyer, who said: “Apex was born in America and is going to stay in America” – in what is seen as a hint that it might be loaned to a US institution. Read more
Beach Soccer AFCON: Supersand Eagles head to Nouakchott, to play Mauritania (ThisDay)
After five years in the international wilderness, Nigeria’s Supersand Eagles will depart Nigeria to Nouakchott on Friday morning for their 2024 Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against their Mauritanian counterparts, slated for Saturday.
The match, which is the first of a two-leg fixture, will have Egyptian officials take charge. Hany Farouk El-Sayed Eleraky is the referee, with Ahmed Mohamed Elwan Nofal as Referee 2 and Ibrahim El-Sayed Mahgoub as Referee 3. Khaled Mohamed Elewa will serve as the timekeeper, while Moroccan El Mansouri Taha will be the commissioner.
The NFF had appointed Abdullahi Isa, a veteran goalkeeper who later became assistant coach of the team, as the new Head Coach of the Supersand Eagles, with Christopher Kadiri as Assistant Coach and Bashar Samaila as Goalkeepers’ Trainer. Read more
Leny Yoro reveals how Manchester United talks convinced him to snub Real Madrid (Standard)
New Manchester United signing Leny Yoro has explained how the club convinced him to join amid interest from Real Madrid.
The 18-year-old has signed a five-year deal with the club, with the option to extend for a further year, after United agreed to pay around £58 million, including add-ons, for the highly rated defender.
Yoro was at the beginning of the summer widely expected to join Real Madrid, but United made the most attractive offer to Lille for the teenager and worked quickly to convince the young Frenchman of the move. Read more
Manchester City seal £33.7m signing of Brazil winger Savinho from sister club Troyes (Telegraph)
Manchester City have completed the £33.7 million signing of highly rated Brazil winger Savinho from sister club Troyes, despite Uefa’s new clampdown on transfer deals between clubs in the same ownership group.
The 20-year-old, who has made seven appearances for Brazil, excelled on loan at another of City’s sister clubs Girona last season, when he helped the Spanish side to Champions League qualification.
Savinho, who has previously been referred to as Savio, has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium and will cost an initial £21.1 million with a further £12.6 million payable in add-ons. Read more
Jake Paul tells Conor McGregor to “lay off the cocaine’’ (DailyMail)
Jake Paul fired back at Conor McGregor in brutal fashion after being called a ‘dweeb’ by the UFC superstar on Thursday.
At the final press conference ahead of his bout with Mike Perry this weekend, Paul told McGregor to ‘lay off the cocaine’ and get serious about fighting him when asked about his jibe earlier in the day.
The YouTuber-turned-fighter is set to face Perry in Texas on Saturday night after the former MMA star was drafted in to replace Mike Tyson, who was forced to pull out of their scheduled contest on medical grounds. Read more
Dan Brown makes late birdies for 1-shot lead over Shane Lowry in wind-challenged Open (JapanToday)
Daniel Brown had a major championship debut he won’t soon forget. He birdied two of the last three holes Thursday in the British Open, giving him a 6-under 65 with just enough spectators still left in the twilight of Royal Troon to celebrate with him.
It gave him a one-shot lead over Shane Lowry, who played bogey-free for a 66 and his best start in 46 majors.
Lowry at least knew what to expect with an opposite wind that seemed to catch just about everyone off guard. He came to Troon two weeks ago and knew what to expect, and it paid off handsomely for the Irishman. Read more
Yuki Tsunoda ‘‘ready’’ to fight Max Verstappen in big Red Bull seat declaration (PlanetF1)
Yuki Tsunoda says he feels ready to fight for F1’s top positions with Red Bull, and believes he deserves to be under consideration as Max Verstappen’s teammate.
The Japanese driver has been VCARB’s star performer in F1 2024 but has not been seriously linked with a possible promotion to a Red Bull seat as speculation swirls about a possible driver swap at the Milton Keynes-based squad.
All eyes are on what Red Bull chooses to do with Sergio Perez’s cockpit for the remainder of 2024, as the Mexican driver has struggled for pace and consistency in the second quarter of the championship. Read more