Scores of kidnapped kids found in underground of Ondo church (Punch)
Scores of children were allegedly found in an underground apartment of a church in the Valentino Area of Ondo town, Ondo State, on Friday evening.
It was gathered that the children were allegedly kidnapped and kept in the underground apartment of the church.
A source said victims were over 50 while the police had rescued them and arrested the pastor and some members of the church.
In a viral video, the children were seen in a patrol vehicle of the police who took them to the police station. Read more
Pastor, wife held as 3 die in church during deliverance (Sun)
A 48-year-old Pastor, Taiwo Olaniyi and his wife, Kemi, 28 have been held by the Osun State Police Command over the death of three persons in their church during deliverance.
The owner of Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Osogbo is said to be operating a healing centre and trado-medical home in his church. It was gathered that one Rasheedat Mufutau, 58, was taken to the church because she had diabetes and died. Also, a 48-year-old woman, Anifowose Basira and a nine-month old boy, Abdul-Rahman Afolabi, died in the church.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Yemisi Opalola, who confirmed the incident, said it happened on June 28.
She said three persons were arrested but the third suspect was released because he was just a church member. Read more
Opebi-Ojota link bridge to be completed June 2024 – LASG (Leadership)
Lagos State government has again affirmed that the construction of the iconic, multi-billion Naira Opebi-Ojota link bridge would be completed by June next year.
The Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration in its commitment to traffic management and efficient transportation system, which is the first pillar of the ‘Greater Lagos’ developmental agenda commenced the construction of the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge of Lagos State.
The Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, which is one of the legacy projects of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, is aimed at easing the burden of commuters and decongesting traffic in the Ikeja axis and on Ikorodu road by providing a direct link between Opebi, Mende, Maryland and Ojota to Ikorodu road, reducing the perennial traffic on Mobolaji Bank-Anthony way, and setting precedence for Ojota commuters to link the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
The construction of the Ojota-Opebi link bridges and approach roads, which is about 3.9kilometres, was flagged off on January 26, 2022, by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who described the project as another milestone in the implementation of the Traffic Management and Transportation Pillar of his administration’s THEMES Developmental Agenda and the State Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP). Read more
117 days after Bamise’s death, family cries out for justice (Punch)
Pelumi Abegunde, the brother of the deceased 22-year-old fashion designer, Bamise Ayanwola, who was allegedly abducted after boarding a Bus Rapid Transit in Lagos and found dead nine days later, has cried out for justice.
The late Bamise, who reportedly went missing on February 26, 2022, was allegedly found unclad and dead on March 7, 2022, on a street in Lagos.
Abegunde, in a petition which had long garnered over 5,000 signatures as of Thursday, alleged that there was foul play in the way the case was being handled.
He begged the Lagos State Government to not sweep the matter under the carpet but help to bring the killers of her sister to book. Read more
Killings: ‘From now on, it’s fire for fire’, Adeboye asks followers to defend themselves (DailyTrust)
Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has spoken against the high rate of insecurity in the country, saying henceforth, “it’s fire for fire”.
Nigeria is currently going through one of its worst form of insecurity in history. From banditry to kidnapping and insurgency, attacks are being recorded in virtually all the regions of the country on a frequent basis.
Speaking during the church’s July 2022 Holy Ghost Service, Adeboye said enough is enough.
In his sermon, the preacher said the church would hold its 2022 convention in the second week of August. Read more
PDP’s reacts to hike in BRT fare (Nation)
The Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Hon Hakeem Amode has faulted the proposed increase in the fare for BRT buses in the state.
There is now an additional flat rate of N100 on all trips within the state that will take effect from July 13 .As a result of this hike , a trip from Ikorodu to TBS will now cost N600 naira instead of N500 naira; Berger to Ajah will now increase to N700 from N600 naira ,this will also affect other routes within the state.
The APC led government blamed the hike in the pump price of diesel from N187 to N830 Naira ,and the unavailability of spare parts for the increase.
According to Hon. Amode, with the crippling economic situation, brought about by this same government’s ineptitude , being experienced by Lagosians on a daily basis, the Lagos State government has shown lack of compassion and total disregard for the plight of the citizens of the state. Read more
WRAHP builds CSOs’ capacity to tackle sexual, gender-based issues (Independent)
Women’s Rights And Health Project (WRAHP) has mobilized Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to build their capacities in tackling and reporting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) related issues in Oshodi/Isolo and Ojo areas of Lagos State.
The programme which took place yesterday in the Isolo area of Lagos State was the fourth quarterly meeting with the CSOs and was funded by the European Union (EU) Agents for Citizen-Driven Transformation (ACT) and the aim is to build the capacity of CSOs to promote uptake of related social services in Ojo and Ishodi/Isolo Local Government Areas of Lagos State.
Bose Ironsi, Executive Director of WRAHP, said that it was realized that the capacity of a lot of CSOs needs to be built in terms of response to issues of SGBV in their various communities, so they identified 40 of them and did a mapping.
“Mapping means finding out their strengths and areas that they need assistance with. After months of mentorship, because what we are doing is like, “hand-holding”, we have been able to mentor them in areas they will be of assistance to the communities in combating the menace of SGBV. Read more
‘Nigeria didn’t deserve you,’ Fiancee of soldier killed in Shiroro attack mourns (DailyTrust)
Aisha Yusuf, fiancee of one of the soldiers killed in the Shiroro attack in Niger State Wednesday has taken to Facebook to pay tributes to her fiance, lamenting that Nigeria didn’t deserve him.
In the emotional post titled ‘My heart is pained’, on her facebook handle, Yusuf revealed that the pain was unbearable and didn’t know how to recover from the sorrowful event.
“I lost the love of my life on Wednesday in Shiroro, Niger State. My friend, my lover… My heartbeat, my fiance…the man who changed my strong view on intercultural marriage. I still can’t believe that my baby is gone. Where do I start from? Where do I pick up from?
“People said I should take it easy that God has a plan but I can’t even understand why God allowed such to happen. He was diligent. He was honest and hardworking. He was a good man, A God-fearing man who loved his family and his country that he gave his life for that cause,” she wrote. Read more
NCDC confirms 347 new COVID-19 cases (Channels)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 347 new cases of COVID-19 with Lagos topping the list of states.
Data from the NCDC late on Friday showed that new infections were reported in seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Lagos had 265 cases, a wide margin from Imo which had the second-highest number of cases with 47 infections.
Other states with fresh cases are Rivers – 15, Edo – 11, FCT – 4, Akwa Ibom – 2, Plateau – 2, and Bayelsa – 1. Read more
Liev Schreiber “struggles” with calls to boycott Russian art & says Putin is counting on “chaos & misinformation” – KVIFF (Deadline)
While Ukrainian filmmakers have called out international festivals such as Cannes and Karlovy Vary for the inclusion of Russian titles in their lineups, Liev Schreiber, who has Ukrainian roots stemming from his maternal grandfather, admits he “struggles” with the idea of boycotting art of any kind.
“I struggle with the idea of boycotting any kind of art or expression,” Schreiber told journalists at a press conference at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on Saturday. “Having said that, the reason that I believe, and everyone always asked me why I think Ukraine is going to win, is because I believe that they are going to come out of this eventually on the right side of history. And I believe that because they have the truth on their side.”
Schreiber, who was in town to discuss his initiative BlueCheck Ukraine, stressed that what is most in play right now is truth in the media, saying that “misinformation has become a dangerous new idea in both America and abroad and I think that is something that Putin is counting on – chaos and misinformation.”
The actor-director said, “We do have to be careful with the media and we do have to be careful about what we consume. But the idea of ever censoring or boycotting artists is something that is hard for me, and I feel challenged because one of the things I love about our constitution is that it protects free speech. Certainly, one of the things I love about being in the arts is that there is the idea of, ‘if it’s true, it’s worth knowing.’ So, I think we have to be very careful about the media coming out of Russia since it’s so state-controlled or film for that matter or the propaganda coming out of Russia right now.” Read more
Chris Hemsworth opens up about how Thor has changed in the MCU (DigitalSpy)
Marvel star Chris Hemsworth has opened up about how Thor has changed over the years ahead of the release of his fourth standalone film, Thor: Love and Thunder.
During a press conference, Hemsworth told Digital Spy and other media about the journey his character has been through.
“There’s obviously a familiarity, but he has changed so dramatically over the years as I have. That’s what’s been fun is as the character’s evolved and I’ve had different opinions, I’ve sort of melded and crossed paths [with him],” he said.
“You know, the origin story is, I think not the easiest but it’s the most obvious one. There’s a set of rules and guidelines I feel like you have to sort of stick to and it works, and it’s familiar and relatable for people,” he added. Read more
Hugo Speer sacked from Full Monty reboot after ‘inappropriate conduct’ claims (BelfastTelegraph)
Hugo Speer has been sacked from Disney’s forthcoming The Full Monty reboot series after allegations of “inappropriate conduct”.
The 53-year-old was due to reprise the role of Guy 25 years on from the release of the original film, which followed a group of unemployed men in Sheffield who formed a striptease act.
A spokesperson for streaming service Disney+ said the decision to remove him from the show came following an internal investigation.
They said: “Recently, we were made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Hugo Speer on the set of a commissioned production. Read more
Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer’s wife of 13 years Linda dies aged 55 (Independent)
Aerosmith drummer Joey Kramer’s wife Linda has died aged 55.
The contract administrator, who married founding band member Joey 13 years ago, died on 22 June.
No cause of death has been given.
In her obituary published on Thursday (30 June) in the Boston Herald, Texas native Linda was remembered as “the love of Joey’s life”. Read more
Apple Music announces George Michael Covered playlist in honour of Pride month (MusicNews)
Years and Years, Billy Porter and MNEK are among the artists to have covered George Michael songs for a new Apple Music playlist to coincide with Pride month.
The back catalogue of the late pop star has been made available in Spatial Audio for the first time and can be streamed on Apple Music.
Other LGBTQIA+ artists to cover the ‘Club Tropicana’ singer’s greatest hits include Jake Shears, Pale Waves, Calum Scott and Serpentwithfeet.
Olly Alexander of Years Years, who covered ‘Outside’, said: “One of the things I love most about George Michael was his ability to own his narrative. He was a huge, huge star. I’m sure he struggled with some of the attention and issues that come with worldwide fame, and he still remained so iconic, so true to who he was. Read more
1 killed, 6 injured in Serbia migrant shootout (Guardian)
One migrant was killed and at least six others, including a teenage girl, were injured Saturday in a shootout between migrant groups in Serbia near the Hungarian border, the state-run RTS television reported.
The 16-year-old girl sustained life threatening injuries in the incident that occurred in a forest in the outskirts of Subotica, some 160 kilometres (100 miles) north of Belgrade, where the injured where hospitalised, RTS reported.
Police, who made no immediate comment, blocked access to the forest where the incident took place, only around a kilometre from the Hungarian border.
Interior Minister Aleksandar Vulin rushed to the scene.
The injured, aged between 20 and 30, have no documents, Subotica mayor Stevan Bakic told local media. Read more
NY gun licenses to require social media checks, character references, safety course (TimesOfIsrael)
New York lawmakers approved a sweeping overhaul Friday of the state’s handgun licensing rules, seeking to preserve some limits on firearms after the Supreme Court ruled that most people have a right to carry a handgun for personal protection.
The measure, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul after passing both chambers by wide margins, is almost sure to draw more legal challenges from gun rights advocates who say the state is still putting too many restrictions on who can get guns and where they can carry them.
Hochul, a Democrat, called the Democrat-controlled Legislature back to Albany to work on the law after last week’s high-court ruling overturning the state’s long standing licensing restrictions.
Backers said the law, which takes effect September 1, strikes the right balance between complying with the Supreme Court’s ruling and keeping weapons out of the hands of people likely to use them recklessly or with criminal intent. Read more
Serena’s conqueror Tan into Wimbledon fourth round (Guardian)
Harmony Tan, who knocked Serena Williams out of Wimbledon, demolished British wild card Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-1 on Saturday in just 51 minutes to reach the fourth round.
The 24-year-old French player broke Boulter five times in a dominant display to disappoint the crowd on Court Two.
Tan was in charge from the start, racing into a 3-0 lead, and she never relinquished her grip, showing impressive consistency to grind down her opponent.
“I don’t believe it yet — if I sleep a little bit, tomorrow maybe I will believe it, but it’s amazing,” said Tan, ranked 115th in the world. Read more
Amanda Anisimova ousts Coco Gauff in 3rd round at Wimbledon (ESPN)
American teenager Coco Gauff is out of Wimbledon in the third round after a 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-1 loss Saturday to Amanda Anisimova on Centre Court.
The 18-year-old Gauff was the French Open runner-up and was seeded 11th at the All England Club.
The 20th-seeded Anisimova has now reached the fourth round in three straight Grand Slam tournaments.
“It was my first time playing on Centre Court,” Anisimova said. “It’s the most special day of my career.” Read more
How NFF president saved me from disability, spent N7.6m on my knee injury – Esin (Punch)
Former Super Eagles midfielder Etim Esin says he was told by a surgeon who operated on his knee ligament injury that he wouldn’t have been able to walk again if he had delayed surgery by two months, Saturday PUNCH reports.
Esin, who was hospitalised for two weeks, was discharged from The Well Plus Medicals Hospital, Lekki, Lagos on Friday after undergoing a successful surgery and treatment, courtesy of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.
Pinnick heeded to the call of the former player, who reached out to him three weeks ago after he suffered a relapse of the recurring right knee injury he sustained during his active days as a footballer.
The NFF president spent a total of N7,576,950 for the medical bills of Esin, Saturday PUNCH learnt. Read more
Andy Goram: Rangers lead tributes to Scottish football great after death from cancer aged 58 (Standard)
Tributes have been paid to Andy Goram following the former goalkeeper’s death.
Rangers announced on Saturday (July 2) that the Ibrox legend had passed away aged 58 following a short battle against oesophageal cancer, having announced in May that he had only been given six months to live and turned down the option of chemotherapy as it would only extend his life by a matter of months.
Goram also earned 43 senior international caps for Scotland during a lengthy football career that spanned 23 years and also took in spells at Manchester United, Coventry, Sheffield United, Motherwell and Notts County, among other clubs.
Goram started out at Oldham, later returning to the club for a second stint, and spent four years at Hibernian before joining Rangers in 1991. Read more
Everton complete James Tarkowski transfer as Frank Lampard lands first summer signing (Mirror)
Everton have completed their first signing of the summer having secured the arrival of James Tarkowski.
The England defender was a free agent having seen his Burnley contract expire at the end of last season. Speculation linked him with a move to Goodison Park – with current boss Frank Lampard keen to bolster his defence – and the ex-Chelsea man has finally got his man.
Tarkwoski, 29, has penned a four-year contract on Merseyside and has claimed the number 2 shirt previously held by Jonjoe Kenny. He becomes the first arrival at the club this summer, with the Toffees finally kicking off their summer business following the sale of Brazilian forward Richarlison to Tottenham.
After his switch to Everton was confirmed, Tarksowski expressed his delight at signing for the club and signalled his ambition to be a success. Speaking to the Toffees’ official website, he said: “I’m excited to have joined Everton. It’s a massive club. I’m really looking forward to the years ahead and I’m thankful for the opportunity that I’ve been given. Read more
British GP: Carlos Sainz snatches first F1 pole from Max Verstappen in epic wet qualifying (Sky)
Carlos Sainz claimed his first Formula 1 pole position after snatching the fastest time off Max Verstappen in a thrilling wet British GP qualifying.
With heavy rain falling at Silverstone, Verstappen had dominated the shootout and appeared to have Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton as his closest challengers – before Sainz found pace with his all-important last lap.
“No way! I didn’t expect that one!” said Sainz, who was 0.072s faster than Verstappen to seal his first pole on his 151st attempt.
Sainz also overhauled his Ferrari team-mate, with Leclerc spinning on his final attempt and finishing three-tenths off in third, ahead of Sergio Perez. Read more
Australian boxer Jai Opetaia overcomes broken jaw to become world champion (WestAustralian)
Australian boxing has a new world champion.
Jai Opetaia has pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the man previously considered the world’s best cruiserweight, Mairis Briedis, to become the IBF and Ring Magazine champion. The feat was achieved despite Opetaia suffering a broken jaw in the second round.
Opetaia has etched himself into sporting folklore with a unanimous decision when the judges scored it in his favour 116-112, 115-113 and 116. It is the heaviest weight division in which an Australian has been crowned a world champion.
Fittingly, the result was secured five years to the day that Brisbane teacher Jeff Horn produced a stunning boilover of his own against hall-of-famer Manny Pacquiao. This was an even bigger shock and Opetaia will now be revered in the same way as Rabbitohs legends John Sattler and Sam Burgess, who also battled through seemingly debilitating facial injuries en route to glory. Read more