Security operatives rescue abducted 13 Abuja-bound passengers in Ondo (Guardian)
Joint security operatives have rescued 13 Abuja-bound passengers abducted by gunmen on transit through Isua, the headquarters of Akoko South-East Local Council of Ondo State.
The victims were in an 18-seater bus en route Abuja from Lagos when the criminals intercepted the vehicle and forcibly took them into the bush on Tuesday evening.
It was gathered that the security agencies, which included the men from Amotekun Corps, police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as soldiers, on getting the information immediately swung into action and combed the forest where the victims were rescued. Read more
10th NASS leadership: Uncertainty over presiding officers (Vanguard)
Ahead of the June 13 inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, the fate of those aspiring to become presiding officers seems hanging in the balance as President Bola Tinubu is yet to make a formal pronouncement on it.
Vanguard was reliably informed that though the president met with lawmakers-elect at Aso Rock Villa Wednesday night, some of the contenders, including former governors of Zamfara and Abia states, Abdulaziz Yari and Orji Kalu, among others, were absent at the meeting.
A source privy to the meeting, also disclosed that some northern leaders are insisting that the north produced both Senate President and speaker of the House of Representatives. Read more
Obi, LP seek Court’s order to question INEC on credibility of ICT devices (Sun)
The Labour Party (LP) and its Presidential candidate has sought an order of the PEPC to interrogate INEC experts on the information and communication technology ICT) used for the conduct of the election.
The petitioner’s who filed two separate motions that were argued by their counsel, sought to know from the interrogatories, the quality of the ICT experts deployed in the use of technology for the conduct of the disputed election.
They equally asked the Court to compel INEC to supply them with names and profile of ICT personnel that handled the technological aspects of the election. Read more
Lagos Bible College graduates 114 (Punch)
No fewer than 114 students who went through the Lagos Anglican Dioceses Bible College have been awarded diplomas and certificates in Bible Studies upon the completion of their programmes.
The 24th graduation was held on Thursday at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.
While congratulating the graduates, the Bishop of Lagos West and Chairman, Archbishop Abiodun Olatidoye Foundation, Reverend James Odedeji, charged them to go out and be fruitful. Read more
LASU CESAR holds research workshop on harnessing potential of Sargassum (Independent)
In the aftermath of the emergence of the Centre as the overall winner of the Tertiary Institutions Category of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Expo, Abuja 2023, the Centre of Excellence for Sargassum Research (CESAR) held a research workshop on Sargassum-themed Harnessing Sargassum For Entrepreneurship Development In Coastal Fishing Community on Wednesday, 7th June 2023 at Pavemgo Grasscutter and Pig Farm, Badagry, Lagos.
The centre leader (CESAR), Distinguished Prof. Martins Anetekhai, in his opening remarks, appreciated the team members, partners, and other farmers for their support and cooperation.
Also, he used the opportunity to interact with the partners and farmers at their farm for the first time, which he promised would be a continuous engagement. Speaking further, he said, one of the aims of the workshop was to enrich the Centre’s handbook which would be published very soon and to also introduce to the partners on how to apply for start-up grants to the tune of five (5) million naira to adequately equip and improve them in their farming activities. Read more
Wike, 4 other PDP Integrity Group members visit Tinubu (ThisDay)
The members of the G-5 Integrity Group of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Other members of the group who arrived at the seat of government at about 4.21pm are former Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia).
Wike is visiting the State House the third time in one week while the other four G-5 members held their first meeting with President Tinubu since his inauguration on May 29. Read more
Catholic Church mourns, recounts killing of Rev Father in Benin (Vanguard)
The Catholic Archbishop of Benin Diocese has mourned the killing of a Reverend Father, identified as Charles Igechi, under the Benin Archdiocese, who was shot dead by gunmen in Benin City, Edo State.
The incident happened on Wednesday on Agbor Road at Bypass area in Ikhueniro axis of Benin City, on his way to his place of assignment.
Archbishop Akubeze, said the matter had been reported to the police and expressed hope that justice would be served on the perpetrators of the darsterly act. Read more
Boy killed after stealing from demolished Kano structures (DailyTrust)
A boy has been reported killed by a truck and many others injured during the demolition of structures at the Eid-Ground in Kano metropolis.
City & Crime gathered that the incident happened when thugs invaded the place to loot from the debris of the demolished structures.
Witnesses said the boy was taking iron rods and doors from the place when a vehicle knocked him to death.
A witness said, “We were standing here when the boy and others came out with roofing sheets, iron rods and doors. We didn’t know who was pursuing them. There were many but he was unlucky as a trailer ran over him and he died instantly.” Read more
Milkshake singer Kelis, 43, “dating” Hollywood legend Bill Murray, 72 (OK!)
Milkshake singer Kelis, 43, and Hollywood legend Bill Murray, 72, are reportedly dating. The Ghostbusters star and the singer, who have an almost 30 year age gap, are said to be enjoying a whirlwind romance.
It’s reported that the unlikely pair met in the US and have been “getting close for a while”. Kelis performed at the Mighty Hoopla festival in Brockwell Park, South London on Saturday, with Bill reportedly spotted enjoying the concert. The pair also posed for a backstage snap.
A source told The Sun: “They’ve met up in the States before which got people in the industry talking, and now are meeting up in London while they’re both here. They’ve clearly hit it off.” Read more
“Fantastic Four”: Krasinski, Blunt and Efron suit up in jaw-dropping “first look” trailer (Bamsmackpow)
by Michael Patterson2h ago
John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Zac Efron and Vin Diesel are amazing as the Fantastic Four in this awesome video, and Marvel fans are absolutely stunned by it.
The upcoming Fantastic Four movie is easily one of the most highly-anticipated Marvel Studios offerings on the horizon. It will premiere in movie theaters in early 2025, but it has actually been a big talking point of the comic book film world for nearly three years now.
The film will be the fourth cinematic attempt to give the title group of heroes their own movie series, but the all-important factor that sets this one apart will be the fact that it takes place within the Marvel Cinematic Universe – a franchise that almost always gets it right when adapting Marvel Comics characters. Read more
Pink says she and husband Carey Hart are having marriage counselling (DailyMail)
Pink made a heartbreakingly honest declaration to her fans as she kicked off the UK leg of her Summer Carnival World Tour in Bolton on Wednesday.
The singer, 43, told the packed University of Bolton Stadium she and her husband, US Motocross veteran Carey Hart, 47, who she has been married to for 17 years, had been having marriage counselling as she got candid about her relationship.
She told fans: ‘This is what they teach in marriage counselling: Remorse, regret, resolution.’ Read more
Hayden Christensen ‘‘reluctant’’ to have his daughter see him as Darth Vader (Standard)
Hayden Christensen says he is “reluctant” for his eight-year-old daughter to see him onscreen as the villainous Darth Vader in the Star Wars franchise.
The Canadian actor, 42, said he had been “dragging his feet” by introducing his daughter to the character, who often appears in “disturbing scenes”.
Christensen first appeared in 2002’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack Of The Clones as young jedi Anakin Skywalker, who goes on to become the sci-fi supervillain. Read more
Noreen Nash Dies: Actress in The Big Fix And The Red Stallion was 99 (Deadline)
Noreen Nash, an actress who starred in the films The Bix Fix and The Red Stallion and had a small role in James Dean’s classic Giant, has died. She was 99.
The Neptune Society confirmed her June 6 death in Sherman Oaks but gave no other details.
Nash received a screen test after being crowned Apple Blossom Queen in her hometown of Wenatchee, Washington while she was still in high school. She began acting in the mid-1940s in several small, uncredited roles. Read more
Captured Russian Colonel claims Wagner “tortured” and “raped” his soldiers (Newsweek)
A Russian army lieutenant colonel, who was recently captured and held briefly by members of Wagner Group before being released to “Russian law enforcement,” accused Yevgeny Prigozhin’s forces of undermining the interests of the Russian military and “enslaving” his fellow soldiers.
The video address follows another clip featuring Lieutenant Colonel Roman Venevitin, released by Wagner’s social media channels this week, in which he appeared to admit “mining” Wagner’s escape routes and ordering to fire on their positions “while under the influence of alcohol.”
It marks another point of escalation in what is now an all-out conflict between the Wagner mercenaries and the Russian military leadership, signaling Prigozhin’s “growing” political ambitions as the 15-plus-month war in Ukraine continues. Read more
Donald Trump says he’s been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents (Mirror)
Donald Trump says he’s been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents at his Florida estate.
Trump is currently in Bedminster, New Jersey and made the announcement on his Truth Social platform.
A person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to discuss it publicly said Trump’s lawyers were contacted by prosecutors shortly before he announced he had been indicted. Read more
Scottish giants close in on Dessers (Punch)
Nigeria international Cyriel Dessers could be heading to Glasgow Rangers as reports indicated that the Gers are closing in on the striker, who has been identified as a replacement for Alfredo Morelos.
Teamtalk Thursday reported that Rangers were ‘well advanced’ in their chase for the Cremonese forward.
The Ibrox giants lost the prolific Morelos on free over the summer but have been doing their best to give Michael Beale a new frontman ahead of the new season. Read more
Flying Eagles arrive Nigeria after quarter-final exit at 2023 U-20 World Cup (Guardian)
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles arrived Abuja on Thursday afternoon June 8 after crashing out in the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.
The team’s arrival was announced on the Nigeria Football Federation’s Twitter handle.
The players, coaching crew and officials touched down at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport via Ethiopian Airlines. Read more
West Ham fans ecstatic as squad hosts victory parade to celebrate Europa Conference League win (Sky)
Thousands of West Ham United fans lined the streets of east London for a victory parade after the squad lifted their first major trophy in more than 40 years.
A bus carrying the Hammers emblazoned with the sign “Winners” struggled to make its way through the sea of delighted supporters celebrating their team’s 2-1 win against Fiorentina in Prague on Wednesday night.
Players travelling on the open-top double-decker bus let off claret and blue flares amid the deafening sound of cheering crowds on the ground. Read more
Italy win at Under-20 World Cup sets up final with Uruguay (ESPN)
Italy will face Uruguay in the final of the 2023 Under-20 World Cup on Sunday after both teams won their semifinal matchups on Thursday in Buenos Aires.
Both matches took place at Unico Diego Armando Maradona Stadium at La Plata, which will also host the final and third-place game.
Uruguay beat surprise last-four side Israel 1-0 earlier in the day before Simone Pafundi scored a spectacular free kick to hand Italy a late 2-1 win over South Korea and a first appearance in the U20 title game. Read more
Muchova shocks Sabalenka to set up French Open final against Swiatek (IrishTimes)
Iga Swiatek will attempt to win her third French Open title in four years when the Pole faces Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in Saturday’s final. On Thursday, a dramatic women’s semi-final day at Roland Garros ended with the unseeded Muchova upsetting Aryna Sabalenka, the second seed, scuppering hopes of a rematch between the top two players.
In the first women’s semi-final, Muchova recovered from a 2-5, 30-40 deficit on her serve, winning the final five games of a spectacular battle to reach her first grand slam final with a 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 7-5 win over Sabalenka.
Swiatek, the top seed, then moved past Beatriz Haddad Maia, the 14th seed, 6-2 7-6 (7), saving a set point in an intense two-setter to reach her third French Open final. Read more
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods step up new golf competition with Serena Williams’ help (Express)
Tennis legend Serena Williams has announced she will be part of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s new tech-infused golf league, TGL. The Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC) has been named as the league’s inaugural team, marking a major step forwards for the venture, which is set to launch in January 2024.
LAGC, which is owned by Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Serena’s husband Alexis Ohanian, is the first team to have been announced. TGL, created in partnership with the PGA Tour, was created by Woods and McIlroy’s TMRW Sports venture in August, 2022.
In a post on Serena’s Twitter account, she said: “Thrilled to announce @wearelagc — @tgl’s inaugural team! An important part of Los Angeles Golf Club is making golf our own, for everybody, and I couldn’t be more excited to shape the future of this sport with my family @alexisohanian @OlympiaOhanian @Venuseswilliams.” Read more