Several injured as 3-Storey building collapses in Lagos (Guardian)
A three-storey building has collapsed at K Farm area of Obawole Estate area of Iju, Lagos, leaving people injured Thursday afternoon. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the collapse. No death was recorded in the collapse. Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the newly appointed General Manager of LASEMA, said, “This is just to inform you that a three-story building collapsed at K Farm, Obawole, Off Iju Road. Read more
Lagos invites Femi Falana to testify against Evans (Nation)
The Lagos State Government Thursday filed an application seeking to present Mr. (SAN) as a witness in its trial of the suspected billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike alias Evans at an Igbosere High Court, Lagos. Prosecution counsel Mr Y. G Oshoala told Justice Adedayo Akintoye that Evans made a claim concerning Falana while testifying in a trial within trial which required clarification by the lawyer-activist. A trial -within-trial is a mini trial conducted to find out, among others, if a defendant in a criminal matter made his confessional statement voluntarily or otherwise. Read more
We need one day to prove our petition against Buhari’s election – PDM, presidential candidate (Punch)
The Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on Tuesday closed the pre-hearing session in respect of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Movement and its presidential candidate in the February 23, 2019, election, Pastor Haminchi Habu, to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the poll. The five-man tribunal led by Justice Mohammed Garba adjourned till July 10 for “the presentation of the pre-hearing report” on how to proceed with the substantive hearing, when parties would start calling witnesses. Read more
Group hails Obaseki for outsmarting Oshiomhole (Nation)
The Edo APC Coalition for Progress has hailed Governor Godwin Obaseki for outsmarting Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly. It said the current Edo APC political quagmire was meant to saddle Governor Obaseki with an Assembly that would act as a clog to the wheel of progress in the state. The group said Obaseki however ensured the right persons who could deliver on democracy dividends got leadership position to avoid what happened to President Muhammadu Buhari between 2015 and 2019. Read more
Bayelsa has progressed under Dickson, says Jonathan (Nation)
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday commended the developmental strides of Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, saying the state had progressed under his administration. Jonathan, who spoke during the inauguration of the state Peoples Democratic Party Elders Advisory Council in Government House, Yenagoa, insisted the state had taken shape under Dickson. A statement by Dickson’s Special Adviser on Media Relations Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, said the former President praised the governor for building a befitting edifice as office complex and official residence for the governor and his deputy. Read more
How we are keeping youths away from drug abuse, by Obaseki (Nation)
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration is investing in sports, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition as measures to keep youths in the state away from drug abuse, cultism, kidnapping and other social vices. The governor disclosed this at the 2019 Commemoration of the United Nations International Day against Drugs Abuse and Illicit Trafficking organised by Edo State Drug Control Committee in Benin City. Read more
Nigeria to establish fish processing company, train 2,500 youths (Guardian)
The National Development Program for the establishment of industrial fishing and associated seafood production in Nigeria is set to take off through a joint venture with a group of local and international partners. A delegation of the Federal Government is set to depart for Greece and Costa Rica on a facility inspection as part of the implementation of the project. The project is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 27th November 2017 to establish an industrial fishing and processing company in a joint venture of a consortium of Greek and Nigerian Partners through the Presidential Amnesty Program. Read more
Man in court for allegedly assaulting police officer in Osun (Punch)
A 34-year-old man, Fatai, on Thursday was arraigned in an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting a police officer. Fatai is facing three counts of assault, malicious damage and unlawful possession of cannabis sativa. He, however, pleaded not guilty. The Prosecutor, Sergeant Adewuyi Kolawole told the court that the accused committed the offences on June 25 at 9 p.m. Behind Stadium Omo-West, Osogbo. Read more
Harry and Meghan to visit southern Africa (BBC)
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have announced they will tour southern Africa in the autumn. Sharing the news on Instagram, Prince Harry and Meghan said it would be their “first official tour as a family”. The post said the couple were looking forward to raising awareness of the work local communities are doing “across the Commonwealth and beyond”. Read more
Sudan police fire tear gas as students protest near palace (Guardian)
Sudanese riot police Thursday fired tear gas at scores of students who rallied against the ruling generals near the presidential palace in downtown Khartoum, witnesses said. Protesters have been staging sporadic and scattered demonstrations in recent days in the capital ahead of mass rallies called by protest leaders on June 30 against the generals, who have seized power since the ouster of longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir on April 11. Read more
Russia denies role in Israeli airport GPS jamming (BBC)
Russia has denied Israeli suggestions that it is behind disruption of GPS signals at Israel’s Ben Gurion airport. Since early June, GPS signals at the airport have been unreliable for pilots and planes using the location. The missing navigational data has had a “significant impact” on airport operations, said Israel’s Airports Authority. Read more
Hungary court rejects extradition of Macedonian ex-PM (Guardian)
A Hungarian court rejected on Thursday Macedonia’s extradition request for former premier Nikola Gruevski, who is accused of misusing public funds including a conviction for providing himself with a luxury Mercedes automobile. “The conditions for extradition, having seen the international arrest warrant and Macedonia’s extradition request, have not been fulfilled,” judge Eva Varhgyi said following a short closed hearing in Budapest. Gruevski, 48, was allowed to walk freely from the courthouse, in a baseball cap and sunglasses. Read more
Estranged husband claims missing wife vanished to get ‘Gone Girl-style’ revenge (Metro)
The estranged husband of a missing woman suggested that she staged her own disappearance in a plot similar to Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel ‘Gone Girl.’ Jennifer Dulos, 50, vanished without a trace on May 24 after dropping her kids off at school in New Canaan, Connecticut. Her 51-year-old husband Fotis Dulos, and his girlfriend, Michelle Troconis, have been charged with evidence tampering and hindering prosecution – but Fotis’ lawyer is citing a novel Jennifer wrote in an attempt to explain her disappearance. Read more
Boeing 737 Max: New issue could delay aircraft’s return (BBC)
US regulators have uncovered a possible new flaw in Boeing’s troubled 737 Max aircraft that is likely to push back test flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it had identified the “potential risk” during simulator tests, but did not reveal details. Boeing’s top-selling aircraft was grounded in March after two crashes. The company is upgrading the aircraft’s flight control system, which is the focus of crash investigators. Read more
Female paedophile sent thousands of sexual messages to schoolgirl, 14 (Metro)
A female paedophile who used the username ‘Big Spoon’ has been convicted for sending a vulnerable teenage girl thousands of explicit messages online. Natalie Cummins, 45, contacted the girl, 14, on Snapchat and WhatsApp and even joked she was ‘just trying not to be a total paedo’. Cummins, of Boscastle, Cornwall, was found guilty after a trial at Truro Crown Court of sexual communication with a child for her own sexual gratification. Read more
Student Jordan Lindsey killed by three sharks in Bahamas (BBC)
A 21-year-old student has been killed by three sharks while on holiday in the Bahamas with her family. Jordan Lindsey was snorkelling at the time and reportedly couldn’t hear warnings from her parents while she was in the water. Jordan, from California, was taken to hospital but pronounced dead on 26 June, according to local police. Read more
Idris Elba says he’d be in a ‘difficult position’ as the first black actor to play James Bond (Metro)
Idris Elba might seem the perfect choice to play suave superspy James Bond, but the actor has reservations that the success of the film may be overshadowed by the colour of his skin. Speaking to Vanity Fair about the rumours that he could be the first black actor to take on the role, he revealed why he would feel the pressure if he were to be cast. Idris explained: ‘James Bond is a hugely coveted, iconic, beloved character, that takes audiences on this massive escapism journey. Read more
‘Shunning is not the answer’: Salah says Warda can change (Guardian)
Egypt star Mohamed Salah said exiled team-mate Amr Warda “shouldn’t be sent straight to the guillotine” after the forward was banished from the squad over mounting sexual harassment allegations. The 25-year-old Warda was excluded ahead of Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo after sexual harassment claims surfaced earlier this week on social media platforms. Multiple women posted screenshots and testimonies of Warda’s alleged lewd comments. Read more
Rapinoe ‘stands by’ White House boycott threat (Punch)
US women’s World Cup co-captain Megan Rapinoe confirmed on Thursday that she would not visit the White House despite criticism from President Donald Trump. “I stand by the comment I made about not going to the White House,” Rapinoe told reporters ahead of the World Cup quarter-final clash with France in Paris on Friday. Trump accused Rapinoe of “disrespect” on Wednesday after she swore she would not visit the White House. Read more
Women’s World Cup: Bring in male referees to help female officials, says former striker Smith (Punch)
World football governing body FIFA should bring in experienced male officials to help female referees adjust to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, says former England striker Sue Smith. Smith told Reuters on Thursday that it became necessary following a number of incidents at the women’s World Cup. With VAR being used for the first time in women’s football at the 24-team tournament in France, many games have had more than 10 minutes of stoppage time. Read more
Zidane orders Real to get Mane …insists on Pogba’s capture (Punch)
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is reportedly insisting that his club clinch the transfer of Liverpool forward Sadio Mane as he seeks to build an exciting new front line. The Spanish giants have already signed Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic this summer, and it seems Zidane remains keen on adding Mane to that list, according to Don Balon. Read more
Barcelona sign Brazilian ‘keeper Neto from Valencia (Guardian)
Brazilian goalkeeper Neto is on his way to Barcelona from Valencia in an exchange deal with Jasper Cillessen, Barca’s backup ‘keeper heading the other way, the Spanish champions said Thursday. Neto, 29, has signed a four-year deal at Camp Nou for 26 million Euros with nine million in add-ons and a 200 million release clause, Barcelona announced on their website. Dutchman Cillessen’s departure in the opposite direction was announced the previous day for a similar sum. He arrived at the Spanish giants in 2016 as understudy to Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Read more
Tennis: Serena headed to Wimbledon seeking return to form (Punch)
Serena Williams will bring her quest for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title to Wimbledon next week, where she will try to shake off a nagging knee injury and show the tennis world that her window of opportunity is still open. Williams has been stuck on 23 Grand Slam titles, one behind the all-time record held by Margaret Court for over two years and has shown little evidence of late that she will be able to snap that drought at the All England Club. “As long as she’s playing, she’s going to be a threat to win anything,” ESPN tennis analyst and former world number one John McEnroe told a conference call. Read more