Terrorists attack Borno police Station, 2 feared killed (Channels)
Suspected Boko Haram terrorists on Sunday attacked Jakana Police Station in the Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, killing a police driver and a woman.
The terrorists also set ablaze two patrol vehicles which belonged to the police and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force as well as a motorcycle, even as some arms and ammunition were carted away by the rampaging insurgents.
Located 35 km along the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, Jakana has been a pathway for the insurgents for years. Read more
CSO distances self from nationwide protest, gives reason (Tribune)
The Civil Society Coalition (CSO) Kano state chapter has distanced itself from a nationwide protest scheduled for August 1, 2024, citing ulterior motives behind the unknown sponsors.
The group believes the protest could cause untold hardship and mayhem in the country.
The group’s National President Alhaji Muhammad Musbahu Basirka stated this on Sunday. Read more
NDLEA intercepts Spain-bound cocaine concealed in businessman’s sandals (Leadership)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has recovered a consignment of cocaine hidden in the sandals of a businessman bound for Spain at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
This was disclosed in a press release dated Sunday, July 28, 2024, signed by NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Femi Babafemi.
The statement revealed that “a Spain-based businessman, 50-year-old Francis Akajiobi, was arrested by NDLEA operatives at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos, after parcels of cocaine weighing 1.20 kilograms were discovered in his sandals while attempting to board his Royal Air Maroc flight to Madrid, Spain.” Read more
Sanwo-Olu, minister to grace Jakande memorial lecture (Punch)
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and a former Ogun State governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, will grace the second Alhaji Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture on Tuesday in Lagos.
At the event, the Chairman, THISDAY/Arise Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, is expected to share with editors, media executives and other stakeholders, the survival strategies as Nigerian media grapple with a harsh economic environment.
With the theme “Rapidly Changing Media Landscape: Survival Strategies,” the lecture, which is slated for 10 am at Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja, Lagos, will be chaired by Idris; while Governor Sanwo-Olu will be the Special Guest of Honour. Read more
Frustrated politicians behind #EndBadGovernance protest – Abiodun (DailyTrust)
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Sunday, said “frustrated politicians” are behind #EndBadGovernance protest which is currently gaining traction nationwide.
He asked youths to shun the planned protest and engage the government constructively with a view to finding solutions to the economic hardship in the land.
Abiodun spoke during the postgraduate convocation ceremonies of Babcock University, Ilishan, Ikenne Local Government Area. Read more
UNIBEN: Group warns against tribal sentiments in selection of Vice Chancellor (ThisDay)
A group, Edo Unity League worldwide (EUL), yesterday said it would resist any attempt by any group, persons or individuals to tribalise the appointment of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin.
The Coordinator General of the group, Mr. Marvis Okharedia, gave the warning in a statement entitled ‘UNIBEN Vice Chancellorship: Stop Dropping Benin National Congress Name or Ethnic Sentiments in Your Pursuits, Edo Unity League Caution Some Benin professors in the race to replace the outgoing VC, and made available to journalists in Benin-City.
It would be recalled that tenure of the present Vice Chancellor of University of Benin, Prof Lilian Imuetinya Salami, would elapse on December 2, 2024 and the jostle by various groups in the university to throw up a replacement. Read more
Hunger: Nationwide protest, untimely at this time – NNPP (Independent)
The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) has spoken against embarking on any nationwide protest as canvassed by the youth of the country over escalating hardship in Nigeria, saying the call for such is quite ill-timed at a time such could threaten the fragile peace and stability in the country.
Dr. Agbo Major, the National Chairman of the party, while in a chat with our correspondent on the impending protest which is scheduled to commence on August 1 nationwide, said while the party is fully in support of protest as part of democratic provisions, it would be wrong to call for one at this time given the situation in the country and also as a result of several factors.
Dr Major said the party’s position is that the protest is untimely at this time and should not happen at all. Read more
Abuja politicians behind banditry, killings in Benue —Alia (Vanguard)
Makurdi: Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has accused those he described as Abuja politicians of being behind the armed banditry and killings in the Sankera axis of the state comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, of the state.
The Governor, who made the allegation Sunday after attending a thanksgiving service organised at the Chapel of Grace, Government House Makurdi, lamented that the bandits were homegrown and had taken up arms to kill their own.
The Governor was reacting to recent attacks in Sankera which initially claimed six lives in Ukum LGA and triggered a violent protest and another cold-blooded murder of 18 in Katsina-Ala LGA as well as the viral video of bandits threatening to kill more in that axis and the move by his government to end the bloodletting. Read more
Celine Dion’s salary for her one song at the Olympics Is causing more confusion than clarity (TheThings)
What a road it has been for Celine Dion. She went from looking fragile, while showing fans her darkest moments in her documentary, to performing on the biggest stage at the Olympic Games. It has been a roller coaster of emotions for Dion, who continues to push forward at this point in her career. Truly motivating for anyone looking from afar.
Her recent performance at the Olympics did stir up conversation, which was initiated by TMZ. The media outlet reported on her extreme pay for one song. On the flip side, Olympic committee members completely shot the number down, calling it false news. Let’s take a look at what both sides are saying, and how Celine Dion felt about the performance. Read more
Sinead O’Connor‘s official cause of death has been revealed one year after her passing (Deadline)
The death certificate specifically noted that O’Connor’s passing was a result of “exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma together with low grade lower respiratory tract infection,” the publication said.
The certificate was reportedly registered by the late Grammy winner’s husband, John Reynolds, in London on Wednesday (July 24).
O’Connor died at 56 in her London home on July 26, 2023, where authorities said she was found “unresponsive.” The next day the police announced that they were not treating her passing as suspicious and had handed the investigation over to the coroner’s office to determine the cause of death. Read more
Gwyneth Paltrow reacts to Iron Man’ Co-Star Robert Downey Jr.’s shocking Marvel return as Doctor Doom (Variety)
Robert Downey Jr. is officially returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he won’t be playing Iron Man again. Instead, the Oscar-winning actor is bringing to life the iconic Marvel villain Doctor Doom in a new “Avengers” movie titled “Avengers: Doomsday,” which will lead directly into “Avengers: Secret Wars.” Both movies will be helmed by the Russo Brothers, who directed Downey as Iron in Marvel’s blockbusters Captain America: Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
Whether or not Downey is a variant of Tony Stark who became Doctor Doom in the MCU’s multiverse (which appears likely) or the real Victor von Doom from the comics remains to be seen, but one person who seems surprised by the actor’s Marvel return is his co-star Gwyneth Paltrow. Read more
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ smashes R-rated record with $205m North American debut (VOA)
Marvel is back on top with Deadpool & Wolverine. The comic-book movie made a staggering $205 million in its first weekend in North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. It shattered the opening record for R-rated films previously held by the first Deadpool ($132 million) and notched a spot in the top 10 openings of all time.
Including international showings, where it’s racked up an additional $233.3 million from 52 markets, “Deadpool & Wolverine is looking at a global opening of over $438.3 million.
Fittingly for both characters’ introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool & Wolverine played less like earlier X-Men or Deadpool movies and more like an Avengers pic. In the top domestic opening weekends ever, Deadpool & Wolverine is seated in 8th place between The Avengers ($207.4 million) and “Black Panther” ($202 million), bumping “Avengers: Age of Ultron” ($191.3 million) out of the top 10. Read more
‘Married At First Sight’ expert Mel Schilling “missing” from set as filming commences on 2025 series (DailyMail)
Cameras started rolling on Married At First Sight’s 2025 season earlier this month, but one familiar face was conspicuously absent.
Expert Mel Schilling was nowhere to be seen, sparking speculation about the reasons behind her absence.
Some fans wondered if the beloved expert was stepping down to focus on her health after she was notably missing from the hen’s party. Read more
Johnny Depp pays tribute to ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’ co-star killed by shark (OK!)
Johnny Depp has sent “love” to the family of his Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides co-star Tamayo Perry, an Hawaiian actor who died following a shark attack.
The American actor, 61, has played the conniving Captain Jack Sparrow in the pirate franchise since its first film in 2003.
Perry died in June, after surfing at Malaekahana Beach on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, and was survived by his wife, Emilia. Read more
Venezuelans await results in tense presidential vote (National)
Venezuelans were awaiting results late on Sunday in the most consequential election in a quarter-century of socialist party rule, with President Nicolas Maduro confident of victory even as the opposition has attracted impassioned support and warned of possible irregularities.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been the star of the coalition campaign, despite a ban on her holding public office that forced her to pass the torch to candidate Edmundo Gonzalez, a 74-year-old ex-diplomat known for his calm demeanour.
Mr Gonzalez has won backing even from some former supporters of the ruling party, but the opposition and observers raised questions ahead of the vote as to whether it would be fair, saying decisions by electoral authorities and the arrests of opposition staff were meant to create obstacles. Read more
Falcons falter against world champions (Punch)
The Super Falcons lost 1-0 to world champions Spain in their second Group C match of the 2024 Olympics Women’s Football Tournament at Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau, Nantes, on Sunday, leaving the African giants on the brink of elimination, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Coach Randy Waldrum made two changes to the Super Falcons team that started the 1-0 defeat against Brazil, bringing in Bay FC forward Asisat Oshoala for Veronica Ihezuo, while Esther Okoronkwo was preferred to new PSG signing Jennifer Echegini.
The Super Falcons’ strategy was clear, and Spain started the game on the front foot, but as much as they controlled possession, the Falcons kept their coordination at the back, with all players dropping behind the ball when out of possession. Read more
Australia come from behind in epic 6-5 win at 2024 Paris Olympics as Zambia’s Banda sets hat trick record (CBS)
Australia picked up one of the most dramatic wins in the history of the women’s soccer tournament at the Olympics, beating Zambia 6-5 in Nice, France on Sunday.
Zambia got off to a quick start as Barbra Banda scored within the first minute, but Alanna Kennedy scored just six minutes later to level the score. From there, Zambia began to take charge of the game as Rachel Kundananji and Banda scored to give their side a 3-1 lead by the 33rd minute. Australia then began to chase as Hayley Raso scored in the 35th minute, but Banda completed her hat trick in the second minute of first-half stoppage time to give Zambia a 4-2 lead at the break. Read more
Raphael Varane’s first words as a Como player speak volumes after Man Utd exit (Mirror)
Former Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has hailed Como’s “project” after joining the newly-promoted Serie A club.
World Cup winning centre-back Varane left Old Trafford earlier in the summer, with United opting against triggering an extension in his contract. He played under multiple managers after joining the club in 2021, with a fair amount of upheaval around the club during that period, but he’ll be hoping for more consistency in his new surroundings.
The 31-year-old has been biding his time since his deal in England expired. After nearly a month, though, he has been confirmed as Como’s newest signing, agreeing a two-year contract with an option for a third. Read more
George Russell disqualified after winning Belgian Grand Prix (Independent)
George Russell has been disqualified from Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix in a shock turn of events after his sensational victory – with Lewis Hamilton consequently claiming the win.
In an initial post-race check, Russell’s Mercedes car was found to be 1.5 kg under the weight permitted in the regulations following the obligatory drainage of fuel.
The matter was referred to the FIA stewards, who confirmed that Russell has been disqualified from the race classification at Spa-Francorchamps. Read more
Team GB defeat Ireland in Women’s Rugby Sevens opener (BelfastTelegraph)
Ireland’s double try-scorer Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe believes they can overcome the setback of losing their opening pool game in their effort to make the quarter-finals of the women’s rugby sevens competition at the Paris Olympics.
Two tries from Murphy Crowe weren’t enough as the Olympic debutants were beaten 21-12 by Great Britain in their pool B opener at the Stade de France this afternoon.
Ireland have a quick turnaround as they face South Africa at 6.0pm Irish time this evening in their second pool game and tomorrow they play 2024 Sevens Grand Final winners Australia. Read more
Simone Biles hurts her leg in Olympic gymnastics qualifying but finishes 1st anyway (NPR)
On her first day of competition at the 2024 Olympic Games, the gymnast Simone Biles appeared to hurt her leg during a warm-up routine — an injury that caused concerns but ultimately did not keep her from completing her routines and finishing in first place.
After the competition, Biles’s coach, Cecile Landi, downplayed the significance of the injury. “She felt a little something in her calf,” Landi said.
Despite the injury, Biles posted high scores, including a competition-high 15.8 on the vault. Joined by strong performances from her teammates, it was enough to secure a spot for the U.S. women’s gymnastics team in the team all-around final on Tuesday, in which the U.S. is a favorite to win gold. The individual all-around final is set for Thursday. Read more