Tinubu suspends telephone tax, defers Finance Act, Customs Tariff (Vanguard)
In a bid to curb multiple taxation complained about by a cross section of Nigeria and the business class, President Bola Tinubu has signed four Executive Orders which includes the suspension of the five percent Excise Tax on telecommunication services as well as the excise duties escalation on locally manufactured products.
Some of the suspended taxes were issued through Executive Order by former President Muhammadu Buhari at the twilight of his administration.
The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents on Thursday at the Presidential Villa Abuja. Read more
5 killed, many injured as rival cult groups clash in Lagos (Sun)
There was pandemonium Wednesday night as five persons were shot dead while many others were injured during a clash among three rival cult groups in Bariga, Lagos .
The cult groups were planning to mark their annual celebration 7/ 7 and one victim is presently in critical condition in the hospital.
However, the police said that only three persons were killed during the cult war. Read more
Lagos bizman circulating ex-lovers’ nudes gives conditions to surrender (Punch)
A Lagos-based businessman, Amarah Kennedy, who went into hiding after circulating the nude photos of two single mothers whom he previously had relationships with, has said he will meet the police after PUNCH Newspapers stops reporting the matter.
The 44-year-old also noted that he was ready to make peace with his victims but needed assurance that the police would stay out of the case.
Kennedy, who hails from the Umunze community in Anambra State, stated these in WhatsApp chats with our correspondent on Wednesday. Read more
Abba Kyari granted bail after 18 months in prison (DailyTrust)
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
Kyari, who has been in detention since his arrest in 2022, was granted bail on Thursday.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) had declared the former super cop wanted over his alleged involvement in a 25kg cocaine deal. Read more
IGP Egbetokun disbands Edo police team for running over civilian (Guardian)
The Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has disbanded the team of seven officers who ran over a civilian, Success Ehimare, with their car in Edo State.
An eyewitness early this month captured a disturbing video of police officers running over Ehimare for about 15 seconds.
Police spokesman CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, announced the disciplinary action by the IGP. Read more
Troops kill 2 Boko Haram/ISWAP commanders in Borno, Katsina (Nation)
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said troops have killed 49 Boko Haram/ Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including two commanders, during several ground and air attacks in the North East, North West and North Central zones, in the past three weeks.
The military high command also said troops captured 11 terrorists, arrested 39 collaborators/suppliers, and 82 other criminals, while 967 terrorists, comprising 82 males, 354 adult females and 531 children surrendered to troops at different locations in the frontlines.
Acting Director Defence Media Operations, Brig.-Gen. Abdullahi Haruna Ibrahim, said these in Abuja on Thursday during a briefing at the Defence Headquarters. Read more
NASS principal officers: APC NWC members fault Adamu (Tribune)
The outburst of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, against the emergence of Principal Officers of the National Assembly did not enjoy support of members of his National Working Committee, Nigerian Tribune gathered.
Senator Adamu in his opening remarks at a session with the APC Governors on Tuesday openly expressed disapproval of the announcement of principal officers of both chambers of Parliament, saying that the party national secretariat was not carried along.
A national officer of the party who spoke with Nigerian Tribune in confidence accused the APC national chairman of acting in bad faith as he revealed that the APC national chairman was privy to the list. Read more
Customs record feat of vehicle clearance (Guardian)
Customs Area Controller of Port Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Saidu Abba Yusuf, on Thursday, led the command to a record-breaking feat of vehicle clearance within three hours from customs control.
The service noted that N100,981,098,501.31 was collected as total revenue from January to June 2023.
Public Relation Officer of PTML Command, Lagos, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Muhammad Yakubu, in a statement, described the timely clearance of imported vehicles through PTML as a product of holistic compliance involving NCS officers and all port users, urged operatives of the command to sustain and improve upon the tempo of achievement. Read more
Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov held captive in Iraq since March (BBC)
An Israeli-Russian researcher who went missing in Iraq in March is being held captive by a Shia militia, says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a PhD student at Princeton University in the United States, was conducting research in Baghdad when she was kidnapped.
“We hold Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being,” Mr Netanyahu’s office said. Ms Tsurkov is being held by Kataib Hezbollah, according to Israel. Read more
Original Journey guitarist George Tickner has died (RTE)
Former Journey rhythm guitarist and co-writer George Tickner has died at 76.
His former bandmate Neal Schon announced the news on Facebook, writing: “Journey Junkies, I have some very sad news. George Tickner, Journey’s original rhythm guitarist and songwriting contributor on their first three albums, has passed away. He was 76 years old.”
He continued, “Rest peacefully, Dr. George Tickner. You will be missed immensely. Thank you for your incomparable contribution to Journey’s early years. Read more
TikTok launches new music streaming platform (FarOut)
Social media giant TikTok has launched a new music streaming platform, TikTok Music, which has been released in Indonesia and Brazil. The service is ad-free and by paid subscription only, with no free version currently available.
Available on mobile and desktop, TikTok Music has already acquired a large music library, including the catalogues of Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group and Sony Music.
The app will allow existing TikTok users to sync their accounts with the new app, allowing them to stream full versions of songs they discover on TikTok. It also features a comments section, collaborative playlists, and the option to transfer playlists from other streaming platforms. Read more
‘‘Bob Marley: One Love’’ Trailer: Kingsley Ben-Adir stars as reggae legend in biopic from King Richard director (Variety)
Don’t worry about a thing: Paramount has released the first trailer for “Bob Marley: One Love,” the biopic starring Kingsley Ben-Adir set to highlight the life and legacy of the late reggae icon.
Audiences catch a first glimpse at the varying stages of Marley’s life throughout the trailer, leading back to his beginnings in Jamaica all the way to his rise to global fame. Glimpses of Marley performing on stage to the singer relaxing with his family paint a picture of his life. The trailer, too, sets the scene for Marley’s assassination attempt, which he survived. By the end, viewers are left with a parting phrase: “One love, one heart, one destiny.”
Ben-Adir stars as Marley alongside Lashana Lynch, who plays his wife Rita Marley. King Richard director Reinaldo Marcus Green helmed the biopic, while Zach Baylin, Frank E. Flowers and Terence Winter wrote the screenplay. Notably, Marley’s son Ziggy Marley joins the project as a producer. He first showcased a sneak peek at “Bob Marley: One Love” at this year’s CinemaCon. Read more
Patrick Wilson talks final “Insidious,” “Aquaman 2” and his “ridiculous” rock-star moment (USAToday)
Patrick Wilson wanted a crack at making the Field of Dreams of horror movies.
After starring in the 2010 cult hit Insidious and its 2013 sequel, he makes his directorial debut crafting a personal father-son story about trauma – plus carves out some creepy moments – with the fifth and final franchise installment, “Insidious: The Red Door” (in theaters Thursday). “I love this quirky world,” Wilson says. “It can be deeply emotional, then it can be super scary, and then it can be super avant-garde and weird.”
Wilson, 50, reprises his role as Josh Lambert who, like son Dalton (Ty Simpkins), is able to venture into a frightening realm called The Further populated by demons, ghouls and assorted tortured spirits. The new installment finds Dalton dealing with supernatural forces at college and Josh learning dark truths about his own family. Read more
Wimbledon: Schoolgirl dead and 17 injured after car crashes into The Study Prep School (Standard)
A schoolgirl has been killed and 17 injured after a Land Rover driver suffered a medical incident and crashed into a Wimbledon primary school on Thursday morning.
The vehicle struck the main hall building of The Study Prep School on Camp Road shortly before 10am. The incident is not being treated as terror-related.
The London Ambulance Service has declared a major incident as a result. Read more
South Africa: Suspected gas leak leaves 17 dead in Boksburg (BBC)
A suspected gas leak in South Africa has led to the deaths of 17 people, local officials say.
The victims – including three children – died from gas inhalation at an informal settlement in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.
Police and forensic investigators have said the scene of the toxic gas leak is still active and have advised people to stay clear of the area.
Wednesday’s leak has been linked to illegal gold mining in the area.
AC Milan working on deal to sign Chukwueze from Villarreal (Guardian)
Serie A giants AC Milan are working on a deal to sign Nigerian international, Samuel Chukwueze from Villarreal before the end of the ongoing summer transfer window.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on Thursday disclosed that Milan is planning to first complete the signing of Christian Pulisic from Chelsea which is getting closer.
“AC Milan and Christian Pulisic, getting closer. After personal terms agreed and player pushing since last week, clubs now close to agreeing on the fee,” Romano tweeted. Read more
Adedayomi tasks Super Falcons to dazzle at FIFA World Cup (Leadership)
With just a few days to the kickoff of the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand, the Nigeria senior women’s national team, Super Falcons, has been charged to make Nigerians proud by dominating the global women soccer showpiece.
The conveyor of ABL Unity Championship 2023, Adedayomi Benjamins-Laniyi, gave the charge, urging the team to spread their wings and approach every game without fear, saying they would will enjoy both political and global support at the FIFA World Cup as promised by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Briefing newsmen in Abuja on the ABL -Unity Championship 2023, Adedayomi, urged Nigerian women in politics to learn from the Super Falcons who are attempting to go against all odds to emerge winner at the 2023 FIFA World Cup. Read more
Arda Guler: Real Madrid sign 18-year-old forward from Fenerbahce (BBC)
Real Madrid have completed the signing of 18-year-old Turkey playmaker Arda Guler from Fenerbahce.
Dubbed ‘the Turkish Messi’, he has penned a six-year deal at the Bernabeu where he will team up with England’s Jude Bellingham.
Guler scored four goals and supplied four assists last season, putting in a man-of-the-match display in the Turkish Cup final.
Last month, he became the youngest player to score for Turkey. Read more
PSG confirm the free signings of Marco Asensio and Milan Skriniar (DailyMail)
PSG have announced the signings of Marco Asensio and Milan Skriniar, who join the French club on three and five-year deals respectively.
Asensio arrives at the French champions having enjoyed a huge amount of team success over the course of nine years at Real Madrid without ever establishing himself as a first-team regular.
Still, those years in the Spanish capital yielded a staggering three Champions Leagues, three La Liga titles and Spanish Cup win last season. Read more
Murray braces for Tsitsipas clash at Wimbledon as Wawrinka advances (France24)
Andy Murray takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas in the standout match at Wimbledon on Thursday in a contest with a spicy history after Stan Wawrinka set up a tasty clash with Novak Djokovic.
Defending women’s champion Elena Rybakina is also in second-round action as tournament chiefs scramble to catch up after rain played havoc with the schedule.
Fifth seed Tsitsipas defeated two-time Wimbledon champion Murray in a five-set first-round epic which stretched to almost five hours at the US Open in 2021. Read more
Van Vleuten wins Stage 7 with classy attack to extend lead in pink (Eurosport)
Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) timed her late attack to perfection to take Stage 7 of the 2023 Giro d’Italia Donne.
Juliette Labous (dsm–firmenich) and Gaia Realini (Lidl-Trek) joined the Dutchwoman in the lead group but were only able to stay with her for so long. Van Vleuten, knowing both had the podium to ride for, forced the pair to ride for her before they succumbed to the inevitable. The Frenchwoman and the Italian had to settle for the consolation prizes of second and third on the stage respectively.
The final stage on mainland Italy took place entirely in Milan-Sanremo country, though in rather less spring-like conditions than la Classicissima. Starting in Albenga the course travelled in a snail shell-shaped loop across three categorised climbs before finishing overlooking the Mediterranean in neighbouring Alassio. Read more