Troops kill 48 terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, arrest 113 others, rescue 41 kidnapped victims in 2 weeks (Sun)
The Defence Media Operations (DMO), said soldiers on internal security operations across the country have killed 48 terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals terrorizing the peace of the country in the last two weeks.
The DMO also said that soldiers arrested 113 bandits, kidnappers, oil thieves, terrorists informants and rescued 41 kidnapped persons in the last two weeks.
DMO Director, Major General Edward Buba, made this known at a media briefing on the update of military operations conducted between July 13 – 20 2023, in various theaters of operations across the country. Read more
Video of Tinubu campaigning to crash fuel price goes viral amid hike (DailyTrust)
Although the pump price of fuel was N197 when President Bola Tinubu took over on May 29, 2023, the product now sells for N617 per litre – less than two months after.
In his inaugural address, Tinubu announced that subsidy was gone, fulfilling a promise that all leading presidential candidates made during the campaign. However, pump price of fuel hit N537 per litre days after Tinubu ended subsidy.
On Tuesday, the price climbed further to N617, a development that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) attributed to “market forces”. Read more
Renowned Nigerian writer, Kole Omotoso, dies at 80 (Punch)
Celebrated Nigerian writer and scholar, Prof. Kole Omotoso, passed away on Wednesday.
The South Africa-based revered scholar-writer clocked 80 on April 21, with members of the Nigerian literary community, including ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, joining family, friends and professional colleagues to celebrate the occasion.
One of the late literary giant’s children and author, Yewande, confirmed Omotoso’s death via an email exchange with our correspondent. Read more
Customs reaffirms support as CG visits Lekki Port Lagos (Vanguard)
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has reaffirmed its support towards the seamless operations of the Lekki Deep Sea Port as a key contributor to the national economy.
Giving this assurance during a visit to the Port, was given by the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said that the agency will provide all necessary support to Lekki Port to facilitate and boost trade in Nigeria in line with the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Adeniyi said: “We are coming with a shared understanding of what the Nigerian economy needs. We don’t need to look further than the investment we see here. We want to generate foreign exchange. We want foreign investment to come to Nigeria so that jobs can be created for our people and we can raise revenue. What we are seeing holds the promise and potential to achieve those objectives. As an agency of government, we will continue to be a partner with a shared vision. When we work together on major policy decisions, we will overcome any major issue that may arise.” Read more
Japa: Immigration to automate passport application process (Tribune)
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has disclosed its readiness to commence the automation of the passport application process to eliminate the difficulties Nigerians experience while applying for passports.
This was made known by the Acting Comptroller General of NIS, Caroline Adepoju, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme today.
According to her, the Service is eager to get rid of physical interactions during the passport application process. Read more
Fashola buries mother in-law in Lagos (Nation)
Former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday buried his late mother in-law, Madam Edith Dibofu with several dignitaries in attendance.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Lagos Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat and his wife, the First Lady of the state, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu were among dignitaries at the Church service.
NAN also reports that the funeral rites for Dibofu who passed on, June 24, at the age of 87 was held at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Yaba, Lagos. Read more
Shettima presides over NEC meeting at State House (ThisDay)
Vice-President Kashim Shettima is presiding over the monthly National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja.
Thursday’s meeting of the constitutional economic advisory body of government is the second in the history of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration since its inauguration on May 29, 2023.
NEC is made up of the 36 governors of the federation, ministers in charge of finance, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, among others. Read more
Reps reject proposed electricity tariff increase (Channels)
The House of Representatives has taken a firm stance against the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) by rejecting the proposed increase in electricity tariff.
This resolution was reached following a motion presented by Honourable Aliyu Madaki, who expressed strong disapproval of the price hike, especially considering the recent increase in petrol prices that has already burdened many Nigerians.
Honourable Aliyu Madaki emphasized that it is inappropriate and insensitive to introduce such a significant tariff increase at a time when citizens are still grappling with the impact of the petrol price surge. Read more
Shakira faces 2nd investigation into alleged tax fraud in Spain (CNN)
A judge in Barcelona has opened a second investigation into alleged tax fraud by Grammy-winning singer Shakira, a Spanish court said Thursday.
An investigating magistrate in the Barcelona suburb of Esplugues de Llobregat “has opened an investigation drawing on a complaint filed by prosecutors against the singer Shakira for two alleged counts of tax fraud in 2018, the Higher Court of Justice of Catalonia press office said in a statement.
Shakira is already awaiting trial for alleged tax evasion of $16.2 million for the years of 2012, 2013 and 2014. Read more
Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” set as New York Film Festival Centerpiece (THR)
Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla” has been tapped as the Centerpiece selection for the 61st New York Film Festival. The biographical drama about the wife of Elvis Presley will make its North American premiere at Alice Tully Hall on October 6.
“Priscilla” centres on the life of Priscilla Ann Wagner (“Mare of Easttown” actor Cailee Spaeny) and her life and love affair with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll (“Euphoria” breakout Jacob Elordi). It’s based on the 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me” by Priscilla Presley and Sandra Harmon and follows her early years as a teenage army brat stationed in West Germany to her arrival at Graceland, which became her home and prison.
“I am honored to be back at the New York Film Festival with my new film and to be telling Priscilla Presley’s story, the unseen side of a great American myth,” Coppola said in a statement. Read more
Christopher Nolan says sex scenes are an “essential part” of Oppenheimer (FarOut)
Oppenheimer director Christopher Nolan has defended his decision to have sex scenes in the film and stated they tell an “essential part” of the story.
Cillian Murphy, who stars as the titular character in the film, previously confirmed he had to undertake chemistry tests before his scenes with Pugh and Emily Blunt, who play his romantic interests in the film. He shared the process of their chemistry tests, explaining, “They put two actors in a room to see if there’s any spark, and have all the producers and director at a table watching.”
He continued: “I don’t know what metric they use, and it seems so outrageously silly, but sometimes you get chemistry and nobody knows why.” Read more
Greece limits opening hours at Acropolis and other sites due to heat (RTE)
All archaeological sites in Greece, including the Acropolis in Athens, will close during the hottest hours of the day until 23 July as temperatures rise again.
The announcement from the Ministry of Culture comes as the mercury is expected to hit 45C in the coming days.
“Due to high temperatures, the schedules of archaeological sites … will be modified and (the sites) will close from noon to 5.30pm (10am-3.30pm Irish time),” a statement said. Read more
John Boyega names his “worst” Star Wars film (NME)
John Boyega has shared his personal ranking of the modern Star Wars trilogy.
The actor, who played Finn in the Disney trilogy, was asked to rank the Star Wars films he’s appeared in from “best to worst” during an interview with First We Feast’s Truth or Dab: Rapid Fire.
“Hell yeah, I’ll do it,” Boyega said in response. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens is most definitely the best. Second for me comes Star Wars nine [Rise Of Skywalker] and then the worst, in the most respectful sense, is episode VIII [The Last Jedi] for me.” Read more
A$AP Rocky shares new single ‘‘Riot (Rowdy Pipe’n)’’ (Spin)
This Sunday, A$AP Rocky will headline Rolling Loud Miami. Ahead of the performance, Rocky dropped his solo single of 2023. Titled “Riot (Rowdy Pipe’n),” he co-produced the song with none other than Pharrell Williams. On the track, Rocky mentions his wife several times. As you may know, Rocky has been in a relationship with Rihanna for years, and the couple has a child together, with another on the way.
In January, Rocky released “Same Problems.”
Though there’s been talks about a new A$AP Rocky album for years (his last album was 2018’s Testing), a press release stated that this song will feature on an album that will be released through A$AP Worldwide/RCA Records. Read more
Iraq expels Swedish ambassador over planned Quran burning (JerusalemPost)
Iraq expelled the Swedish ambassador on Thursday in protest at a planned burning of the Quran in Stockholm that had prompted hundreds of protesters to storm and set alight the Swedish embassy in the Iraqi capital.
An Iraqi government statement added that Baghdad was also recalling its charge d’affaires in Sweden, and Iraq’s state news agency reported that Iraq had suspended the working permit of Sweden’s Ericsson on Iraqi soil.
Protesters in Sweden had applied for and received permission from Swedish police to burn the Quran outside the Iraqi embassy on Thursday. Read more
2023 WWC: “We can beat any team,” Canada captain, Sinclair sends message to Nigeria (Vanguard)
Christine Sinclair, captain of the Canada Women’s national team has issued a strong statement to opponents that they can beat any team to become champions again.
Sinclair was part of the Canada team that won the Olympics at the Tokyo 2020 games. The Canadian skipper holds the record for most goals scored in men’s and women’s international football.
“We [Canada] were overlooked heading into the Tokyo Olympics and showed what we can do, we can beat any team in the world. It’s contagious (winning), you want to do it again, and it’s just motivated us to prove to the world what we can do it again.” Read more
New NNL Board hits ground running, vows to turn league around for good (Leadership)
The new board of the Nigeria National League (NNL) has hit the ground running and vowed to run the league professionally in line with the mandate given it by the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau.
The league chairman, Mr. George Aluo, made the commitment during the board’s inaugural press briefing on Wednesday in Abuja.
The veteran sports journalist thanked NFF President Ibrahim Gusau for appointing him and other capable men of proven integrity to drive his vision of taking Nigeria’s football to a new height. Read more
FIFA Women’s World Cup: Sam Kerr-less Australia begin campaign with 1-0 win against Ireland (Firstpost)
Rocked by the late withdrawal of Sam Kerr through injury, Australia took time to settle before getting off to a winning start at the Women’s World Cup on Thursday by beating Ireland 1-0 in Sydney.
Steph Catley swept home a 52nd-minute penalty to end Ireland’s resistance and spark an eruption of joy from fans inside Stadium Australia.
There was also no shortage of relief from the majority of the 75,784-strong crowd after the tournament co-hosts struggled to cope without the country’s all-time leading scorer Kerr, who will also miss the second game of Group B against Nigeria because of a calf injury. Read more
MLS All-Stars 0-5 Arsenal: Kai Havertz nets 1st Gunners goal as Declan Rice makes debut in big win (Standard)
Declan Rice and Jurrien Timber made their debuts as Arsenal hammered the MLS All-Stars 5-0 in Washington.
The pair were named on the bench at Audi Field and watched on as the Gunners took control against the All-Stars, coached by Wayne Rooney, with two brilliant first-half strikes.
Gabriel Jesus opened the scoring inside five minutes, the ball rolling to him on the edge of the box after good work from Bukayo Saka and the Brazilian dinked a stunning finish into the far corner. Read more
Mercedes warned they could lose Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in the near future (DailyStar)
Mercedes have been warned they could lose both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell unless they can soon start taking the fight to Red Bull.
For the second successive year, the Silver Arrows are no match for Red Bull and Max Verstappen. Mercedes’ decision to stick with last year’s flawed car concept backfired at the start of the season, prompting a complete overhaul of the car’s design.
Since the team changed tact, there have been green shoots of recovery but the Red Bull in Verstappen’s hands remains the class of the field as the F1 roadshow heads to Hungary this weekend. Read more
Singapore golfer Sydnie Ng, 12, wins girls’ age-group title at FCG World Championship (StraitsTimes)
Singapore golfer Sydnie Ng has her grandfather to thank for her recent triumph at the Future Champions Golf (FCG) World Championship in California.
Her accidental start in the sport began when she was six, during one of her family’s weekly trips to Seletar Country Club.
They would go there to meet Sydnie’s grandfather for dinner and one Saturday, they had difficulty locating him, only to find him at the driving range. Read more