Widow demands justice as 63-year-old ex-soldier killed at Enugu site (Punch)
Mrs. Ngozi Ogbodo, a widow of a 63-year-old retired soldier, Mr. Christopher Ogbodo, brutally murdered at his place of work at Igboke Nike along the Nsukka-Ugwogo Nike Road, has appealed to the police to expedite action in arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators.
Mrs. Ogbodo, who spoke to journalists in Enugu on Thursday, explained that her husband was a security guard at a petroleum station under construction and was murdered in cold blood on July 1.
She expressed frustration over the delay in the investigation, lamenting that the station manager and the owner of the station had not been arrested or questioned by the police. Read more
Panic as Train Coach Detaches from moving train in Lagos (DailyTrust)
Panic gripped commuters and motorists along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway on Thursday morning after a coach detached from a moving train in the Ladipo area.
The incident occurred around 8:00 a.m. as the train from Ogba Ayo in Ogun State was headed for Apapa in Lagos.
Witnesses said the last coach of the train unexpectedly broke off while the train was in motion, halting abruptly and startling road users and nearby residents. Read more
Heavy floods to hit 198 LGs in 31 states, FG warns (Vanguard)
As rains continue to pound parts of the country, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NiHSA, yesterday, warned that heavy flooding will hit 198 local government areas, in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, from August 7 to 21, 2025.
The warning came as the Lagos State government sympathised with Ikorodu residents affected by the flood occasioned by Monday’s marathon downpour, assuring that necessary measures were in place to effectively manage flash flood and modalities for humanitarian intervention for residents of affected communities are being worked out.
It will be recalled that the Federal Government had on Tuesday, also warned of flooding in 19 states, as the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment, called on stakeholders and residents to take urgent precautionary measures. Read more
FRSC arrests 563 offenders over attempt to bribe marshals (Guardian)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has booked 563 drivers for attempting to bribe its personnel on duty in the month of July.
According to FRSC spokesperson, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the Osun State Sector Command alone recorded the highest number with 155 offenders booked in the state for attempting to bribe marshals on duty.
Ogungbemide noted that the development reinforced the corps’ determination to sanitise Nigerian roads not only by enforcing traffic laws but also by addressing corrupt practices that erode public trust and endanger lives. Read more
FG launches N200k loan scheme for Nigerian youths (Nation)
The Federal Government on Thursday officially launched the Youth Credit Initiative under the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), describing it as a bold step towards empowering young Nigerians and giving them a solid footing in a credit-based economy.
Under the scheme, eligible Nigerian youths could access up to N200,000 single-digit interest loan under the “YouthCred” initiative operated by CREDICORP.
The programme, which has N9billion as take-off funds for the first phase, will commence with serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) across the 774 local governments and over 8,000 electoral wards. Read more
Presidency debunks newspaper editorial on hunger, economy (Tribune)
The Presidency has faulted a national daily on its recent editorial, accusing the newspaper of distorting Nigeria’s economic situation and ignoring government efforts to mitigate hardship across the country.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, on Thursday in Abuja, described the said editorial as exaggerated and misleading.
Dare said while the Presidency welcomes criticism from the media, such critiques must be grounded in truth, context, and national responsibility, not sensational narratives designed to inflame public sentiment. Read more
Sowore’s detention personal vendetta – Atiku (Sun)
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has spoken against the alleged assault and maltreatment of activist Omoyele Sowore, calling it a personal vendetta.
Sowore was reportedly manhandled on Thursday morning when officers attempted to move him from detention to court.
He had honoured a police invitation linked to allegations of forgery and criminal defamation. Read more
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, dead at 48 after melanoma battle (PageSix)
Kelly Clarkson’s ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, has died after battling cancer. He was 48.
“It is with great sadness that we share the news that Brandon Blackstock has passed away,” a family spokesperson told Page Six Thursday.
“Brandon bravely battled cancer for more than three years. He passed away peacefully and was surrounded by family. We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time.” Read more
Israeli Security Cabinet approves Netanyahu’s plan to occupy Gaza City (Newsweek)
Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a plan to take over Gaza City and eventually implement “Israeli security control” of the entire Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement early Friday.
Friday’s decision by the Security Cabinet capped months of failed ceasefire talks between Netanyahu’s government and Hamas, with both sides accusing each other of repeated violations.
Israel has also faced increased international pressure to reach a ceasefire deal as Hamas released videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages being held in Gaza, which the group said was the result of Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to the war-torn territory. Read more
Mushroom murderer’s alleged attempts to kill husband revealed (BBC)
Convicted triple-murderer Erin Patterson allegedly tried to repeatedly poison her husband, including with cookies she claimed their daughter had baked him, a court has heard.
The Australian woman was last month found guilty of murdering three relatives – and attempting to kill another – with a toxic mushroom-laced beef Wellington.
The 50-year-old was originally charged with three counts of attempted murder against her estranged husband Simon Patterson, but these charges were dropped on the eve of her trial. Read more
Jennifer Lopez refused entry into Chanel store after security ‘failed to recognise her’ (DailyMail)
Jennifer Lopez was refused entry into a Chanel store at Istinye Park in Istanbul after security ‘failed to recognise her’ on Monday.
After the singer, 56, was denied entry at the prestige boutique she went next door and ‘spent thousands of dollars’ during a three-hour shopping spree.
She had been wandering around a shopping centre in the Turkish city and attempted to enter a Chanel store before a guard told her ‘We’re full’. Read more
Canada murders spark calls to label India’s Bishnoi gang a ‘terror’ group (AlJazeera)
On a crisp spring morning in Brampton town of Canada’s Ontario province in May, Harjit Singh Dhadda meticulously tied his traditional sage green turban as he got ready for work.
He embraced his daughter Gurleen before leaving for his trucking insurance office in Mississauga near Toronto’s bustling Pearson international airport.
In 1998, Bollywood star killed two blackbucks. A gang still seeks revenge.
It was the last time Gurleen saw her 51-year-old father alive. As Harjit reached the car park of his office on May 14, two men confronted him. One of them pumped multiple bullets into Harjit’s body before fleeing in a stolen 2018 Dodge Challenger. Read more
Gina Carano, Disney settle legal dispute over ‘Mandalorian’ firing (Variety)
Lucasfilm and the Walt Disney Company have reached a mutual agreement in their legal dispute with Gina Carano following her firing from “The Mandalorian.”
A Lucasfilm spokesperson said in a statement provided to Variety, “The Walt Disney Company and Lucasfilm are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Gina Carano to resolve the issues in her pending lawsuit against the companies.
Ms. Carano was always well respected by her directors, co-stars and staff, and she worked hard to perfect her craft while treating her colleagues with kindness and respect. With this lawsuit concluded, we look forward to identifying opportunities to work together with Ms. Carano in the near future.” Read more
Gala’s Osimhen boxes rake in €4.2m (Punch)
Galatasaray’s special Victor Osimhen collector’s boxes have generated €4.2m in revenue after receiving 20,000 pre-orders within days of launch, with each ‘Solo Il Gala’ box priced at 9,999 Turkish Lira.
The Turkish champions produced and pre-sold the boxes using their own resources, capitalising on the massive interest surrounding the 26-year-old Nigerian striker who joined the club on a permanent €75m deal from Napoli.
The revenue translates to approximately 200 million Turkish Lira, with all profits flowing directly into the club’s coffers through their GS Store platform. Read more
Maddison set to miss most of Spurs season after knee injury (Guardian)
Tottenham midfielder James Maddison is expected to miss most of the upcoming Premier league season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament.
The England international missed the end of the 2024/25 campaign with a knee injury but featured in pre-season under new boss Thomas Frank.
Maddison collapsed in pain during a 1-1 draw with Newcastle in South Korea on Sunday with no one around him and left the pitch on a stretcher late in the game. Read more
Yusuf Abdullahi attracts multiple NPFL, international suitors amid rising profile (Nation)
Nigerian football’s rising star, Yusuf Abdullahi, is generating strong interest both at home and abroad following an impressive season in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
The young forward, who burst into national prominence after scoring five goals in a single away match against Gombe United for Kano Pillars last December, continues to make headlines.
Abdullahi, who recently completed a loan stint at Plateau United, is now being linked with five NPFL clubs, including his former side Kano Pillars, Wikki Tourists, Nasarawa United, Enyimba, and Plateau United, where he played out the final phase of the season. Read more
US Open to offer biggest purse in tennis history (ThisDay)
The US Open men’s and women’s singles winners will get $5million each as part of a total pot of $90million in prize money, which the tournament organisers insisted it is “the largest purse in tennis history”.
The amount for the eventual singles champions is a 39 per cent increase on 2024 when it was $3.6m, while the total purse has gone up 20 per cent from the $75m awarded last year.
In comparison, the total prize money at Wimbledon this year was £53.5m, with the men’s and women’s singles winners getting £3m apiece. Read more
Late Fleetwood charge lights up FedEx play-offs (BBC)
Tommy Fleetwood hit four birdies in the final four holes at the St Jude Championship, the first round of the FedExCup play-offs, to finish one shot off the lead on day one.
Englishman Fleetwood, 34, was two under at the turn but hit a superb run of form coming in to end the day with a seven-under 63 – one behind leader Akshay Bhatia in Memphis.
Fleetwood’s compatriots Harry Hall and Justin Rose are a further shot back in joint-third, along with USA’s Bud Cauley. Read more