Your administration has ruined Nigeria, Atiku tells Buhari (Punch)
The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, on Saturday said President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had ruined Nigeria. In a statement by his media adviser, Mr Paul Ibe, Atiku said Nigerians in the past four years lived in multi-dimensional poverty. He said, the United Nations reawakened Nigerians to the perceived reality of how poorly the Buhari-led administration had managed the nation’s economy with a damning verdict that 98 million Nigerians live in multi-dimensional poverty. Read more
Murder of Catholic priest: We are in tears, agony – CAN (Nation)
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed outrage over the murder of the Parish Priest of St. James The Greater Parish, Ugbawka in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Rev. Fr. Paul Offu by unknown gunmen. Southeast zone of CAN, in a statement on Sunday, said it was traumatized and in agony over the ugly development. The statement was signed by the Chairman of CAN in the zone, Bishop Dr. Goddy Madu. Read more
Sowore’s arrest won’t stop protest, activists dare police (Punch)
The organisers of the #RevolutionNow protest has said it will not be deterred by the arrest of its leader and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Mr Omoyele Sowore. One of the organisers, who is the General Secretary, United Action for Democracy and member of the Socialist Workers and Youth League, Mr Kunle Ajayi, vowed to go on with the mass action. Read more
El-Zakzaky trial: Police beef up security in Kaduna (Guardian)
The Kaduna State Police Command said the ban on protests, processions, and demonstrations in the state is still in force. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo said in a press statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna that the Police will deal decisively with violators of the ban. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the statement is coming ahead of a High Court ruling on the application filed by the Shiite leader, Ibrahim Elzakzaky, seeking bail to travel to India for medical attention. Read more
Help Buhari fight unemployment, Nwosu tells incoming Ministers (Nation)
Governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in the last governorship elections in lmo State, Chief Uche Nwosu has challenged incoming Ministers to assist President Muhammadu Buhari in employment generation as a way of fighting unemployment in the country saying the security challenge facing the country was as a result of lack of jobs for the youths. Nwosu said in an interview that if the new ministers work hard to assist the President in generating employment, the current security challenges would be greatly addressed. Read more
DSS’ invasion of Sowore’s abode, a terrorist midnight arrest —Soyinka (Punch)
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Sunday described the Saturday morning arrest of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, by the Department of State Services, as “a terrorist midnight arrest.” He added that it was “a travesty and violation of the fundamental rights” of citizens to congregate and make public their concerns. Read more
PDP primary election: Dickson convenes meeting of party’s elders (Nation)
Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has convened a crucial meeting of the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders Council ahead of the party’s governorship primary election. The Chairman of the Council, Air Vice-Marshal Larry Koinyan, in a statement at the weekend said that the meeting would hold on Tuesday at the Governor’s conference room, Government House, Yenagoa. Koinyan said former President Goodluck Jonathan and prominent PDP elders were expected to attend the meeting. Read more
Disregard calls for protest march, CNG tells Northerners (Punch)
The Coalition of Northern Groups has distanced itself from the planned revolution march slated for Monday nationwide. The CNG declared that those organising the protest are “couriers of foreign destabilisation plot” that are not in the interest of the North. It therefore urged Northerners to disregard calls for the protest march. Read more
RUGA to gulp N2.2bn in 2019 – Enang (Nation)
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Ita Enang at the weekend called on states in the southern part of the country to support the implementation of the proposed RUGA cattle settlement programme by making land available. According to him, N2.258 billion was provided for its implementation in the 2019 budget. He spoke in Abuja while hosting students of Law School Abuja from Akwa Ibom State. Read more
Four permanent secretaries in age falsification scandal in Niger (Nation)
Four permanent secretaries in the Niger state Civil Service are currently involved in an age falsification scandal. The permanent secretaries had falsified their ages to enable them stay beyond the mandatory 60 years in civil service. The scandal has become widened to the extent that the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello had been forced to set up a committee to look into the matter and punish whoever is involved. Read more
A’Ibom secures judgment for over nine rape cases (Nation)
The Akwa Ibom State government says it has secured judgment for 9 rape cases as part of its efforts to curb gender-based violence. Commissioner for Agriculture and Women Affairs, Dr. Glory Edet, who disclosed this at weekend, said the state government through her ministry has recently carried out a successful legal battle against rapists in the state. Edet spoke during a quarterly gender based violence technical working group meeting for case review, data validation and management, held in Uyo the state capital. Read more
NAHCON provides first aid, mobile healthcare for Nigerian pilgrims in Saudi (Punch)
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria has introduced a Caravan System of health delivery to the pilgrims this year. The new initiative will operate in Mashaa’ir (religious sites) areas of Muna, Arafat and Muzdalifah. The commissioner in charge of health matters, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Mecca. Read more
Cape to Cairo homemade plane project creators die in Tanzania crash (BBC)
Two South African pilots behind a project that saw teenage students fly a homemade aircraft across Africa have been killed in a plane crash in western Tanzania. Des Werner and Werner Froneman were in a support plane following the teenagers that went down in Tabora region. They were accompanying a team who had just flown a four-seater Sling 4 plane from Cape Town to Cairo. Read more
Sudan crisis: Military and opposition sign constitutional declaration (BBC)
Sudan’s ruling military council and main opposition coalition have signed a constitutional declaration which will pave the way for the formation of a transitional government. Opposition leader Ahmed Rabie and Gen Mohamed Hamdan Daglo signed the deal. A governing body of six civilians and five generals will oversee a three-year transition period. Read more
Ohio gunman who shot dead nine named as Connor Betts, 24 (Metro)
A gunman who shot and killed nine people in Dayton, Ohio, has been named and pictured for the first time. Connor Betts, 24, opened fire close to the Ned Peppers Bar in the city’s Oregon district just after 1am, CBS News reports. He was then shot dead by police officers, who arrived on the scene in less than one minute. Read more
Boy thrown from 10th floor of Tate Modern (BBC)
A six-year-old boy was thrown five floors from the 10th floor of the Tate Modern art gallery on the South Bank in central London, police said. He landed on a fifth floor roof and was taken to hospital by air ambulance following the incident at about 14:45 BST on Sunday. The boy was said to be in a critical condition. A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, the Met Police said. Read more
Regime fire kills civilian in northwest Syria (Guardian)
Regime fire killed a civilian in a jihadist-dominated region of northwest Syria Sunday, a monitor said, the first such death since a truce to protect the area. Airstrikes on Idlib province and nearby areas have stopped since Thursday when the government announced a ceasefire for the area following three months of deadly bombardment. But the regime has continued shelling the region, which currently hosts some 3 million people, while jihadists who dominate the area have refused to withdraw from a future buffer zone required under the truce deal. Read more
Passenger gets knocked out after spitting at man through train doors (Metro)
This is one reason you should never spit on someone. A commuter nearly had the life beaten out of him after he gobbed at a man through closing train doors in New York. He thought he had gotten away with it but his angry rival forced his way past the doors and went after him. The spitter at Manhattan’s 34th Street station had tried to get back on his bike but he was not quick enough. Read more
Berlin condemns Russia protest crackdown (Guardian)
Germany on Sunday said a Moscow police crackdown on peaceful protests “violates” Russia’s international obligations and undermines the right to fair elections in the country, a day after hundreds were detained at an opposition rally. The arrests on Saturday were “out of all proportion to the peaceful nature of the protests against the exclusion of independent candidates” from city elections in Moscow next month, said the German government. Read more
Indonesia blackout: Huge outage hits Jakarta and surrounding area (BBC)
A huge power outage has hit the Indonesian capital Jakarta and surrounding cities, potentially affecting tens of millions of people. The failure began at about midday local time (0500 GMT) and it could take hours for power to be restored. Traffic lights switched off in some areas of Jakarta, worsening congestion in a city notorious for traffic. Passengers on the city’s newly opened metro system were forced to evacuate with commuter trains also hit. Read more
Girl, 15, goes missing on holiday in Malaysia (Metro)
A 15-year-old girl from London has gone missing in Malaysia while on a family holiday. Nora Quoirin, who has learning difficulties, was at a resort near Seremban, which is around an hour south of the capital Kuala Lumpur, a family friend has said. The teenager’s parents reportedly discovered she was not in her room on Sunday morning and found the window was open. Read more
Nuon Chea: Cambodian former Khmer Rouge deputy leader dies (BBC)
Nuon Chea, a key leader in Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge who was convicted of genocide last year, has died at the age of 93. Known as Brother Number Two, Nuon Chea was second only to the regime’s leader Pol Pot during Khmer Rouge rule over Cambodia from 1975 to 1979. Up to two million people are thought to have died during the Khmer Rouge’s four years in power. Read more
Rapper A$AP Rocky back in Los Angeles from Sweden (Punch)
US rapper A$AP Rocky has returned to Los Angeles after a Swedish court released him pending the verdict of an assault trial, US media reported Saturday. The 30-year-old artist, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, arrived around midnight Friday (0700 GMT Saturday) aboard a private jet on a flight from Stockholm, ABC and CBS reported. “The rapper was ecstatic,” celebrity news website TMZ said, describing the rapper smiling, taking photos and hugging supporters. Read more
Leonardo DiCaprio shares advice for anyone wanting to be an actor and how he deals with fame (Metro)
Leonardo DiCaprio might be one of the most famous leading men in Hollywood, but he still pinches himself that his acting dream actually came true – and revealed what advice he would give to other aspiring stars. Starting off as a child actor, Leo is currently starring in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood alongside his pal Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie, and he urged others who want to pursue a career in acting to study their craft. Read more
2020 U-20 WWC: FIFA inspection team visits Nigeria on Monday (Punch)
A five-man inspection team from FIFA will arrive Lagos on Monday for a four-day inspection of facilities and equipment for the U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2020. This was in a statement issued by the Head, Nigeria Football Federation Communications Department, Ademola Olajire. The FIFA officials — Christopher Exley, Sara Jane Booth, Kliment Taseski, Rhiannon Ceirwen Martin and Heyral Kaj Jurgen — will arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Monday evening. Read more
I’m ready for Trabzonspor challenge –Mikel (Punch)
Former Super Eagles captain, Mikel Obi, has revealed that he is ready for the challenge at new club Trabzonspor. Mikel will wear the No. 12 jersey, the same number he wore at Chelsea. Mikel made the declaration on Saturday when he officially signed for Trabzonspor in a two-year deal with an option to extend. Mikel and fellow new signing Fernandes Ivanildo were presented by president of the club Ahmet Ağaoğlu. Read more
Manchester City clinch Community Shield with penalty shootout victory over Liverpool (Metro)
Manchester City followed last season’s quadruple success by edging out Liverpool 5-4 on penalties in the Community Shield after goals from Raheem Sterling and Joel Matip had ensured a 1-1 draw during normal time. City’s preparations for the upcoming campaign suffered an early blow when Leroy Sane was forced off with an apparent knee injury just over ten minutes into the game. Sane has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich throughout the summer. Read more
Everton sign forward Moise Kean from Juventus (Guardian)
Everton has signed teenage Italy striker Moise Kean from Juventus on a five-year deal. The Italian champions said the fee was an initial 27.5 million euros ($31m, £25m) but could rise by a further 2.5 million euros if certain conditions were met. The 19-year-old Italy forward is Everton’s fifth signing of the transfer window after midfielders Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. Read more
Kilmarnock investigate roof collapse after Rangers fans celebrations (BBC)
Kilmarnock and Police Scotland are investigating after the roof of a shelter covering disabled supporters collapsed as Rangers fans celebrated a stoppage-time winner at Rugby Park. Connor Goldson’s 91st-minute header secured a 2-1 Scottish Premiership victory for the Ibrox side and sparked an invasion of the pitch. A roof covering disabled Rangers fans caved in, with one man being injured. Read more
Nicolas Pepe misses Arsenal’s clash with Barcelona at Camp Nou (Metro)
Nicolas Pepe will miss Arsenal’s final pre-season friendly against Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday. The 24-year-old completed his move to the Gunners from Lille earlier this week for a club-record £72 million fee. But Arsenal fans have been made to wait to see their marquee signing in action as Pepe did not travel with Unai Emery’s 21-man squad to Spain. Read more
Barcelona sign Junior Firpo from Real Betis (BBC)
Barcelona have completed the signing of Spain Under-21 left-back Junior Firpo on a five-year contract from Real Betis for a fee which could rise to £27.5m. The Spanish champions have included a £183m buy-out clause in the Dominican-born 22-year-old’s contract. Firpo featured in 29 games last season and was part of Spain’s U21 European Championship-winning side in June. Read more
Paulo Dybala drops Manchester United transfer hint on Instagram (Metro)
Paulo Dybala has hinted that he could be set for a move to Old Trafford by ‘liking’ Marcos Rojo’s Instagram post about Manchester United’s win over AC Milan. Juventus have been in advanced discussions to sign Romelu Lukaku, 26, this summer and Dybala, 25, has been offered to the Red Devils as part of the transfer. It’s understood Juve and United have agreed a deal in principle over the exchange, but Dybala is yet to make a final decision on his future as he mulls over a potential switch. Read more
Lewis Hamilton overtakes Max Verstappen for late Hungary win (BBC)
Lewis Hamilton staged a thrilling fightback to catch and pass Max Verstappen for victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Hamilton’s eighth win of the season puts a headlock on the championship after a tense race-long battle between the drivers and their strategists at the Mercedes and Red Bull teams. Hamilton came very close to pulling off a brave move for the lead around the outside of the 150mph Turn Four. Read more