General news

• Real Madrid sign Dumfries from Inter Milan

  05-07-2026 13:05 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Real Madrid signed Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan on Sunday for a reported 20 million euros ($23 million).“(We) have reached an agreement for the transfer of player Denzel Dumfries, who will be with our club for the next four seasons, until June 30, 2030,” said Madrid in a statement.Attacking right-back Dumfries, 30, played with the Netherlands at the World Cup until they were eliminated in the round of 32 on penalties by Morocco.Dumfries adds further competition at
  
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• Customs, Afreximbank deepen partnership to boost cross-border trade

  05-07-2026 16:28 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Godwin OritseABUJA — The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation aimed at promoting seamless cross-border trade and accelerating the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).The renewed commitment was highlighted during a working visit by the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, Dr. George Elombi, to the Comptroller-General of Custom
  
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• FUTA Teaching Hospital to prosecute staff over alleged job scam

  05-07-2026 16:16 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Dayo JohnsonAKURE — The management of the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Akure (FUTATH), has vowed to prosecute any staff found involved in an alleged employment racketeering scheme linked to the hospital.In a statement issued by the hospital’s Head of Public Relations, Mr. Tope Fayehun, the management alleged that some individuals posing as hospital officials collected between ₦200,000 and ₦600,000 from job seekers with promises of securing autom
  
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• Full List: Countries that have won back-to-back World Cups

  05-07-2026 16:04 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Winning the FIFA World Cup is the ultimate achievement in football. Defending that title, however, has proven even more difficult.In the tournament’s nearly century-long history, only two countries have successfully retained the World Cup trophy, while several others have come agonisingly close.As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, defending champions Argentina have the chance to join one of football’s most exclusive clubs. Here’s a look at the only nations to win consecutive
  
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• Ballon d’Or: Any player, outside Europe, can win the award – Organisers

  05-07-2026 15:56 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Ballon d’Or organisers have responded to the long-running debate over whether footballers must play for European clubs to stand a realistic chance of winning the prestigious award, insisting that while history favours Europe-based players, the prize is open to footballers from any league in the world.With the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or intensifying as the World Cup nears its conclusion, the award’s official platform examined whether representing a non-European club is a dis
  
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• Imo Police impound over 25 vehicles with covered number plates

  05-07-2026 15:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Chidi NkwoparaOWERRI — The Imo State Police Command has impounded more than 25 vehicles found with covered, obscured or missing registration plate numbers as part of an enforcement campaign aimed at improving public safety and tackling crime.Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Owerri, saying the exercise is in line with the enforcement of laws prohibiting the use of vehicles without clearly visible registration plates.According to him,
  
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• Man arrested for alleged attempted car theft at Abia Church

  05-07-2026 15:49 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Steve OkoUMUAHIA — A middle-aged man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly attempting to steal a vehicle parked outside the Assemblies of God Church on Item Street, Umuahia, Abia State.The incident occurred barely a month after a Toyota Sienna belonging to the wife of a traditional ruler, HRH Eze Izuwa, was stolen from the church premises during a worship service.Following that incident on June 7, church authorities said they strengthened security around the premises to prevent further
  
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• Industrial unrest looms over threatened FCT workers’ housing scheme

  05-07-2026 15:32 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Victor Ahiuma-YoungABUJA — Industrial unrest may be brewing in the Federal Public Service following a reported demolition order threatening the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) Programme, a government-backed housing scheme into which thousands of federal workers have invested billions of naira.The demolition order, reportedly issued by the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), an agency of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), affects houses under construc
  
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• NYSC overhaul ’ll curb youth unemployment, drive empowerment — APC chieftain

  05-07-2026 15:19 via vanguardngr.com
  
  A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has commended the Federal Government’s comprehensive reform of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing it as a bold initiative to reposition the scheme as a skills-driven platform for youth empowerment and national development.Speaking with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, Oyintiloye said the reform aligns with the Federal Government’s vision of building a $1 trillion economy by strengthening
  
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• FG denies spending N8tn outside budget, says claims misrepresent IMF report

  05-07-2026 15:13 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Innocent AnabaThe Federal Government has dismissed claims that it spent over N8 trillion outside the approved budget, describing the allegation as false and a misrepresentation of the 2026 Article IV Consultation Report by the International Monetary Fund, IMF.
  The government said reports suggesting that about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, was expended outside the budgetary framework were capable of misleading the public and creating a wrong impression about the
  
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• Police impound over 25 vehicles with covered plate numbers

  05-07-2026 14:59 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Chidi Nkwopara
  Imo State Police Command, on the weekend, impounded over 25 vehicles with covered, obscured or no registration plate numbers.
  The Commissioner of Police, CP, Mr. Audu Garba Bosso, who disclosed this while addressing the press in Owerri, also explained that the operation was in full compliance of “the enforcement of laws prohibiting the use of vehicles with covered, obscured or no registration plate numbers”.
  The CP said: “This proactive measure is aimed at im
  
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• Lagos police raid criminal hideout in Alimosho, arrest suspects

  05-07-2026 14:56 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Olasunkanmi AkoniIn a midnight sting operation, men of the Nigeria Police Force, on Sunday, raided criminal hotspots and hideouts around the Oko Filling bus stop along the LASU, Governor’s  Road, Alimosho area, Iyana Ipaja Expressway.The police set ablaze a sprawling dump site believed by many residents to have been occupied by armed robbers and hardened criminals, while some suspects were arrested in the process.The operation, which took place close to Alimosho General Hospital,
  
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• Mixed reactions still trailing NYSC reforms

  05-07-2026 14:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Nigerians have continued to express divergent views on the Federal Government’s extension of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation course as well as other reforms  it approved for the scheme.The government extended the orientation course from three weeks to six weeks.The reforms were aimed at strengthening skills acquisition, improving career development and repositioning the scheme to better meet national development needs.In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria
  
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• Scarcity, high prices fuel demand for stockfish heads in Lagos

  05-07-2026 14:50 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Lagos consumers are increasingly turning to stockfish heads as scarcity of stockfish continues to push up prices of the popular soup ingredient across major markets in the state.The traders and consumers, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews on Sunday in Lagos, attributed the development to limited supply, rising demand and distribution challenges.NAN reports that stockfish, an important ingredient in many Nigerian soups, particularly among Igbo households, is
  
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• ‘US will be paying close attention to Nigeria’s 2027 election’ —Congressman

  05-07-2026 14:06 via vanguardngr.com
  
  A member of the United States House of Representatives, Riley Moore, has said the administration of President Donald Trump will closely monitor how Nigeria conducts its 2027 general elections.Moore, a Republican representing West Virginia, made the remarks during an interview with NoireTV published on the platform’s social media pages on Sunday while responding to questions about Nigeria’s next general election.Speaking on whether the United States could do more to support credible
  
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• Israel appoints first-ever resident ambassador to Slovenia

  05-07-2026 13:36 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Israel said on Sunday it has named its first-ever resident ambassador to Slovenia, signalling a diplomatic reset after Ljubljana’s change of government.Ties between Israel and Slovenia had soured under the previous centre-left government of prime minister Robert Golob, which had characterised Israel’s military offensive in Gaza as “genocide”.But ties have warmed significantly since conservative Prime Minister Janez Jansa took office.Israel’s foreign ministry announc
  
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• Three vigilantes killed in night attack on Plateau community

  05-07-2026 13:29 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Golok NanmwaJOS — Three vigilantes were reportedly killed on Saturday night when suspected gunmen attacked Sabon-Layi community in Gwol District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.The attack, which occurred at about 10 p.m., has heightened concerns over the persistent insecurity in the area.According to community sources, the assailants stormed the community under the cover of darkness and targeted members of the local vigilante group who were on duty.The spokesperso
  
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• OPEC+ raises quotas again as Middle East calms

  05-07-2026 12:55 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Seven OPEC+ members decided on Sunday to again raise oil production quotas as Gulf countries reel from the Middle East war.Ministers from key OPEC+ countries Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman met virtually on Sunday and “decided to implement a production adjustment of 188 thousand barrels per day,” a statement from the organisation said, adding that “this adjustment will be implemented in August 2026”.Gulf countries had to cut output after
  
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• NDLEA intercepts Malaysia-bound cocaine hidden in Orijin bitters cartons

  05-07-2026 12:40 via vanguardngr.com
  
  … Arrests PhD Student…Agency also arrests 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman with 13kg cocaine concealed as plantainsBy Kingsley OmonobiThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 45-year-old PhD student over an alleged attempt to export 5.8 kilograms of cocaine concealed in cartons of Orijin Bitters bound for Malaysia.The agency also arrested a 67-year-old Nigerian-British woman at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, after allegedly recov
  
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• Instability in Lake Chad, Sahel worsening Nigeria’s insecurity – Says Army chief

  05-07-2026 12:20 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Daniel AbiaPORT HARCOURT — The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has attributed Nigeria’s security challenges to instability in the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel region and the Gulf of Guinea, stressing the need for innovative strategies to address evolving threats.Speaking at the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2026 lecture in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Army Chief said the country’s security environment had become increasingly complex and required fres
  
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• Iranians pray for slain Khamenei but son and successor absent

  05-07-2026 12:17 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Iranian leaders joined prayers Sunday over the casket of late supreme leader Ali Khamenei during a second day of funeral ceremonies, but his son and successor Mojtaba Khamenei was conspicuously absent.The elder Khamenei ruled the Islamic republic from 1989 until he was killed aged 86 in an airstrike on the first day of the US-Israeli war with Iran on February 28.Officials including President Masoud Pezeshkian and Revolutionary Guards chief Ahmad Vahidi joined Sunday’s ceremonies, along wit
  
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• 9 countries making relocation easier for Nigerians in 2026

  05-07-2026 11:49 via vanguardngr.com
  
  For many Nigerians hoping to relocate abroad, 2026 has presented both new opportunities and tougher challenges.
  Several traditional migration destinations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and parts of Europe, have tightened immigration policies through stricter visa rules, tougher residency requirements and increased scrutiny of foreign applicants.
  These changes have made relocation more difficult for many prospective students, skilled workers and families.
  However, no
  
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• ‘Very dangerous’ super typhoon nears US Pacific Islands

  05-07-2026 11:40 via vanguardngr.com
  
  People in Guam and the Northern Marianas moved to emergency evacuation centers and made last-minute preparations on Sunday, hours before a “super typhoon” was projected to bulldoze through the US Pacific territories.Super Typhoon Bavi was forecast to roar westwards over the area at around 10:00 Monday (0000 GMT) with winds of 260 kilometers (160 miles) per hour — equivalent to a category 5 hurricane — and gusts of up to 315 kph.The National Weather Service (NWS) call
  
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• SERAP asks Akpabio, Abbas to explain ₦1.3bn allocation to ‘fictitious presidential council’

  05-07-2026 11:13 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to “urgently disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation of over ₦1.3 billion (₦1,302,978,784) to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC)/Presidential Economic Advisory Council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.&rdquo
  
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• Nobody can please a woman – Rev Funke Adejumo tells married men

  05-07-2026 10:49 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Nigerian preacher and marriage counsellor, Reverend Funke Felix-Adejumo has advised married men not to wear themselves out in an attempt to satisfy their wives, saying no man can completely please a woman.
  Speaking during a sermon, the cleric urged husbands to remain responsible in their homes but cautioned against sacrificing their health or lives in the process.
  “Listen to me very, very carefully. Do everything, but don’t kill yourself. Married men, hear me, I’m a woman spea
  
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• 2026 World Cup: 2 countries crash out of Round of 16

  05-07-2026 10:41 via vanguardngr.com
  
  Canada and Paraguay have been knocked out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering defeats in their Round of 16 matches.
  Canada’s campaign came to an end following a 3-0 loss to Morocco at Houston Stadium on Saturday.
  The North Africans secured a convincing victory through a brace from Azzedine Ounahi, while Soufiane Rahimi added the third goal to seal Morocco’s place in the quarter-finals.
  Paraguay also exited the tournament after a narrow 1-0 defeat to France.
  A second-half penal
  
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• Abducted Oyo pupils: Rescue operation ongoing – Army Chief

  05-07-2026 10:34 via vanguardngr.com
  
  The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, says troops are making significant progress towards the rescue of 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted in Oyo.
  Shaibu disclosed this during an interactive session with media executives on Saturday in Port Harcourt as part of activities marking the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration.
  The victims were abducted on May 15 from three schools in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo.
  “Operations are currently ongoing to rescue those children
  
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• I don’t date single guys, I go for married men — Esther Nwachukwu

  05-07-2026 10:25 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ayo OnikoyiControversial Nollywood actress Esther Nwachukwu has stirred fresh debate after revealing that she prefers dating married men over single men, describing them as more mature and understanding in relationships.The actress made the remarks during a recent appearance on The Honest Bunch Podcast, where she spoke openly about her dating preferences, views on relationships and financial security.According to Nwachukwu, she deliberately avoids romantic relationships with single men, insi
  
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• How Burna Boy reclaimed Spotify’s African crown from Tems

  05-07-2026 09:44 via vanguardngr.com
  
  By Ayo OnikoyiNigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy has once again etched his name into African music history after overtaking fellow Grammy-winning singer Tems to become the African artist with the highest monthly listeners on Spotify.
  The achievement marks another significant milestone in Burna Boy’s remarkable global rise, highlighting the strength of his ever-expanding international audience and the enduring appeal of his catalogue.According to Spotify data, Burna Boy recently climbe
  
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• England, Mexico face off in Round of 16 blockbuster

  05-07-2026 09:34 via vanguardngr.com
  
  England face Mexico in a World Cup blockbuster at the Estadio Azteca on Sunday while Erling Haaland and Norway bid to ambush Brazil as the battle for quarter-final places heats up.A day after France and Morocco sealed their places in the last eight of the tournament, two more spots are up for grabs in round-of-16 duels in Mexico City and New Jersey.England’s encounter with Mexico has been one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, with the Three Lions returning to the Azteca 4
  
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