Author: Tona.Today

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Gregg Wallace ‘sacked’ from MasterChef amid reports of 50 fresh allegations

Gregg Wallace has been “sacked” as Masterchef presenter following an inquiry into alleged misconduct allegations by production company Banijay, BBC News has reported.

It comes as 50 more people have come forward and made new claims about Wallace to the corporation, according to BBC News, including allegations he dropped his trousers in front of a junior female Masterchef worker while he was not wearing any underwear and groped another.

BBC News said it has not seen the final Banijay report, but it is understood the presenter has been sacked.

Banijay UK previously said Wallace “committed to fully cooperating” with the external review while his lawyers strongly denied “he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature”, according to BBC News.

Earlier on Tuesday, the TV presenter claimed he had been cleared of the “most serious and sensational accusations” made against him ahead of the report.

Wallace stepped away from hosting the BBC cooking show after a number of historical complaints came to light last year.

This triggered an external investigation by Banijay UK, the production company behind Masterchef.

An investigation by BBC News reported that 13 people had alleged that Wallace had made inappropriate sexual comments across a number of shows over 17 years.

In a statement on his Instagram account earlier on Tuesday, ahead of the report being published, Wallace said: “After 21 years of loyal service to the BBC, I cannot sit in silence while my reputation is further damaged to protect others.

“I have now been cleared by the Silkins (sic) report of the most serious and sensational accusations made against me.

“The most damaging claims (including allegations from public figures which have not been upheld) were found to be baseless after a full and forensic six-month investigation.”

He continued: “I recognise that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate. For that, I apologise without reservation. But I was never the caricature now being sold for clicks.”

“I will not go quietly. I will not be cancelled for convenience. I was tried by media and hung out to dry well before the facts were established. The full story of this incredible injustice must be told and it is very much a matter of public interest, ” he added.

BBC spokesperson said: “Banijay UK instructed the law firm Lewis Silkin to run an investigation into allegations against Gregg Wallace. We are not going to comment until the investigation is complete and the findings are published.”

Banijay UK has declined to comment on Wallace’s comments.

ITV News has approached Wallace for comment. (ITV)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize as the two meet at White House

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Donald Trump he was nominating him for a Nobel Peace Prize as the two hailed their recent joint strikes on Iran ‘s nuclear facilities as an unmitigated success.

The pair sat down with their top aides for a dinner in the White House on Monday night, to mark the Iran operation and discuss efforts to push forward with a 60-day ceasefire proposal to pause the 21-month conflict in Gaza.

“He’s forging peace as we speak, one country and one region after the other,” Netanyahu said as he presented Trump with a nominating letter he said he sent the Nobel committee.

The call for the peace prize comes after the Israeli leader for years had pressed Trump and his predecessors to take military action against Iran’s nuclear program.

Trump ordered US forces to drop “bunker-buster” bombs and fire a barrage of Tomahawk missiles on three key Iranian nuclear sites.

It also allowed Netanyahu to further ingratiate himself with Trump, who for years has made little secret of the fact that he covets a Nobel Peace Prize and sees himself as a capable peacemaker.

Netanyahu’s outwardly triumphant visit to the White House, his third this year, was dogged by Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza and questions over how hard Trump will push for an end to the conflict.

But in an exchange before reporters before the dinner got underway, both leaders expressed optimism that their success in Iran would mark a new era in the Middle East.

“I think things are going to be really settled down a lot in the Middle East,” Trump said. “And, they respect us and they respect Israel.”

Trump says Iran wants to restart talks, but Iran hasn’t confirmed that.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian in an interview published Monday said the U.S. airstrikes so badly damaged his country’s nuclear facilities that Iranian authorities still have not been able to access them to survey the destruction.

The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu may also give new urgency to a US ceasefire proposal being discussed by Israel and Hamas. (ITV)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Norman Tebbit, former Tory cabinet minister, dies at 94

Norman Tebbit, the former Conservative cabinet minister and one of Margaret Thatcher’s most loyal supporters, has died at the age of 94.

Tebbit represented the constituencies of Epping and Chingford as an MP for 22 years before receiving a life peerage, making him Lord Tebbit of Chingford. He retired from the House of Lords in 2022.

During his long political career he served as employment secretary, trade and industry secretary, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster and chair of the Conservative party.

His death was confirmed by his son, William, who said in a statement: “At 11.15pm on 7 July 2025 Lord Tebbit died peacefully at home aged 94. His family ask that their privacy is respected at this time and a further statement regarding funeral arrangements will be made in due course.”

Former Conservative prime ministers led tributes to the Tory grandee. Rishi Sunak said Tebbit was a “titan of Conservative politics”. Sunak said his “resilience, conviction and service left a lasting mark on our party and our country”.

David Cameron said Tebbit was a man of “great conviction” and “profound self-belief”, adding: “They don’t make ’em like Norman any more.”

“A man of great conviction, profound self-belief and with a direct and sometimes abrasive tone, he generated strong reactions from all sides,” Cameron said.

“I was sometimes on the hard end of that, but there is no doubting the tremendous impact he had on our country and my party. A staunch believer in self-reliance, hard work and enterprise, as secretary of state for employment he reformed our outdated and ineffective trade union laws, and thus transformed industrial relations in Britain for good.

“But for all his caustic tongue and sharp wit, he was also privately a kind and thoughtful man. The way he stepped aside from public life to care so tenderly and devotedly for his beloved wife, Margaret, after the Brighton bomb speaks to his compassion and the importance he placed on family, above all.”

The Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, said Tebbit “was an icon in British politics and his death will cause sadness across the political spectrum”.

Downing Street said Keir Starmer’s thoughts were with Tebbit’s family and paid tribute to the “great strength he showed” in the face of the Brighton bombing. “He will be missed by many,” a Number 10 spokesman said.

As employment secretary, Tebbit took on the trade unions, and as chair of the Conservative party from 1985 to 1987 he helped Thatcher secure her third general election victory.

He sustained serious injuries in the 1984 Brighton bombing, which left his wife, Margaret, paralysed from the neck down.

Badenoch said: “He was one of the leading exponents of the philosophy we now know as Thatcherism and his unstinting service in the pursuit of improving our country should be held up as an inspiration to all Conservatives. As a minister in Mrs Thatcher’s administration, he was one of the main agents of the transformation of our country, notably in taming the trade unions.

“But to many of us it was the stoicism and courage he showed in the face of terrorism which inspired us as he rebuilt his political career after suffering terrible injuries in the Brighton bomb, and cared selflessly for his wife, Margaret, who was gravely disabled in the bombing – a reminder that he was first and foremost a family man who always held true to his principles. He never buckled under pressure and he never compromised.”

Tebbit was a prominent figure in the Thatcher era with a reputation as a political bruiser unafraid of confrontation as he helped drive forward the economic and social changes that characterised the 1980s.

After inner-city riots in Handsworth, Birmingham, and Brixton, south London, in 1981, he made comments that led to him being called “On yer bike” by critics who felt he was a symbol of Conservative indifference to rising unemployment.

Rejecting suggestions that street violence was a natural response to rising unemployment, he retorted: “I grew up in the 30s with an unemployed father. He didn’t riot. He got on his bike and looked for work, and he kept looking till he found it.”

In 1990, in response to concerns over integration of migrants, he set out the “cricket test”, suggesting the side British Asians supported in internationals should be seen as an indicator of whether they were loyal to the UK, leading to accusations of racism.

He was memorably described by Labour’s Michael Foot as a “semi-housetrained polecat”, and was also nicknamed the “Chingford skinhead” in reference to his east London constituency, while his puppet on the satirical TV show Spitting Image was a leather jacket-clad hardman – an image Tebbit enjoyed because “he was always a winner”.

The former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi said: “Rest in eternal peace, great man. Norman Tebbit was a giant of Conservative politics and Conservative ideals. A man who looked after his beloved wife beautifully after the horrific terror attack by the IRA. A man who nurtured and befriended young conservatives like me.”

The Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage, said on X: “Norman gave me a lot of help in my early days as an MEP and was a great man. RIP.” (Guardian)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Wales team bus involved in crash on way to training for Euro 2025 game

The Welsh national football team have been involved in a traffic collision while heading to training in Switzerland.

Wales women are set to play France tomorrow evening in their second game of Euro 2025 however their bus was involved in a crash on their way St. Gallen Arena on Tuesday (8 July) afternoon.

Tuesday’s training session at the stadium has been cancelled but manager Rhian Wilkinson reassured the media that everyone was OK. She and captain Angharad James had been travelling in a separate car on their way to a press conference.

The team will instead train at their base in Weinfelden.

Shortly after the incident, Wilkinson told members of the media that the situation was “developing” but added: “Everyone is OK, our priority is just to get them all together and away form the scene and then reassess.

“We’ve got great staff and really good support for them and we’ll be checking in to make sure they continue to be OK.

“Also, and just as importantly, I believe the other car involved – I think everyone is OK there as well.”

She added: “Football is secondary and I think yes we are shaken just because we don’t know. We are away from the team right now so they’ve had to experience that but equally we have a great group.

“I’ve been assured everyone is fine. We’ve practised for the unexpected and I think that’s what you can call this.

“Football is secondary but equally we’ll check back in and make sure everyone is in a good spot and then start working towards football again after that.”

In a statement, the FAW said: “The Cymru national team bus has been involved in a road traffic accident whilst travelling to Arena St Gallen for their match day -1 training session ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 match against France.

“All passengers on the Cymru national team bus and in the other vehicle are unharmed. The FAW’s priority has been to remove the players from the scene and return to the Cymru training base to complete their preparations for tomorrow’s match.”

In a press conference at the stadium, France manager Laurent Bonadei sent the team “a message of support, because beyond football, health is so important”.

He added: “I heard they cancelled their training. I hope they’re OK and I hope they’re OK tomorrow. It will be a pleasure to meet them tomorrow.” (ITV)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Wildfires break out near Marseille as airport suspends all flights

A fast-moving wildfire broke out close to the southern French city of Marseille on Tuesday, forcing the city’s airport to suspend all flights.

Some 168 firefighters, two helicopters and 68 engines were deployed to tackle the fire, which broke out in the town of Les Pennes-Mirabeau.

Around 350 hectares (865 acres) have been hit with no reports of casualties.

Pictures online showed flames racing down the hillside as plumes of smoke could be seen falling towards the city.

The prefecture urged people in the affected areas to stay indoors and off the roads.

With the fire approaching Marseille, the prefecture also advised residents in the northern area of the city to remain inside with doors and windows closed to prevent toxic smoke from entering their homes.

Marseille Provence Airport announced that the runway had been closed at around midday on Tuesday.

Several weeks of heatwaves combined with strong winds have increased the risk of wildfires in southern France, with several breaking out over the past couple of days. (ITV)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

10 dead, dozens injured in Kenya anti-govt protests – Rights group

Ten people died across Kenya during anti-government demonstrations on Monday, a rights group said, following clashes between police and protesters in the capital Nairobi’s outskirts.

The Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) also accused the police of cooperating with criminal gangs, as a heavy deployment of the security forces kept much of central Nairobi deserted ahead of the annual marches to mark Saba Saba Day.

Meaning Seven Seven, the demonstrations commemorate July 7, 1990, when Kenyans rose up to demand a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi.

The KNCHR said in a statement it “had documented ten fatalities, twenty-nine injuries” across 17 counties, but did not provide any further details.

From around midday, AFP saw running battles with groups of anti-riot police who fired teargas at small gatherings, with some of the crowd throwing rocks at officers and engaging in destructive looting.

Young Kenyans, frustrated over economic stagnation, corruption and police brutality, are once again engaging in protests that last month degenerated into looting and violence, leaving dozens dead and thousands of businesses destroyed.

Protesters accuse the authorities of paying armed vandals to discredit their movement, while the government has compared June’s demonstrations to an “attempted coup”.

On Monday, the streets of central Nairobi were quiet after police mounted roadblocks on the main roads, restricting entry to areas that were the epicentre of previous rallies.

Many businesses were closed for the day.

“I have never witnessed the city centre like this,” security guard Edmond Khayimba, 29, told AFP.

While the centre remained deserted, groups gathered on the outskirts in the afternoon with AFP reporters witnessing two people wounded, as well as looting and vandalism.

Protesters on a major highway clashed with police blocking their entry into the city, with the small crowds chanting: “Ruto Must Go”, a popular rallying cry against President William Ruto, and “wantam” meaning “one term”.

Again, AFP saw looting and property destruction in the surrounding area.

In its statement, the KNCHR noted the presence of “criminal gangs wielding crude weapons, including whips, wooden clubs, machetes, spears, bows and arrows” during the protests in a number of counties. It said that in Nairobi, “these hooded gangs were seen operating alongside police officers”.

It also said it had documented 37 arrests.

In comments to AFP, the National Police Service (NPS) spokesperson said that the KNCHR statements “may lack factualness many times over”.

The spokesperson also reiterated that the NPS “would never work alongside individuals called ‘goons’ or criminal elements”, a reference to the armed men paid to disrupt demonstrations.

Kipchumba Murkomen, the interior cabinet secretary, said recent demonstrations had “been infiltrated by criminals out to cause chaos and destruction”.

In a statement on X, he said the looting and violence had been “markedly reduced” by the officers’ presence, but promised those responsible would be “investigated and charged”. (Punch)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Trump to slap allies Japan, South Korea with 25% tariffs

President Donald Trump announced tariffs of 25 per cent on Japan and South Korea on Monday, stepping up pressure on the two key US allies and a dozen other economies to reach trade deals with Washington.

Trump issued similar letters to South Africa, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos and Kazakhstan, saying he would slap duties on their products ranging from 25 per cent to 40 per cent.

The president had said at the weekend that, starting from Monday, he would send a first batch of letters to countries informing them that he would reimpose harsh levies earlier postponed in April.

In near-identically worded letters to Japanese and South Korean leaders, Trump said the tariff hikes came as their trading relationships with Washington were “unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.”

The tariffs set out in Trump’s latest letters are due to take effect on August 1. He warned of further escalation if the countries involved retaliated against the duties.

Currently, the affected countries have been hit with a 10 per cent levy Trump imposed on almost all trading partners.

But Trump said he was ready to lower the new levels if countries changed their trade policies: “We will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter.”

Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said Sunday that he “won’t easily compromise” in trade talks with Washington.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday that Trump would sign an order later in the day to delay his original July 9 deadline for steeper tariffs to take effect – postponing their imposition to August 1.

She added that besides Japan and South Korea, there would be approximately 12 other partners receiving letters from Trump soon.

With the deadline extension, Leavitt noted that Trump would set out the “reciprocal tariff rate” for partners in the coming month as negotiations continue.

Trump originally announced sweeping tariffs on world economies on what he called “Liberation Day” on April 2, claiming the United States was being “ripped off.”

Amid market turmoil, he then suspended the initial tariffs for 90 days, a deadline that would have expired Wednesday without the latest extension.

While the Trump administration had signalled hopes of striking dozens of deals by July – at one point boasting of “90 deals in 90 days”- there have been limited results so far.

Washington has unveiled pacts with only Britain and Vietnam, while the United States and China agreed to temporarily lower tariff levels on each other’s products that earlier reached three digits. (Punch)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Ex-Eagles keeper trainer Agu salutes Rufai

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer Alloy Agu has hailed the late Peter Rufai as one of the best he has ever seen in the colours of Nigeria, following the death of the Nigerian goalkeeping legend last week, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Rufai died at the age of 61 last Thursday following a brief illness and tributes have been pouring from different corners of the world and even outside the football community.

Agu competed for the number one jersey with Rufai during their heydays in the national team and the ex-Eagles keeper trainer says he won’t shy away from regarding the late keeper as number one.

“It’s an international loss. He was a little bit ahead of us, and honestly, he was number one. Peter is somebody whose confidence and command of the goalpost is one of the best I have ever seen,” Agu told The PUNCH.

“Working with him enabled me to see how hardworking he was and how thorough he was about his game.

The 57-year-old Agu was the preferred choice for some of the qualifying matches for the USA 1994 World Cup but he was displaced by Rufai towards the end of the series and for the mundial.

Despite losing his place, Agu noted their rivalry was healthy during an interview with Premium Times.

“I think everyone has a role to play and then, I told myself, he is Nigerian too. And there was a time he was on the bench watching while I was Nigeria’s No.1. I had to support Rufai when the coach picked him ahead of me.

“I had no hard feelings because we are one happy family and Nigeria is bigger than anyone. I came into the picture again when we played against the Asian team and was adjudged as the man of the match. No man is an island!”

The late Rufai made over 60 caps for Nigeria and he famously scored a goal – a penalty which was the last goal in the 6-0 drubbing of Ethiopia during a 1994 AFCON qualifier.

He later led Nigeria to a second continental title in Tunisia in 1994. His penalty saves in the semi-final against holders Ivory Coast and three crucial saves in the final against Zambia remain etched in Nigerian football folklore. (Punch)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Olubadan: Olakulehin promoted unity, development, ADC pays tribute

The African Democratic Congress has expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Olubadan, the Oyo State Government, the people of Ibadanland, and the entire Yoruba nation over the death of Olubadan, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on Monday at the age of 90.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described Olakulehin’s reign as one characterised by outstanding leadership, unity, and unwavering dedication to the development and prosperity of Ibadanland.

The statement read in part, “Oba Olakulehin was a distinguished monarch, a beacon of wisdom, and a custodian of Yoruba culture and traditions. His reign was marked by exemplary leadership, unity, and a commitment to the progress and well-being of Ibadanland.

“His legacy as a peace-loving and visionary king will forever be etched in the hearts of his people and beyond.

“We mourn the loss of this great icon, whose life exemplified service, humility, and dedication to the development of his people. As we share in this moment of grief, we pray that Almighty God grants his family, the Ibadan Traditional Council, and the people of Oyo State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

“May the soul of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, rest in perfect peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire generations.” (Punch)

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Road rehabilitation will boost intrastate transport, NANS tells Ogun gov

The National Association of Nigerian Students has commended the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for approving the reconstruction of more roads across the state.

The student body also lauded the governor for authorising the procurement of ultra-modern security gadgets to strengthen the state’s security architecture and safeguard infrastructure.

Abiodun had announced the approval of the road projects during the weekly meeting of the State Executive Council.

The newly approved roads include the 5.4km Ogbeere–Orita Mobi Junction Road in Ijebu East Local Government, the 3.2km Erinlu–Imosan Road in Odogbolu Local Government, and the 2.0km Imodi–Imosan Road, also in Odogbolu Local Government.

NANS, in a statement issued on Friday in Abeokuta by the Chairman of its Ogun Joint Campus Committee, Gabriel Abiola, described the governor’s approval as a giant stride in the current administration’s efforts to improve infrastructure across the state.

He said, “The newly approved roads, along with 11 others earlier earmarked for rehabilitation across the three senatorial districts, will significantly boost intrastate transportation for commuters and aid the movement of farm produce.”

Abiola also paised the Abiodun-led administration for its commitment to the construction and rehabilitation of roads since inception, saying the state has witnessed remarkable infrastructural transformation under the current government.

While commending the governor’s achievements across all sectors, particularly in education, the NANS chairman urged him not to relent in his efforts to make Ogun State better than he met it.

He specifically applauded Abiodun for ensuring the continuation and completion of road projects abandoned by the previous administration.

Abiola, however, appealed to the governor to also consider roads leading to campuses of tertiary institutions for rehabilitation, reminding him of his promise to construct the access road to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta.

The NANS chairman affirmed that students in the state will continue to support the governor’s efforts to move Ogun to greater heights of socioeconomic development. (Punch)