2 killed as LASTMA officials, driver clash, LG office razed (Punch)
Angry youths on Tuesday razed facilities at the Isolo Local Council Development Area office building in Okota, Lagos.
This followed the death of two yet-to-be-identified persons who were said to have died after a scuffle involving officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, a policeman and a driver in the Ago Palace area of Isolo, Lagos.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident happened around 9am when the yet-to-be-identified driver allegedly tried to escape after a traffic infraction.
Eyewitnesses said LASTMA officials, aided by a policeman, chased the motorist. Read more
MohBad: Naira Marley in Police custody for interrogation (Guardian)
Nigerian musician and the owner of Marlian Records, Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, is now in police custody for interrogation over the death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, known as Mohbad.
The spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Ben Hundeyin, confirmed this in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday night.
“Azeez Fashola, aka Naira Marley, has been taken into custody for interrogation and other investigation activities… #justice4Mohbad #justiceforMohbad,” Hundeyin posted. Read more
Agreement with organised labour to cost FG N2t (Nation)
The Federal Government will spend not less than N2 trillion directly on the implementation of the Monday’s pact with the organised labour.
After a four-hour meeting, an agreement was reached to cushion the petrol subsidy removal pains on federal workers and other categories of Nigerians.
Highlights of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by government and labour are as follows:
•Payment of a wage award of N35,000 monthly to federal workers for six months; Read more
Command old students plan N30m loan for members (Punch)
Old students of Command Secondary School, Ipaja, Lagos, have planned to raise a N30m microfinance loan to support their members.
Speaking at the 35th anniversary of their graduation and award ceremony, the President of COMLAG C’88 set, also called the Class of Eagles, Mr Kayode Ogunsola, explained that the contribution for the fund, which was now close to N20m, started a few months ago and would be used to sponsor business enterprises of their members.
He added that the disbursement of the loan would be through a microfinance bank. Read more
Stakeholders move to tackle waste pollution in Lagos (DailyTrust)
The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) has partnered with the Lagos State Government to address packaging waste with the “Trash Talk” campaign to tackle pollution.
At a workshop to kick-start the partnership, which was held at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, engaged stakeholders across the packaging and bottling industries, government agencies and FBRA to enforce a collective responsibility for packaging waste in the state by reviewing Lagos’ current recycling position and defining next steps to promote a cleaner Lagos.
Under the theme: “Beating Packaging Waste Pollution in Lagos by 2025”, the summit featured a range of educational sessions and speaking engagements led by representatives from the private and public sectors. Read more
Shaibu, Kperogi dissect Tinubu’s Chicago documents (Guardian)
An aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, yesterday, said documents released by Chicago State University, alongside President Bola Tinubu’s academic records, indicate Nigeria’s leader submitted a fake certificate to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Special Assistant on Public Communications, Phrank Shaibu, in a statement, said: “The samples of redacted certificates handed to us by CSU show that the one submitted to INEC by Tinubu was indeed a forgery, and this will be made known during the deposition, which will be done under oath.”
But a former National Vice Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Hilliard Eta, downplayed the matter, saying there is no reason to worry. Read more
Reps move to establish bio-fuels energy industry framework (Vanguard)
In a significant move towards a greener and more sustainable energy future in Nigeria, the House of Representatives has passed for Second reading a Bill for an Act to Provide a Policy Framework for the Development of Bio-Fuels Energy Industry in Nigeria.
The bill which is sponsored by Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, along with Hon. Khadija Bukar Ibrahim and Hon. Babajimi Benson,aims to establish the Bio-Fuels Energy Regulatory Commission and the Bio-Fuels Research Agency, marking a crucial step in Nigeria’s efforts to combat climate change and diversify its domestic economy.
In his Lead debate, Hon Kalu who is the deputy speaker of the house said the bio-fuel policy was initially introduced by Nigeria in 2007 to address climate change concerns, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and promote economic diversification. Read more
Edo Court sentences human trafficker to 12 years imprisonment, N24m fine (NewTelegraph)
An Edo State High Court sitting in Benin on Tuesday sentenced a notorious human trafficker, Mrs Felicia Osaigbovo alias Mama Masha to 12 years imprisonment and a fine of ₦24 million.
Mama Masha who lives at Okuarobo Street, Off St. Saviour Street, Upper Sakponba Road, Benin City, Edo State was arraigned on July 1, 2021, on a 24-count charge of assisting the activities of persons engaged in Trafficking in Persons contrary to Section 13(4)c TIPPEA,2015
The convict was also accused of organizing foreign travels which promoted prostitution contrary to Section 18 of TIPPEA,2015 for twelve victims currently in Belgium. Read more
Sia looks unrecognizable in rare appearance as popstar confesses to plastic surgery (Hello!)
Sia surprised fans and peers with her unrecognizable new look in a rare appearance on Monday when she candidly shared that she had recently undergone a facelift.
The 47-year-old singer unveiled this revelation during the 5th annual Daytime Beauty Awards in Los Angeles, where she took the stage to honor her ‘good friend’, Dr. Talei, with the Outstanding Achievement in Medicine award.
During her presentation, Sia, who has historically shied away from the spotlight—often obscuring her face with elaborate wigs and disguises—expressed her gratitude to Dr. Talei. Read more
Kanye West reportedly debuts new album at private listening party in Italy (NME)
Kanye West reportedly held an intimate listening party at a recording studio in Italy last weekend to debut his new album.
No title or release date for the project has been announced, though late last month ‘Jesus Is King 2’ – the rapper’s follow-up to his 2019 gospel album – was leaked online. Sources also told TMZ last week that Ye was working on a new album and completed nearly 10 tracks within that week alone.
The album preview was hosted on Sunday, according to The Sun, and is said to have included a collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign. Read more
After being ousted as House speaker, McCarthy says he won’t run again (France24)
Republican Kevin McCarthy rode the tiger of far-right US politics led by Donald Trump to achieve his dream of becoming House speaker early this year. Then on Tuesday, the tiger turned and ate him.
For the first time in its 234-year history, the House backed a resolution “to vacate the office of the speaker” with a 216-210 vote setting the stage for an unprecedented contest to replace McCarthy a year before the presidential election.
The 55th speaker of the House of Representatives was booted out in a shock vote brought by rebels in his own party who have seethed in the nine months since McCarthy narrowly quelled their attempts to block him and managed to claim the most powerful job in Congress. Read more
Country superstar Zach Bryan announces 1st Australian show (SMH)
The dust is just settling from Luke Combs’ sold-out national tour, but country music fans will need to saddle up once more with fellow superstar Zach Bryan set to visit Australia in December.
Bryan will perform one show only on December 9 in St Kilda’s Catani Gardens as part of the state government’s Always Live program. The performance will mark Bryan’s debut in Australia and caps off a remarkable twelve months for the 27-year-old.
Last year Bryan’s major-label debut album, “American Heartbreak”, entered the Billboard 200 at number five. However, it was his self-titled album in 2023 that truly catapulted him to superstardom, debuting at number one on the Billboard charts and helping him notch up more than one billion Spotify streams. His collaboration with Kacey Musgraves “I Remember Everything” also hit number one on the Billboard singles chart last month. Read more
Tom Hanks says AI version of him used in dental plan ad without his consent (Guardian)
Tom Hanks has warned fans that an ad for a dental plan that appears to use his image is in fact fake and was created using artificial intelligence.
In a message posted to his 9.5 million Instagram followers, the actor said his image was used without his permission. “BEWARE!! There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with an AI version of me. I have nothing to do with it,” Hanks wrote over a screenshot of a computer-generated image of himself from the clip.
The Oscar winner has expressed concerns in the past about the use of AI in film and TV, although he has not shied away from approving digitally altered versions of himself in film. Read more
Gerard Depardieu writes open letter in French newspaper to deny rape claims (Sky)
Actor Gerard Depardieu has written an open letter to deny claims of rape and sexual assault.
The French star said he had “never, ever abused a woman” and that “hurting a woman would be like kicking my own mother in the stomach”.
Depardieu was charged with rape two years ago after an actress in her 20s said she was attacked by him on two occasions at his home in 2018. Read more
UN Security Council approves international security force for Haiti (France24)
The United Nations Security Council on Monday authorized a foreign security mission to Haiti, a year after the Caribbean country asked for help to fight violent gangs that have largely overrun its capital Port-au-Prince.
The 15-member council also expanded a U.N. arms embargo to include all gangs. The embargo previously only applied to designated individuals. Haitian officials have said guns used by gangs are believed to be mostly imported from the United States.
The council adopted a resolution, drafted by the U.S. and Ecuador, that authorizes the so-called Multinational Security Support mission “to take all necessary measures” – code for use of force. Read more
UCL: Osimhen fires blank as Real Madrid edge Napoli in 5-goal thriller (Leadership)
Nigeria’s in-form striker, Victor Osimhen, failed to rescue his Napoli side as they suffered 2-3 defeat to Real Madrid in their Champions League Group C clash on Tuesday.
The Spanish giants fought back to secure a barnstorming 3-2 win with the Italian side’s keeper Alex Meret scoring an unfortunate own goal to hand the Spaniards victory.
Leo Ostigard’s header opened the scoring for Napoli in the 19th minute, but the visitors recovered with strikes from Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham within seven first-half minutes. Read more
Bukayo Saka: Injury against Lens “a worry” for Arsenal, says Mikel Arteta (BBC)
Mikel Arteta said Bukayo Saka’s latest injury is “a worry” – but does not regret picking him to play in Arsenal’s 2-1 Champions League defeat at Lens.
Saka set up Gabriel Jesus’ goal, but went off with a muscular problem in the 34th minute as his side lost for the first time this season.
“We don’t know anything more,” said Arteta.
“It was big enough not to allow him to continue to play the game and that’s a worry for us.” Read more
Francis Lee: Former Manchester City, England, Bolton and Derby striker dies aged 79 (BBC)
Former Manchester City and England striker Francis Lee has died, aged 79.
Lee scored 148 goals in 330 appearances during an eight-year spell at City, helping the club win multiple honours, including the old First Division title in 1968.
Lee, who started his career at Bolton Wanderers, joined Derby County from City, helping the Rams win their second league title in 1975.
He also earned 27 caps for England, scoring 10 goals. Read more
Mauricio Pochettino vows to continue to show belief in Chelsea’s young stars (BelfastTelegraph)
Mauricio Pochettino promised Chelsea will continue to show belief in their young stars after Mykhailo Mudryk scored his first goal for the club in their 2-0 win against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Armando Broja, making his first start since injuring his ACL in December, also netted as the visitors gave their most convincing performance yet of the manager’s reign and ended a run of three Premier League games without a goal.
Chelsea took the lead after 18 minutes when Mudryk chested down Levi Colwill’s expertly-flighted cross and nudged the ball past Bernd Leno as the Fulham goalkeeper advanced. Read more
Wembanyama bulks up ahead of NBA debut season (France24)
French prodigy Victor Wembanyama said Monday he has bulked up significantly as he prepares for the physically demanding rigors of his debut NBA season with the San Antonio Spurs.
The 19-year-old 7ft 3in phenomenon’s relatively slender physique was queried by some before he was chosen by San Antonio with the top pick in the NBA draft in June.
But Wembanyama revealed on Monday that he has piled on the muscle following his arrival in Texas as he readies for his first season in the world’s most unforgiving basketball crucible. Read more
Alcaraz and Medvedev advance to semifinals at China Open. Swiatek wins on debut in Beijing (TorontoStar)
Second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz eased to his 12th semifinal appearance of the season with a 6-4, 6-2 win over seventh-seeded Casper Ruud at the China Open on Monday.
The top-seeded Spaniard recovered from falling a break behind in the first set before he overpowered Ruud with 30 winners and four breaks of serve to advance.
“To be able to beat a player like Casper in straight sets is really good,” Alcaraz said. “It means you are playing well. It is really tough, big rallies at the beginning of the match, but I am really happy with the level. Read more
