80-year-old man, wife slaughtered in Abuja home (Leadership)
An 80-year-old man, identified as Adebola Ezekiel, and his wife, Abiodun Ezekiel, have been found dead in their apartment at Apo area in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, after they were hacked by unknown assailants.
Information gathered revealed that the incident happened on Monday at the highbrow Apo Legislative Quarters in the Apo area of the FCT around 11pm.
According to the information, the aged man who was on a wheelchair and his wife had their throats slit by the assailants, who used a dagger. Read more
Police raid kidnappers’ hideout in Lagos, arrest 3 (DailyTrust)
The Police in Lagos have confirmed the arrest of three suspected kidnappers in the Ijanikin area of the state.
The Zonal Public Relations Officer (ZPRO), SP Umma Ayuba, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
She gave the names of the suspects as Samuel Kwasi, 64; Monday Unachukwu, 24; and Freeman Ekpebo, 23. Read more
1,455 Lagos retirees get N4b (Nation)
No fewer than 1,455 Lagos State government retirees have received over N4 billion accrued pension rights as their benefits.
They were presented their Retirement Bond Presentation at a ceremony organised by the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) in Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Director-General of LASPEC, Mr. Babalola Obilana, said the event marked a significant milestone in the lives of the state retirees to honour their service. Read more
Terrorism: Court gives DSS nod to detain ISIS member for 60 days (Vanguard)
The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, gave the Department of State Services, DSS, the permission to detain one Emmanuel Osase, who was accused of being a member of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, ISIS.
The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo who is sitting a the vacation judge, gave the security agency the nod to keep Osase in its custody for 60 days to enable the conclusion of investigations into his alleged involvement with the terror group.
The detention order followed an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/409/2024, which the DSS filed through it’s team of lawyers led by A. A. Ugee. Read more
1 dead as windstorm wrecks havoc in Nasarawa communities (Channels)
One person has been confirmed dead and many were injured in a windstorm which occurred on Tuesday night in the Agbashi Community area of the Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
Several houses and public infrastructure were also destroyed, leading to the displacement of thousands of people.
While the Acting Chairman of Agbashi Development Association, Anthony Oshinyeka, confirmed the death to our reporter, the State Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Margaret Elayo, said the level of destruction, and number of persons and communities affected, were yet to be ascertained, adding that a team from the ministry is assessing the damage. Read more
Impeachment: Shaibu’s lawyer withdraws, panel continues investigation (Punch)
The retired Justice S.A. Omonuwa’s seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, to investigate allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, on Wednesday ruled that the panel will continue its investigation as there was no court order stopping it.
The ruling came after Shaibu’s counsel, Prof Oladoyin Awoyale (SAN), raised an objection to the continuation of the investigation in view of the order of an Abuja Federal High Court which adjourned the case filed before it by Shaibu till April 8, 2024, for parties in the matter to come and show cause why the court should grant or refuse the prayers for interlocutory injunction against the impeachment processes.
Justice Omonuwa (retd.), while giving his ruling, said the Federal High Court in Abuja only asked parties to come and show cause. Read more
Okuama killings: Ewu king is safe, secure with us — CDS (Tribune)
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has assured that the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, HRM Clement Oghenerukevwe, is safe and secure in their care.
The Chief of Defence Staff made this known on Wednesday while appearing as a guest on Arise Television.
Recall that the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had, on March 28, declared wanted eight persons, including the traditional ruler of Ewu Kingdom, over their alleged roles in the recent killing of 17 military personnel at Okuama in Delta State. Read more
1 killed as Ebonyi community decries attacks, harassment of natives by Nigerian Army (Independent)
A group, Ishinkwo Development Union in diaspora has decried the incessant attacks and harassment of the people of Ishinkwo Autonomous community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi state allegedly by men of the Nigerian Army.
Leader of the group, who is also the Town Union President, Comrade Joseph Itumo disclosed this while briefing Journalists, on Monday.
Comrade Itumo who also used the opportunity to condemn the killing of one person, Bathelomy Otaji,at the early hours of Easter Sunday in the community called for thorough investigation,arrest and prosecution of those who committed the ugly act. Read more
Minnie Driver says producers on 1998 film wouldn’t let her wear a wetsuit ‘‘so they could see my nipples’’ (IrishIndependent)
Minnie Driver says she was not allowed a wetsuit on the 1998 film Hard Rain because producers “wanted to see my nipples”.
British-American Driver plays a local woman named Karen in the Mikael Salomon thriller about a bank heist that takes place during torrential storms.
The actor spoke about the filming conditions during an appearance on Jameela Jamil’s SiriusXM podcast I Weigh. Read more
Haiti Gangs: More than 50k flee capital after surge in violence (BBC)
Tens of thousands of people have fled the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, to escape a surge in gang violence over the past weeks.
UN figures suggest more than 53,000 left the city of 3m between 8-27 March. The UN is warning that the rural regions to which many have fled are not equipped to deal with such a large influx of displaced people.
Meanwhile, gangs are attacking businesses in the capital, torching pharmacies and vandalising schools. Read more
70 miners trapped in 2 coal mines after powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake (Metro)
Taiwanese authorities have said 70 miners are trapped in two coal mines after a powerful earthquake rocked the island.
Nine people are dead and over 900 have been injured after Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in a quarter century has decimated the region.
The quake, which measured 7.4 on the Richter scale, was centred off the coast of the rural, mountainous Hualien County, where some buildings leaned at severe angles, their ground floors crushed. Read more
Kid Cudi’s insane new head tattoo literally takes fans inside his mind: ‘My dreamland’ (HipHopDx)
Kid Cudi has welcomed fans inside his “dreamland” with a new tattoo that covers the entirety of his head.
The Cleveland native, who already has a number of striking tattoos on his body, unveiled arguably his boldest one yet on Tuesday (April 2).
The Man on the Moon rapper took to social media to share photos of his new ink, which was done by famed tattoo artist Doctor Woo and is located squarely on the top of his shaved skull. Read more
Rahul Gandhi files nomination for India election from Kerala seat (AlJazeera)
Thousands of supporters thronged India’s most prominent opposition leader Rahul Gandhi during a campaign procession before his formal nomination for the parliamentary election starting this month.
Gandhi, 53, is the son, grandson, and great-grandson of former prime ministers, but his Congress party has already suffered two landslide defeats against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
He is the leading figure in an opposition alliance fighting an uphill battle in this year’s polls against Modi, who remains broadly popular after a decade in power and is likely to retain office comfortably. Read more
A California bill would let workers ignore their bosses during off hours (NBC)
A new bill is aiming to give Californians more work-life balance by restricting when employers can contact them during off hours.
So-called “right to disconnect” laws have already made headlines overseas. If passed, California would be the first state in the U.S. to try it.
Under the bill proposed by San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney, California companies would have to better specify employee “compensated” hours. Read more
Missing 1923 actor Cole brings plenty named as suspect in domestic violence case (People)
Authorities in Kansas are searching for Cole Brings Plenty, the nephew of Yellowstone star Mo Brings Plenty and recurring actor on the show’s spinoff series, 1923.
On Tuesday, Mo, 54, shared a missing persons poster of his nephew on Instagram, announcing that Cole, 27, had been last seen on Sunday evening in a white Ford Explorer. According to the poster, he missed an appointment with his agent for a TV show, which is “uncharacteristic” for him, and raised alarm. The poster noted his cell phone is “currently off.”
Cole, who played sheepherder Pete Plenty Clouds in 1923, was last seen leaving Lawrence, Kansas, in his car in the “early morning hours” on Sunday, per the poster. Read more
Adepoju lauds Dare for establishing Black Scorpion FC in Ogbomoso (Nation)
Former Nigeria International Mutiu Adepoju has commended Chief Sunday Dare’s passion for sports development in Nigeria, as he applauded the establishment of Black Scorpion FC, a brain child of Dare.
Adepoju, a former national team captain, lauded Dare’s commitment to sports, stating :”Dare has shown tremendous passion for sports in Nigeria. It is understood that he did a lot when he was the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, but his continuous passion for sports development till date means he has an undying love for sports. Owning a football club is a capital-intensive venture, and he is doing it.”
Black Scorpion FC already boasts a strong foundation in terms of structure and organization. With a dedicated camp, a coaster bus, and well-produced sets of jerseys and training kits, the club demonstrates professionalism, a quality emblematic of Dare’s leadership ethos, according to Adepoju. Read more
Okpekpe road race organisers renew partnership with Nigerian Breweries, Development Bank (Leadership)
Organisers of the Okpekpe international 10km road race, the first World Athletics label road running event in West Africa say Nigeria’s pioneer and largest brewing firm, Nigerian Breweries Plc and Nigeria’s primary development finance institution set up to promote growth and sustainability, Development Bank have once again thrown their weight behind the historic event.
Zack Amodu, the race director, said in a statement yesterday that the two organisations have extended their partnership with the first road race in Nigeria to have its course measured by a World Athletics accredited course measurer as organizers celebrate 10 years of world class road running event in Nigeria.
“We are delighted that the two companies have renewed their commitment to see that we deliver another world class event worthy of our gold label status,’ said Amodu, who disclosed Nigerian Breweries Plc and Development Bank of Nigeria, DBN, have been part of the success story of the event.
‘Nigerian Breweries Plc is coming in as the official malt drink while DBN is the official bank of the road. Read more
Luis Rubiales arrested in corruption investigation (BBC)
Luis Rubiales, the former president of the Spanish football federation (RFEF), was arrested on Wednesday as part of a corruption investigation.
He was released soon after being detained on arrival in Madrid from the Dominican Republic.
He is suspected of receiving illegal commissions when negotiating a lucrative deal to stage the Spanish Super Cup competition in Saudi Arabia. Read more
Chelsea issue Conor Gallagher statement after star abused over mascot ‘snub’ (Mirror)
Conor Gallagher came under heavy fire after appearing to shun a mascot before Chelsea’s clash with Burnley – and the club have moved to defend their player after mass criticism
Chelsea have defended Conor Gallagher after an “out of context” video in which he appeared to snub a mascot received heavy criticism.
The Blues skipper walked to the front of the queue in the tunnel prior to his side’s match with Burnley on Saturday. As he approached two mascots stood waiting – he shook one of their hands before tapping the other one on the back, despite them having their hand out for a handshake. Read more
“Sebastian Vettel hints at Formula One return after revealing Mercedes talks (Telegraph)
Sebastian Vettel admits he has thought about a Formula One return as he “misses the competition”, adding he has been “talking to a lot of team principals” recently, including Mercedes’s Toto Wolff.
Vettel, the four-time world champion who left the sport at the end of 2022, was coy on whether he and Wolff had outright discussed the possibility of him replacing Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton next year, saying only that they had spoken about “other things”. But the two are good friends and it would be a surprise if Wolff had not sounded out the German as one possible option.
The Austrian’s preferred candidate, by his own admission, would be Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, if the three-time world champion could be prised from Red Bull. Failing that, Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli is a strong candidate should he impress in F2 this year. Other names in the frame include Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari). Read more
Morocco: Rabab Cheddar chases Olympic dreams while fasting Ramadan (AfricaNews)
Moroccan flyweight boxer Rabab Cheddar is pushing her limits in pursuit of a dream: qualifying for the upcoming Paris Olympics. But her journey is unlike that of many athletes.
Cheddar trains during the holy month of Ramadan, where fasting from sunrise to sunset is observed.
“I prepare normally, as usual,” Cheddar says. Sweat drips from her face as she practices with other female and male boxers in a worn down gym in Casablanca. ”Currently, during the month of Ramadan, I train before and after breaking fast, in order to remain fully prepared. This is in order to be ready at anytime the national team calls up.” Read more