Banker stops 64-year-old from delivering N600k to soothsayers (Punch)
Two suspected fraudsters, posing as prophets, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for attempting to extort N600,000 from a 64-year-old woman in Lagos.
According to the police, the incident happened on Friday when the suspects and their accomplice, still at large, offered the sexagenarian a ride and began to tell her that they had a prophecy that she would die. They demanded money from her in order to help her avert death.
The victim, whose identity wasn’t disclosed, was said to have rushed to a nearby bank around 3.50pm and attempted to withdraw the demanded amount when the cashier noticed her restlessness.
Sunday Special learnt that she kept receiving calls repeatedly while she was making efforts to make withdrawal. Read more
Man kills mother-in-law, worshipper inside Lagos church (Vanguard)
A 38-year-old man Jimoh Jogbo, stormed an undisclosed church in the Lekki area of Lagos and allegedly attacked his mother-in-law, resulting in her death.
Another worshipper, Jamiu Sakire, 40, who attempted to raise the alarm, also had his life snuffed out of him by the suspect.
Preliminary investigation by the Police revealed that the suspect had carnal of his wife’s 14- year- old younger sister.
His mother-in-law was said to have refused to bow to entreaties by the suspect, insisting rather, that the case would be reported to the Police for justice to prevail.
The attack on her was said to be an apparent bid to stop her from carrying out her threat. Read more
Nigeria-Canada relations: Osinbajo departs for Ottawa (Guardian)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, on Sunday, departed Abuja for Ottawa on the first high level visit to Canada since 2000 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo visited the North American nation.
Laolu Akande, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, who disclosed this in a statement, said the visit would deepen diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Canada.
Osinbajo will meet the Canadian Deputy Prime Minister, Chrystia Freeland, and other top parliamentarians and members of the Canadian government in Ottawa, on Monday.
During the 3-day visit, issues and events around educational collaboration, technology, creative industry and climate justice among others, will also feature. Read more
PDP Crisis: g5 floats integrity group, insists on not campaigning for Atiku (DailyTrust)
The five aggrieved governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have announced the formation of the Integrity Group.
This was announced when the G5 met in Lagos on Sunday.
At the meeting, the group said no going back on the decision not to be part of the campaign of the presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
They also demanded the resignation of the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.
The governors present at the meeting include Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu). Read more
No car stolen inside RCCG camp – Police (Vanguard)
The Nigerian Police has dismissed reports in a section of the media that a car belonging to a worshipper was stolen from the Redeemer Christian Church of God, RCCG, camp ground in Keffi, Nasarawa State.
The 21st Edition of Abuja Special Holy Ghost Service held at the ground between November 10 and 12.
An online report had quoted a painter, Gabriel Oluwagbenga, as saying that his car was stolen from the camp ground on November 12.
The Divisional Police Officer, Goshen Police station, CSP Eunice Ogbudu, said worshippers were always advised to use designated parking lots, as parking outside of them could be risky. Read more
Aggrieved Retirees Sue FG Over Alleged Disparity In Pension Policy (Tribune)
Retirees in the six geo-political zones of the country have dragged the Federal Government before the National Industrial Court in Abuja challenging an alleged discrimination in the implementation of Pension Policy in the country.
The retirees are specifically challenging the alleged refusal of the Federal Government to review upward, their pensions in line with provisions of section 173 of the 1999 Constitution.
In the suit marked NICN/ABJ/CS/1310/2022 and filed on their behalf by Chief Chiesonu Okpoko (SAN), the retirees are asking the court to determine the legality and applicability of section 173 of the 1999 Constitution, Pension Acts of 2004 and 2014 and circulars issued by the Federal Government agencies relating to pension implementations. Read more
Countries without functional emergency services underdeveloped – Bianca Ojukwu (Punch)
Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late leader of Biafra, Odumegwu Ojukwu, said on Sunday that any country without functional emergency services was underdeveloped and not developing.
She stated this as she narrated her experience at an accident scene at the Ugwu Onyeama Enugu Expressway late Saturday.
She wrote this in a statement posted to her Facebook page.
Ojukwu, in the statement titled, ‘Highway to death’, wrote: “Yesterday 19th Nov 2022 on my way back from a wedding ceremony late afternoon I stumbled upon a horrific accident scene at the Ugwu Onyeama Enugu Expressway. A tanker had just collided with a coaster bus carrying passengers who were on their way back from an event. Read more
Houses, shops, cars others burnt in Edo tank explosion (DailyTrust)
Five houses, four shops and two cars were burnt following a fire ignited by spilled automotive gas oil from a tanker involved in an accident in Edo state.
It was gathered that the accident happened over the weekend along Benin-Akure Road by Owan Bridge, Sobe Town in Owan West Local Government Of Edo state.
Daily Trust learnt that the tanker conveying Automotive Gas Oil was coming from Benin City heading towards the Northern States along Benin/ Akure Road by Owan Bridge when he lost control of the vehicle, went off the road, spilled its contents and ignited a fire.
It was gathered that two cars, one motorcycle, five houses and four kiosks located on the expressway were destroyed by the fire. Read more
Lupita Nyong’o shares training routine for Black Panther (Metro)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Lupita Nyong’o has shown exactly how she improved her swimming skills for the sequel, and it does not look easy.
With much of the movie set underwater in a kingdom called Talokan and the actress admitting that she used to ‘swim like a panicked puppy’, she took on intense training to prepare herself.
Earlier this month, Lupita said she added general swimming to her training routine and also took part in Extreme Performance Training.
‘It’s learning how to improve your breath capacity by performing tasks underwater, so I would carry these weights and walk on the floor of a pool,’ she told talk show host Jimmy Fallon. Read more
Cheryl Burke announces she’s leaving ‘DWTS’ as a pro after 26 seasons (PageSix)
In a heartfelt post shared via Instagram on Sunday, the “Dancing With the Stars” fan-favorite announced she’s exiting the dance competition show as a pro dancer after 26 seasons.
“I am sitting here full of so many conflicting emotions about the words I am about to write…Tomorrow night will officially be my final dance as a pro dancer on @dancingwiththestars,” Burke, 38, began, calling the move “one of the absolute hardest decisions” of her life.
“This show has been my 2nd family since I was 21 years old. The cast, crew & fans have seen me through my highest highs & some of my lowest lows, & I honestly don’t know who I would be today without them.”
Burke made her debut as a pro during Season 2 in 2006, taking home the coveted mirrorball trophy with 98 Degrees singer Drew Lachey. She won again with former NFL star Emmitt Smith the following season. Read more
Climate costs deal struck but no fossil fuel progress (BBC)
A historic deal has been struck at the UN’s COP27 summit that will see rich nations pay poorer countries for the damage and economic losses caused by climate change.
It ends almost 30 years of waiting by nations facing huge climate impacts.
But developed nations left dissatisfied over progress on cutting fossil fuels.
“A clear commitment to phase-out all fossil fuels? Not in this text,” said the UK’s Alok Sharma, who was president of the previous COP summit in Glasgow.
This year’s talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, came close to collapse, and overran by two days. Read more
David Bowie’s son Duncan Jones slams Donald Trump for using dad’s music at political rallies (Metro)
Duncan Jones has called out former US President Donald Trump for using his late father David Bowie’s music at political rallies, following numerous attempts to block him from doing so.
The former businessman and host of the US Apprentice recently announced his third bid for the White House in 2024.
Following the news, the 51-year-old film director who is an outspoken critic of Mr Trump, expressed his frustration at his dad’s music being played during the politician’s rallies.
Son of David and Angie Bowie, Duncan angrily took to Twitter to share his feelings on the controversial figure using his dad’s music to promote his ideology. Read more
Chris Brown claims AMAs canceled his Michael Jackson tribute (NYPost)
Chris Brown and Michael Jackson
Fans share their condolences for Chris Brown as his Michael Jackson tribute is allegedly canned shortly before the American Music Awards.
Beat it, Chris Brown.
The “Loyal” singer claims the team behind Sunday’s American Music Awards canceled his tribute to Michael Jackson at the last minute.
The “Look at Me Now” rapper took to Instagram Saturday to air his complaints, posting a seven-minute rehearsal clip that shows his crew of female dancers practicing some serious moves.
Starting with the track “Under the Influence,” the performance transitions to Jackson’s “Beat It,” where Brown and his dancers can be seen busting a move to the mega hit. They even included some of Jackson’s iconic choreography in their rendition of other hits such as “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” “Billie Jean” and “Thriller.”
The 40th anniversary of the “Thriller” album is this month. Reps for the ABC network, which is airing the AMAs Sunday at 8 p.m. Eastern time, did not immediately respond to a Post request for comment. Read more
Austin Butler on his role in “Dune: Part Two” (Variety)
Austin Butler is going from Memphis to Arrakis with his upcoming role as Feyd-Rautha in “Dune: Part Two.”
The “Elvis” star spoke to Variety on the red carpet for the Academy’s Governors Awards on Saturday night, giving a small taste of what’s to come in the second half of Denis Villeneuve’s epic.
“Do you think I can tell you everything? I can’t tell,” Butler starts out after being asked about his role. Variety‘s Marc Malkin says, “You get a phone call that says you’re going to be in the ‘Dune’ sequel, walk us to what goes through your mind.”
“I just I loved the first film so much,” Butler says. “It was this cinematic masterpiece, so the idea of getting to be a part of that world is just incredibly exciting and Denis is one of my favorite filmmakers and just an amazing human being. He’s so kind and I’m a fan of every one of those actors in the film, so I I felt really honored.” Read more
Explosions shake Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (VOA)
Powerful explosions shook the area around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant Saturday and again Sunday morning, with the U.N.’s atomic energy chief calling the fighting between Russia and Ukraine in the region “extremely disturbing.”
The blasts abruptly ended a period of relative calm at the facility, Europe’s largest nuclear plant.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said, “Whoever is behind this, it must stop immediately. As I have said many times before, you’re playing with fire!”
Grossi appealed to both Russia and Ukraine to urgently agree to implement a nuclear safety and security zone around the nuclear facility, although his earlier appeals have not resulted in any new controls on fighting in the region. Read more
Lukaku out of first two World Cup games (Guardian)
Romelu Lukaku will not play for Belgium at the World Cup until at least their final Group F match against Croatia, a team source told AFP on Sunday.
The forward did not take part in the Red Devils’ first proper training session since they arrived in Qatar on Friday as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Lukaku is Belgium’s all-time top scorer with 68 goals in 102 appearances and was called up to their World Cup squad despite coach Roberto Martinez admitting he was not fully fit.
The 29-year-old has endured a difficult past 18 months, moving back to Inter Milan on loan after a dismal season with Chelsea. Read more
World Cup: No replacement for injured Benzema – Coach (Punch)
Defending champions France will not replace the injured Karim Benzema in their World Cup squad, coach Didier Deschamps said on Sunday.
In a huge blow to France’s hopes of retaining the trophy in Qatar, Benzema was ruled out after the Ballon d’Or winner injured his left thigh in training on Saturday.
Deschamps said he would not ask for a replacement for the Real Madrid forward even though FIFA’s rules give him until Monday to do so.
Deschamps told France’s TF1 that although the Benzema setback was “not nice”, he was confident in the depth of his squad. Read more
Sebastian Vettel bids emotional goodbye to F1 as Max Verstappen wins Abu Dhabi finale (Metro)
Max Verstappen eased to victory at the Formula One season finale in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Starting from pole, the 2022 champion never looked back, in what was a largely action-less grand prix at the Yas Marina circuit, to take a record-extending 15th win in 2022.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc pipped Sergio Perez to second place in the race and therefore in the standings, denying Red Bull a first-ever 1-2 in the championship.
’15th win of the season is unbelievable,’ Verstappen said post-race. Read more
Pomp as first-ever Nov/Dec World Cup begins in the desert (Guardian)
Football’s hidden charm will, yet again manifest as a staggering five of the eight billion humans on earth will, from today, be glued to their television sets as the world’s biggest football extravaganza, the FIFA World Cup, begins in Qatar, today.
Up to December 18, that curtain would fall, not even the garment of controversy, which the tournament dubbed Qatar 2022 World Cup is robed in, will detract from the opium-like effect, that football has on its followers drawn from different nationalities, creeds, and religions, and all corners of the earth.
Happening at a time that gnashing of teeth occasioned by widespread conflicts, savage internecine wars, worsening insecurity, as well as flooding and other challenges made possible by climate change, both victims and perpetrators of these crises would, for once, be united in savouring the finest of football artistry.
Indeed, the FIFA-organised showpiece will avail football connoisseurs, the chance not only to behold a star-studded line-up of players (831 in all) but also to appreciate the efficiency and clinical finishing of lethal goal-scoring “machines” that will be on parade. Read more
England players will take the knee – Southgate (BBC)
Gareth Southgate says his England players will take the knee before Monday’s World Cup opener against Iran.
The Three Lions have carried out the anti-racism gesture before their matches since the death of George Floyd in 2020.
They have decided to continue with the gesture during the tournament in Qatar after recent talks.
“It’s what we stand for as a team and have done for a long period of time,” said Southgate.
“We feel this is the biggest and we think it’s a strong statement that will go around the world for young people, in particular, to see that inclusivity is very important.” Read more
Google doodle celebrates FIFA World Cup (Punch)
Google on Sunday celebrated the FIFA World Cup 2022, which begins today (November 20), by launching a Google Doodle.
The competition will start with the first match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor. The game will be preceded by the opening ceremony.
However, there has been wide criticisms of the organisers from football fans across the globe, over the ban of alcoholic drink at the Qatar World Cup stadiums.
FIFA on Friday confirmed that sales of alcoholic beverages would be banned at the stadiums except for zero-alcohol beer, Bud Zero. Read more