Bus crashes into residential building, kills pregnant woman (Leadership)
A Sharon bus has crashed into a residential building in Lambata, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, killing a pregnant woman.
It was learnt that the commercial bus was on its way from Lagos State en route Kano State, when it ran into the family compound of the late Village Head of Lambata, Abdulsafur Lambata, killing the pregnant woman.
The victim was said to be a traveller who was taking a nap in front of the building after the vehicle in which she was travelling developed a fault at the location. Read more
Rice Stampede: 10 die in Abuja church, 17 in Anambra community (DailyTrust)
Some alms seekers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have lost their lives in a stampede.
The stampede occurred on Saturday morning during an event for the distribution of rice and other palliatives at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Maitama area of Abuja.
Daily Trust’s correspondent who was at the scene observed the heavy presence of security personnel. Read more
Lekki residents to enjoy improved power supply as TCN inaugurates transformer (Tribune)
Lekki consumers are set to enjoy an improved power supply as the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has successfully commissioned a 1×60/75 MVA 132/33KV power transformer at the 330/132/33kV Lekki Transmission Substation in Lagos State.
This significant upgrade is expected to increase the substation’s capacity from 120MVA to 195MVA, enhancing electricity distribution efficiency in the region. Read more
3 Ogun varsity students die in road crash (Punch)
Three students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, died in a road crash that occurred along the Ilisan-Ago-Iwoye Road on Friday.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, Omolola Odutola, the accident occurred at about 3:30 pm on Friday.
Odutola said that the students were occupants of a commercial Opel Safira vehicle which flipped into the bush while the driver was driving at high speed. Read more
How we lost 3 officers while on patrol – Ondo police (Vanguard)
The Ondo State Police Command has explained how three of its officers lost their lives in an auto crash during a routine patrol along the Ore highway in the Odigbo council area of the state.
Spokesperson for the command, Funmi Odunlami, revealed in Akure that the officers were on duty when the tragic incident occurred. She added that one officer who sustained injuries is currently recuperating in the hospital.
Clarifying details about another victim, Odunlami stated that the woman who also lost her life in the crash was not a suspect but was attending to personal errands when the accident happened. Read more
IGP orders investigation into Abuja, Anambra food distribution stampede (Channels)
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has ordered a probe into the stampede at a food distribution event in Abuja and Anambra State.
At least ten persons died and many others were injured during the distribution of food items to vulnerable and elderly individuals at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.
Three persons were also confirmed dead and several others were wounded in a philanthropic drive in Okija, Anambra State. Read more
Residents share details of tragic fire that killed husband, wife, grandson in Ibadan (Nation)
Residents of Omotara’s Compound, Ori Eru, Idikan, in Ibadan North West Local Government Area, Oyo State, have shared the heartbreaking details of how a 60-year-old man, known as ‘Baba Yunus,’ his wife, and their eight-year-old grandson, Samuel, were burned to death in a fire early Friday morning.
Describing the incident as devastating and sorrowful, the residents said the victims cried for help but were unable to escape due to a burglar-proofed window, which was their only exit. The intense flames prevented anyone from getting close enough to assist.
In an emotional interview with The Nation’s correspondent, Segun Showunmi, some residents expressed their grief, explaining that the fire was too severe to allow any rescue efforts. Read more
Nigeria denies alleged plot to destabilise Niger Republic (DailyTrust)
The Federal Government of Nigeria has refuted “in very strong terms” allegations that it is plotting to destabilise neighbouring Niger Republic.
The Nigerien authorities alleged that the Lakurawa terrorist group, with the help of foreign security forces, including Nigerian security forces, were responsible for the attack on the Niger-Benin oil pipeline on December 13, 2024, in Gaya, Dosso Region of Niger Republic.
However, Nigeria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement on Saturday signed by its acting spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, refuted the allegation. Read more
Blake Lively sueing Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment after It Ends with Us allegations (Mirror)
Blake Lively is suing her former “It Ends with Us” costar/director Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment
Blake Lively is suing her former It Ends with Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni for sexual harrassment.
The actress worked with Justin on the movie, which was plagued by reports of backstage drama. Blake has since accused her co-star and director of a co-ordinated effort to destroy her reputation, in legal papers seen by US outlet TMZ. Read more
France’s Orano launches arbitration against Niger over mining licence (AfricaNews)
French nuclear fuel company, Orano, on Friday opened international arbitration proceedings against Niger.
The move follows several months of unsuccessful attempts at mediation and conciliation after Niamey in June withdrew the licence of Orano’s subsidiary, Imouraren.
The mine, in northern Niger, sits on an estimated 200,000 tonnes of uranium but has not been exploited. Read more
Russian airports disrupted after ‘massive’ overnight drone exchange with Ukraine (ABC)
Two Russian airports were put under flight restrictions early Saturday after authorities alleged an attack by Ukrainian drones, according to state-run news agencies.
The state-owned RIA Novosti agency reported that Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency announced a temporary block on landing and takeoff at Kazan International Airport and restrictions at Gagarin Airport in the city of Saratov — both in the southwest of the country.
Kazan is more than 600 miles from the closest Ukrainian-controlled territory. Saratov is more than 350 miles from Ukrainian-held territory. Read more
Pope calls Gaza airstrikes “cruelty” after Israeli minister’s criticism (GulfTimes)
Pope Francis on Saturday again condemned Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, a day after an Israeli government minister publicly denounced the pontiff for suggesting the global community should study whether the military offensive there constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people.
Francis opened his annual Christmas address to the Catholic cardinals who lead the Vatican’s various departments with what appeared to be a reference to Israeli airstrikes on Friday that killed at least 25 Palestinians in Gaza.
“Yesterday, children were bombed,” said the pope. “This is cruelty. This is not war. I wanted to say this because it touches the heart.” Read more
8 sentenced in France in connection with murder of teacher Samuel Paty (AlJazeera)
A French court has jailed eight people for their role in the murder of a teacher who had shown caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad during a class debate on freedom of expression.
The Paris Special Assize Court handed down prison terms ranging from one to 16 years to the defendants, who were convicted of organising a hate campaign that culminated in the beheading of 47-year-old Samuel Paty outside his school in Paris in 2020 by an 18-year-old Russian of Chechen origin, who was shot dead by police at the scene.
The 540-seat courtroom was packed on Friday for the verdict, which saw a seven-judge panel meeting or going above most of the terms requested by prosecutors, citing “the exceptional gravity of the facts”. Read more
Bluey characters coming to Disney parks and cruises before movie hits theaters in 2027 (People)
Pluto and Goofy will have new canine characters joining them at the Disney parks and cruises next month when Bluey and the rest of the Heeler family arrive.
On Dec. 19, Disney announced that characters from the beloved Bluey series will be new additions to the Disney Cruise Line, as well as the theme parks at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World.
“It’s a lovely day to go boat riding and we’re incredibly excited that Bluey and Bingo will be sailing on Disney Cruises, bringing Bluey’s magic to families on the high seas!” Ludo Studio, the Australian animation studio that produces the series with the BBC, said in a press release shared with PEOPLE. Read more
28 Years Later sequel confirms release date and official title (DigitalSpy)
The sequel to 28 Years Later has confirmed its release date as well as its official title, with the film following hot on the heels of its predecessor.
28 Years Later, a sequel to both 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, will serve as the beginning of a new trilogy, continuing the story of a post-apocalyptic United Kingdom that has been ravaged by a deadly virus.
It was announced that the first two entries in the upcoming trilogy had been shot back-to-back, indicating that there could be a shortened gap between the release of the two instalments – and this has now proven to be true. Read more
‘It has been difficult’ — Akpom reflects on new Ajax role (CompleteSports)
Chuba Akpom claims adapting to his new position at Dutch giants Ajax has been challenging.
Akpom, who is originally a striker has featured mostly on the left-wing this season.
The 29-year-old said he is trying to do his best in the new role. Read more
Ali leads 18-man Super Eagles B squad for Ghana clash (Punch)
Kano Pillars midfielder Rabiu Ali, Remo Stars wing-back Sadiq Ismael, Rivers United centre-back Stephen Manyo, and the current Nigeria Premier Football League top scorer Anas Yusuf are in the 18-man roster for the doubleheader 2024 CHAN qualifiers against Ghana.
After about three weeks of camping in Ikenne, stand-in head coach Daniel Ogunmodede picked the four players and 14 others for the assignment.
Other players in the sqaud include Enyimba goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena as well as Remo Stars’ Kayode Bankole. Read more
England World Cup winner George Eastham dies aged 88 (Metro)
George Eastham, a member of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning squad, has died at the age of 88.
Eastham did not play in England’s 1966 success on home soil, but the winger was part of Sir Alf Ramsey’s squad that lifted the World Cup for the only time in the nation’s history.
Blackpool-born Eastham spent most of his career at Newcastle, Arsenal and Stoke and also left a far-reaching legacy as the man who battled against so-called ‘slavery contracts’. Read more
Ignacio Robles named as replacement judge after coin toss determined outcome (SkySports)
Ignacio Robles will be the third judge in Tyson Fury’s world heavyweight championship clash with Oleksandr Usyk on Saturday night following a coin toss.
Fernando Barbosa had been due to be one of the three judges on fight night but he was unable to travel to Riyadh due to illness, leaving the respective fighter teams split between officials Steve Weisfeld and Robles.
Usyk’s rematch with Britain’s Fury takes place on Saturday night on a Riyadh Season bill, live on Sky Sports Box Office. Read more
‘I was terrified’: Mikel Arteta recalls fear during first days as Arsenal boss (Independent)
Mikel Arteta admits he was initially “terrified” when he took over at Arsenal five years ago but he is now relishing the challenge of pursuing perfection.
The 42-year-old is the Premier League’s third longest-serving manager after overhauling his club’s culture and transforming the Gunners into bona-fide title contenders.
Arteta is now thriving under the constant pressure, but confesses there was once a time when the whole project felt a bit daunting. Read more
Skiing great Vonn impresses on World Cup return (BBC)
Three-time Olympic skiing medallist Lindsey Vonn marked her World Cup return after more than five years away from the sport with an impressive 14th place in the Super G at St Moritz.
The American, 40, retired in February 2019 but announced her competitive comeback in November having had successful knee surgery.Vonn, who is aiming to make the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, crossed the finish line in 1:16.36 in Switzerland, 1.18 seconds slower than winner Cornelia Hutter of Austria. Read more