Clampdown on noise pollution: Lagos shuts eight religious houses (Vanguard)
The Lagos State Government, through the state Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, has sealed off eight religious outlets comprising of Mosques and Churches across the State for persistent environmental pollution and disruption of peaceful co-existence of residents of the State.
This came on the heels of the commemoration of the 2019 United Nations International Day of Tolerance, marked on Saturday, November, 16th.
Some of the houses sealed are located at; 68, old Otta Rd, Orile Agege, 4, Ademola Oshinowo Off love all Str, Ketu, Dele Amuda Street, Lekki, 17, Ajileye Str, Ilaje Bariga, 39, Kusenla Road Elegunshi, Ajayi Bembe Str. Abule Oja Yaba among others. Read more
National Theatre: Consortium wants CBN to stop action on purported takeover (Nation)
Two Nigerian companies, Topwide Apeas and Jadeas Trust, have called on the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC, the Bureau of Public Enterprise, BPE, and the Board of the National Arts Theatre, to prevail on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Bankers’ Committee to cease all plans for the redevelopment of the National Arts Theatre Complex, Iganmu, Lagos.
The call comes on the heels of recent media reports that the CBN and the Bankers’ Committee have been given the go-ahead by the federal government to transform the National Arts Theatre Complex and the surrounding fallow ground into a creative industry park.
Topwide Apeas and Jadeas Trust, who are a part of a consortium comprising a team of international financial institutions and private sector partners, are claiming the rights to develop the structure via a concession granted by the ICRC. Read more
Consumers lament as prices of local rice go higher (Independent)
With the determination of the Federal Government not to re-open surrounding borders so as to prevent smugglers from bringing in all manners of expired commodities including food items such as rice and frozen foods into the Nigerian market, prices of these food items have continued to skyrocket.
However, despite the enforcement by the Nigerian Customs, foreign rice and frozen foods still find their way into the country but at very exorbitant rates.
Even then, it is difficult to get foreign rice to buy as most traders do not display it for fear of being seized by men of the Nigerian Customs Service. Read more
Right virtues make nations great – Osinbajo (Vanguard)
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Saturday highlighted some key principles required by a nation to achieve development and ultimately greatness.
These, according to him, include righteousness, service, and diligence, hard work, planning, and time consciousness.
Osinbajo stated this at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Region 5, “Great Minds Summit 2019” at the RCCG’s Chapel of Blessing, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Read more
Army troops rescue octogenarian, others from Boko Haram in Borno (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian Army troops deployed at Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno has subdued Boko Haram terrorists and rescued an Octogenarian, three women and four children held captives by the insurgents. The Nigerian Army Operations Media Coordinator, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja. Iliyasu said that the rescued victims were evacuated while the children among them were equally administered with Polio Vaccination by a Nigerian Army medical team. Read more
No loss of life in Bayelsa, INEC (Nation)
The National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared no life was lost during Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa State.
INEC REC, Monday Udoh, said all Bayelsans came out en mass to vote for their governor of their choice.
He said he was delighted that the election held with any loss of life and commended Bayelsans for making history. Read more
Two planes collide at Frankfurt airport (Punch)
File copy: Scene of collision between two planes on airport runway. ABC photo
An Air Namibia plane collided with a Korean Air jet after landing at Frankfurt airport on Saturday evening, officials said, adding that no one was injured.
Both aircraft were damaged in what Air Namibia on Sunday called “a minor accident”.
A spokeswoman for Frankfurt airport said the incident happened at around 6:00 pm (1700 GMT) on Saturday. She said no one was injured and the reasons for the crash remain unclear. Read more
Pope hosts meal for 1,500 poor, homeless (Punch)
Pope Francis on Sunday hosted around 1,500 poor and homeless people for lunch at the Vatican, decrying indifference to poverty as the Catholic Church marked its World Day of the Poor.
“My thoughts go to those who… have promoted solidarity initiatives to give concrete hope to the most disadvantaged,” Pope Francis told a mass in Saint Peter’s Square ahead of the lunch.
“Recently I saw some statistics on poverty. They make you suffer — the indifference of society towards the poor,” the pope said, thanking the medical staff who were providing free health care to the poor at the Vatican. Read more
‘I should not be impeached!’ Trump says Kiev confirmed Ukrainegate is a non-story (RT)
The impeachment drive against President Donald Trump is in full swing – but he believes that the inquiry should’ve already ended, saying both Ukraine and phone calls released by the White House have ruled out any “quid pro quo.”
Responding to a reporter’s question on impeachment, Trump bluntly said that he “should not be” impeached, and that the whole story effectively ended on Friday. The reason for that, he said, was a statement by Kiev denying any quid pro quo during Trump’s conversations with Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky.
“Ukraine – they came out loud and clear that there was no linkage whatsoever, not even a little bit,” Trump said, slamming the media for not reporting on Ukraine’s statement. “That was a major statement put out last night by the Foreign Minister of Ukraine and also by the President of Ukraine, and you don’t even report it. It’s a disgrace, because it said: There was absolutely no linkage. We had a perfect conversation.” Read more
Hong Kong protests: Police officer wounded in leg by arrow (BBC)
A Hong Kong police officer has been wounded in the leg with an arrow as security forces and anti-government protesters engaged in renewed clashes.
Images showed the arrow embedded in the leg of the media liaison officer outside the campus of the city’s Polytechnic University (PolyU).
Masked protesters armed with bows and arrows were seen patrolling the campus.
Months of often violent demonstrations have caused political and economic turmoil in Hong Kong. Read more
Paul Walker’s character Brian O’Conner ‘returning for Fast and Furious 9’ six years after his death (Metro)
Paul Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, could be making a surprise return to the Fast and Furious franchise, six years after his death. The actor passed away back in 2013, aged 40, tragically losing his life in a car crash. Brothers Cody and Caleb Walker filmed his final scenes in Furious 7, with producers also using CGI to give him a fitting goodbye. But it has now been claimed Brian will be coming back in the upcoming F9 film – alongside Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson and Ludacris. According to LadBible, sources close to the casting department state they are looking for a Paul Walker double. Read more
Jazz on my mind: Italian musician played piano while surgeons operated on his brain (RT)
The doctors in Italy could enjoy some refined jazz tunes at work, when a patient whose brain they were operating on played the piano in real time.
The technique dubbed ‘awake brain surgery’ helps doctors treat brain tumors and epileptic seizures without accidentally damaging the areas responsible for vision, speech or movement. The patients stay conscious during the operation and can respond to questions – which allows the surgeons to know that they are treating the correct part of the brain.
One particular patient of the Maurizio Bufalini Hospital in Cesena, central Italy, did more than just talking, though. A music teacher and jazz lover, he performed several melodies on the piano while having a cancerous tumor removed from his brain. Read more
2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations: Nigeria coach Amapakabo prepares to fight on (BBC)
Imama Amapakabo defended his position as Nigeria’s U-23s coach after the team missed out on a chance to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games football tournament.
Africa’s most successful side at the Games, Nigeria went out of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday with questions raised about Amapakabo’s future following the country’s poor results under his watch.
The Super Eagles B side failed to qualify for the 2020 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and his team also suffered an embarrassing early exit at the regional Wafu Cup tournament in October. Read more
Stephens eyes Olympics, return to form in 2020 (NewTelegraph)
Sloane Stephens said she is ready to turn the page on a disappointing 2019 and shift her focus to climbing the world tennis rankings to qualify for next year’s Tokyo Olympics.
The 26-year-old American, who won the U.S. Open in 2017 and reached world number three in 2018, struggled this year, failing to make the final at any tournament and falling to world number 25.
“I’m excited to start a new season because midway through 2019, I was ready for it to be over,” Stephens told Reuters in an interview after hosting a tennis clinic at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, California. Read more
Manchester United confident of keeping Tahith Chong despite Juventus interest (Metro)
Manchester United are set for key talks with Tahith Chong’s representatives this week as the club bid to thwart interest from Juventus. The winger is out of contract at the end of the season and United face the prospect of losing him at the end of the campaign if they’re unable to agree on a new deal. Chong remains on a basic wage at Old Trafford but United have already offered to significantly increase his salary to a figure that could reach £25,000-a-week with bonuses included. Reports that Chong had already decided to move on are wide off the mark but United still face a battle to convince the 19-year-old to stay at the club. Read more
Harrison Dillard: Former Olympic 100m and 110m hurdles champion dies aged 96 (BBC)
USA’s oldest living Olympic gold medallist Harrison Dillard, who won the 1948 100m title in London, has died in Cleveland at the age of 96.
Dillard won in 10.3 seconds at Wembley Stadium to equal the Olympic record, beating compatriot Barney Ewell in the first Olympic photo finish.
Four years later in Helsinki he added the 110m hurdles title and remains the only man to win both Olympic events. Read more
Euro 2020 roundup: Croatia survive Slovakia scare to join Germany in finals (NewTelegraph)
Germany, Croatia and Austria all sealed their places in the Euro 2020 finals with wins on Saturday, while a draw in Northern Ireland also confirmed qualification for the Netherlands.
Croatia’s 3-1 win over Slovakia means they top Group E, but the 2018 World Cup finalists got a scare when Robert Bozenik put the visitors ahead after 32 minutes in Rijeka.
Two goals in four minutes from Nikola Vlasic and Bruno Petkovic settled the hosts’ nerves near the hour mark, before Ivan Perisic sealed victory with a spectacular finish, volleying into the top corner on the stretch with 15 minutes to play, reports The Guardian. Read more
AFCON qualifier: Madagascar beat Ethiopia (Nation)
Madagascar beat Ethiopia 1-0 in Antananarivo on Saturday to get their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign off to a solid start.
In the first match of Group K, the contest was settled by a solitary goal from Rayan Raveleson in the 19th minute.
Madagascar made their debut at the 2019 Nations Cup finals in Egypt.
They famously beat Nigeria on their way to reaching the quarter-finals before losing to Tunisia. Read more
Tomas Berdych: 2010 Wimbledon finalist retires (BBC)
Former world number four and Wimbledon runner-up Tomas Berdych has retired from tennis.
The 34-year-old Czech, who lost to Rafael Nadal in his only Grand Slam final at the All England Club in 2010, won 13 ATP singles titles.
He was also part of the Czech team that won the Davis Cup in 2012 and 2013. Read more
Hazard brothers help Belgium beat Russia (ThisDay)
Eden Hazard scored twice saturday as Belgium continued their perfect record in Euro 2020 qualifying with a thumping win over Russia. The Red Devils, who had already qualified, were three goals up by half-time through Eden Hazard’s double and a strike by his brother Thorgan.
Romelu Lukaku then added a fourth before Georgi Dzhikiya netted a late consolation for the hosts.
Belgium will play their final Group I qualifier at home to Cyprus on Tuesday.
Russia, who had also already booked their place at the finals, were blown away in the first half following a scintillating attacking display from Roberto Martinez’s side. Read more
Tommy Fleetwood wins Nedbank Golf Challenge in play-off (BBC)
Tommy Fleetwood beat Marcus Kinhult in a play-off to win the Nedbank Golf Challenge at Sun City in South Africa.
Fleetwood started the final round six shots off the lead but carded a seven-under 65 to finish on 12 under par, which Swede Kinhult matched with a 68.
The Englishman, who had three eagles during his round, then made a brilliant par on the first extra hole to win. Read more
Euro 2020: Scotland beat Cyprus to go third (Nation)
Scotland beat Cyprus 2-1 to go third in Euro 2020 qualifying Group I. Ryan Christie opened the scoring for Scotland in the first half with a strike into the top corner. Georgios Efrem then equalised for Cyprus with a stunning volley only a minute into the second period.
The home side were level for just six minutes though as John McGinn flicked Scotland in front for the second time in the match. Cyprus couldn’t find a second equaliser and the match finished 2-1.
Scotland came into their penultimate Group I game knowing they could no longer qualify for Euro 2020 through their group, but would have been looking to claim third spot nonetheless. Read more