Court sends teacher who assaulted 3-year-old child to prison (DailyTrust)
An Ogba Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos State has ordered that a 45-year-old primary school teacher, Stella Nwadiggbo, be remanded at a correctional facility for allegedly assaulting a three year old primary school pupil in the Ikorodu area of the state.
The teacher was caught on camera slapping the three year old child in class. The video of the teacher assaulting the child had gone viral.
She was consequently arrested and detained by the Family Support Unit (FSU) of Ikorodu Police Division. Read more
Police repel Boko Haram attack on Nganzai station in Borno, lose 2 officers (Vanguard)
The Commissioner of Police Borno State Police Command, CP Yusufu Mohammed Lawal visits Nganzai Police Division Thursday 9th January 2025, where he commended officers for their resilience and condoles with the families of two officers who lost their lives. This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Kenneth Daso on Thursday evening.
Recall that Vanguard had earlier reported a fresh slaughter of an unspecified number of firewood scavengers in the Gwoza Local Government Area of the state, with other sustained injuries as a result of the explosion after the incident. Read more
Tinubu calls for increased China-Nigeria currency swap to boost trade (Leadership)
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday urged the Government of the People’s Republic of China to increase the $2 billion currency swap between Nigeria and China to enhance trade between the two countries.
Tinubu also called for an upward review of the $50 billion aid package announced for Africa by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping last year.
China and Nigeria recently renewed their currency swap agreement, valued at 15 billion yuan (approximately $2 billion), to enhance trade and investment. Read more
FG warns contractors over road projects delay, to sanction erring contractors (Channels)
The Federal Government has expressed dissatisfaction with contractors handling road projects for failing to deliver on their obligations, which has hindered development and brought untold hardship to Nigerians.
Speaking to newsmen during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in Rivers State, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, vowed to sanction contractors who fail to deliver on their obligation.
Umahi issued the warning when he visited the Ahoada Section of the East-West Road, where he vowed to sanction the contractors (Setraco and Rock Result) handling the project for unprofessional acts. Read more
Many injured as Okada riders, OPC clash in Ekiti (Nation)
There was tension in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital on Thursday when the men of Oodua People Congress (OPC) and the motorcycle riders engaged in a violent clash over the death of a motorcycle ticketing officer.
Members of the OPC and the motorcycle riders used dangerous weapons such as cutlasses and knives, leaving many injured during the clash.
An eyewitness, who preferred anonymity, explained that trouble started when the motorcycle riders accused the member of the OPC of being responsible for the death of a motorcyclist ticketing officer stationed near Atikankan area of Ado Ekiti. Read more
18 killed as hoodlums attack Imo communities (Tribune)
Hoodlums have killed 18 people in coordinated attacks across several communities in the Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State.
The killings, which occurred on Sunday, took place in the communities of Umukabia, Eziawa, Ihitte Nasa, Umuhu, Amaoku, and Amaebe, leaving victims with deep machete wounds. The incidents have sparked fear and outrage among locals.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that the tragedy followed the annual masquerade festival celebrated in Umuhu, Amaoku, Amaebe, and neighboring communities. Read more
Intercepted 59 Minors: Kano Senator stops trafficking probe (Leadership)
The interception of 59 minors from Kano en route to Nasarawa State has taken a new dimension as the senator representing Kano South Senatorial District, Sumaila Kawu, has stopped the trafficking probe.
Kawu asked the police to hand over the 59 minors intercepted in a J5 vehicle in Abuja on its way to Nasarawa State, promising to reunite them with their parents.
The lawmaker showed up at the FCT police command yesterday to say that the movement was an almajiri form whereby students migrate to other parts of the country to study. Read more
Nigerians are enjoying dividends of Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal – Okpebholo (NewTelegraph)
The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo has said that Nigerians are enjoying the dividends of fuel subsidy removal by Bola Tinubu ‘s administration.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, who was receiving the Acting Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Council, Hon Alabi Bliss Oshionogue and councillors from the local government in Edo State Government House, Benin City said, that while governments from Obasanjo to Buhari had no guts to remove the fuel subsidy, President Tinubu did it.
He also said that the 18 local government councils in Edo State have received and squandered # 83 billion in 12 months. Read more
Man allegedly poisoned food at niece’s wedding for marrying against his wishes (People)
Police in India have arrested a man accused of poisoning the food at his niece’s wedding — allegedly because he didn’t care for her groom.
Mahesh Jotiram Patil was caught allegedly spiking the food at the wedding in Kolhapur, about 200 miles southeast of Mumbai, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, per Times of India (TOI) The Hindustan Times and PTI.
After initially escaping, Patil was arrested on Thursday, TOI reported. Read more
Paris Hilton and John Goodman’s homes turned to ash in LA wildfire as Harrison Ford devastated (Mirror)
Star Wars actor Harrison Ford appeared devastated as he returned to his neighbourhood in Los Angeles to see the heartbreaking damage caused by the wildfires that has destroyed homes
Thousands of homes across Los Angeles have been destroyed by the devastating wildfires, including those owned by Paris Hilton, Harrison Ford and Billy Crystal.
Five people have been sadly lost their lives in the blaze, according to officials. It’s reported over 1,000 homes have been destroyed and more than 70,000 people evacuated. One of the areas hardest hit is the Pacific Palisades, an affluent Los Angeles neighbourhood that is the home to many high profile A-listers, including Mandy Moore, Anthony Hopkins and Jamie Lee Curtis, all of whom have lost their homes in the unfolding carnage. Read more
Diddy accused of making “sex slaves” wear colour-coded clothing at parties (Allhiphop)
Diddy’s White Parties, long considered the pinnacle of celebrity luxury, are now the focus of a disturbing new claim lodged by a former Go-Go dancer who worked the events.
In a new lawsuit, Adria English accuses Sean “Diddy” Combs of using these events to mask a sinister undercurrent of abuse, claiming a certain dress code signaled women’s status as his sex slaves.
The complaint alleges that women were forced to wear specific white outfits at these lavish gatherings hosted at Diddy’s estates in the Hamptons and Miami. Read more
US mourns as it pays tribute to former President Jimmy Carter (VOA)
Thursday is a national day of mourning in the United States for the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, with the government shut down as top officials gathered at the majestic Washington National Cathedral for a state funeral for the country’s 39th president.
Carter, who died last week at 100 as the oldest former president, often disdained the political formalities of Washington governance, but all five of his living presidential successors — Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden — attended the funeral, with Biden delivering a eulogy.
Biden called Carter a devout Christian, “a good and faithful servant of God and the American people.” Biden said Carter led “a good life of purpose and meaning, of character.” Read more
28 Beninese soldiers killed in attack near Burkina Faso border (Punch)
Twenty-eight soldiers were killed in an attack in northern Benin, a security source told AFP on Thursday, as violence blamed on jihadists based in neighbouring countries increases.
The high-ranking official said the strike took place on Wednesday evening near the border with insurgency-hit Burkina Faso and Niger.
Attacks in northern Benin have increased in recent years with authorities accusing members of the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda groups based in neighbouring countries. Read more
Guinean government responds to sentencing of MoDeL leader Aliou Bah (AfricaNews)
The Guinean government, via its spokesperson, has addressed the two-year prison sentence given to Aliou Bah, the leader of the MoDeL party (Mouvement Démocratique Libéral), for allegedly “offending” President Mamadi Doumbouya.
Siaka BARRY, President of the MPDG Party, stated, “The ‘forces vives’ have declared that they do not acknowledge the junta following the conclusion of the two-year transition period, which ended on December 31. We understand their stance, but the reality is that the junta remains in power and in control. We do not share the same tactics or strategy as the ‘forces vives,’ which involve organizing protests and rallying the public to demand the junta’s exit in this way. No.” Read more
EU politicians warn against Elon Musk’s incursions into European politics (ABC)
Elon Musk has been a regular presence in Donald Trump’s orbit since the November election, with the Tesla CEO advising the president-elect on multiple issues, from federal governmental efficiency to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War.
Now Musk’s escalating criticism and mocking of European leaders and governments, which he has done repeatedly via X, the social media platform he owns, has sparked a backlash from European governments amid increasing calls for regulatory action in Europe against X.
In a speech on Wednesday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of the Spanish fascist dictator Francisco Franco, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez made a clear reference to Musk’s recent online attacks, many of which have been directed against the German leader Olaf Scholz and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Read more
FA Cup: Iwobi Features, Bassey Benched In Fulham’s 4-1 Win Against Watford (Completesports)
Alex Iwobi was in action for Fulham who hammered Watford 4-1 in round 3 of the FA Cup on Thursday.
Iwobi was replaced in the 66th minute while Calvin Bassey was an unused substitute.
Rodrigo Munoz, Joachim Andersen, Timothy Castagne and Raul Jimenez were the scorers for Fulham. Read more
Man Utd winger Diallo signs new contract until 2030 (BBC)
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo has signed a new five-and-a-half-year contract, until June 2030.
The 22-year-old’s previous deal had been due to expire at the end of the season, though the club had the option of triggering a 12-month extension clause.
But United have opted to hand fresh terms to the Ivory Coast international, who has scored six goals in 27 appearances this season. Read more
Sean Dyche sacked as Everton manager 3 hours before FA Cup clash (Metro)
Sean Dyche has been sacked as Everton manager by the club’s new owners just three hours before their FA Cup third-round match.
Everton are winless in their last five Premier League games and currently sit 16th in the table, just one point off the bottom three.
The club have won just three times in the league this season and lost their most recent match 1-0 to Bournemouth having failed to register a shot on target. Read more
Caroline Dubois warns Jessica Camara ahead of Sheffield fight: I’m no Choi. I’d knock her out and I’ll knock you out (SkySports)
Jessica Camara believes she can upset WBC lightweight world champion Caroline Dubois when they fight on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Camara is no stranger to springing surprises. She handed a first defeat to former world champion Hyun Mi Choi on points over 10 rounds in Korea last year.
“I like taking big fights and I like a challenge,” said Camara. Read more
Gauff draws potential Kenin, Osaka, Pegula quarterfinal path at 2025 Australian Open (UPI)
American tennis star Coco Gauff could face Japan’s Naomi Osaka and Americans Sofia Kenin and Jessica Pegula along a path into the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open, according to Thursday’s draw.
Main draw play for the first Grand Slam of the tennis season will be held from Sunday through Jan. 26 in Melbourne, but broadcasts will start Saturday in the United States because local time at the tournament is 16 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
Tournament coverage will air on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes and stream on ESPN+. Between the men’s and women’s singles circuits, 256 competitors will compete in the main draw. The winners will take home $2.1 million apiece. Read more
Novak Djokovic claims he was ‘poisoned’ after being detained during Australian Open in 2022 (Independent)
Novak Djokovic has claimed that he was “poisoned” during his time in quarantine in Australia in January 2022.
The 24-time grand slam champion was detained three years ago after admitting to making a false statement on a travel document ahead of the Australian Open.
He was subsequently deported after his visa was cancelled, but spent time in a hotel in Melbourne while a complex legal saga played out. Read more