#EndSARS protest stalls Evans trial (Nation)
Officials of Kirikiri Maximum Security Correctional Centre on Wednesday failed to produce kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans and his co-defendants before an Ikeja Special Offences Court to answer charges of kidnapping brought against them by the state.
It was gathered the fear of possible attack by those who might want to take advantage of the #EndSARS protests made the officials of the Correctional Center to stay away from all courts in Lagos.
Evans and co-defendants were initially scheduled to appear before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo yesterday in continuation of their trial. Read more
#EndSARS: Your voices have been heard, let govt play its roles, Sanwo-Olu begs protesters (Punch)
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to #EndSARS protesters in the state to remain calm and “let the effects of the protest go down”.
The governor stated that Federal and State governments had heard the voices of the youths and had swung into action.
He, therefore, urged the #EndSARS protesters to allow governments at all levels play its roles to make the demanded changes happen.
Thousands of youths across the country have in the last one week been protesting against the harassment and extrajudicial killings perpetrated mainly by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force. Read more
Lagos inaugurates committee to review criminal laws (Nation)
Lagos on Tuesday inaugurated a committee to review amendments to its Criminal Laws of 2011.
Its Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, said this followed the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee resolve to bring the laws in conformity with modern crime patterns.
According to a statement by Director, Public Affairs at the Ministry of Justice, Mr Kayode Oyekanmi, Onigbanjo spoke via a virtual platform during the inauguration.
He said the 14-member committee will conduct a thorough review of the laws, take necessary memoranda from relevant stakeholders. Read more
Court rules on Mompha’s no-case submission Nov 18 (Punch)
The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed November 18, 2020, to rule on the no-case submission filed by Internet personality, Ismaila Mustapha, alias Mompha, who is facing money laundering charges.
Justice Mohammed Liman fixed the date on Wednesday, after Mompha’s lawyer, Mr Gboyega Oyewole (SAN), moved the no-case submission, urging the court to dismiss the charges against his client.
Oyewole argued that despite calling 10 witnesses and tendering a load of documents, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission failed to establish a prima facie case against Mompha and his co-defendant, Ismalob Global Investment Limited. Read more
Despite outcry, police yet to name killers of #EndSARS protesters (Guardian)
Nigerian Police has failed to name any of its men responsible for hitting and shooting at EndSARS protesters despite widespread outcry demanding police’s accountability in the country.
At least 10 people have died in protests over police brutality in Nigeria, Amnesty International said Tuesday.
The human rights group told CNN police have used excessive force against unarmed protesters since the protests started last Thursday. Read more
34-year-old Nigerian Chenge joins race for Michigan gov (Punch)
A 34-year-old Nigerian, Austin Chenge, has joined the race for the governorship position in the state of Michigan in the United States of America.
The election is expected to hold in 2022.
A statement by the Head of Media and Public Relations unit, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abdul-Rahman Balogun, identified Chenge as a native of Benue State.
Chenge is expected to challenge USA Representative, Lamar Smith, for the ticket under the Republican Party. Read more
Girl child: Tambuwal, others worry over early marriage, education in north (Guardian)
Wife of Governor of Sokoto state, Hajia Maryam Aminu Tambuwal yesterday expressed worried over the increasing culture of early marriage and poverty among others predicament impeding girl child in Northern Nigeria.
Besides, the emir of Arugungu in Kebbi state His Highness Alhaji Samaila Mohammad Mera advocated compulsory completion of secondary school education for a child before marriage in the country.
This call came when the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Pauline Tallen frown at the prevailing sexual harassment and other related gender-based violence against the girl child in Nigeria. Read more
Minister lauds Israeli govt on methanol technology (Nation)
Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology has commended the Israeli government for its offer to train Nigeria on methanol fuel production.
The Minister gave the commendation when Mr Shimon Ben-Shoshan, Israel Ambassador to Nigeria paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
Onu lauded the cordial relationship between the two countries, saying that the existing partnership between them has helped propelled Nigeria’s quest for knowledge driven economy.
He said that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to fore the need for Nigeria to move from resource to a knowledge and innovation-driven economy. Read more
Ministry urges NIMC to raise digital identity enrolment by 500% (Guardian)
The Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, has directed the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), to raise its monthly digital identity enrolment of Nigerians from the current 500,000 to 2.5million.
Dr Isa Pantami, the minister said while receiving NIMC’s management team in his office in Abuja.
Mrs Uwa Suleiman, the spokesperson for the Minister, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja. Read more
Couple who gave birth to quintuplets bring their 5 new babies home (Metro)
A couple who gave birth to quintuplets in September have welcomed their five new babies home.
Joshua Hulen and his wife Megan brought the infants – four girls and a boy – back to their home in Surrey, North Dakota, earlier this week to live with their sons Matthew, two, and Jacob, seven.
Megan laughed about her huge new brood, and said: ‘They did not come from IVF.’ And Joshua added that the youngsters hadn’t been conceived during a coronavirus lockdown, adding: ‘They’re not Covid babies. It was before.’ Read more
Coronavirus: Berlin ad sticks middle finger to mask rule breakers (BBC)
Berlin’s tourism authority has launched an ad campaign featuring an elderly woman giving the middle finger to people who refuse to wear masks.
“The raised index finger for all those without a mask,” reads the poster, alongside a photo of the masked woman.
Visit Berlin has said the campaign is to highlight the importance of protecting the health of the elderly.
But the campaign has proved controversial, with some in Germany calling it insulting. Read more
What Apple didn’t tell you about the new iPhones (USAToday)
The late Steve Jobs was known for engaging in a “reality distortion shield” when launching new projects that perhaps didn’t tell the whole story.
On Tuesday, Apple did a masterful job at its big reveal event of hyping its lineup of four new iPhones that, on the face of it, will have faster processors, improved camera features and connect to the new 5G wireless standard.
In addition to starting out with a new HomePod mini, Apple unveiled an iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone Pro Max, ranging in price from starting at $699 on up to starting at $1,099. Read more
Netherlands backs euthanasia for terminally ill children under-12 (BBC)
The Dutch government has approved plans to allow euthanasia for terminally ill children aged between one and 12.
On Tuesday, Health Minister Hugo de Jonge said the rule change would prevent some children from “suffering hopelessly and unbearably”.
Euthanasia is currently legal in the Netherlands for children older than 12, with mandatory consent from the patient and their parents.
It is also legal for babies up to a year old with parental consent.
But there is no provision for those aged between one and 12 who are terminally ill. Read more
Demi Lovato calls out Trump in political new song (USAToday)
Demi Lovato is calling on her fans to “join me in voting” in the 2020 election with a power ballad criticizing President Donald Trump’s leadership.
The pop singer, 28, released new single “Commander in Chief” Wednesday in an effort to encourage fans to make sure they have a plan for voting ahead of election day on Nov. 3.
“We are heading into the most important election of our lives,” Lovato wrote Wednesday on Instagram. “This song isn’t about division. This is about finding answers from out (sic) sitting President. So please, debate and talk about voting. That’s what this is all about.” Read more
Afghan-Taliban conflict: Helicopters carrying wounded troops collide (BBC)
A collision between two Afghan army helicopters evacuating wounded soldiers in southern Helmand province has left at least nine people dead.
All those who died were on board the helicopters, officials say.
The incident early on Wednesday in Nawa district was apparently caused by technical issues.
The area has seen fierce clashes in recent days between the Taliban and Afghan government forces, supported by US airstrikes. Read more
Nicole Kidman wanted Julia Roberts’ role in “Notting Hill” but ‘wasn’t talented enough’ (Metro)
Nicole Kidman was rejected from Julia Roberts’ role in Notting Hill – because she ‘wasn’t talented enough’.
Yes, seriously.
The Big Little Lies actress has won a string of awards throughout her incredible career, including an Oscar for her stint as Virginia Woolf in The Hours.
But she revealed she wasn’t ‘well known’ enough for the role.
In a conversation with Hugh Grant ahead of their new series, The Undoing, she confessed that she had her heart set on starring as his love interest in the 1999 flick. Read more
Africa’s top cycling team ‘struggling to keep the lights on’ (BBC)
NTT are having a hugely successful Giro d’Italia, but need a new sponsor in weeks.
Africa’s only top-flight professional cycling team, NTT Pro Cycling, is facing a make-or-break month after its title sponsor unexpectedly pulled out two weeks ago.
A new sponsor is needed in the next few weeks if the team is to enter the top global events next year, after Japanese telecommunications company NTT decided to end its support.
NTT rider Domenico Pozzovivo is currently fourth in the ongoing Giro D’Italia, one of cycling’s three grand tours – a position which marks an historic high for the team.
But the financial pressures on the team are intense. Read more
Govt to honour 60 sports icons Friday (Nation)
As part of activities organised by the Federal government to celebrate Nigeria’s Diamond jubilee, 60 Nigerian sports icons are set to be honoured.
The list is made up of personalities that have made meaningful impact on sports development in the last sixty years.
Minister of Youth and Sports Development Sunday Dare said the event was initiated to reward excellence and hard work while receiving the Report of the Committee set up to collate the votes by Nigerians for the 60 awardees. Read more
Savannah Marshall and Hannah Rankin world-title fight off after Peter Fury coronavirus test (BBC)
Saturday’s all-British women’s world-title fight between Savannah Marshall and Hannah Rankin has been cancelled after Marshall’s trainer tested positive for coronavirus.
Scotland’s Rankin and England’s Marshall were due to contest the vacant WBO world middleweight title.
But trainer Peter Fury – the uncle of WBC world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury – has returned a positive test.
“I’m absolutely gutted. I was so ready to go,” said Rankin. Read more
Neymar hat-trick fires Brazil past Peru, Argentina labour (Guardian)
Neymar scored a hat-trick to become the second-highest scorer in Brazil’s history as the Copa America champions won 4-2 away to 10-man Peru in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.
The goals took Neymar to 64 international strikes, two more than Ronaldo but still well behind Pele’s record of 77.
Elsewhere, Joaquin Correa scored the winner 11 minutes from time as Argentina laboured to a 2-1 victory over Bolivia to maintain their 100% record after two matches. Read more
Daiya Seto suspended by Japan Swimming Federation after having affair (BBC)
Four-time world champion Daiya Seto has been suspended for the rest of the year by the Japan Swimming Federation after having an extra-marital affair.
The 26-year-old has been banned for breaching the governing body’s sportsmanlike conduct standard.
The reigning 200m and 400m individual medley world champion stepped down as captain of Japan’s Olympic swim team after admitting to the affair.
He will be eligible to compete at the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Read more
COVID-19: New Zealand withdraw from England friendly (Punch)
New Zealand pulled out of next month’s football friendly against England on Wednesday, saying “complications” caused by Covid-19 had made it too difficult to field a team at Wembley on November 12.
“The shifting nature of travel restrictions and commercial flight availability under Covid means that we do not have certainty we could assemble a squad at Wembley,” New Zealand Football CEO Andrew Pragnell said in a statement.
All Whites coach Danny Hay said he was “gutted” to have to withdraw from such a high-profile fixture. Read more
