Face the law, police tell driver using Google map (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has told a driver to face the law for violating traffic rules while being led by Google Maps on Saturday night.
The driver, Oyiga Michael, had cried out on social media that he was arrested by the police at Ijesha while trying to locate his way home using the Google Map app as a guide.
“Immediately we got to the turn to Ijesha, they (police) said we were following one way and were threatening to deflate a tyre. Read more
FG waives penalties, interests on outstanding tax liabilities till Dec 31 (Vanguard)
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has waived accumulated penalties and interests on outstanding tax liabilities.
The decision was contained in a circular by the Chairman of the organisation, Mr. Zacch Adedeji, his Special Adviser on Media, Dare Adekanmbi, dislosed in Abuja on Sunday.
Statutorily, the FIRS imposes penalties and interests for failure by companies to fulfil their tax obligation as and when due as stipulated in extant tax laws. Read more
Housing Deficit: Landlords are driving us crazy with rent, tenants cry out (Guardian)
The appearance of Chukwuemeka Okeke is sure to draw attention. He is frail and lean. But more than the lean frame is a body that is crying for basic needs. He is not sure when the next meal will come. He is not even sure where he will sleep with his four children after he was evicted from his house.
Okeke’s income from driving a mini-bus, popularly known as korope, has dipped drastically as Nigerians now prioritise walking long distances as part of measures to cut the high cost now being charged by transporters.
Olayinka Ojo’s situation is no different. For three months now, he and his landlord have been at loggerheads over the latter’s insistence on increasing rent, which he has rejected vehemently. Read more
NDLEA uncovers illicit drugs concealed in dolls, local soap, Milo tins (Channels)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have uncovered illicit substances bound for Europe, United Arab Emirates and Asia.
Disclosing this in a statement on Sunday, NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the illicit substances intercepted included various quantities of methamphetamine and opioids concealed in hems of new jeans trousers, dolls, buttons, local soap and tins of milo beverage.
Noting that the operation was carried out by operatives of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) at courier houses in Lagos, he said some of the items seized included tramadol 225mg concealed in hems of new jeans trousers heading to Cyprus; shipment of cannabis sativa hidden in heads of dolls going to Dubai; sachets of tramadol 225mg buried in tins of milo beverage going to UAE; and another set of same drug hidden in local soap also going to UAE. Read more
Passport Racketeering: Minister, NIS CG order probe in Southeast commands (Nation)
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji- Ojo and the Comptroller General of Immigration (CGI), Caroline Wuraola Adepoju, have ordered an investigation into the alleged racketeering of international passports by personnel of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Commands in Abia, Enugu, Imo and other states in the southeast region.
The minister and the NIS Comptroller General said while efforts are ongoing to track perpetrators of the illegal and unpatriotic acts, the federal government would activate appropriate disciplinary measures to ensure those involved are severely sanctioned. Read more
FG frees 11 from Enugu correctional facilities (ThisDay)
No fewer than 11 inmates of the Enugu Correctional Centre have been released under the federal government prison decongestion programme.
The eleven inmates were drawn from the Enugu, Nsukka as well as Oji River and Ibite-Olo custodial centres.
The inmates were handed over to the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo who was in Enugu on Saturday for their official release to their families and society. Read more
NSCDC officers brutalise journalist in Anambra (DailyTrust)
Some officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State have brutalised a journalist in the state, Izunna Okafor.
Over 10 officers, who reportedly descended on the journalist, accused the media of being the problem of Nigeria.
Okafor, a reporter with 247ureports.com, was coming from Nnewi, where he was invited to cover the Anambra South Rally of the Soludo Ambassadors, when the NSCDC men descended on him. Read more
Ekiti LG poll meant to democratise govt at grassroots – Oyebanji (Leadership)
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has expressed happiness that the local government election conducted in the state on Saturday was peaceful, saying it was meant to democratize the government at that grassroots level.
Addressing newsmen yesterday after casting his vote at his okelele unit 003, ward 06 Ikogosi Ekiti, Ekiti West local government area of the state said local government elections can get better, as the most critical arm of government in respect of delivering government policy at the grassroots level.
He said, “The people on their own will have the opportunity to choose their representatives at the local government level, the turnout is a bit low, that tells me that we need to do more on voter education and sensitization.” Read more
Emma Stone hosts Saturday Night Live for the 5th time (People)
Over 13 years after Emma Stone made her Saturday Night Live hosting debut, The Curse actress has joined one of the most exclusive clubs in television history — that of the elite “Five-Timers Club.”
Stone took the helm of the long-running sketch comedy series for the fifth time on Dec. 2, kicking things off with a couple of special guest cameos and a presentation of that coveted jacket for the club members.
Saturday night, Stone was all smiles when she stepped onto the SNL stage at 30 Rock, saying just how honored she was to be the newest member of the club that celebrated five-time hosts of the show, now in its 49th season. No sooner had she begun to speak than Tina Fey joined her, welcoming her to the club. Read more
Guinea-Bissau president calls deadly violence “attempted coup” (Channels)
The unrest between members of the National Guard and special forces of the presidential guard on Thursday night in the capital Bissau left at least two people dead.
Embalo, who was in Dubai attending the COP28 climate conference, arrived in Bissau on Saturday and said an “attempted coup d’etat” had prevented him from returning.
“I must tell you this act will have serious consequences,” he added. Read more
Russell T Davies bids farewell to late Bernard Cribbins after Doctor Who cameo (Standard)
Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has said “goodnight and goodbye” to the late Bernard Cribbins after the star featured in one last episode for the sci-fi show’s 60th anniversary.
In the second installment of the trio of specials, Cribbins made a cameo appearance as Wilfred Mott, grandfather of the Doctor’s companion Donna Noble, a role he played between 2007 and 2010.
The moving scene saw the veteran actor, who died in July 2022 aged 93, reunite with David Tennant’s Time Lord and Catherine Tate’s Donna. Read more
Protest song wins traditional music award (BelfastTelegraph)
A song written in protest at a Scottish Government fishing policy has won original work of the year at the Scots Trad Music Awards.
Skipinnish wrote The Clearances Again following the launch of plans by the Scottish Government to limit human activity in at least 10% of Scottish waters with the creation of highly protected marine areas (HPMAs).
Following a consultation on the issue, which garnered widespread opposition, including among SNP MSPs, the plan was eventually dropped. Read more
Perrie Edwards working with Ed Sheeran on new album (MusicNews)
Perrie Edwards has been working on her debut solo album with Ed Sheeran.
The Little Mix singer has been discussing ideas with Ed and is hoping to collaborate with him on her debut record.
A source told The Sun in Sunday’s Bizarre column: “Perrie is taking her time with her debut solo record and she wants to get it just right.
“She really respects Ed and loves his music, so has been keen to collaborate with him on ideas.” Read more
Bomb blast kills at least 4 worshippers during Catholic Mass in Philippines (NYPost)
A powerful explosion believed caused by a bomb ripped through a Catholic Mass and killed at least four people and wounded dozens of others Sunday in a predominantly Muslim city in the southern Philippines, officials said.
The morning Mass was underway in a gymnasium at the state-run Mindanao State University in Marawi City when the explosion happened, causing panic among dozens of students and teachers and leaving the victims bloodied and sprawled on the ground, said Taha Mandangan, the security chief of the state-run campus.
At least two of the wounded were fighting for their lives, Mandangan said. Read more
Israel recalls negotiators after reaching ‘dead end’ in Qatar talks (CNN)
Israeli authorities recalled their team of negotiators from Qatar after reaching a “dead end” in talks to release hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, according to a statement released by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
The talks in the Gulf nation had led to a tenuous truce between Hamas and Israel that lasted seven days before collapsing on Friday morning.
In the statement, Israel blames Hamas for failing to “fulfil its part of the agreement, which included the return of all women and children held hostage.” Read more
Musa targets NPFL return (Punch)
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has expressed his desire to play in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, again.
The former Al Nassr player stated this on an X space forum which our correspondent monitored on Saturday.
“I will always talk about the Nigerian league because I was once their product. And that placed me where I am today and till tomorrow, anytime I am going to stop football, I am going to come to Nigeria again and play in the Nigerian League,” Musa stated on X (former Twitter space). Read more
Doma Utd win again to top NPFL table as Enyimba, Insurance pick vital wins (DailyTrust)
Defending champions, Enyimba has continued its resurgence after defeating Lobi Stars by a lone goal in the Match Day 11 of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Enyimba Stadium.
Both teams kicked off the game with caution while creating goal scoring opportunities.
In the 47th minute, the ‘Aba Warriors’ were given a lifeline as Chijioke Mbaoma converted the penalty kick to lead by halftime. Read more
Germany beat France to lift 1st U17 World Cup title (ESPN)
Germany lifted the Under-17 FIFA World Cup for the first time after a thrilling penalty shootout victory against France at the Stadion Manahan in Indonesia on Saturday.
Germany took the lead from the penalty spot on 29 minutes through forward Paris Brunner. They doubled their lead just after half-time when Noah Darvich pounced on the ball at the far post and managed to score from a tight angle.
However, France hit back immediately after, with midfielder Saïmon Nadélia Bouabré cutting in from the left and slotting home past German goalkeeper Konstantin Heide. Read more
FA Cup: Arsenal to host Liverpool, Newcastle face rivals Sunderland (Standard)
Arsenal will play Liverpool at home in the FA Cup third round after Sunday’s draw.
The meeting of the two Premier League giants is surely the standout fixture of one of English football’s most iconic weekends, due to be played between Friday 5 January and Monday 8 January, 2024.
The Gunners have historically dominated the FA Cup and are record winners with 14 triumphs but haven’t gone past the fourth round in any of the last three seasons. Read more
Australian Open: LIV’s Joaquin Niemann beats Rikuya Hoshino in play-off to claim first DP World Tour title (Sky)
LIV golfer Joaquin Niemann claimed his first DP World Tour title at the Australian Open after eagling the second play-off hole to beat Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino.
Chilean Niemann, who joined LIV Golf in 2022, lipped out with a four-foot eagle putt on the first re-run of the 18th, but made no mistake on the second play-off hole, draining a slightly longer eagle attempt to add a first DP World Tour tournament win to the two he has won on the PGA Tour.
The Australian Open is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the DP World Tour. Read more
Tyrone McKenna: Belfast boxer retires after Lewis Crocker defeat (BBC)
Belfast boxer Tyrone McKenna has announced his retirement from the sport aged 33 following Saturday’s defeat by Lewis Crocker at the SSE Arena.
Crocker claimed the WBA continental European title in a fight dubbed ‘the Battle of Belfast’.
McKenna made his professional debut in 2012 and ends his career with a record of 23 wins, four defeats and one draw.
“The one title no one will take any time soon is the hardest man in Ireland,” McKenna posted on Instagram. Read more