Fubara, Rivers elders meet in Abuja over crisis (Punch)
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and some elders of the state jetted to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Tuesday morning for possible reconciliation of the crisis that rocked the State House of Assembly and the move to impeach the governor.
Recall that some elders of the state held a closed-door meeting with Fubara in Government House on Monday evening just when he was about to brief the press, as the scheduled event was called off abruptly after newsmen were kept waiting for over three hours.
Our correspondent, who was in Government House on Monday evening, saw the elders arrive, and were immediately ushered into the brick house, the governor’s official residence in the stated seat of power, in an apparent move to reconcile the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and his political godson, Fubara. Read more
FG to inaugurate presidential taskforce to monitor power sector (Guardian)
President Bola Tinubu says the Federal Government will inaugurated a Presidential Taskforce to monitor and ensure progress of the deployment of key projects in the power sector.
Tinubu said this at the Nigerian Electricity Supply industry (NESI) Market Participants and Stakeholders Round Table (NMPSR), on Monday in Abuja.
The round table had as theme; “NESI Privatisation and its 10-Year Milestone :The Journey So Far, Opportunities and Prospects. Read more
3 dead, 2 injured in Lagos accident (Vanguard)
Three persons died on Tuesday while one sustained serious injuries in a road accident along the Itamaga-Ijede road in Ikorody, near Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accident which occurred at about 8:05 a.m., involved a Toyota Camry car and a tricycle.
The car, which was on high speed, crossed the other side of the road and rammed into the tricycle, killing three passengers – one adult and two school children on the spot. Read more
Police Council confirms Egbetokun as IGP (DailyTrust)
National Police Service Council has confirmed former Acting Inspector General of Police , Kayode Egbetokun as the Substantive IGP and Head of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Geidam, announced this on Tuesday while briefing State House reporters after the council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said council members endorsed the president’s proposal for his confirmation. Read more
Lagos lottery boss extolls Sanwo-Olu for achievement at IAGR (Guardian)
The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority (LDLGA), Mr. Bashir Abiola-Are, has applauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his recent appointment as a trustee of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR).
Abiola-Are was recently appointed and announced as a member of the board of trustees of IAGR at its recent conference held in Botswana.
The appointment was in recognition of the Lagos lottery boss’ expertise, experience and dedication to the proper regulation of gaming in line with global best practices. Read more
Appeal Court clears APC’s Sylva for Bayelsa governorship election (Leadership)
The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, has cleared the immediate-past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipreye Sylva, to contest the November 11 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
The appellate court, on Tuesday, said the respondent in the appeal before it, Deme Kolomo, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), lacked the legal right to approach the court for an order to disqualify Sylva from the governorship race.
Sylva is the candidate of the APC) in the forthcoming election. Read more
No plans to redenominate naira – CBN (Channels)
The Central Bank of Nigeria on Tuesday denied claims that it plans to redenominate the country’s currency – Naira – with effect from January 2024.
This was disclosed in a statement by the CBN’s Director of Corporate Communications, Isa AbdulMumin, amid claims suggesting the apex bank plans to redenominate the country’s legal tender.
“We are concerned that this narrative, which we had refuted before now, appears to be gaining traction with several debates on the implication of such a policy for the Nigerian economy,” the statement read. Read more
Police arrests teenager over murder of FUT, Minna lecturer (Independent)
The police in Niger state said it has arrested a teenager, Joy Afekafe, as the prime suspect in the gruesome murder of a lecturer of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, Dr. Funmilola Adefolalu
Late Funmilola, who is also a Pastor with Voice of Mercy Ministry was discovered inside her residence in the Gbaiko area of Minna at about 10 am on Sunday in a pool of blood with her throat slit, and two knives stained with blood by her lifeless body.
A statement signed by, DSP Wasiu A. Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), for the Commissioner of Police Niger State Command, said Joy is being interrogated by the police as the prime suspect for the culpable homicide of the FUT lecturer. Read more
Lena Headey wrote The Trap with Game of Thrones co-star in mind (FilmNews)
Lena Headey wrote her short film and debut feature “The Trap” with her Game of Thrones co-star Michelle Fairley in mind.
The Trap, based on Headey’s 2019 short film of the same name, stars Fairley as an isolated woman who is slowly brought back to life through her friendship with a mysterious young drifter.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Headey revealed that she thought of Fairley, who played Catelyn Stark in Game of Thrones, as the lead character when she wrote the script. Read more
King Charles III begins Kenya visit amid calls for apology over colonial-era suffering (France24)
King Charles III and Queen Camilla began a state visit to Kenya on Tuesday, facing mounting calls to make an apology over Britain’s bloody colonial past.
Although the four-day trip has been billed as an opportunity to look to the future and build on the cordial modern-day ties between London and Nairobi, the legacy of decades of British colonial rule looms large.
It is the 74-year-old British head of state’s first visit to an African and Commonwealth nation since ascending the throne in September last year on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Read more
The Beatles ‘‘Now And Then’’ video directed by Peter Jackson out Nov 3rd (MusicNews)
As announced last Thursday, October 26, the last Beatles song, “Now And Then” will be released this Thursday, November 2. Today, Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe are pleased to share the details and premiere plans for the song’s evocative new music video, which Peter Jackson has directed in his first foray into music video production.
The “Now And Then” music video will premiere worldwide this Friday, November 3 at 2pm GMT / 10am EDT / 7am PDT on The Beatles’ YouTube channel. The poignant and humorous video invites viewers to celebrate The Beatles’ timeless and enduring love for one another with John, Paul, George and Ringo as they create the last Beatles song.
Speaking about directing the music video, Peter Jackson says:
“When Apple asked me to make the music video, I was very reluctant – I thought my next few months would be a hell of a lot more fun if that tricky task was somebody else’s problem, and I could be like any other Beatles fan, enjoying the night-before-Christmas anticipation as the release of a new Beatles song and music video approached – in 1995, l loved the childlike excitement I felt as the release of Free As A Bird was inching closer. Read more
Selena Gomez says she’s taking break from social media over ‘‘horror, hate, violence’’ in world (People)
Selena Gomez is taking a break from social media.
On Monday, the “Single Soon” singer, 31, revealed on her Instagram Story that she has had to step back from her socials “because my heart breaks to see all the horror, hate, violence and terror that’s going on in the world.”
“People being tortured and killed or any act of hate towards any one group is horrific,” Gomez added before going on to say that “ALL people” need to be protected, “especially children,” and that “violence needs to be stopped for good.” Read more
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band announce 2024 UK & Ireland tour (PlanetRadio)
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have announced UK & Ireland stadium shows for May and July 2024.
Part of a 22-date European tour, The Boss and his incredible band play Cardiff Principality Stadium on Sunday 5th May, Belfast Boucher Road on Thursday 9th May and Sunderland Stadium Light on Wednesday 22nd May.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band also play Irish dates at Kilkenny Nowlan Park (Sun 12th May) Cork Páirc Uí Chaoimh (Thu 16th May) and Dublin Croke Park (Sun 19th May) before they return to England at the end of the European tour for a very special show at London Wembley Stadium on Thursday 25th July. Read more
Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum are reportedly engaged (NME)
Channing Tatum and Zoë Kravitz are engaged to be married, according to reports.
Multiple sources have told People that the couple, who first started dating in 2021 while working on Kravitz’s upcoming directorial debut Pussy Island, are now engaged.
Tatum and Kravitz were pictured together leaving a Halloween party over the weekend, which reportedly showed her new engagement ring. Kravitz was dressed as Rosemary Woodhouse from the 1968 film Rosemary’s Baby alongside Tatum as a baby. Read more
Japan: Gunman holds hostage in post office after hospital shooting (BBC)
Armed police have surrounded a post office in the central Japanese city of Warabi, close to Tokyo, where a gunman is holding one person hostage.
Two people, reportedly women in their 20s and 30s, were taken captive at about 14:15 local time (05:15 GMT).
One of them, thought to be a post office employee, was later released.
The gunman’s motive is unclear. He is suspected to have also been involved in a shooting earlier on Tuesday at the nearby Toda Chuo General Hospital. Read more
Moses Simon nominated for Nantes’ October player of the month (Guardian)
Super Eagles forward Moses Simon has been nominated for the Nantes Player of the Month award for October.
Simon and the other nominees for the award were announced on the club’s X handle.
The others are Marcus Mawkus, Pedro Chirivella, and Florent Mollet.
The winner will be decided through voting by the club fans. Read more
“Victor is coming” – Osimhen’s agent Calenda hails Ballon d’Or achievement (Vanguard)
Roberto Calenda, the agent of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, has hailed his client’s remarkable Ballon d’Or achievement.
Recall Osimhen finished in eighth position in the 30-man shortlist.
Calenda celebrated the Nigeria international in a statement via his X handle on Tuesday. Read more
Saudi Arabia certain to host 2034 FIFA World Cup as Australia drops out (AlJazeera)
Saudi Arabia is all but certain to host the men’s 2034 FIFA World Cup after the Australian football federation declined to enter the bidding contest.
FIFA had set Tuesday as the deadline to submit a bid to host the tournament, but Australia’s decision to pull out leaves Saudi Arabia as the only declared candidate.
“We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and – having taken all factors into consideration – we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” Football Australia (FA) said in a statement. Read more
Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr lands new deal with staggering €1b release clause (National)
Vinicius Junior has signed a new contract with Real Madrid that runs until 2027, the Spanish club announced on Tuesday.
Vinicius, 23, joined Madrid in 2018 from Brazilian club Flamengo and has developed into one of La Liga’s outstanding players, scoring the winning goal in the 2022 Champions League final against Liverpool.
His existing contract was due to expire at the end of this season. Local media reported an extension had already been agreed last year, but it was only made official on Tuesday. Read more
James Harden traded to Los Angeles Clippers in massive deal with Philadelphia 76ers (Vibe)
James Harden has been traded by the Philadelphia 76ers to the Los Angeles Clippers in a massive, three team trade that ends the superstar’s tumultuous tenure in the City of Brotherly Love.
On Tuesday (Oct. 31), ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the 76ers had dealt the former league MVP and perennial All-Star to the Clippers in exchange for Marcus Morris, Nic Batum, Robert Covington, Kenyon Martin Jr., and multiple draft picks.
Philadelphia will receive the Clippers’ 2028 unprotected first-round pick, two second-round picks, and a pick swap, as well as an additional first-round pick from a third team. In addition to Harden, the 76ers will send P.J. Tucker and Filip Petrušev to the Clippers and will waive forward Danny Green from their roster to free up a roster spot necessary to the completion of the transaction, per Wojnarowski. Read more
Tyson Fury told to rematch Francis Ngannou in MMA after controversial boxing fight (Mirror)
Francis Ngannou crossed over to boxing for his fight against Tyson Fury and the Brit has now been told he should switch to MMA for a rematch.
Ngannou lost his ring debut against heavyweight champion Fury in a controversial split decision in Saudi Arabia which has divided opinions in the boxing world. The Cameroonian wasn’t given a chance by many pundits but he rose to the occasion by dropping Fury and going all 10 rounds with him, only losing by a point on the judges’ scorecards.
Fury repeatedly changed his tune on a potential MMA fight against Ngannou before they met in the ring, insisting he would beat him but also downplaying the cage rematch. UFC legend Dan Hardy, who is now the Director of Fighter Operations for PFL Europe, wants to see Fury challenge himself by lacing up 4oz gloves for a second fight against Ngannou. Read more