IGP announces new squad “SWAT” to replace SARS (Guardian)
Nigeria’s head of police Mohammad Adamu has established a new Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) squad to “fill the gaps” left by the notorious police unit Federal Special Anti-robbery squad(FSARS).
“The IGP has also set up a new Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Tram will fill the gaps arising from dissolution of the defunct SARS. Prospective members will undergo psychological and medical examination for this assignment,” a presidential aide Johannes Tobi tweeted. Read more
Sanwo-Olu In Aso Rock To See Buhari Over #ENDSARS (DailyTrust)
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is currently at the State House, Abuja, where he is expected to go into talks with President Muhammadu Buhari over ongoing protests against SARS in the country.
Sanwo-Olu, had on Monday, addressed the #ENDSARS protesters and vowed to meet President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday on the ongoing protest.
In a show of solidarity, the governor had earlier Tuesday joined the #ENDSARS protesters in Alausa.
The governor, who was joined by his deputy and other government officials, promised to communicate the demands of the protesters to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The #ENDSARS protest is a campaign against police brutality, extortion and extra-judicial killings. Read more
Again, #ENDSARS protesters block Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, commuters groan (Punch)
Youths protesting against the brutality and extrajudicial killings by men of the now-disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday blocked traffic flow around Secretariat, Ikeja, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The protest has brought vehicular movements to a standstill as motorists and commuters are trapped in the gridlock.
A protester, Bamidele Oladipupo, said people have been voiceless for too long, adding that the #ENDSARS campaign was a statement that the youths are tired of being treated unjustly in the country.
He said, “It is a shame that the people do not have a voice in their own country, something is going to spur people to take action and one of the things is the #ENDSARS. If you are a young person in this country, people can just stop you on the road, collect whatever you have on you and label you a criminal, and shoot you.
“It is happening everywhere on the basis that you are a young person, if you have a little thing as small as a smartphone, you are their victim, so, the people are saying enough is enough.” Read more
NBA demands release of #ENDSARS protesters (Nation)
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the unconditional release of all #ENDSARS peaceful protesters across the country and urged all protesters to remain non-violent and law-abiding in expressing their grievances.
The NBA noted the right to protest was constitutionally guaranteed and demanded governments should protect the rights of all citizens participating in the peaceful protests.
It urged them to direct security agencies to cease assaulting, attacking, abusing, or otherwise harassing or using force against citizens who seek to have their voices heard through peaceful protests.Read more
Wike bows, joins #ENDSARS protest (Vanguard)
Nyesome Wike of Rivers state, has bowed to pressure from Nigerian youths, withdrew his directives and joined #EndSARS protest in his state.
Nigerian youths on Tuesday converged at the Government House, Port Harcourt, demanding for the presence of Wike who had warned them to jettison the idea.
Speaking to the protesters during the protest, Wike said: “I never supported us to be here. I took an oath to protect the lives and property of people of the state. The blood of Rivers of people matters to me. Read more
#EndSARS protests spread to more states (Guardian)
Day after day, the campaign against police brutality in Nigeria continues to gain strong momentum.
Undaunted by restriction from government security agents, Nigerians youths continue to agitate for an end to brutality, extortion, harassment, and extrajudicial killing by police.
The agitations started first in Lagos and Abuja last Wednesday. It has now gained national momentum as almost every state in Nigeria now has a convergence point where the youths are chanting ‘End SARS, End police brutality, stop killing us’. Read more
Man in court for allegedly stealing 18 fans, other properties worth N1m (Vanguard)
A 46-year-old man, Aremu Olayinka, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Magistrate court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State for allegedly stealing property worth N1 million.
Police prosecutor, Abdullahi Musa told the court that the defendant committed the offence between the month of February 2019 and March 2020 at Maskon International Hotel, Ajekunle area, Osogbo.
Musa alleged that the defendant stole three Air Conditioners, valued N210,000, 18 units of ceiling fans valued N90,000, Deep Freezer valued N360,000, one Generator valued N150,000, three pumping machines valued N60,000 and other items total valued N1,000,000 belonging to one Philip Ikechukwu. Read more
Kilimanjaro: Fire breaks out on Africa’s tallest mountain (BBC)
Efforts are continuing in Tanzania to extinguish a fire that has broken out on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.
Members of the Tanzania National Parks Authority (Tanapa) and local people have been struggling to put out the blaze, which began on Sunday.
Their efforts have been hampered by the altitude as well as strong winds and dry weather which have caused the fire to spread fast.
The cause of the fire is not clear. Read more
Senators Question Supreme Court Nominee Barrett (VOA)
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are questioning US Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett on a range of issues Tuesday during the second day of her confirmation hearings.
Expected topics include health care, her approach to legal precedent and the court’s potential role in sorting out any legal challenges that may arise from the November election.
Senators will have 30 minutes each to ask their questions Tuesday, with a similar session to follow Wednesday. Read more
Why do mosquitoes love human blood? Science just figured it out (Metro)
A team of scientists in the US has figured out the compounds in human blood that attract mosquitoes – potentially paving the way for a drug that could mask our tempting flavour. A team of researchers at The Rockefeller University in New York City used genetically-modified females to see which neurons fire when they tasted blood. Only female mosquitoes feed on blood, which they need for their eggs to develop, but they survive primarily on nectar like thousands of other insect species. But their blood sucking habits make them the deadliest animal on the planet to humans, killing around half a million people every year through disease like malaria, dengue and yellow fever. Read more
Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine trial paused due to ill volunteer (BBC)
Johnson & Johnson has paused its Covid vaccine trial to investigate why one participant in the study fell ill.
The company said an independent review would check if the person’s unexplained symptoms were related to the jab.
It has suspended recruitment to the phase three trial as a precaution.
It said in large trials, with tens of thousands of volunteers, it was to be expected that some may become unwell during the study period. Read more
First look at A Christmas Gift From Bob trailer gives us all festive feels (Metro)
The trailer for A Christmas Gift From Bob has finally dropped, giving us all a much needed dose of festive cheer.
The first film, A Street Cat Named Bob – based on the incredibly successful book series by James Bowen – was an instant success when it was released in 2016. It followed the exploits of adorable cat Bob, and his bond with former addict James (Luke Treadaway).
And, months after the moggy died, we have been blessed with a teaser for the sequel, which explores their ‘last Christmas they spent scraping a living on the streets’.
It begins with Bob and James delighting the public while busking and performing Christmas carols. Read more
WW2 ‘earthquake’ bomb explodes in Poland during attempt to defuse it (BBC)
The largest unexploded World War Two bomb ever found in Poland has detonated during the defusing process, a Polish Navy spokesman said.
The chance the bomb – at the bottom of a Baltic Sea shipping canal – would detonate had been put at 50-50 and all the divers were unharmed.
About 750 residents had been evacuated near the port city of Swinoujscie.
The RAF dropped the Tallboy or “earthquake” bomb in a raid in 1945 which sank the German cruiser Lützow. Read more
UN report warns climate change could boost demand for humanitarian aid (VOA)
The United Nations is warning that climate change is threatening the lives of millions of people throughout the world, and that demand for humanitarian aid could rise 50% by 2030.
The U.N.’s World Meteorological Organization released a report Tuesday that found more weather-related disasters such as heat waves, storms and droughts are occurring each year.
“While COVID-19 generated a large international health and economic crisis from which it will take years to recover, it is crucial to remember that climate change will continue to pose an ongoing and increasing threat to human lives, ecosystems, economies and societies for centuries to come,” said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. Read more
Harry Potter first edition fetches £60k at auction (BBC)
A first edition Harry Potter book which a father used to teach his children English has fetched £60,000 at auction.
The rare copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone had been valued at £30,000.
The book, one of only 500 hardback first editions printed, was sold by a retired British expat from Luxembourg.
Auctioneer Jim Spencer described the hammer price, which climbed to £75,000 with the buyer’s premium added on, as “astonishing”. Read more
Thomas Partey: Arsenal and Ghana midfielder targets Premier League title with the Gunners (BBC)
New Arsenal signing Thomas Partey wants to help the club get “back where they belong” and win the Premier League title.
Ghana midfielder Partey, 27, joined the Gunners in a £45m deal from Atletico Madrid in the transfer window.
Arsenal have been champions of England 13 times, with their last title coming in 2003-04.
“Everybody is wanting to win all the trophies that can be won. That’s my goal also,” Partey said.
“It’s something that’s difficult but we’re working towards it and we’re ready. We have to go all out and try and achieve all I have said.
“That’s the objective of the club and myself. We have to get back to where we belong.” Read more
Wenger calls for scrapping of UEFA Nations League (Vanguard)
Arsene Wenger says the UEFA Nations League should be binned and claims holding the World Cup and Euros every other year would “be more appropriate for a modern world”.
Currently, the Euros and World Cup are held every four years and the Nations League was conceived to give international teams a greater number of competitive fixtures between those tournaments.
Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, claims the average fan doesn’t care about or even understand the Nations League.
“We need to get rid of the Nations League and find clearer events that everyone understands,” he told Bild. “If you ask people in the street what the Nations League is, you won’t find many able to explain it.
“We need to have as few events as possible,” he added. “One World Cup and one European Championship every other year would probably be more appropriate for a modern world.” Read more
Sierra Leone’s Augustus Kargbo left mum at 13 and now plays in Italy (BBC)
In order to fulfil his dream of playing professional football in Europe, Sierra Leone forward Augustus Kargbo left home aged just 13.
The 21-year-old left his mother and home life behind in 2013 to pursue his dream and signed for Italian side Crotone in 2018.
He made his Serie A debut last month as substitute for the newly-promoted Crotone in a 4-1 loss to Genoa and has since been loaned to Serie B’s Reggiana to get more playing time.
“It was difficult for me to leave my mum behind and my family at 13 years to pursue my dream,” Kargbo told BBC Sport Africa.
“My mother is my biggest inspiration and my super hero as she’s a strong woman. My late father divorced her when I was a small boy, so I was brought up by her.
“Things were difficult as my mum struggled to take care of me and my two brothers. She did a lot for me to see me where I am today and I’m very grateful to her.” Read more
Dessers, Ejuke set for debut (Nation)
Belgium-born Cyril Dessers, Russia-based Chidera Ejuke and goalkeeper Matthew Yakubu may make their debut for the Super Eagles in tonight’s international friendly against Tunisia at the Jacques Lemans Arena in the Austrian city of St. Veit an der Glan.
The trio were not part of the run-out with Algeria on Friday night where Zaidu Sanusi, Kevin Akpoguma, Frank Onyeka and Samson Tijani all made their debut for Gernot Rohr’s team.
Meanwhile, the German coach admits the absence of a number of first-team players somewhat weakened the texture of his band, but has challenged the squad to up the ante and show vibrancy especially in the fore against the 2004 African champions. Read more
Coutinho hungry for Barca success after fantastic Bayern spell (Vanguard)
Philippe Coutinho is determined to make his spell at Barcelona a success after returning from a trophy-laden loan stint with Bayern Munich.
The midfielder had been a long-time target for Barca when at Liverpool and the LaLiga giants finally got their man in January 2018 for a deal worth €120million upfront.
However, Coutinho was initially unable to live up to the hefty price tag and last season he spent the campaign with Bayern, who won the treble under Hansi Flick.
Coutinho played 38 times in all competitions, scoring 11 times, though he was often used off the bench, including in the 8-2 Champions League quarter-final win over Barca when he scored twice against his parent club. Read more
One Tokyo renamed Edo All United – Japanese club’s fans vote on name change (BBC)
An amateur Japanese side, established by former midfielder Keisuke Honda, has had its name changed after a fan vote.
The former Japan and AC Milan player, 34, said the One Tokyo team he helped establish in early 2020 is now called Edo All United.
Honda, who proposed the vote in September, said: “This is Japan’s first soccer club where fans are directly involved in management.
“In the future, we are planning to run sports clubs other than soccer and to create a city.”
Honda’s family-run management company had bought a stake in Austrian club SV Horn in 2015, but withdrew last season because of financial difficulties.
“I learned a lot from that failure,” Honda says on the website of his current club. Read more