Lagos police uncover fake alcoholic drinks manufacturing company, arrest four (Vanguard)
The police command in Lagos State has uncovered a company that allegedly deals on fake alcoholic drinks.
The command also arrested four suspected perpetrators of the crime.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
Hundeyin said that operatives from the Isokoko Police Division, acting on credible information, raided a house in Agege, where the fake alcoholic drinks were allegedly being produced. Read more
New cases of Lassa fever reported across Nigeria (AfricaNews)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has reported fresh cases of Lassa fever, along with 20 deaths spanning 16 states over the course of one week, from February 26 to March 3.
During the ninth week of 2024, the NCDC observed a rise in confirmed cases, with 96 cases recorded in the previous week.
Lassa fever is a severe viral disease transmitted to humans via contact with contaminated food or objects, usually from infected rodents or individuals. Symptoms range from fever, headache, and sore throat to more severe manifestations like bleeding from different body parts. Read more
Commuters fear gridlock as construction resumes on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Punch)
Commuters on Thursday feared that gridlock may return to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as construction resumed around the Long Bridge section of the road.
Our correspondent, who was on the road on Thursday evening, observed that commuters heading towards Lagos had to slow down from around the Warewa section of the road en route to the Long Bridge.
Construction workers and machines were also seen active on the road. Read more
Whitney: Stadium Rented To Chrisland Lacks Emergency Facilities — Lagos Official (Channels)
The cross-examination of a deputy director from the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mr Yakubu Abisogun, in the trial of the Principal and some staff members of Chrisland School Opebi, over the death of Whitney Adeniran, a 12-year-old student of the school, continued on Thursday before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the State High Court, Ikeja.
While answering questions under cross-examination, from one of the defence counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olukayode Enitan, the witness testified that Agege Stadium where Chrisland School held its inter-house sports competition was owned by the Lagos State Government.
The witness also admitted that the stadium as rented out to the school lacked emergency facilities in case of any accident or emergency. According to him, “there was no need for it”. Read more
Gumi: Military has been hard on bandits (DailyTrust)
Popular controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, says the Nigerian military has been hard on bandits with the approach it uses to win the war against banditry in the northern part of the country.
He said both the Army and Air Force troops have launched ground and air strikes that have killed the bandits’ families – wives and children – which have angered them, as they see it as a war.
Speaking on ‘When will there be an end to Nigeria’s recurring abductions?” organised by Daily Trust via X space on Wednesday, Gumi insisted that it is only a non-kinetic approach that can halt the activities of bandits in the North. Read more
Only 16 states submit presentations on creation of state police —NEC (Vanguard)
Only 16 of the 36 states of the federation and Federal Capital Territory, FCT, have submitted reports on the proposed establishment of state police, in view of the security situation in the country, the National Economic Council, NEC, said yesterday.
NEC also yesterday endorsed the implementation of the $617.7 million Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises, i-DICE, programme in the 36 states and the FCT.
This is even as the Office of the Accountant-General of Federation disclosed that several months after the government of former President Muhammadu Buhari granted states and FCT N1.72 trillion budget support grant, they were yet to refund the money. Read more
Okuama: Don’t shield soldiers’ killers, Delta Gov warns monarchs (DailyTrust)
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has cautioned the traditional rulers against protecting any of their subjects involved in the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama community of Ughelli South Local Government Area.
The governor gave the warning while addressing the monarchs on the incident at the State Traditional Rulers’ Council Secretariat in Asaba, on Thursday.
Oborevwori, who lamented the gruesome murder of the military personnel, warned that no kingdom should conceal the perpetrators. Read more
Tinubu receives delegates from Meta, Facebook (Nation)
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday, March 21, received a delegation from Meta Platforms Incorporated led by Sir Nick Clegg, former UK Deputy Prime Minister and Meta’s President of Global Affairs, at the State House in Abuja.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.
President Tinubu emphasised that Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in this age of technological advancements; hence, his administration is opening up channels of opportunities in information and communications technology, deepening capacity, and fostering partnerships. Read more
Mum guilty of murdering son, three, who she scalded and caned in ‘sadistic cruelty’ (Metro)
A mum who was accused of the murder of her three-year-old son has been convicted.
Christina Robinson, 30, was accused of causing a fatal injury to her son Dwelaniyah, three, by violently shaking him at her house in Bracken Court, Ushaw Moor, Durham, in November 2022.
Robinson has now been convicted of murder and four child cruelty charges. Newcastle Crown Court heard how she scalded and caned him in ‘sadistic cruelty’. Read more
“The Sims” game is being turned into a film by Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap (Standard)
In 2019, when the news broke that indie director Greta Gerwig was making a Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, the world was thrilled, perplexed and intrigued in more or less equal measures – and now it looks like there’s another equally bizarre brand-based film on the way.
Margot Robbie’s production company LuckyChap Entertainment, who were also behind the pastel pink blockbuster, is now having a crack at another of the world’s most-recognisable IPs (intellectual properties): it is turning “The Sims”, the best-selling life simulation video game, into a movie.
Chances are, they’re hoping to replicate the wild success of last year’s Barbie. Not even the most optimistic and well-paid soothsayer would have dared to predict the film’s utterly extraordinary success: in 2023, Barbie became the highest-grossing film of the year, raking in more than $1.4 billion and beating Marvel, Fast and Disney franchises to the top spot. Read more
Lisa Ann Walter would ‘love’ reunion with ‘The Parent Trap’ co-star Lindsay Lohan (USAToday)
Chessy is up for a reunion with twins Hallie Parker and Annie James.
Lisa Ann Walter, who portrayed the nanny Chessy in the 1998 Lindsay Lohan-led “The Parent Trap,” has been toying with how she could stage an on-camera reunion with Lohan, 37.
“I would love to go back for another version of (‘The Parent Trap’),” Walter, 60, told People on Saturday. Read more
King Charles is “doing very well”, Queen Camilla gives health (LBC)
Queen Camilla said King Charles “is doing very well” as the monarch continues his cancer battle.
Camilla, 76, is on a solo two-day trip to Northern Ireland and made the admission to well-wishers as she stopped by The Arcadia deli in Belfast.
Shop assistant Brenda Robb handed over a get-well card for the monarch and extended her best wishes.
Taking the card with thanks, Camilla said: “He’s doing very well. he was very disappointed he couldn’t come.” Read more
Director of original The Crow criticizes remake: “Brandon Lee died making it’’ (EW)
Thirty years after The Crow first landed on the big screen, the supernatural drama is being remade with Bill Skarsgård in the title role. But not everyone is in favor of revisiting the material — including the original film’s director.
Alex Proyas, who helmed the 1994 comic book adaptation, expressed his distaste for the reboot in a statement posted to social media Monday, citing the tragic death of original star Brandon Lee in an on-set accident.
“THE CROW is not just a movie,” Proyas wrote. “Brandon Lee died making it, and it was finished as a testament to his lost brilliance and tragic loss. It is his legacy. That’s how it should remain.” Read more
US accuses Apple of monopolising smartphone market (BBC)
The US has filed a landmark lawsuit against Apple which accuses the tech giant of monopolising the smartphone market and crushing competition.
In the lawsuit, the justice department alleges the company used its control of the iPhone to illegally limit competitors and consumer options.
The complaint accuses it of squashing the growth of new apps and reducing the appeal of rival products.
Apple has vowed to “vigorously” fight the lawsuit and denies the claims. Read more
Gangs target suburbs in new round of attacks on Haiti’s capital (VOA)
Armed gangs launched new attacks in the suburbs of Port-au-Prince early Wednesday, with heavy gunfire echoing across once-peaceful communities near the Haitian capital.
Associated Press journalists reported seeing at least five bodies in and around the suburbs, and gangs blocked the entrances to some areas.
People in the communities under fire called radio stations pleading for help from Haiti’s national police force, which remains understaffed and outmatched by the gangs. Among the communities targeted in the pre-dawn hours were Pétion-Ville, Meyotte, Diègue and Métivier Read more
Finidi talks tough ahead Black Stars friendly (Punch)
Interim Super Eagles coach Finidi George insists the team will leave nothing to chance when they take on rivals Ghana at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, in their first of two friendly matches in the Moroccan city on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Over a month after the team lost the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the Eagles take on Ghana in what will be the 60th encounter between both sides since 1951, and also face Mali four days later at the same venue.
Ahead of Friday’s clash against the Black Stars, Finidi reiterated that the Eagles would treat the game with seriousness, bearing in mind the rivalry between both countries. Read more
NPFL bans club administrators from technical bench (Nation)
In another step to ensure a successful conclusion of the 2023/24 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season that has neared the last stretch, the league organisers have again issued two practice directives to guard against disruptive conducts.
In two separate memo to clubs signed by Davidson Owumi, the Chief Operating Officer, their attention was drawn to protocols guiding sitting on the technical bench and proper conduct of Ball Boys.
Frowning against observed deviation from the established protocol on the use of the technical bench, the memo noted, “We would want to remind all clubs of the proper usage of the technical bench as regards those that are permitted to sit on it during matches.
“The Technical Bench is a reserved area strictly designated for substitute players, coaches and backroom staff with defined roles to play in the course of a match”. Read more
Shohei Ohtani declines comment on interpreter scandal, Dodgers stay quiet after firing Ippei Mizuhara (CBS)
On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers fired Shohei Ohtani’s longtime interpreter Ippei Mizuhara after he was alleged to have illegally gambled on sports with a California bookmaker who is the subject of a larger investigation. Major League Baseball’s rules permit personnel to gamble on non-diamond sports (e.g. anything but baseball and softball) provided that sports gambling is legal in that jurisdiction — which it is not within the state of California.
Mizuhara has since contradicted himself when it comes to Ohtani’s financial involvement. He first claimed in an interview with ESPN that Ohtani agreed to pay off his gambling debts. Mizuhara later changed course, saying Ohtani had no knowledge of the situation and did not make transfers to the bookmaker’s associate. Read more
Boxing’s Olympic future beyond Paris 2024 unclear (DW)
It is still unclear whether boxing will remain an Olympic sport beyond the Paris Games. To ensure that it does, the World Boxing Association urgently needs more members – and a lot is riding on a ruling by the CAS.
Kit McConnell, sports director of the International Olympic Committee, couldn’t have made his position much clearer.
“The International Boxing Association will not be involved in any way if boxing is part of the LA28 Olympic Games,” he told a press conference held by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) this week.
So far, boxing has yet to be included in the list of sports for the Los Angeles Games in four years’ time. Read more
McGregor most drug-tested UFC athlete this year (BBC)
Conor McGregor is the most drug-tested fighter under the UFC’s new anti-doping regime as the Irishman continues to tease his return to fighting.
McGregor has been drug tested five times, external since January 1. No other fighter has been tested more than twice.
The former UFC champion has spoken at length this week about his desire to return this summer having not fought since 2021.
But the UFC are yet to officially announce his return. Read more
North Korea says can’t host World Cup qualifier: Japan football chief (France24)
North Korea told Japan on Thursday that it cannot host next week’s World Cup qualifier, Japan’s football association chief said, throwing the game into doubt.
North Korea were scheduled to play Japan in Pyongyang on Tuesday in the second game of a double-header on the road to the 2026 World Cup.
But North Korean officials “told us that the game cannot go ahead in Pyongyang”, Kozo Tashima said after the two sides met in a first qualifier in Tokyo, which Japan won 1-0. Read more