Military deactivates 57 illegal refineries, apprehend oil thieves (Guardian)
Defence Headquarters says the troops of Operation Delta Safe have in three weeks discovered and destroyed 57 illegal refining sites and apprehended 21 oil thieves in Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers.
The Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Musa Danmadami, made this known while giving update of military operations, on Thursday in Abuja.
Danmadami said the troops also destroyed 953 cooking ovens, 68 wooden boats, 172 storage tanks and 149 dugout pits within the period.
He said the troops in the conduct of Operation Octopus Grip also recovered 445,000 litres of crude oil, 1.04 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil, 22,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 2,000 litres of Dual Purpose Kerosine. Read more
Lagos blames old infrastructure for water shortage (Punch)
The Lagos Water Corporation has blamed ageing infrastructures for the lack of supply of potable water to residents of the state, particularly those who reside in Otto community, Lagos Mainland.
According to a statement on Thursday, the Managing Director of LWC, Muminu Badmus, disclosed this during a recent visit by the management team of the corporation to Lagos Mainland and the palace of the newly-installed Oloto of Otto, Oba Abisoye Olupejobi, in Lagos.
Badmus said, “On completion of the ongoing rehabilitation of the 45 million gallons per day Iju Water Works this month, potable water will be available to the community and other parts of the state.
“The state government has embarked on several projects to increase water production and distribution across the state. However, the problem of ageing infrastructures, among others, is affecting the efforts of the corporation in ensuring a constant supply of potable water to every home in the state.” Read more
NURTW counsels members to drive carefully during celebration (Tribune)
The president of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa, has advised commercial drivers especially those plying inter state routes to drive with caution during the coming Christmas and New year celebration.
He stated this in his goodwill message to drivers as part of activities to mark Christmas and new year celebrations.
He said commercial drivers especially those traveling long distances should be very careful and obey all road traffic regulations to avoid an unpleasant situations.
“This period of the year usually witnesses heavy traffic as more Nigerians will be traveling to different destinations to celebrate Christmas and new year with their loved ones. So, to avoid accidents, commercial drivers should be cautious. Read more
Tinubu, Obi speak to issues, underscore governance plans (Leadership)
Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, have accentuated their governance blueprints for the country, as the campaigns for the 2023 general election intensify.
Tinubu yesterday assured entrepreneurs that he would turn the nation’s current challenges into opportunities for growth and development if elected in the forthcoming presidential poll.
Obi, on the other hand, said his administration would be driven by youths and women mostly if elected next year.
Tinubu spoke at a business luncheon with business owners titled, “Business Forward”, at the Wings, Victoria Island, Lagos, while disclosed his plans at a town Hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Capital. Read more
1 killed, others injured as 40-ft container falls on 3 vehicles in Lagos (Vanguard)
Tragedy struck, yesterday, at the Cele bus stop on the Apapa-Oshodi expressway, after two containers fell off a truck and landed on three vehicles.
One of the drivers in a commercial bus with plate number AKD 489 XZ, who was trapped inside, was killed in the process.
But his passengers and occupants of the two other vehicles, a Toyota Rav 4 with plate number AAA 353 FH and a Highlander SUV with number plate AGL 366 FP, escaped death by the whiskers.
Vanguard gathered that the truck, laden with two unlatched containers, was driving inward Apapa, when it suddenly had a brake failure and in the driver’s bid to use the median to stop the truck, the two containers fell on the moving vehicles, but the commercial bus and the SUV had the worst impact. Read more
Court declares Mohammed Abacha as Kano PDP governorship candidate (Leadership)
Federal High Court sitting in Kano has affirmed Mohammad Sani Abacha as the duly-elected governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Kano State.
The trial judge, Justice A.M, Liman in his judgement yesterday evening nullified the primary election which produced Sadik Aminu Wali as Kano PDP governorship candidate and ordered INEC to expunge his name for Mohammad Abacha.
The judgement which was virtually delivered was earlier scheduled for 12.00 noon but was later shifted.
Mohammed Abacha named INEC as the first defendant, Wali as the second defendant, PDP third while Wada Sagagi was the fourth defendant. Read more
Yuletide: NEMA deploys ambulances, emergency vehicles in flashpoints (Nation)
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed ambulances and other emergency response vehicles in flashpoints across the country to ensure prompt response in case of any eventuality.
The agency explained that the deployment is among its measures to ensure a hitch-free Yuletide season.
NEMA’s Director General Mustapha Ahmed announced this at the kick-off of Operation Eagle Eye, an annual event for motorists to ensure safe journeys during the Yuletide season.
Ahmed directed all NEMA zonal, territorial and operational offices to supplement the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which is the lead agency in the operation. Read more
Share with the less privileged, group tells Nigerians at Yuletide (Guardian)
Bays Sport Club has called on individuals and firms to reach out to the less privileged in the society as they celebrate Christmas.
The group made the call when it visited Infant Jesus Orphanage Home in Calabar, Cross River State, where it donated food items, toiletries, drinks and snacks to the children in the home.
The President of the club, Mr. Anthony Okon, said the season of Christmas, which signifies love, should be a time to share and celebrate with one another, especially the less-privileged in the society.
He said they are sport lovers, made up of business and career men from all walks of life, that decided to form a sport club, through which they render a helping hand to the society. Read more
A little girl asked a lesbian if she was a boy or a girl and their conversation will melt your heart (Upworthy)
Coming out of the closet is a difficult conversation to have, especially if it’s in a perceived hostile environment. While it is up to each individual whether and how to have that difficult conversation depending on their safety and well-being, it is done on the assumption of living a happier and more authentic life. One person who has always advocated for making the world a better place for the LGBTQIA+ community is Ash Beckham. The equality advocate makes compelling arguments about being openly and proudly gay, just as she is. Her public addresses have gone viral after resonating with people for the truth they hold.
Beckham’s speech at IgniteBoulder, “I am SO GAY,” became a viral sensation. Addressing the problem of using the term “so gay” as something derogatory, she urged people to “say something” to bring about change in the way people perceive LGBTQIA+ folks. “You can legislate tolerance—you can’t legislate acceptance,” she said in her speech. “That takes a societal shift.” Encouraging people to be more proactive in educating those around them as well as actively claiming space out of the closet, Beckham’s speeches are aimed at not just the LGBTQ community but others as well.
While “coming out” may be a term associated with people telling the world they are gay, Beckham says everyone has a “closet” of their own. The closet, after all, just means the safe space we go to instead of having a difficult conversation. Read more
Thom Bell Dies: Grammy-Winning producer and architect of ‘The Sound Of Philadelphia’ was 79 (Deadline)
Thom Bell, who helped to create the soul songs style that became known in the 1960s and 1970s as “The Sound of Philadelphia,” died Thursday in Bellingham, Washington. He was 79 and no cause of death was given.
His lawyer, Michael Silver, confirmed the death.
Bell, along with fellow producers and songwriters
Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, were the forces behind the lush orchestrations that characterized The Sound of Philadelphia. Bell, Gamble, and Huff were known as “The Mighty Three,” working out of a Broad Street building and creating a song factory that dominated the era’s charts and Top 40.
Dyanna Williams, a music journalist and broadcast personality, announced Bell’s death on her social media accounts Thursday afternoon. Read more
Skyzoo announces new album insp by ‘Snowfall’ character (HipHopDX)
Skyzoo has announced he’ll be dropping a new album inspired by drug kingpin Franklin Saint from the popular FX television series Snowfall.
On Wednesday (December 21), the Brooklyn native took to his Instagram to reveal the cover for his upcoming LP showing a sketch of Saint on his bike holding the green backpack that was stolen from him in season one. It’s set to arrive on January 13, 2023.
“No better time than the present. Proud and honored to kick off the new year with something I’ve been harvesting since the spring with @otherguysmusic,” Skyzoo captioned his post. “The idea of one of television’s most cunning and brightest but heinous minds pulling his mask off and opening up his curtains to vent in a vocal booth for an hour or so.”
He added: “A ‘coke’ rap album done like none before it. ‘The Mind Of A Saint’: A Soliloquy by Skyzoo, From The Perspective of Franklin Saint… Produced and Scored by The Other Guys.” Read more
The Tesla struggle is so real that the company is offering a $7,500 discount on cars (Fortune)
Tesla Inc. is offering US consumers $7,500 to take delivery of its two highest-volume models before year-end, adding to indications the carmaker is struggling with demand.
The discount on new Model 3 sedans and Model Y sport utility vehicles is double what the company was offering earlier this month. It mirrors an anticipated change in how much of a tax credit certain consumers will be eligible for early next year.
Tesla vehicles were expected to be in line for $3,750 tax credits starting in January as part of changes that the Inflation Reduction Act made to federal incentives for electric vehicles. That changed this week when the US Treasury Department announced it was delaying guidance on new battery content requirements. Postponing those restrictions likely will make certain EV models eligible for a full $7,500 credit early next year.
It’s highly unusual for Tesla to offer such perks, as Elon Musk has for years enforced a no-discounts policy. The company also departed from its chief executive officer’s insistence against spending on traditional advertising last month by promoting its wares on a local television shopping channel in China. Read more
Armageddon Time’ director calls film a commercial “failure” but dismisses the Importance of box office (THR)
James Gray remains proud of Armageddon Time but admits that the film was not a box office success.
During a recent interview with GQ, the filmmaker, known for such projects as Ad Astra and We Own the Night, reflected on the commercial run for the Focus Features drama. Armageddon Time, which opened in October after its Cannes premiere, stars Anne Hathaway and Jeremy Strong in a story loosely inspired by Gray’s upbringing. The film has grossed $5.6 million worldwide to date.
“Commercially the movie was a failure,” Gray told the publication. “But so is everything. I mean, I know that’s not true. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is not. But you’re now in a situation where literally every single one of these [non-franchise] movies is not doing well, and in some ways, that’s the great equalizer.” Read more
The Flash trailer will debut during Super Bowl LVII (DailyMail)
For the first time in nearly two decades, Warner Bros. will make its presence known during the Super Bowl on February 12, to promote their upcoming movie The Flash.
The trailer will mark the first time Warner Bros. has advertised their films during the Big Game since 2006, when they ran trailers for 16 Blocks, V For Vendetta and Poseidon, according to The Wrap.
The studio will then debut the trailer on the big screen a few days later, attached to Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, in theaters February 17 – which comes days after it was revealed Henry Cavill’s cameo from The Flash was cut.
An insider is claiming that The Flash – which is set for release on June 16, 2023, has been, ‘testing positively.’ Read more
N Korea denies arms supplied for Russian mercenaries in Ukraine (AlJazeera)
North Korea’s foreign ministry has denounced as “absurd” a United States report that the Russian mercenary force, Wagner Group, had received a shipment of North Korean rockets and missiles to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday that Pyongyang had sent an initial cache of weapons to the Wagner Group, which is searching worldwide for arms manufacturers who can supply its military operations in Ukraine.
“We can confirm that North Korea has completed an initial arms delivery to Wagner, which paid for that equipment. Last month, North Korea delivered infantry rockets and missiles into Russia for use by Wagner,” Kirby told reporters.
The export of North Korean weapons is banned under United Nations Security Council resolutions imposed on the country due to its efforts to develop nuclear arms. Read more
Women’s World Cup: CAF to assist Super Falcons, others (Sun)
In preparation for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has offered assistance to the qualified African nations including the Super Falcons of Nigeria, BSNSports.com.ng understands.
Three African nations including Nigeria, Morocco and South Africa automatically qualified for the competition while either Senegal or Cameroon will qualify through a playoff.
CAF on Wednesday held a press conference to clarify some pending issues.
The Secretary General of the body Omba Mosengo said they will meet in early 2023 to make proper arrangements for the team just like the way they did for the men’s team that played in Qatar. Read more
Many Germans losing interest in national team (Guardian)
Germany’s national team appears to face a rocky road to win back its fans after the recent World Cup group stage exit, with almost half of Germans losing interest in it.
A YouGov survey commissioned by DPA and published Thursday said that 46% of those polled stated they have lost interest in the team in the wake of poor results at tournaments – and 26% of them even said they have lost interest in a major way.
Another 34% said they hadn’t been interested in the team even before the World Cup group stage eliminations in 2018 and 2022, and a last-16 exit at Euro 2020.
Only 18% said interest in the national team hasn’t changed. Read more
FIFA investigating Salt Bae’s ‘‘undue access’’ to World Cup trophy, Argentina’s celebration (NBC)
Salt Bae apparently has FIFA feeling salty.
After Argentina defeated France in Sunday’s World Cup Final in Qatar, Salt Bae — the Turkish chef turned 2017 viral internet meme — was seen on the Lusail Stadium pitch amid La Albiceleste’s championship celebration. The celebrity chef took photos with players from Argentina, and he even got his hands on the prestigious World Cup trophy several times.
But it turns out Salt Bae didn’t actually have permission to be on the field.
FIFA announced on Thursday that it’s investigating how Salt Bae and others gained “undue access” to the pitch. The world soccer body added that the World Cup trophy is a “priceless icon” that “can only be touched and held by a very select group of people, which includes former winners of the FIFA World Cup and heads of state.” Read more
Carabao Cup: City to face Saints, United host Charlton (RTE)
Manchester City’s quest for a seventh Carabao Cup in 10 years will continue with a quarter-final tie against Southampton.
City beat defending champions Liverpool in a Christmas cracker, earning a 3-2 victory at the Etihad Stadium in the first game back after the World Cup break.
Their next test will be a visit to St Mary’s in the week commencing 9 January.
League One Charlton’s reward for beating Brighton in the fourth round is a visit to Manchester United. Read more
Andy Murray beaten by Dan Evans as England clinch inaugural title over Scotland (Standard)
Andy Murray and Jamie Murray were victorious in possibly their final match together in Scotland but England walked away with the inaugural Schroders Battle of the Brits trophy.
Organised by Jamie Murray, the Scotland versus England clash proved a hit in Aberdeen, with around 20,000 fans attending the P&J Live arena across two days.
England had the higher-ranked players but the Murray brothers were the star attraction and it was fitting that they should have the final say, defeating Neal Skupski and Dan Evans 6-3 6-4 to complete an 8-4 win for England.
Andy said on the BBC: “I certainly hope it’s not the case but we need to treat these moments like we might not get the opportunity again because we’re getting on a bit and you never know what’s round the corner. Read more
Mario Andretti reveals ideal F1 driver line-up for Andretti Global (PlanetF1)
Mario Andretti has said Fernando Alonso would be a “tremendous” acquisition for Andretti Global if the team is able to secure a Formula 1 entry, and Colton Herta would have a “99%” chance of being in the team as well.
Andretti Global recently opened its new global headquarters in Indiana, which is due to house all of its motorsport operations – including a possible Formula 1 team.
Michael Andretti, son of the 1978 World Champion, has been lobbying Formula 1 about adding another team to the grid, though he has been met with opposition from several of the existing teams – who are reluctant to allow an extra constructor to compete in the sport.
He has also spoken previously about looking at buying out Haas, Sauber and AlphaTauri in search of putting another American team on the grid in the future, and holds hopes about a “nice Christmas present” of seeing an Andretti Global entry confirmed for the future. Read more