National grid collapses again, 12th time in 2024 (DailyTrust)
Nigeria’s power grid has once again collapsed, making it the 12th time in 2024.
A check on the website of the Independent System Operator (ISO), an arm of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), showed all the generation power plants on the grid did not produce electricity by 2pm, having all contributed an average of 3,087 megawatts of electricity by 1pm
In a statement, the Jos Disco confirmed the collapse, saying: “The current outage being experienced within our franchise States is a result of loss of power supply from the national grid. Read more
5 escape unhurt as plane skids off Abuja runway, airport shut (Vanguard)
An Allied Air Cargo aircraft with registration number 5N-JRT skidded off Runway 22 at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, prompting a temporary shutdown of the airport.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed the incident, which occurred at 10:05 a.m. today, and disclosed that five people were on board the aircraft. All passengers were safely evacuated without injury.
Mrs Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, said in a statement: “The Airport Emergency Response Team is on the scene along with accident investigators. Read more
Taraba Gov Kefas’s sister dies following gunshot injuries from police escort (Leadership)
Atsi Kefas, the sister of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, has tragically passed away after being “accidentally shot” by a police escort during an attempted bandit attack, according to reports.
The incident occurred last Thursday on Kente Road in the Wukari Local Government Area of Taraba State, where Atsi Kefas and the governor’s mother, Jumai Kefas, were traveling. Gunmen ambushed the vehicle, and in the chaos, a police officer assigned to protect the family inadvertently shot Atsi while trying to fend off the attackers.
Reports indicate that Atsi Kefas was rushed to a hospital in Abuja for urgent medical care, but she succumbed to her injuries. Read more
Tinubu writes Senate, seeks confirmation for chairmen, MDs/CEOs, board members for SEDC, NWDC (Nation)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday urged the Senate to consider and confirm 18 and 14 nominees for appointment into the Governing Board of the South East Development Commission and North West Development Commission respectively.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Tinubu’s letters containing the names of the nominees at plenary.
In the first letter, Tinubu nominated Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi as Chairman and Professor Abdullahi Shehu Ma’aji as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NWDC. Read more
We are not against tax reform bills – RMAFC (Channels)
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) on Tuesday said it is not against President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills that are currently before the National Assembly.
RMAFC Chairman, Dr. Mohammed Shehu, who briefed journalists in Abuja, dismissed the allegations of opposing the bills as “false” and “malicious.”
He clarified that the commission is fully supportive of the bills and has actively participated in the reform process. Read more
Cash crunch: HURIWA blasts CBN, labels it economic sabotage (Tribune)
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed serious concerns about the ongoing cash shortage in the country, viewing it as clear evidence of a collapsing economy.
The organisation criticized the inability of depositors to access their cash, calling it an act of economic sabotage and a reflection of dysfunction within Nigeria’s financial system.
In a statement from its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for what it referred to as “provocative incompetence.” Read more
Reps to investigate Nigerian Customs over alleged complicity in smuggling, brutality (Nation)
The House of Representatives on Wednesday asked its Committees on Customs and Excise and Defence, to investigate the alleged complicity of three Nigerian Customs Service in smuggling activities and incidents of brutality against the service.
During the investigation, the House Committees are to examine the role of military personnel attached to the Customs patrol team to ascertain whether their operations comply with legal frameworks and human rights standards.
Adopting a motion of urgent sponsored by Sesi Otuwaseun Whingan (APC, Lagos), the House directs the committees to recommend appropriate measures to enhance oversight, accountability, and efficiency within the Nigeria Customs Service to restore public trust and safeguard Nigeria’s economic and national security interests. Read more
Navy hands over barge, trucks to EFCC in Delta (Vanguard)
Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Delta, has handed over a barge and two trucks laden with products suspected to be stolen crude oil to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Abba Muhsin, handed over the items to the anti-graft agency on Tuesday in Warri.
Muhsin, represented by the Executive Officer, NNS Delta, Commander Ayi Archibong, said the barge and trucks were intercepted on Thursday at the jetty of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Warri. Read more
Sabrina Carpenter names the 1 very good reason she didn’t want to share her Spotify Wrapped this year (HuffPost)
When everyone was getting in on the Spotify Wrapped fun last week, Sabrina Carpenter has admitted she didn’t feel like she was able to join in.
That’s because she was actually one of her own most-played artists.
“It’s funny because when I first saw mine, my initial reaction was, ’Oh, damn, I can’t post that, because I’m on my own. It’s a bit conceited,” she told British Vogue. Read more
Paul Mescal set to star in Sony’s Beatles Movies, says Ridley Scott (THR)
Ridley Scott‘s plans to work with Paul Mescal again might be on hold, thanks to the Beatles.
During a conversation with fellow filmmaker Christopher Nolan that followed a screening of Scott’s latest title, Gladiator II, at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Scott said that he plans for his next project to be the thriller feature “The Dog Stars”. When Nolan asked if Mescal is set to star in the film, given that this had been recently reported, Scott confirmed this as true before correcting himself and explaining that Mescal’s schedule may prevent the Gladiator II pair from reuniting on the new film. According to Scott, the actor is set to star in Sony Pictures‘ Beatles movies for director Sam Mendes. Read more
ITV to launch new show “The Assembly” after BBC pilot featuring Michael Sheen (Standard)
ITV has announced it will launch new show “The Assembly” following a BBC pilot featuring actor Michael Sheen earlier this year.
Each episode will see a different celebrity face questions from a group of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled people, which will force them to cast aside their media training, with no topic off-limits.
The Assembly received critical acclaim when its 30-minute pilot aired, with Sheen telling The Guardian: “The Assembly’s had more response than anything I’ve ever done.” Read more
50 Cent calls out Jay-Z for walking red carpet with Beyoncé and family one day after rape allegation in deleted post (People)
50 Cent is mocking Jay-Z after a rape allegation was made against the “99 Problems” rapper.
In a since-deleted post that’s been shared by multiple outlets, including TMZ and The New York Post, 50 Cent, 49, shared a photo of Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter and Beyoncé at the Dec. 9 premiere of “Mufasa: The Lion King” to his Instagram, captioning the post, “Jay said they said I rapped [sic] a kid, everybody get dressed we going to see Mufasa LOL.”
Jay-Z, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, 55, attended the premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday night alongside his mother-in-law Tina Knowles, 79, to support Beyoncé, 43, who reprised her voiceover role as Nala in the film. Blue Ivy Carter, 12, also joined the film, voicing lioness cub Kiara. Read more
Brazil’s president “well” after brain bleed surgery (BBC)
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is doing “well” after undergoing surgery for a brain bleed, his doctors say.
The 79-year-old was taken to hospital in the capital, Brasília, on Monday after he had complained of a severe headache.
An MRI scan revealed the bleed and Lula was transferred to the renowned Sírio-Libanês hospital in São Paulo to have it drained. Read more
In accepting Nobel Peace Prize, atomic bomb survivors urge end to nuclear weapons (UPI)
Japan’s Nihon Hidankyo on Tuesday accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Japanese survivors of the two atomic bombs dropped on Japanese cities to end World War II.
The group of 30 atomic bombing survivors attended Tuesday’s award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, and three Hidankyo co-chairs accepted the award on the group’s behalf.
“We demand the immediate abolition of nuclear weapons as extremely inhumane weapons of mass killing, which must not be allowed to co-exist with humanity,” Hidankyo co-chair Terumi Tanaka said while accepting the award. Read more
Citizens against smog: Protesters in North Macedonia demand action against pollution (ABC)
Thousands of protesters across North Macedonia took part in demonstrations Tuesday to demand better air quality in cities that are among the most polluted in Europe.
In the capital, Skopje, demonstrators gathered outside the Environment Ministry, some wearing gas masks to highlight the problem blamed by authorities for some 3,500 premature deaths annually.
Pollution levels often spike during the winter months due to the widespread use of log fires. Many urban households, unable to afford central heating, burn wood, old tires, plastic and other waste materials, releasing a toxic mix of harmful chemicals. Read more
UCL: Atalanta Now A Different Team — Lookman Warns Real Madrid (CompleteSports)
Ademola Lookman has warned Real Madrid they will be facing a different Atalanta side this time around.
La Dea will entertain Carlo Ancelotti’s side in a UEFA Champions League clash at the Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday night (today).
Real Madrid defeated Atalanta 2-0 in the UEFA Super Cup back in August. Read more
CHAN Playoff: Home-based Eagles intensifies training for Ghana’s Black Galaxies (Leadership)
Nigeria’s quest for a fourth appearance at the African Nations Championship is being taken seriously by players invited to the camp of the Super Eagles B, who continue to sweat it out at the exquisite Remo Stars’ Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.Nigeria cultural tours
A total of 30 players were assembled last week at the impressive facility, as the Eagles prepare for a potentially-explosive home-and-away qualifying fixture against the Black Galaxies of Ghana.
Only the Enyimba FC duo of goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena and defender Imo Obot were excused, as the two are seen as pivotal to the People’s Elephant’s ongoing campaign in the group phase of the CAF Confederation Cup. Ozoemena was particularly brilliant in Enyimba FC’s encounter against Zamalek FC of Egypt in Uyo on Sunday, with a dozen big saves that enabled the Aba giants to earn a 2-2 draw. Read more
Women’s basketball league Unrivaled signs uniform deal with Under Armour (NBC)
The pieces are coming together for the startup basketball league Unrivaled.
The 3×3 women’s hoops league announced Tuesday that it has signed a multiyear deal for Under Armour to become its official uniform partner and performance outfitter. This follows the league announcing a number of recent big player signings and reaching a media broadcast deal in October with TNT Sports.
Financial terms of the deal were not provided, but Under Armour will provide all players, coaches and staff with performance apparel and accessories both on and off the court. Read more
Cadillac team to use Ferrari engines on F1 debut (BBC)
Ferrari will supply engines to the new Cadillac team if its entry is approved for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The US brand has an agreement in principle with F1 to join the championship from 2026 and to build its own engine “at a later time”.
Cadillac, part of General Motors, has agreed with Ferrari to buy customer engines and gearboxes until its own power-unit is ready, which is not expected to be before 2028. Read more
Arne Slot unimpressed by Liverpool showing despite perfect start to Europe (RTE)
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was far from happy with his side’s performance in their 1-0 victory at Girona, which extended the Champions League leaders’ perfect start to six matches.
Mohamed Salah’s 63rd-minute penalty – his 50th goal in the competition – was the difference, but it was far from plain sailing, with the first half particularly disturbing for Slot.
“If you ask me about all the six games, I’m really pleased with all the results,” he said. Read more
Helmut Marko sends stark warning to Max Verstappen as F1 race ban fears emerge (Express)
Helmut Marko has warned Max Verstappen that he will need to be ‘more careful’ during the 2025 season after the reigning world champion picked up his seventh and eighth penalty points during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Under new race director Rui Marques, race control has been clamping down on drivers overstepping the mark during wheel-to-wheel combat. This was something that was requested by many of F1’s biggest stars in meetings with the FIA over the season, although the severity with which punishments have been dished out has come as a shock.
At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the stewards pulled no punches. Verstappen picked up a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points for tagging Oscar Piastri into a spin at Turn One on the opening lap, and the McLaren man later suffered the same fate when he made contact with Franco Colapinto. Read more