NDLEA seizes ‘‘loud’’ hidden in sound boxes at Lagos airport (Punch)
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency intercepted a large consignment of loud, synthetic, strong strains of cannabis concealed in giant loudspeakers tucked in a consolidated cargo imported from New York, United States of America.
The NDLEA disclosed this in a press statement signed by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, on Sunday.
The statement noted that when the giant wooden boxes dressed as sound speakers seized by NDLEA officers at the NAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport were opened, the sound boxes were discovered to have been stuffed with 60 bags of the expensive but highly sought-after psychoactive substance, loud, weighing 33.5Kg. Read more
Bandits kill 9, abduct 35 in 2 Kaduna LGAs (Tribune)
BANDITS on Friday night killed nine persons and abducted 35 others in Igabi and Kauru Local Government Areas of Kaduna State.
About nine persons were said to have been injured during the attacks that occurred in Kwassam, Kurera and Kan Makama communities in Kauru Local Government Area and Kerawa and Sabon Birni communities in Igabi Local Government Area.
According to sources, the bandits invaded the communities around 10 pm. Read more
Tinubu’s hurriedly put together Forex policies responsible for present situation – Atiku (DailyTrust)
Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Atiku Abubakar, says the manner the present administration’s Forex policy was hurriedly put together is responsible for the present state of affairs.
Atiku in a message on his X handle also insisted that even at a meeting called last week to address the Foreign Exchange crisis and the problem of economic downturn, President Bola Tinubu failed, “to showcase any concrete policy steps that his administration is taking to contain the crises of currency fluctuation and poverty that face the country.”
Atiku said instead, Tinubu told the country and experts who have been offering ideas on how to resolve the crisis that he and his team should not be distracted and allowed time to “continue cooking their cocktail that has brought untold hardship to the people of Nigeria. I don’t agree with that.” Read more
FAAN reopens Runway 18R at Lagos Airport (Nation)
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria. (FAAN), has reopened the 18R/36L Runway at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), 10 months after the facility was closed for maintenance.
Foreign carriers had complained about the delay in fixing the facility forcing them to deploy smaller aircraft into the Lagos Airport, losing revenue on seats and other challenges.
Links 2 and 3 of the Runway are now opened to international traffic, thereby reducing the burden on domestic 18L/36R runway. Read more
Planned Protest: Breach of peace won’t be tolerated, Oyo police warn (Channels)
Ahead of the planned protest in parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Monday, over the current economic hardship faced by Nigerians, the Oyo State Police Command has warned that no breach of peace would be allowed.
The convergent point for the protest is Mokola while demonstration will also take place in other parts of the city too. The planned protest in the state followed others in Kano, Minna, amongst others, over economic hardship occasioned by petrol subsidy removal, food inflation, and high cost of living.
In a statement, the spokesman for the police command, Adewale Osifeso, said, “The Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public particularly residents of Oyo State that it has emplaced prompt and adequate measures to prevent any possible breakdown of law and order in the State as a result of plans by faceless agents of mischief to spark up chaos via protests in the State commencing tomorrow, Monday 19/2/2024 within the Capital. Read more
EFCC arrests 2 Chinese, 1 other for suspected illegal mining in Ilorin (Vanguard)
Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested two Chinese: Yang Chao, 39, and Xiao Jiang 38 for suspected illegal mining activities.
According to the statement made available to journalists in Ilorin on Sunday by Head, Media and Publicity of EFCC, the suspects were arrested alongside Chidi Joseph Osuji, 48, suspected to be an accomplice in the illegal business.
The statement added: “Acting on intelligence, the suspects were trailed to their mining sites located at Ogunmakin and Ogere, Ogun State, where they were arrested after days of surveillance. Read more
FCT Police nab chef for kidnapping 12-year-old boss’ son (Leadership)
The operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested one Ulagu Philemon Chukwuma, aged 29, for masterminding the kidnap of his boss’ 12-year-old son, Justin Nwankwo.
The child was kidnapped on February 10, 2024, at Jabi District of Abuja.
FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said, “Philemon, a domestic worker, who serves as a chef to the Nwankwo family, was arrested by officers of the Utako Police divisional headquarters that were following up on investigations to rescue the abducted boy and also to arrest the perpetrators.” Read more
Former colleagues, friends at OAU honour late Akeredolu in Ibadan (Tribune)
Friends and colleagues of late Rotimi Akeredolu at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Sunday, to honour the memory of the late former governor of Ondo State.
The event, ‘A Night of Tributes in Honour of our late Grand Patron’, was organised by the Great Ife Alumni Association, Ibadan branch.
Speaking at the event, Global President of the association, Fred Aburu, described Akeredolu as a colossus of the association and student unionism in Nigeria. Read more
Kristen Stewart defends gender-bending Rolling Stone cover (THR)
Kristen Stewart has defended her risque photo shoot for the March Rolling Stone magazine cover that went viral and divided audiences on social media platforms.
“The existence of a female body thrusting any type of sexuality at you that’s not designed for exclusively straight males is something people are not super comfy with and so I’m really happy with it,” Stewart told a press conference on Sunday at the Berlin Film Festival for her latest movie, Love Lies Bleeding.
The photos feature a mullet-clad Stewart wearing jock straps and basketball shorts. The spread quickly went viral on social media, as fans marveled over the opportunity for a queer celebrity to get a hyper-sexualized photoshoot that isn’t catered toward the male gaze. Read more
Sylvester Stallone’s daughters reveal telltale sign men are dating them for the ‘‘wrong reasons’’ (NYPost)
They have to be sly when it comes to dating.
Sylvester Stallone’s three daughters — Sophia, Sistine, and Scarlet — learned how to sniff out men’s true intentions by whether or not they name-drop their famous dad on the first date.
“The giveaway is if they mention it on the first date, we’re like, ‘Okay, you’re here for the wrong reasons,’” Sistine, 25, told The Post ahead of the Season 2 premiere of The Family Stallone, on Feb. 21.
“If they’re casual then, okay, it’s not going to be an issue. But 90% of the time that’s what we get.” Read more
Outrage as Matthew Perry snubbed from Bafta memoriam despite major film roles (Metro)
Viewers of the 2024 Baftas were left fuming when they noticed a certain star was missing from the memoriam package.
The segment remembered those we have sadly lost over the past 12 months, including Carl Weathers and Tina Turner, as well as those who made major contributions off-screen.
As Hannah Waddingham sang an angelic cover of Time After Time, images and videos of the late stars flashed on the screen – but people couldn’t help noticing how there was a Matthew Perry-shaped hole. Read more
Palestinians live in scarcity in Rafah as Israeli ground assault looms (AlJazeera)
Displaced Palestinians crammed into Rafah in southern Gaza are struggling to secure basic necessities as aid agencies and several world leaders have warned that a looming Israeli offensive on the city would have disastrous consequences.
More than 1.5 million people, most of whom were displaced from other areas of Gaza, are sheltering in Rafah, where food and other essential supplies are scarce amid severe Israeli restrictions on the transport of food, fuel, water and humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Despite the growing external pressure to halt the Rafah assault, Israel says it will press ahead with a ground offensive into the city near the border with Egypt to confront battalions of fighters from Hamas, the Palestinian group that governs Gaza. Read more
Pedro Pascal reveals ‘tedious’ method to memorising his lines: ‘It isn’t even sort of artistic’ (People)
Pedro Pascal is breaking down his “psycho” method of memorizing lines for a scene.
The Last of Us star, 48, detailed his memorization tactics during a SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations interview with Billy Crudup, Matthew Macfadyen and Kieran Culkin — all of whom are nominated for the outstanding performance by male actor in a drama series award at the 2024 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
“I bet I can find and show you the psychotic example, physical example, that I have now that I have to do to learn my lines,” Pascal said on the Zoom call, before pulling out a piece of paper which featured more than 200 random letters scribbled down. Read more
Kremlin’s chilling warning to ‘unleash nuclear Armageddon’ on London if Ukraine war lost (Mirror)
“It’s better to return everything [to us] before it’s too late,” threatened Putin’s stooge Dmitry Medvedev, warning Russia would use its “nuclear triad” on London
The Kremlin has said it will fire nuclear missiles at London, Washington, Berlin and Kyiv if it is made to give up the areas of Ukraine it has invaded.
Close Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev, who served as Russia ’s president from 2008 to 2012, made the threats today warning of a nuclear holocaust if Russia was to be defeated in Ukraine. Read more
Senegalese migrant’s journey inspires oscar-nominated film (AfricaNews)
Mamadou Kouassi, a cultural mediator, shares his experience working with Italian director Matteo Garrone on the Oscar-nominated film “Io Capitano.” Kouassi’s journey, spanning African deserts, illegal prisons, and the Mediterranean Sea aboard a smugglers’ boat, served as the foundation for the film’s narrative. He recounts Garrone’s dedication to capturing the harsh realities of migration, even as some of the most harrowing moments had to be omitted to reach a wider audience.
“We saw many people dying in the desert, women, children,” Kouassi recalls. “And even in the film, there are some parts that have been removed, women that have been violated. It was harder to put it in, Matteo removed it, because we want the film to arrive to the huge public.”
The film follows the journey of two teenagers from Senegal, traversing the perilous migrant route through the Niger desert to Libya, where they board a smugglers’ boat bound for Europe. One of the boys is coerced into “captaining” the boat, as minors are exempt from imprisonment in Italy. Read more
Why Osimhen didn’t play against Genoa — Napoli coach Mazzarri (Vanguard)
Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri has revealed the reason Victor Osimhen was not included in the matchday squad against Genoa.
Recall Osimhen returned to training on Friday after his participation at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where he led the Super Eagles to the finals.
The 25-year-old on Saturday watched from the stands as Napoli setted for a 1-1 draw against Genoa. Read more
Christian Horner: Formula 1 wants Red Bull to resolve team boss controversy ‘as soon as possible’ (BBC)
Formula 1 has urged Red Bull to resolve the controversy surrounding Christian Horner as soon as possible.
Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, is facing allegations of inappropriate and controlling behaviour towards a female colleague.
Horner, who has led the team since 2005, has denied the allegations. Read more
‘Ice-cold finishing’… Darren Bent tells Arsenal to sign 25-year-old striker with ‘blistering pace’ (HitC)
Darren Bent has sent a message to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal about Kylian Mbappe.
The former Tottenham Hotspur striker and Arsenal fan has outlined the reasons why the Gunners should bring Mbappe to the Emirates Stadium.
So, what has Darren Bent said about Arsenal and Kylian Mbappe? Let’s take a look. Read more
Yussuf Alli excited as Edo State gets set to receive Best Sports Facilities award (CompleteSports)
The joy of Edo State Sports Commission Chairman, Olympian Yussuf Alli, knows no bounds this morning as Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, prepares to receive the above award courtesy of Sportsville on March 1st, 2024 in Lagos.
The long jumper whose National Record remains unbroken to date, has this to say; “this is one award that is factual and real. Nobody in the sports industry can dispute the world-class facilities we have in the State.
“The Samuel Ogbemudia Sports Complex houses one of the best facilities not only in Nigeria but Africa. Read more
Man United lack of control underlined by nervy win at Luton (ESPN)
Manchester United found a way to beat Luton Town 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday, but their resurgent bid for UEFA Champions League qualification will surely be successful only if they can bring control to the chaos.
Kenilworth Road might be a small, antiquated stadium by modern standards, but it has proved a difficult trip for all of the top sides this season: Arsenal needed a stoppage-time goal to win 4-3 here, Liverpool salvaged a point at the death on their visit, Manchester City came from behind to win 2-1 and Newcastle United were beaten 1-0. Yet United seemed determined to experience another fraught afternoon despite racing to a 2-0 lead after just seven minutes.
Rasmus Hojlund scored United’s fastest-ever Premier League away goal, clocked at just 37 seconds. And in a sign of just how much the Denmark striker’s luck has changed of late, he added the second when somewhat fortuitously diverting Alejandro Garnacho’s volley past Luton goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski. Read more
Doha 2024, final day oceanian recap: Lewis Clareburt makes NZL history (SwimSwam)
The men’s 400m IM final took place tonight in Doha with a somewhat surprising result making its way to the surface when all was said and done.
Getting to the wall first was 24-year-old Lewis Clareburt of New Zealand, clocking a time of 4:09.72. His outing represented the only sub-4:10 time of the field, with Great Britain’s Max Litchfield snagging silver in 4:10.40 while Japan’s Daiya Seto earned bronze in 4:12.51.
As for Clareburt, his time was a ways off his best, a benchmark which remains at the 4:08.70 from the 2022 Commonwealth Games. However, it proved enough to get the job done here, giving the Kiwi his first-ever World Championships gold medal. Read more