Nigerian woman dies after dogs attack in Italy (Tribune)
A 27-year-old Nigerian woman, Patricia Masithela, tragically lost her life after being mauled by a pack of starving dogs in Latina, Italy.
According to Mirror UK, the incident occurred late Monday night while Patricia was visiting a male acquaintance at his abandoned villa in the Lazio region. Her screams filled the night, alerting neighbours to the savage attack.
Patricia, who had recently moved to Lazio from Nigeria, reportedly visited the house unaware that her friend was not at home. Read more
Man in court for allegedly stealing N.3m hair weave-on (Leadership)
A 25-year-old man, Onyebuchi Emelumba, on Wednesday appeared before an Ojo Magistrates Court in Lagos, for allegedly stealing hair weave-on valued at N300,000.
The defendant is standing trial on a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and stealing.
The prosecutor, ASP Simon Uche, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on Jan. 6, at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo.
Tinubu approves recruitment of 5,000 personnel for Correctional Service (Nation)
In a decisive step to tackle overcrowding and strengthen the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of 5,000 new personnel.
The Acting Comptroller General of the Service, Sylvester Nwakuche Ndidi, disclosed this during a presentation to the House of Representatives Committee on Reformatory Institutions, chaired by Hon. Chinedu Ogar.
Ndidi revealed that while the President granted the approval in August 2024, the recruitment process was delayed due to funding constraints. Read more
Economic reforms: Why I won’t help Tinubu – Sanusi (Sun)
Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has categorically stated that he would not provide any form of assistance to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He spoke during the 21st anniversary of the Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, yesterday.
The theme of the event was “Bretton Woods and the African economies: Can Nigeria survive another structural adjustment programme?” Read more
Sanwo-Olu urges support for families of deceased soldiers (Punch)
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called on privileged Nigerians to provide support for the families of deceased military men and women.
The governor noted that this was essential in view of the sacrifice they made in the protection of the nation’s sovereignty.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Y2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Parade and Wreath Laying Ceremony held at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square, Sanwo-Olu said the call became imperative to ensure that the sacrifices of the fallen heroes were honoured and their loved ones cared for. Read more
2025 Budget: N’Assembly proposes N25t revenue target for FIRS (ThisDay)
The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance yesterday commended the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for surpassing its target last year.
The FIRS got a N19.4 trillion revenue target in 2024 but succeeded in generating N21.6 trillion.
Impressed by the performance, the panel proposed a N25 trillion tax collection or revenue generation target for the FIRS in the 2025 appropriation bill. Read more
Scavengers, beggars slam N500m suit against Wike (DailyTrust)
Some vulnerable FCT residents including scavengers, beggars, petty traders, among others, have filed a suit against the minister, Nyesom Wike, demanding N500 million in damages over alleged breach of their fundamental rights.
A legal practitioner, Abba Hikima, filed the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1749/3024 before Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court in Abuja on behalf of the vulnerable residents.
Hikima, listed as the applicant in the originating motion dated Nov. 19, 2024, but filed Nov. 20, 2024, said he is suing in public interest for the protection of vulnerable citizens in Nigeria. Read more
NAF reiterates drone ban in North East for security reasons (Guardian)
The Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (AC OPHK) has reiterated the ban on drone operations in the North East Theatre, comprising Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, citing security and safety concerns.
The Air Component Commander of AC OPHK, Air Commodore Umar Idris, emphasised the ban in a statement on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
He stated that the proliferation of drones for domestic and commercial purposes posed serious security risks in the region. Read more
Israel, Hamas agree deal for Gaza truce, hostage release (USAToday)
After months of deadlock and more than 15 months of war, Israel and the militant group Hamas reached a fresh Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, President Joe Biden said on Wednesday.
The deal includes a six-week initial ceasefire phase, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza and the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees held by Israel, Biden said.
Biden said that Americans would be part of the initial release. He did not say how many. Seven Americans are being held hostage by Hamas. Four have been confirmed dead. Three are believed to be alive: Edan Alexander, 21, Keith Siegel, 64, and Sagui Dekel-Chen, 36. Read more
Rwanda backtracks on oil find claim in Lake Kivu (Barrons)
Rwanda backtracked Wednesday from an earlier claim that it had discovered its first oil reserves in Lake Kivu, saying it was still in an exploratory phase and looking for partners.
Francis Kamanzi, chief executive of the Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB), had earlier told a parliamentary hearing: “The good news is that we have oil,” according to local media reports.
But the RMB board later put out a statement indicating it was too early to be so definite. Read more
The impeached South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol detained (AfricaNews)
A convoy carrying South Korea’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol, on Wednesday arrived at a detention center in Seoul having left the headquarters of the country’s Corruption Investigation Office.
Yoon was detained in a major law enforcement operation at the presidential compound earlier Wednesday, defiantly insisting the anti-corruption agency didn’t have the authority to investigate his actions but saying he complied to prevent violence.
Yoon, the country’s first sitting president to be apprehended, now faces the prospect of a lengthy prison term over potential rebellion charges. Read more
BAFTA Film Awards Nominations: Conclave and Emilia Pérez lead while Wicked shut out of Best Film (Variety)
Conclave and Emilia Pérez lead this year’s BAFTA Film Awards nominations, heading up a diverse mix of talent and titles in a competition where, for the first time in years, there’s no clear favorite in any of the major categories.
The Brutalist, Anora, Dune: Part Two, Wicked and A Complete Unknown are also very much in contention, while the likes of Demi Moore (The Substance), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), Jeremy Strong (The Apprentice), Ariana Grande (Wicked), Selena Gomez (Emili Pérez), Mikey Madison (Anora), Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain), Yura Borisov (Anora), Isabella Rossellini (Conclave), Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) and Guy Pearce (The Brutalist) are among the 12 of 24 nominated performers — both established and rising — getting their very first BAFTA nod.
Elsewhere, there’s space for BAFTA regulars, such as Saoirse Ronan (The Outrun), Hugh Grant (Heretic) and Jamie Lee Curtis (The Last Showgirl), yet the ongoing quest for BAFTA to finally recognize one of cinema’s most acclaimed actors in Denzel Washington (Gladiator 2) is still ongoing. Read more
Brad Pitt rep warns fans after scammer defrauds woman out of $850k (HuffPost)
A representative for Brad Pitt is warning fans about a recent scam involving the actor’s likeness that cost a 53-year-old French woman everything.
The victim, identified only as Anne, said she was contacted on social media in 2023 with images that appeared to show Pitt hospitalized in grave condition. She eventually wired the scammer $850,000 under the false impression that she was paying for the actor’s kidney treatment.
Pitt’s camp addressed the matter Tuesday in a statement to Entertainment Weekly, days after actor Johnny Depp warned about scams targeting his fans last week. Read more
Disney being sued for billions over Moana claims (Sky)
Disney is being sued over Moana and Moana 2, with an animator claiming the films copied plot points from one of their screenplays.
Animator Buck Woodall filed a lawsuit in California federal court on Friday that claims Disney stole elements of a screenplay he wrote for an animated film project called Bucky in the early 2000s.
Mr Woodall, who is seeking damages of at least $10bn (£8.25bn), says he produced a screenplay and trailer for Bucky and began sharing details of the project with Jenny Marchick, former Mandeville Films director of development, in 2003. Read more
Ridley Scott’s Bee Gees biopic has been stalled over issues with Paramount deal (NME)
Ridley Scott‘s Bee Gees biopic has hit a snag, the director has revealed.
In February last year, it was reported that Scott was in talks to helm a biopic based on the Bee Gees. Barry Gibb, the last surviving Bee Gees brother and member, was also announced to executive produce.
Now, however, Ridley Scott has revealed in a new chat with GQ that the project has hit a roadblock despite being set to film early this year. According to the director, a script and cast had already been confirmed, and filming was due to begin soon, but he was unable to come to an agreement with Paramount Studios. Read more
CHAN 2024: Nigeria to battle Senegal, Congo, Sudan in group stage (Leadership)
Super Eagles Team B will be up against Senegal, Sudan and the Republic of Congo in Group D of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which has now been postponed to August 2025.
The tournament will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
At the draw for the championship held inside the famous Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday evening, joint-hosts Kenya head group A that also includes Morocco, Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. Read more
Police probe abuse of Havertz’s wife after Arsenal star’s woes (RFI)
Police have launched an investigation into social media abuse aimed at Arsenal forward Kai Havertz’s wife after his latest poor performance.
Havertz missed a penalty in Arsenal’s shootout defeat against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
Following Arsenal’s second successive loss, the Germany international’s wife, Sophia, reposted two abusive messages she had received on Instagram. Read more
Djokovic breaks Federer record in Melbourne win (BBC)
Novak Djokovic surpassed Roger Federer’s record for the most major singles matches played as he reached the Australian Open third round.
The 37-year-old was made to work in his 430th Grand Slam singles match but he emerged triumphant, beating qualifier Jaime Faria 6-1 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-2.
The win gives Djokovic sole ownership of the all-time record for most Grand Slam singles matches played among men and women, and takes him past former rival Federer, who played his last major match at Wimbledon in 2021.
“I love this sport. I love competition,” Djokovic said when asked about the milestone. Read more
Arsenal fightback sinks Spurs to ignite title bid (JapanToday)
Arsenal reignited their Premier League title challenge with a stirring fightback to beat Tottenham 2-1 in the north London derby on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta’s side were rocked by Son Heung-min’s early opener at the Emirates Stadium.
But they seized the bragging rights against their bitter rivals thanks to Dominic Solanke’s own goal and Leandro Trossard’s strike just before half-time. Read more
Joseph Parker to be stripped of title immediately after Daniel Dubois fight starts (Express)
Joseph Parker is set to be stripped of his WBO interim heavyweight champion belt as soon as the first bell rings for his upcoming clash with Daniel Dubois.
The 33-year-old will lose his status because he’s vying for a belt from another organisation. Dubois holds the current IBF title.
This leaves the WBO with no option but to remove Parker’s interim title once he starts exchanging punches with the British fighter next month. Read more
“It was tough” – Lakers and Clippers back in NBA action (BBC)
Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers players said they found it “tough” as they returned to NBA action with wildfires in the city ongoing.
Two Lakers games and one Clippers match were postponed but Monday’s contests went ahead and both teams dedicated the night to the community and emergency services.The Lakers lost 126-102 to the San Antonio Spurs while the Clippers beat the Miami Heat 109-98. Read more
