Omicron: UK Removes Nigeria, Others From Red List (DailyTrust)
The UK authorities have finalised the decision to review the travel ban imposed on Nigeria and 10 other countries amid the detection of the Omicron COVID variant.
Sajid Javid, UK Health Secretary, announced this when he briefed the British Parliament on Tuesday.
He told the lawmakers that England will remove all 11 countries from the red list from 04:00 GMT on Wednesday.
The Health Secretary said the travel red list for countries is no longer working in stopping the spread of new variant. Read more
Lagos High Courts begin Christmas vacation December 24 (Nation)
The High Courts in Lagos will be on 2021 Christmas vacation from December 24 to January 3.
The Courts will resume sittings on January 4, 2022.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is according to a notice released on Tuesday, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Lagos High Court, Mrs Olubusola Okunuga.
The notice stated that the Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba had approved the vacation dates in accordance with Order 49 Rules 4(C) and 5 of the High Court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019. Read more
Mixed feelings as Lagos earmarks N5b to kick-start monthly rental policy (Tribune)
IN what looks like a win-win situation for both real estate investors and tenants if the rules of the game are strictly adhered to by all stakeholders, the Lagos State Government has mapped out strategies to kick-start monthly rental policy in the state.
To show the seriousness it attached to the new scheme aimed at easing the burdens of accommodation among citizens, especially the low-income earners, the state government said it has committed a N5 billion portfolio to kick start the policy as from next month – January 2022.
This new policy of monthly collection of rents is one of the outcomes of the just concluded second Lagos Real Estate Market Place Conference and Exhibitions, themed: “Lagos: 21st Century Real Estate Investment Hub.”
The two-day event was organised by the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA).
Other fallout of the forum also centered on ways to deepen real estate investment in the state, with the state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, promising to further expand collaboration on the sector. Read more
Epileptic power supply unacceptable to Nigerians, says Gbajabiamila (Punch)
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, says it is unacceptable to Nigerians that the country does not have regular power supply while several communities are disconnected from electricity.
Gbajabiamila made this known in Abuja on Tuesday at a public hearing on the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill organised by the House Committee on Power.
The Speaker noted that the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 is a substantial piece of legislation, which remains the “most significant statutory reform of the power sector in Nigeria for a generation.”
According to him, when the Act was written and passed into law, it was intended that the provisions would establish a new framework for optimal public-private sector collaboration to accelerate development in the power sector and promote efficiency across the power sector value chain. Read more
Monguno Lists Religious Groups ‘Backing Terrorism’ In Nigeria (DailyTrust)
Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (Rtd), the National Security Adviser (NSA), has alleged that there are three religious organisations giving potency to the activities terrorists in Nigeria and other Sahel countries.
The NSA also said the adoption of propaganda videos by terrorist groups to project themselves as contending powers in the region, is a mere attempt to garner support from sympathisers, as they struggle to maintain relevance.
Monguno stated this at the 14th Workshop of the League of Ulamas, Preachers and Imams of Sahel countries in Abuja.
The NSA listed the groups as Jama’at Nasr al-Islam Wal Muslimin (JNIM), Islamic and Muslim Support Group (IMSG), and Islamic State in Greater Sahara (ISGS). Read more
MTN’s public offer of 575m shares ends (Vanguard)
Following two weeks after the launch of MTN’s public offer on December 1, 2021, the nationwide roadshow and extensive stakeholder engagement, the offer has now closed.
The shareholders who took advantage of the opportunity will be announced following the allotment of the shares by the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC).
This comes after MTN Nigeria announced the MTN Group’s intention to offer 575 million shares to retail investors in November and proceeded with the sale which drew excitement from the retail investing public.
The launch of the offer was followed by a nationwide roadshow to various cities across the country, including Sokoto, Oyo, Delta, Akure, Calabar, Enugu, Lagos, and Yola, where MTN executives engaged potential investors and stakeholders in the city and its environs.
The offer was described as “innovative” for its incentive structure and digital application process. Investors who buy and hold the shares allotted to them for at least 12 months after the allotted date are allowed an incentive of one free share for every 20 shares purchased. Read more
DSS: Bandits have crossed the line, we’ll crush them (DailyTrust)
The Department of State Service (DSS) has vowed to crush bandits and other groups behind the widespread insecurity in the country.
Peter Afunanya, the spokesman of the secret police, who stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, said since they have crossed the lines, the DSS would not hesitate to crush them.
He also raised the alarm that there is a plot to recruit some students who will be going home for vacation into banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, financial crimes and armed robbery.
Afunanya noted that aside from students, recessing members of the National Assembly/State Houses of Assembly and other public/private sector workers on vacation may be predisposed to threats of various degrees. Read more
International magazine rejected my pictures for looking ‘too glamorous’ –Chimamanda Adichie (Punch)
Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has shared pictures of herself which were rejected by an unnamed international magazine because she looked “too glamorous”.
In a post shared via her Instagram page on Tuesday, Adichie, known for her good sense of style, was dressed in a white cowl neckline blouse and earrings by Christian Dior. She also wore sparse make up and a radiant smile.
“It was a cover shoot for an international magazine. Or it was supposed to be. The magazine rejected the photos.
“They didn’t want me ‘looking too glamorous,’ they said. And so the cover didn’t happen,” she wrote in the caption. Read more
Man blames devil after raping 18-year-old daughter in Ilorin (Vanguard)
One 47-year-old Security guard, Mr Jacob Obomerelu has been arrested by officers of Kwara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps over his alleged, having canal knowledge of his 18 years old biological daughter Modupe Jacob.
This is contained in a statement made available to journalists in Ilorin on Tuesday by the spokesman of the NSCDC in the State Babawale Zaid Afolabi.
Babawale said the incident occurred at the suspects’ workplace, 24, Awolowo Street, Tanke Ilorin which also serves as his residence on Monday 6th December 2021.
The statement reads, “On Tuesday 7th December 2021, we were tipped off by one Alhaja Mariam Bello, who claimed that Modupe who happened to be her adopted daughter was raped by her biological father, adding that the victim used to live with her at her Isale Gaa Akanbi residence but moved out to stay with her dad after a little misunderstanding between her and the victim”. Read more
Government hasn’t been proactive in addressing ASUU’s demands ― Professor Jega (Vanguard)
Former national president of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and ex-vice chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, Professor Attahiru Jega has lashed out on Nigeria’s Federal Government for not being proactive in meeting the demands of the academic union in forestalling any industrial action.
Jega made this known following threats by the union to embark on another round of strike action should their demands be ignored.
“Every country that recognises the value of human capital development invests appropriately in education.
Where government does not invest appropriately in education, where our academics well trained globally and also compete globally are underrated and not listened to or respected in their own fields of endeavor, then obviously there would continue to be crisis in the university system. Read more
Chilling moment woman dials 999 to blame Star’s murder on toddler (Metro)
This is the sickening moment a woman tried blaming the murder of her partner’s 16-month-old daughter on a toddler.
Savannah Brockhill, an amateur boxer and security guard, punched and stamped Star Hobson to death in Keighley, West Yorkshire, on September 22 last year.
But a chilling 999 call made 15 minutes after the brutal attack shows her trying to shift the blame on an innocent child.
Brockhill claims she was in the kitchen making a coffee when she heard a ‘bang’ coming from the living room, where Star was playing with three other children.
She tells call handlers she came out and saw a little boy stood over the girl, who was on the floor crying and was sick. Read more
Zendaya and Tom Holland Keep Close on Red Carpet at Spider-Man: No Way Home L.A. Premiere (People)
Zendaya and Tom Holland continue to promote their new movie in style together.
The couple, both 25, attended Sony Pictures’ Los Angeles premiere of their highly anticipated superhero sequel Spider-Man: No Way Home Monday night. Keeping with the spider theme, Zendaya sported a dress with a spider-web design and donned a black mask for several photo ops. Holland opted for a custom Prada ebony silk gabardine suit with a white poplin shirt and black re-nylon tie.
Their costar J.B. Smoove, who plays Mr. Dell in the new Spider-Man movies, recently told Entertainment Tonight that the two stars are the “most adorable” pair. “I love those two. I love them so much,” Smoove, 55, told the outlet, calling them “the most adorable couple ever in the history of adorableness.”
Smoove, who is married to Shahidah Omar, also revealed the relationship advice he gave Holland and Zendaya: “Have time for love but have time for laughter. Laughter. Smiles. Stress-free lifestyle, you know. Find out about each other and find some way to keep watering that seed and keep growing and growing.” Read more
Paul McCartney’s bass and Eddie Vedder’s Telecaster break world records in Music Rising charity auction (GuitarWorld)
The event, organized by the Edge and producer Bob Ezrin, raised over $2 million in total, and saw the sale of guitars played by Rush, Radiohead, Lzzy Hale and Slash
Van Eaton Galleries’ huge Guitar Icons charity auction came to a close over the weekend, raising over $2 million in total for the Music Rising charity thanks to some record-smashing sales.
Highlights from the event, which was organized by U2’s the Edge and producer Bob Ezrin, include Paul McCartney’s tour- and studio-played Yamaha BB-1200 “Wings” bass guitar, which raked in $496,100.
It was the first record-breaking bid of the night, and overtook Bill Wyman’s 1969 Fender Mustang bass – which sold in 2020 for $384,000 – as the most expensive bass ever to be sold at auction.
McCartney’s bass was joined in the record book by Eddie Vedder’s concert-smashed Lake Placid Blue Fender Telecaster, which sold for $266,200 – a figure that broke the record for the most expensive smashed six-string. Read more
LG launches TV that you can wheel around the house (Metro)
LG has announced the aptly named ‘StanbyME’ TV that features a 27-inch screen on a stand that you can wheel around the house.
Ahead of the CES conference in January, LG announced the new television that will be mounted atop a stand with concealed wheels.
The stand will be height-adjustable and you can also detach the screen from the stand if you want to watch it in another position.
The screen offers a lot of flexibility even when attached to the stand, by allowing users to swivel, tilt, or rotate the display to both portrait and landscape orientations. Read more
Olivia Rodrigo belts out hit song ‘Drivers License’ at real-life DMV (NYPost)
Most Americans dread a trip to the DMV — but Olivia Rodrigo was willing to hang out at one of the offices after-hours.
The singing sensation, 18, spent time at the Glendale Department of Motor Vehicles in California earlier this month recording a show for NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series.
The unusual gig location was a reference to Rodrigo’s biggest hit, “Drivers License,” which she performed at the DMV along with three of her other hits.
The “Sour” teen idol’s team reportedly paid $2,383 to use the DMV office after it closed to the public for the day.
Some of that money went to staffers who worked overtime to help make sure the concert went off without a hitch, according to TMZ. Read more
Henry Cavill talks “The Witcher”, using visual effects and his favourite fantasy series (Empire)
Superman. Geralt of Rivia. Sherlock Holmes. The guy with the great moustache who actually reloads his arms in that bathroom scene in Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Henry Cavill has some iconic characters under his belt, and is set to return as the silver-haired monster hunter Geralt in the second season of The Witcher on Netflix this week.
A renowned lover of all things fantasy, Cavill is showing no signs of slowing down when it comes to bringing the stories he loves to life. In the latest episode of the Pilot TV podcast – available now on your podcast app of choice – we sat down with him to talk about the physical nature of the roles he takes on, what his dream projects would be, and, of course, his incredible canine companion Kal. Hear the full interview on the podcast now, or have a read below.
HENRY CAVILL: Kal comes to all of them, yeah. As long as he can travel with me to the place, then he’ll come.
So he comes on sets with you? He goes everywhere?
HC: Absolutely. Yes. He’s often in my trailer. He’s on set less so, just because when he does bark, it will pull the air out of your lungs. I wouldn’t want a take to be busted because of him, so he’ll often sit in a trailer and relax there. Read more
Belarus: Opposition leader Tikhanovsky jailed for 18 years over protests (BBC)
A Belarusian opposition leader who rallied mass protests against disputed leader Alexander Lukashenko has been jailed for 18 years.
Sergei Tikhanovsky was convicted of organising riots among other charges following a trial condemned as a sham.
He planned to challenge Mr Lukashenko in the 2020 presidential election, but was detained before the vote.
His wife, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, took on Mr Lukashenko, who claimed victory in the widely discredited poll. Read more
Arsenal, Manchester City ‘told to pay £85m for Dusan Vlahovic’ (SportsMole)
Fiorentina have reportedly slapped a €100m (£85.4m) price tag on the head of in-demand striker Dusan Vlahovic ahead of the January transfer window.
The 21-year-old has caught the attention of a host of top European clubs courtesy of his prolific form for Fiorentina over the course of the year, netting 32 goals in just 41 Serie A games in 2021 – a tally only Robert Lewandowski can beat across world football.
Manchester City are understood to hold a growing interest in the forward, having failed to replace Sergio Aguero last summer, while Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been keeping tabs on his progress for a number of months.
The Gunners have already seen an initial approach rejected, although recent reports suggested that they were ready to return with a £68m bid to test Fiorentina’s resolve. Read more
Man City can hit 33 wins in a calendar year (DailyMail)
Manchester City are one game away from matching Liverpool for an English football record.
Their 1-0 win over Wolves at the weekend meant they have won 32 of their 40 Premier League fixtures in 2021 (drawn two, lost six).
Only Liverpool have won more matches in a calendar year in English top-flight history when they won 33 in 1982.
But Pep Guardiola’s side have the chance to tally – eventually break – the Reds’ long standing record before we ring in the New Year. Read more
Argentine star Sergio Aguero poised to retire with heart condition (GulfToday)
The Spanish newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” revealed the intention of Argentine star Sergio Aguero, 33, to announce his retirement from football following cardiac and respiratory difficulties.
The Barcelona striker came out of a match against Alaves last month and was suffering from chest pains. Later, doctors discovered an irregular heartbeat, and asked him to rest for 3 months until his condition was evaluated after treatment.
“There are rumours going around but I’m following the club doctor’s opinion and we’ll see how I am in 90 days,” he wrote on Twitter.
However, the “Mundo Deportivo” report indicated that there are more complications than the doctors imagined in the heart of the former historical Manchester City scorer, and for this he will announce his retirement at the “Camp Nou” on Wednesday. Read more
Arsenal say Aubameyang will no longer be club captain (Vanguard)
Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been stripped of his role as Captain of the football club after breaching disciplinary measures.
The Gabon international reportedly returned late from a trip to France last week and was dropped for Saturday’s clash against Southampton.
As per, The Athletic , Aubameyang had left the UK on Tuesday and flown to France in order to visit his mother and bring her back to London with him.
However, it was under the proviso that he return the following day, on Wednesday, but instead he stayed an extra night and flew back to the UK early on Thursday morning.
Although he still arrived in time for training that day, Arsenal felt he had taken advantage of their kindness, while it also resulted in an issue over Covid-19 protocols. Read more
Mikel Arteta breaks silence after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stripped of Arsenal captaincy (Mirror)
Mikel Arteta insisted “this is where we stand” after stripping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of the Arsenal captaincy in what he described as a “really unpleasant situation”.
The Gunners announced on Tuesday that Aubameyang would no longer be club captain, and that the forward will not be considered for selection against West Ham on Wednesday night.
Aubameyang was dropped for Saturday’s Premier League 3-0 win over Southampton for what manager Mikel Arteta said was a “disciplinary breach”, which reportedly concerned a late return from a trip abroad.
It was not Aubameyang’s first transgression, having previously been benched for March’s north London derby against Tottenham after what was described as a breach of the club’s pre-match protocol. Read more
Leeds charged with failing to control players at Chelsea (Independent)
Leeds United have been charged with failing to control their players following an injury-time incident in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Chelsea.
Leeds players reacted furiously when referee Chris Kavanagh awarded a late spot-kick after Mateusz Klich brought down Antonio Rudiger in the box.
The FA said in a statement: “Leeds United FC has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20.1 after its Premier League match against Chelsea FC on Saturday.
“It is alleged that Leeds United FC failed to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion when they surrounded the match referee in the 93rd minute.” Read more
Former wrestling star Jimmy Rave dead at 39 after amputations (NYPost)
Former professional wrestling champ Jimmy Rave, whose legs were amputated due to a MRSA infection, has died at 39, his agent said Monday.
Rave, whose real name was James Michael Guffey, started in the ring professionally in 1999, later becoming a two-time National Wresting Alliance junior heavyweight champ. He also appeared in matches for Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling and Ring of Honor, as well as WWE-produced “Sunday Night Heat.”
“James had been struggling with drug addiction for many years,” Rave’s agent, Bill Behrens, said in a statement written with help from the wrestler’s daughter, Kailah Guffey. “His struggles resulted in the amputation of his arm and, later, both of his legs.”
Rave’s cause of death wasn’t immediately clear. The Atlanta native had been living in Philadelphia at the time of his passing, Behrens said. A memorial service will be held in Georgia, with details to be released at a later date. Read more