Police parade 7 ‘one chance’ suspects, recover 13 vehicles (DailyTrust)
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has paraded seven suspected “one chance” robbers and recovered 13 tinted vehicles from them.
CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu who paraded the suspects before newsmen at the FCT command, on Thursday, said the suspects were arrested through robust intelligence gathering, surveillance and targeted interventions.
He said the arrested syndicates were linked to a network reportedly led by one Friday Ogwuche who is now at large, saying the suspects operated between Mararaba in Nasarawa and the FCT. Read more
Fire destroys goods worth millions in Lagos market (Punch)
Goods worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire that broke out early Wednesday morning at the Alaba Rago Market in the Ojo area of Lagos State.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Authority, Femi Oke-Osayintolu, disclosed that the fire started around midnight.
However, the cause of the fire was not known at the time of this report. Read more
ECOWAS open to Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso’s return, Tinubu tells German President (Vanguard)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to the welfare of citizens in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, emphasising that wisdom and diplomacy are essential to reintegrating the nations into the regional bloc.
Speaking on Wednesday during a state visit by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu, who serves as ECOWAS Chairman, highlighted the challenges posed by the reluctance of the affected countries to establish clear transition plans.
“Our relationship of mutual respect will continue as we reappraise the situation in the three countries. What I can assure is that we will not give tolerance to an unconstitutional government,” Tinubu said in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga. Read more
Senate issues warrant of arrest against MD/CEO of Julius Berger (Nation)
The Senate on Tuesday mandated the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to issue a warrant of arrest to compel the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Peer Lubasch, to appear before its committee on works at a date to be specified by the red chamber.
The resolution of the Senate followed its consideration and adoption of a point of order moved by the Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu (PDP-Enugu West) during plenary.
Ngwu in his motion, which was co-sponsored by Senators Asuquo Ekpeyong (APC -Cross River South) and Barinada Mpigi (PDP – Rivers South East), informed the Senate that Julius Berger Plc has consistently refused to appear before the Senate committee on works to answer questions on abandoned projects and alarming contract variation from N54billion to N195billion. Read more
Tax reforms must not affect TETFUND negatively, NANS tells FG (Tribune)
As controversy continues to rage over the alleged plan by the Federal Government to replace the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by 2030 through the Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government for clear clarification on the matter.
The student body made this demand on Wednesday in Lagos at its 86th National Senate Sitting and Pre-Convention event held at Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo.
Over 5,000 student leaders from various levels (national, geo-political zones, states, and campuses) across Nigeria attended the event. Read more
Yuletide: IGP Egbetokun orders nationwide deployment to tackle crimes (Channels)
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday directed the immediate deployment of personnel to strategic locations, and key areas, and identified hotspots across the country to curb traffic and highway robberies, as well as other criminal activities.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement, saying the initiative aims to ensure the safety and protection of lives and property during the festive season.
“The IGP has directed the immediate deployment of adequate personnel to strategic locations, key areas, and identified hotspots across all states. This initiative is aimed at curbing traffic, highway robberies, and other criminal activities during this period of increased mobility, public gatherings, and celebrations,” the statement read. Read more
Yabatech gets new bursar, registrar (Nation)
The Yaba College of Technology has announced the appointment of a new substantive bursar and registrar, respectively.
They are Mr. John Olusola Dada and Mrs. Henrietta Adebola Gbemisola Badejo.
Announcing the two appointments by the Governing Council of YCT, in a statement yesterday, the Acting Registrar, Dr E. J. A. Akinwale, noted that both appointments for a five-year tenure, will commence with effect from January 2, 2025. Read more
Woman kicks over defiled minor’s missing file in Lagos hospital (Punch)
A trader, Olayemi Hosa, has expressed concerns over the disappearance of a file belonging to her defiled niece in the Badagry General Hospital in Lagos State.
Hosa said the file contained details of the result of an examination the hospital conducted on the six-year-old girl alleged to have been defiled by her husband.
PUNCH Metro reported on January 11, 2024, that Hosa, who appeared as a prosecution witness, narrated to the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court how her husband allegedly raped the victim who is her sister’s granddaughter, at their home in Mowo, Badagry, Lagos in 2022. Read more
Selena Gomez announces engagement to Benny Blanco
“Forever begins now.” (DigitalSpy)
Congratulations are in order for Selena Gomez, who has confirmed her engagement to Benny Blanco.
The Only Murders in the Building star shared the happy news on her Instagram page, posting a series of photos of her engagement ring, as well as a sweet photo of her now-fiancé embracing her.
“Forever begins now..,” Gomez captioned the post. Read more
Drew Barrymore on being ‘touchy’ with guests (Complex)
Drew Barrymore says she’s been told off to “back off” from touching guests on her talk show.
On Tuesday’s episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, guest Cynthia Erivo explained how she and her Wicked co-star Ariana Grande often used touch, like holding hands and subtle squeezes, to silently send each other messages and maintain a close bond while filming the movie or on the subsequent press run.
“Is it true that [Grande] is as touchy? I’m so touchy,” asked Barrymore, 49. “People have to warn me, they’re like, ‘Back off a little bit.’ And I’m like, ‘Why?’” Read more
The McCallister kids have the first Home Alone reunion in 30 years (EW)
The McCallisters are finally back together again — mostly.
Five members of the Home Alone cast reunited for the first time in 30 years over the weekend. Kristin Minter, Michael C. Maronna, Devin Ratray, Angela Goethals, and Jedidiah Cohen, all of whom played siblings or cousins of Macaulay Culkin’s Kevin McCallister in the 1990 film, appeared at Pandoras Box Toys & Collectibles in Lafayette, N.J., for a meet and greet.
In a set of photos posted to Instagram documenting the event, the actors who played Kevin’s siblings — sister Linnie (Goethals), older brother Buzz (Ratray), brother Jeff (Maronna), and cousins Heather (Minter) and Rod (Cohen) — greet fans, embrace each other, and pose in a silly conga line. Read more
Jennifer Lopez pictured arguing with Sean “Diddy” Combs on night of alleged Jay-Z assault (MusicNews)
An old photo has emerged of Jennifer Lopez arguing with then boyfriend Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs on the same night Combs and Jay-Z have been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl.
Jay-Z has recently been named in a civil case, where it’s alleged he and Combs raped a minor at an afterparty for the MTV VMAs in New York City in 2000.
The lawsuit also claims that a woman, known as Celebrity B, was present in the room, and watched as the men took turns with the victim. Read more
Penny Lancaster breaks silence on Rod Stewart’s rage defending her from “bully” Gregg Wallace (DailyStar)
Penny Lancaster has broken her silence after her husband Rod Stewart defended her from “bully” Gregg Wallace in a recent viral social media post.
It comes as Wallace, 60, who hosts the hit BBC cooking series, stepped down from his role recently while the complaints are investigated. Wallace has been accused of making “inappropriate sexual jokes” amongst other behavioural complaints, as the presenter’s lawyer stands firm: “It is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.”
Earlier this month, Wallace had expressed regret for his remarks suggesting complaints about his conduct came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age”. Read more
Syrian rebel leader says will dissolve fallen regime forces, close prisons (NewArab)
Syrian rebel leader Ahmed al-Sharaa told Reuters in a written statement on Wednesday that he would dissolve the security forces of the toppled regime of Bashar al-Assad.
His forces swept across Syria in a lightning offensive that overthrew 50 years of Assad family rule, replacing it with a three-month transitional government of ministers that had been ruling a rebel enclave in Syria’s northwest.
The military command affiliated with his group, which is known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, already said they would grant an amnesty to military conscripts. Read more
Australia PM condemns arson incident and anti-Israel graffiti (BBC)
Australian police have launched an investigation after a car was set alight and houses were vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney.
The incident has been condemned by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as a “hate crime”. He told ABC News: “There’s no place for antisemitism in this country, or anywhere for that matter.”
It comes days after a fire engulfed a synagogue in Melbourne, causing minor injuries to one man, in what police there are treating as a probable terror attack. Read more
CSKA Moscow get FIFA ban over Ejuke’s transfer (CompleteSports)
The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has imposed a transfer ban on Russian club, CSKA Moscow, reports Completesports.com.
CSKA Moscow were banned for 18 months due to the unpaid transfer fee to Dutch club, Heerenveen for winger Chidera Ejuke.
According to FIFA, the transfer ban will only be lifted unless CSKA Moscow pay €3m to Heerenveen. Read more
Buni gifts Yobe football club new bus (Punch)
Governor Mala Buni has gifted a brand new bus to Yobe Desert Stars Football Club ahead of the new league season.
Buni’s donation to the Desert Stars is a significant morale booster, aimed at strengthening the team’s spirit as they strive for glory this season.
As the NNL 2024/2025 season kicks off, the bus will facilitate the team’s journey to match venues, and it reflects the optimism of the people of Yobe for a bright and promising season ahead. Read more
Sweden ends rape investigation allegedly targeting Kylian Mbappe (France24)
An investigation into alleged rape and sexual assault in Stockholm which Swedish media said targeted Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe has been closed due to insufficient evidence, the Swedish prosecutor said Thursday.
Mbappe, the 25-year-old Frenchman who is one of the highest-profile players in world football, visited the Swedish capital October 9-11 with a group of people after he was left out of his country’s squad for a Nations League match.
Sweden’s prosecution authority announced on October 15 that it was investigating an alleged incident that occurred at an upscale Stockholm hotel on October 10, without mentioning the suspect by name. Read more
Miami Heat’s Erik Spoelstra responds to Jimmy Butler trade speculation (SI)
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra uses the term “outside noise” to deal with situations like this.
It means the Heat pay little attention to what is said outside the team’s locker room. That’s the approach Spoelstra is taking with the latest Jimmy Butler trade speculation. He refused to address a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania saying the Heat were “open” to trading Butler.
“It’s been our best, most consistent stretch of the season,” Spoelstra said. “So anything else, any other narrative, I don’t care. Nobody should, because most of this stuff has just been all like a bunch of gibberish.” Read more
Eddie Howe set for Celtic Park dugout bow 4 years after Hoops KO as Brendan Rodgers battle “set’’ (DailyRecord)
Eddie Howe will take his place in the Celtic dugout – four years after turning down the top job, according to a report.
The Newcastle boss knocked back the Hoops in May 2021 with Ange Postecoglou taking over instead. Appointing the 59-year-old turned into a masterstroke for the Hoops with the now Tottenham gaffer leaving for his gig in North London as a fans’ favourite after winning five trophies out of six including a Treble and bringing his ‘Angeball’ attacking brand of football to Glasgow’s east end. Read more
Former England rugby player Tom Voyce feared dead after car went into a river (DailyMail)
Former England rugby international Tom Voyce is missing and feared dead after his car was recovered from a flood-swollen river, police said Tuesday.
Northumbria Police believe the 43-year-old Voyce attempted to drive across a section of the River Aln near Alnwick, a town about 30 miles north of Newcastle, when his car was caught in the current.
“Officers have since recovered his car, but sadly Tom is yet to be found,” police said in a statement on X. “It is believed that in his attempts to escape he has been swept away and tragically died.” Read more