Police release #EndSARS anniversary protesters (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has released the protesters arrested during the commemoration of the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.
The protesters who were over 18 in number, were nabbed at the Lekki Toll Gate and moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department at Panti, in the Yaba area of Lagos.
The State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, was also available at the SCID to see to their release. Read more
Nigerian gospel singer set to break GWR for singing (Tribune)
Nigerian gospel artiste Essemm (Somtochukwu Nsofor) has set his sights on breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest hours of continuous singing.
The current record holder, Indian singer Sunil Waghmare, set the bar at 105 hours, but Essemm is determined to surpass this with an impressive 128 hours of non-stop singing.
At a press conference in Lagos, Essemm shared his vision, stating, “It’s not just about breaking the record; it’s about seeing Jesus Christ on a global scale.” Read more
No leadership vacuum in Army, COAS Lagbaja on leave – General Nwachukwu (Channels)
The Nigerian Army has dismissed media reports suggesting that there is a leadership vacuum following the absence of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
Army spokesman, Onyema Nwachukwu, said Lagbaja is on official leave, and necessary protocols have been put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS during his absence.
Nwachukwu, a major general, emphasised that Lagbaja’s absence is not affecting the operations of the service. Read more
I was partially deaf without knowing it – Obasanjo (DailyTrust)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that he once suffered 25 per cent hearing loss without knowing it.
Obasanjo stated this in Bauchi on Sunday when he paid homage to the Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Suleiman-Adamu.
According to him, many people in the world are deaf without knowing it until they go for medical checks on their hearing capacity before it would be revealed to them. Read more
Tinubu hails Ekiti Oyebanji’s statesmanship (Nation)
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday hailed Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s statesmanship disposition to governance, urging him to continue with his leadership style.
The President promised to stand by him to make a greater positive impact in the lives of the people.
President Tinubu spoke during a thanksgiving service commemorating Oyebanji’s second anniversary at the Cathedral Church, Anglican Communion, Okesa, Ado-Ekiti. Read more
DSS appoints Rasheed Lawal as new chief security officer to Tinubu (Vanguard)
The Department of State Service (DSS) has officially replaced Adegboyega Fasasi as Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Bola Tinubu, appointing Rasheed Atanda Lawal, a Deputy Director, as his successor.
Details surrounding this development remained limited as of Sunday evening, but sources indicate that Fasasi, who has held the CSO position since Tinubu’s inauguration, is stepping down to pursue a professional training course.
According to insiders, DSS Director-General Tosin Ajayi requested President Tinubu’s approval to release Fasasi for the strategic training opportunity. While some speculated on potential controversies surrounding the change, sources familiar with the situation emphasized that such transitions are commonplace within the agency. Read more
Let middle-class breathe, LP Senator, Imasuen tells FG (NewTelegraph)
The Labour Party (LP) Senator representing Edo South in the 10th National Assembly, Neda Imasuen has criticized the policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows by the Tinubu-led administration.
Imasuen who spoke on Sunday said Nigerians, especially the middle class, are paying too much a price for the so-called reforms by President Tinubu.
Imasuen also said state governments have roles to play in alleviating the suffering of the people but they are not playing their roles. Read more
Out-of-school syndrome, recruitment for future Boko Haram – Obasanjo (DailyTrust)
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said the out-of-school children menace in the country provides a fertile ground for the recruitment of future Boko Haram insurgents, if not properly addressed now.
Obasanjo said this on Sunday in Bauchi, when he inaugurated the dualised seven-kilometre Awala-Mairuguri Road and 17.70-kilometre Awalah-Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa National Airport Road.
He also inaugurated the 30-kilometre Gubi-Ruda Bida-Siyi-Nasarawa Road. Read more
Jennifer Lawrence announces pregnancy (DigitalSpy)
Oscar-winning actor Jennifer Lawrence has revealed she is pregnant with her second child.
The Hunger Games star was spotted in Los Angeles with a visible baby bump, which was later confirmed to Vogue by her representative. At present, no further details about the pregnancy have been announced.
Lawrence already shares a two year old son with her art gallerist husband Cooke Maroney. The couple married in October 2019 and welcomed their first child Cy in 2022. Read more
Cholera fears as Sudan faces a worsening water crisis (AfricaNews)
As the civil war rages on in Sudan, in addition to food shortages, residents in the capital Khartoum are grappling with a worsening water crisis.
They now have to fetch water from the Nile River using carts, or purchase untreated water which has become scarce.
“We’ve been without water for 17 days. The situation is unbearable. We now have to buy water, but the prices are skyrocketing. Two barrels cost 1,000 Sudanese pounds (about $1.66),” says local resident, Ahmed Musa. Read more
Legendary entertainer Mitzi Gaynor dies at 93 (MXDWN)
Mitzi Gaynor, the celebrated singer, dancer, and actress who became a household name with her role in the 1958 musical South Pacific, has died at the age of 93. Gaynor, whose career spanned film, stage, and television, passed away from natural causes on October 17 in Los Angeles.
Born Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber in Chicago, Gaynor’s performing career began in her teenage years. She started dancing in musical theater before signing with 20th Century Fox. By the 1950s, she was a prominent figure in Hollywood, starring in hit musicals such as There’s No Business Like Show Business (1954), where her talent for singing, dancing, and acting shone brightly.
Her portrayal of Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (1958) became one of her most defining performances. Directed by Joshua Logan, the film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s acclaimed musical was a global success, establishing Gaynor as a leading star in the golden age of movie musicals. Logan, also known for Bus Stop (1956), brought out Gaynor’s best in the role, making her performance a career highlight. Read more
Hailey Bieber supports husband Justin for surprise performance at Don Toliver concert in LA
(DailyMail)
Hailey Bieber proudly supported husband Justin Bieber as he performed alongside Don Toliver in Los Angeles on Saturday night.
The 27-year-old new mom — who welcomed the couple’s first child, son Jack, in August — was joined at the Crypto.com Arena show by friends Lori Harvey and Justine Skye.
The ladies recorded bits from Toliver and Bieber’s performance of their song Private Landing, which also features Future, and posted them to social media. Read more
How 98 Degrees “took a page out of Taylor Swift’s playbook” for their new album and tour (People)
98 Degrees is excited to be back on the road.
Bandmates Nick and Drew Lachey, Jeff Timmons and Justin Jeffre recently sat down with PEOPLE as they prepared to kick off their fall tour, ahead of the release of the group’s new album, Full Circle. As they look back at their nearly 30 years as a band, the entertainers are proud of where they stand.
“I think everybody wants that pie-in-the-sky kind of traditional success. You want this chart position, you want this tour, but I think for us, we view it a little differently,” Drew shares. Read more
‘‘Historic’’: Egypt declared malaria free by the World Health Organisation (AlJazeera)
Egypt has been certified as malaria free, with the World Health Organization (WHO) calling the achievement “truly historic” and the culmination of nearly a century of work to stamp out the disease.
“Malaria is as old as Egyptian civilisation itself, but the disease that plagued pharaohs now belongs to its history and not its future,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement on Sunday.
“This certification of Egypt as malaria-free is truly historic, and a testament to the commitment of the people and government of Egypt to rid themselves of this ancient scourge.” Read more
Harris marks birthday at Georgia churches while Trump courts voters at McDonald’s (France24)
Kamala Harris turned 60 on Sunday in the final stretch of a knife-edge US election, making campaign stops at Black churches in Georgia as her 78-year-old opponent Donald Trump served fries at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s in a bid to appeal to blue-collar voters.
Music legend Stevie Wonder accompanied Democrat Harris at one of her appearances in a suburb of Atlanta, singing the vice president his rendition of “Happy Birthday” while urging voters to “think about more than yourself when you vote.”
In brief remarks Harris echoed that sentiment, saying, “Ours is a country that is about doing things that are focused on the best interest of our children, our families, giving people the resources they need around assistance, helping people pull out of poverty.”
Earlier, speaking at a Baptist megachurch near Atlanta, she had urged a Black congregation to embrace compassionate values while others “spread hate, sow fear and cause chaos.” Read more
Remo beat Insurance to go top (Punch)
Remo Stars bounced back from their last defeat to secure a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Bendel Insurance in one of the NPFL matchday 8 fixtures in Ikenne on Sunday to temporarily move top of the table with 18 points, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Dela Akorli grabbed the only goal of the game with just three minutes left in the first 45 minutes to secure maximum points for Daniel Ogunmodede’s side.
The Sky Blue Stars lost 3-1 to Plateau United on Thursday after a fine start to the season, but a win against Benin Arsenal saw them back in winning ways and returned to the summit of the standings. Read more
Super Eagles forward Boniface survives ghastly car crash (Leadership)
Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface survived a ghastly car crash on Sunday after scoring a decisive goal for his German club, Bayer Leverkusen in their 2-1 win over Frankfurt on Saturday.
The Nigerian international shared video footage and photos of his smashed car after the accident on Sunday.
The forward can be seen looking into the camera and then showing what appears to be his arm dripping with blood in the post. Read more
Liverpool stays ahead of Man City by beating Chelsea 2-1 in Premier League (JapanToday)
Liverpool is looking more and more like Manchester City’s main title rival after beating resurgent Chelsea 2-1 on Sunday to stay top of the Premier League table.
After City needed an injury-time header from John Stones to beat last-place Wolves 2-1 in the early kickoff, Liverpool answered with a composed performance at Anfield to hand Chelsea’s first league loss since the opening round.
Having seen third-place Arsenal lose at Bournemouth on Saturday to raise questions about the Gunners’ title hopes, Liverpool and City took full advantage to build a small gap atop the standings. Arne Slot’s team leads on 21 points from eight games, one ahead of City and four above Arsenal. Read more
Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla – Robert Lewandowski and Pablo Torre net braces as Barca crush visitors in La Liga (Eurosport)
Robert Lewandowski continued his blistering form with a brilliant brace to send Barcelona three points clear at the top of La Liga following an easy 5-1 win over Sevilla on Sunday.
The veteran striker broke the deadlock from the spot in a dominant first-half from Barca, before Pedri doubled the host’s lead with a brilliant finish from the edge of the box.
Before the break, Lewandowski put Barca further ahead when he steered home Raphinha’s low cross, positioning himself well to avoid the offside flag and give his side a three-goal cushion inside 39 minutes. Read more
United States GP: Charles Leclerc leads dominant Ferrari 1-2 in Austin as Lando Norris penalty hands Max Verstappen third (Sky)
Charles Leclerc impressively won the United States Grand Prix in a surprisingly-dominant one-two for Ferrari as Lando Norris lost a crucial third place to title rival Max Verstappen after being penalised for a late overtake on his F1 title rival.
While Ferrari overcame the championship’s top two in a supreme show of speed from the second row as Leclerc led home team-mate Carlos Sainz, all eyes still ended up being on the title protagonists as they duelled over the final podium berth in a gripping, tense and ultimately controversial conclusion to the race at the Circuit of the Americas.
Having dropped from pole position to fourth, behind Verstappen, in a wretched start to the race, Norris relentlessly came back at his title rival into the closing stages after McLaren had delayed the Briton’s sole pit stop to ensure he had fresher tyres than his Red Bull rival for the end of the race. Read more
New Zealand beat SA to win first T20 World Cup (BBC)
New Zealand were crowned surprise champions of the Women’s T20 World Cup with a comprehensive 32-run win over South Africa in Dubai.
The White Ferns had lost 10 successive matches coming into the tournament, and this is their first T20 title, after losing successive finals in 2009 and 2010.They were on top at the halfway point, but the Proteas started strongly in pursuit of 159 for victory, reaching 51-0 inside seven overs before slipping to 77-5 and then stuttering to 126-9. Read more