Psychiatric hospital records 100% admission increase – CMD (Punch)
The Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, has recorded a 100 per cent increase in the number of psychiatric patients admitted in the hospital in 2023.
The hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Olugbenga Owoeye, made this known at the Annual Scorecard presentation tagged: “A Day With the Medical Director” organised by the hospital on Wednesday in Lagos.
Owoeye said the total number of new cases increased by seven per cent, while there was a three per cent increase in the number of follow-up patients male and female. Read more
2 arrested for alleged manufacturing of fake drinks (Nation)
Police operatives attached to Ojo Division area of Lagos State on Wednesday, December 20, arrested one Imo Lawrence and his ally, Magnus Nwonka, allegedly involved in manufacturing fake drinks in the state.
The Nation learnt that Lawrence aged 35 and Nwonka aged 42 were in possession of fake drinks.
The spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed their arrest on his official X handle. Read more
Oshiomhole was biggest, most destructive threat to APC – Amosun (Vanguard)
The former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has lambasted Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC Edo North) over his role during the 2019 All Progressives Congress primaries, describing him as the “biggest and most destructive threat” to the ruling party.
Recall that Amosun and Oshiomhole, who was the APC National Chairman, squared up during APC primaries in the build-up to the 2019 general election.
The clash followed the disputed governorship primary in Ogun State which edged out Amosun’s anointed candidate, Adekunle Akinlade, in favour of Dapo Abiodun. Read more
Police kill robbery suspect, recover stolen car (Punch)
The anti-robbery squad of the Kwara State Police Command on Wednesday shot dead a suspected member of a five-man armed robbery gang and recovered a Toyota Camry car in the Sango area of Ilorin metropolis.
PUNCH Online reliably gathered that the hoodlums, driving in a Toyota Corolla car, had snatched a Toyota Camry from its owner in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, earlier on Wednesday.
It was also gathered that the suspects, numbering five, divided themselves into two groups, with three in the Toyota Corolla which was reportedly snatched and another two members inside the Toyota Camry. Read more
23-year-old machetes father to death (Guardian)
A 23-year-old Saidi Musa Elemosho has been arrested for allegedly hacking his father to death.
Saidi was said to have killed his father because the deceased was fond of raining curses on him for ‘no just reason’.
The father, Chief Musa was the Elemosho of Share land in Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State. Read more
Delta Gov receives man who cycled from Yobe to Delta (DailyTrust)
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has received Samuel Erukoghene Okoro who cycled for 10 days from Damaturu, Yobe State to Asaba.
Okoro, a Deltan from Orhuwhorun in Udu Local Government Area of the state and resident of Damaturu, embarked on the journey on Saturday, December 9, and arrived in Asaba on Wednesday.
Welcoming the cyclist, Oborevwori congratulated him for the successful journey and promised that he would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to Deltans who entrusted him with their votes. Read more
Congestion: Ebonyi First Lady frees 53 inmates (Sun)
Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, on Wednesday freed 53 inmates in Abakaliki Correction Centre.
She also gave the freed inmates N20,000 cash as transportation fare to their various homes.
Mrs. Nwifuru said the gesture was as a result of the pathetic condition of the inmates and congestion of the correction centre. Read more
Fubara didn’t sign peace agreement with Wike under pressure — Commissioner (Channels)
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joe Johnson, says his principal, Governor Siminalayi Fubara didn’t sign a “peace agreement” with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, under duress at the Presidential Villa on Monday.
Johnson spoke on Wednesday during a live appearance on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics programme.
“I was in that meeting and the governor did not negotiate from the place of weakness. Read more
Billy Joel’s daughters Della and Remy make a rare appearance onstage for an unforgettable performance (Hello!)
At the legendary Madison Square Garden, Billy Joel, at 74, delivered an unforgettable performance on Tuesday night, solidifying his status as an icon in the music world.
The concert, part of his ongoing annual residency at the renowned venue, was nothing short of spectacular, featuring guest appearances that thrilled the audience.
In a remarkable moment, Billy was joined on stage by his daughters, Della, eight, and Remy, six, for a heartwarming rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Read more
Pope’s same-sex blessings policy triggers both healing and pain for LGBTQ Catholics (NBC)
Greg Krajewski never misses Sunday Mass at his local Catholic church in Chicago. But even if he were to, it’s unclear if his fellow congregants would notice. As a gay man, he says he largely keeps to himself.
“People talk about the church being a place where people can come together, gather and be with each other,” he said. “That’s not what the church is for me, because it can’t be in many ways.”
But for the first time in his life, Krajewski, 34, has hope that could soon change. Read more
Gaza death toll surpasses 20,000 as UN Security Council delays vote on aid (AlJazeera)
At least 20,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel began bombarding the enclave more than 10 weeks ago, according to Palestinian officials.
At least 8,000 children and 6,200 women are among those killed, Gaza’s Government Media Office said on Wednesday.
The grim milestone was passed as the United Nations Security Council postponed a key vote on a bid to boost humanitarian aid for Gaza for the third time to avoid a veto from the United States, which traditionally shields its ally Israel from UN action. Read more
Brad Pitt celebrates his 60th birthday with girlfriend Ines de Ramon at his side — see the fun photos! (People)
Brad Pitt turned 60 with a bang!
The actor and his girlfriend Ines de Ramon were photographed Tuesday evening at a party held in his honour at Mother Wolf in Los Angeles, with close friends in attendance, a source tells PEOPLE.
Pitt and de Ramon’s birthdays are just a day apart: Pitt’s was on Monday, while de Ramon rang in her 34th on Tuesday. Read more
Israeli hostages mistakenly killed by own military in Gaza were filmed on dog camera days before shooting (Independent)
Footage from a GoPro camera mounted on an Israeli Defence Force (IDF) dog has been recovered showing one of the killed Israeli hostages shouting for help five days before they were shot.
A preliminary investigation found that three male hostages who were shirtless and carrying a makeshift white flag were killed by Israeli forces last week.
The IDF called the incident “horrific and tragic”, however human rights groups say it is almost certainly a violation of international law – Israel deny this. Read more
South Africa: Fire fighters in battle of blaze on slopes of mountain near Cape Town (AfricaNews)
More than 300 firefighters were battling a blaze on the slopes of a mountain near Cape Town in South Africa for a second day on Wednesday.
Meanwhile residents were evacuated from at least one neighbourhood overnight, emergency services said.
Five firefighters were injured and two were taken to the hospital, the city’s Emergency Services spokesperson Jermaine Carelse said. Read more
Argentina’s Milei announces sweeping decree to deregulate economy (France24)
Argentina’s new leader Javier Milei on Wednesday unveiled a series of measures to deregulate the country’s struggling economy, eliminating or changing more than 300 rules, including on rent and labor practices.
“The goal is to start along the path to rebuilding the country… and start to undo the huge number of regulations that have held back and prevented economic growth,” Milei said in a televised speech from the presidential palace, flanked by his cabinet.
Latin America’s third-biggest economy is on its knees after decades of debt and financial mismanagement, with annual inflation at 140 percent and 40 percent of Argentines living in poverty. Read more
Danjuma invites 25 players for U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers (Leadership)
In preparation for the upcoming FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Burundi, Head Coach Christopher Musa Danjuma has extended invitations to a talented squad of 25 players.
The roster includes a blend of experienced and young talents, with notable names such as goalkeepers Anderlin Mgbechi and Shukurat Bakare, defenders Oluchi Ohaegbulam and Comfort Folorunsho, midfielders Taiwo Afolabi and Adoo Yina, and forwards Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Chisom Chima, and Aminat Omowunmi Bello.
Joining them are other promising players including FIFA U17 World Cup bronze-medallist goalkeeper Faith Omilana, defenders Jumoke Alani, Emamuzo Edafe, and Shukurat Oladipo, midfielders Chinyere Kalu and Chioma Olise, and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Oluwayemisi Samuel, and Janet Akekoromowei. Read more
Eduwo goals deal blow to Nigerian CAF Cup hopes (Punch)
Nigerian Kingsley Eduwo dealt a blow to the hopes of his country winning the CAF Confederation Cup for a first time by scoring twice for Club Africain of Tunisia in a 3-0 win over Rivers United.
Eduwo netted twice in the first half and Rami Bedoui scored early in the second half to complete an impressive Group C matchday four victory over the Nigerian club near Tunis.
Success took Club Africain to the top of the table with nine points, ahead of Dreams of Ghana on head-to-head records. Rivers have six points and Academica Lobito of Angola has none. Read more
Driverless race cars on track for April Abu Dhabi debut (StraitsTimes)
Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina circuit, scene of last month’s Formula One season-ender, will be a testing ground over the coming weeks for a race car driven by software algorithms rather than any human hand.
The driverless Dallara Super Formula SF23 open-wheel cars, capable of hitting speeds of 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour), have a computer in place of the cockpit and no need for a steering wheel, seat, pedals or protective halo.
The cars are the stars of the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) which is set to hold its inaugural race at the grand prix circuit on April 28, 2024, with a prize fund of $2.25 million. Read more
Director explains why he called off deal to sign £13m man from Tottenham (HitC)
PSV Eindhoven called off talks to sign Davinson Sanchez from Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur because they were not convinced the now-Galatasaray defender wanted to join.
His loss, meanwhile, is Armel Bella-Kotchap’s gain.
Ten points clear at the top of the Eredivisie table after winning 16 out of 16 in the Netherlands, Bella-Kotchap’s PSV Eindhoven side already feel like champions-elect. Davinson Sanchez could have been along for the ride instead, only for the former Tottenham Hotspur defender to leave PSV rather cold during discussions over a potential summer switch to the Netherlands. Read more
Jon Rahm to LIV Golf: Shane Lowry ‘not surprised by anything’ after Spaniard’s move (BBC)
Shane Lowry has said he is “not surprised by anything that happens at the minute” as he discussed Ryder Cup team-mate Jon Rahm’s decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.
World number three Rahm joined the Saudi-funded tour earlier this month.
Before Rahm’s move, the Masters champion and Ireland’s Lowry helped Europe regain the Ryder Cup in Rome. Read more
Chelsea vow to ban fan who confronted Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka in Carabao Cup win (Mirror)
Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe both condemned the security breach, which saw the supporter enter the Stamford Bridge pitch after Mikhailo Mudryk scored for Chelsea
Chelsea have vowed to ban the fan who confronted Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka during their Carabao Cup win.
Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie Howe both condemned the security breach, which saw the supporter enter the Stamford Bridge pitch after Mikhailo Mudryk’s late equaliser. The man taunted and barged into the Slovak before being allowed to return to the Matthew Harding Stand. Read more