RNDI To relocate slum community residents in Lagos (Guardian)
Considering the number of Nigerians living in the slums, Re-write Nigeria Development Initiative (RNDI), as a way of giving back to the society, will this festive season provide housing, education, other amenities for people living in ‘Whitesands community,’ a slum area in Ikorodu Lagos.
President, RNDI, Gloria Jemedafe during the unveiling of the project in Ikoyi Lagos, said: “The Christmas season is almost here. It is a time to give, show love and help others, especially the less-privileged. We will relocate persons living in Whitesands community to more decent homes within the first 12 days in December 2019, which is why we tagged the initiative “12 Days of Christmas.” Read more
We‘re committed to unlocking gridlock on road soon – LASG (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government has reiterated commitment to solving the current gridlock on roads being experienced across the metropolis in a matter of weeks.
It, therefore, appealed to motorists and residents of the state to be patient as measures have been put in place to address the traffic snarl in the state.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotosho made the remarks, Friday. at the flag-off ceremony of the 2019 “Don’t Drink and Drive” awareness campaign of the Lagos Traffic Radio, Ikeja, Lagos.
He said the government was aware of the massive gridlock across the state and that it had struck a partnership with the police to deploy 1,000 policemen to help manage traffic on the road. Read more
Three nabbed for gang-raping 14-year-old pupil (Punch)
Three persons have been arrested by the police in Lagos for allegedly defiling a 14-year-old girl at Eyita, Ikorodu area of the state.
The police are also on the trail of a fourth suspect, a secondary school pupil, said to be involved in the crime.
City Round learnt that the suspects reside in the neighbourhood and usually waylaid the victim when she was sent on errands and had sex with her. Read more
Gridlock: Lagos clamps-down on illegal street traders, markets (Vanguard)
Lagos State Government has issued out stern warning to illegal street traders and leaders of markets to desist henceforth from trading on roads as such acts create traffic bottlenecks thereby impeding the free flow of traffic.
The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr.Tunji Bello, who gave the warning, Friday, while charging Oyingbo market leaders to immediately ensure relocation of all illegal street traders dispersed from the roads in the area to the main market.
Bello, while handing down the warning, stressed that operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, LAGESC, have been drafted to the market and the adjoining streets with standing instructions to arrest any street trader found within the vicinity, warning that any operative found collaborating with street traders will also face stern disciplinary measures. Read more
Lagos council officials arrest pastor in traffic, collect N25,000 (Punch)
A pastor at a Christ Apostolic Church in Lagos, Dr John Awe, has learnt about his new place of duty in a hard way as some officials of the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area, made him to pay a N25, 000 fine for an alleged traffic offence.
Awe, recently posted to the state from Kaduna State, was arrested by the officials for allegedly using his vehicle to obstruct traffic.
He told City Round that he was going for a meeting with the district superintendent of the church on October 18, 2019 at the Ajenifuja area, when the officials accosted him at a junction around Mafoluku market. Read more
French Telethon 2019: Tight-rope walkers defy gravity for charity (BBC)
Tight-rope walkers have been filmed hovering above the business district of La Défense, outside Paris, for the French Telethon 2019.
They included the highlining world record holder Nathan Paulin, who has previously walked by tight rope between the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadero in the French capital. Read more
Zimbabwe uproar as roads named after Emmerson Mnangagwa (Vanguard)
Zimbabweans have reacted with disbelief to news that the government has approved plans to rename major roads and buildings after “national heroes” – including 10 streets named after President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Many of those honoured fought in the 1970s guerrilla war against white-minority rule and went on to become prominent figures in independent Zimbabwe.
Other African leaders such as Congo’s Patrice Lumumba, Jomo Kenyatta and Abdel Gamal Nasser are to have roads named after them, along with international leaders such as Cuba’s Fidel Castro, Leonid Brezhnev of the former Soviet Union and China’s Mao Zedong. Read more
School head suspended after pupil dies from snakebite (BBC)
A school head has been suspended following the death of a student who was bitten by a snake inside a classroom in India.
Classmates and family members of Shehla Sherin have accused teaching staff of not taking her injury seriously and failing to take her to hospital.
The 10 year old’s death has sparked widespread outrage and a protest march in Sulthan Bathery in Kerala state.
A deputy head was also suspended by local government officials on Friday. Read more
Frustrated Trump lashes out at impeachment probe (Guardian)
An irate Donald Trump said Friday he welcomes the prospect of an impeachment trial, as the US leader lashed out at “crazy” and “corrupt” opponents probing potential abuse of presidential power.
After a week of dramatic impeachment testimony from current and former administration officials, an embattled Trump took to a favorite broadcaster to air a long, occasionally incoherent list of grievances — against the FBI, his political adversaries, impeachment inquiry leaders, the “deep state,” and more.
“These people are sick,” Trump raged down the telephone line to Fox at the start of a 53-minute tirade that showed how angered and unsettled he has been by an impeachment inquiry that threatens his presidency. Read more
South Korea to continue intelligence-sharing pact with Japan (BBC)
South Korea says it is to continue a military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan that had been threatened by a long-running dispute.
The move was welcomed by the US which had urged the two countries to settle their differences.
Seoul announced its decision on Friday, just hours before the pact was due to expire.
Tensions between South Korea and Japan go back decades but have recently led to a series of tit-for-tat measures. Read more
Joshua turned down $50m to fight Wilder (Punch)
Anthony Joshua did turn reject the chance to fight Deontay Wilder in 2018, according to Shelly Finkel.
The American, who co-manages Wilder alongside the legendary Al Haymon, was at the negotiation table with Matchroom Boxing in an attempt to organise a world heavyweight title unification bout.
At the time of talks, Joshua had conclusively beaten Joseph Parker on points to claim the WBO strap, while Wilder had just defended his WBC belt.
However, talks over a potential match-up never materialised and both sides left the negotiating table feeling frustrated. Read more
Maradona returns to Gimnasia two days after quitting (Guardian)
Argentina legend Diego Maradona said he is to return as manager of Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata – two days after he quit.
The 59-year-old made the announcement of his return to the Argentine club on social media.
He said the decision hade been reached after “we finally achieved political unity in the club.”
“I hope [the leaders] will provide reinforcements they promised me,” Maradona added. Read more
Neymer returns as PSG extend lead on top of Ligue 1 (BBC)
Paris St-Germain welcomed Neymar back from injury as Thomas Tuchel’s side defeated Lille to extend their lead at the top of Ligue 1 to 11 points.
Brazil forward Neymar had been out of action since injuring his hamstring while on international duty in October.
Argentina striker Mauro Icardi, on a season-long loan from Inter Milan, scored his 10th goal in nine games to put hosts PSG ahead after 17 minutes. Read more
Salah: Klopp confirms Liverpool forward a doubt to face Crystal Palace (Vanguard)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Mohamed Salah is a doubt to face Crystal Palace as he continues to struggle with an ongoing ankle problem.
Salah was left out of Egypt’s squad for their recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya and Comoros in order to continue treatment on the injury which he aggravated against Manchester City earlier this month.
The 27-year-old has been able to train with Liverpool but Klopp is unsure if the forward will have recovered in time for Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park. Read more
Looming breakup! CR7#Juve may split if…(Punch)
Cristiano Ronaldo has become unsettled at Juventus.
That’s according to Okdiario’s chief pundit Eduardo Inda, speaking on El Chiringuito.
Inda suggests Ronaldo could leave Juve by mutual agreement should they fail to win the Champions League this season.
Ultimately, Ronaldo will seek a club capable of winning the Champions League, while Juve will be happy to move him on in order to make room for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba and PSG star Kylian Mbappe. Read more
Novak Djokovic’s Serbia beaten by Russia in Davis Cup quarter-finals (BBC)
Russia’s Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev saved three match points to beat Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Viktor Troicki in the decisive doubles
2019 Davis Cup finals
Venue: Caja Magica, Madrid Dates: 18-24 November
Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra from Wednesday, 20 November; Live text coverage on selected matches on the BBC Sport website and app. Click here or Live Guide.
Novak Djokovic’s Serbia missed out on the Davis Cup semi-finals as he and partner Viktor Troicki lost the decisive doubles against Russia despite having three match points.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion had levelled the tie by beating Karen Khachanov 6-3 6-3 after Andrey Rublev won 6-1 6-2 against Filip Krajinovic.
But Djokovic and Troicki lost 6-4 4-6 7-6 (10-8) to Khachanov and Rublev in the doubles as Russia took the tie 2-1.
“I let my team down,” Troicki said. Read more
Jose Mourinho says Ed Woodward texted him congrats for Tottenham job (Vanguard)
Jose Mourinho says Manchester United’s Ed Woodward texted to congratulate him on being appointed Tottenham head coach.
The United executive vice-chairman sacked Mourinho from the manager’s position at Old Trafford 11 months ago after they fell 19 points behind then Premier League leaders Liverpool.
But Mourinho says Woodward is one of a number of former Old Trafford colleagues to have been in touch to send him best wishes in his new role. Read more
Football Versus Racism – One match that FIFA could not, but must win (Guardian)
Recent developments around football, especially in Europe, reveal that FIFA may only be playing acting and paying lip service to the issue of racism in football.
The body responsible for football in the world, a sport that has tamed bridged human differences, including religion, has failed in the battle against the worst scourge in human history – slavery.
Racism is an extension of the vestiges of slavery, festering in a different form. Read more
Floyd Mayweather in UFC talks to ‘come out of retirement’ in 2020 (Vanguard)
Former five-weight boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather says he is “coming out of retirement in 2020”.
Mayweather, 42, made the announcement on social media after an earlier message that he was in talks with UFC president Dana White.
“Dana White and I are working together again to bring the world another spectacular event in 2020,” he said. Read more
Mourinho: I will never manage Tottenham, says Lampard (Punch)
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard says he will never follow Jose Mourinho’s lead and manage London rivals Tottenham.
Meanwhile Andre Villas-Boas, who coached both clubs, called the partnership between Mourinho and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy an “unusual marriage”.
Mauricio Pochettino was sacked this week and two-time Chelsea boss Mourinho jumped straight into the hot seat at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Read more
Supporters Club hails Eagles, NFF for double AFCON qualifier victories (Guardian)
The Super Eagles Supporters Club has commended the Super Eagles for winning their first two matches in their qualification campaign for the 2021 African Nations Cup.
The National President of the Super Eagles Supporters Club, Prince Vincent Okumagba stated that the Super Eagles have demonstrated their preparedness to surmount all obstacles in ensuring that their qualification is a smooth seal without the usual last minute panic. Read more