Super TV CEO Murder: Chidinma’s trial stalled in Lagos Court (Channels)
The trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, accused of murdering Super TV’s Chief Executive Officer, Usifo Ataga, was stalled on Tuesday at the Lagos State High Court, sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square Annex.
Defence counsels complained that the statements contained in the proof of evidence served on them were all unclear and that the audio interviews of the defendants were also inaudible.
They stated that the defendants had a right to clearer statements and audible video interviews as it would enable them to prepare their defence adequately.
Justice Yetunde Adesanya, in her ruling, directed the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to provide clearer statements and audible copies of the interviews to all the defence counsels before the end of the day. Read more
Lagos to sponsor corrective surgery, physiotherapy for 400 persons (Tribune)
No fewer than 400 persons are to benefit from the Lagos State Government sponsored Limb Deformity Corrective Surgery and Rehabilitative Programme aimed at rehabilitating people, especially children with lower limb deformities such as rickets or blount diseases, and other deformities that affect their normal growth and function.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye disclosed this during his visit to the screening exercise conducted for beneficiaries at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH on Tuesday.
He stated that the current phase of the exercise has recorded over 400 potential beneficiaries who will be screened over a period of two days.
According to him, 80 children will undergo corrective surgical intervention while others will be offered physiotherapy, nutrition and health education as well as assistive mobility devices that will improve their health outcome. Read more
At book launch, stakeholders brainstorm on eradicating malaria (Leadership)
Stakeholders in the health sector have identified ways to eradicate malaria in Nigeria and Africa, stressing the need for concerted efforts to achieve the goal.
Indications to this development emerged at the formal launch of a book titled, “#Endmalaria” written by award-winning author, Funmilayo Braithwaite, in Abuja on Monday.
The 57-page book is an outcome of a research on the causes of the disease and steps to be taken to eradicate the menace, which put an estimated 2.1billion people at risk globally especially in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.
Speaking to reporters at the event, chairman of Senate Committee on Health (Primary and Tertiary), Senator brahim Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), said malaria is more serious than COVID-19 particularly its effects on the vulnerable groups such as children and women. Read more
Anambra Supplementary Poll: 1 feared killed in Ihiala (NewTelegraph)
The Supplementary election in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State has recorded one casualty as soldiers patrolling the council area have shot a yet-to-be-identified man.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared a supplementary election in the area today after election failed to hold there on Saturday, November 6 while the election held in the remaining 20 local governments.
While the election on Saturday recorded no casualty, on Tuesday, soldiers from a patrol van reportedly opened fire on commuters hundreds of metres away from the LGA headquarters and one fell, according to a report by ‘FIJ’
According to the news platform, crowd began to form around the man after the soldiers moved a short distance away, this prompted the soldiers to return, firing sporadically again and sending residents scampering for safety. Read more
Osun Osogbo shrine gets $127,000 US grant (Vanguard)
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria is to spend $127,000 on the digital documentation and conservation of Busanyin Shrine located in the Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the $127,000 grant was awarded to CyArk, a California-based non-profit, through the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP).
Speaking at the signing of the project’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Monday in Lagos, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, said AFCP was administered by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
She said that the grant supports the present preservation of major ancient archaeological sites, historic buildings, monuments and major museum collections that are accessible to the public and protected by law in their host country. Read more
Bandits abduct 18 LG workers in Zaria as CNG threatens shutdown (Guardian)
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Kaduna State Students Wing has reacted to Monday’s abduction of 18 Zaria Local Government staff, saying most of them are parents of their fellow students in higher institutions.
It was gathered that the victims, who are majorly women, were abducted between Zaria and Giwa town on Monday.
In a statement signed by the Kaduna State Coordinator, Jamilu Musa, the students warned that they would embark on a mass action to shut down Zaria if a visible action is not taken to secure the release of the captives in seven days.
CNG said “It is unfortunate that so far, our Governments, both federal and state have glaringly failed in the vital area of providing public safety and security of lives and properties of Nigerians.” Read more
Security turns back ex-APGA chair Umeh at Ihiala LGA Secretariat (Nation)
Former National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and state party agent for the Anambra governorship election, Sen. Victor Umeh, was on Tuesday refused entrance to the Ihiala Local Government Secretariat by security agencies.
Umeh, a state agent of the party who arrived at the secretariat around 10:30 am in the company of other party members, was turned back by the GOC, 82 Division.
He said he was at the secretariat to ensure things went well.
According to the GOC, the former lawmaker had no business being at the Secretariat as he was a state agent. Read more
2023: Direct primaries will overstretch INEC, says PGF Chairman (Vanguard)
Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi, and Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), has said that adopting direct primaries by political parties will overstretch the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said this while speaking with newsmen at the end of a closed-door meeting held by members of the PGF on Monday night.
The PGF is an umbrella body of serving governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The National Assembly adopted Section 87 on mandatory direct primaries for all parties. Read more
Bandits abduct 18 LG workers in Zaria as CNG threatens shutdown (Guardian)
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Kaduna State Students Wing has reacted to Monday’s abduction of 18 Zaria Local Government staff, saying most of them are parents of their fellow students in higher institutions.
It was gathered that the victims, who are majorly women, were abducted between Zaria and Giwa town on Monday.
In a statement signed by the Kaduna State Coordinator, Jamilu Musa, the students warned that they would embark on a mass action to shut down Zaria if a visible action is not taken to secure the release of the captives in seven days.
CNG said “It is unfortunate that so far, our Governments, both federal and state have glaringly failed in the vital area of providing public safety and security of lives and properties of Nigerians.” Read more
Vienna brothel offers customers 30 minutes with ‘lady of their choice’ in exchange for covid jab (Sky)
A brothel in Vienna is providing COVID-19 vaccinations and giving those who take up the offer vouchers for a free visit.
Fun Palast is hoping to increase vaccination rates, as well as client numbers which have dropped because of the pandemic, according to Mail Online.
In exchange for a jab, visitors get a free 30-minute session in a “sauna club” with the “lady of their choice”.
Vaccination uptake levels in Austria are among the worst in western Europe leading the government to introduce tighter restrictions. Read more
Leonardo DiCaprio to star as cult leader Jim Jones in upcoming movie (NME)
Leonardo DiCaprio has been cast as Jim Jones in an upcoming film about the Jonestown mass suicide that took place in 1978.
DiCaprio will produce and star in the MGM film about the controversial cult leader, with Venom screenwriter Scott Rosenberg penning the script. A director for the film is yet to be confirmed.
The charismatic leader who founded the Peoples Temple in Indianapolis in 1955, Jones was accused of paranoia and abuse of his followers, and was responsible for the mass suicide of the 909 people on November 18 1978 in Jonestown. The event would later inspire the band name for the Brian Jonestown Massacre.
DiCaprio will next be seen on screens alongside Jennifer Lawrence, Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande and Meryl Streep in the Netflix political satire Don’t Look Up. Read more
Pope condemns ‘vile’ assassination attempt in Iraq (Hill)
Pope Francis condemned the ‘vile’ assassination attempt against Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, sent a telegram to al-Kadhimi offering prayers to his family and others who were injured in Monday’s attack, The Associated Press reported.
“In condemning this vile act of terrorism, His Holiness once more expresses his confidence that with the blessing of the most high God, the people of Iraq will be confirmed in wisdom and strength in pursuing the path of peace through dialogue and fraternal solidarity,” the telegram said.
Pope Francis visited Iraq in early March, and al-Kadhimi was part of a delegation that greeted the pontiff when he arrived at Baghdad international airport, according to the official Vatican News. Read more
Covid vaccine to be compulsory for all NHS England staff by April (Guardian)
All 1.4 million NHS staff in England will have to be vaccinated against Covid by next spring if they want to keep their jobs, Sajid Javid will confirm to MPs on Tuesday.
The health secretary has decided to press ahead with making jabs compulsory despite health unions and some doctors’ organisations voicing strong opposition.
The move means that about 100,000 frontline personnel who have not yet had both doses of Covid vaccine will have to get jabbed or face dismissal. Many of them are women who are or hope to become pregnant or who are from a minority ethnic background.
Javid considered bringing in the new requirement before this winter, but opted to delay it until what is thought likely to be April 2022 after warnings that doing that sooner would exacerbate NHS understaffing by triggering an exodus of key personnel at the time when the health service is under its greatest pressure. Read more
French health authority advises against giving Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to people under 30 (Globe&Mail)
France’s public health authority has recommended people under 30 be given Pfizer’s Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine when available instead of Moderna Inc’s Spikevax jab, which carried comparatively higher risks of heart-related problems.
The Haute Autorite de Sante (HAS), which does not have legal power to ban or license drugs but acts as an adviser to the French health sector, cited “very rare” risks linked to Myocarditis, a heart disease that had shown up in recent data on the Moderna vaccine and in a French study published on Monday.
“Within the population aged under 30, this risk appears to be around five times lesser with Pfizer’s Comirnaty jab compared to Moderna’s Spikevax jab,” HAS said in its opinion published on Monday.
The decision in Paris came after regulators in several other countries, including Canada, Finland and Sweden, had also taken a more defensive stance on Spikevax over heart-related safety concerns affecting younger people. Read more
Harris lands in Paris to reinforce French ties, her own standing (WashingtonTimes)
Vice President Kamala Harris arrived in Paris early Tuesday to work with French President Emmanuel Macron on climate change and the COVID-19 fight while further easing the ruckus over a submarine deal with Australia that left France in the cold.
“We are focused on looking forward, not looking backward. France is one of the United States’s oldest and strongest allies,” Symone D. Sanders, a senior adviser and chief spokeswoman for Ms. Harris, told reporters en route to Orly Airport. “If we are going to tackle our global health challenges and prevent the next pandemic, we have to do this together.”
Ms. Harris said it was “good to be in France” as she touched down with her husband, Doug Emhoff
“I am looking forward to many, many days of productive discussions reinforcing the strength of our relationship,” she said after her motorcade winded along the Seine River and past the Eiffel Tower. Read more
Trump warns Biden administration taking the wrong approach to China: ‘It shows such weakness’ (Fox)
Former President Trump, in an exclusive interview with Fox News, said the Biden administration is taking the wrong approach to China, warning that the current messaging to Beijing shows “such weakness.”
President Biden in September spoke by phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the second time. The White House said the president “made clear” that the discussion was “part of the United States’ ongoing effort to responsibly manage the competition between the United States and the PRC.”
After that call, the White House said that “the two leaders discussed the responsibility of both nations to ensure competition does not veer into conflict.” And since, White House officials have said they “welcome stiff competition” between the U.S. and China.
But the former president said he doesn’t think the Biden administration’s strategy is effective. Read more
In a first, Indian women’s football team to play against Brazil in international tournament (FirstPost)
The Indian women’s football team will take on former World Cup runners-up Brazil for the first time ever during an international tournament later this month as part of its preparations for next year’s AFC Asian Cup.
Chile, ranked 37th in FIFA chart, and Venezuela (56th) are the other teams that the 57th-ranked Indians will face in the 25 November to 1 December tournament to be held in Manaus, Brazil.
The world number seven Brazil, who were the 2007 World Cup runners-up and Olympics silver medallists in 2004 and 2008, are captained by superstar Marta Vieira da Silva, who is widely considered as the greatest female footballer in the world.
Marta, the six-time World Player of the Year, was the best player and top scorer in the 2007 World Cup. She is Brazil’s top international scorer with 112 goals from 167 matches. Read more
European Tour to become DP World Tour in historic naming rights deal from next season (Sky)
DP World will become the title sponsor of the European Tour as part of a history-making agreement from next season.
The Dubai-based logistics company has been associated with the European Tour since 2009, with the season-ending tournament renamed the DP World Tour Championship in 2012. The agreement heralds a new era in the history of the European Tour group, which, along with DP World, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2022.
The 2022 DP World Tour schedule will feature a minimum of 47 tournaments in 27 different countries, with the season offering a total prize purse of over $200m for the first time in the Tour’s history.
All tournaments solely sanctioned by the DP World Tour will offer minimum prize funds of $2m, with 13 – outside of the majors and World Golf Championship – having purses bigger than that, while five events feature in an expanded Rolex Series schedule for 2022. Read more
Red Bull F1 chief ‘couldn’t believe’ Max Verstappen’s opening lap move in Mexico (Independent)
Red Bull’s head of driver development Helmut Marko has heaped praise on Max Verstappen for the move which saw him take the lead of the Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix at the first corner last weekend.
Starting third, the 24-year-old moved behind pole-sitter Valtteri Bottas to take advantage of the slipstream from the rear of the Finn’s Mercedes, before moving to the racing line on the left-hand side of turn one and braking later than both Bottas and team-mate Lewis Hamilton to sweep around the outside of both cars into first position.
From there the race was a cake walk for Verstappen, who took a comfortable ninth victory of the season and increased his advantage in the Drivers’ Championship to 19 points with four races and a total of 107 points remaining.
Both Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Hamilton were highly critical of Bottas in the aftermath of the race, bemused by the wide open space he neglected on the left of the circuit which Verstappen was then able to exploit. But 78-year-old Marko believes praising the Dutch race winner is more valid than blaming Bottas. Read more
Emma Raducanu new coach: Torben Beltz as new coach (BBC)
US Open champion Emma Raducanu is set to announce Torben Beltz as her new coach.
The German, 44, worked with Angelique Kerber when she won the Australian Open and the US Open in 2016.
They reunited for this season but Kerber announced on Monday they would not be working together in 2022.
The Telegraph first covered the story after unearthing an image of Beltz with the 18-year-old and her agent Chris Helliar in a coffee house in Orpington. Read more
Marcus Rashford awarded MBE by Prince William after campaign to feed vulnerable kids (Mirror)
Marcus Rashford was awarded an MBE today by Prince William after his campaign to help feed vulnerable kids during the pandemic.
The Manchester United footballer and his mum Melanie Rashford arrived at Windsor Castle this morning for the ceremony.
The 24-year-old became a national hero last year after he successfully lobbied the Government into a U-turn over its free school meals policy during lockdown, ensuring children in need would receive meals across the summer.
He has spoken of his own childhood when his mum Melanie went hungry so she could feed her children and he paid tribute to her after the Prime Minister recommended him for the MBE. Read more
Paul Pogba set to miss up to 10 weeks with Manchester United due to thigh injury (Metro)
Paul Pogba will miss between eight to 10 weeks for Manchester United after suffering a thigh injury during training with France’s national team.
The midfielder pulled up during a shooting drill on Monday and immediately left the pitch in order to receive treatment from France’s medical team.
After striking the ball, Pogba let out a cry of pain and could be seen visibly limping as he left the session.
Pogba has now withdrawn from the squad ahead of France’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Finland. Read more
Nikola Jokic lays out Markieff Morris with cheap shot in wild scene (NYPost)
Nikola Jokic had 25 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists before the NBA MVP was ejected for violently slamming his shoulder into Markieff Morris, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat 113-96 on Monday night.
The Heat said Morris has an apparent neck injury. Jokic said he saw a replay of the altercation and recoiled when he saw how hard Morris’ head hit the floor.
“I felt bad, really bad,” Jokic said.
Will Barton scored 25 points and Jeff Green, who started in place of an injured Michael Porter Jr., added 13 points for the Nuggets. Denver held the opposition to under 100 points for the seventh time this season.
Jimmy Butler had 31 points to lead the Heat, and Duncan Robinson had 13. Read more
