Why I poured hot oil on my husband – Rivers woman (Punch)
The Rivers State woman, Favour Nweke, who bathed her husband, Ekelediri Nwokekoro, with hot groundnut oil in Okehi in Etche Local Government Area of the state, has explained what led to her action.
The woman stated this on Friday while she was paraded before journalists during a media briefing at the Rivers State Police Command’s headquarters along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
The housewife having realised the enormity of the crime had fled her home on Tuesday but was reportedly picked from her hiding place by a vigilante group and handed over to the police on Thursday morning. Read more
Wike sets up JTF on cross-border crimes, ‘one-chance’ (Vanguard)
Determined to stamp out cross-border banditry and eliminate the menace of one-chance robbers, Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has set up two joint task forces composed of all security agencies in the territory.
One-chance robbers often pose as staff drivers, pick up unsuspecting passengers and dispossess them, often harming their victims in the process and sometimes killing them.
Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Haruna Garba disclosed this on Friday evening in Abuja at the end of the FCT Security Council meeting chaired by Wike. Read more
Abass okays sign Language during legislative proceedings (Guardian)
To ensure inclusiveness for Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Tajudeen Abass, has endorsed the use of sign language during legislative proceedings.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Disability, Dr Bashiru Dawodu, made this known at a parley with the disability community in Abuja, aimed at addressing the challenges arising from the removal of fuel subsidy.
The lawmaker explained that the initiative, which is part of the legacy projects of the speaker, would be implemented soon. Read more
Occupy homes in 3 months or forfeit allocation, Lagos warns (Punch)
The Lagos State Government has stated that allottees of unoccupied home units in all government-owned estates have been given a three-month notice to occupy their apartment or forfeit their allocation.
The Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, gave this ultimatum during a facility tour to assess the level of completion on site at Sheridan Garden Estate, Urban Shelter, and LagosHOMS Sangotedo Phase II all in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area.
He said, “Allottees of unoccupied home units in all government-owned estates have been given three months’ notice to occupy their apartment or forfeit their allocation, a more robust plan has been developed to ensure a high level of maintenance culture in our estates and stringent guidelines have been reeled out for facility managers and allottees who default. Read more
Again, FG sets a new delivery date for Lagos-Ibadan Road, gives Nov deadline (Channels)
The Federal Government on Friday said the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will be delivered by November, years after reconstruction commenced on the ever-busy route.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, identified funding as a major challenge facing the project, assuring that his ministry will approach President Bola Tinubu for intervention.
“Let’s give it November,” Umahi said in reaction to when the federal road will be completed. “We may have a little bit of challenges on funding but it is something that I intend to discuss with Mr President,” he added. Read more
Tinubu reconstitutes FERMA Board (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of the Governing Board and Management team of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, for a renewable term of four four years.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale in Abuja, Friday said the appointment was in accordance with Section 2(3) of the FERMA Amendment Act, 2007:
According to the statement, Engr. Imam Ibrahim Kashim Imam is appointed Chairman of the Board, while Engr. Chukwuemeka Agbasi is the Managing Director. Read more
Ayra Starr’s “Rush” gets Grammy consideration (Independent)
One of the biggest songs of the year, ‘Rush’ by sensational singer, Ayra Starr is being considered for a Grammy Award, according to the singer. Although she didn’t reveal details about the development, the rave-of-the-moment songstress expressed gratitude to her label mates for their input on the song.
In an Instagram post, the Sabi Girl wrote; “I am excited and honoured that my song “Rush” off my debut album 19&Dangerious Deluxe is being considered for this year’s #GRAMMY Awards!
Super grateful to the creatives we worked on this together @andrevibez @unusual_mbryo @ johnnydrille and @prodhoops @louddaaa. Big thanks to the entire @mavinrecords team, @ weareplatoon, @donjazzy, @tegamavin, and @ rimouuune who all made very significant contributions. To my family, friends and Mobstarrs you all rock! Read more
APC postpones Bayelsa Governorship Campaign (DailyTrust)
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed the Bayelsa State governorship election campaign flag-off earlier slated for Saturday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed November 11 for the off-season governorship elections in Bayelsa, Kogi and Imo States.
The party, which has flagged-off its campaign in Kogi and Imo States, had fixed this Saturday for its campaign in Bayelsa. Read more
Taylor Swift Mania reigns as Eras Tour opens at New York City’s busiest movie theater (Variety)
Jennifer Gamez and Kellie Marsalli were strangers until a chance encounter at AMC Lincoln Square 13 on Friday night. As one ascended and the other descended the escalator at one of New York City’s busiest movie theaters, they swapped friendship bracelets to commemorate being among the first to watch the Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film.
“I was admiring her bracelet selection and her cat shirt,” Gamez, 33, says. Marsalli, 53, wearing a “Lover”-inspired pink suit over a feline-printed top, adds, “That’s the whole thing with Taylor Swift. She brings all ages, all backgrounds, all different personalities together.” Read more
Megan Thee Stallion says she’s currently funding her own music career (People)
Megan Thee Stallion is currently the hottie in charge of her career.
In an Instagram Live video from Oct. 11 posted by producer Max Julian that’s since been shared to X (formerly known as Twitter), the rapper, 28, revealed she is financing her next project herself and isn’t currently signed to a record label.
“I have no label right now. We’re doing everything funded straight out of Megan Thee Stallion pockets. So, the budget is coming from me. Motherf—ing hot girl productions” she said in the video, accompanied by who appears to be Julian alongside her. Read more
Coleen Rooney says in Real Wagatha Story trailer not to ‘‘play games’’ with her (BelfastTelegraph)
Coleen Rooney says not to “play games” with her in the new trailer for upcoming Disney+ series “Coleen Rooney: The Real Wagatha Story”.
The new docuseries details the events surrounding the 2022 libel trial, dubbed Wagatha Christie, after the wife of former footballer and current Birmingham City manager Wayne Rooney claimed in a social media post that Rebekah Vardy had leaked “false stories” about her to the press.
She claimed Vardy, 41, wife of footballer Jamie Vardy, was the source behind three stories in The Sun featuring fake details she had posted on her private Instagram stories in a months-long “sting operation” she carried out. Read more
BBC reaches ‘‘£9m’’ settlement with Andrew Flintoff after Top Gear crash (DailyRecord)
The BBC has reached a reported £9 million financial settlement with Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff after he was hurt in a crash while filming Top Gear.
The former England cricket captain, 45, appeared with facial injuries in public for the first time in September, nine months after he was taken to hospital after he was hurt while filming the BBC motoring show at its test track at Dunsfold Aerodrome last December.
Both Flintoff and the BBC are “satisfied” with the agreement, according to the Sun’s Saturday front page, which claimed the settlement is worth £9 million. Read more
John Carpenter “can’t believe” he watched the Barbie movie (THR)
John Carpenter said he is still surprised that he watched the Barbie movie this summer.
During an interview with the Los Angeles Times, published online Tuesday, the writer-director-composer was asked if he ever goes to a theater to watch a movie. He explained that he hadn’t “been to a movie in a while” but that he watches them at his house, including the highest-grossing movie of the year, Barbie.
“I can’t believe I watched Barbie,” Carpenter said. “It’s just not my generation. I had nothing to do with Barbie dolls. I didn’t know who Allan was. I mean, I can sum it up. She says, ‘I don’t have a vagina,’ and then at the end, ‘I’m going to go to a gynecologist!’ That’s the movie to me.” Read more
Over 4,000 residents flee their homes as major Ghana dam spills over (AfricaNews)
Over 4,000 residents in Ghana’s southeastern region have been forced to abandon their homes due to widespread flooding.
This crisis has been triggered by the overflowing of the Akosombo Dam, resulting in the devastating destruction of homes and farmlands along the banks of the River Volta.
The deluge has led to the disruption of essential services, leaving some areas without access to water and electricity. The Ghanaian government, in an official statement on Friday, confirmed that thousands of people in at least nine districts have been displaced as a direct consequence of the flooding, local media reported. Read more
China frees Australian journalist after over 3 years’ detention (VOA)
China has released Australian journalist Cheng Lei, who had been in detention for over three years. The announcement was made by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who added that Lei was already back home in Melbourne. Lei, who was accused of spying, worked for China Central Television’s English-language channel.
Australian journalist Cheng Lei was tried in China behind closed doors, and any verdict has not been made public. Australian officials say she has been released after legal proceedings against her came to an end.
A high-profile anchor for China’s state-run English language news service, CGTN, Lei was arrested in August 2020 and accused of “supplying state secrets overseas” — an allegation she denied. Read more
Eagles held by Falcons in Portugal (Punch)
The Super Eagles were held to a 2-2 draw by Saudi Arabia’s Green Facons in an international friendly match played at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão in Portugal on Friday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Nigeria came from a 1-0 down to lead Saudis 2-1 in the entertaining game but Jose Pesiero’s men let their opponents off the hook in the stoppage time to leave the game all squared.
The Eagles started the game on the front foot and their high pressing got them a chance in just the 2nd minute of the game as Napoli superstar Victor Osimhen flicked the ball on towards Samuel Chukwueze who failed to control the ball and squandered the opportunity. Read more
Kylian Mbappe could be forced to sack his own mum due to rule change (DailyStar)
Kylian Mbappe may have to sack his own mother due to a rule change regarding agents.
Mbbape’s mum, Fayza Lamari, is one of her son’s representatives and was involved with his record-breaking move from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. She has been busy recently too, with Mbappe embroiled in a standoff with PSG over his future over the summer.
The Paris giants were keen for him to move on so they could recoup a transfer fee, with his contract due to expire next summer. Real Madrid are long-term admirers of the French superstar and are widely expected to sign Mbappe at some point. Read more
Latvia U21 1-2 Republic of Ireland U21: Jim Crawford’s side maintain winning start to Euro 2025 qualifying (BBC)
A brace from FC Zurich’s Armstrong Oko-Flex helped the Republic of Ireland to defeat Latvia 2-1 in their U21 Euro 2025 qualifier in Jelgava.
Oko-Flex opened the scoring on 15 minutes before adding a second before the hour mark.
Jim Crawford’s men had plenty of chances to further extend their lead before Lukkas Vapne pulled a goal back for Latvia in injury time. Read more
Alastair Cook: Former England captain retires from cricket as country’s record Test run-scorer (Sky)
Former England captain Alastair Cook has announced his retirement from professional cricket.
Cook, 38, made the last of his 161st Test appearances in 2018 but continued to represent the county he spent his entire career with, Essex, until the final match of their 2023 campaign in late September.
The left-handed opener’s 12,472 Test runs is the most by any English batter, placing him fifth on the all-time list. His 33 Test centuries are also the most by an English player. Read more
Messi comes off bench as Argentina wins World Cup qualifier (ESPN)
Lionel Messi came off the bench early in the second half of Argentina’s 1-0 win over Paraguay in World Cup qualifying in Buenos Aires on Thursday night.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni left Messi, who is recovering from a leg injury, out of his starting XI for its third CONMEBOL qualifier thus far, staring Porto winger Nico Gonzalez, Man City’s Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez of Inter Milan at the top of his formation.
Nicolas Otamendi opened the scoring early in the game with a nice volley to give a dominant Argentina the lead at half-time and Messi began to warm up shortly after the break to the delight of the home crowd at Monumental. Read more
Scotland slip to defeat in Spain but qualification hopes remain alive (ITV)
Scotland suffered their first Euro 2024 qualifying defeat with a 2-0 loss in Spain but qualification hopes remain alive.
The Scots had won their first five Group A qualifiers including a 2-0 win over the Spanish at Hampden Park in March and needed to take something from the return game in Seville or Norway fail to beat Cyprus, to qualify on the night.
In a stifling warm evening, the Scots survived some heavy first-half pressure to go in at the break goalless before Scott McTominay, who scored both goals against Spain in Glasgow, fired in a wonderful free-kick in the 59th minute only to see it ruled out after a VAR check for a Jack Hendry infringement. Read more