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What!!! UK records 35,928 new Covid-19 cases in one day

WHO says that Covid-19 is proving exceptionally difficult to stop.

The UK has recorded its highest ever daily rise in coronavirus infections, with 35,928 new Covid-19 cases reported on Sunday December 20, as the new Covid strain causes a 94.8 percent rise in infections.

This brings the total number of coronavirus cases in the UK to more than 2.04 million. 

A further 326 deaths within 28 days of a positive test for the virus were also announced on Sunday, taking the UK’s death toll to 67,401. 

The new  strain – called ‘VUI – 202012/01’ – is 70 percent more infectious and makes up 60 percent of London’s new cases, Boris Johnson revealed on Saturday. 

He also warned that the strain could increase the crucial R rate by 0.4.

The government has also introduced toughened restrictions in London and the southeast of England to try to curb the spread of a new, fast-spreading variant of the virus, while Wales has entered another national lockdown. 

Nicola Sturgeon has banned travel in and out of Scotland.

Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said the decision to put millions into an effective lockdown under tier 4 measures was taken rapidly after evidence showed the new strain was responsible for spiralling cases. 

The move was followed by several EU nations halting flights coming from Britain over concerns about the new Covid-19 strain known as VUI 202012/01, with Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Italy all announcing restrictions on UK travel.

By Jide N.

Josi Maria dies @ 24 after her long battle with anorexia

isis Mozambique

Instagram influencer, Josi Maria, known for documenting her life struggles with anorexia on social media, has passed away aged 24.


Maria, from Kiel in northern Germany, gained more than 135,000 followers after opening up about her eating disorder and shared images of her day-to-day life.


Maria often shared posts warning others about anorexia and encouraging them to open up about their own struggles. 

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Just days before her death, she told her Instagram fans she didn’t want to be someone who dies of anorexia.


According to reports, she recently flew to Gran Canaria for a holiday, but her mother has now announced she passed away shortly after the flight to Canaria.
Maria was said to be travelling with her friend Vanja Resova after the pair struck up a friendship last year over the internet.

According to German newspaper Bild, Resova said the two friends booked a one-way ticket to Gran Canaria during lockdown.

The magazine also said Maria had two coffees ahead of the flight but ‘hadn’t eaten for two days’.


According to her mum, Maria is said to have died of heart failure after suffering circulatory problems and poor health as a result of her anorexia.


Her mother commented on her last Instagram post, dated three weeks ago, explaining Maria fell asleep in her friend’s arms while on holiday and never woke up.

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She wrote:

The day before I held you dear Josi in my arms, we went shopping and you are looking forward to Christmas and your vacation. The following night you fell asleep peacefully in your girlfriend’s arms on Gran Canaria. Your little heart just stopped beating.

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Maria’s mother described her as ‘an angel on Earth’, adding: ‘For your fight against this serious illness we admired you to the last and still had to watch helplessly as you lost this fight.’

Recalling her final moments, her friend, Resova said:

Josi asked if I could give her a brief hug and lie down with her for a moment. I then did that in the hope that she would eat something. I fell asleep shortly after her.

When I woke up shortly after midnight, I noticed that she was no longer breathing. I tried to wake her up. When it didn’t work out, I went down to reception to get help.


Resova shared a tribute to Maria on Instagram, writing (translated):


She has motivated many of you every day to see the positive in everything and to stay strong.

As God wanted, she is now upstairs with the angels and looks down at us. It leaves a great void.

Your message that we should never forget: “It is important that you stand by yourself and say yes I need help.” Accepting help is a sign of strength.


May her soul rest in peace.

By Jide N.

SIM Deactivation: Large crowd flocks NIMC office, flouting COVID19 protocols (photos)

As the two-week deadline for the deactivation of sim cards not linked to their National Identification numbers draw near, residents in Lagos state this morning stormed the Alausa office of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) in Lagos.

The federal government, through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, this month issued a two-week ultimatum to all telecommunications operators in the country to block all Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs) without National Identification Number (NIN).

Photos shared online shows that those who visited the NIMC office flouted all COVID19 protocols such as social distancing. 

Nigeria is currently experiencing the second wave of the viral disease. 

The House of Representatives has asked the NCC to extend the two-week ultimatum to ten weeks but the Commission is yet to make a public reversal of its notice as of Monday.

See more photos of the Lagos state residents at the NIMC office below

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By Francisca C.

A Malaysian Couple holds 10,000 people drive-thru wedding due to Covid-19 restrictions (photos)

Kano crashes beer bottles

A couple in Malaysia found a way to negotiate past the covid-19 pandemic as they hosted a large drive-thru wedding with over 10,000 people in attendance.

Covid-19 restrictions in the country state that weddings must not exceed 20 people but groom Tengku Muhammed Hafiz, who is the son of influential politician and former cabinet minister Tengku Adnan found a way to get married to bride Oceane Alagia in a Covid-secure manner.

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On Sunday morning, December 20, the newly-weds were seated outside a grand government building in Putrajaya, south of the capital Kuala Lumpur, while guests slowly drove past in their cars.

The windows had to remain rolled up and guests only got a socially distant wave from the wedding party.

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It took about three hours until all 10,000 attendees had passed by.


Sticking with the social distancing rules, the guests were treated to a dinner – although they had to pick up their pre-packed food through their car window and drive on

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It was also the birthday of the groom Tengku Muhammed Hafiz .


“I am informed that there are more than 10,000 cars here since this morning,” the proud father, former cabinet minister Tengku Adnan, wrote on Facebook, sharing pictures of the event.


“Me and my family are very honoured. Thank you all for understanding and adhering to all procedures made by drive-thru attendance without getting out of the car.”


Malaysia has over 92,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 430 deaths 


More photos below.

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The New Strain of Coronavirus that is just reported in London – Doctors raises alarm

France battles covid19

UK-based Nigerian doctor and social media influencer, Dr Olufunmilayo has raised an alarm of a new mutated Coronavirus which have been reported in London, United Kingdom. 

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In tweets he shared, Olufunmilayo revealed that many countries in Europe like Germany, Italy, France, Belgium and Holland have now banned flights from UK due to the new mutated fast-spreading strain of Coronavirus.

He also advised those who arrived Nigeria from the UK to isolate for 14 days and call the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control if they develop fever, cough, breathlessness.

He tweeted; 

ATTENTION: There’s a new mutated coronavirus that is just reported in London UK. It is described “out of control” and “very infectious”. France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Holland, Belgium, and Bulgaria have all banned flights from UK over this. RT this for Nigerian Authorities.

9am today, UK recorded almost 36,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. This is the highest ever daily increase in Covid cases in UK since the pandemic started. It is highly suspected that this new mutated virus strain may be responsible. 

Many countries in Europe like Germany, Italy, France, Belgium and Holland have now banned flights from UK due to a new mutated fast-spreading strain of Coronavirus. These are countries who have vaccines. Nigeria has no vaccine yet. Pls I beg Nigeria Govt, Kindly look into this.

If you just came from UK into Nigeria, pls isolate for 14 days and call @NCDCgov if you develop fever, cough, breathlessness. There’s a mutated strain of Coronavirus in London right now. Nigerians, pls don’t be quick to see an IJGB. Before they give you Covid cos of chocolates.

Countries that have banned UK flights: 1.France 2.Italy 3.Germany 4.Austria 5.Netherlands 6.Kuwait 7.Belgium 8.Turkey 9.Denmark 10.Israel 11.Ireland 12.Bulgaria 13.Latvia 14.El Salvador 15.Romania 16.Luxembourg 17.Czech Republic But Nigeria still dey do sho ni CC, fall in.

By Jide N.

Egyptian boxer who was accused of killing his daughter has been extradited from Egypt to New York to face trial

An Egyptian boxer who represented his country in the Olympics has been extradited from Egypt back to New York to face charges after being accused of murdering his daughter on Staten Island 

Kabary Salem, 52, was indicted on November 5, for murdering his 25-year-old daughter Ola Salem in October 2019.

He fled the U.S. shortly after her body was found by a jogger in Staten Island’s Bloomingdale Park.

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The fully-clothed body was said to have been dragged through the woods some 30 feet, then covered in leaves.

In March he posted on Instagram: ‘I miss you and love you rip my love ola Kabary Salem.’

According to The New York Post, officials of the New York Police Department’s regional fugitive task force tracked him down on December 3 in Egypt, and brought him back to New York on Friday.

His daughter, who lived in Rosebank, was an advocate for Muslim women suffering from domestic violence through her volunteer work at the New York City-based Asiyah Women’s Center, before her death. 

Kabary Salem, as a 24-years-old, fought for Egypt in the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona as a light-middleweight, online records show. Four years later, as a middleweight, he fought at the 1996 Atlanta summer Olympic games.

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The boxer, dubbed “The Egyptian Magician,” then turned professional. He maintained a 23-5 record that spanned from 1997 to 2005, according to BoxRec.com, a site that tracks the careers of professional boxers.

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He killed one opponent, Randie Carver, in the ring in Kansas City in September 1999 after repeatedly headbutting him.

Carver, who never regained consciousness after being knocked out in the 10th round, died two days later from blunt head trauma.

By Kingsley U.

Manchester United and England legend, Wayne Rooney’s son, Kai signs with Man Utd

Manchester United and England legend, Wayne Rooney said it was a proud day to see his son, Kai, sign for his former club.

11-year-old Kai was pictured alongside his dad and mum Coleen putting pen to paper on a contract at the Old Trafford club.

Rooney took to Twitter to celebrate his son, telling him to keep up the hard work.

Wayne played for United from 2004 until 2017.

The former England international is United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals from 559 appearances.

Rooney now plays for Championship club Derby County, for whom he is also currently serving as interim manager.

By Usman O.

Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge suffered a huge blow

Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge suffered a huge blow as Leicester moved above them into second with an impressive 2-0 away win on Sunday.

Jamie Vardy’s penalty and a Toby Alderweireld own goal moved the Foxes four points behind leaders Liverpool as for once Harry Kane and Son Heung-min failed to dig Spurs out of trouble.

Jose Mourinho’s men were top of the table until a last-minute winner for Liverpool gave the champions a 2-1 victory on Wednesday but they are now six points behind Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Leicester have six wins from seven away games in the Premier League this season and fans will begin to dream of a repeat of their 2016 title triumph.

“I thought over the course of the game we were outstanding and it was a very good win for us,” Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports.

But he added: “We have to start winning at home. The group is learning all the time and that’s why we’re nowhere near the finished product.”

Klopp described Spurs as a “counter-attacking monster” but their deficiencies when not allowed the ability to break were exposed by Leicester’s clever game plan.

The Foxes did not leave themselves exposed and posed the greater threat in transition.

A cagey first half of few chances saw James Maddison’s long-range shot well held by Hugo Lloris, while Kane headed over Son’s corner.

But Tottenham were undone by a moment of madness by Serge Aurier in the closing seconds of the opening period when he barged into Wesley Fofana just inside the area.

A VAR review was needed before referee Craig Pawson pointed to the spot and Vardy drilled home his sixth spot-kick of the league season.x

Bale disappoints

Mourinho saw enough in the first 45 minutes to throw on Gareth Bale for the second half — his first Premier League appearance since early November.

But in keeping with the Welshman’s second spell in north London since rejoining on loan from Real Madrid, Bale struggled to make an impact.

Only a few millimetres denied Leicester a second in a bright start to the second half for the visitors as Maddison latched onto a ball over the top from James Justin and fired beyond Lloris, only for a VAR review to rule the goal out for offside.

Mourinho had sacrificed Tanguy Ndombele to bring on Bale and then lost his other midfield creator, Giovani Lo Celso, to a hamstring injury.

Lucas Moura replaced the Argentine to form a front four alongside Kane, Son and Bale, but Spurs became disjointed and were easily picked off by the Leicester counter-attack.

Tottenham inflicted more damage on themselves for the second goal as Vardy’s header at the back post was turned into his own net by Alderweireld.

Kasper Schmeichel produced a sensational stop to deny Son at the back post, which would have given Spurs a lifeline 20 minutes from time.

Leicester should have won by an even more comfortable margin as Youri Tielemans blazed over and Harvey Barnes saw appeals for a second penalty turned away.

But two goals were enough for Rodgers to get the better of Mourinho for the first time in his managerial career and show that Leicester deserve to be taken seriously as contenders for a top-four finish.

“It is not a good week in terms of results,” said Mourinho. “We could be here as the ones that broke Liverpool’s record at Anfield and going into this game on a high.

“We started this game from the low of that disappointment and not getting what we deserved from that match, but Leicester also lost in their last match but came with a positive attitude. It’s a game that we’ve lost with the penalty and the own goal.”

By Usman O.

“Little boy left to starve to death 5 years ago” becomes best man at a wedding in Akwa Ibom today

Hope, who was branded a witch by his family and left to starve to death, was the best man at a wedding of one of the team members that rescued him five years ago in Eket, Akwa Ibom.

"Little boy left to starve to death 5 years ago" becomes best man at a wedding in Akwa Ibom today*

Recall that Hope, then an emaciated 2-year-old, was rescued by Danish aid, Anja Ringgren Loven and her team on January 31, 2016, after he was found wandering the streets for eight months.  

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Ms Loven on Sunday, shared photos of a stylish and handsome Hope at the wedding of Land of Hope’s Education Officer, which took place last weekend.

She wrote;

“In exactly 40 days today we are going to celebrate that Hope was rescued 5 years ago. To be exact, Hope was rescued on the 30 of January 2016.

I cannot wait 40 days to share these pictures of Hope. He is simply to cute and handsome. Last week Hope was best man at Don Udowan, our Education officer’s wedding and Hope just shined like a little star.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe that 5 years have already passed. I remember the day we rescued Hope as if it was yesterday.

As most of you know I have the name HOPE tattooed on my fingers. A tattoo I got many years ago even long before I ever travelled to Nigeria. Because for more than a decade now it’s been my mission in life to: Help One Person Everyday: HOPE

Many of you have been following our work since we rescued Hope and witnessed his amazing transformation. He is a SURVIVOR and one day he will be old enough to travel the world and tell his story.

We owe everything to you, our followers, sponsors, supporters and members. 

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By Jide N.

A Gambian filmmaker, shares his inspiring story as he welcomes first biological child after two failed marriages

A filmmaker from Gambia, who has low sperm count has welcomed his first biological child with his third wife after two failed marriages.

A Gambian filmmaker, shares his inspiring story as he welcomes first biological child after two failed marriages*

Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu, a University of Stirling UK graduate took to Facebook on Saturday, December 19, to share his inspiring story and encourage men in similar situation not to lose hope. 

According to him, his fertility issue was the side effect of intensive medication he took following Tuberculosis ailment he suffered in the early 2000s.

Read his post below: 

A Gambian filmmaker, shares his inspiring story as he welcomes first biological child after two failed marriages*

GOD’S TIME IS THE BEST, ALAS, I AM A BIOLOGICAL FATHER, DEFEATING MALE FERTILITY ISSUES.

Being childless in our African society can be brutally traumatizing. My first and second marriages failed due to delayed child-bearing.

In the proverbial “third time lucky” context, my current legitimate wife, Fatimah Sankanu Gerew and I are blessed with our first beautiful common biological daughter on Friday, 04th December 2020. Our child was born at the prestigious Vincenz Palloti Hospital (VPH) in Bergisch Gladbach-Bensberg, Germany. VPH is a UNICEF and WHO certified baby-friendly hospital.

Our daughter’s official names are: PRINCESS BALAQESHA BUBACARR SANKANU. Balaqesha is the local Sarahulleh (Soninke) variation of the QUEEN OF SHEBA or Bilkis in Arabic.

The big traditional naming ceremony will take place in Sotuma Sere, Jimara District, URR, The Gambia, sometime in 2021.

To all the men who share my fate in delayed reproduction, DO NOT LOSE HOPE. Society will stigmatize and ridicule one as impotent and so on. Remain faithful and maintain a positive state of mind. Find out the cause of the reproduction delays and seek help.

My fertility issue of low sperm count was the side effect of intensive medication following Tuberculosis ailment in the early 2000s. Thanks to continuous detoxification of my body coupled with a healthier living standard, I overcame the problem.

Our society has a primitive way of seeing low sperm count as impotence even if erectional function remains perfect.

I have done my part in breaking the taboo on male fertility in our society as a way of inspiring others not to lose self-confidence.

Warmest regards,

Prince Bubacarr Aminata Sanka

A Gambian filmmaker, shares his inspiring story as he welcomes first biological child after two failed marriages*
A Gambian filmmaker, shares his inspiring story as he welcomes first biological child after two failed marriages*
A Gambian filmmaker, shares his inspiring story as he welcomes first biological child after two failed marriages*
A Gambian filmmaker, shares his inspiring story as he welcomes first biological child after two failed marriages*
A Gambian filmmaker, shares his inspiring story as he welcomes first biological child after two failed marriages*
A Gambian filmmaker, shares his inspiring story as he welcomes first biological child after two failed marriages*

By Francisca C.

“I will hand over power on May 29, 2023” – President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally addressed the rumours claiming that he plans to cling to power – The Nigerian leader revealed why he occasionally visits his home town in Katsina state – Buhari suggested that there is a conspiracy behind the abduction of students in Kankara

An emerging report indicates President Muhammadu Buhari does not plan to remain in power longer than stipulated by the Nigerian constitution. The president has disclosed that he will hand over power to the next administration on May 29, 2023, PM News reported.

Buhari has repeatedly dismissed rumours of nurturing a third term agenda. Photo: Femi Adesina Source: Facebook He made the disclosure on Friday, December 18, when he addressed the rescued Kankara schoolboys and representatives of their parents in the banquet hall at the Katsina state government house.

Buhari said:

“I normally visit my home town because I swore by the holy Quran that I will safeguard the nation’s constitution, hence I must hand over power on May 29, 2023 to the next government. “So, if God spares my life, I’ll definitely come home. This informed my visits home.’’

The president also has claimed that the abduction of some students from a government-owned school in Kankara, Katsina state was a deliberate attempt to embarrass his administration. According to Vanguard, he said it was not a coincidence that the abduction occurred on the very day he visited his hometown, Daura.

Buhari promised the rescued students that his administration would do all it could to prevent future occurrence of the incident. Meanwhile, following the spate of insecurity across the country, President Buhari has finally admitted that the effort of Nigeria’s security chiefs against insurgency is not enough.

The president made this known in a meeting held with the service chiefs at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, December 17. He bemoaned the abysmal performance of the heads of security agencies in the fight against insurgents in the country. In another news, Professor Usman Yusuf, a popular northern leader, has made a prediction about the next general elections in Nigeria.

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Yusuf, who was a former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), said politicians preparing for the 2023 election are living on false hope. He emphasised that the 2023 general elections would never hold, especially in the north, given the level of insecurity in the country.

By Jide N.

Covid19 Woes, Man commits suicide in Imo (graphic)

An unidentified young man committed suicide in Uratta Owerri North LGA, Imo State on Friday, December 18.


The deceased did not leave any suicide note so the reason for his dastard act is unknown. However, his neighbors claim he might have decided to take his life due to  economic hardship and hunger. His body has since been removed from the tree where it was found.

See graphic photo below

Covid19 Woes, Man commits suicide in Imo (graphic) *

By Jide N.

United Airlines passenger dies after displaying Covid-19 symptoms

A passenger on a United jet with nearly 200 others onboard was pronounced dead shortly after the pilot made an emergency landing.

The passenger had filled out a required checklist before flying on Monday, Dec 14, saying he had not tested positive for the novel coronavirus and did not have symptoms.

United says now that “it is apparent the passenger wrongly acknowledged this requirement.”

According to reports, the man was on the plane shaking and sweating, as the jet was making its way from Orlando to Los Angeles. The situation became so dire the pilot made an emergency landing in New Orleans.

Medics performed CPR on the man, to no avail. He died at a local hospital.

Though the passenger declared he was not diagnosed with COVID and had no COVID-related symptoms, some social media users who said they were also on the flight reported that the man’s wife said he had symptoms of the virus, including loss of taste and smell.

United Airlines passenger dies after displaying Covid-19 symptoms*

United said that despite people overhearing that information, no medical professionals confirmed that the man had the coronavirus at the time.

United Airlines said Friday, Dec 18, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had requested the passenger manifest of an Orlando-to-Los-Angeles flight that diverted to New Orleans because of a medical emergency on Monday, Dec 14.

United referred questions about the man’s coronavirus status to the CDC.

“CDC is in the process of collecting information and proceeding according to our standard operating procedures to determine if further public health action is appropriate,” spokeswoman Caitlin Shockey said in an email. “To protect the privacy of the individual, we are not providing this information to the public.”

The CDC is now scrambling to contact the 179 passengers who were onboard.

By Jide N.

Nigerian doctor kills wife, attempts to strangle his two sons before committing suicide in Texas

Sugar Land police in Texas are investigating the death of a Nigerian couple found dead in apparent murder-suicide. 

The husband and wife identified as Benjamin Okigbo and Theresa Okigbo were found dead at their Greatwood home on Friday morning, December 18.

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The discovery was made around 10:05 am at the Greatwood Subdivision in the 1500 block of Brookstone Lane. Police said the case is being investigated as a murder-suicide.

On Saturday, Police said that their investigation revealed that Benjamin Okigbo strangled Theresa Okigbo to death. He then attempted to kill both of his 21-year-old sons by strangling them before he eventually killed himself by hanging.

Both of the sons survived the attack with injuries that are not life-threatening. They are both receiving treatment at a hospital. 

On Friday morning, the couple’s daughter, who doesn’t live at the home, went there after she became concerned. She then called 911 and told the dispatchers that her parents were dead.

“One of the kids dialed 911 apparently there was a fight or disturbance going on inside the residence,” Police chief Eric Robbins said. 

When officers arrived, they found the couple’s bodies inside. They were both in their 50s.

Many neighbours were shocked when they heard the news. One said the couple had lived in the Greatwood home for about 20 years. She said she spoke to the wife a few days ago and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

The investigation remains ongoing. 

Kingsley U.

Marcus Rashford to sign new £300k a week Manchester United deal

Manchester United star, Marcus Rashford is in line for a lucrative new contract at Manchester United, according to reports by Daily Star. 


According to the UK publication, the English forward will sign an extension in the new year which will bolster his £200,000-a-week salary, having impressed for Manchester United so far in 2020-21.

The report reads: “The England superstar’s current deal runs until 2023 and has the option of an extra 12 months.”


“But his rapid progress to becoming one of the best players in the world has made United bosses bring forward their plans to secure Rashford’s long term future at Old Trafford.”

Marcus Rashford *


It is understood executive vice chairman Ed Woodward will open negotiations with Rashford and his representatives in the next two months.


Woodward is keen to offer the 23-year-old a new five-year deal worth around £300,000-a-week that reflects his growing status and influence in the team.”


“The United chief wants to tie him down to a new deal before next summer’s Euros, when the striker will be one of the main attractions and could enhance his reputation even further.”


Rashford is in the best form of his career after plundering 12 goals for United this season – and his heroics have caught the attention of Europe’s top clubs, including Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris St Germain.”

By Lucky B.

Police declared a man wanted for sexually assaulting two horses

The New Orleans Police Department has declared a man wanted for committing “unnatural sex acts with two horses.” 


Police say the animal abuse incident happened at around 2:15 a.m. at stables on Filmore Ave. in New Orleans City Park on Tuesday, December 15. 

“An unknown male wearing a striped shirt with a distinctive tattoo on his right arm entered a cluster of stables in the 1000 block of Filmore Avenue and committed unnatural sex acts with two horses,” the New Orleans Police Department announced Wednesday, including images of the young man sought with their post.


One of the horses belongs to Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman’s office, according to Nola.com. It’s unclear who owns the other.


The suspect is wanted on a felony charge of sexual abuse of an animal, a crime created by a state anti-bestiality law passed in 2018. It carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 for a first offense. 

Convicted offenders are also forbidden from living or working with animals and must undergo psychological evaluation and treatment at their own expense.

The police department is asking anyone that has info on the gross crime or the suspect in the photo to contact detectives at (504) 0658-6030 or place an anonymous call to Crimestoppers of Greater New Orleans at (504) 822-1111 or toll-free at (877) 903-STOP.

By Jide N.

2-year old toddler,‘strangled to death and thrown in oven by grandparents’ for crying too loud

A toddler was allegedly strangled to death and thrown in an oven by his grandparents after he “cried too much” while they were babysitting.

Parents Maria, 20, and Dmitry, 25, returned home in the Kuybyshevsky district of Novokuznetsk, Russia, to find only the clothes of their son Dima, 2. They discovered his remains dumped outside the house in the snow, according to law enforcement in Russia.

The grandparents, aged 52 and 48, were both “heavily drunk” as they became irritated with the little boy’s tears, Plohie Novosti reports.

The accused couple, who have not been named in Russian media, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

A statement from the Russian Investigative Committee (IC) in the Kemerovo region said:

“They located the little boy’s clothes in the house, but not him.

“The grandparents were both in the state of strong alcoholic intoxication.

“Next to the house the parents found the body of their son in the snow, and called investigators of local IC and police.

2-year old toddler,‘strangled to death and thrown in oven by grandparents’ for crying too loud*

“Forensic analysis will establish the exact reason for the little boy’s death.”

The child’s other grandmother posted online saying: “Our poor little boy, how could we not save you?”

By Jide N.

Nigeria may start manufacturing vaccines – NAFDAC

Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye has disclosed that Nigeria will start manufacturing vaccines soon. 

Adeyeye who said this at NAFDAC’s Staff Recognition Award Ceremony for 2019 and 2020 on Friday December 18, said the upgrading of existing laboratories across the country and achieving the ISO 9001 in June 2019, which is the world’s most recognised Quality Management System (QMS) standard, places the country in good standing to strive to get to maturity level three, which enables the country manufacture its own vaccines.

She said; 

 “NAFDAC is a leading national regulator in Africa. The Agency is driven by international standards and best practices.

“Our new normal started three years ago when we started quality management system that now makes us to focus more on the customers, the image of the organisation in order to ensure that we are a standard operating procedure-driven organisation. This led us to achieving ISO 9001 in 2019 June. We moved on to the global benchmarking where we adopted international best practices and we are still adopting international best practices.

“With regards to the establishment of the World Health Organization’s (WHO’s) global benchmarking and adoption of international best practices, we want to get to maturity level three so that Nigeria can manufacture her own vaccines, and we are all working on this every day.

“We are upgrading the agency’s laboratories to international standards using equipment that are compliant to ISO 17025. NAFDAC laboratories are changing very rapidly with improvements in new equipment and supplies.

“Our four laboratories that were accredited before I came have received re-accreditation. We have also gotten a new lab – the Yaba Biologies and Vaccines Lab accredited for the first time. And our two other labs will be accredited very soon.

“In similar efforts to enhance the local production of pharmaceuticals in Nigeria, the agency has renewed and updated its 5 + 5 validity policy because we want local content. We want more local manufacturing – to reverse it from 70 percent imports to 70 percent locally manufactured products.

“We are building traceability because our supply chain is chaotic to say the least. Now we have adopted traceability of track and trace that will make sure that the products that leave the manufacturers site is what the patient is taking. This is a technologically-driven initiative, and NAFDAC is the second country in Africa to adopt this. We are using this for covid-19 vaccines when they come.

“NAFDAC is leading on the continent in terms of ensuring that the covid-19 vaccines can be tracked and traced to the patients and also adverse long reactions can be monitored. This is our new normal and it is because we are changing the way we think because we want to safeguard the health of our people.”

On the agency’s finances, Adeyeye added; 

“We created directorate for cost budgeting because part of quality management system is to have financial sanity. I inherited N3.2 billion debt.

“NAFDAC is now solvent because we have removed NAFDAC from insolvency by paying the debt of N3.01 billion in one year. We have learnt lessons, and we are still learning lessons of how not to be wasteful, and how to conserve for the rainy day.”

By Lucky B.

A Tennessee Nurse in US faints live on TV minutes after getting Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine

A Tennessee nurse fainted live on television just 17 minutes after getting the Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. 


Nurse Tiffany Dover was among the first nurses in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to receive the vaccine on Thursday, December 17. 


She was having an interview with local news outlet News Channel 9 when the incident occurred.  


‘It’s really… I’m sorry I’m feeling really dizzy. I’m sorry…’ she said as she suddenly started feeling unwell before dropping to the ground with two colleagues rushing to catch her.  

image 35

After recovering, she and her colleagues insisted it had nothing to do with the vaccine but a condition that causes her to collapse when she feels pain.


‘It is a reaction that can happen very frequently with any vaccine or shot,’  said Dr. Jesse Tucker, Medical Director of critical care medicine at CHI Memorial, who also received the vaccine.
 

By Jide N.

The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe is reportedly divided after its pastor marries his secretary few months after wife’s death

The Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) in Zimbabwe is reportedly divided following the wedding of a Pastor and his secretary, four months after the cleric’s wife died. 

H-Metro reported that Reverend Amon Chinyemba wedded his secretary Nyaradzo Chibhememe last weekend, in an elaborate ceremony which was officiated by Rev Manyika in Hatfield. Reverend Chinyemba is said to belong to an AFM faction led by Reverend Cossum Chiangwa.

The wedding ceremony left many with mixed feelings as they wondered if it was appropriate for Chinyemba to marry so soon after the death of his wife Siphiwe Chinyemba.

While there are speculation of the two being romantically involved before the death of the reverend’s wife in August, others said the Reverend got married so quickly because he needed a wife to be eligible to challenge for AFM presidency next year.

Reverend Peter Kefias, spokesperson for the Reverend Chiangwa led AFM however debunked the claim and further insisted that there was nothing untoward about the wedding because Reverend Chinyemba had followed all cultural and traditional protocols following the death of his wife.

He said; 

“Rev Chinyemba had no pressure to marry his new wife Nyaradzo Chibhememe who has been widowed for the past 20 years.

“The two fell into a relationship for one and half months before tying the knot and his three daughters-Prudence, Patience and Precious-are grown-ups and married.

“Yes, Prudence was supposed to be married according to custom on 12th December 2020. The date was moved to next year to allow the wedding to take place.”

On speculation of Reverend Chinyemba being romantically involved with his secretary before his wife’s death, Kefas revealed that Chinyemba had tried to wed a widow from another pentecostal church ZAOGA. It was gathered that he turned on his secretary after the marriage plans with the widow didn’t work out. 

The spokesperson added; 

“Rev Chinyemba’s marriage was not a secret and at one time he met Dr Ezekiel Guti with the intention to be allowed to marry one of the ZAOGA widows, but it was not God’s will. (sic)

“He saw it best to take his secretary as his wife since she has been widowed for some years and he took AFM Council co-workers as part of his bridal crew.

“Those who are making noise about this wedding could of the other faction as you know that the AFM split is still pending before the courts of law.

“We would like to suggest that church politics is at play here and might be the other faction members who are up to tarnish Rev Chinyemba’s name.”

Reverend Kefas Mujokori also insisted that there is no law in the AFM’s constitution which bars widowed or single members from contesting for any church position.

By Lucky B.

North Korea publicly executes a fishing captain for listening to foreign radio

A North Korean fishing boat captain was executed in public for listening to a banned foreign radio station, it is claimed. 

The US government-funded Radio Free Asia said that the mariner was put to death after admitting he had listened to its broadcasts for more than 15 years, Mail Online reported. 

It was reported that the man had been picking up the foreign airwaves while out at sea and listening to news broadcasts and radio programming.

A source told RFA that the boat captain, known as Choi, was executed by firing squad in front of 100 other fisheries workers.  

North Korea publicly executes a fishing captain for listening to foreign radio*

The man, who was the owner of a fleet of over 50 ships, is said to have confessed after one of his crew members turned him into authorities at a base in the port city of Chongjin. 

An official in North Hamgyong province claimed that Choi had started listening to foreign broadcasts when he was a radio operator in the military. 

After leaving the military, he continued the habit – leaving him exposed to charges of ‘subversion against the party’, it is claimed. 

A subsequent crackdown at the fishing base also led to party officials and security officers being dismissed, it is reported.  

‘In mid-October, a captain of a fishing boat from Chongjin was executed by firing squad, on charges of listening to Radio Free Asia regularly over a long period of time,’ a source said. 

‘The provincial security department defined his crime as an attempt of subversion against the party. 

‘They publicly shot him at the base in front of 100 other captains and managers of the facility’s fish processing plants,’ the source added. 

‘They also dismissed or discharged party officials, the base’s administration and the security officers who allowed Choi to work at sea.’ 

The captain appeared to be ‘under the illusion that because he was part of Bureau 39’s fishing base, a shadowy wing of the party which obtains foreign currency for North Korean leaders, he would be immune to criminal charges’, a source said. 

However, one of his crew members reported him to the security department, leading to his downfall. 

A second source said: ‘One of the fishermen sought vengeance for Choi’s arrogant and disrespectful behaviour so he reported him to the security department.’

Foreign radio stations can be received in some parts of North Korea, but Kim Jong-un’s regime keeps a strict grip on what should be known to the public. 

The second source claimed it is ‘common’ for fishermen to listen to foreign broadcasts such as RFA when they go out to sea.

‘Therefore, it seems that the authorities made an example out of Choi to imprint on the residents that listening to outside radio stations means death,’ the source claimed. 

Radio Free Asia, which is funded by Washington and has an office in Seoul, broadcasts six hours of programming a day to North Korea, according to Mail Online. 

By Jide N.

Forbes’ highest-paid YouTube kid stars of 2020, one earned over $29m a year

The highest-paid YouTube stars of 2020 have been revealed, and a 9-year-old boy holds the title of highest-paid YouTuber for the third year running.

Child influencer, Ryan Kaji, from Texas racked in nearly $30m in a year from “unboxing” and reviewing toys and games on YouTube, nabbing 12.2 billion views.

Forbes’ highest-paid YouTube kid stars of 2020, one earned over $29m a year*

According to Forbes, the 9-year-old made $29.5m (£22m) from his YouTube channel Ryan’s World, as well as a further estimated $200m from Ryan’s World branded toys and clothing, including Marks & Spencer pyjamas. 

He also signed an undisclosed, but likely multimillion-dollar deal for his own TV series on Nickelodeon.

Kaji, first began making YouTube videos in March 2015 after watching other toy review channels and asking his mother, “How come I’m not on YouTube when all the other kids are?”

All earnings estimates are from June 1, 2019, through June 1, 2020.

Jimmy Donaldson, a.k.a. Mr. Beast, is in at No. 2, earning approximately $24 million with three billion views. Dude Perfect is at No. 3 on the list, earning $23 million with 2.77 billion views.

See full list below. 

1. Ryan Kaji

$29.5 million

2. Mr. Beast

$24 million

3. Dude Perfect

$23 million

4. Rhett and Link

$20 million

5. Markiplier

$19.5 million

6. Preston Arsement

$19 million

7. Nastya

$18.5 million

8. Blippi

$17 million

9. David Dobrik

$15.5 million

10. Jeffree Star

$15 million

By Francisca C.

Manchester United star, Marcus Rashford’s mum speaks

Manchester United star, Marcus Rashford’s mum, Mel, has opened about her struggles raising up her children.


Talking with BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent, in an interview that was aired today, December 17, Mel recalls holding down multiple jobs to keep food on the table for Marcus and his siblings as they experienced food poverty whilst growing up.


Her interview comes amidst the local and international recognition her son, Rashford has received for his immense work in helping provide food to school kids in the UK.


Rashford, who now earns over £200,000 weekly playing for Manchester United, has been recognized by the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, the Queen of England and his fellow footballers for his charity work helping under-fed kids.


He’s also been nominated for several awards this year in the UK. 

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Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Mel said:
“I had three jobs and if I didn’t do that we wouldn’t have been able to cook a pot of food, it’s just a bit difficult,” she said,


“So Marcus is only telling the story from how he sees it and the words he has been saying come from the bottom of his heart.”


On particularly challenging days she revealed: “Sometimes it was really bad, I’d rather give the food to the kids than give it to myself, sometimes I didn’t get anything to eat.


Marcus Rashford, who cried as his mum was detailing her difficulties training him, stated ‘only togetherness’ will lead to long-term change for needy kids.

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“Sometimes we didn’t even have a loaf of bread in the house, it’s embarrassing to say, but we didn’t.”


Marcus reflecting on his childhood and his mum’s sacrifices, said:

“All the little struggles and the sacrifices that you made, it helps you appreciate everything like 10 times more, so I don’t see it as a weakness,” he said.

“I think in sport you have to have something behind you that is pushing you. When you come from a place of struggle and pain a lot of the time it switches and it becomes your drive and motivation.”


In an emotional moment, Mel and Marcus  travelled to FareShare, the food charity that Marcus first partnered with in March, to see how they will be responding to soaring demand this Christmas.


Unknown to Mel, the BBC revealed that a new unit at FareShare will be named Melanie Maynard House, after Rashford paid for the unit to be named after his mum. 

By Usman O.

Jean-Luc Brunel, ex. associate of Jeffrey Epstein arrested over sex crime claims

Jean-Luc Brunel, a former associate of deceased US financier and pedophile, Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested in France.

The prominent French modelling is being held on suspicion of rape, sexual assault and human trafficking, French media report.

Jean-Luc Brunel, ex. associate of Jeffrey Epstein arrested over sex crime claims*

Brunel, who is in his 70s, has denied the charges.


French police last year raided the offices of Karin Models, an agency founded by Mr Brunel, as well as Epstein’s flat near the Arc de Triomphe, but Brunei’s lawyer rejected reports that her client was on the run, and said he was available for questioning.

Jean-Luc Brunel, ex. associate of Jeffrey Epstein arrested over sex crime claims*


On Wednesday, December 16,  Brunel was taken into custody at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport as he was preparing to board a flight to Senegal.

The prosecutors accused Mr Brunel – a close friend of Epstein of procuring young girls for him.

By Jide N.

FIFA FIFPro Men’s World11: Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski nominated

The 2020 FIFA FIFPro Men’s World11 has been revealed with Lionel Messi , Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski included in the list. 

The 2020 edition was revealed during The Best FIFA Football Awards virtual ceremony in Zurich on Thursday evening and included four Reds stars.

The World11 was decided through the votes of thousands of professional male footballers around the world, who each choose the best player in each position.

FIFA FIFPro Men's World11: Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski nominated *

See the full list below. 

Alisson Becker (Brazil) (GK); Trent-Alexander Arnold (England), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands), Alphoso Davies (Canada); Kevin de Bruyne (Belgium), Thiago Alcantara (Spain), Joshua Kimmich (Germany); Lionel Messi (Argentina), Robert Lewandowski (Poland), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

By Usman O.

Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano

23-year-old Suleiman Isah and his American lover, Janine Anne Reimann had their court wedding at the Federal Marriage Registry, Kano state on Thursday, December 17. 

Their wedding Fatiha was held last Sunday in Gasau Panshekara area of Kano State. 

See more photos below…

Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano*
Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano*
Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano*
Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano*
Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano*
Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano*
Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano*
Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano*
Court wedding of 23-year-old man and his 46-year-old American lover in Kano*

By Hajia R.

Corona Virus infections on the rise in Nigeria, 1145 fresh cases recorded yesterday

COVID-19 patient ignores her dad and goes home with the man she met at isolation center

1145 fresh cases of COVID19 were recorded in Nigeria on Thursday, December 17.

According to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC, Lagos recorded 459 fresh cases while the Federal Capital Territory recorded 145 fresh cases.

Other states with fresh cases include Kaduna-138, Plateau-80, Katsina-70, Gombe-52, Niger-31, Kano-23. Bayelsa-21, Bauchi-18, Ondo-18, Rivers-17, Ogun-12, Oyo-12, Edo-8, Nasarawa-8, Ebonyi-7, Osun-6, Ekiti-5, Kebbi-5, Borno-4, Jigawa-3, Akwa Ibom-2 and Anambra-1.

Nigeria now has 76, 207 confirmed cases with 67, 110 patients discharged so far. Sadly, 1201 deaths have been recorded so far.

See a breakdown on the number of cases per states below

Corona Virus infections on the rise in Nigeria, 1145 fresh cases recorded yesterday*

By Jide N.

Diego Maradona’s body ‘must be conserved’ for DNA test, judge rules

The body of football legend Diego Maradona “must be conserved” in case his DNA is needed in a paternity case, an Argentine court ruled on Wednesday December 16.

The Argetine icon died of a heart attack last month and was buried on Noverber 26 at the Jardin Bella Vista cemetery, in Buenos Aires province, where his parents were also buried.

A court ruled on 30 November at the time that his body not be cremated until all necessary forensic tests had been carried out.

According to reports, five recognized children and six with filiation requests are part of a complex inheritance process in Argentina over Maradona’s £37million fortune.

One of the six, Magalí Gil, 25, who filed a lawsuit claimed she found out two years ago that the soccer icon was her biological father.

According to Gil, her birth mother contacted her two years ago to say that her father “may be Diego Maradona”.

The National Court of First Instance in Civil Matters No. 56 also said in its ruling: “Ms. Gil requests that a study be carried out … and that for this purpose the acting prosecutor’s office send a DNA sample.”

A teenager who is also claiming that he is Maradona’s lovechild is demanding that his body is dug up for DNA tests to prove his case. 

Santiago Lara, 19, instructed his lawyer to make the appeal just after the Argentine football legend was buried.

In a written request lodged at a family court in Santiago’s home city of La Plata, Buenos Aires, Santiago through his lawyer demanded Maradona’s autopsy, DNA results and the exhumation of his body so it can be transferred to a court morgue.

Maradona was married to his first and only wife, Claudia Villafané, 58, with the pair, said to have met when Claudia was just 17. 

The couple was married for more than 20 years with two children, daughters Dalma and Giannina, but divorced in 2004.

By Jide N.

Nancy Isime celebrates her birthday @ 29 (photos)

TV personality and actress, Nancy Isime turned 29 today, December 17, and she released lovely new photos of herself to celebrate her birthday. 

She accompanied the photos with a caption: ‘ Chapter 29

Peace, Happiness, Serenity, Self Awareness, Self Love, Positive Energy and Everything Divinely Good in between.

Thankful for the most special chapter of my Life yet.

God is the GREATEST!’

TV personality, Nancy Isime celebrates turning 29 with lovely new photos
Nancy Isime celebrates her birthday @ 29 (photos)*
Nancy Isime celebrates her birthday @ 29 (photos)*
Nancy Isime celebrates her birthday @ 29 (photos)*

By Jide N.

Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29

Instagram model, Joselyn Cano, has reportedly died at the age of 29 after a botched butt-lift surgery in Colombia. 

Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *

The news of her death was announced by fellow model and Influencer Lira Mercer on Twitter yesterday. She wrote: ‘Omg Joselyn Cano died in Colombia getting surgery. That’s wild.’

Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *

The model, dubbed the Mexican Kim Kardashian, is reported to have died on December 7.

A three-hour livestream of what is believed to be her funeral was shown on Youtube, which saw loved ones paying their respects to the young woman in a casket beside a large picture of her. 

Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *

A short message on the stream read: ‘Joselyn entered this life on Wednesday, March 14, 1990. She entered into Eternal Life on Monday, December 07, 2020.’

Cano’s death is yet to be confirmed by her family but many have been taking to social media to share emotional tributes following the heartbreaking news.

Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *
Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *
Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *

One lady who had plans to get  Brazilian butt lift  next year, decided she is no longer going down that lane, following the death of Joselyn.

Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *

According to Joselyn’s  LinkedIn bio, she resided in Newport Beach, California, and studied Microbiology at San Diego State University

She rose to stardom for creating content on social media and amassed a following of 12.8 million fans on Instagram with over 80k followers on Twitter. Her last Instagram post is from December 7th.

Due to her popularity online, fans often referred to Joselyn as the ‘Kim Kardashian of Mexico’

See more photos of Joselyn below.

Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *
Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *
Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *
Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *
Joselyn Cano, Colombia -Mexican Kim Kardashian dies aged 29 *

By Kingsley U.

Emmanuel Macron, French President tests positive for CoronaVirus

France’s President, Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19, the Elysee Palace said in a press release on Thursday December 17. 

“The President of the Republic has been diagnosed positive for Covid-19 today,” the statement read.

It said the president was diagnosed after he was tested “at the onset of the first symptoms.”

The brief statement did not give details of the symptoms the French president was experiencing.

“In accordance with current health regulations applicable to all, the President of the Republic will isolate himself for 7 days. He continues to work and carry out his activities remotely.”

France has switched from a strict lockdown to a curfew this week and will be easing restrictions further for the Christmas holidays.

There have been two million confirmed cases in the country since the epidemic began, with more than 59,400 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University

By Lucky B.

Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris speaks up after being fined $109,369

The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, has reacted after she was fined €90,000 ($109,369) for appointing “too many women” to senior management positions.


Eleven women and five men were promoted in City Hall in 2018, breaching a national 2013 rule, known as the “Sauvadet law,” which was designed to bring about gender parity in employment.


Implemented in 2013, the Sauvadet law imposed a minimum rate of representation for men and women in senior management positions in public service, with neither sex permitted to exceed 60%.


But after employing 11 women and 5 men to the city hall, she has now been fined an outrageous sum.


“11 women, 5 men … The City of Paris was fined 90,000 euros because too many female directors were appointed,” Mayor Anne Hidalgo reacted on Twitter .


Hidalgo joked that with with “too many women” in management positions, “the management of the City would suddenly become far too feminist,” .


She.then blasted the “bureaucracy” that led to the fine.


“This fine is obviously absurd. Even more, it is unfair, irresponsible, dangerous. Yes, we must promote women with determination and vigor, because the delay everywhere in France is still very great,” she said..


Hidalgo said she and her female staff would present the check to pay the fine to the Ministry of Public Service.


“So yes, to promote and one day achieve parity, we must accelerate the tempo and ensure that in the appointments, there are more women than men,” she said.

France’s Public Service Minister, Amélie de Montchalin addressed the controversy on Twitter, noting that the law that allowed the fine was abolished in 2019.


“The cause of women deserves better! We abolished this absurd provision as early as 2019,” de Montchalin, whose own department will collect the fine, wrote.


“I want the fine paid by Paris for 2018 to finance concrete actions to promote women in the civil service. I’m inviting you at the Ministry to speak about it!” she wrote.

By Jide N.

A Parisian court finds 14 people guilty in 2015 Paris terror attacks

A Paris court has found 14 people guilty of involvement in the three days deadly militant Islamist attacks infamously known as the Charlie Hebdo attacks in January 2015 that involved attacks on Charlie Hebdo magazine, a policewoman and a Jewish supermarket that killed 17 people.

14 people guilty in Paris


On 7 January 2015 at about 11:30am local time, two brothers, Saïd and Chérif Kouachi, forced their way into the offices of the French satirical weekly newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris. Armed with rifles and other weapons, they killed 12 people and injured 11 others. The gunmen identified themselves as belonging to the terrorist group al-Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula, which took responsibility for the attack. Several related attacks followed in the Île-de-France region on 7–9 January 2015, including the Hypercacher kosher supermarket siege where a terrorist held 19 hostages, of whom he murdered four Jewish people.

14 people guilty in Paris


France raised its terror alert and deployed soldiers in Île-de-France and Picardy. A major police search led to the discovery of the suspects, who exchanged fire with police.

 The brothers took hostages at a signage company in Dammartin-en-Goële on 9 January and were shot dead when they emerged from the building.


On 11 January same year, about two million people, including more than 40 world leaders, met in Paris for a rally of national unity, and 3.7 million people joined demonstrations across France. 

14 people guilty in Paris


The phrase ‘Je suis Charlie’ became a common slogan at the rallies and in social media.  Charlie Hebdo continued with the publication, and the following issue print ran 7.95 million copies in six languages, compared to its typical print run of 60,000 in only French.


Later in 2012, Charlie Hebdo, a critical magazine once published cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, forcing France to temporarily close embassies and schools in more than 20 countries amid fears of reprisals. Charlie Hebdo offices had been firebombed in November 2011 after publishing a previous caricature of Muhammad on its cover.

A Parisian court finds 14 people guilty in 2015 Paris terror attacks *


Fast forward to Wednesday, December 16, 2020,  14 suspects found guilty, out of the 14, 11 defendants appeared in court while three were tried in absentia.


One of those not in court was Hayat Boumeddiene, the fugitive partner of Amedy Coulibaly who was killed in the attack on the supermarket.


Boumeddiene, who fled to Syria a week before the attacks, was found guilty of financing terrorism and belonging to a criminal terrorist network. She was handed a 30-year jail sentence.


The main defendant in court, Ali Riza Polat, was found guilty of complicity in terrorist crime and also given a 30-year jail term.


All 14 accomplices were found guilty on various charges, ranging from belonging to a criminal network to direct complicity in the January 2015 attacks. Terrorism charges were dropped for six of the 11 defendants in court who were found guilty of lesser crimes.

by Lucky B.

MacKenzie Scott, Jeff Bezos’s ex-wife blows away $4.2bn in few months

MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, has donated more than $4bn (£3bn) to food banks and emergency relief funds in just four months.

MacKenzie divorced Bezos early this year after he cheated on her and got billions of dollars in divorce compensation from the world’s richest man.

Ms Scott is now the world’s 18th-richest person, as her wealth skyrocketed from $23.6bn this year to $60.7bn.


In a blog post, Ms Scott said she wanted to help Americans who were struggling because of the pandemic.

“This pandemic has been a wrecking ball in the lives of Americans already struggling,” she wrote in a blog post on Tuesday night, December 15, adding that she had picked more than 380 charities to donate to having considered almost 6,500 organisations.

“Economic losses and health outcomes alike have been worse for women, for people of colour and for people living in poverty. Meanwhile, it has substantially increased the wealth of billionaires.”

She also donated $1.7bn to 116 charities in July saying she wanted to call attention to “organisations and leaders driving change.” 

Her total donations in 2020 alone is almost $6bn.

According to her, the donations were focused on those “operating in communities facing high projected food insecurity, high measures of racial inequity, high local poverty rates, and low access to philanthropic capital.”


“We leveraged this collective knowledge base in a collaboration that included hundreds of emails and phone interviews, and thousands of pages of data analysis on community needs, programme outcomes, and each non-profit’s capacity to absorb and make effective use of funding,” she wrote.


Last year she signed the Giving Pledge, promising to give away most of her fortune. The Giving Pledge is a commitment by the world’s wealthiest people and families to dedicate the majority of their wealth to giving back.


“I have a disproportionate amount of money to share,” she wrote in her pledge.

Her ex-husband, Jeff Bezos, in November, also announced he was giving out nearly $800m to 16 groups. 


Bezos’ net worth increased by $70bn this year to reach a fortune of $185bn, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

By Jide N.

Boko Haram claims responsibility for abduction of over 300 Katsina school children

Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the abduction of over 300 students from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State, last Friday December 11.

HumAngle reports that in a 4 minutes 28 seconds audio released on Monday night December 14, the leader of the deadly terror group, Abubakar Shekau, said contrary to claims made in some quarters, it is yet to make any demands.

image 27

“What happened in Katsina was done to promote Islam and discourage un-Islamic practices as Western education is not the type of education permitted by Allah and his Holy Prophet.

They are also not teaching what Allah and his Holy Prophet commanded. They are rather destroying Islam. It may be subtle, but Allah the Lord of the skies and earths knows whatever is hidden. May Allah promote Islam. May we die as Muslims.”

image 28

In a nutshell, we are behind what happened in Katsina,” HumAngle quotes him as saying

A top commander of the sect also dismissed claims it has made any demands.

According to commander;

“The only time we spoke with the parents was to warn them to tell the military to desist from making any attempts to forcefully rescue the boys,” 

By Hajia R.

A young man has been charged with murdering two adults and two children in West Virginia

A young man has been charged with murdering two adults and two children in West Virginia.

Police in Elkview discovered the bodies of a man, his wife, and their three and 12-year-old sons in their home on Cemetery Hill Drive in Elkview on Sunday morning after receiving a 911 call from a relative who had not heard from the family in days.

The grandfather, who drove to the home around 10:40 AM, found the door unlocked but entered and found three bodies. Police later found a fourth victim under a bed.

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said a fifth resident of the house, a 16-year-old male family member, was found safely elsewhere. He has been charged with four counts of murder in connection to the incident.

The name of the 16-year-old male and other identifying information are withheld due to his age.

A young man has been charged with murdering two adults and two children in West Virginia*

The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office identified the victims as Daniel Dale Long, 37, Risa Mae Saunders, 39, Gage Ripley, and Jameson Long, 3, all from Elkview.

‘We do know that a family member tried to get a hold of him yesterday, weren’t able to do so. When they couldn’t get a hold of him this morning that’s when one of the family members came in to check in on them and that’s when they were found,’ Kanawha County Sheriff Mike Rutherford said on the teen that was located Sunday as per WOWKTV.

‘We determined immediately on the deputies’ arrival they were all deceased,’ Rutherford added. 

A young man has been charged with murdering two adults and two children in West Virginia*

Deputies say they are not sure when the exact shooting unfolded but said a next of kin has been notified and an investigation is ongoing. 

Neighbor Samra Mullins said she didn’t hear anything coming from the home in the quiet neighborhood.

‘It’s a little nerve-wracking. You don’t expect this to be so close to home,’ Mullins said.

‘It’s just more stress. You know, we’re dealing with the COVID-19. It’s just more bad news,’ Mullins added

By Lucky B.

Nigerian Communications Commission orders telecom giants to block SIM cards without National Identity Numbers

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has given telecommunications operators in the country two weeks to block SIM Cards that are not registered with the National Identity Numbers, NIN.

A statement released today Tuesday, December 15 by the NCC Director of Public Affairs of the NCC, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde, stresed that any telecom operators that failed to comply with the directive risked outright withdrawal of its licence or heavy penalty.

”Following the earlier directive on the suspension of new SIM registration by network operators, the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) convened an urgent meeting of key stakeholders in the Communications industry on Monday, December 14, 2020.

The meeting had in attendance the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Management of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), as well as the CEOs and Management staff of all service providers in the industry.

Stakeholders agreed that urgent drastic measures have now become inevitable to improve the integrity and transparency of the SIM registration process.

Following decisions were taken for immediate implementation by all Network Operators: Affirmation of the earlier directive to totally suspend registration of NEW SIMs by all operators.

Operators to require ALL their subscribers to provide valid National Identification Number (NIN) to update SIM registration records.

The submission of NIN by subscribers to take place within two weeks (from today December 16, 2020 and end by 30 December, 2020).

After the deadline, ALL SIMs without NINs are to be blocked from the networks.  A Ministerial Task Force comprising the Minister and all the CEOs (among others) as members is to monitor compliance by all networks.

Violations of this directive will be met by stiff sanctions, including the possibility of withdrawal of operating license. The general public is hereby urged to ensure that their NINs are captured in their SIM registration data,” the statement read

By Jide N.

Peter Nygard in hot waters after being accused by 57 women for sexual abuse

Canadian fashion mogul, Peter Nygard has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing young women and girls over a period of 25 years.

Mr. Nygard, 79, was arrested by Canadian police on Monday December 14, over claims he used his brand to lure alleged victims to his Bahamas estate with promises of jobs in modelling and fashion.

The indictment, unsealed on Tuesday, said the alleged crimes arose “out of a decades-long pattern of criminal conduct involving at least dozens of victims in the United States, the Bahamas, and Canada, among other locations”, according to a release by the US attorney’s office of the southern district of New York.

The court documents allege the fashion mogul targeted women and girls under 18 from disadvantaged economic backgrounds who sometimes had a history of abuse.

Peter Nygard in hot waters after being accused by 57 women for sexual abuse*

He is accused of trying to control his victims “through threats, false promises of modelling opportunities and other career advancement, financial support, and by other coercive means, including constant surveillance, restrictions of movement, and physical isolation”.

Fifty-seven women, including 18 Canadians, are listed on the court documents. They alleged they were just 14 or 15 when Mr. Nygard trafficked them to “pamper parties” and plied them with drugs and alcohol in order to rape them.

A lawyer representing 57 women who have filed a lawsuit against Mr Nygard claiming sexual abuse said in a statement that “we are relieved that some degree of accountability is hopefully forthcoming, but we would be remiss if we did not state that this is something that should have been done decades ago”.

US authorities have charged him with racketeering and sex trafficking. He now faces being extradited to the US over the allegations.

Mr Nygard, who denies the allegations, blames a conspiracy caused by a disagreement with his neighbour in the Bahamas. He is being held in Winnipeg Remand Centre under the Extradition Act with a court appearance expected soon. 

Mr. Nygard has been the subject of an investigation by the child exploitation FBI task force and New York police since 2019. He stepped down as chairman of his company in February.

He was reportedly the subject of a previous FBI investigation for sex trafficking in 2015 and 2017.

The fashion mogul is estimated to be worth upwards of $700m (£538m)

By Lucky B.

United States Attorney General, William Barr resigns

The United States Attorney General, William Barr, has announced he would resign next week, ending a tenure in which the Trump loyalist carried the administration’s “law and order” message but ultimately dealt the most credible blow  to Trump when he publicly refuted Trump’s claims that the 2020 election was fraudulent.

Trump’s announcement of Barr’s exit on Twitter comes after  the Electoral College vote put President-elect Joe Biden over the 270 votes needed to formally secure the presidency.

Despite escalating tensions between Trump and Barr ever since Barr’s admission that there was no widespread fraud in the 2020 election, Trump claimed they had an amicable relationship.

“Just had a very nice meeting with Attorney General Bill Barr at the White House. Our relationship has been a very good one, he has done an outstanding job! As per letter, Bill will be leaving just before Christmas to spend the holidays with his family,” Trump tweeted, announcing the news.

United States Attorney General, William Barr resigns*

“Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen, an outstanding person, will become Acting Attorney General. Highly respected Richard Donoghue will be taking over the duties of Deputy Attorney General. Thank you to all!”


Despite Trump’s upbeat message, he had been seriously considering firing his attorney general according to reports.

Over the past several months aides have discouraged Trump from firing Barr. The President seemed to find a compromise way of seeing Barr out by tweeting about his “very good” relationship with him.


 On Monday, December 14, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said in an interview on Fox News that Trump had been frustrated with Barr in recent days.

In his letter of resignation, Barr said that allegations of voter fraud would continue to be reviewed and praised the President for persisting despite relentless political opposition.

“Your record is all the more historic because you accomplished it in the face of relentless, implacable resistance,” Barr wrote.

“No tactic, no matter how abusive and deceitful, was out of bounds,” Barr went on. 

“The nadir of this campaign was the effort to cripple, if not oust, your administration with frenzied and baseless accusations of collusion with Russia.”

Barr will be remembered for how he repeatedly prioritized Trump’s political goals.

 He delivered a misleading summary of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report, essentially clearing Trump in the Russia probe and supported the President heading into Election Day.

He appointed a special counsel to continue investigating one of Trump’s longtime accusations that intelligence and law enforcement violated the law in investigating the 2016 Trump campaign.

He also ordered his prosecutors to dismiss charges against Trump’s first national security advisor Michael Flynn, who has since been pardoned by the President.

But the decision from the former attorney general to rebuke the President’s false claims of widespread fraud in his loss to Democrat Joe Biden represented a final failure of Trump’s often successful attempt to weaponize the Justice Department.

 Barr told the Associated Press in an interview on December 1 that the Justice Department had not found any such evidence of widespread fraud in the November 2020 election.

“To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election,” he said.

By Jide N.

Electoral College confirms Joe Biden as next US president

Joe Biden’s presidential victory has been confirmed by Electoral College, meaning he will be the next US president.

California, the most populous state in the US, delivered its 55 electoral votes to Mr. Biden on Monday afternoon, officially taking him over the 270 votes needed to secure the White House.

When all of the states finish voting, Mr. Biden is expected to lead Mr. Trump 306-232 despite the outgoing president still refusing to accept the outcome, falsely insisting that he won the election. On Sunday, the president tweeted: “Votes cannot be certified. This election is under protest!”

The Congress will meet on January 6 to certify the electoral college votes.

President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are due to be sworn in at noon on January 20, 2021.

By Jide N.

Aisha Buhari allegedly relocates to Dubai, citing insecurity in Nigeria

First Lady, Mrs Aisha Buhari, has reportedly relocated to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

According to Sahara Reporters, Mrs Buhari reportedly hinged her decision to relocation on the insecurity in Aso Rock.

Read the report by Sahara Reporters below..

First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has been in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, since September after the wedding of her daughter, Hanan, and has therefore not been involved in any government activity, SaharaReporters has gathered.

SaharaReporters gathered that the First Lady is not in a hurry to return, despite spending over three months, as she reportedly stated that the Aso Rock Villa was not secure for her family.

This concern was triggered by a shooting incident which occurred in June and caused some panic among occupants of the Aso Villa.

SaharaReporters had reported that there was a crisis in Aso Villa after security details of the President’s wife removed Buhari’s Personal Assistant, Sabiu ‘Tunde’ Yusuf, from the place after he refused to embark on a 14-day isolation period upon returning from a trip to Lagos.

Shortly afterwards, the First Lady’s ADC, Usman Shugaba, in an attempt to apprehend Yusuf, reportedly fired gunshots but the President’s aide escaped to the residence of Mamman Daura where he spent the night.

Yusuf soon ordered the arrest of Aisha’s ADC and other security details in connivance with Buhari’s chief security officer. Buhari had ordered a probe into the alleged security breach inside the Presidential Villa. 

It will be recalled that on September 4, Aisha Buhari held a flamboyant wedding for President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Hanan, and Mohammed Turad.

Apart from the opulence on display, event planners for the wedding were flown in from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to add colour and spice to the ceremony.

Earlier in August, the First Lady had also flown to Dubai in a private jet owned by billionaire Mohammed Indimi under the guise of a medical emergency to shop for luxury items ahead of the wedding.

Most of the items, including souvenirs used for the wedding occasion, were brought in from the Arabian country.

A top source told SaharaReporters on Tuesday that the First Lady has now relocated quietly to the UAE for over three months. No one knows when she would return to the country.

The Presidency source said, “Aisha Buhari has relocated quietly to Dubai. She has been going to the UAE even before the daughter’s wedding.

“Before the wedding, she also stayed there for months during lockdown, shopping and relaxing. But since the end of the wedding, she has been away owing to security concerns in the villa.”

Some Nigerians have noticed her disappearance from the public space for the past three months. Checks on her Twitter page shows she last tweeted in October. 

SaharaReporters gathered that occasionally, she issued statements announcing the distribution of palliatives but has never been seen at any official functions.

The September wedding, which had security personnel prohibiting guests from taking photographs, saw the event planners and other vendors flown in from Dubai pocketing huge amounts in United States dollars for their services.

By Jide N.

Instagram wannabe star arrested for cutting out her heart and other organs while she was still alive (Photos)

An Instagram wannabe star has been detained on suspicion of killing her mother by allegedly cutting out her heart and other organs while she was still alive during a frenzied knife attack. 

The suspect, Anna Leikovic, 21, of Moldova, gouged out the internal organs including her lungs and intestines with a kitchen knife, it is alleged.

She then washed the blood off in the shower and went to meet her boyfriend for a date, according to reports.

The woman, who is a medical student, is “suspected of committing a terrible crime,” reported Komsomolskaya Pravda newspaper, citing police in Comrat.

Leikovic initially stabbed her mother Praskovya Leikovic, 40, at home, but she remained alive. The medical student then went on to cut out her heart while she was still alive.

Instagram wannabe star detained for allegedly stabbing her mother and cutting out her heart and other organs while she was still alive (Photos/Video)                                          The victim, Praskovya Leikovic.

‘She stabbed her mother with a knife and then cut out the heart of a living woman,’ the police source reportedly said.

The suspect ‘decided to rip the heart out of the chest of a dying woman. It is hard to believe but she cut out the heart in the most literal sense of the word.’

Leikovic then gouged out her mum’s other internal organs including her lungs and intestines with a kitchen knife, it is alleged.

Instagram wannabe star detained for allegedly stabbing her mother and cutting out her heart and other organs while she was still alive (Photos/Video)

                                                 Anna Leikovic.

The medical student, who has 9,400 followers on Instagram, appeared in court after being detained the day following her mum’s horrific death.

Video footage showed her bizarrely lying unbothered down in the dock, cleaning her nails, before standing on a bench when the judge entered the court.

When asked by a journalist if she had slaughtered and mutilated her mum, Leikovic reportedly laughed and replied ‘goodbye’.

image 23

Police spokeswoman Lyubov Yanak said: “The detainee is the main suspect.”

She added that no one else was suspected of being involved in the brutal killing and mutilation, but “a thorough investigation is required to clarify the motive for the murder”.

Instagram wannabe star detained for allegedly stabbing her mother and cutting out her heart and other organs while she was still alive (Photos/Video)

                                                             Anna Leikovic.

According to media reports, Praskovya had returned home from her job in Germany. It’s understood that she feared her daughter was on drugs and then arranged treatment to help Leikovic, who then allegedly became angry, and violent.

Her uncle told reporters: “Praskovya loved her daughter so much, and she spent as much time with her as she could.

“It took two hours for the police to tell me Anna is the main suspect. I could not even imagine this.”

Instagram wannabe star detained for allegedly stabbing her mother and cutting out her heart and other organs while she was still alive (Photos/Video)

By Jide N.

“I want to devote more time to my growing family,” Zalando’s Co-CEO

Rubin Ritter, the co-chief executive officer of online fashion retailer Zalando SE, may take a potential hit of more than $100 million for the sake of his family.

The 38-year-old executive said he will retire next year so his wife can pursue her career while he takes care of their children, Bloomberg reports.

The move could cost him as much as 93 million euros ($112 million) in options from a five-year incentive program set up in 2018, Bloomberg calculations show. The multi-millionaire couple is expecting its second child.

“I want to devote more time to my growing family,” Ritter said in a Dec. 6 statement. “My wife and I have agreed that for the coming years, her professional ambitions should take priority.”

Ritter’s wife is a judge.

Ritter’s exit will leave founders Robert Gentz and David Schneider as co-CEOs from next year, deprived of their strategy chief and the face of the company.

Zalando, which has blended fashion, software and logistics capabilities to become Europe’s largest online retailer for clothes, has been uniquely run by three co-CEOs.

Ritter joined Zalando 11 years ago and helped catapult the company, which sold shares to the public for the first time in 2014, into one of Germany’s most lucrative IPOs of the past decade.

Ritter wasn’t available for further comment on his decision to step down or the financial hit he might take.

Still, he and his wife will hardly be living on a shoestring budget. Previous options programs will leave Ritter a rich man.

By Jide N.

Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe reveals more about his family

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has affirmed that he would consult with his family before making any decisions on his future.

The 21-year-old – who recently hit the 100-goal mark for the Ligue 1 champions – has been strongly linked with Real Madrid and Liverpool in recent weeks, with Mbappe now in the final 18 months of his PSG deal.

The Parisiens’ sporting director Leonardo has confirmed that talks are underway with regards to an extension, and Mbappe has now revealed that he would not determine his next career move without speaking to those closest to him first.

Speaking to COPA90, the prolific front man said: “We make every decision together, as a family. I think it’s the strongest possible thing. This has pushed me higher and allowed me to be where I am today.

“Without them, it would be impossible, because sometimes you have bad moments. When you have bad moments in your career, you can see which people are there for you, and my parents are there for me every time.

“Without them, I don’t think I would have everything I do at the moment. They show me the right way to be and I’m really lucky to have these parents.”

By Jide N.

Iran: Angelina Jolie ‘lookalike’ Sahar Tabar jailed for 10 years

An Iranian woman and Instagram star who shot to fame in 2017 for posting distorted images of herself where she looked like a ‘Zombie Angelina Jolie,’ has been sentenced to 10-years in an Iranian prison. 

Sahar Tabar, 19, whose real name is Fatemeh Khishvand from Tehran used heavy makeup and editing to get the horror look on her face and later gained prominence as the zombie version of American actress Angelina Jolie.

Iran: Angelina Jolie 'lookalike' Sahar Tabar jailed for 10 years *

Tabar was charged with corruption of young people and disrespect for the Islamic Republic, according to the Guardian. 

She was also charged with blasphemy and inciting violence when she was arrested in October 2019 along with three other Instagram influencers. She was later cleared of those charges with Iranian state TV broadcasting her confession.

In April this year she begged for freedom after contracting coronavirus, but the US-based Centre for Human Rights in Iran said that a request for bail was denied by a judge.

“We find it unacceptable that this young woman has now caught the coronavirus in these circumstances while her detention order has been extended during all this time in jail,” Human rights lawyer Payam Derafshan said.

At one point, Tabar also called on Angelina Jolie to campaign for her release, saying: “The Islamic Republic has a history of tormenting women. We need to be united against this gender apartheid.”

Iran: Angelina Jolie 'lookalike' Sahar Tabar jailed for 10 years *

The news of her sentencing was confirmed by Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad. The journalist and activist told Daily Mail that she spoke to Tabar’s lawyer who confirmed that the influencer has been sentenced to 10 years in prison on the past few days for “promoting public corruption.”

Alinejad shared the news on Twitter and wrote, “10 years jail for Iranian Instagrammer who used makeup and Photoshop to become a zombie Angelina Jolie. Sahar Tabar is only 19. Her joke landed her in jail. Her mother cries every day to get her innocent daughter freed. Dear Angelina Jolie! we need your voice here. Help us..”

By Jide N.

US Electoral College set to confirm Joe Biden win today

The 538 members of the US Electoral College will meet today to cast their votes on behalf of the 50 states and the District of Columbia to formally confirm Joe Biden as the 46th president and California Sen. Kamala Harris as vice president.

The Democrat candidate amassed a record-breaking 81.3 million votes with 306 of the 538 electoral votes, while the Republican president had 74.2 million with 232 in the November election.

After the confirmation by the US Electoral College, Biden will deliver a speech to celebrate the latest confirmation of his win in the evening despite attempts by President Donald Trump to overturn the November 3 presidential election results.

Meanwhile, Trump who is still the legal occupant of the White House until January 20, has continued to make baseless assertions that the November vote was the “MOST CORRUPT ELECTION IN U.S. HISTORY,” in one of his latest tweet on Sunday.

He added: “How do states and politicians confirm an election where corruption and irregularities are documented throughout?”

Last month, Trump said he would leave the White House if the electoral college votes for Mr. Biden, but has since made an unprecedented campaign to overturn his defeat, filing numerous lawsuits challenging state vote counts. 

On Friday, the US Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by Texas that sought to invalidate the results in four states that Mr. Biden won.

By Kingsley U.

IPOB launches it’s Eastern Security Network team

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has launched a security outfit known as the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which it said will protect the south-east and south-south from criminal activities. 

Spokesperson of the proscribed group, Emma Powerful who made the announcement on Sunday December 13, said the outfit is a replica of Amotekun launched by the governors of the south-west to curb insecurity in that region.

He added that the “failure” of the governors of the south-east and south-south to enforce measures that will protect the people in those regions, led to the launch of the security outfit. 

The statement read; 

“The sole aim and objective of this newly formed security outfit known as Eastern Security Network is to halt every criminal activity and terrorist attack on Biafraland. 

“This outfit, which is a vigilante group like the Amotekun in the south-west and the Miyetti Allah security outfit, will ensure the safety of our forests and farm lands which terrorists have converted into slaughter grounds and raping fields.

“We can’t watch helplessly while those we are agitating to liberate from bondage are gradually being eliminated by terrorists. 

“We, therefore, advise every robber, kidnapper and other criminals to steer clear of Biafra land or brace for the worst. We must defend Biafra no matter the price.

“Biafra security network personnel will release special phone numbers for people to call whenever there is any case of criminality, including kidnapping and robbery activities, in the whole of Biafra land.

“Every resident in Biafra land should use the numbers to report any criminal activity anywhere in Biafra land for prompt response.

“Unnecessary police brutality on innocent citizens also must stop. 

“Police and army checkpoints which have since been converted to extortion points should be dismantled. Any attempt to sabotage this security network will be stoutly resisted.”

By Jide N.

Nigerian soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers as they harvest their farm produce

A Facebook user, Bello Inua Anka on Friday, December 11, posted photos of Nigerian soldiers guarding and assisting the people of Zabarmari farming community in Jere Local Government Area of Borno while harvesting their farms produce at Koshebe village. 

This is coming weeks after Boko Haram terrorists slaughtered over 43 Zabarmari rice farmers at Koshebe village in Mafa Local Government Area of the state while working in a rice field. 

While many commended the military for their efforts, they, however said guarding farmers is not sustainable. 

Another Facebook user Hadiza Suleiman wrote;

“This is good but unlikely to be sustainable. The army needs to be proactive and not reactive. They need to take offensive action against the terrorists and not wait for them to attack. The US could rescue one of their citizens in Nigeria using intelligence that I hope is also available to our security age”

See more photos below…

soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*
soldiers guarding Zabarmari farmers*

By Usman O.

Paul Pogba claimed he remains fully committed to Manchester United

Paul Pogba will not be sold by Manchester United

Paul Pogba claimed he remains fully committed to Manchester United despite his agent stating he is “unhappy” at Old Trafford and looking for a move in January.

Pogba was recalled to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting line-up for Saturday’s uninspired 0-0 draw with Manchester City in the Premier League.

The French World Cup winner had started on the bench as United crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage with defeat to RB Leipzig on Tuesday.

Just a day before the game, Pogba’s outspoken agent Mino Raiola told Italian newspaper Tuttosport his client had to “change teams.”

The 27-year-old rejoined United for a then world record £89 million ($118 million) in 2016, but has failed to make the desired impact as the Red Devils have not challenged to win either the Premier League or the Champions League.

“I’ve always fought and will always fight for  @manchesterunited , my teammates and the fans,” Pogba posted on Instagram.

“Bla bla is not important. The future is far, today is what matters and I am 1000% involved! Always strong together.. all has been clear between the club and myself and that will never change.

“When you don’t know what’s going on inside don’t talk  #SpeakTheTruthOrRemainSilent #united  #talktothehand.”

Pogba’s contract is due to expire in the summer of 2022 and Raiola hinted it may be in everyone’s interests for United to sell in January before the midfielder’s transfer value plummets.

“Paul’s unhappy at Manchester United, he can’t express himself any more as he would like to and as we expect of him,” Raiola told Tuttosport.

“He has to change teams, he needs a change of scene. His contract is up in a year-and-a-half, in the summer of 2022, but I think the best solution for all sides is a transfer in the next window.”

Bu Usman O.

African Richest Man’s niece, Aziza Dangote, weds Aminu Waziri (photos)

Aziza Dangote has tied the knot with her heartthrob, Aminu Waziri. 

The wedding ceremony held over the weekend and was graced by the wealthiest man in Africa, Aliko Dangote and other dignitaries in Nigeria.

Aziza is the daughter of Alhaji Sani Dangote, who is the Group Vice President and a co-founder of the Dangote Group of Industries with his elder brother, Aliko Dangote.

Pictures from the event, shared by Fayemi’s Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, show Aliko, Saraki, Emefiele and some governors at the mosque where Aziza and Aminu were joined together as a couple

See some photos below.

African Richest Man's niece, Aziza Dangote, weds Aminu Waziri (photos)*
African Richest Man's niece, Aziza Dangote, weds Aminu Waziri (photos)*
African Richest Man's niece, Aziza Dangote, weds Aminu Waziri (photos)*
African Richest Man's niece, Aziza Dangote, weds Aminu Waziri (photos)*
African Richest Man's niece, Aziza Dangote, weds Aminu Waziri (photos)*
African Richest Man's niece, Aziza Dangote, weds Aminu Waziri (photos)*
African Richest Man's niece, Aziza Dangote, weds Aminu Waziri (photos)*
African Richest Man's niece, Aziza Dangote, weds Aminu Waziri (photos)*

By Jide N.

Former fiance, Abel threatens to sue Cossy Ojiakor over alleged domestic violence

Cossy Ojiakor’s estranged fiance, Abel Jurgen has threatened to sue her for allegedly subjecting him to domestic violence. 

In an Instagram post he shared after Cossy Ojiakor accused him of starting the fight and being childish, he described her as a “liar, slut and a cheat”.

Abel also alleged that Cossy featured in a movie when he was just 1-year-old and should be 50 or 60 years old instead of being 36 as she claims. 

He wrote; 

Former fiance, Abel threatens to sue Cossy Ojiakor over alleged domestic violence*
Former fiance, Abel threatens to sue Cossy Ojiakor over alleged domestic violence*
Former fiance, Abel threatens to sue Cossy Ojiakor over alleged domestic violence*

By Jide N.

Anthony Joshua beats Pulev to retain world heavyweight championship belts (photos)

Anthony Joshua in the early hours of Sunday, December 12, beat Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev, by a knockout in the ninth round to retain his three world heavyweight championship belts after a year away in a title defence.

image 17

Joshua regained the WBA, WBO and IBF titles in a rematch against Andy Ruiz Jr. last December in Saudi Arabia, after being stopped by the Mexican-American in an upset at Madison Square Garden that summer.

image 20

The first round saw both pugilists with lots of single punches, while none of them really managed to get anything special in, but Joshua had the snappier jab. Unbelievable scenes in the third round saw Pulev barely survive a huge AJ onslaught.

image 18

Although the Bulgarian came out for the third round more active than he was in the first two rounds, Joshua landed a one-two for the first meaningful shot of the round.

Then Joshua landed uppercut after uppercut to complement his overhand rights, and Pulev was left barely able to survive.

image 19

Joshua secured his 22nd knock-out against Pulev, bringing his bout records to 24-1, 22 KOs.

By Usman O.

Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo’s son’s Wedding

On Saturday December 12, Seun, one of the sons of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, got married to his beau, Deola Shonubi, at the Harvesters Christian Center in Lagos state.

The wedding reception took place at the Federal Palace hotel in Victoria Island.

The wedding had important guests in attendance. They included the Ogun state governor Dapo Abiodun, former EFCC boss Nuhu Ribadu, ex-NDDC Managing Director Timi Alaibe, and a host of others.

Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*

One of the highlights of the day was when Deola received the Mercedes Benz SUV Seun gifted her as a wedding present a few hours before they exchanged their marriage vows. 

See more photos and video below..

Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*
Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*
Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*
Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*
Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*
Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*
Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*
Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*
Photos from Ex. President, Olusegun Obasanjo's son's Wedding*

By Francisca C.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state Governor, tests positive for COVID19

Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has tested positive for COVID19.

The state Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, disclosed this on Twitter on Saturday evening, December 12.

On Friday December 11, Governor Sanwo-Olu went into isolation after one of his aides tested positive for the novel virus. 

Abayomi’s statement reads

”Following Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19, a PCR test performed yesterday, the 11th of December, has confirmed that he has indeed been infected with the virus, which is supported by mild symptoms and fatigue typical of a mild case of COVID.

Mr. Governor is receiving treatment and is being closely monitored at home by the very experienced State COVID-19 clinical team from IDH Yaba.

Mr. Sanwo-Olu is doing well on treatment and rest and we are confident that he will recover quickly and clear the virus. We are seeing slightly increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in clusters in Lagos and all residents and visitors should strictly adhere to the prescribed advisories of safe distancing, mask-wearing, good hand and respiratory hygiene and avoidance of unnecessary or large gatherings.

The festive season is likely to create the opportunity for the virus to spread if we are not compliant with the regulations established by the Presidential Task Force (PTF) for inbound travellers and the festive season celebrations. All inbound travellers must be COVID-19 negative by PCR before they board a flight to Nigeria and must self-isolate on arrival and undergo a pre-booked test on Day Seven of arrival in Nigeria.

Lagosians should keep celebrations to a minimum and be observant and responsible in their interactions. The significant gains achieved to date in containing COVID-19 in Lagos, which has allowed us to carefully reopen the economy, must not be reversed.

No one is immune to this virus and it is certainly still circulating in the community.

Please join me in praying and wishing the Incident Commander of the Lagos State COVID-19 response, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, a speedy recovery so he can return to normal duties as soon as possible.

I will be keeping the public informed regularly of Mr. Governor’s recovery and wellbeing.

Professor Akin Abayomi

Honourable Commissioner for Health

12th December 2020”

By Jide N.

Pfizer and Moderna makes over $32 billion turnover in Covid-19 vaccine sales

As the US government prepares to authorize immediate distribution of Covid-19 vaccine, Wall Street analysts are projecting pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna will generate $32 billion in Covid-19 vaccine revenue, next year alone.

According to Wall Street analyst, Morgan Stanley, Pfizer (PFE) by itself is projected to make $19 billion in Covid-19 vaccine revenue in 2021, that doesn’t include an estimated $975 million in 2020 vaccine revenue.


Pfizer is expected to take in $9.3 billion more in combined Covid-19 vaccine revenue in 2022 and 2023 as the world continues to get vaccinated, Morgan Stanley also projected.


Pfizer will share its revenues with BioNTech (BNTX), the German pharmaceutical company it partnered with to develop the vaccine.


The Pfizer vaccine was already authorized by the UK earlier this month and now a panel of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers recommended on Thursday,December 10,  that the FDA grant emergency use authorization to the vaccine produced by both companies

Pfizer’s expected revenue in 2021 would  surpass the company’s bestselling product from last year: a pneumonia vaccine that generated $5.8 billion in sales.

Shares of BioNTech, a roughly new company compared to Pfizer, are booming.

Its US-listed shares have grown by nearly 300%, pushing the German company’s valuation to nearly $30 billion while Moderna made just $60 million in revenue last year.


Now Moderna is valued at $62 billion according to Morgan Stanley who said shares of the company have climbed by over 700 percent this year alone.


Another Wall Street guru, Goldman Sachs, says Moderna is expected to rake in $13.2 billion in Covid-19 vaccine revenue next year.

Morgan Stanley added that Moderna’s skyrocketing share price implies investors expect the company will make $10 billion to $15 billion off Covid-19 vaccine sales in both 2021 and 2022, followed by billions more in booster sales- a huge sum for company that generated just $60 million in sales in 2019 and has never previously licensed a product.


Both Pfizer and Moderna have released data indicating their vaccine candidates are highly effective at preventing Covid-19.


Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine “demonstrated that the technology is safe and effective, which unlocks the potential of other vaccines in the pipeline,” Morgan Stanley analyst Matthew Harrison wrote in a recent note to clients.

More than one-quarter of Moderna’s market value is now assigned to its other mRNA vaccines, Morgan Stanley estimates.


Meanwhile rival drug makers Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) and AstraZeneca (AZN) have promised to make their vaccines available on a not-for-profit basis during the pandemic.

“It is absolutely wrong for drug companies like Pfizer and Moderna to profiteer, and for their executives to make egregious personal fortunes, off of Covid-19 vaccines that have been so heavily subsidized and supported by American taxpayers,” said Eli Zupnick, a spokesman for Accountable. US, a progressive watchdog and patient advocacy group.


In a statement last month, Pfizer said its Covid-19 vaccine development and manufacturing costs “have been entirely self-funded, with billions of dollars already invested at risk.”


“The company will continue bearing all the costs of development and manufacturing in an effort to help find a solution to this pandemic as fast as possible,” Pfizer said at the time.

The US government have agreed to pay $1.95 billion for the first 100 million doses of vaccine. 

By Jide N.

Whoopi Goldberg to star in new ‘Sister Act 3’ film 30 years after the first release

Television production giants, Disney, has announced that a third installment of “Sister Act” is in production, with veteran actress, Whoopi Goldberg reprising her starring role nearly three decades after the original film was released.

Goldberg will return as Deloris Van Cartier, a singer forced to enter the witness protection program and be relocated as a nun in a convent.

The 1992 original was a box office hit and together with it’s sequel released the following year, all captured audiences worldwide.

Tyler Perry has been signed by Disney to produce the project. No release date was given.

Goldberg first teased a third installment of the franchise in October,
“For a long time they kept saying no-one wanted to see it, and then quite recently it turns out that that may not be true,” the actress and TV personality told James Corden.


“People might want to see it. So we’re working diligently to figure out how to get the gang together,” she added. 

“Listen — bad singing, great singing. OK singing and then nuns. What’s better than that?”

“Sister Act 3” will premiere on Disney Plus, the corporation’s streaming service.

By Lucky B.

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