More than 50 people in Norway have been infected with Covid after a Christmas party that is likely to prove the world’s biggest outbreak of the new Omicron variant.
One of the party-goers has tested positive for the omicron variant, and more cases are expected to follow, Oslo’s authorities said on Thursday.
“We are working actively with contact tracing to limit the spread and prevent bigger outbreaks,” the city said in a statement.
Doctors said between 50 and 60 people tested positive for coronavirus after the party last week at a restaurant in Oslo, according to the Norwegian state broadcaster NRK.
The doctors said the infections were not delta variant cases, and that there were “clear clues” and a “strong possibility” they were all the omicron variant.
Tine Ravlo, the assistant chief infection control doctor in Oslo’s Frogner district, said a preliminary screening of the cases’ samples showed it was likely it was omicron.
One of the people at the party had reportedly been to South Africa recently.
There have so far been at least three confirmed omicron cases in Norway.
On Friday Norway imposed a quarantine on any travellers arriving from South Africa or neighbouring countries, following a similar decision by its neighbour Denmark and many other countries around the world.
Cristiano Ronaldo could face questioning as part of the ongoing investigation by Italian authorities into Juventus’ financial and transfer dealings.
The club’s offices in Turin and Milan were raided by police last Friday with player contracts, invoices, and financial statements taken as evidence.
The operation was carried out over claims that Juventus falsely recorded the values of transfers between 2019 and 2021 to enable them to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.
Italian authorities took documents relating to transfers, invoices, and financial statements with six Juventus officials – including club president Andrea Agnelli and vice-president Pavel Nedved under investigation, as well as Juventus itself.
Fabio Paratici, who was Juve’s sporting director before taking up a similar role with Tottenham last summer, is also under investigation. A probe by Italy’s football watchdog COVISOC and finance regulator Consob has already been opened.
In a report by Sportsmail earlier this week, the £47million deal for Cristian Romero to Tottenham in August, the same day he left Juventus for Atalanta for just £13.5m, is one of 42 transfers being scrutinised by police amid claims of false accounting.
Now Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport has claimed the Turin Public Prosecutor could question Manchester United striker Ronaldo as part of the probe.
Its alleged prosecutors are looking into a ‘secret’ agreement Ronaldo struck with Juventus during his time there that could relate to the amount of salary he deferred at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic or severance pay he received before leaving for Old Trafford this summer.
Reports in Italy claim there are recordings of phone calls where Juventus directors talk about a ‘document that should not have theoretically existed’ in relation to Ronaldo, but investigators are yet to find the document in question.
The Juventus directors who have been questioned by prosecutors so far have also reportedly failed to explain the nature of the deal that was struck with Ronaldo, who scored 101 goals in 134 appearances for the Italian giants.
The prosecutors in the case are willing to speak to Ronaldo about the matter in the hope the forward can clear up the ‘secret’ agreement and are considering summoning him back to Italy through his agent – GestiFute’s Jorge Mendes.
Nnamdi Kanu’s trial has been rescheduled from January 19 to January 18, 2022.
Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja rescheduled Kanu’s trial on Thursday, Dec. 2.
The shift in the trial date followed the abridgment of time granted by the judge following a passionate plea to that effect.
Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had approached the court with an application seeking an order of the court to accommodate the trial in November and December this year as against the earlier fixed January 19.
Shuaib Labaran, who stood for the Federal Government, however, told the court that a counter affidavit opposing the request by the government has been filled and served on Kanu.
Justice Nyako however cut in and informed Kanu’s lawyer that the application for time abridgment cannot be considered because there is no judicial time for such an issue.
In the drama that ensued, the case diary of the court was read to the lawyer to establish that the court has other cases to attend to.
However, following the insistence, Justice Nyako agreed to shift other cases slated for January 18 to accommodate the trial which will last till January 19 and 20.
Justice Nyako ordered DSS to allow Kanu to practice his faith, change his clothes, and be given the maximum possible comfort in the detention facility.
More than 100 former Afghan security forces have been killed by the Taliban or have disappeared since the militants seized control, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch.
According to HRW, an amnesty promised by Taliban’s leadership to former special forces didn’t prevent local commanders from targeting the former soldiers and police.
HRW accused the leadership of “condoning” the “deliberate” killings.
Recently, a Taliban spokesman recently denied any revenge killings were taking place in Afghanistan.
Remember that the militant group seized control of Afghanistan in August as the US withdrew its last military troops after 20 years of war, deposing the government of Ashraf Ghani.
The Taliban assured former government staff that they would be safe under a general amnesty towards those who had worked for the police, army, or other branches of the state.
The Taliban is widely held responsible for a ruthless campaign of assassinations in the 18 months between early 2020 and their takeover of the country in August. The victims included judges, journalists and peace activists.
According to the HRW report, published on Tuesday, November 30, the targeted killings have continued under the Taliban administration, with more than 100 people being killed or having disappeared across four provinces – Ghazni, Helmand, Kunduz, and Kandahar.
The charity said the Taliban had directed members of surrendering security forces units to register to receive a letter guaranteeing their safety, but instead used the information to detain and execute or “disappear” individuals within days of their registration.
The Taliban have also used employment records left behind by the former government to identify people for arrest and execution, HRW said.
“The Taliban leadership’s promised amnesty has not stopped local commanders from summarily executing or disappearing former Afghan security force members,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at the charity.
“The burden is on the Taliban to prevent further killings, hold those responsible to account, and compensate the victims’ families,” she added.
Taliban Prime Minister, Mohammed Hassan Akhund, in response to the report said;
“When the Taliban took over, they announced amnesty for all. Has there been any example of this?” he said, referring to retaliation. “There is no problem for anyone.”
A surgeon in Austria has been fined after amputating the wrong leg of a patient.
The elderly patient’s right leg was removed instead of his left by a female surgeon, with the mistake only discovered two days later in a tragic event that happened in May 2021..
On Wednesday, December 1, a court in Linz, Austria found the 43-year-old guilty of gross negligence and fined her €2,700 (£2,296).
The widow of the patient, who died before the case came to court, was also awarded €5,000 in damages by the court.
The mistake was identified during a routine bandage change after which the patient was told he would have to have his other leg amputated as well.
At the time of the incident, the hospital said the mistake had occurred as a “result of a sequence of unfortunate circumstances”.
In court, the surgeon said there had been a flaw in the chain of command in the operating theatre.
When asked why she had marked the right leg and not the left, she said: “I just don’t know”.
Some Jewish teens were subjected to ‘anti-Semitic’ attack on Oxford Street in central London, on the second night of Hanukkah.
A video shared online showed a gang of men shouting threats, hurling abuse and trying to smash the windows as shoppers watched. Inside the bus, passengers were heard yelling ‘We are Jewish’ and ‘Go, go, drive’ as one of the attackers took off his trainer and began hitting the glass.
As the vehicle drove off, some of the men chased after it and made obscene gestures. Metropolitan Police confirmed the footage originally shared by the Jewish Chronicle, adding that it is being investigated and will be treated as a hate crime.
The ‘vile’ scenes were condemned across the Jewish community on Wednesday, December 1. A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust (CST), a charity which monitors anti-Semitic incidents and provides security support to British Jews, said;
‘London is a city where Jewish people must be able to celebrate our festivals and enjoy an open, confident Jewish way of life.
‘This disgusting incident goes against everything this city stands for and should be condemned by all.’
London’s mayor Sadiq Khan also shared a message of support, saying;
‘We take a zero-tolerance approach to antisemitism in London.
‘Police are rightly investigating this vile incident on Oxford Street as a hate crime.’
The attack was also condemned by Councillor Rachael Robathan, leader of Westminster City Council.
She said;
‘Deeply disturbing scenes of what appears to be an anti-Semitic attack against Jewish teenagers in Oxford Street.
‘We utterly condemn this scenes and I will be raising this with @metpolice UK. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our Jewish community’
The Women’s Tennis Association has announced “immediate suspension of all tournaments in China” amid concern for Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.
The safety of Peng Shuai has become a matter of international concern after she made sexual assault allegations against a former China vice-premier Zhang Gaoli a month ago.
Immediately after her allegations which trended on Chinese social media site, Weibo, she went ‘missing’ while the Chinese government wiped off every trace of her allegations from social media platforms in China.
Later in November she appeared at a dinner with friends and at a children’s tennis tournament in Beijing and photographs and videos were published by Chinese state media journalists.
But the international community still doubts her safety.
On Wednesday, December 1, WTA chairman and CEO Steve Simon said in a statement that the safety of players is of paramount concern.
“When on November 2, 2021, Peng Shuai posted an allegation of sexual assault against a top Chinese government official, the Women’s Tennis Association recognized that Peng Shuai’s message had to be listened to and taken seriously. The players of the WTA, not to mention women around the world, deserve nothing less,” Simon said.
“From that moment forward, Peng Shuai demonstrated the importance of speaking out, particularly when it comes to sexual assault, and especially when powerful people are involved. As Peng said in her post, ‘Even if it is like an egg hitting a rock, or if I am like a moth drawn to the flame, inviting self-destruction, I will tell the truth about you’. She knew the dangers she would face, yet she went public anyway. I admire her strength and courage.
“Since then, Peng’s message has been removed from the internet and discussion of this serious issue has been censored in China. Chinese officials have been provided the opportunity to cease this censorship, verifiably prove that Peng is free and able to speak without interference or intimidation, and investigate the allegation of sexual assault in a full, fair and transparent manner.
“Unfortunately, the leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way. While we now know where Peng is, I have serious doubts that she is free, safe and not subject to censorship, coercion and intimidation. The WTA has been clear on what is needed here, and we repeat our call for a full and transparent investigation – without censorship – into Peng Shuai’s sexual assault accusation.
“None of this is acceptable nor can it become acceptable. If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded – equality for women – would suffer an immense setback. I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players.
“As a result, and with the full support of the WTA Board of Directors, I am announcing the immediate suspension of all WTA tournaments in China, including Hong Kong. In good conscience, I don’t see how I can ask our athletes to compete there when Peng Shuai is not allowed to communicate freely and has seemingly been pressured to contradict her allegation of sexual assault. Given the current state of affairs, I am also greatly concerned about the risks that all of our players and staff could face if we were to hold events in China in 2022.
“I have been gratified by the massive amount of international support the WTA has received for its position on this matter. To further protect Peng and many other women throughout the world, it is more urgent than ever for people to speak out. The WTA will do everything possible to protect its players. As we do so, I hope leaders around the world will continue to speak out so justice can be done for Peng, and all women, no matter the financial ramifications.
“I very much regret it has come to this point. The tennis communities in China and Hong Kong are full of great people with whom we have worked for many years. They should be proud of their achievements, hospitality and success. However, unless China takes the steps we have asked for, we cannot put our players and staff at risk by holding events in China. China’s leaders have left the WTA with no choice. I remain hopeful that our pleas will be heard and the Chinese authorities will take steps to legitimately address this issue.”
Authorities in the UK found Cocaine with an estimated street value of up to £78 million when police responded to reports that people were stealing from a lorry.
Police arrested three men and a woman, who have since been released on bail following last Friday’s seizure of drugs at a depot on Northampton’s Brackmills Industrial Estate.
The haul was discovered after police received reports of a theft from a goods vehicle making a delivery at a depot.
Police are not yet certain who is responsible for importing the drugs to the UK and where they were to be distributed.
It is the largest ever drugs seizure in Northamptonshire.
Northamptonshire Police said in a statement: ‘On arrival, officers discovered holdalls filled with blocks of cocaine and a short time later, with the aid of ANPR, traced a dumped van which contained further bags full of drugs.
‘In total, 18 holdalls were recovered.
‘An investigation has been launched to establish where the cocaine came from and who was transporting it.’
Detective Superintendent Emma James, said: ‘This is the biggest seizure of Class A drugs by Northamptonshire Police.
‘In total, we’ve recovered 780kg of cocaine which, following forensic analysis, has been moved out of the county.
‘This was a large-scale transportation of Class A drugs and our investigation will be looking at who was responsible for bringing it into Northamptonshire and what their plans were for distributing it.
‘We’re urging anyone who has any information about the people involved in organised crime or drug dealing to contact us online, by calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.’
A US police officer who shot and killed a suspected shoplifter in a wheelchair, hitting him nine times in the back and side, has been fired from the police force.
Police in Tucson, Arizona, said off-duty officer Ryan Remington was working as a security guard in a retail area when 61-year-old Richard Lee Richards allegedly stole a toolbox from a Walmart supermarket.
Disturbing footage released by the department shows Mr. Remington meters behind Mr. Richards, asking him to stop. When Mr. Richards refused to stop his motorised wheelchair, Mr. Remington opened fire, shooting the suspected shoplifter in the back and the side.
Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus said a Walmart employee had called Mr. Remington for help.
“According to the employee, he (Mr Remington) caught up with Mr. Richards outside as he fled the store and asked to see a receipt for the toolbox,” CNN quoted Chief Magnus as saying.
“Instead of providing the receipt, Mr. Richards brandished a knife and said, ‘Here’s your receipt.'”
Chief Magnus told a press conference he was “deeply disturbed” by his officer’s actions.
“His use of deadly force in this incident is a clear violation of department policy and directly contradicts multiple aspects of our use of force and training.
“As a result, the department moved earlier today to terminate Officer Remington.”
CNN quoted Mr. Remington’s attorney Michael Storie as saying the video did not tell the whole story.
Mr. Storie said Mr. Remington “attempted to de-escalate the situation” but Mr. Richards’s actions left him “no choice but to use deadly force”.
At least five staff of Borno State Ministry of Work have been abducted by Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP).
According to Daily Trust, the victims, who were supervising the construction of Chibok-Damboa road, were abducted on Wednesday morning, December 1, near Wovi, a remote village in Chibok Local Government Area.
A top official who confirmed the incident told the publication that one of the abducted staff, a driver, escaped unhurt.
“Yes, it is so sad and we are worry about this latest developments. The abductions came as a shocker to us. I can confirm to you that they were abducted this morning.”
Commissioner for Works, Hon Architect Yerima Saleh, who confirmed the incident, said the abductors also went away with three trucks used in conveying sand to construction sites.
Parag Agrawal, the new Twitter CEO, has been hit with racism claims after a 2010 tweet resurfaced in which he appears to call all white people racist.
In the tweet shared on October 26, 2010, Parag Agrawal, an Indian-American, wrote: “If they are not gonna make a distinction between Muslims and extremists, then why should I distinguish between white people and racists?”
The tweet was apparently quoting comedian Aasif Mandvi, who had appeared in an episode of The Daily Show in a segment pitting black people against Muslim people.
The tweet resurfaced on Monday November 29, after Agrawal, 45, was named the new CEO of Twitter as Dorsey officially announced he is stepping down from the company.
Reacting to Parag’s old tweet, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Republican from Tennessee, wrote: “This is Parag Agrawal, Twitter’s new CEO and the person who’s going to be deciding what kind of speech is allowed on Twitter.”
Mia Cathell, a news editor for the Post Millenial, commented that Parag apparently does not know how to scrub his tweets after the tweet resurfaced.
The European Union has demanded China gives it “verifiable proof” that tennis star Peng Shuai is safe and well after she went missing for more than two weeks.
The former number-one-ranked doubles player raised major concern for her well-being when she accused Zhang Gaoli, the country’s former vice-premier, of sexual assault on social media.
She made her allegations in a post on Chinese social media site Weibo on November 2, but it was swiftly removed and her name and the word ‘ tennis ‘ were censored for a time.
Peng was not seen in public for more than two weeks in the aftermath, and concerns began to arise regarding her wellbeing – with tennis stars such as Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Serena Williams expressing their worries.
Chinese state media have since released several pieces of proof of Peng’s safety, including an email supposedly written by her, photos of her wishing fans a “happy weekend” and footage of her allegedly at a tennis tournament, but it has done little to quell concerns over her safety.
She also took part in a 30-minute video call with International Olympic Committee chair Thomas Bach, in which she said she was “safe and well”.
But even after that call the WTA said it did “not alleviate or address concerns” and that more believable evidence needed to be provided.
The EU has now joined the women’s tour in calling for more proof, and for a genuine investigation into her claims of sexual assault at the hands of a prominent former Communist Party member.
“Her recent public reappearance does not ease concerns about her safety and freedom,” an EU spokesperson said.
“The EU joins growing international demands, including by sport professionals, for assurances that she is free and not under threat,” the body added.
“In this spirit, the EU requests the Chinese government to provide verifiable proof of Peng Shuai’s safety, well-being and whereabouts.
“The EU urges the Chinese authorities to conduct a full, fair and transparent investigation into her allegations of sexual assault.”
Meanwhile, the Chinese government recently dismissed public concerns over Peng’s safety as “malicious hyping”.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, said the situation was “not a diplomatic matter”, when asked about it at a press briefing last Tuesday.
“I believe everyone will have seen she has recently attended some public activities and also held a video call with the IOC [International Olympic Committee] president, [Thomas] Bach,” he said.
“I hope certain people will cease malicious hyping, let alone politicisation.”
A lawsuit challenging the qualification of Chukwuma Soludo as a candidate in the November 6 Anambra state governorship election, has been dismissed by a federal high court in Abuja.
The plaintiffs, Adindu Valentine and Egwudike Chukwuebuka in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/711/2021 alleged that Soludo provided false information in the affidavit (Form EC9) that he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and should be deemed unqualified to stand for election.
It was also alleged that Soludo and his running mate, Onyeka Ibezim, flled in different elective positions in their nomination forms. They claimed the governor-elect stated that he was contesting the Aguata II Constituency seat, while the deputy governor-elect stated that he was contending for the Awka II Constituency seat in the forms they submitted to INEC.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo however on Wednesday December 1, dismissed the lawsuit on grounds of being “unnecessary”. He held that the plaintiffs failed to establish that they had a reasonable cause of action.
Taiwo said;
“I have carefully perused form EC9 for the third defendant (Soludo) and I can see that the third defendant marked that he was contesting the position of governor.
“He stated his constituency in the affidavits in support of the particulars. He also clearly stated that he was contesting the post of governor, his constituency is Aguata 2 Anambra and the name of his political party. All other information as to his person is also in his affidavits which were deposed to on the 1st of July 2020.
“I see that the fourth defendant marked the post he was contesting for and also stated same in the affidavits in support of his particulars for that office.
“The question is, how is it brought to the plaintiffs that the third and fourth defendants are not contesting for the governorship and deputy governorship election in Anambra state. Were there other elections held in Anambra state for which the 1st defendant had called for elections? How has the plaintiff been misled by the information contained in the affidavits of personal particulars?
“The plaintiffs have failed woefully to convince the court that the second, third and fourth defendants supplied false information to the 1st defendant which they knowingly accepted.
“I am yet to come to terms with the purpose this suit if I must say is meant to serve.
“The rule of law must not be abused and the rule of law must not be used as an instrument to choke democracy from breathing freely.
“The case of the plaintiffs must fail and I pronounce same as failed. The issues for determination are resolved against the plaintiffs and the reliefs being sought are totally rejected. This suit is not necessary and it has wasted the time of this court.”
The court also awarded a sum of N2 million against the plaintiffs, in favour of APGA, Soludo and Ibezim.
Barbados has officially removed Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state and became a republic.
In an overnight ceremony on Monday, November 29, in the capital of Bridgetown, Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as president in the ceremony coinciding with the country’s 55th anniversary of independence.
Singer Rihanna, who is from Barbados attended the event alongside the Prince of Wales, Charles, who represented the Queen.
In a speech, Prince Charles acknowledged the “appalling atrocity of slavery” the Caribbean island suffered while stating it was time for the Island to move ahead as a republic.
Speaking as the guest of honour at the event, Prince Charles reiterated the continuing ties between the two nations despite the constitutional status change.
He described the moment as a new beginning before being awarded the prestigious Order of Freedom of Barbados by the new president.
The Queen sent the country her “warmest good wishes” for “happiness, peace and prosperity in the future” and said the nation holds a “special place” in her heart.
To signify the official change of power, a final salute was made to the British monarchy and the British Royal Standard flag was lowered and replaced.
Dame Sandra Mason, 72, the island’s governor-general since 2018, was named as president-elect of the nation following a vote in parliament last month. She now replaces the Queen as the head of state.
“Vessel Republic Barbados has set sail on her maiden voyage. May she weather all storms and land our country and citizens safely on the horizons and shores which are ahead of us,” she said after being sworn in.
She later announced that pop star Rihanna would be named a national hero by President Mason. The artist and businesswoman, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was previously named an ambassador by her home country in 2018.
“May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation,” Ms Mottley said, in reference to one of Rihanna’s songs.
Barbados announced its plan to become a republic last year, but it says it will still remain within the Commonwealth.
Barbados was one of England’s first slave colonies. English settlers first occupied the island in 1627 and, under British control, it became a sugar plantation economy using enslaved people brought in from Africa.
Slavery was abolished in Barbados in 1834 and the country became fully independent in 1966.
Before Barbados, which has a population of about 285,000 people, the last nation to remove the Queen as head of state was Mauritius in 1992.
On Tuesday night November 30, celebrities came together to celebrate the ‘life and legacy’ of Virgil Abloh by attending a presentation of the late fashion designer’s final Louis Vuitton collection in Miami.
Kim Kardashian and her estranged husband Kanye West, who were close friends with Abloh, were seated front row as they attended the runway show with their eight-year-old daughter North.
The couple, who separated in February after nearly seven years of marriage, were later pictured posing together.
Abloh tragically passed away at the age of 41 on Nov. 28 after a private battle with a rare form of cancer. He served as men’s artistic director for Louis Vuitton from 2018 until his death.
Virgil’s Spring-Summer 2022 runway collection was showcased during the tribute presentation, titled VIRGIL WAS HERE, that commenced at 5:30PM Eastern Time.
Kanye and Kim’s outing come after the rapper vowed to restore his relationship with the reality star amid her new romance with Pete Davidson.
Last month, the 44-year-old rapper spoke about his marriage to Kim Kardashian while attending the Los Angeles Mission’s Annual Thanksgiving event in Skid Row. During his speech, Kanye expressed his desires for him and Kim to get back together and needing “to be back home.”
“The narrative God wants is to see that we can be redeemed in all these relationships. We’ve made mistakes. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve publicly done things that were not acceptable as a husband,” he says in a video shared by PageSix.
“But right now today, for whatever reason, I didn’t know I was going to be standing right here. I didn’t know I was gonna be in front of this mic, but I’m here to change the narrative.”
Kanye then continued by expressing that he wasn’t going to let E!, Hulu and Disney, networks that work with the Kardashians on their reality shows, “write the narrative of his family. I am the priest of my own home.”
“I have to be next to my children as much as possible. So, when I’m out the house, I’ve got a house right next to the house. I’m doing everything to be right next to the situation, But I need to be back home.” he said
“If the enemy can separate Kimye, there’s going to be millions of families that feel like that separation is OK… but when God brings Kimye together, there’s going to be millions of families that are going to be influenced to see that they can overcome the work of the separation,” he continued. “Of trauma the devil has used to capitalize to keep people in misery while people step over homeless people to go to the Gucci store.”
Kanye and Kim also share three children together, Saint, 5, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star filed for divorce from the rapper in February, after seven years of marriage.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Tuesday November 30 took former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, into custody over allegations of fraud.
FFK was taken to the EFCC office shortly after his trial at the Federal high court in Lagos on alleged money laundering was adjourned till January 2022. The former Minister was in court in continuation of his trial in an alleged N4.6 billion fraud.
Recall that on November 23, FFK was quizzed at the Lagos zonal command of the EFCC over allegations of forgery. He came out to confirm he was interrogated by EFCC operatives but was granted bail afterward.
The hearing of the case against him today couldn’t continue due to the absence of Ferdinand Orbih, counsel representing the first defendant, Nenadi Usman.
Shortly after the case was adjourned, EFCC investigators walked up to FFK and escorted him to their office for further interrogation.
The Lagos State Government has released the White Paper on the #EndSARS Panel of Inquiry report.
In the report, the state government says of the 32 recommendations by the panel, it has accepted 11, accepted 6 modifications, and rejected one.
The state government added that 14 of the recommendations fall outside the powers of the state and will be forwarded to the Federal Government for consideration.
The state government describes the panel’s conclusion that nine persons were shot dead at the tollgate as assumptions and speculations. The state government has recommended disciplinary action against two military officers who refused to honor the panel’s invitation.
Details of what the recommendations are, are however, yet to be made public.
A leaked version of the report had indicted the Nigerian Army and the Lagos state government in the killing of unarmed protesters and a subsequent cover-up of the incident at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.
CNN has suspended anchor Chris Cuomo indefinitely after new documents revealed the extent to which he aided his brother, former New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, amid allegations of sexual harassment.
The cable network said it was not previously privy to documents released by New York Attorney General Letitia James including text messages between Chris Cuomo and Melissa DeRosa, a top aide to his brother where he gave advise on how his brother could tackle the allegations and also tried digging up dirt on his brother’s accusers to discredit them.
“When Chris admitted to us that he had offered advice to his brother’s staff, he broke our rules and we acknowledged that publicly,” a CNN spokesperson said on Tuesday night, November 30.
“But we also appreciated the unique position he was in and understood his need to put family first and job second. However, these documents point to a greater level of involvement in his brother’s efforts than we previously knew.”
“As a result, we have suspended Chris indefinitely, pending further evaluation,” the spokesperson added.
CNN said a second hour of Anderson Cooper 360 will air in place of Cuomo’s 9 p.m. program Tuesday night.
The messages between Chris and Andrew Cuomo released on Monday, imply Chris Cuomo played a key role in working to form a defense against the allegations, using his role within the media to prepare his brother’s team as accusers came forward.
According to the documents, he texted a senior aide of his brother’s to “let me help with the prep” and agreed to a request by DeRosa to check his “sources” to confirm whether Politico planned to publish an article including additional accusations.
“I would — when asked, I would reach out to sources, other journalists, to see if they had heard of anybody else coming out,” Chris Cuomo said in testimony released by the attorney general’s office.
Andrew Cuomo resigned in August after a state investigation found he sexually harassed 11 women and was charged last month with a misdemeanor sex crime for allegedly groping a woman at the Executive Mansion in 2020.
The United Nations has said it will implement a program to pay $300 million a year in cash to Afghan families with children, elderly or people with disabilities in Afghanistan, calling it the best way to target increasing poverty.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 1, the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Kanni Wignaraja described an “alarming” socio-economic outlook for Afghanistan for the next 13 months, saying the agency will also push for a $100 million “cash for work” project to boost employment and $90 million in small business payments.
“This will be probably the best shot at halting this massive collapse into near universal poverty,” UNDP’s Kanni Wignaraja, told Reuters.
The U.N. World Food Programme has said 22.8 million people are facing acute food insecurity as Afghanistan struggles with a sharp drop in international development aid after the Taliban seized power in mid-August.
The economy and banking system in Afghanistan is on the brink of collapse, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic and severe drought.
All this factors have made UNDP to project that poverty may affect more than 90 percent of the country’s 39 million people by mid 2022 .
UNDP set up a special trust fund in October, with a 50 million euros ($58 million) pledge from Germany, to provide urgently needed cash directly to Afghans. So far, the fund has received pledges for $170 million.
The UNDP report makes the case for boosting a cash payment program, known as ABADEI, which was launched in October. Since then UNDP said it has made $100,000 in “cash for work” payments, creating jobs for 2,300 people in Mazar, Kunduz and Herat, and is being expanded to other provinces.
The report also warned that Afghanistan’s economic growth will not turn positive in the near term unless restrictions on women working are lifted, $250 million a year in aid to combat COVID-19 continues and sanctions are eased to allow for humanitarian assistance.
It estimates that restricting female employment could cause an immediate economic loss of between $600 million and $1 billion – 3 to 5 percent of gross domestic product.
The wife of Mexican drug boss Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has been sentenced to three years in prison and four years of supervised release.
Emma Coronel Aispuro pleaded guilty earlier this year to assisting her husband’s cartel, the Sinaloa cartel, in its drug distribution process while her husband was imprisoned, according to court documents.
“The defendant’s actual role was a minimal one,” prosecutor Anthony Nardozzi said.
“The defendant acted primarily in support of her husband. The defendant acted upon his orders, which, in turn, furthered the interests of the criminal cartel. The defendant was not an organizer, leader, boss or other type of manager. Rather, she was a cog in a very large wheel of a criminal organization.”
Because Coronel, a 32-year-old former beauty queen, has no prior criminal convictions, she was able to avoid a minimum 10-year sentence for her crimes.
The three-year sentencing is a year less than the federal government’s recommendation of four years, which the defense called “inappropriate” during Tuesday’s sentencing hearing.
D.C. District Court Judge Rudolph Contreras noted that the conditions of the prison in which Coronel was held during the COVID-19 pandemic prior to her sentencing were “harsher than they would have been” in pre-pandemic times “and will continue to be harsh for the foreseeable future.”
Coronel, who has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Mexico, and Guzman got married in 2007, when she was 18. The couple has two twin daughters together.
She pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiring to distribute cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana illegally imported into the United States; conspiring to launder drug money from the cartel; engaging in financial dealings with the cartel.
Coronel is also facing supervision after her release for four years on count one and three years on counts two and three.
The Sinaloa cartel, one of the world’s largest drug-trafficking organizations under Guzman’s leadership, was responsible for multiple murders and smuggling mountains of cocaine and other drugs into the United States during the drug kingpin’s 25-year reign, prosecutors previously said in court papers.
Guzman was convicted in New York on Feb. 12, 2019, of running an industrial-scale smuggling operation. He was sentenced to life in prison in July of that year.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai celebrated her graduation from Oxford University.
A year and a half after officially earning the degree, Yousafzai was able to walk at the graduation ceremony that had been delayed by the pandemic.
In photos posted to Instagram and Twitter, Yousafzai posed in her cap and gown on the Oxford campus with the caption, “Some Latin was said and apparently I have a degree”.
Malala’s husband and her parents were present at the graduation ceremony.
Rwanda has become the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to impose a ban on inbound and outbound flights to southern African countries in the wake of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron.
The new variant was first reported in South Africa last week, with cases subsequently detected in several countries, and many governments have moved swiftly to reimpose flight restrictions.
In a press statement, the country’s prime minister, Dr. Édouard Ngirente, said that after an extraordinary Cabinet meeting, it was resolved that “direct flights between Rwanda and southern Africa are temporarily suspended”.
The countries affected by the ban are Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Monday that the new variant poses a “very high” risk globally.
Even if the new strain proves to be less deadly than previous ones, it could put more pressure on hospitals if it spreads more easily, it said.
“If another major surge of Covid-19 takes place driven by Omicron, consequences may be severe,” WHO said in a technical note, adding that “to date, no deaths linked to Omicron variant have been reported.”
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday protested the “unjustified” travel bans and called for their immediate reversal.
“We call upon all those countries that have imposed travel bans on our country and our southern African sister countries to immediately and urgently reverse their decisions,” Ramaphosa said.
Malawian President Lazarus Chakwera on his part accused Western countries of “Afrophobia” for shutting their borders.
The head of the WHO in Africa also cautioned against border closures.
“With the Omicron variant now detected in several regions of the world, putting in place travel bans that target Africa attacks global solidarity,” WHO regional director general Matshidiso Moeti said in a statement.
Four persons, including a Nigerian national and his girlfriend, have been arrested in India for allegedly duping people after befriending them on social networking sites, Faridabad police said on Monday, November 29.
Police said that the suspects who were arrested on Saturday, have been active in Delhi-NCR for the last one year and at least 50 cases were registered against the gang.
The suspects were identified as Chinonso Roy Akata, who lived in Delhi’s Tuglakabad, his girlfriend Sangeeta, Ajay Kumar of Bihar who lived in Delhi’s Jasola on rent, and Atif Ali of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, also a resident of Delhi.
Akata who is in his late thirties and Sangeeta were in a live-in relationship.
The passport of Akata who came to India on a student visa had expired six months ago and he was staying in India illegally, police added.
The suspects would befriend people on Facebook and then convince them to transfer money on the pretext of sending them costly gifts and foreign currency, said police, adding that all the suspects were arrested from Delhi.
According to the Faridabad police, they received a complaint from a 28-year-old engineer working at a private company in the city alleging that he was duped of ?5.78 lakh by a woman who befriended him online in October.
Narender Kadiyan, deputy commissioner of police (crime), Faridabad, said that the Nigerian national with the help of a Delhi woman formed a gang and started duping people after creating fake profiles.
“Akata and Sangeeta created fake social media profiles and befriended people by posing as women. They would tell the victims that they are visiting India along with their siblings to meet them to finalise the wedding. Later, the victims used to receive calls from a man posing as customs officer who would inform them that the duo are caught with valuables worth several lakhs of rupees and they have to pay custom duty for their release,” he said.
Police said that Akata’s bank account had transactions worth ?65 lakh in the past two months.
Basant Kumar, station house officer of Faridabad cyber police station, said that the suspects used to tell victims that they would get precious gifts as a token of friendship or would propose them for marriage.
The SHO said that Ajay would provide Sangeeta and Akata SIM cards to make calls to dupe people, and Ali opened accounts for them to transfer money. “All the suspects were taken on seven-day police remand on Sunday after being produced before the court,” he said.
After an investigation by the cyber cell, an FIR was registered on Sunday at Faridabad cyber police station.
“Our cyber police team put the suspects’ numbers on surveillance and their locations were traced, following which they were arrested,” said SHO Kumar.
Operatives of the Lagos Command of the EFCC have arrested 60 suspected internet fraudsters during an awards ceremony at the Conference Hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Investigations by the EFCC revealed that the event tagged “Peer Youths Awards”, was organized to reward high-level internet fraudsters.
Items recovered from the suspects at the point of arrest include exotic cars, electronic devices, laptop computers, and mobile phones.
US President, Joe Biden has called the Omicron Covid variant a “cause for concern, not a cause for panic” saying the US doesn’t need to have lockdowns over it.
Two days after the variant was detected in North America, Biden said he saw no need for a lockdown “for now”, adding, “if people are vaccinated and wear their masks”.
Cases have been found in Canada, and the US has imposed travel bans on eight African countries including South Africa.
Despite the production of vaccines and Biden’s election vow to “shut down” the virus, more Americans died this year from Covid than last year when Donald Trump was president.
At the White House on Monday, November 29, the president called it “almost inevitable” that the Omicron strain, will be found in the US “at some point”.
He added that vaccine companies are creating “contingency plans” for new vaccines “if needed”.
Canada, the US neighbour to the north, said on Sunday that the Omicron strain had been discovered in two patients who had recently travelled to Nigeria.
Also, the World Health Organization called Omicron a “variant of concern”, but says it is still not clear whether it is associated with more transmission or more risk of evading vaccines.
Following Biden’s ban of travel from Southern Africa, his critics attacked him saying he accused former President Donald Trump of “hysterical xenophobia” after he limited travel from China in January 2020 as the coronavirus spread in the US.
Catriona Laing, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, has sent out a message of hope and optimism that Nigeria will overcome its current economic and security challenges.
Laing gave the assurance on Monday November 29, while speaking at a state dinner in Benin organised in her honour.
According to her, “I am very confident that Nigeria will get through this difficult period, the economy is going through a challenging period of insecurity.
“I am a Nigeria optimist and I think Edo will lead the way in taking Nigeria through to where it should be. You have a governor that makes stuff happens and I am very impressive.
“I like the way he put education together and Information and Communications Technology, honestly you have incredible talents in Edo,” she said.
In his remarks, Governor Godwin Obaseki thanked the British High Commissioner to Nigeria for the enormous support the state has enjoyed in the last few years.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has disclosed that it will suspend its agitation if the federal government sets a date to hold a referendum on the secession of the south-east region.
Recall stakeholders have been clamoring for the restructuring of the country in a bid to calm the tension in the country.
Reacting to the calls for restructuring, IPOB in a statement on Monday, said it is not against restructuring, but that “restoration of Biafra state” is the demand of the group.
The secessionist group said those benefiting from the country’s “lopsidedness” are “unlikely” to heed the clamour for restructuring.
“Nigerian government must bear one thing in mind; IPOB is not fighting restructuring. We are not against restructuring but our demand is not restructuring,” the statement reads.
“Our demand is restoration of Biafra State. All we need is a date for REFERENDUM to decide whether or not we want to continue with this forced marriage.
“Those who think Nigeria is ready for restructuring may have to think again. Those benefiting from the current lopsidedness have made restructuring impossible. They are unlikely to heed the clamour for restructuring.
“But for us, the only thing that can make us slow down a little is the government giving us a date for the referendum.
“Restoration of the sovereign State of Biafra is a divine mandate. Our eternal leader Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu told them to restructure Nigeria they said no and killed millions of Biafrans in the war.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB did not come on board to demand restructuring; we are for total freedom and independence.”
IPOB reiterated that the sit-at-home order has been suspended while warning those attacking residents of the southeast in the name of “unknown gunmen” to desist.
Media company, CNN has said it would review newly released records that show TV host Chris Cuomo (top right) coaching his elder brother, former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (top left), on how to respond to allegations of sexual harassment.
The records, which were released Monday, November 29, by the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James from an investigation conducted into allegations of sexual harassment against Andrew Cuomo, include text messages sent by Chris Cuomo to one of his brother’s top aides and a transcript of an interview with Chris Cuomo conducted by investigators working for Ms. James.
The records show that Chris Cuomo gave detailed feedback on his brother’s statements to the press and gathered information about upcoming stories involving his brother’s accusers.
In a statement, CNN, a company under WarnerMedia, said that “thousands of pages of additional transcripts and exhibits” released by Ms. James’s office “deserve a thorough review and consideration.”
“We will be having conversations and seeking additional clarity about their significance as they relate to CNN over the next several days,” the CNN statement said.
Andrew Cuomo stepped down as governor of New York earlier this year after Ms. James’s office released its report, though he said that some of the allegations against him were not factual and we’re politically motivated.
A spokesman for Andrew Cuomo said that aspects of Ms. James’s investigation into the former governor were politically motivated.
“Today’s manipulated release of hand picked witness testimony with selective redactions is typical,” the statement said.
Back in May, CNN President Jeff Zucker said in an employee meeting that Chris Cuomo had “made a mistake” by participating in strategy sessions with his brother, but said he didn’t see a point in suspending Chris Cuomo, adding that taking him off the air would amount to “punishment for the sake of punishing.”
Also in September, Chris Cuomo himself was accused of groping a veteran TV journalist at a party in 2005 when they were co-workers at Walt Disney Co. ’s ABC News. Chris Cuomo responded by saying he regretted the incident, which he said wasn’t sexual in nature.
The records also say CNN anchor reached out to sources—including other journalists—to figure out whether additional complaints of sexual misconduct against his brother might surface.
Andrew Cuomo has been accused by several women, including some that worked for him, of sexual misconduct that included inappropriate touching and lewd remarks. Ms. James’s report, which was released over the summer, said that Andrew Cuomo grabbed the breast of an executive assistant; caressed the neck, back and belly of a state trooper; squeezed the rear end of another employee; inappropriately touched two other women, and over the years, made a habit of hugging and kissing staff members to their discomfort.
Tiger Woods has spoken on his future as a golf player, for the first time since his car crash earlier this year.
In an exclusive interview with Golf Digest, Tiger Woods revealed he won’t be playing golf full time anymore.
“I think something that is realistic is playing the tour one day, never full time, ever again, but pick and choose, just like Mr. (Ben) Hogan did,” Woods told interviewer Henni Koyack.
“Pick and choose a few events a year and you play around that. You practice around that, and you gear yourself up for that. And you play. I think that’s how I’m going to have to play it from now on.
“It’s an unfortunate reality, but it’s my reality. And I understand it, and I accept it.”
Before the interview in his South Florida home, Woods walked into the room with what he called a slight “hitch” in his walking step, evidence of the serious leg injuries suffered in a car crash near Los Angeles in February.
Woods says during his strenous rehabilitation, things as simple as watching his son play or listening to birds sing have taken on greater meaning.
“I have so far to go. … I’m not even at the halfway point. I have so much more muscle development and nerve development that I have to do in my leg. At the same time, as you know, I’ve had five back operations. So I’m having to deal with that. So as the leg gets stronger, sometimes the back may act up. … It’s a tough road.
“I’m just happy to be able to go out there and watch Charlie play, or go in the backyard and have an hour or two by myself with no one talking, no music, no nothing. I just hear the birds chirping. That part I’ve sorely missed.”
Popular Nollywood Thespian, Clem Ohameze was on Sunday left in uncontrollable tears as he was gifted the sum of N8 million from prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin.
The money was meant to sort the medical bills of the popular actor, who has been down with an undisclosed illness.
Ohameze has been confined to a sick bed for almost two years after he was involved in an auto accident.
The accident was said to have damaged his lower and upper limbs making him unable to fend for himself
He has since resorted to soliciting help on social media.
In a viral video on social media, the veteran actor was assisted into the Warri-based church limping with the help of two men.
Fufeyin, the founder of Christ Mercy Land Church located, called the ailing actor out of many providing him with a Bible and N8 million.
The actor was seen crying uncontrollably after receiving the fund, Fufeyin said: “When I look at the situation of the man I was weeping inwardly. People said he needs prayer. We all need to pray for him.”
Fufeyin stated that he first saw the man on the internet requesting prayer over his predicament before he was informed that the actor had come to his church for assistance.
“I know he was a strong man,” Fufeyin said while stressing that Ohameze needed help and support.
The veteran actor had told the church that a series of scans were done on him after the accident with medical treatments.
Weeping profusely, Ohameze said the doctor had told him surgery remained the only leeway after a series of further tests.
But that he had been praying, promising to return to the doctor after a scary picture of the surgery process was painted to him.
“My doctor kept calling. He said the more I stay, the worst the situation. So I have no choice but to make up my mind to go for the surgery.
“So I called that I was ready and they booked me for the first week of December. I recorded the video asking for prayers because I know there’s nothing God can not do. Let the church pray for me,” Ohameze said.
In response, Fufeyin did not only pray for him alongside his congratulations but supported the actor with N8 million and a Bible.
Jack Dorsey has confirmed that he will be resigning as Twitter’s chief executive after a share price spike followed reports of the move.
He said in a statement: “I’ve decided to leave Twitter because I believe the company is ready to move on from its founders.”
Parag Agrawal has been announced as the new CEO and a member of the board, with immediate effect.
Shares in the social media platform rose 9% on market opening on Monday morning following a report that Mr Dorsey, 45, who co-founded Twitter in 2006, was to leave his role.
He will remain the chief executive of financial payments company Square, which has a market capitalisation of over $98bn (£73bn) compared to Twitter’s $38bn (£28bn).
Flamboyant Kenyan pastor, Lucy Natasha has announced her engagement to fellow preacher, Prophet Stanley Carmel.
The founder of Empowerment Christian Church (ECC) said ‘yes’ to Prophet Carmel during an event that took place at a five star hotel in Nairobi on Saturday, November 27.
The stylish preacher later took to her official social media accounts to share photos from the engagement ceremony.
“I Said Yes” she captioned photos of Prophet Carmel down on one knee proposing to her.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:11” she added.
“My Love Carmel may the rest of our life’s journey together will be filled with God’s grace, blessings, provisions, protection and guidance,” she captioned other photos.
Kim Kardashian reportedly ‘gave no indication’ she wanted to work things out with estranged husband Kanye West, who is hoping they would get back together.
The Billionaire rapper, 44, recently insisted that the former couple, who share four children together – will fix their relationship. He also admitted to making mistakes during their seven-year marriage.
A source now claims that Kim is adamant about the divorce she filed for in February.
“Make no mistake about it, Kim is not getting back together with Kanye,” the insider told HollywoodLife.
“Kim has not given Kanye any indication whatsoever that she wants to work it out.” the source added
Kim has been making headlines after going on endless dates with Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson. They first met during her stint on the late-night comedy show, where she kissed Pete during a skit.
Meanwhile, over the Thanksgiving holiday, Kanye claimed God will bring him and Kim back together.
The rapper discussed a possible reconciliation with the Keeping Up With the Kardashians star while visiting a homeless shelter in Los Angeles last week.
“The narrative God wants is to see that we can be redeemed in all these relationships. We’ve made mistakes. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve publicly done things that were not acceptable as a husband,” he says in a video shared by PageSix.
“But right now today, for whatever reason, I didn’t know I was going to be standing right here. I didn’t know I was gonna be in front of this mic, but I’m here to change the narrative.”
Kanye then continued by expressing that he wasn’t going to let E!, Hulu and Disney, networks that work with the Kardashians on their reality shows, “write the narrative of his family. I am the priest of my own home.”
“I have to be next to my children as much as possible. So, when I’m out the house, I’ve got a house right next to the house. I’m doing everything to be right next to the situation, But I need to be back home.” he said
“If the enemy can separate Kimye, there’s going to be millions of families that feel like that separation is OK… but when God brings Kimye together, there’s going to be millions of families that are going to be influenced to see that they can overcome the work of the separation,” he continued. “Of trauma the devil has used to capitalize to keep people in misery while people step over homeless people to go to the Gucci store.”
Kanye and Kim share four children together; North, 8, Saint, 5, Chicago, 3, and Psalm, 2. The Keeping Up With the Kardashians star filed for divorce from the rapper in February, after seven years of marriage.
A married couple who tested positive for COVID-19 have been arrested after fleeing a quarantine hotel in the Netherlands before attempting to leave the country.
The pair were arrested on an airplane that was about to take off at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on Sunday evening, according to Dutch police.
Officers did not release the names and nationalities of those detained, but the city’s Het Parool newspaper reported that they were a Spanish man and Portuguese woman who were trying to fly to Spain.
Their arrest was made “without violence”, the newspaper added.
The couple had been staying at a quarantined hotel in the Kennmerland region, where travellers from South Africa who have tested positive for COVID-19 are self-isolating.
Among more than 600 passengers on two flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg, 61 have tested positive for COVID-19 – and 13 of them were infected with the Omicron variant.
Private security guards at the hotel make sure guests remain in isolation, while police outside ensures no one enters the premises if they do not need to be there.
A Twitter user has taken to his handle to draw the attention of the authorities to a crack he spotted on one of the pillars at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos state.
Posting a photo showing the crack, he wrote;
”This is MM2’s parking lot. Given the rate of building collapses in Lagos, can someone alert the right people so we don’t have another disaster on our hands?
So many bad engineers commenting on this tweet. I have two engineering degrees. (I switched careers 12 years ago).
What we’re looking at is two cracked pillar on an expansion joint. There’s a difference. The pillar aren’t meant to split like that.
Virgil Abloh, the artistic director for Louis Vuitton and the founder of Off-White, has died after battling cancer privately for years.
Louis’ parent company, LVMH, announced his passing on Sunday, Nov. 28.
The statement posted on Twitter reads: “LVMH, Louis Vuitton and Off White are devastated to announce the passing of Virgil Abloh, on Sunday, November 28th, of cancer, which he had been battling privately for several years.”
Their CEO Bernard Arnault adds, “We are all shocked after this terrible news. Virgil was not only a genius designer, a visionary, he was also a man with a beautiful soul and great wisdom. The LVMH family joins me in this moment of great sorrow, and we are all thinking of his loved ones after the passing of their husband, their father, their brother or their friend.”
A statement was also released via Virgil’s private Instagram account.
Virgil was the first black man to be tapped to take charge at LV with its look and vision in early 2018. He was also good friends with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.
He is survived by his parents, wife, and two children.
Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Employment, said that Twitter, the social media platform banned by the Federal Government of Nigerian in June 2021, has agreed to conditions laid out by the government to lift the ban.
Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, Nov. 28, Keyamo said the committee set up by the Federal Government to review the operations of Twitter has made significant progress.
Keyamo, who is also a member of the committee, said: “The reason the president took that step is to recalibrate our relationship with Twitter and not to drive them away from our country.
“That recalibration, we have started it and the President graciously added me to the committee.
“We also set up a technical committee to interface with Twitter and come up with a lot of conditions for them to fulfill for us to lift the suspension.
“It was Twitter that reached out to the Federal Government to say they want to know what and what they can do to straighten up the relationship with the Federal Government and so, we have gone far but I may not, at this forum, let out a lot but we gave them a lot of conditions and they have agreed to all the conditions.”
Ralf Rangnick has been confirmed as Manchester United’s interim manager until the end of the season.
The 63-year-old German left his role as director of sports and development at Lokomotiv Moscow to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at United on a six-month contract until the end of May.
Rangnick will stay on at Old Trafford in a consultancy role for a further two years. It’s also possible that he could land the manager’s job on a permanent basis if he is able to turn things around at the club.
United announced the news on Monday, saying: ‘Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager until the end of the season, subject to work visa requirements. Following this period, Ralf and the club have agreed that he will continue in a consultancy role for a further two years.
‘Michael Carrick will remain in charge of the first team until Ralf’s work visa is finalised. The club wishes to place on record its thanks to Lokomotiv Moscow for their co-operation in the process of bringing Ralf to Manchester United.’
Rangnick spoke for the first time about his move to Old Trafford, saying: ‘I am excited to be joining Manchester United and focused on making this a successful season for the club. The squad is full of talent and has a great balance of youth and experience.
‘All my efforts for the next six months will be on helping these players fulfil their potential, both individually and, most importantly, as a team. Beyond that I look forward to supporting the club’s longer-term goals on a consultancy basis.’
United’s football director John Murtough added: ‘Ralf is one of the most respected coaches and innovators in European football. He was our number one candidate for Interim Manager, reflecting the invaluable leadership and technical skills he will bring from almost four decades of experience in management and coaching.
‘Everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him during the season ahead, and then for a further two years in his advisory role.’
A businesswoman heading to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia for Umrah (Lesser Hajj) has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja for ingesting 80 pellets of cocaine.
A statement released by NDLEA spokesperson, Babafemi Femi, says the 46-year-old Mrs. Adisa Afusat Olayinka who lives in Ibafo, Ogun state hails from Ilorin, in Ilorin East Local Government Area of Kwara state. She was arrested on Wednesday 24th November at the boarding screening area of the airport during an outward clearance of Qatar Airways flight 1418. She was subsequently taken into custody where she excreted 80 pellets of the illicit drug between Wednesday and Saturday, 27th Nov.
”She claimed during interviews that she saved N2.5million over a period of one year to buy the drugs in bits from six different people at Akala, Mushin area of Lagos. The suspect further said she was trading in clothes but had to borrow N1million from three persons to make up the money used to buy the drugs, adding that she spent another N1million to renew her passport, visa and buy return flight tickets.
She said she was encouraged to traffic the drugs by a woman she met during her last Umrah trip to Saudi Arabia in 2019. She added that she needed to raise N7million for In Vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment due to pressure from people because shes been married for 28 years without a child due to fertility challenges.”Babafemi said
In a related development, another trafficker, Inusa Abdulrazaki, was arrested with 101 wraps of Heroin weighing 1.3 kilograms on Friday 19th Nov. at Gate C -Departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos on his way to Italy via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. The drugs were concealed inside cassava flour popularly called gariri. The following day, Saturday 20th Nov, NDLEA operatives at the airport during a routine cargo search at NAHCO export shed intercepted an abandoned consignment of khat 17.90kg.
While commending the officers and men of the NAIA and MMIA commands for their vigilance and steadfastness, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa urged them to always stay two steps ahead of the drug cartels.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s greatest ambition is to retire having won the Ballon d’Or more times than his long-time rival Lionel Messi, according to the chief of the award Pascal Ferre, who hands out the trophy every year.
Ronaldo is a five-time Ballon d’Or winner and has been nominated the most with a record 17 times but remains one behind Messi, who has won six times.
The Argentine is tipped to be the frontrunner for this year’s award, which would take his tally to seven, but Ferre revealed Ronaldo is desperate to top his arch-rival, Messi.
‘Ronaldo has only one ambition and that is to retire with more Ballon d’Or than Messi and I know because he told me,’ Ferre said, via Marca.
Ahead of the ceremony next Monday, this year’s winner was reportedly leaked earlier this week with Messi scooping up the coveted accolade once again, via talkSPORT.
Karim Benzema, who was found guilty in his sex-tape blackmail case this week, has reportedly come in second, while Robert Lewandowski finished third.
Messi won the award at the last ceremony in 2019, while Ronaldo has not secured the prize since 2016. The PSG forward was preceded by Luka Modric, who, according to Ferre, ‘cried like a child’ when he called to tell the Croatian he had won.
The French journalist believes revealing the winner at the gala is part of the magic of the award which is why their identity must be kept secret until the deal day.
‘We are very careful. The winner of the Ballon d’Or is a big secret. I don’t think there is a comparable situation in sport,’ he said.
Ronaldo was in the running this year, making the 11-man shortlist, but is not considered a favourite after his poor performance last year.
Some homeowners in Festac Phase 2 woke up to their houses being demolished on Sunday morning, Nov. 28.
This comes one day after an article announced that the Federal Housing Authority will soon begin mass demolition of buildings without approval in Festac Town.
Facebook user, Angel Nkiru took to her page to share photos of houses that have been brought down.
She wrote: “Got a bad news this morning.
“I am there and I’m crying because I have friends who have houses there.
“Festac phase 2 abulado estate under Amuwo odofin local government under demolition by the FHA.
“They started since 5 am.. See beautiful igbo people’s houses.. FHA said the land is not approved. I am watching people’s houses being destroyed and it’s painful.
“Ego umu igbo agwugo.. This first yellow building belongs to my oga at aspamda. Make i no mention name because he’s popular.”
Canada has confirmed the detection of two cases of Omicron, a highly transmissible variant of the coronavirus, health officials said in a statement.
The two cases have been traced to two people who travelled to Nigeria.
“Today, the province of Ontario has confirmed two cases of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Ottawa, both of which were reported in individuals with recent travel from Nigeria. Ottawa Public Health is conducting case and contact management and the patients are in isolation,” a statement by the Ontario government said.
This comes two days after Canada rushed to seal its borders for foreign travellers from seven Southern African nations in an attempt to prevent the spread of the newly identified Covid-19 variant, also known as B.1.1.529 variant. These seven nations are South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia.
The ban of entry of travellers into Canada will be in place till 31 January 2022.
Labelled as a “Variant of Concern” by the World Health Organisation (WHO), Omicron has sent health experts, scientists, and governments scrambling to figure out the threat posed by Omicron, and whether it will surpass that of its dominant predecessor Delta, which was highly transmissible and responsible for deadly waves in many parts of the world.
But WHO also noted that it is not yet clear whether Omicron is more transmissible than other variants, or if it can cause more severe disease.
“In recent weeks, infections have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant. The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021,” the WHO said in its statement confirming the detection of the variant.
Cases of the Omicron variant have now been detected in 13 nations; Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Britain, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Canada, and South Africa.
Napoli and Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen’s eye reportedly ‘came out of its socket’ after his horrifying facial injury during Napoli’s 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan last week.
The Nigerian sustained fractures to his cheekbone and eye socket after colliding with Inter defender Milan Skriniar and faces a three-month spell on the sideline.
Osimhen’s eye came out of its socket and his face looked as if it had ‘ended up under a press’, according to Gianpaolo Tartaro, the surgeon who treated the 22-year-old on Tuesday.
‘He had a series of fractures, it was as if his head had ended up under a press,’ Tartaro told Corriere dello Sport earlier this week.
‘The eye came out of its socket. It is not simple at all, in fact it is very delicate due to the crushing of the socket, due to the curving of the malar bone [which is] practically destroyed.
‘The various fractures, not only the cheekbone, obviously brought complications and six plates and 18 screws had to be inserted.’
Tartaro explained the extent of the injury made the surgery far from straightforward, adding the Nigerian will in all likelihood have to wear a special face-covering once he returns to action.
‘[Surgery] took three hours, we had to cut him in three places on his face,’ he continued.
‘We have to now look at a special mask for his case. It is not something banal, there is a nerve there, it is all very difficult. We will see how his situation evolves.’
Osimhen will miss the African Cup of Nations in January and may well have to undergo surgery again, Tartaro warned.
‘Victor has to be very careful because if there is a problem he must return to the operating room,’ he said.
Osimhen has scored nine goals in 14 appearances for Napoli this season, and his injury is a potentially devastating blow for Luciano Spalletti’s men, who are top of Serie A ahead of AC Milan on goal difference after 13 games.
According to family sources, Mrs Maduka died after suffering a stroke in Nnewi, Anambra state on Sunday afternoon, November 28.
Until her death, she was the Vice-president of the Coscharis Group since its inception and the co-owner of the company.
Her namesake and daughter, Charity, confirmed the death of her mother to The PUNCH on Sunday evening.
“I can confirm that she passed away yesterday (Saturday) evening,” a grieving Charity said amid muttered sobs in a phone conversation with our correspondent.
According to a profile on Coscharis Group’s website, Mrs Maduka was a co-owner of the company founded by her husband.
“In her capacity, she was once the Executive Director supervising the Administrative, Legal, Works / Maintenance, Export, Technologies teams of the organization from 1984 – 2003. Under her tutelage, she was able to grow the business by creating value via the various strategic departments she supervised within the organization.
“As a board member of the group, in the year 2005, she later became the Executive Chairman / COO of two of the subsidiaries of the Coscharis Group namely Coscharis Beverages Limited and Coscharis Properties Limited respectively,” the profile read in part.
A video showing how a woman died at Obi Cuban’s Hustle & Bustle club has been released.
In the video, the lady, in a red dress, is seen leaving the club with two male friends.
They appear to be in good spirits and are seen playing around before the lady runs forward, trips, falls, then loses consciousness.
One of her male friends walks up to her and tries to help her up but notices she’s unconscious.
He then raises alarm and people gather.
A hefty hotel bouncer is also seen running towards the woman to save her.
Unfortunately, the woman, identified as Susan Oleghe, didn’t survive.
Hustle & Bustle has also released a statement to clear the air and dispute the false reports making the rounds that she was electrocuted inside the club.
A new coronavirus variant that has been branded the “worst ever” mutation of the disease has already reached Europe, a virologist said today.
A patient in Belgium fell ill with the B.1.1.529 variant of the virus, which was first detected in South Africa.
Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said: “We have one case of this variant that is confirmed. It’s someone who came from abroad.”
It was disclosed that the patient has no known links with South Africa and had travelled to Belgium from Egypt.
Marc Van Ranst, whose laboratory works closely with Belgium’s public health body Sciensano, said the person first developed symptoms on November 22.
The new variant is set to be given the official name of “Nu” by the World Health Organisation as that is the next available letter in the Greek alphabet.
The Greek naming system for Covid-19 variants of interest and concern was introduced by the WHO at the end of May to make new strains of the virus easier to remember.
The labels such as Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta do not replace the scientific names for the variants – for example, the scientific name of the Nu variant is B.1.1.529.
The UK’s Health Secretary Sajid Javid said there was “huge international concern” over the new strain.
He told the House of Commons that experience has shown “we must move quickly and at the earliest possible moment”.
He added there were concerns the variant may be more transmissible, make vaccines less effective, and may affect one of the UK’s Covid treatments, Ronapreve.
He told MPs it was “highly likely” the B.1.1.529 variant had already spread from Africa to other countries.
The Government added South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia to the UK’s travel red list on Thursday evening.
Passengers arriving in the UK from these countries from 4am on Sunday will be required to book and pay for a Government-approved hotel quarantine for 10 days.
Downing Street urged anyone who has arrived from these countries recently to get tested.
Other countries including Germany, Italy, France, Israel and Singapore have also restricted travel over the variant, and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has proposed stopping air travel from the southern African region.
However, South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor said on Friday that the UK’s decision to ban flights “seems to have been rushed”.
Professor Ravi Gupta, a professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Cambridge, said: “B.1.1.529 has signatures of cumulative mutation indicating that it emerged in a chronic infection.
“B.1.1.529 does certainly look of significant concern based on mutations present.
“Many have been shown to impact binding by neutralising antibodies, and some are known to increase the ability of virus to enter cells or to make them fuse together to allow cell-cell spread.”
At least 19 people have died and 32 more injured after a bus carrying Catholic pilgrims to a religious site in Central Mexico crashed on Friday, November 26.
Authorities said the bus lost its brakes and slammed into a building in the State of Mexico.
Six of the victims suffered injuries so severe they were flown to a hospital in Toluca, the state capital.
Ricardo de la Cruz, the assistant state interior secretary, said the accident occurred in the township of Joquicingo, southwest of Mexico City.
The bus was heading from the western state of Michoacan to Chalma, a town that has been visited by Roman Catholic pilgrims for centuries, when the accident occurred.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, and widow to the late Odumegwu Jim Ojukwu, Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Speaking at the 10th memorial anniversary of late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu on Friday, November 26 in Owerri, Bianca Ojukwu urged the President to consider the plea made by some Igbo leaders during their recent visit to the State House, Abuja, asking for Kanu’s release.
“Please release Nnamdi Kanu’ “Kanu’s release will further buttress President Buhari’s commitment to healing the wounds inflicted by the sense of marginalisation felt by the Igbo nation,” she said.
Founder of the Movement for the Actualization of a Sovereign State Of Biafra, Ralph Uwazuruike, also said that Ndigbo were grateful to Ojukwu for fighting for the Igbo people.
He said, “This year’s memorial is a further reminder of who Ikemba Odimegwu Ojukwu was. Ojukwu was an great man who fought for the liberation of Ndigbo.”
The court of appeal, Lagos division has dismissed an appeal filed by former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, challenging the forfeiture of her $40million worth of jewellery to the federal government.
The jewellery, categorised into 33 sets which include “419 expensive bangles, 315 expensive rings, 304 expensive earrings, 267 expensive necklaces, 189 expensive wristwatches, 174 expensive necklaces and earrings, 78 expensive bracelets, 77 expensive brooches, and 74 expensive pendants”, were seized from the former minister’s residence at No. 10 Fredrick Chiluba Close, Asokoro, Abuja.
The court had on July 5, 2019, ordered the interim forfeiture of the assets following an ex- parte application filed by Rotimi Oyedepo, the counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Then Justice Nicholas Oweibo on September 19, 2019, ordered the permanent forfeiture of $40 million worth of jewellery seized from Alison-Madueke.
The high court judge held that the former minister failed to show cause why the jewellery should not be permanently forfeited to the government. Dissatisfied, the former minister in appeal No: CA/L/1263/19 asked the appellate court to upturn the decision of the high court.
Delivery judgement in the appeal today, the appellate court held that there was no substance in the former Minister’s appeal to overturn the lower court’s order. Consequently, the appellate court affirmed the 2019 verdict of the federal high court.
Billionaire rapper and businessman, Kanye West has says his estranged wife, Kim Kardashian ‘didn’t like’ when he wore the Donald Trump affiliated ‘MAGA’ cap and that he had ’embarrassed’ her with his failed presidential bid in 2020.
In a ‘Thanksgiving prayer’ shared on his Instagram page, the rapper, 44, said that Kardashian, 41, was particularly angered by his South Carolina campaign event where he claimed they both considered aborting their now eight-year-old daughter North. He also talked about being self righteous after accepting Jesus Christ and battling alcoholism but that he is willing to make things right.
‘Let’s go with politics here. Good Lord, my wife did not like me wearing the red hat. Being a good wife, [Kim] wanted to protect me and our family,’ said West.
West continued: ‘I made me and our family a target by not aligning with Hollywood’s political stance and that was hard for our marriage.
‘Then I ran for president without proper preparation and no allies on either side.
‘I embarrassed my wife in the way that I presented information about our family during the one and only, thank God, press conference,’ he said.
‘All my dad had to say afterwards was, ”write your speech next time son.”
Kanye famously wore the ‘Make American Great Again’ cap, and had been an open supporter of Donald Trump, who adopted the slogan for his 2016 Presidential campaign and even visited the White House in 2018.
The slogan became a hugely divisive phrase in the US, used by Trump on his way to the White House in 2016.
Some Americans have linked the hat to racially-charged tensions.
On July 4 2020, he announced that he no longer supported Trump as he launched his own presidential bid. ‘I am taking the red hat off, with this interview,’ he told Forbes
Continuing on with his prayer, West appeared to address the reported $14.4 million he lost during his failed Kanye 2020 campaign by admitting to his listeners that he ‘spent money like crazy.
‘It’s the craziest thing I’ve done and I’ve done a lot of crazy things,’ said the star, who then labeled himself ‘the priest of my home’ and vowed to ‘watch my own money and secure our finances’ going forward.
He described his son, Saint as ‘a mix of two of my favorite things: me and my wife’s face.’
Kanye told his listeners that ‘all I think about everyday is how I get my family back together and how I can heal the pain that I’ve caused.
‘I take accountability for my actions. The one thing that all my successes and failures have in common is me.’
He then went on to list his alcohol use, irregularly medicated manic episodes, inflated ego, short temper, and ‘self righteous’ Christian behavior as reasons for his personal downfall, as well as the destruction of his family.
West said he ‘would drink to take the stress away to knock the edge off,’ but drinking eventually ‘affected my health and the health of people around me because I already had a hair trigger temper and this just heightened it.’
Kanye then revealed that he ‘went into a manic episode in 2016 and was placed under heavy medication’ – something that has affected him till this day.
‘Since then I went on and off the medication which left me susceptible to other episodes which my wife and family and fans have had to endure.
‘My ego has a tendency to go past the threshold of being motivating and entertaining to just being overbearing. There are ways to show confidence without arrogance.
Kanye revealed that he has a tendency to ‘scream’ at others and that ‘screaming might have helped me tell off everyone who doubted me in music but that screaming did not help me keep my family together’
West then said he previously exhibited ‘self righteous Christian behavior’ that fueled his arrogance.
‘When I got saved it did not immediately make me a better person, it made me a self righteous Christian.
‘Mix that with being rich, famous, and very very very very very very attractive and you got a molotov cocktail ready to be thrown through the window of anyone who ever disagreed with me
‘I was arrogant with my Jesus like I just got some Jesus at the Gucci story with a stimulus check.’
He concluded the lengthy prayer by reinforcing the need for personal ‘accountability’ and by expressing his gratitude towards Kim for their family.
‘I’ve had to learn that I had to take accountability. We always judge and tell other people what they should do but we can only take accountability for ourselves and our children.
‘This Thanksgiving I’m thankful for the family that my wife has given me. I’m thankful for the life that God has given me. And I’m thankful for your time, attention, and patience. In Jesus name, amen.’
The prayer by Kanye comes just one day after he professed that God would reunite him and Kim Kardashian as he admitted he’d made ‘mistakes’ in his marriage.
A woman welcomed a child for the first time at the age of 50 after years of battling infertility.
Susie Troxler, a psychologist in High Point, North Carolina, gave birth to their daughter, Lily Antonia Troxler, on Sept. 29, 2021, after over 10 years of trying to get pregnant.
She and her husband, Tony Troxler, 61, will celebrate their first Thanksgiving this year as parents.
“It’s really, really, really surreal,” Susie said of welcoming a daughter at age 50. “I’d been unmarried, I’d been a wife and now the idea of being a mommy, it still hasn’t sunk in I don’t think.”
The Troxlers had tried to have a baby since marrying 13 years ago, but were never able to naturally conceive.
Susie Troxler said that for both she and her husband, seeking fertility help was not something they considered, simply because they did not know what options existed.
She said: “When we got married, we just assumed we’d get pregnant, and then it didn’t happen.
“But we’re both very old-school, and when we grew up, nobody even talked about or discussed IVF [in-vitro fertilization]. It wasn’t even a thing.”
That changed around three years ago, when Susie Troxler went in for her annual exam with her new OBGYN at Cone Health, a North Carolina-based health care network where Tony had recently been hired in the security department.
Susie Troxler recalled: “At the end of the appointment, she asked me a question nobody else had ever asked me: ‘Is there anything else, any concerns or questions?
“Because she asked it, I mentioned that we hadn’t gotten pregnant, and she said, ‘OK, we can work on that.'”
The OBGYN, Dr. Carolyn Harraway-Smith, Cone Health’s chief medical officer for women’s health, referred her immediately to a fertility specialist.
“Typically, if someone was younger and had a longer period of time to conceive, I would start the work-up for infertility,” said Harraway-Smith. “Because of her age, I knew we had a short window, so I referred her to a reproductive endocrinologist.”
The reproductive endocrinologist diagnosed Susie Troxler with fibroids.
Susie Troxler underwent surgery in January 2019 to remove the fibroids, but was told she and her husband would still not be able to get pregnant naturally, both because of her age and because of health complications on her husband’s side.
The Troxlers underwent several rounds of IVF, but after not being able to produce a viable embryo, they turned to egg donation.
Susie Troxler underwent the first embryo transfer in late 2019, but it did not take. Several months later, in spring 2020, the coronavirus pandemic emerged in the United States and put their plans for a family on hold for nearly one year due to pandemic restrictions.
In February, the Troxlers decided to try their last viable embryo, a frozen embryo, which they considered to be their last chance.
Several weeks later, they learned Susie Troxler was pregnant.
“I don’t even have words for it,” she said of her reaction to the pregnancy.
“It was amazing and surreal,” Tony Troxler said of learning he would be a first-time dad.
Susie Troxler had what she described as a “pretty uneventful” pregnancy with mild pregnancy symptoms and no major medical complications.
She underwent a planned C-section on Sept. 29, that was led by Harraway-Smith, whom the Troxlers credit with starting the process that led them to becoming parents.
A Brazil based drug dealer, Okafor Okwudili Moses has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA over a 2.55 kilograms of cocaine recovered from a toilet at the E-Arrival hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos.
Director, Media & Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi, in a statement on Sunday, said the drug was discovered in the toilet of the airport on Friday 12th November after it was dumped there by a trafficker who was obviously scared of being caught by narcotic officers positioned at the airport.
“The following day, Saturday 13th November, the actual owner of the consignment, Okafor arrived the airport from Brazil via an Ethiopian Airline flight and was promptly arrested. While being interviewed in custody, he confirmed he is the owner of the seized illicit drug,” the statement reads.
In other interdiction operations across the country, over 6,043.857 kilograms of assorted illicit drugs were recovered in five states of Adamawa, Ondo, Ekiti, Edo and Ebonyi with more than two hectares of cannabis farms destroyed.
A suspected fake security agent, Abdullahi Mohammed, who claimed to be serving in one of the security formations in Mubi, Adamawa state was arrested with four blocks of Cannabis Sativa weighing 4kg along Bazza- Michika road.
In the same vein, four other suspects were arrested at different locations in Jimeta, Yola North LGA, with assorted substances such as Cannabis, Diazepam, Exol- 5 and Tramadol tablets.
In Ondo state, three persons: Alabi Idowu; Oluwatomipe Olorundare and Finity Sunday were arrested on Monday 15th November and a total of 2,771kgs of Cannabis recovered from them at Oke Ogun camp, Ipele, Owo LGA, while 59-year-old Mrs. Joy Peter was nabbed with over 39kg cannabis and Tramadol tablets on Wednesday 17th Nov.
In the same vein, over 2, 832kg of drugs were seized and more than two hectares of cannabis farms destroyed in parts of Ekiti state. While 2,582kg of Cannabis was recovered on Tuesday 16th November from Itapaji forest, Ipao, Ikole LGA, 250kg was seized from Ise forest, Ise-Orun LGA where the cannabis farm was also destroyed on Thursday 18th Nov.
In Ebonyi, 29-year-old Ivoh Chukwuemeka accompanied by his girlfriend Ogbonna Peace, 18, was intercepted along Enugu-Abakaliki expressway with 20.357kg cannabis on Friday 19th Nov.
Similarly, 377.5kg cannabis was seized from at least two suspects: Lucky Okhian and Aaron Monday in Owan West LGA as well as Okpokhumi forest in Owan East LGA of Edo state.
Reacting to the arrest of Okafor and other suspects as well as the seizures from the states, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the officers and men involved in the operations across the commands for sustaining the heat on drug cartels in the country.
“We are proving to the bad guys and merchants of death that well not stay a step ahead of them but two steps in this game, and this we must sustain as we prepare to go into the new year,” he charged.
The Enugu State Police Command has dismissed Inspector Edem Ebong, pictured above, who was hitherto attached to Special Protection Unit (SPU) Base 9 Umuahia, for the offence of murder.
The approval is sequel to the Command’s conclusion of the disciplinary trial and thorough investigation launched into the case of alleged shooting and killing of five persons, as well as the injury of four others for no justifiable reasons, by the Police Inspector, at Golf Estate Enugu, on June 20, 2021.
The police officer had stormed the estate and began shooting sporadically, killing five persons.
Confirming the dismissal, the spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Abubakar Lawal, while appreciating the general public, particularly residents of the State, for the level of patience and understanding shown while the disciplinary trial and investigation into the case lasted, reiterated commitment to always deal decisively with Police Officers of the Command, found culpable in disciplinary offences against extant codes of conduct, rules of engagement and standard operating procedures of the Nigeria Police Force, especially as it concerns respect for fundamental human rights of citizens.
Ndukwe said the CP Lawal has therefore called on residents of the State to remain law-abiding and promptly report erring Police Officers to the nearest Police Station; or by calling the Command’s hotlines on 08032003702, 08086671202, 08075390883 or 08098880172. Or alternatively, send e-mails to [email protected]. He assured residents that such reports shall be accorded the necessary confidentiality and action.
The Queen has reportedly told the Royal Family she is now “far better” and will able to host the traditional Christmas at Sandringham following her health scare.
Her Majesty, 95, has moved to reassure her family she is on the mend and “looking forward” to the festive family gathering at her Norfolk estate.
Fears over the Queen’s health were sparked in recent weeks after the monarch was forced to pull out of a number of engagements due to a back sprain. On the advice of her doctors, she has been resting at Windsor Castle after becoming injured almost two weeks ago.
Last month she spent a night in hospital for an unspecified condition.
This Christmas will be the first for The Queen after she lost her husband, Prince Philip in April. They had been married for 73 years before his death.
It is thought The Queen will travel to Sandringham around December 17.
Royal sources told The Mirror it was likely she would make a 50-minute helicopter journey from Windsor but added the traditional journey by train from London to Kings Lynn had not yet been ruled out.
Guests at Sandringham will include her son Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their three children.
Prince Edward has also confirmed his attendance, along with his wife Sophie and their children, Louise and James.
Also expected to attend, is Princess Anne and her children Peter Philips and Zara Tindall.
An invitation is also said to have been given to Princess Beatrice, her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi, and their newborn daughter Sienna, and to Princess Eugenie, her husband Jack Brooksbank, and their baby son August.
Sources also suggested Prince Andrew had “obviously” been invited.
It is thought to be “highly unlikely” Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle will fly from California with their two children to attend although it is said they have been invited.
Last year, The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh spent Christmas alone in Windsor Castle due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A source told The Mirror: “The Queen has told everyone she is feeling far better of late and is very much looking forward to welcoming them for Christmas.
“Like many other families, this will be the first time Her Majesty can gather with her extended family after being kept apart for so long due to the coronavirus pandemic.”
Royal fans will be eager to catch a glimpse of the royals all together at the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene, a 16th-century church on the Sandringham property.
The Queen is reportedly “determined” to attend the service, along with the rest of the family, but will be driven to the church to save her walking the short distance.
The Queen has already carried out some light duties and yesterday held two virtual audiences via videolink, welcoming the High Commissioner for Nigeria, Sarafa Tunji Isola, and then the Ambassador of Malaysia, Zakri Jaafar.
Buckingham Palace said the Christmas plans were “a private affair”.
Controversial activist, Kenechukwu Okeke, who sued multiple Nigerian celebrities for promoting the End SARS campaign, has been murdered in Anambra State.
In November 2020, Kenechukwu Okeke a staunch supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari, sued Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Tuface Idibia, Kanu Nwankwo, Davido, Falz, Burna Boy, Yemi Alade, and other popular Nigerians for lending their voice to the End SARS movement.
He also sued CNN for defaming President Muhammadu Buhari and his administration with their report.
Unfortunately, Okeke was macheted by 7 men in Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra state.
He was killed in the presence of his wife Mrs Blessing Odinakachi Okeke and their daughter.
Okeke’s widow alleged that her husband was killed by his tenant named Chiadiobi.
She said: “Chiadiobi was living in our house, but when he packed out without our knowledge and asked to be given two months of his rent that he left, we told him he should have notified us that he was packing out.
“My husband was not around the day he came but I told him he packed out of the house without our knowledge and should not be given back any money.
“He threatened to deal with us, saying he will teach my husband a lesson. I called my husband and told him what the boy said and that he should not come to confront him, since they say he is a bad boy.
“My husband later reported the matter to the DSS and to the police, and he was made to write an undertaking, but he was still coming to terrorize us. Sometimes he will come to our house and break open the gate and come in and pick whatever he wants to pick.
“One day, he came to our house and my husband confronted him, without knowing that he had many boys with him downstairs, and before my husband could do anything, they macheted him, and the fuel we wanted to pour into our gen, they poured it on him and lit him up, and that was how my husband died.”
Actress Joke Silva has spoken publicly for the first time on her husband, actor Olu Jacobs’ health.
The actress revealed during an interview with Chude Jidonwo that Olu Jacobs has dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
She added that “it’s been going on for a couple of years” and this is the first time she’s saying it publicly.
She said: “He is dealing with issues and it is been going on for a couple of years. It is known as dementia with lewy body.
“It is a degenerative disease that affects the brain and it is almost like a Parkinson type of disease, it affects the brain and affects the person.
She added: “First time i’m saying this publicly… that is what we have been dealing…but the thing is, it is hard on him because he doesn’t understand what is going on and it is hard on us family members as well.
“We have gone through it over the past couple of years but we thank God.”
She continued: “We have gone through some times and situations recently that I wish I had the old you here so I don’t battle these times on my own but we are grateful for the moment of clarity. I miss the times we work together.”
She also spoke about discovering at the age of 10 that she was adopted when she was 9 months old. She said she discovered on her own that she was adopted when she rummaged through her mother’s document, adding that it wasn’t something her mother was comfortable talking to her about.
The actress, who turned 60 this year and also celebrated 40 years in the entertainment industry, previously spoke about her adoption and how she found out.
She said at the time: “It’s something like where one is just getting to share it in the public. It is something that I found out when I was much younger. Mine was a secret adoption. It was not something that my parents discussed.
“My mum’s elder sister wanted me to travel with her to Kenya and my mother was not around. She asked if I knew where my passport was and I was like yes yes yes. I know where mum keeps all the important documents.
“Then I go to the important suitcase that has all the important documents, where I found my passport but also found my adoption certificate. It was like ‘I beg your pardon’. I was 10-11 at the time. It was a bit shattering.
“It was tough. You know how you’re very sensitive as a child. There was just something in it letting you know they would have discussed it with you if it was something they wanted to discuss.
“But I got to a point when I was able to discuss it, myself and my mum. What was interesting is that she found it easier to discuss it with my older son than she did with me. My mum wasn’t comfortable discussing it.”
