GUNMEN on Tuesday night killed the ward chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Umuchoke ward in Okwe in the Onuimo Local Government of Imo State, Christian Ihim. The gunmen after killing Ihim, who is popularly known as Zako, kidnapped five other chieftains of the ruling party in the community. Community sources told our correspondent on Wednesday that the attackers shot repeatedly through the night making the villagers flee. Apart from killing and kidnapping the APC chieftains, the gunmen also invaded a neighbouring community called Okwelle and also kidnapped a female member of the APC identified as Onyinyechi Egenti. The…
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THE trial of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Drambi Vandi charged with Christmas Day killing of a Lagos-based lawyer, Mrs. Bolanle Raheem, last year continued on Wednesday. A second prosecution witness, Mr. Fiyegha Ebimine, who is a police officer, testified at the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS). Ebimine was part of the three-man team led by Vandi from the Ajiwe police station who were conducting a stop and search operation under the Ajah Bridge on the day of the incident. The witness, who was led in evidence by Onigbanjo, corroborated the account of…
THE death toll from a cholera outbreak in Malawi has passed 1,000 while cases have risen to 30,621, the highest on record in the country, Health Minister Khumbize Chiponda said on Wednesday. Most of the deaths occurred in the two main cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre where children have recently gone back to classes after schools delayed opening to try and contain the spread. Chiponda called on people to take extra care handling the bodies of cholera victims before funerals. “People who are dying from cholera may be washed by family members who then prepare funeral feasts … Outbreaks of…
RWANDAN government says “defensive measures were taken” on a Democratic Republic of Congo fighter jet that “violated” its airspace on Tuesday evening. Images shared on social media show a military plane being shot at while flying at a low altitude between the towns of Goma in DR Congo and Gisenyi in Rwanda. Other images show the damaged plane – a Soviet Union-made Sukhoi-25 – being cooled down with water at Goma airport. In a statement, DR Congo’s information ministry condemned the incident and denied that its jet had flown over Rwandan airspace. It said the government “does not intend to…
SOUTH African government has urged people to take caution as the death toll from an ongoing heatwave in parts of the country rises to eight. State broadcaster SABC quoted a state official as expressing concern over the impact of the hot weather that the country had been experiencing. “We are extremely sad to hear about the passing of eight people that have died of heat stroke in the Northern Cape after a heatwave hit the province over the week. Government sends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” Michael Currin, the head of the government communication service (GCIS), is quoted…
TEMS has become the first Nigerian musician to be nominated for an Oscar award, for her role in creating Rihanna’s song Lift Me Up from the Wakanda Forever soundtrack. It’s the latest accolade for the singer-songwriter – who has been shortlisted for a Golden Globe and Grammy in recent months. This time around it’s her writing that’s up for an award – along with Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson and Rihanna. Tems has yet to comment publicly on the news, but fans of the star have been congratulating her on social media.
JUSTIN Bieber has sold his share of the rights to his music to Hipgnosis Songs Capital for a reported $200m. The firm now owns the pop star’s stake in some of the biggest hits of recent years – including “Baby” and “Sorry”. Bieber, one of the best-selling artists of the 21st Century, joins a growing group of artists who have cashed out on their catalogues. The move means Hipgnosis will receive a payment every time a song they own part of is played in public. The company – a $1bn venture between financial giant Blackstone and the British Hipgnosis Song…
THE coffin makers of northern Shanxi province have been busy. We watched the skilled craftsmen as they carved elaborate decorations into the freshly-cut wood. Over recent months, they say, they haven’t had time to stop. One villager, a customer, told us that at times the coffins have sold out. Laughing with a dose of the black humour you find in the area, he added that those in the funeral industry had been “earning a small fortune”. There has been much debate about the real number of Covid deaths in China, after the virus ripped through its megacities. Some 80% of…
AFTER months of reluctance, the US and Germany reportedly plan to send tanks to Ukraine, in what Kyiv hopes will be a game-changer on the battlefield. US President Joe Biden’s administration is expected to announce plans to send at least 30 M1 Abrams tanks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also reportedly decided to send at least 14 Leopard 2 tanks. He is set to speak in parliament on Wednesday morning. Russia’s ambassador to the US said the news was “another blatant provocation”. And the Kremlin spokesman said Germany’s reported decision would “bring nothing good” and leave “a lasting mark” on…
JOSHUA Kimmich scored a late equaliser for Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at home to Cologne. Ellyes Skhiri’s fourth-minute volley had looked as if it would give Cologne victory. But Bayern dominated from then on and Kimmich struck from outside the box in stoppage time to rescue a point. Bayern are four points ahead of RB Leipzig, who moved up to second by thrashing bottom club Schalke 6-1, with Andre Silva scoring twice. Silva opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Benjamin Henrichs drove in the second eight minutes later. Silva got his second of the game a minute before…
ERIK ten Hag wants to turn Manchester United into the best team in the world, with Marcus Rashford leading that transformation. The Dutch manager addressed questions about Paris St-Germain’s interest in England forward Rashford. United have triggered the extension on Rashford’s contract, which will now not expire until 2024. “I would say this is the best place [for him] to be because we want to construct the best team,” Ten Hag said. “First in England, then in Europe, then in the world.” Rashford has scored nine goals in nine games since returning from World Cup duty in Qatar. With 17…
MULTIPLE explosions on Tuesday allegedly killed scores of persons at Galkogo community, in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. It was gathered that there were two accounts on the circumstances surrounding the explosions that created tension in the community. A resident, Tanko Erena, while speaking with our correspondent, said the explosions were caused by air strikes from officials of the Nigeria Air Force, adding that the explosions occurred when men of the Joint Security Task Force were patrolling the area. He said, “I believe the occupants of the fighter jet thought that the JTF members were bandits because…
THE immediate past governor of Adamawa state, Senator Muhammad Umar Jibrilla Bindow (Sardaunan Mubi) has dumped the All Progressives Congress ( APC). Bindow officially resigned his membership an hour ago in a letter, exclusively obtained by News Point Nigeria, sent to the APC ward chairman of Kolere, Mubi North Local Govt Area, dated January 20, 2023. The former governor has been said to be planning to leave the APC in recent times following his frosty relationship with some top hierarchy of the party in the state. But according to Bindow, his decision was as a result of lack of…
ERIK ten Hag says he is determined to end Manchester United’s longest trophy drought in 40 years as they prepare for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg at Nottingham Forest. The Red Devils have not won any silverware since beating Ajax in the 2017 Europa League final. They last went six years without winning a trophy between 1977 and 1983 and United boss Ten Hag wants to bring back that winning feeling to the club. “It’s the best feeling,” he said. “I had the luck in my career to win some trophies and it’s magnificent, especially for the fans. “It’s…
FORMER Wales captain Gareth Bale has announced he will play in a PGA Tour event just weeks after retiring from professional football. Bale said he will compete in February’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California. The 33-year-old retired earlier this month as Wales’ most-capped male player and record men’s goalscorer. “Delighted to announce I will be playing in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at the start of next month! Let’s go,” he posted on social media on Monday. A five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Bale’s relationship with the Spanish giants suffered when he was pictured with a banner…
OVER 124 people died in freezing temperatures in Afghanistan in the past fortnight, Taliban officials say. About 70,000 livestock had also perished in what is the coldest winter in a decade, a State Ministry for Disaster Management spokesman said. Many aid agencies suspended operations in recent weeks after the Taliban banned Afghan women from working for non-governmental organisations. A Taliban minister said despite the deaths, the edict would not be changed. Acting Minister of Disaster Management Mullah Mohammad Abbas Akhund told the BBC that many areas of Afghanistan were now completely cut off by snow; military helicopters had been sent…
SEVERAL senior Ukrainian officials have resigned as President Volodymyr Zelensky begins a shake-up of personnel across his government. A top adviser, four deputy ministers and five regional governors left their posts on Tuesday. Their departures come as Ukraine launches a broad anti-corruption drive. Recently, authorities have seen bribery claims, reports of officials buying food at inflated prices and one figure accused of living a lavish lifestyle. Senior aide Mykhailo Podolyak said Mr Zelensky was responding to a “key public demand” that justice should apply to everyone. The president has already banned state officials from leaving the country unless on authorised…
JOINT Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says it has registered 92,490 candidates to sit for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). JAMB added that, 67,328 candidates had also registered to sit for its mock examination. The board made this known in its Weekly Bulletin from the Office of the Registrar on Monday in Abuja. A break down analysis of the registered candidates by News Point Nigeria delineates that, the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Kaduna states are currently leading with the most registered candidates. According to the figures obtained, Lagos has 10, 974 registered candidates; Kaduna has 9,443 candidates…
Fulham 0 vs Tottenham 1 TOTTENHAM striker Harry Kane said a team meeting helped them get back on track with a narrow win at Fulham. The England captain scored the only goal with a sweet strike into the bottom corner from just outside the box, to equal Jimmy Greaves’ record as Spurs’ all-time top scorer with 266 goals. It was only Spurs’ second Premier League win in six games and came after back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Manchester City. They are back to within three points of the Champions League places after only a second league clean sheet since October.…
KYLIAN Mbappe scored five goals as Paris St-Germain ran riot against sixth-tier Pays de Cassel to reach the last 16 of the French Cup. Pays de Cassel had already won three games to reach the last 32 and managed to hold out for 29 minutes before Mbappe opened the scoring. Neymar scored four minutes later before Mbappe added two more before the break. Mbappe’s fourth and fifth goals came either side of Carlos Soler’s strike and set up a tie against Marseille. France striker Mbappe has now scored 23 goals in all competitions this season, and he now has now…