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…
Author: Editor
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…
MOROCCO and Paris Saint Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been named Arab Sportsman of the Year for 2022. The 24-year-old full back received the accolade at the Joy Awards in his country’s capital Riyadh after a memorable year on the international and domestic stage. Hakimi played a key role as the Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in January, before helping the North Africans to a record breaking World Cup campaign. Morocco, who had only once made it out the group stages at a World Cup prior to Qatar 2022, became the first African side…
BURKINA Faso has confirmed that it wants 400 French troops stationed there to leave within a month. Government spokesman Jean-Emmanuel Ouedraogo said the country, which is battling jihadist extremism, wanted to defend itself. French President Emmanuel Macron had asked the authorities to clarify their position after state media reported on Saturday that Burkina Faso was ending an agreement signed between the two countries in 2018. The report said the Burkinabe authorities still wanted support from France in the form of equipment. Mr Macron had said there was “great confusion” over the reported comments. Last year, French troops pulled out of…
KENYA’S opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has said his political coalition does not recognise William Ruto as the President of Kenya and declared the new Kenyan government as “illegitimate”. Mr Ruto beat him in last August’s poll, but Mr Odinga – who appeared at Nairobi’s Kamukunji Stadium along with his running mate Martha Karua, and other allies – repeated claims that the results were manipulated. Claims that had already been rejected in court. He declared that he and his movement “reject the 2022 election result totally”, which was received with great cheers and applause from an adoring crowd. “We cannot and…
SWEDEN’S prime minister has been caught up in a political row after it emerged he hired a top aide who went eel fishing illegally, and misled the police about it. Ulf Kristersson has admitted he knew Peter Magnus Nilsson had broken the law before appointing him last October. The aide’s behaviour was “stupid”, but did not mean Mr Nilsson was unsuitable for the job, the PM said. The opposition Social Democrats are calling on Mr Nilsson to resign. The centre-left party’s justice spokesperson Ardalan Shekarabi told public broadcaster SVT it was unacceptable for a chief aide of the prime minister…