In continuation of the restructuring of its operations, Mr Toke Alex-Ibru has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Guardian (https://Guardian.ng). In his former capacity as an Executive Director, he has been involved in the management, development and sustainability of the newspaper, coupled with his roles in its digital transformation and membership of The Guardian Editorial Board. I am very proud of my initiative to fight for young scholars to take over the editorial management of the editorial operations. So, the Board is just solidifying the model we started in April by the appointment of Toke as CEO." Oloja remains a member of the Editorial Board where he had served as a member, coordinator, chief editorial writer since 2012 when he was appointed Editor.

Tata is aiming to start the new year with a bang by introducing the new Punch EV, which is based on Tata’s newest Acti.EV platform. As part of the lights, the Punch EV gets LED DRLs, and a full-width LED strip with welcome and goodbye animations. 10.25-inch digital driver’s displayGet latest updates onthe automobile community Login NowThe Punch EV features one more feature from its larger Nexon EV sibling - the 10.25-inch digital driver’s display. Electronic parking brakeWhile the standard Punch gets a traditional parking brake, the Punch EV will get an electronic parking brake, with an auto-hold feature. Let us know in the comments below which amongst these do you find essential on the Punch EV.

SECURITY researchers have uncovered a hack that allows cybercriminals to gain access to people’s Google accounts without needing their passwords. Analysis from security firm CloudSEK found that a dangerous form of malware uses third-party cookies to gain unauthorised access to people’s private data and is already being actively tested by hacking groups. Google authentification cookies allow users to access their accounts without constantly having to enter their login details, however the hackers found a way to retrieve these cookies in order to bypass two-factor authentication. In this instance, Google has taken action to secure any compromised accounts detected,” Google said in a statement. “This exploit enables continuous access to Google services, even after a user’s password is reset,” Pavan Karthick M, a threat intelligence researcher at CloudSEK, wrote in a blog post detailing the issue.

The year 2023 was the hottest on record, with the increase in Earth’s surface temperature nearly crossing the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius. Climate change intensified heatwaves, droughts and wildfires across the planet, and pushed the global thermometer 1.48 C above the preindustrial benchmark, the Copernicus Climate Change Service reported. “It is also the first year with all days over one degree warmer than the pre-industrial period. “Temperatures during 2023 likely exceed those of any period in at least the last 100,000 years,” said Samantha Burgess, deputy head of the Copernicus Climate Change Service. Oceans absorb more than 90 percent of excess heat caused by human activity, and play a major role in regulating Earth’s climate.

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has praised President Bola Tinubu for suspending Minister Betta Edu from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. In a statement, Atiku acknowledged the commendable move but emphasized the need for broader reforms within the ministry. The suspension came after President Tinubu directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate financial transactions linked to the ministry. Atiku questioned Edu’s competence for such a sensitive ministry and called for an overhaul of the humanitarian affairs sector. Atiku emphasized the need to address corruption and misuse of funds meant for vulnerable Nigerians, branding it a tool wielded by the ruling party to manipulate the impoverished masses.

President Bola Tinubu has directed a major slash of travel delegations for all Federal Government official trips within and outside the country. READ ALSO: EFCC Grills Betta Edu Over ‘N585m Disbursement Fraud’He said the directive means a 60% slash across the board and affects all MDAs, including the office of the president, vice president, and first lady. “For heads of agency that will be limited to two members of staff allowed to travel on an official trip,” Ajuri said. “The President has now approved for official travel that no more than 20 individuals be allowed to travel with him,” the Special Adviser said. You will find that the numbers on international trips are less than those allowed on domestic trips.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja has fixed further hearing for March 4, 2024 in a fresh N1 billion suit filed by the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, against the Federal Government and three others. The others are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Department of State Services (DSS), and its Director General, Yusuf Bichi. Justice James Omotosho rescheduled hearing in the fundamentals rights enforcement suit on Monday following the absence of the applicant’s lawyer. Simon informed the court that his clients were only served with the hearing notice and had not been served with the suit’s originating processes. After listening to the lawyers, Justice Omotosho adjourned till March 4 for hearing and ordered that a hearing notice be issued and served on the applicant.

One of the basic things you should know as a citizen of a country is to know how to apply for a passport, especially an international one. As a citizen of Nigeria, you will need an international passport if your aim is what I have listed above and this is possible through the Nigerian Immigration Service. Actually, what is required to get an international passport varies in Nigeria; depending if you’re applying for the first time or renewal. The application process for international passport is undergoing rejuvenation; notwithstanding these are the steps to take:Visit the Nigerian Immigration portal: http://passport.immigration.gov.ngFill the application form: for a fresher, click on “apply for fresh passport”. They are:Official PassportThis type of passport is used by government officials.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has condemned the viral verbal attack on the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, by individuals claiming to be officers of the Nigerian Army for arresting a soldier for driving against traffic. For every other comical act that you have seen on social media, they are not personnel of the Nigerian Army. “From the mode of dressing of some of them, you will know that they are not personnel of the Nigerian Army. One of them was wearing the cap badge upside down, and you will know that that is not a personnel of the Nigerian Army. Following this, some yet-to-be-identified er soldiers slammed the Lagos State Governor for ordering the arrest of their colleague, and faulted him for calling the soldier “useless” in the presence of others.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the legitimate national secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party. The court also in a judgement delivered on Tuesday restrained the national leadership of the PDP from appointing any person as acting national secretary, adding that in line with the party’s constitution, Anyanwu’s four-year tenure ends December 9, 2025. Details later…

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, on Tuesday, applauded the release of the wife, Khadija Bazoum, and son, Salem Bazoum of the former President of Niger Republic, Mohammad Bazoum, from house arrest. However, his son, Salem, has been released, the country’s military tribunal announced. The 22-year-old was arrested and detained alongside his parents by putschists who overthrew his father in a coup in July 2023. Applauding the release, Tuggar, who is also the Chairperson of the Mediation and Security Council, said it is a logical step in bringing normalcy back to the country and the region in general. The statement read “Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has commended the release of former President Mohammad Bazoum’s wife and son from house arrest by the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the ruling military junta in Niger.

Departing Bayelsa United striker and current second-highest goal scorer in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Robert Mizo, is hopeful his move to Libyan giants, Al Hilal Benghazi, will open up more opportunities for his budding career, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Bayelsa United confirmed on Sunday that Mizo had joined the Libyans on a three-and-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee. “I’m aware of the prospects ahead in the NPFL but my move to Al Hilal will not just open doors for me but will give other players the opportunity to come up as well. There will be new challenges for me and I must be ready to conquer them,” Mizo told PUNCH Sports Extra. The striker has scored half of Bayelsa United’s 20 goals this season and his departure leaves them now looking elsewhere for goals.

It does not help matters that the Pope has been laborious in distinguishing his order from his traditional position against same-sex marriage or union whatsoever. Candidly, there cannot be valid extenuation for the indulgence of reprobates including same-sex couples to continue in the perilous route of sin. Same-sex marriage does not enjoy any validation in culture and religious tenet of societies and communities across the world. It is therefore not too late for the Vatican to be categorical in denouncing same-sex marriage and blessing without equivocation. Whatever the motivation, it is incontrovertible that same-sex marriage is a societal aberration that not only detracts from the culture of the people but portends evil for the society.

SINGAPORE: Ongoing attacks on ships plying the Red Sea will likely affect global supply chains, but the immediate impact on Singapore is expected to be limited, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday (Jan 9). “Based on the current situation, the immediate impact on Singapore is expected to be limited as the majority of our critical supplies, such as food and pharmaceuticals, are delivered via air freight or do not pass through the Red Sea,” he told parliament. Local manufacturers appear to have sufficient spare inventory to hedge against supply disruptions, although they are worried about the increases in business costs, the minister added. Prior to the attacks, around 60 ships pass through the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea daily, but the number has dropped by about a third in recent weeks. Singapore-registered ships have also been affected, with the number of daily transits through the Red Sea now approximately halved, Dr Ng said.

Tata Motors officially unveiled the forthcoming Punch EV a couple of days ago. Pre-orders for the all-electric mini SUV have commenced at a low cost of Rs 21,000 per. The Punch EV will be available in five different configurations: Smart, Smart+ Adventure, Empowered, and Empowered+. The subcompact electric SUV is available in five dual-tone colour schemes: Empowered Oxide, Seaweed, Fearless Red, Daytona Grey, and Pristine White, with a black roof and pillars. Tata Punch EV SmartLED headlampsSmart digital DRLsMulti-mode regen functionESPSix airbagsTata Punch EV Smart+Yet to be announcedTata Punch EV Adventure (in addition to features on Smart)Cruise controlFront fog lights with cornering functionSeven-inch touchscreen infotainment system by HarmanAndroid Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivityEPD with auto-hold function (long-range only)Jewelled control knob (long-range only)Sunroof (optional)Tata Punch EV Empowered (in addition to features on Adventure)16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheelsAir purifier with AQI displayAuto-folding ORVMsSeven-inch digital instrument cluster10.25-inch infotainment screenSOS functionSunroof (optional)Dual-tone body colourTata Punch EV Empowered+ (in addition to features on Empowered)Leatherette seats360-degree cameraBlind-spot view monitorVentilated front seatsWireless charger10.25-inch instrument consoleArcade.ev app suiteAlso Read:Tata debuts new 'acti.ev' architecture on which Punch EV will based on