Nadal to play former US Open champion Thiem in comeback match
Rafael Nadal speaks during a press conference at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on December 31, 2023. Photo: AFPRafael Nadal will face former US Open champion Dominic Thiem in the first round of the Brisbane International in a tough return to the ATP Tour after almost a year off due to injury. Thiem, a former world number three who was beaten by Nadal in the 2018 and 2019 French Open finals, battled through two tough qualifying rounds to make the main draw. The two men have played 15 times, with Nadal winning nine and Thiem six. However, the Austrian has won their past two encounters at the ATP Tour Finals in 2020 and the Australian Open the same year.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 13:39 UTC
Red alert in Antarctica: the year rapid, dramatic change hit climate scientists like a ‘punch in the guts’
“There’s no sea ice at all,” she says. The usually stable sea ice that colonies rely on to rear their young in the Bellingshausen Sea just wasn’t there, likely causing a “catastrophic breeding failure”. A study by Australian researchers in September found hemispheric wind patterns this year and last would usually have been associated with above-average sea ice cover. Sea ice on the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula and a map from the University of Colorado National Snow and Ice Data Centre showing the extent of sea ice on 24 September 2023. Reducing fossil fuels may not save the west Antarctic ice sheet, but other climate impacts can be avoided through decisive action.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 13:27 UTC
Bandits Attack Plateau Community Again, Kill Father, Son
“Two lives lost in a recent assault on Durbi village, Shere district, Jos East local government area. This incident follows the tragic Christmas Eve attacks in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi, resulting in over 190 casualties. Transition Implementation Committee chairman Markus Nyam confirmed the attack, revealing that assailants killed a father and his son on Saturday night. Vigilantes engaged the attackers, leading to one assailant’s death, while the Joint Security Task Force Operation Safe Haven responded to prevent further harm. Ongoing efforts by state officials, including service chiefs, indicate a response to the escalating situation.”
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 11:14 UTC
ECOWAS Condemns Plateau State Massacre, Calls for Justice
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has strongly denounced the Christmas Eve massacre in Plateau State as an act of callousness and a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life. Global reactions, including the United Nations, have demanded accountability and justice for the victims. ECOWAS emphasized that the killings reflected callousness, insensitivity, and a total disregard for the sanctity of human life by the perpetrators. The regional body urged the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to identify and bring the perpetrators of this terrorist act to justice. While reaffirming its support for Nigeria, ECOWAS pledged commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence and eliminating terrorism, violent extremism, and banditry in the region.”
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 06:18 UTC
34 companies got three-year tax holiday in 2023 – FG
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission on Friday, said it approved tax holidays for 34 companies seeking tax incentives and waivers under the Industrial Development Income Tax Act in 2023. She said tax incentives which had been a contentious issue due to the high amount of revenue lost to waivers granted every year, were meant to boost foreign investments into the country. Saturday PUNCH recalls that the Federal Government in September, said companies operating in Nigeria receive tax incentives worth N6tn annually. But speaking at the press briefing, Lovina indicated that not all companies are granted tax breaks due to stringent procedures followed by the commission on waivers award. However, there is already a notion that Nigeria gives out too many waivers, incentives, and concessions.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 02:12 UTC
Zamfara Juma’at mosque reopens after seven years
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has ordered the reopening of one of the state’s largest Juma’at mosques in Moriki town, Zurmi Local Government Area. A dispute between two factional groups, according to reports, led to the closure of the central worship centre also popularly called Friday mosque in the town. PUNCH Online reports that the former Chief Imam of Gusau GRA Jumuat Mosque, Zamfara State, Tukur Jangeme, fled the state following his resignation in November. Jangeme resigned from his position as Chief Imam following a video clip that went viral where he was seen condemning incumbent governor, Dauda Lawal, and praising his predecessor, Bello Matawale. Jangeme said, “I am not in Zamfara State at the moment.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2023 01:52 UTC
Peter Obi Visits Displaced Persons in Plateau State, Pledges Financial Support
The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, undertook a visit to internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau State, areas that witnessed attacks by armed men on Christmas Eve. Accompanied by party officials, Obi committed to providing financial assistance, pledging five million naira to each of the affected local government areas. Expressing dismay at the attacks that resulted in the loss of lives and property, Obi emphasized the government’s responsibility to ensure the protection of citizens and their belongings. He voiced his concerns about the increasing number of displaced Nigerians within their own country, deeming the situation unacceptable and calling for urgent government intervention. The assailants set numerous houses ablaze, looted farm produce, and destroyed properties, creating a dire situation for the affected residents.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2023 17:58 UTC
Kidnapping: Police rescue 52-year-old security guard in Zamfara
The Nigerian Police, Zamfara State Command, have rescued a 52-year-old security guard, Malam Hassan Abdullahi, abducted in Gusau. Abubakar said in a statement on Friday that the armed men had invaded the house of one Alhaji Kabiru Umar, a staff of Zamfara College of Art and Science Gusau, where they went away with the security guard. “On receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Damba Division, mobilised a team of detectives for a search and rescue operation. He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Muhammad Shehu, has commended residents for alerting the police on time about the incident. Shehu also commended the police operatives for their timely intervention which led to the immediate rescue of the abducted victim.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 30, 2023 15:29 UTC
Blue Knights punch ticket to Bushnoe title game
FITCHBURG — In the nightcap of the 17th annual Mark Bushnoe Memorial Christmas Tournament, the hosts from Lunenburg/Ayer-Shirley punched their ticket into Saturday night’s final in convincing fashion. Behind a balanced attack that saw seven different players score, the Blue Knights dominated the visitors from Leominster High and cruised to an 8-0 victory on Friday night at the Wallace Civic Center. “We played a solid three periods, and we obviously have more depth than them,” said Lunenburg/Ayer-Shirley head coach Eric Short. Nicosia scored 2:14 into the frame and scored just before the period ended with 33 seconds left. Logan Martin and Martone also scored in the middle frame as the Blue Knights held a 7-0 lead.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2023 14:48 UTC
Two South Koreans abducted in Rivers regain freedom
Two South Koreans abducted nearly three weeks ago by an unidentified armed group in Rivers State, Southern Nigeria have been released, the foreign ministry in Seoul disclosed Saturday. The two Koreans, who were abducted on December 12, are employees of Daewoo Engineering & Construction Co., a major South Korean builder, according to Seoul’s Yonhap news agency. South Korean authorities secured their custody on Friday, Seoul’s foreign ministry said, further stating that they are in good health. The South Korean government vowed to “continue to review the measures for the protection” of its nationals in Nigeria. Seoul will “actively engage with relevant government agencies, businesses, and overseas Koreans to prevent kidnapping incidents,” it added.
Source:Nigerian Tribune
December 30, 2023 12:27 UTC
Entertainment - MICHAEL JACKSON’S BROTHER, JERMAINE JACKSON, ACCUSED OF Assault - GUARDIAN Newspapers
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Source:The Guardian
December 30, 2023 06:49 UTC
why-i-shunned-political-differences-celebrated-reps-dep-speaker-otti
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said he chose to celebrate the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, because of his contribution to the security and welfare of residents of the state. Speaking at a reception organised in honour of Kalu on Thursday, Otti, described the federal lawmaker as “a good man with a good spirit who deserves all the encomiums and celebrations of Abia people”. The governor, while describing Kalu as a brother and friend of many years, said, “What we have done today is what should be done. Because, first and foremost, he is a good man with a good spirit. “If you do have your investment sited somewhere else, this is the time to bring them down to Abia State.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2023 01:30 UTC
TTP advocates e-tag to address Apapa gridlock
This was contained in a statement on Friday by the Corporate Communication Manager of TTP, Nancy Nnamdi. TTPs are managers of the electronic call-up system popularly called Eto introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority for the movement of trucks in and out of the ports. The TTP spokesperson said that the stakeholder’s engagement was aimed at assessing the efficiency of the electronic call-up system amid the resurgence of traffic gridlock along the Apapa Port Corridor. The TTP image maker said that concerns were also raised about wet cargo operations, emphasizing the need for an electronic call-up system for tanker operations to alleviate congestion. TTP is committed to providing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, reduce congestion, and create a seamless experience for stakeholders in the maritime sector,” Onwubuariri concluded.
Source:Punch
December 30, 2023 01:22 UTC
One Punch Man chapter 200: Expected release date, what to expect, and more
Fans have been highly anticipating the release of One Punch Man chapter 200, especially after the events in the previous chapter. One Punch Man chapter 200: Expected release date exploredFlash as seen in One Punch Man (Image via Shueisha)Yusuke Murata's One Punch Man manga follows a biweekly chapter release schedule. If that does happen, fans can expect One Punch Man chapter 200 to be released on Thursday, January 25, 2024. Recap of One Punch Man chapter 199Flashy Flash as seen in One Punch Man (Image via Shueisha)One Punch Man chapter 199, titled That's Right, saw Brawny Muscle from the Heavenly Ninja Party launch a supposedly elite ninja technique. Blast as seen in One Punch Man (Image via Shueisha)One Punch Man chapter 200 will likely show Blast and Saitama confronting The Great One.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2023 23:12 UTC
Visit Plateau attacks victims, PDP tells Tinubu
The Peoples Democratic Party has called on President Bola Tinubu to visit the scene of the Christmas Eve killing of Nigerians by gunmen in Bokkos and Barkin Ladi communities of Plateau State. The PUNCH reports that the Chairman of Community Peace Observers in the Bokkos Local Government Area, Plateau State, Kefas Mallai, disclosed that over 150 were killed by the gunmen. Tinubu, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Tuesday, condemned the attacks and ordered a manhunt for the killers. Reacting, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement on Friday queried what was responsible for the failure of intelligence before and during the coordinated killing. The President even failed to play his expected role as Consoler-in-Chief by not immediately visiting the troubled areas to demonstrate leadership, empathy, and connection with the citizens.
Source:Punch
December 29, 2023 21:43 UTC