Spain 5 Costa Rica 0: David Silva inspires demolition job

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David Silva scored two and set up another as he inspired Spain's 5-0 hammering of a defensively woeful Costa Rica side in Saturday's friendly clash at La Rosaleda.

Julen Lopetegui's men played with immense freedom throughout, as they stroked the ball around in style and took full advantage of Costa Rica's poor defensive organisation, as the away side made errors for each of Spain's first four goals.

Costa Rica actually showed flashes of promise early on, but that quickly vanished as Spain took control, with Jordi Alba's Silva-influenced opening goal after just six minutes ushering in a period of real dominance.

The lively Alvaro Morata added a second in the 23rd minute and probably should have scored at least hat-trick before his half-time withdrawal.

But Spain's attacking unit hardly suffered for Morata's substitution, as Silva added two goals in four minutes shortly after the restart, making the most of hapless goalkeeping and calamitous defending.

Andres Iniesta added a fifth towards the end to wrap things up, with Costa Rica left realising that they have much to improve upon if they are to emulate their 2014 World Cup showing next year, while Spain already look ready to prove a point in Russia.

Spain 🇪🇸 Catalonia: Barcelona rally 💪 urges prisoners' release

Three-quarters of a million people have rallied in Barcelona to protest against Spain's detention of Catalan independence leaders, police estimate.

They shone phone torches in unison at sunset as calls were made to free eight regional ministers and two grassroots campaign leaders being held on remand.

Some of the detainees will be included on the list of a Catalan separatist party at next month's snap election. Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy is to visit the city on Sunday. 
In another development, Barcelona's mayoress has condemned pro-independence leaders.

UNILAG tests students for hard drugs, nabs 100 users*

In a bid to check drug abuse on campus, the University of Lagos has provided a drug test kit in its medical centre to examine students suspected to be on hard drugs. The institution said no less than 100 illicit drug users were caught within a year of commencement of the tests.

Outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Rahaman Bello, confirmed this at a forum with _News Agency of Nigeria_ in Lagos. Bello said the initiative was necessary because drug abuse was on the increase, generally, in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

According to him, with the test kit, the university has been able to pin down victims, but granted them amnesty. He said although the university’s regulation provides that any student found dealing with drug should be expelled, the management had been warning and rehabilitating culprits.

Suffering, anger as Lagos task force declares war on okada riders

Suffering, anger as Lagos task force declares war on okada riders​

Residents of Lagos, who depend on commercial motorcyclists for ease of movement where many can hardly afford taxis, are at the receiving end of a new war declared on okada riders by the Lagos State Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit.

The task force says it is doing exactly what it is expected to do in enforcing the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012. In various parts of the state, the task force operatives have seized hundreds of motorcycles over the last two weeks.

Residents and passengers, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH expressed anger that the task force has now gone beyond the previous crackdown on okada riders plying major roads to impound and confiscate commercial motorcycles operating on inner streets.

I’m Finally Back On My Feet After Fighting Skin Cancer – Banky W​

Singer, Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, is full of gratitude to God for seeing him through a health challenge. He took to social media where he explained in a lengthy post that he had been away for some time because he was undergoing surgery for a “rare strain of skin cancer tumours” on his shoulder.

Mr W also revealed that the surgery which was carried out in October was the third since over 10 years ago. “For those who’ve been wondering why I’ve been away so long..I had my 3rd surgery on a rare strain of skin cancer tumours in my shoulder last month. The first 2 times were over 10 yrs ago, then it recently resurfaced.”

The entertainer, however, said he was only sharing his story to serve as an encouragement to others who may be struggling with the same fate. He therefore, asked that fans should avoid sending messages of sympathy or worry.

UNILAG tests students for hard drugs, nabs 100 users*

In a bid to check drug abuse on campus, the University of Lagos has provided a drug test kit in its medical centre to examine students suspected to be on hard drugs. The institution said no less than 100 illicit drug users were caught within a year of commencement of the tests.

Outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Rahaman Bello, confirmed this at a forum with _News Agency of Nigeria_ in Lagos. Bello said the initiative was necessary because drug abuse was on the increase, generally, in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

According to him, with the test kit, the university has been able to pin down victims, but granted them amnesty. He said although the university’s regulation provides that any student found dealing with drug should be expelled, the management had been warning and rehabilitating culprits.