8 killed in Lagos-Ibadan Expressway accident (Punch)
Eight persons were on Saturday night burnt to death in a lone accident involving a Mazda bus on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Ahmed Umar, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abeokuta on Sunday.
Umar explained that the accident occurred about 8:45 p.m. near Saapade bridge.
The sector commander added that 11 people were involved in the accident. Read more
Obaseki speaks after victory, salutes Edo people, assures sustained development (Vanguard)
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has hailed Edo people and supporters of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their display of immense courage and support in the face of threats, intimidation and brutalisation as he emerged victorious in Saturday’s gubernatorial election in the state. Read more
Ibadan notorious gang leader arrested (Nation)
The Director General of Oyo State Joint Security Task Force codenamed ‘Operation Burst’ Col Oladipo Ajibola (Rtd.) has confirmed arrest of the new leader of the notorious One Million Boys, a cult group terrorising Ibadan, Oyo capital city.
The new leader popularly known as ‘Eji’ became leader of the cult group following the death of Abiola Ebila recently.
Ebila was recently killed by men of Operation Burst in a gun duel at one of his hideouts where he held some kidnapped victims hostage.
The DG said Eji, who was the second-in-command to the deceased leader, was facing trial after he was handed over to the police. Read more
Edo election: Buhari congratulates Obaseki (Punch)
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Sunday, congratulated Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on his victory at the state governorship election held on Saturday.
Obaseki, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, defeated Osagie Ize-Iyamu of Buhari’s All Progressives Congress at the poll.
The President, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, commended the electoral process that saw the Independent National Electoral Commission declaring Obaseki winner. Read more
Facebook to Open Second African Office in Lagos (Thisday)
The global tech and social media giant, Facebook, has announced its readiness to open an office in Lagos in December.
The announcement of the office, which would be the company’s second office in Africa, after the one in Johannesburg, followed a meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
During the virtual fireside chat by Osinbajo in Abuja and Facebook’s Vice President on Global Affairs and Communications and former United Kingdom’s Deputy Prime Minister,
Sir Nick Clegg in California, on Friday, the Nigerian number two citizen pledged the federal government’s commitment to improvement of the country’s technology sector and the digital economy. Read more
Edo election: Reps congratulate Obaseki (Punch)
Members of the House of Representatives have congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party for defeating Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress in the governorship election held in Edo State on Saturday.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Obaseki winner of the election on Sunday.
Minority Leader of the House, Ndudi Elumelu; and leader of the PDP caucus, Kingsley Chinda, in separate statements issued on Sunday, hailed the electorate in Edo State for showing courage. Read more
Flood: Reptiles invade homes in Anambra community (Guardian)
Dangerous reptiles have began to creep into some residential houses in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra, as a result of flood.
Mr Arinze Awogu, Transition Chairman of Ogbaru Council Area who disclosed this on Sunday, said some displaced people were already moving into the holding camps prepared for them.
Awogu said the level of the River Niger had continued to rise, making streets and flood channels that emptied into the River to flow backwards. Read more
Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, dies at 84 (Punch)
The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has died at the age of 84.
He was the 18th Emir of Zazzau and the Chairman of the Zazzau Emirate Council.
The monarch ascended the throne in 1975 at the age of 36.
The PUNCH gathered that Idris died at the 44 Military Hospital Kaduna on Sunday.
Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, confirmed the Emir’s death.
While describing Idris’ death as “very sad”, the governor tweeted, “It is with great sadness that I confirm the passing of the father of our state, His Highness Emir of Zazzau, Alh (Dr.) Shehu Idris CFR. Read more
UK sets £10,000 fines for self-isolation breaches (BBC)
Covid restrictions in England will get tougher if rules are not followed, Matt Hancock has warned, as the government introduces £10,000 fines for people who fail to self-isolate.
The health secretary told the BBC’s Andrew Marr show the country was facing a “tipping point and we have a choice”.
“If everybody follows the rules then we can avoid further national lockdown.”
The prime minister is understood to be considering a ban on households mixing, and reducing opening hours for pubs.
Asked if England could face another national lockdown, Mr Hancock said: “I don’t rule it out, I don’t want to see it.” Read more
Political brawl erupts over US Supreme Court vacancy (VOA)
Battle lines were drawn across America’s political landscape Saturday over the replacement of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, whose death Friday silenced the court’s best-known liberal voice and raised the possibility of a 6-3 conservative majority on the bench.
The vacancy came weeks before the November 3 general election that will decide whether President Donald Trump gets a second term in office as well as which party will control the chambers of Congress. How and when the vacancy is filled will have immediate political impact and could leave a permanent imprint on how the Senate functions and America is governed.
Conservatives, eager at the prospect of a third Trump-nominated high court justice, cheered Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s pledge late Friday that Trump’s eventual pick “will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.” He did not offer a timetable. Read more
South Africa: Gauteng rail service disrupted by vandalism (Aljazeera)
Hundreds of thousands of people in South Africa have been left with no affordable transport after parts of the rail system closed down.
Train services have already been severely limited because of the pandemic, and now the theft of cables and even station roofing material has led to even more limitations as the passenger rail agency struggles to keep trains running. Read more
Crowds flock to Notre-Dame as France holds its annual weekend of heritage celebration (France24)
France’s annual weekend of heritage celebration is taking place, with the capital’s Notre-Dame Cathedral a highlight, notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic.
Historic and cultural sites that are usually closed to the public opened their doors this weekend. FRANCE 24’s reporters were among the crowds at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. They watched carpenters demonstrate the medieval techniques that will be required to restore the cathedral after it was damaged by fire on April 14, 2019.
“These are the techniques that were in use at Notre-Dame in the 13th century, but which are still very much alive,” says François Calame, founder of voluntary group Charpentiers sans frontières (Carpenters without borders). Read more
Homes Burn as Winds Push California Fire into Desert (VOA)
Strong afternoon winds intensified a wildfire burning for nearly two weeks in mountains northeast of Los Angeles, prompting authorities to issue new evacuation orders Saturday for desert communities that lost some homes a day earlier.
Meanwhile, officials were investigating the death of a firefighter on the lines of another Southern California wildfire that erupted earlier this month from a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby’s gender.
The death occurred Thursday in San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the El Dorado Fire about 120 kilometers east of Los Angeles, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement. Read more
US claims UN sanctions on Iran reinstated. The world disagrees (Aljazeera)
The United States has broken with all other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and unilaterally declared the re-imposition of all UN sanctions against Iran – a claim rejected by Iran and the international community, including Washington’s close allies, as having no legal basis.
In a statement on Sunday following the expiration of a deadline set by the US, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo threatened “consequences” for any UN member state that does not comply with the punitive measures, which were lifted under a landmark nuclear deal that was signed between six world powers and Iran in 2015 but was abandoned by the US more than two years ago. Read more
Emmy Awards 2020: Stars prepare to dial in for virtual ceremony (BBC)
TV stars are preparing to dial in to this year’s Emmy Awards, which will take place as a virtual ceremony later.
The usual star-studded event has been scrapped amid the coronavirus pandemic, so winners will accept their awards at home, or wherever they happen to be.
HBO’s superhero series Watchmen leads the nominations, despite plans for a second series being ditched.
Jimmy Kimmel will return to hosting duties after the Emmys opted to go without a compere in 2019. Read more
Guardiola says he has to earn new Man City contract (Guardian)
Pep Guardiola said Sunday that he needs to show he is worthy of a new contract as Manchester City manager this season despite a trophy-laden first four years in England.
Guardiola is entering the final year of his current deal and a fifth season at the same club for the first time in his managerial career.
But on the back of finishing 18 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League last season and another disappointing quarter-final exit in the Champions League to Lyon, Guardiola said he knows he must return to the standards he set in the previous two years.
“I would love to stay longer here. It is a place I love to be but I have to deserve it,” said the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss ahead of Monday’s season opener for City away to Wolves. Read more
Tyson Fury and coach Sugar Hill blast Anthony Joshua over sparring offer (Metro)
Tyson Fury and his coach Sugar Hill have slammed Anthony Joshua after the heavyweight backed out of an offer to spar the Gypsy King.
Joshua made the offer last December before Fury’s second fight with Deontay Wilder, but the unified champion never managed to link up with his rival in camp. WBC champion Fury was asked by Behind the Gloves about Joshua’s recent comments about him being close to retirement, before his trainer jumped in to answer the question.
‘Anthony Joshua says a lot,’ he said. ‘He was supposed to come into training camp and train with us, I guess that goes to show how far his word goes.’ Read more
Mbappe scores on return in PSG win (BBC)
Kylian Mbappe scored on his comeback to the team as Paris St-Germain beat Nice in Ligue 1.
Mbappe had missed their opening three games – two defeats and one win – after testing positive for coronavirus.
The France forward opened the scoring on his first appearance of the season from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Kephren Thuram.
Angel di Maria doubled the lead from a rebound after Mbappe had a shot saved and Marquinhos headed in their third. Read more
Toyota win Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race for third consecutive year (France24)
Toyota have taken their third successive Le Mans title thanks to the driving of Japan’s Kazuki Nakajima, who was at the wheel of the number eight car for the chequered flag at the Sarthe circuit, and Switzerland’s Sebastien Buemi.
New Zealander Brendon Hartley, the third member of the crew and who replaced double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso in the line-up after the Spaniard’s wins in 2018 and 2019, previously won with Porsche in 2017.
The Rebellion of American Gustavo Menezes, Frenchman Norman Nato and Ayrton Senna’s nephew Bruno came in second, while Toyota’s other entry took third. Read more
Maupay scores twice in dominant Brighton win at Newcastle (BBC)
Neal Maupay scored twice as Brighton cruised to a comfortable Premier League victory over an under par Newcastle at St James’ Park.
It was a superb all-round showing from the Seagulls and the perfect response to losing their opening game to Chelsea.
French forward Maupay was the early beneficiary as Graham Potters’ side took control, scoring twice in the opening seven minutes, with his first goal coming via a penalty after the impressive Tariq Lamptey was tripped by Allan Saint-Maximin.
His second, which was checked by the video assistant referee for offside, was a close-range finish to the bottom left corner at the end of a move down the right involving Lamptey and Leandro Trossard. Read more
Colby Covington halts post-fight interview to take phone call from Donald Trump (Metro)
A visibly exited Colby Covington halted an interview to take a call from a ‘proud’ Donald Trump after his UFC win over Tyron Woodley.
The welterweight dominated the former champion over five rounds and forced Woodley to call for an injury TKO in the final minutes of the fight.
Woodley yelled out he had hurt his ribs and referee Dan Miragliotta waved off the contest as a result.
A bitter build-up to the fight was dominated by Covington’s pro-Trump persona up against Woodley’s desire to continue to bring attention to Black Lives Matter. Read more