Another fire averted as tankers collide at Lagos-Ibadan expressway (DailyTrust)
There was panic at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Saturday as an accident that could have led to a fire outbreak was averted when two tankers loaded with petrol collided, spilling their contents.
The incident which happened at Berger inward Kara bridge worsened traffic gridlock on the expressway. Daily Trust reports that many motorists had complained of heavy traffic along the expressway both inwards and outwards Lagos which extended to Ogunnusi road and 7-Up axis. Read more
Boat mishap: LASWA warns ferry operators to stop night travelling (Nation)
Following a boat accident that occurred at about 8 pm Friday night, along Ikorodu Channel of the Lagos State Waterways which claimed five lives, the State Inland Waterways Authority, (LASWA) has again issued warnings to all ferry operators and passengers against violating laid down rule of ‘No Night travelling’ on the waterways.
The avoidable boat mishap occurred after a 20 passengers capacity commercial ferry with 21 passengers on board took off illegally from Ebute-Ero Jetty at about a few minutes past 8.00pm heading towards Ikorodu, ran into an unforeseen object on the Waterways causing the boat to capsize.
The immediate rescue efforts deployed saved 16 alive, 5 dead with one survivor in critical condition. Read more
We cry, pray, fear for our lives every rainy season – Lagosians living in flood-prone areas (Punch)
Rain is a blessing to many people for different reasons. For some households, it is a huge relief from heat and hot weather condition. But for residents in flood-prone areas, like Orile-Agege, an ancient Lagos community, it is a burden they have to contend with every year. Flooding caused by downpours has claimed lives and destroyed property in the neighbourhood.
A four-year-old girl identified simply as Azeezat whose parents live on Fashola Street, Orile-Agege, was the latest victim. They had wanted to escape with her and her brother after their apartment was flooded on June 18. Unfortunately, the little girl fell into the drainage channel in front of their house.
She was carried away to a far distance where her corpse was later recovered. The tragic incident threw her parents and the whole community into mourning, but it was just an instance of heartbreak the locals endured every rainy season. Read more
1,000 for free prostate cancer screening (Nation)
Rotary International District 9110 has kicked off a screening for prostate cancer, with 1,000 to benefit.
District Governor Bola Oyebade, who assumed duty on July 1, said most men shy away from the disease because of cost.
It was gathered each screening could cost about N25,000.
Oyebade thanked Rotary Club of Eko Atlantic, which sponsored 100 men and others, and offered to sponsor 10. “We want to see more healthy people around,” he said. Read more
APC demands probe of PDP members over alleged links with Hushpuppi (Punch)
The All Progressives Congress has urged relevant security agencies to probe reports linking suspected cybercriminal, Ramon Abbas alias Hushpuppi to top-ranking members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
APC’s request was contained in a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, in Abuja, on Saturday.
Nabena said, it was instructive to note that the suspect was arrested in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, which was a destination of choice for PDP leaders ahead of the 2019 general elections. Read more
COVID-19: Ortom confirms wife, SSG, others positive (Nation)
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has confirmed his wife, Dr. Mrs. Eunice Ortom and Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Prof. Anthony Ijohor as testing positive for COVID-19.
The Governor in a press briefing Saturday also confirmed his Chief of Staff, Hon. Terwase Orbunde and the state Head of Service, Mrs. Veronica Onyeke among others as having tested positive for the virus.
Governor Ortom who announced that though he tested negative, the first family had decided to go into total isolation including himself. Read more
Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi tests positive for COVID-19 (Guardian)
Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi on Saturday said he has tested positive for coronavirus.
Umahi in a statement said some of his close aides also tested positive for the virus.
Umahi further disclosed that, presently, they are not showing any symptoms but have since gone into isolation in line with protocols laid down by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Read more
OOU lecturer died of pneumonia, not COVID-19 complications – FMC (Tribune)
The authorities of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta, has said that a lecturer at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Professor Alaba Adenuga, died of features of lobar pneumonia and not COVID-19 complications.
Information making the rounds had it that the deceased, who was the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Education in the institution, visited the hospital as an out-patient on Thursday, and later died on Friday.
The hospital’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Segun Orisajo, in a statement made available to Tribune Online, had it that the late lecturer was not a confirmed case of COVID-19. Read more
Chrissy Teigen reveals severe sunburn and implant removal in topless pic (PageSix)
After Chrissy Teigen underwent surgery to have her breast implants removed and gave fans a peek of the final product, the model has shared another photo that displays a severe sunburn all over her chest.
The 34-year-old mother of two posted the topless selfie on Instagram Friday that shows the star wrapped in a towel and covering her nipples with her arm as she snaps a photo of her reddening skin.
“Before you ask, I did!!!” she captioned the selfie, confirming that she used sunscreen before basking in the summer heat. Read more
At least 4 killed in Somalia bomb attacks (AlJazeera)
Explosions rocked two of Somalia’s largest cities on Saturday as officials said a suicide car bomber detonated near the port in Mogadishu and a landmine in a restaurant on the outskirts of Baidoa killed four people.
Al-Shabab, which is fighting to overthrow the country’s UN-recognised government, claimed responsibility for both attacks.
Ali Abdullahi, an official with the South West regional state, told The Associated Press news agency the mine was detonated by remote control as people were dining during the morning rush. Several others were wounded. Read more
Canada suspends extradition treaty with Hong Kong (VOA)
Canada suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong Friday after local authorities moved swiftly to implement China’s new security law in the territory.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country is a firm believer in the principle of one country, two systems for Hong Kong and will support the demands of its people for freedom and democracy.
“Canada joins the international community in expressing its grave concern with the passage of national security legislation for Hong Kong by mainland China…,” said Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. Read more
As much of US marks a muted Independence Day, Trump encourages big parties (France24)
While public health officials are urging Americans to avoid large crowds and hold more muted July 4 celebrations amid a spike of coronavirus cases, President Donald Trump is going big for what he is promising will be a “special evening” in the nation’s capital.
Trump is set hold his “Salute for America” celebration Saturday with a speech from the White House South Lawn that he says will celebrate American heritage, a military flyover over Washington, and an enormous fireworks display that is expected to draw thousands to the National Mall.
Trump is taking part in large gatherings even as many communities have decided to scrap fireworks, parades and other holiday traditions to try to prevent further spread of the virus. Read more
Trump blasts ‘left-wing cultural revolution’ in fiery Mount Rushmore speech (NYPost)
In a fiery speech at Mount Rushmore Friday night, President Trump slammed what he called the “left-wing cultural revolution” that has led to “violent mayhem” in the streets and the toppling of historic statues.
“They want to silence us. But we will not be silenced,” Trump said to cheers of “USA! USA!”
“We will not be intimidated by bad, evil people. It will not happen!” he said to more cheers from the thousands of supporters in the monument’s amphitheater before a Fourth of July fireworks show. Read more
Paris’s Louvre reopens on Monday after lockdown losses of ‘over €40 million’ (France24)
The Louvre in Paris, the world’s most visited museum and home to the Mona Lisa, reopens on Monday but with coronavirus restrictions in place and parts of the complex closed to visitors.
The Louvre has been closed since March 13 and this has already led “to losses of over 40 million euros,” its director Jean-Luc Martinez said.
Among more than 10 million visitors in 2018, almost three-quarters were tourists.
“We have lost 80 percent of our public. Seventy-five percent of our visitors were foreigners,” Martinez said. Read more
North Korea says it has no immediate plans to resume nuclear negotiations with US (VOA)
North Korea said Saturday it has no plans to resume nuclear negotiations with the United States in near future if Washington does not abandon what the communist country terms “hostile” polices toward Pyongyang.
North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui made the statement following former national security adviser John Bolton’s comments to reporters in New York earlier this week that President Donald Trump might hold another summit with the country’s leader Kim Jong Un as an “October surprise” shortly before the presidential election in November.
“Is it possible to hold dialogue or have any dealings with the U.S. which persists in the hostile policy toward the DPRK in disregard of the agreements already made at the past summit?” Choe said. Read more
Greenwood double as Man Utd put five past Bournemouth (BBC)
Mason Greenwood scored twice in the Premier League for the first time as Manchester United came from behind to beat Bournemouth 5-2 and increase the Cherries’ relegation worries.
Greenwood equalised for the hosts after Junior Stanislas’ shock 15th-minute opener before scoring United’s fourth with a superb effort after half-time when he took on Diego Rico on the edge of the area and cut a right-footed shot back across goal into the far corner.
It took the 18-year-old to 15 goals for the season.
Marcus Rashford had put United 2-1 in front from the penalty spot and Anthony Martial then increased the advantage with a brilliant curling effort into the top corner just before the break. Read more
Tyson Brummett, former Phillies pitcher, dead in plane crash (NYPost)
A former professional baseball pitcher and three others were killed Friday morning when the small plane he was piloting crashed in Utah mountains south of Salt Lake City, local authorities said.
Tyson Brummett, a 35-year-old who appeared in one game for the Philadelphia Phillies, died alongside his 35-year-old friend Alex Ruenger, Ruegner’s 60-year-old aunt, Elaine Blackhurst, and 62-year-old uncle, Douglas Blackhurst.
The plane crashed in the American Fork Canyon at an elevation of 8,500 feet, USA Today reported, and all four victims appeared to be killed on impact, according to the Utah County Sheriff’s office. Read more
Vardy scores 100th top-flight goal as Leicester beat Palace (BBC)
Jamie Vardy scored his 100th and 101st Premier League goals as Leicester boosted their hopes of achieving a top-four Premier League finish with victory over a lacklustre Crystal Palace.
The striker tapped home a Harvey Barnes cross from close range to bring up his top-flight century as the Foxes won for the first time since the restart.
Having failed to find the net in three games since the Premier League’s resumption, Vardy then added a second, running clear of the Palace defence before chipping a neat finish past Vicente Guaita.
Kelechi Iheanacho had given the home side the lead, side-footing home a superb, low left-wing cross from Youri Tielemens to claim his second goal in as many games. Read more
Buffon breaks Maldini’s Serie A appearance record (Punch)
Gianluigi Buffon set a new Serie A appearances record on Saturday as the 42-year-old goalkeeper played his 648th Italian top-flight match in Juventus’ game against Torino.
The former World Cup winner passed the previous record of 647 appearances held by AC Milan great Paolo Maldini.
Buffon, who spent last season at French club Paris Saint-Germain before rejoining Juve this term, signed a one-year contract extension earlier this week. Read more
Wilson Kipsang: Marathon winner handed four-year ban for anti-doping rule violations (BBC)
Former marathon world record holder Wilson Kipsang has been banned for four years for anti-doping rule violations.
World Athletics said between April 2018 and May 2019 the 38-year-old Kenyan, twice a London Marathon winner, had missed four “whereabouts appointments”.
Three such failures within 12 months leads to an automatic ban. Read more
Trossard lifts Brighton as Norwich slip closer to relegation (Guardian)
Leandro Trossard fired Brighton closer to Premier League survival and left Norwich in grave danger of relegation as the Belgian sealed a 1-0 win at Carrow Road on Saturday.
Trossard netted in the first half to move Brighton nine points clear of the relegation zone before the bulk of the weekend’s matches.
Brighton’s second win in four games since the restart puts them in position beat the drop, but the picture is much bleaker for Norwich. Read more