Coronavirus: Briton, Chinese, Polish, 13 others discharged in Lagos (Punch)
Three foreigners and 13 Nigerians have been discharged in Lagos State on Wednesday.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu while making the announcement said they were discharged after testing negative twice.
The governor said the patients discharged comprised 14 males and two females.
He made the announcement on his Twitter handle on Wednesday evening. Read more
Lagos unrest: The mystery of Nigeria’s fake gangster attacks (BBC)
Hundreds of gang members, mostly teenagers, fleeing police in two Nigerian states under a coronavirus lockdown hoaxed residents into believing that coordinated armed robbery attacks were underway.
Police say the gangsters achieved their intention of creating panic.
Residents set up makeshift checkpoints with burning tyres in border communities between Lagos and Ogun states after forming vigilante groups to protect themselves from the imaginary armed robbers. Read more
Fire razes CAC office in Abuja (DailyTrust)
There has been a fire incident at the headquarters of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Abuja, Daily Trust reports. This is coming about one week after similar fire incident engulfed the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation, located in Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Witnesses reported that the fire incident happened on one of the floors of the seven-storey building located in Maitama area of the FCT on Wednesday morning. Confirming the incident, the Registrar-General of the CAC, Alhaji Garba Abubakar, said no document or live was lost during the fire outbreak. Read more
Commotion as fire guts shops at Dugbe, Ibadan (Punch)
There was commotion at Peley Water area of Dugbe, the commercial hub of Ibadan, on Wednesday as several shops were gutted by fire.
Properties worth several millions of naira perished in the inferno, The PUNCH reports.
Traders in the area and residents defied the partial lockdown in Oyo State as they trooped to the popular market.
Wares, including clothing materials, electrical and electronic appliances, mattresses and eyeglasses were lost to the inferno. Read more
Only those who recharge their phones with N100 or less will benefit from palliatives, says FG (Tribune)
The Federal Government on Wednesday disclosed that only those who recharge their phones with N100 credit or less will benefit from the palliatives to cushion the effect of coronavirus pandemic.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Sadiya Farouq, in Abuja in a chat with State House correspondents, as she spoke of the modalities being put in place for disbursements.
She said her ministry intended to focus on the urban poor as it carries out President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive on the distribution of palliatives. Read more
Lawyers flee as accused coughs in court (Punch)
There was drama on Tuesday inside an Osun State Magistrates’ Court sitting in Osogbo, when an accused arraigned for assault, suddenly coughed while his charge was being read.
The development led to a little disruption of the proceedings, as three lawyers that sat in front of the accused hurriedly moved away their chairs.
Despite the drama, Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara told the accused that his cough would not stop the session. Read more
Lockdown: Ogun residents beseige banks, flout social distancing directive (Tribune)
Ahead of the suspension of the lockdown relaxation window which holds every 7 am to 2 pm every-other-day in Ogun State, residents of Sango-Ota and Ijoko on Wednesday besieged many commercial banks along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway in Sango, flouting the social distancing directive put in place to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recall that the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun had announced in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin that the current relaxation window of the ongoing lockdown in the state between the hours of 7.00 am and 2.00 pm every other day will be reviewed from Saturday 18th of April, 2020. Read more
Lockdown: IG vows sanctions on transporters embarking on night trips (Punch)
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has vowed tough consequences for members of the organised transport sector who continued to breach the existing restriction order by resorting to night travels.
He said the violation undermined the efforts of the Federal Government at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 disease.
The Force Spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, said the warning was sequel to intelligence at the disposal of the force showing that road transport workers, especially interstate operators, have continued to defy the lockdown order and cessation of movement ordered by the FG. Read more
NCDC issues new advisory on use of face masks (Guardian)
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has issued a new advisory to guide Nigerians on the use of face masks to prevent themselves against new coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Director-General (D-G) of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, issued the advisory on Tuesday in Abuja while giving an update on COVID-19.
Ihekweazu said that NCDC recognised the need for guidance on COVID-19 prevention, and remained committed to keeping Nigerians informed on verified ways to stay safe against the pandemic. Read more
Pregnant nurse dies after catching coronavirus but baby’s life is saved (Metro)
A pregnant nurse has reportedly died after testing positive for coronavirus, but her baby has been saved. The medic, 28, underwent an emergency caesarean to deliver her child after her condition deteriorated. Doctors initially thought she was showing signs of improvement after giving birth, but she passed away on Sunday, according to Channel 4. The little girl is understood to be alive and being cared for, but it remains unclear if she has tested positive for the virus. Read more
Coronavirus: Denmark lets young children return to school (BBC)
Children up to the age of 11 are returning to nurseries and schools across Denmark, as the government becomes the first in Europe to relax coronavirus restrictions on education.
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen welcomed children as they went back to school in the capital Copenhagen.
Denmark was among the first countries in Europe to impose a lockdown, with schools closed on 12 March.
Infection rates have been low but critics warn the strategy is risky. Read more
Britain’s oldest coronavirus survivor, 106, is discharged from hospital (Metro)
A 106-year-old woman thought to be Britain’s oldest patient to recover from coronavirus has been discharged from hospital. Connie Titchen, who underwent a hip operation last December, was admitted in mid-March with suspected pneumonia and diagnosed with coronavirus soon afterwards. In a statement issued by the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, the retired shop worker and great-grandmother said: ‘I feel very lucky that I’ve fought off this virus. I can’t wait to see my family.’ She was applauded as she left Birmingham’s City Hospital yesterday. Read more
Former Fox News figure takes over as White House press secretary (Guardian)
Kayleigh McEnany, a former Fox News figure who is fiercely loyal to President Donald Trump, took over Wednesday as his new press secretary, entering the high-profile job at a time of turmoil in White House relations with the press.
McEnany, 31, made the formal announcement a week after her predecessor Stephanie Grisham stepped down.
“Honored to join the @WhiteHouse as President Trump’s @PressSec,” she tweeted. “I look forward to connecting the American People to @realDonaldTrump’s agenda and sharing the historic successes of this Administration.” Read more
Coronavirus: Trump’s WHO de-funding ‘as dangerous as it sounds’ (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has been heavily criticised for halting funding for the World Health Organization (WHO) amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Philanthropist Bill Gates, a major funder of the WHO, said it was “as dangerous as it sounds”.
President Trump said on Tuesday that the body had “failed in its basic duty” in its response to coronavirus.
The head of the WHO said it was reviewing the cuts’ impact “to ensure our work continues uninterrupted”. Read more
Apple reveals iPhone SE 2020 that’s as fast as the 11 Pro and costs £419 (Metro)
Apple has confirmed the rumours by launching an updated version of the iPhone SE that’s as fast as the iPhone 11 but much cheaper. The new iPhone SE is based on the iPhone 8 and has a small 4.7-inch screen and the old TouchID fingerprint scanning Home button. The iPhone SE has a starting price of £419, making it the cheapest phone Apple has brought out in the last four years. Inside the SE is the same A13 Bionic chip as the new £1,049 iPhone 11 Pro. It’s also got wireless charging and the ability to shoot video at 4K resolution. Battery life is the same as the iPhone 8 which equates to 13 hours of video playback and 40 hours of audio – according to Apple. Read more
Coronavirus: Trump’s name to appear on US relief cheques (BBC)
President Donald Trump’s name will be printed on paper cheques being sent to millions of Americans struggling financially because of coronavirus.
It is the first time a US president’s name will appear on a federal government handout.
Treasury officials have denied claims that the decision could delay delivery of the aid.
The assistance is part of a $2 trillion financial relief package approved by the US Congress in March. Read more
Juventus duo Matuidi, Rugani cleared of coronavirus (Guardian)
Juventus said Wednesday that French midfielder Blaise Matuidi and Italian defender Daniele Rugani had recovered from coronavirus after testing positive for it last month.
Rugani was the first Italian top-flight footballer diagnosed with the virus on March 11. World Cup winner Matuidi also tested positive for COVID-19 a few days later.
“Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi underwent, as per protocol, a double-check with diagnostic tests (swabs) for the Coronavirus-COVID 19. The tests came back with negative results,” the club said in a statement. Read more
Tottenham legend Jimmy Greaves recovering at home after being discharged from hospital (Metro)
Tottenham Hotspur and England legend Jimmy Greaves is back at home and recovering after being admitted to hospital last week.
The 80-year-old has been in hospital in Chelmsford, near his home in Essex, suffering from an unconfirmed problem, with his agent, Terry Baker, saying he ‘has been very ill.’ Baker wrote on Facebook: ‘We are delighted to let you all know that Jimmy is now back at home recuperating with his wife Irene. Read more
Klopp leads Liverpool tributes to Hillsborough families (Guardian)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and captain Jordan Henderson have delivered messages of support to the families of the 96 supporters killed in the Hillsborough disaster 31 years ago.
A final memorial service for the victims was due to take place at Anfield on Wednesday, but has been postponed due to coronavirus guidelines on mass gatherings.
“Today is the most significant date for our football club each year,” Klopp said in a video message. Read more
Formula 1 faces ‘difficult’ decision on restart – McLaren boss Andreas Seidl (BBC)
Formula 1 faces a “difficult” decision as to when racing can start later this year, says McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl.
The sport is considering a number of options to start the season after the first nine races were called off because of the coronavirus crisis.
Seidl said: “There is a big desire from the public that sporting events happen again, even if it is just on TV. Read more
How Manchester United convinced Paul Pogba to reject Real Madrid (Metro)
Manchester United convinced Paul Pogba to reject a move to Real Madrid by showing the midfielder the level of social media interactions a move to Old Trafford would generate. The Frenchman attracted interest from across Europe when it became clear that he’d be leaving Juventus and his most likely destination appeared to be Spain. Real Madrid and Barcelona were both looking for reinforcements in midfield and the La Liga giants had shared the last four Champions League titles between them, while United had just sacked Louis van Gaal for finishing 5th. Read more
Tour de France to go ahead at end of August after coronavirus delay (BBC)
The postponed 2020 Tour de France will now start on 29 August, following the French government’s extension of a ban on mass gatherings to mid-July because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cycling’s biggest event, won by Team Ineos’ Egan Bernal last year, was originally scheduled to run from 27 June to 19 July.
“Holding this event in the best conditions possible is judged essential given its central place in cycling’s economy,” said the UCI, the sport’s governing body. Read more
Arsenal executives take pay cut as player talks continue (Guardian)
Arsenal’s executive team have agreed to cut more than a third of their salary as the club warned it is facing “one of the most challenging periods” in its history on Wednesday.
The Premier League has been suspended indefinitely due to strict government guidelines to control the spread of coronavirus.
Arsenal posted a £27 million ($34 million) loss for the 2018/19 season and are on course to lose far more this year due to the shutdown. Read more