COVID-19: ‘Cut-off marks into Lagos model colleges will be very high’ (Nation)
The Lagos State Education Commissioner, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo, has said the cut-off mark for the Entrance Examination into the JSS1 classes in its 16 junior model colleges and upgraded secondary schools for the 2020/2021 academic session would be very high as the state would have to admit fewer pupils to maintain COVID-19 protocols.
To this end she charged the candidates who took the Computer Based Test (CBT) option of the examination on Saturday to put their best into the examination.
Mrs. Adefisayo, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Abosede Adelaja, at the flag-off of the entrance examination, also said the state would migrate fully to CBT by next year. Read more
3 dead as truck plunges into Lagos river (Punch)
Three persons have been found dead after a truck fell off the Berger bridge into the Epe river in Lagos State.
The PUNCH gathered that the incident happened on Friday night.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the incident on Saturday.
Head, Public Affairs of LASEMA, Nosa Okunbor, said though three dead bodies were recovered, the total number of persons in the truck is yet to be known.
He said, “Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, it was discovered that a six-tyre truck loaded with sand fell into the river.
“The number of people in the truck can’t be ascertained at present. Read more
Fire razes shops at plank section of boundary market, Ajegunle (Guardian)
Traders of the plank section of the boundary market, at the Ajegunle area of Lagos were still counting their loses as fire gutted parts of the market.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed that some shops were gutted by fire late Friday night at the plank section of the market.
Mr Nosa Okunbor, Head, Public Affairs, LASEMA said that the cause of the fire remained unknown.
Okunbor said that the fire was combated head-on by fire fighters from the LASEMA Response Unit (LRU) and the Federal Fire Services. Read more
Gbajabiamila hails Sanwo-Olu’s 377 road projects, N5bn COVID-19 support fund (Vanguard)
The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has commended the Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, for flagging off 377 roads and power projects across all wards of the state.
Gbajabiamila in a press statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Lanre Lasisi, also lauded Sanwo-Olu’s launching of N5 billion post-coronavirus recovery support capital for the education sector to support low-cost private schools in the state.
The Speaker said such people-oriented projects and initiatives must be commended and supported by all Lagosians. Read more
Death toll in Zulum’s convoy attack rises to 30 (Punch)
The death toll from Boko Haram attack on the convoy of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has risen to 30, security sources said Saturday.
Two sources told AFP the number of fatalities from the attack Friday had doubled as more bodies were found and now included 12 policemen, five soldiers, four members of a government-backed militia, and nine civilians.
“The tally has increased to 30 as many bodies were picked in the surrounding areas after the attack,” one of the sources said, adding that “many people were injured”.
The PUNCH had reported that an ambush on the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Friday left about 15 persons dead. Read more
Osinbajo: We’ll focus on auto gas as alternative to petrol (Nation)
In a determined effort to offer Nigerians an effective option to petrol, the federal government will focus on developing Compressed Natural Gas otherwise known as auto gas, which is priced significantly lower than PMS.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, stated this during a virtual interactive session hosted by the Africa Report magazine on Thursday.
Answering a participant’s questions regarding the removal of petrol subsidy, the Vice President said “we have experienced a severe downturn in our finances over the years, so at 60 per cent less revenue, we are in a position where sustaining fuel subsidies is practically impossible simply because we do not have the resources.” Read more
BBNaija: Neo is not the person for me, he can’t handle my fame – Vee tells Laycon (Vanguard)
Big Brother Naija Lockdown housemate, Vee last night, complained bitterly to Laycon about her supposed boyfriend in the house, Neo.
The two lovers, last night were caught fighting again and Vee told Laycon that Neo cannot handle her fame after the house, suggesting that both of them should go their separate ways.
“He wouldn’t be able to handle the fame and attention I’ll get outside,” she said.
“If Neo wants to be happy I am not the person for him and if I want to be happy, he is not the person for me. Read more
We have not suspended strike – ASUU (Punch)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has debunked speculations that its ongoing strike has been suspended.
It made the clarification via its Twitter handle while reacting to #ASUUResumes trend on Friday.
According to the union, the report claiming that its members have resumed is false.
“Contrary to speculations making the rounds in the social media that the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has called off strike, nothing of such is true.
“If we are going to call off our going strike, there is a process that will be followed and nothing of such has been done.” Read more
Tasmania pilot whales: Rescuers release 108 surviving animals (BBC)
A total of 108 surviving pilot whales have been released back into the sea after a mass stranding in Australia, marine experts say.
They believe Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania’s west coast is now clear of live whales.
But about 350 whales died in what is Australia’s worst stranding on record.
Now attention has turned to disposal of the carcasses, with 15 buried at sea on Friday in a trial to test the success of that method.
A statement released by the Tasmanian government on Saturday confirmed that 108 long-finned pilot whales which had survived the stranding had been released outside the heads at Macquarie Harbour.
Marine Conservation Program wildlife biologist Dr Kris Carlyon called it a fantastic outcome after five days of hard work by the rescue team. Read more
Father of the Bride reunion leaves fans in tears as cast gather for surprise wedding (Metro)
The Father of the Bride cast reunited for another wedding, and it is everything we needed.
It has been 25 years since the star-studded gang – including Steve Martin, Diane Keaton and Kieran Culkin – were last on our screens, for Father of the Bride part 2.
And Netflix gave us the ‘part 3-ish’ of dreams, to raise money for the World Central Kitchen. Florence Pugh and Ben Platt also got in on the action, taking on the roles of Megan and Georgie – who were born at the end of the 1995 sequel. Read more
Covid: Anti-restrictions protest ‘being shut down’ over lack of social distancing (BBC)
The Met Police are shutting down an anti-coronavirus restrictions protest in London because crowds have “not complied” with social distancing rules.
At least three protesters and one officer were treated by medical staff, after clashes with police.
Thousands had gathered in Trafalgar Square to protest against government rules, with very few wearing masks. Read more
Facebook gets temporary exemptions from Apple App Store fees (NYPost)
Facebook said Friday that businesses running paid online events on its iOS app would not need to pay a 30 per cent fee to Apple for the remainder of 2020, temporarily defusing a standoff between the two tech giants.
The social media company said in a blog post that all businesses except gaming creators would be eligible for Apple’s fee exemption and can process payments for the online events they run through Facebook Pay.
“Apple has agreed to provide a brief, three-month respite after which struggling businesses will have to, yet again, pay Apple the full 30 percent App Store tax,” Facebook company spokesman Joe Osborne said in a statement.
Facebook said it will not charge fees of its own for online events while businesses remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, through at least August 2021. Read more
Croydon police shooting: Suspect’s background probed over Sgt Matt Ratana death (BBC)
The Metropolitan Police is investigating the background of a man suspected of shooting dead a police officer in south London.
Sgt Matiu Ratana, 54, who was born in New Zealand, died in hospital on Friday after being shot as a handcuffed suspect was being checked in.
The investigation is expected to focus on the motive for the killing.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern said she was “incredibly sad”, telling those who knew him that “we share your sorrow”. Read more
Driver takes to the streets with entire greenhouse strapped to roof (Metro)
Bizarre footage has emerged of a car being driven down a busy road with an entire greenhouse strapped to its roof.
Passing drivers were stunned as the Citroen C4 drove at speeds of up to 40mph with the 8ft by 6ft metal frame balancing precariously on top of it. A back seat passenger was even seen with their arm out of the window holding onto the structure.
Local care manager Theresa Mulberry was a passenger in the car behind and filmed the scene in Hordle, near Lymington, Hampshire. She and her partner followed the Citroen for around two miles before it turned off the main road. Read more
Samuel L. Jackson to reprise Nick Fury role in Disney+ series (NYPost)
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury in 2012’s “The Avengers.”Zade Rosenthal/©Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Everett Collection
Samuel L. Jackson will reprise his role as Nick Fury in an upcoming Disney+ series.
It will be the first starring television part for the 71-year-old actor, reported Variety, which noted that Marvel Studios would produce the show.
Jackson has played leather-trenchcoat-and-eyepatch-wearing Fury — the director of Marvel’s fictional S.H.I.E.L.D. spy agency — in several films, including “Spider-Man: Far from Home,” “Avengers: Endgame,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Iron Man.” He also appeared as Fury in some episodes of ABC’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
The actor is best known for film roles including “Django Unchained,” “Snakes on a Plane,” “Pulp Fiction” — for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor — and Spike Lee’s 1989 film “Do the Right Thing.” Read more
UFC 253: Could Israel Adesanya become UFC’s next transcendent superstar? (BBC)
In a story that reads like it was plucked from one of his beloved comic books, undefeated UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya looks destined to transcend the sport.
Earlier this month, he joined global football star Neymar in signing a deal with sportswear company Puma. He graces the cover of the UFC’s latest video game, and his image peers down from international billboards in regions the UFC’s substantial media arm struggles to touch.
This weekend – at UFC 253 in Abu Dhabi – the man known as ‘The Last Stylebender’ steps into the octagon with Paulo Costa, who many believe is the 31-year-old’s toughest challenge to date.
Should he beat the Brazilian, as he has his previous 19 opponents, he will continue his transition from the mixed martial arts bubble to the broader cultural consciousness. Read more
Conor McGregor vs Manny Pacquiao confirmed by Filipino’s team (Metro)
Manny Pacquiao vs Conor McGregor appears to be on after a statement emerged from the eight-weight boxing world champion’s team. McGregor tweeted on Friday that he will be ‘boxing Pacquiao next in the Middle East’ after confirming failed attempts to set up fights in the UFC. Now Pacman’s side have verified that, with a statement being released from his business partner Jayke Joson, via The Inquirer. ‘For the sake of all the Filipino Covid-19 victims, Senator Manny Pacquiao will be fighting UFC superstar Conor McGregor next year,’ the statement read. Read more
Lewis Hamilton takes Russian Grand Prix pole (BBC)
Lewis Hamilton took a dramatic pole position at the Russian Grand Prix despite coming within a second of qualifying down in 15th.
The Briton had no time in the second knockout session when it stopped after Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel crashed.
It was restarted with just two minutes and 15 seconds left and Hamilton made it to the line with a second to spare.
But in the final session Hamilton was flawless as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen pipped Valtteri Bottas to second.
Hamilton was 0.652 seconds quicker than team-mate Bottas, while Verstappen took his place on the front row 0.563secs behind the world champion.
Hamilton can equal Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 grand prix victories this weekend. Read more
Lyon respond to rumours Arsenal have agreed transfer deal with Houssem Aouar (Metro)
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has played down rumours Houssem Aouar could be on his way to Arsenal and insists the club are still counting on the midfielder for the new campaign.
Aouar, 22, is regarded as one of the top young midfielders in world football after starring on Lyon’s path to the Champions League semi-finals last season and his outstanding performances in the competition made Europe’s elite sit up and take notice.
Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his options in the middle of the park and Lyon chief Juninho confirmed that Arsenal technical director Edu had made contact over a possible agreement for Aouar earlier this month. Read more
Aston Villa: Mbwana Samatta joins Fenerbahce on loan (BBC)
Aston Villa striker Mbwana Samatta has joined Turkish side Fenerbahce on an initial loan deal until the end of the season.
Fenerbanhce also said they had agreed a four-year deal with the 27-year-old Tanzania international, to be signed at the end of the loan.
Samatta joined Villa in January from Belgian side Genk.
He said: “I thank Villa for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of playing in the Premier League.” Read more
I have no doubts about Messi, says Koeman (Punch)
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has said he has no concerns about Lionel Messi ahead of their first La Liga game of the season on Sunday after the Argentinian took another swipe at the club over the departure of Luis Suarez.
Koeman was also keen to point out it was not solely his decision to let Suarez join Atletico Madrid, with the Dutchman insisting he is not the “bad guy in the movie”. Read more
Cech helping solve Chelsea’s goalkeeping woes, says Lampard (Guardian)
Frank Lampard has revealed Petr Cech will work with Chelsea’s new signing Edouard Mendy and the error-prone Kepa Arrizabalaga as the Blues boss bids to solve his team’s goalkeeping problems.
Former Chelsea ‘keeper Cech has been employed by the west London club as technical and performance advisor since his retirement in 2019.
But the 38-year-old, who finished his playing career at Arsenal, was recently pictured at Chelsea’s Cobham base training alongside Kepa and Lampard’s goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario. Read more