Intervene in our case, sacked LASU lecturers beg Sanwo-Olu (Punch)
The embattled Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Lagos State University chapter, Dr. Tony Dansu, has pleaded with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the case of the dismissed executive members of the union. Dansu, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos, made the plea following the dismissal of three executive members of the union and five other lecturers sacked by the university’s Governing Council. NAN reports that the council had, at its 122nd meeting on September 12, promoted 31 academic staff and 346 non-academic staff. Read more
Police arrest notorious cultist, rapist in Lagos (Guardian)
Detectives from Bariga Police Station have arrested one Emmanuel Olatunde (aka “Pastor”), a notorious cultist. He was arrested in connection with some robbery and murder cases within Bariga Local Government Area. This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Bala Elkana, on Sunday. Read more
Buhari approves 15 road projects worth over N182bn (Punch)
President Buhari at the maiden Federal Executive Council meeting of his renewed mandate, approved contracts for roads across Nigeria, worth over N182bn, Presidency has said. According to the information on the Instagram handle of a presidential aide, Buhari Sallau, the following are the approved road projects: Read more
Combined security forces besieged my country home, Nnamdi Kanu alleges (Punch)
Leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kalu, claims that “a combined security forces” besieged his country home in Isiama Afara-Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State. He said the incident happened on Saturday. The Police said the claim was absolutely untrue. Read more
Makinde to launch 20-year development agenda for Oyo (Guardian)
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says his government is planning to launch a 20-year development agenda to save the state from underwhelming performance. Makinde made this known on Sunday in Ibadan while speaking at the closing of a two-day retreat for members of the State Executive Council and his senior aides. He said that the launch of the development agenda would set a high bar for his administration’s developmental objectives.” Read more
I went through the most turbulent electoral process —Abiodun (Punch)
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has said that he went through a more turbulent electoral process than any of his predecessors in the state. Speaking with journalists on Sunday in Abeokuta, Abiodun said that before his election victory was challenged by his opponent at the tribunal, he had gone through about nine pre-election cases before his emergence as governor. Read more
FG delegation goes to US for Muhammad-Bande’s inauguration as Nigeria’s UN Rep (Punch)
The Federal Government has dispatched a three-man team to witness the assumption of office of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande as the President of the United Nations General Assembly. The ceremony will take place at the UN New York headquarters, United States of America, on Sept. 16 and 17, ahead of the High-Level week of the UNGA when leaders of the nations of the world take turns to address the General Assembly. Read more
Drunk policeman allegedly stabs nine persons at Ondo night club (Punch)
No fewer than nine persons sustained various degrees of injuries when an allegedly drunk policeman, identified as Sgt. Taiwo Orisadare, allegedly stabbed nine persons at a club in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Friday. The policeman, attached to Area Commander’s office, Akure, allegedly stabbed the victims who were said to be young men at a popular club located at Alagbaka, GRA, Akure, during a brawl that ensued among them. Read more
Lib Dems pledge to cancel Brexit if they win general election (BBC)
The Liberal Democrats have pledged to cancel Brexit if they come to power at the next general election. Members voted for the new policy at their party conference in Bournemouth by an overwhelming majority. Previously, the party has backed another referendum or “People’s Vote”, saying they would campaign to Remain. Read more
Saudi oil attacks: Iran condemns US ‘deceit’ after accusation (BBC)
Iran has accused the US of “deceit” after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tehran was behind damaging drone attacks on two Saudi oil facilities. Mr Pompeo had rejected claims by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels that they had carried out the attacks. Iran’s Foreign Minister Javad Zarif said that “blaming Iran won’t end the disaster” in Yemen. Read more
Syria president decrees amnesty, reduces sentences (Guardian)
Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad Sunday issued a decree to release or decrease the punishment of various prisoners, including some detained under the war-torn country’s “terrorism law”. The so-called “general amnesty” is the latest in a line of such decrees, including one in 2014 that saw thousands released. Sunday’s decree also promised to reduce sentences of some detainees. Read more
Hong Kong protests: Petrol bombs and water cannon used in clashes (BBC)
Police in Hong Kong have used water cannon and tear gas against protesters throwing petrol bombs and bricks near government offices in the city. The violence broke out after thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators marched in defiance of a police ban. Earlier hundreds rallied outside the British Consulate, demanding the UK press China to maintain freedoms guaranteed during the 1997 handover. Read more
Brett Kavanaugh: Trump defends judge amid new misconduct claims (BBC)
US President Donald Trump has angrily defended Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who is facing fresh allegations of sexual misconduct. A former university classmate of Justice Kavanaugh’s has said he exposed himself at a student party and engaged in other inappropriate behaviour there. Mr Trump condemned the media and opposition Democrats. Read more
New Zealand: Man brings clown to redundancy meeting (BBC)
When copy writer Josh Thompson received an ominous email from his bosses asking to discuss his role at the company, he knew he was facing redundancy. The human resources department at FCB New Zealand encouraged him to bring a “support person” to help cushion the blow, an option that is legally required in New Zealand. Read more
Police seize five boats, 17 vehicles from self-acclaimed Messi of drug world (Punch)
Spanish police said Sunday they had broken up a major drugs ring run by a Moroccan known as the “Messi of hashish”, who is now on the run. They said they also seized five boats, 17 vehicles, more than half a million euros and several weapons from the associates of Abdellah El Haj, the self-acclaimed Messi of drug world. The operation began in February, when police on the British territory of Gibraltar found a boat that was about to sink with its three crew on board — and 84 bales of hashish. Read more
Sleep deprived driver worked 19-hour shift when he crashed into HGV and killed friend (Metro)
A driver who worked a double 19 hour shift before he ploughed into a parked HGV, killing his colleague and friend, has been jailed for nine months. Stephen Robinson 33, was returning home at around 5.15am on March 22, along with his colleague and friend Alex Dickson, 34. They had been returning from work, after being part of a safety convoy escort on roadworks on the A69 at Gilsland, west of Hexham. Read more
Virginia removes requirement to declare race on marriage forms (BBC)
Couples in the US state of Virginia will no longer have to declare their race in order to get a marriage certificate, its attorney-general says. Mark Herring issued new legal guidance after three couples filed a lawsuit calling the statute “unconstitutional” and “reflective of a racist past”. Some options on forms included Aryan, Moor, Octoroon and Mulatto. Read more
Fisherman catches creature with ‘head of lion and tail of dragon’ (Metro)
A fisherman was shocked when he reeled in this alien-like monster from the deep. Oscar Lundahl nearly jumped out of his fishing boat when he saw the bizarre-looking species with bulbous eyes. The ratfish has a Latin name Chimaeras Monstrosa Linnaeus, which is derived from a Greek mythical monster that had the head of a lion and tail of a dragon. Read more
Jojo Rabbit: Nazi satire wins top Toronto film award (BBC)
The film Jojo Rabbit has won the influential People’s Choice Award at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The World War II satire about a young boy in 1940s Germany who discovers his mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their house stars Scarlett Johansson and Roman Griffin Davis. Read more
Stormzy pays homage to Wiley following Ed Sheeran controversy as he drops new song (Metro)
Stormzy has just gone and dropped a new tune into our ears, titled Wiley Flow, and fans are absolutely losing it after the two rappers engaged in a little debate over Ed Sheeran recently. On Sunday night the grime artist released the banger, which has already created an earworm with fans, but many were left wondering whether it was a diss or a tribute. Read more
Hornets cancel out Aubameyang’s first half double (BBC)
A Watford side brimming with attacking intent fought back from two goals down at half-time to draw at home to Arsenal in Quique Sanchez Flores’ first match since being reappointed Hornets manager. The hosts fired in 31 shots – a club-record for a Premier League game – as Arsenal’s shaky defence finally cracked after the break. Read more
Arsenal hero Lee Dixon slams Unai Emery’s ‘very, very poor’ team after draw with Watford (Metro)
Arsenal legend Lee DIxon has blasted the Gunners’ performance in their 2-2 draw with Watford in the Premier League on Sunday. Unai Emery’s side looked to be a in a great position at half time, holding a 2-0 lead thanks to a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. However, everything seemed to change at the break and Watford came out to dominate the second half, with goals from Tom Cleverley and Roberto Pereyra leveling things up. Read more
Wilson hits two as Everton lose at Bournemouth (BBC)
Eddie Howe said Bournemouth’s victory over Everton was a “huge moment in our season” as Callum Wilson scored twice at Vitality Stadium. Having lost their previous two league games, against Leicester and Manchester City, the Cherries kick-started their campaign with a thoroughly deserved first home league win, lifting them to eighth in the table. Read more
Jordan free-kick fires Sevilla to top of La Liga (Guardian)
Sevilla moved to the top of the early La Liga table on Sunday as Joan Jordan’s brilliant free-kick helped them seal a 1-0 win at Alaves. Julen Lopetegui’s side continued their excellent start to the campaign, remaining unbeaten and moving a point clear of Atletico Madrid, who lost 2-0 at Real Sociedad on Saturday, at the summit. Read more
Freiburg crush Hoffenheim to leapfrog Bayern (Punch)
Freiburg midfielder Janik Haberer hailed a “great day” for the Bundesliga minnows as they beat neighbours Hoffenheim 3-0 to continue their dream start to the season. “It is a great day for us and our fans, it is always special to win a derby,” said Haberer, who joined Nils Petersen and Christian Guenter on the score sheet as Freiburg crushed Hoffenheim. Read more
Mkhitaryan scores on Roma debut (BBC)
On-loan Arsenal forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored on his debut as AS Roma beat Sassuolo 4-2 in Serie A. The Armenia international scored his side’s third goal with a low strike after Bryan Cristante’s header and a volley from Edin Dzeko had put Roma in control. Justin Kluivert’s composed finish made it 4-0 and although Domenico Berardi hit a brace for Sassuolo it was too little too late. Read more
Pliskova claims fourth WTA title of year (BBC)
Karolina Pliskova swept past Petra Martic in straight sets to win the WTA Zhengzhou Open in China. Pliskova only needed 77 minutes to beat the Croatian 6-3 6-2 in a rain-interrupted final for her fourth tournament success of 2019. The Czech player, top seed at the event, only dropped one set all week on her way to the title. Read more
Basketball World Cup: Spain beat Argentina to win first title for 13 years (BBC)
Spain beat Argentina 95-75 to win the Basketball World Cup in Beijing, their first title for 13 years. The Spaniards scored 14 of the first 16 points and never lost their lead to the 2004 Olympic champions. Phoenix Suns point guard and tournament MVP Ricky Rubio managed 20 points and three assists, while NBA champion and Toronto Raptors’ Marc Gasol added 14 points and seven assists. Read more
Tyson Fury: ‘I had 40 stitches, won five grand and am ready for war with Deontay Wilder’ (BBC)
Tyson Fury says he is “ready for war” with Deontay Wilder in February despite concerns the severe cuts suffered in his heavyweight win over Otto Wallin could delay their bout. Speaking to BBC Sport as he was ushered through the airport in Las Vegas on Sunday, the 31-year British fighter said “just over 40 stitches” were needed for two cuts suffered against Wallin on Saturday. “I went to the hospital, had a few stitches, went home and had an early night,” he said. Read more
Solheim Cup 2019: Europe beat USA 14½-13½ to win at Gleneagles (BBC)
Europe won the last three singles matches to seal a sensational 14½-13½ Solheim Cup victory over the United States at Gleneagles. Bronte Law, who moments earlier won her match on the 17th, sprinted up the 18th fairway to join the celebrations after wildcard pick Suzann Pettersen holed an eight-foot putt on the last to win the trophy. Read more