Kayvee withdrawn from BBNaija due to health issues (Punch)
Big Brother Naija Shine Ya Eye housemate, Kayvee, has been withdrawn from the BBNaija season six show due to health issues.
This was announced via a brief from Big Brother, read by the Head of House, Pere, to all the housemates on Monday.
According to the brief, Kayvee has been advised by medical personnel to withdraw from the show due to health issues.
The announcement read, “Housemates, Big Brother trusts that you are all well and settling into the brand new week.
“As you have noticed, your fellow housemate Kayvee has been unwell for a few hours now.
“During this period, he has consulted with the medical doctor and has been advised to withdraw from the show to take care of his health. Read more
Lagos High Court begin annual vacation (Guardian)
The High Court of Lagos State on Monday commenced its long annual vacation from Aug. 16 to Sept 17.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, said the directive was pursuant to Order 49 Rule 4 (D) of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the directive was pasted on the notice board of both Ikeja and Lagos High Courts.
The notice was signed by the Chief Court Registrar, Mrs O. A. Okunuga.
Alogba said in the notice that the criminal division of the court would likely sit throughout the period of the vacation. Read more
Police begin stop-and-search in Lekki as robbers disguise as beggars (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command said it has commenced round-the-clock stop-and-search operations and patrol of the Lekki-Ajah area of the state where robbers reportedly disguise as beggars to harm innocent, benevolent citizens.
In a statement on Monday by the Command’s Spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu; the Commissioner of Police, in the state, Hakeem Odumosu, directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, field and tactical commanders to reinforce police presence within the axis.
The statement, which was in response to a newspaper publication (not The PUNCH), was titled, ‘Re: Robbers Disguising As Beggars Take Over Lekki, Ajah, Residents Cry Out’.
The police statement partly read, “As concerned, dutiful and very responsible Police Officers saddled with the statutory responsibility of internal security, we are not oblivious of the apparent security challenges posed by miscreants masquerading as beggars in some parts of the country, particularly in Lagos State. Read more
Heavy rains flood homes in Benue (DailyTrust)
Several homes in Benue State were on Monday flooded by torrential rainfall, leaving many residents stranded.
Correspondents say the rain which started at about 1:00 am lasted until about 2:30 pm on Monday.
Residents of areas such as Apaa behind Living Church, Naka road, Wurukum, Kutcha Utebe, Wadata Rice Mill, Agber Village, Achussa, Idye, part of Judges quarters and George Akume road, all in Makurdi, the state capital amongst others had their homes submerged.
houses submerged in Wurukum and Judges quarters areas of Makurdi. Photo by Hope Emmanuel.
Henry Iorkyase, a resident of Achussa area, said his apartment was heavily flooded such that it was difficult for his family to move out from the home. Read more
COVID-19: Moderna vaccine rollout begins in Nigeria (Guardian)
Federal Government has commenced the rollout of its second batch of Coronavirus vaccine, the 4,000,080 Moderna vaccine doses donated by the United States of America.
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said at the launch on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, that the donation was to step up efforts to battle COVID-19 infection in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donation was part of President Joe Biden’s promise to give 500 million vaccines to the world by the end of 2022.
The vaccines were being brought in through COVAX, the international aid initiative that sought to ensure global access to vaccines. Read more
Plateau: IGP deploys surveillance helicopter, says police committed to restoring order (Punch)
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the deployment of additional operational asset including a police surveillance helicopter to Plateau State.
This is following an attack that led to the death of some travellers along Rukuba Road in the Jos North Local Government Area of the state.
A statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba, revealed that 33 suspects have been arrested in connection to the attack which also left many injured.
The statement read, “As part of ongoing coordinated efforts at restoring public order in Rukuba and its environs, following the unfortunate incident of Saturday 14th, August 2021, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has ordered the deployment of additional operational asset including a Police Surveillance Helicopter, two units of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and two cells of Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) to Plateau State. Read more
FG releases qualification requests for 4 airports concession (Guardian)
The Federal Government has released a request for qualification for the concession of four International Airport terminals and other related services.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Mr Hassan Musa, made this announcement in a statement issued to newsmen in Lagos on Monday by the Director, Public Affairs of the ministry, Mr James Odaudu.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four major commercial airports are Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Murtala Muhammed Internatıonal Aırport, Lagos; Malam Amınu Kano Internatıonal Aırport, Kano and Port Harcourt Internatıonal Aırport.
Musa said that the ministry released the request in compliance with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and National Policy on Public-Private Partnership (N4P). Read more
Thandiwe Newton admits she gets ‘upset’ when filming fight scenes: ‘I’m puny’ (Metro)
Thandiwe Newton has confessed to being a bit ‘puny’ when it comes to high-octane fight scenes, admitting that they ‘upset’ her quite a bit.
The actress, who is known for starring in action films such as Mission: Impossible 2 and The Chronicles of Riddick, hates violence.
Speaking to ComicBook.com, Thandiwe, 48, said: ‘I’m puny. I get upset about doing fight stuff. I mean, I’ve gotta admit, I really do.
‘I’m a really good shot. And whenever I’m in a shooting gallery with dudes, I’m always the one that’s like, “Bang, bang, bang.” And I don’t want to, because I don’t want them being all weird and ego with me and I am a really good shot because I don’t care,’ she explained. Read more
UK confident it can get Britons out of Afghanistan, Ben Wallace says (BBC)
The UK government is confident it can get British nationals out of Afghanistan, with plans for hundreds more to leave in the coming days, the defence secretary has said.
Ben Wallace told the BBC the military part of Kabul’s international airport was open and secure, enabling those eligible to leave for the UK.
The UK is also evacuating Afghans who worked for British forces.
But Mr Wallace said some who are eligible to leave would be left behind. Read more
North Carolina attempts to outlaw child weddings (NYPost)
Judy Wiegand, a former child bride in North Carolina, speaking in favor of the new legislation to raise the legal marriage age in the state on June 22, 2021.
Ethan Hyman/The News & Observer
North Carolina is moving to introduce legislation that would raise the legal marriage age from 14 to 16 in an effort to reverse the state’s reputation as a destination for child brides.
The new legislation in the state congress would additionally limit the age difference between a 16-year old spouse to four years.
Burglar steals vet’s Purple Heart, trades it for soda, deputies say
Siblings fatally struck by train during memorial to brother killed in same spot
Presently, children as young as 14 can get married if they become pregnant and if a judge allows it. Children can get married at 16 with parental permission.
North Carolina is one of 13 states that allow for children under the age of 16 to get married, and nine of those states have no age restriction at all, instead relying on a judge’s ruling, according to Unchained at Last, an organization that advocates for the end of child marriages. Read more
Lebanon deadly petrol tank blast sparks protest at PM-designate’s home (BBC)
Protesters attacked the home of Lebanon’s prime minister-designate after a petrol tank explosion killed 27 people and injured 79 others on Sunday.
Dozens of demonstrators demanded Najib Mikati’s resignation, threw stones at his house and clashed with police.
Mr Mikati said he understood “the cries of people” but condemned what he called the “unacceptable vandalism”.
The army said the explosion occurred as soldiers handed out petrol seized from black marketeers in the Akkar region. Read more
Emma Stone will be back for Cruella 2 after inking deal with Disney amid Black Widow controversy (Metro)
Oscar-winner Emma Stone has agreed a deal with Disney to star in a Cruella sequel, as the company battles a lawsuit from Black Widow star Scarlett Johansson over its release strategy.
According to Deadline, the agreement ‘mutually benefits both sides’, which echoes Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s words in the company’s latest earnings call with investors where he said Disney had ‘figured out ways to fairly compensate our talent so that no matter what the business model is that we have to go to market with, everybody feels satisfied’.
Cruella, like Black Widow, was simultaneously released in cinemas and on Disney Plus via Premier Access at an additional fee. Read more
Robert De Niro seen without brace for the first time after leg injury (PageSix)
Robert De Niro appears to be doing better after suffering a leg injury while on location of Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” earlier this year.
The 77-year-old actor was spotted masked-up and walking around Tribeca on Saturday.
He was wearing a blue cap, brown collared shirt and cargo pants.
It’s the first time since his accident he’s been seen without a leg brace. A close-up snap of his leg shows a massive scar across his knee. Read more
Jos killing: Football star Ahmed Musa condemns act, calls for government intervention (Punch)
Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa, has condemned the killing of innocent travellers in Plateau State and has called for government intervention.
The football star took to his Instagram page on Sunday to describe the act as “heinous” and “barbaric”.
He wrote, “The killings of the innocent travellers that came all the way from Bauchi State after Islamic New Year Zikr heading to their various destinations and got intercepted at Rukuba Road of Jos North is heinous and barbaric.
“I’m calling on the Government and relevant authorities to take measures in curtailing the future occurrence of such barbaric acts. May their souls rest in peace and may peace reign in our dear State and Nigeria as a whole.” Read more
Darren Randolph urges Jesse Lingard to leave Manchester United and return to West Ham (Metro)
Darren Randolph has urged Jesse Lingard to leave Manchester United and return to West Ham before the end of the transfer window.
Lingard thrived during his loan spell with the Hammers last season, scoring nine goals in 16 appearances for David Moyes’ side.
West Ham are keen on re-signing Lingard permanently but have been unable to reach an agreement so far as United reportedly hold out for a £35 million transfer fee.
And West Ham goalkeeper Randolph has attempted to speed up a deal by sending a message to Lingard on Sunday evening. Read more
Daniil Medvedev and Camila Giorgi win Canadian Open as US Open nears (BBC)
Russian world number two Daniil Medvedev prepared for the US Open by beating American Reilly Opelka in the Canadian Open final, while Italy’s Camila Giorgi won the women’s title.
Medvedev – US Open runner-up in 2019 and semi-finalist in 2020 – needed just 85 minutes to beat Opelka 6-4 6-3 in Toronto and win his 12th ATP title.
World number 71 Giorgi shocked Czech fourth seed Karolina Pliskova to win 6-3 7-5 in Montreal. It is the 29-year-old’s first WTA Tour victory since 2019.
The US Open begins on 30 August. Read more
Nuno impatient for transfer window to shut as Kane saga rumbles on (Guardian)
Harry Kane is in Tottenham’s squad for their Europa Conference League tie this week as Nuno Espirito Santo admits he cannot wait for the transfer window to close and end speculation over the striker’s future.
Manchester City are keen to sign England captain Kane and were reported to have tabled a bid of £100 million ($139 million) in June.
Kane — who has three years remaining on his contract — stayed away from Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over champions City in their Premier League opener on Sunday.
However, The Times claims it is expected Kane will remain for one more season due to City’s reluctance to meet Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy’s reported asking price of £160 million. Read more
Thomas Tuchel plans Chelsea formation change after Romelu Lukaku return (Metro)
Thomas Tuchel is considering a new formation change at Chelsea following Romelu Lukaku’s return to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea completed their £97.5 million deal to sign Lukaku from Inter last week and the Belgium international will train with new teammates this week ahead of their clash with Arsenal next Sunday.
Tuchel has a wealth of attacking options with Lukaku, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount.
And the Chelsea manager has suggested that he will try playing Lukaku in a two-man striker partnership, similar to his stint at Inter alongside Lautaro Martinez. Read more
Hammers showed a lot of character to beat Newcastle – David Moyes (BBC)
West Ham United twice came from behind to get their Premier League campaign off to the ideal start by beating Newcastle United in a hugely entertaining match at St James’ Park.
The Hammers trailed 2-1 at half time but staged a remarkable fightback after the break with goals from Said Benrahma, Tomas Soucek and Michail Antonio.
Callum Wilson put Newcastle ahead after just five minutes, heading home Allan Saint-Maximin’s cross to delight the 50,000 vocal fans in the stadium.West Ham equalised midway through the half after a VAR review ruled Aaron Cresswell’s cross-shot had gone all the way into the net untouched, despite the flag initially going up against Jarrod Bowen for offside. Read more