Lagos approves full reopening of schools (Guardian)
The Lagos State Government has approved the full re-opening of schools for all classes in public and private schools across the state from Monday, 2nd of November, 2020.
Boarding house students in public schools are to resume on Sunday, November 1.
Lagos State education commissioner Folasade Adefisayo while announcing the approval said 2020 has been an unprecedented year “with the recent happenings that have regrettably led to frequent closure of schools with attendant learning disruptions faced by all children.”
Public and private schools in the state have been shut for the most part of the year.
The government shut all schools in March due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the state. Read more
Truck driver dies in Lagos accident (Punch)
A yet-to-be-identified driver lost his life on Thursday during an accident in the Owode-Elede area, along Ikorodu Road, Lagos State.
The driver was said to be driving recklessly when the tragedy struck around 5.45 am.
The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the driver’s body had been handed over to his family.
Oke-Osanyintolu said, “Upon the arrival of the Agency’s response team at the incident scene, it was revealed that a truck loaded with iron rods had an accident as a result of overloading and reckless driving on the part of the truck driver, a single adult male. Read more
Davido, Skales, others blast Desmond Elliot over social media regulation (Vanguard)
Davido, Skales, Super Eagles Player-John Ogu and many Nigerians have reacted to the video of popular actor turned lawmaker, Desmond Elliot allegedly pushing for social media regulation.
Recall that few days ago, Desmond Elliot was called out on Twitter over calling for an anti-social media bill. The actor turned politician however denied the allegations.
Well, a video that captured the moment the lawmaker representing Surulere constituency in Lagos, Desmond Elliot called for social media regulation has been making the rounds online. Read more
Fire guts petrol tank, stationary trucks in Lagos (Punch)
A petrol tanker has been gutted by fire in the Lacasera area of Mile 2, Lagos State.
Some vehicles around the premises were also reportedly razed by the inferno on Thursday.
The driver was said to be conveying the petrol to a destination in the state when he lost control of the vehicle.
It was learnt that the truck overturned, resulting in a spillage that reportedly burst into flames.
The spokesperson for the state Fire Service, Jamiu Dosunmu, said the fire had been extinguished, adding that the no death was recorded. Read more
Buhari: Nigeria’s economy too fragile to bear another lockdown (Thisday)
President Muhammadu Buhari has warned that the nation’s economy cannot survive another round of lockdown.
The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, which broke out in January, forced the world economy to be shut down as a result of the pandemic.
The virus also forced the federal government to shut down the country’s economy for about five months.
Despite the federal government gradually opening up the country’s economy, the president in a tweet from his verified Tweeter handle on Thursday, warned that considering the trend of the pandemic in other countries, there was need to avert a second wave of Covid-19 in Nigeria. Read more
AIB to release four reports of accident investigation (Guardian)
The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has revealed that four reports of accident investigation conducted on aircraft mishaps in the country will be released soon.
AIB commissioner and chief executive officer, (CEO) Engr Akin Olateru, who disclosed this at a one-day sensitisation symposium on the activities of AIB in Kano, said details of the cause of the accident would be released next week.
Although the AIB boss did not reveal the references of reports of the investigation, he stated that the agency had so far released 51 final reports and 32 reports of civil aviation accidents since it was established. Read more
Ganduje reappoints sacked commissioner (Vanguard)
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has on Thursday reappointed his sacked commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Mu’azu Magaji who allegedly mocked the death of late Abba Kyari, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ganduje appointed Engr. Magaji as Chairman, Kano State Committee on Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation/ Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (NNPC/AKK) Gas Pipeline Project Delivery and Gas Industrialization.
The appointment was contained in a letter dated 29th October, 2020 and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Bilikisu Shehu Maimota on behalf of the Secretary to the Kano State Government, to that effect. Read more
Ogun reopens hospitality centres, othersas COVID-19 cases drop (Thisday)
Satisfied with the drop in COVID-19 infection cases in Ogun State, the state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has announced the re-opening of hospitality centres and other places earlier prone to infectivity in the state.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, said all hotels, viewing centres, marquees, event centres, suites, guest houses, and motels can now re-open.
Others to benefit from the reopening permit are establishments providing accommodation for tourists or entertainment, restaurants, eateries, fast food centres, lounges, bars, and cinemas. Read more
This car transforms into a plane in 3 minutes (Metro)
The journey to work would be a little different if your car could unfurl a pair of wings and glide over all the stationary traffic. While this dream is still some way off for most of us, there’s a promising development coming out of….Slovakia.
Over there is a research and development company called Klein Vision, run by a chap called Professor Stefan Klein. For the last 30 years, he’s been working to develop a flying car.
Now on his fifth generation of the product – fittingly called ‘AirCar’ – we have some genuinely impressive footage from a couple of test flights. Read more
Uber adds grocery delivery to its expanding list of businesses (NYPost)
Uber is getting into the grocery game in New York City, The Post has learned.
The ride-hail giant announced Wednesday that its Uber and Uber Eats apps will roll out a grocery delivery service to most of Manhattan, and said it plans to expand citywide through the rest of the year.
New Yorkers who open the Uber or Uber Eats apps will now see a grocery shopping tab, which will use their delivery address to show them what participating shops are available to them. In addition to chains like Gristedes, D’Agostino’s and Westside Market, the app will also be able to send couriers to smaller shops like Sullivan Street Bakery and Dickson’s Farmstand Meats in Chelsea. Read more
Landslides kill at least 19 after heavy rain in Vietnam (BBC)
At least 19 people have been killed and dozens are missing after torrential rains caused by a powerful typhoon triggered landslides in Vietnam.
Typhoon Molave slammed into the coast near Da Nang city on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain and strong winds.
The typhoon has affected more than a million people in central Vietnam, leaving destruction in its wake.
Around 375,000 people were evacuated to safety before Molave struck with winds reaching 85mph (145 km/h). Read more
US economy notches record growth in 3rd quarter (CBC)
The US economy grew at an unrivalled pace in the third quarter as the government poured out more than $3 trillion US worth of pandemic relief that fuelled consumer spending, but the deep scars from the COVID-19 recession could take a year or more to heal.
Gross domestic product rebounded at a 33.1 per cent annualized rate last quarter, the Commerce Department said in its advance estimate on Thursday. That was the fastest pace since the government started keeping records in 1947 and followed a historic shrinkage rate of 31.4 per cent in the second quarter. Read more
Pandemic inspires creative teaching in underprivileged Indian district (VOA)
A group of school students bend over notebooks as they sit on mats in a village square in Righer village to study numbers, spelling, and other subjects. In the open space, they can easily be seated at a distance to adhere to COVID-19 social distancing protocols.
The students have assembled for a two-hour session of community classes conducted outdoors by teachers and volunteers across dozens of villages in Nuh district in India’s northern Haryana state as schools remain shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In another village, Kanwarsika, the morning bell announcing the start of a teaching session rings, not in the local school, but from a van equipped with a loudspeaker. Read more
“Cannon and Ball” star Bobby Ball dies aged 76 from Covid-19 (Metro)
Bobby Ball, one half of the comedy double act Cannon & Ball alongside Tommy Cannon, has died at the age of 76 after testing positive for Covid-19. His manager confirmed the news on Thursday morning. A statement said: ‘It is with great personal sadness that on behalf of Yvonne Ball, and the family, and Tommy Cannon, I announce that Bobby Ball passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on the 28th October 2020 approximately 21:30. ‘Bobby had been taken to the hospital for tests as he started with breathing problems. At first it was thought to be a chest infection but a test proved positive for Covid-19.’ Read more
Former Miss America Leanza Cornett dead at 49 (NYPost)
Former Miss America Leanza Cornett, who was crowned in 1993, has died at age 49.
Her death was announced late Wednesday by the Miss American Organization on social media.
“We are devastated by this sudden loss in our Miss America family and we are deeply sorry for her family and close friends for their loss,” the statement read. “At the moment, we do not have any further information regarding a service for Leanza and we ask that you please respect her family during this difficult time.”
“Hold on tight to those you love today. Time is certainly precious,” the organization added, with a sign-off of “With much love.” Read more
Barca troll Ronaldo, Juventus after UCL win (Nation)
Barcelona trolled Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus on Twitter following the Spanish side’s 2-0 win over the Italian champions on Wednesday.
The Catalans took down Juve at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, moving atop their Champion League group with two wins from as many games.
Barca benefitted from a first-half goal from Ousmane Dembele, whose shot deflected up and over Wojciech Szczesny for the game’s opener.
They added a second in the 91st minute with a Lionel Messi spot-kick, with Juventus having seen Merih Demiral sent off moments earlier for a second yellow. Read more
John Lundstram: Sheffield United midfielder rejects new contract (BBC)
John Lundstram (left) joined Sheffield United from Oxford United in 2017
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder says it is “frustrating” that midfielder John Lundstram has rejected a new contract offer.
Lundstram, 26, is in the final year of his current deal and is now set to leave Bramall Lane.
He has started all six of the club’s Premier League games this season.
“We have offered him a very good contract that is up there with the top players at the club. He doesn’t want to sign it,” Wilder said. Read more
Europa: Bale ready to fly, says Mourinho (Punch)
Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho says Gareth Bale has worked hard to improve his fitness levels.
The Portuguese manager added that the Wales forward would be ready to “fly” when he takes the field against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League later on Thursday.
Bale had been nursing a knee injury since his return to Spurs last month on a season-loan loan from Real Madrid but has got up to speed in recent weeks.
Mourinho confirmed Bale would start the Group J match and was confident the Wales international was ready to deliver.
“Bale is playing and we all have not just a feeling but the data to show that Bale is arriving,” Mourinho told reporters. Read more
Frank Lampard rejects claims he had major doubts over Chelsea star Christian Pulisic (Metro)
Frank Lampard has rejected claims he had major doubts over Christian Pulisic during the early stages of his Chelsea career.
Chelsea completed a £58million deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Pulisic in January 2019 while Maurizio Sarri was in charge of the club.
The USA international did not move to Stamford Bridge until the following summer when Lampard had replaced Sarri as manager.
Earlier in the month, RB Salzburg manager Jesse Marsch claimed Lampard doubted Pulisic’s ability to make an instant impact at Chelsea because of his nationality. Read more
NBA players union ‘negative’ on league’s Dec. 22 start proposal (NYPost)
In response to the NBA’s proposed 72-game schedule the league is considering for the 2020-21 regular season, which includes a Dec. 22 tipoff, NBPA executive director Michele Roberts says that players are currently mostly against the plan.
With a Friday deadline for owners or players to choose to nix the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, Roberts told The Athletic Wednesday that the proposal is being reviewed extensively. She was adamant that no players’ decision would be reached this week.
“We have requested and are receiving data from the parties involved and will work on a counterproposal as expeditiously as possible,” Roberts said. Read more
CAF postpone Champions League semi-final, final (Guardian)
The CAF Champions League semi-final return match between Zamalek of Egypt and Raja Casablanca of Morocco has been postponed from November 1 to a date to be decided, CAF said Thursday.
Many of the Raja squad have tested positive for the coronavirus, leaving only 10 fit players, an official of the Casablanca club told AFP.
Zamalek lead 1-0 from the first leg in Casablanca with Moroccan Achraf Bencharki scoring the only goal midway through the first half.
CAF also announced that the final between Zamalek or Raja and Al Ahly of Egypt, scheduled for an Egyptian venue on November 6, has been postponed indefinitely. Read more
