Lagos-Benin bridge at risk of collapse, Rep warns (Punch)
Mr Dennis Idahosa, member representing Ovia Federal Constituency, warned on Sunday in Benin that Ugbogui Bridge in Ovia Southwest Local Government Area of Edo would soon collapse.
A section of the bridge before Okada Junction on the Lagos-Benin Highway has caved in and has been causing unending gridlocks.
The lawmaker inspected the bridge told the News Agency of Nigeria that it would collapse unless urgent steps were taken to salvage it.
Idahosa, chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, expressed regret that the bridge had been left unattended by the authorities concerned in spite of the heavy traffic on the route. Read more
Ngige: FG ready to withdraw suit from court if resident doctors return to work (ThisDay)
The federal government has expressed its readiness to withdraw the suit it instituted at the National Industrial Court (NIC) against the striking resident doctors, if the doctors return to their duty post.
It also insisted on implementing the ‘no work, no pay’ policy against the striking doctors, saying it is a global practice which is also captured in Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act under the International Labour Organization (ILO).
This is just as President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, have taken a review of the nation’s health system.
Speaking with newsmen weekend at the State House, Abuja, after meeting with President Buhari, Ngige said the 12-point demand of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) have been met, but noted that government will not be arm twisted by the striking doctors not to follow the global standard. Read more
NDLEA arrests corps member for importing drugged candies from UK (Leadership)
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), has intercepted and arrested a 22-year-old youth corps member, Arnold Maniru in Abuja for importing four kilograms of drugged candies from the United Kingdom
The NDLEA also incepted cookies laced with drugs going to United Arab Emirate in Lagos.
The NDLEA spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said: “the youth corps member serving with a government agency in Abuja was arrested on Saturday 28th August, 2021 following the interception of a consignment at the warehouse of a transport company.
“A controlled delivery of the parcel, which contains the candies laced with Arizona, a strong variant of cannabis and some liquid, was subsequently carried out.”
In the same vein, operatives attached to courier companies in Lagos have intercepted 1.2kg of cannabis concealed inside locally made cookies going to Dubai, UAE and 920grams of cocaine hidden inside synthetic hair heading to Saudi Arabia. Read more
Edo police comb forest for Sowore’s killers (Punch)
The police on Sunday said that they were combing forest to arrest the killers of Olajide Sowore, the younger brother of Sahara Reporters’ publisher and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.
The Edo Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kontongs Bello, gave the assurance in Benin while addressing newsmen.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that suspected kidnappers shot dead Sowore in Okada, Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, “It has become very necessary for the police to inform the general public that the police are on top of the situation since the incident happened yesterday (Saturday) at about 6.45am. Read more
Yahaya Bello condemns Olajide Sowore’s killing, commiserates with family (Guardian)
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has condemned the killing of Mr Olajide Sowore, younger brother to former Presidential candidate, Mr Omoyele Sowore.
Olajide was killed on Saturday in Okada, Edo.
The governor in a condolences message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Muhammed Onogwu, commiserated with the Sowore family, stating that the death of Olajide was indeed a painful one.
Bello noted that evil men carrying out such an act of cowardice on a harmless citizen, must be brought to book, adding that no life should be lost in such a barbaric manner. Read more
Nigerian shortlisted for 2023 spaceflight (DailyTrust)
A Czech Republic-based Nigerian creative artist, Yemi Akinyemi Dele aka Yemi AD, has made the shortlist for the first 20 applicants for the SpaceX Dear Moon project slated for 2023.
The project is a space mission organised by Elon Musk and funded by Yusaku Maezawa, a Japanese billionaire and founder of E-Shop in Zozotown.
I won’t allow vacancy in traditional stools beyond 2 yrs — Fayemi
I won’t allow vacancy in traditional stools beyond 2 yrs — Fayemi
Japanese fashion tycoon, Maezawa, who signed up to be SpaceX’s first customer to fly to the moon aboard a starship spacecraft in 2023, has been looking for a few like-minded space enthusiasts to join him on the voyage; all expenses paid.
The search, with over one million applications across 249 countries, is now in the final stage of screening as the billionaire has narrowed the selection down to just 20 finalists. Read more
Adamawa orders closure of 30 boarding schools over insecurity (Punch)
Adamawa Government has announced the closure of 30 boarding junior secondary schools in the state out of the 34 junior schools over insecurity.
The closure, according to a statement by the commissioner of education and human capital development, Mrs. Wilbina Jackson, is to take effect from September 6, 2021 till further notice.
The statement seen by our reporter said the move was a proactive measure to ensure the safety of students in view of the insecurity bedevilling the country.
The state government’s action came amidst escalating banditry in the country, resulting in the kidnap of hundreds of school children across many states. Read more
Nigeria’s total infection toll now stands at 195,052, with 2,522 fatalities (Guardian)
The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) says the country’s total infection toll now stands at 195,052, with a fatality toll of 2,522.
The NCDC made this known via its verified website on Sunday morning, adding that Nigeria recorded 27 more Coronavirus (COVID-19) related deaths and 964 new infections from 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that the 964 fresh cases reported on Saturday indicated an increase from the 444 cases posted on Friday.
The public health agency noted that Lagos State, the country’s epicenter of COVID-19, reported 456; Ondo followed with 180, while Edo recorded the third highest infection with 66 cases. Read more
UN: 10, 155 northeast children died of malnutrition in 5 years (Sun)
Data obtained from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) from both the Stabilization Centre and Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) Centre, indicated that no fewer than 10, 155 children died of malnutrition in three northeast states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States in the last five years.
The UN Agency predicted that the figure might rise significantly due to the fact that figures for the remaining part of year 2021 (August to December) has not been collated and added to the existing ones.
However, the data further revealed that in the last five years, 1,434,584 children were admitted for malnutrition in both the stabilization centre and Outpatient Therapeutic Programme (OTP) center. Similarly, 1, 222, 134 children were treated and they recovered, while 20, 530 children were unable to recover.
For whatever reason, the data indicated that 74, 811 children defaulted in treatment, while several others were subjected to Multiple Micronutrient Powder (MMNP) which helped in their revival. Read more
“The Devil Wears Prada” star Stanley Tucci reveals cancer diagnosis (COSMO)
Stanley Tucci, who starred in The Devil Wears Prada alongside Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, has revealed he was diagnosed with cancer three years ago.
Speaking to Vera magazine, the actor spoke about his diagnosis and treatment for the first time. Although he didn’t give away too many details, in the interview Tucci confirmed he had been diagnosed with a tumour at the base of his tongue.
“It was too big to operate, so they had to do high-dose radiation and chemo,” he said, before explaining how he “had a feeding tube for six months.”
Tucci also discussed how his diagnosis affected his mental health, since his first wife of over 10 years, Kate, passed away in 2009 after a battle with breast cancer. “I’d vowed I’d never do anything like that [chemotherapy], because my first wife died of cancer, and to watch her go through those treatments for years was horrible,” he said. Read more
Haifa International Film Festival announces Israeli lineup (JPost)
Ophir Awards are the top prize for excellence in the Israel film industry, known locally as known as the Israeli Oscars or the Israeli Academy Awards.
Thirty-nine new Israeli movies will be shown at the 37th Haifa International Film Festival, which will take place from September 19-28.
The competition for Best Israeli Feature Films will have five premieres. Among these will be Eran Kolirin’s latest film, Let There Be Morning, which tells the story of a Palestinian man attending a wedding in the village where he grew up, who gets stuck there. Based on a book by Sayed Kashua, it was shown at Cannes this year and is nominated for 15 Ophir Awards. It stars Alex Bakri and Salim Dau (Avanti Popolo).
Ophir Awards are the top prize for excellence in the Israel film industry, known locally as known as the Israeli Oscars or the Israeli Academy Awards.
Roy Krispel’s Abu Omar tells the story of a man who wants to return to his West Bank village to bury his two-year-old son, who died at an Israeli hospital. But due to a curfew, he cannot cross the checkpoint and teams up with a young pregnant woman to complete his sad journey. Read more
Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain’s Venice promo makes us believe in love again (VICE)
Slow-mo video will never be the same again.
In case you haven’t noticed, Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain have hit the promo trail for their forthcoming limited series Scenes From A Marriage, which debuted this weekend at the Venice Film Festival.
Said promo included them basically parading around Venice looking breathtakingly gorgeous and doe-eyed, which clearly has resonated with all of the Film Girls, Gays and Theys who now all basically think Oscar and Jess are In Love.
(This being, of course, the entire point of the series they’re in together but let’s not ruin everyone’s good time just yet).
Across Twitter and your socials this weekend, you may have seen one video in particular; an almost excruciatingly slow slow-mo video that shows the two stars attending the red carpet for the Scenes From A Marriage premiere.
It is – and don’t take this the wrong way – the most homoerotic display of heterosexuality we have ever seen. Read more
Fans remind Madonna she’s not ‘20 anymore’ as she posts playful snaps (TheThings)
Legendary singer Madonna might be one of the biggest pop stars of all time, but she has her own set of controversies. From dating Ahlamalik Williams who is 35 years her junior to bizarre stories about her music videos making headlines, Madonna may have taken things too far this time.
The Hung Up singer posted a series of photos from her BBQ family party, which was attended by her children and 27-year-old boyfriend.
The 62-year-old singer looks beautiful as ever and continues to surprise fans by looking nothing like her age. Madonna is glowing and served looks as she posed with her boyfriend, kids, and a giant inflatable flamingo.
Madonna’s playful snaps follow the hit-maker at the BBQ party as she shows off freshly-made hot dogs, and hangs out with her boyfriend’s friends. Read more
SAS troops escape Afghanistan by wearing burqas to fool Taliban (UNILAD)
Up to 20 SAS soldiers are said to have worn burqas to help disguise themselves as ‘devout women’ in order to escape Afghanistan following the takeover of the Taliban.
Weeks of evacuation efforts took place from Kabul as the US, UK and other nations attempted to remove their citizens and Afghan residents from the country, but the SAS team, who had been on a mission in the south of Afghanistan at the time of the takeover, were reportedly warned there were no helicopters available to fly them to safety.
The soldiers had to travel hundreds of miles and cross a number of Taliban roadblocks in order to make their way to Kabul’s airport and so decided to wear disguises to avoid repercussion from the militants.
A source with knowledge of the situation told The Daily Star the team had been in the country on a ‘secret reconnaissance mission when everything went belly-up.’ Read more
Cumberbatch says Netflix vital for cinema in ‘uncertain time’ (Yahoo)
British star Benedict Cumberbatch said Thursday he was “thrilled” over Netflix’s role in the film industry, but added that streaming services still had to support cinemas.
The “Sherlock” and “Doctor Strange” star was at the Venice film festival where his latest, Netflix-backed movie “The Power of the Dog” is competing for the Golden Lion.
“We live in a very uncertain time,” he told AFP. “We’re a variant-hair’s breadth away from all this — being in a cinema — not being possible again.
“I’m kind of thrilled that we have somebody who’s going to get the work seen. Netflix are very supportive of a film industry that involves creatives at every level and also at the end, a cinematic release — for a period of time.” Read more
Agali, Ekpo, others to feature in South-West veteran football tourney (Nation)
More than 100 veteran football stars residing in South-West are slated to participate in the Veteran Football Tournament billed for Oluyemi Kayode Stadium, Ado- Ekiti, as from Sept.11.
This is contained in a statement by the sponsors of the competition, All Stars International, and signed by its President, Sola Afolayan, on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.
It said veterans such as Victor Agali, Friday Ekpo, Friday Elaho, Godwin Okpara, Taiwo Oloyede, amongst others, will feature in the play-offs on Friday, Sept. 11.
It also indicated that Kayode Emmanuel and Henry Nwosu would also participate in the tourney. Read more
Adepoju charges Super Eagles to score more goals (DailyTrust)
Former Nigeria midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has charged the Super Eagles to improve on scoring more goals after they defeated Liberia 2-0 on Friday.
Kelechi Iheanacho’s double in the first-half helped the Super Eagles start their quest for a spot at the 2022 Fifa World Cup with a commanding win, but they missed a number of chances that could have stretched their lead after the break.
However, the victory shot Nigeria to the top of Group C and Adepoju is pleased with their performance against the Lone Star.
He told Goal: “The three points are very important and they have gotten it. Overall, the match was okay, the boys played well and we scored two goals which is not bad. Read more
Nigeria third best African team as Paralympics end (Punch)
Team Nigeria to the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games ended their campaign with a total of 10 medals comprising four gold, one silver and five bronze medals as curtains get drawn on the multi-sports event on Sunday (today).
Nigeria are currently 32nd on the overall medals table going to the last day of the competition but will not be adding another medal after the country ended their competition on Saturday with Flora Ugwunwa winning a gold medal in javelin with a throw of 19.39m in the F54 class event while Lauritta Onye followed up with a bronze in shot put failing to defend the gold she won five years ago in Rio.
Team Nigeria won three gold medals from para powerlifting with Latifat Tijani, Bose Omolayo and Folashade Oluwafemiayo having the country’s flag raised in the -45, -79 and -86 kg respectively.
Loveline Obiji won silver in the +86kg while Lucy Ejike and Olaitan Ibrahim winning bronze medals in the -61 and -67kg events. Read more
Sloane Stephens put trolls on blast after receiving over 2000 abusive messages (NewsOne)
Petty people live to attack Black women. Whether they are on top of it all or after a shocking loss, there is a particular joy online trolls seem to take in spewing racist and sexist vitriol toward Black women.
Three months after Naomi Osaka reclaimed her time at the French Open, US tennis player Sloane Stephens posted on Instagram Stories about hate messages she received. After her U.S. Open loss, tennis player Sloane Stephens posted to Instagram Stories that she received over 2000 abusive messages.
In an age when cries of cancel culture outpace the reality of alleged cancellation, Black women endure the often undeserved barrage of hate messages. Covering the online abuse for USAToday, sports journalist Analis Bailey spoke tweeted the language in the posts was “disgusting and disheartening to read.”
The barrage of hate messages illustrates the burden Black women in the spotlight often bear. As a Black woman in professional tennis, let alone living and working in America, the 28-year-old Stephens isn’t the first to face such attacks. Read more
7 injured in brawl between Russian football fans (DailyTrust)
Chaos erupted in the streets of the Russian city of Tver on Saturday night after fans from competing football teams started a massive brawl which left at least seven injured.
More than 60 people were part of the fighting which broke out after Zenit St Petersburg’s reserve team tied with FC Tver, the state news agency TASS reported.
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Videos said to be from the brawl in central Tver showed injured men lying in the street with blood on their clothes.
There was also that of a hooded man kicking another man in the head and then punching someone. Read more
Barty crashes out of US Open (Fox)
Ash Barty has crashed out of the US Open in spectacular fashion, squandering a three-game lead in a 2-6 6-1 6-7 (5-7) upset defeat to Shelby Rogers in the third round.
Having overcome a poor opening set to take the second, Barty then looked to be on the path to victory as she led the third 5-2.
However, having struggled previously to serve out the match, Barty faltered late as the American Rogers roared home with the support of the crowd.
Barty, then down 6-5, served to force a tiebreaker but fell 7-5. Read more