Lagos cleans up Apapa corridor after dislodging trucks (Guardian)
Weeks after trucks were evacuated from Ijora-Apapa corridor, the Lagos State government yesterday carried out a massive cleanup of Apapa and its environs as part of efforts to ensure a clean city and a follow-up to the clearing of the Orile-Okoko corridor. The new Managing Director of Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who led management team on both field and inspection of work already done, said the exercise is a follow-up to the work done in other parts of the city in fulfillment of the executive order of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on environment and sanitation. Read more
Buhari not indifferent to killing of policemen —Garba Shehu (Punch)
Garba Shehu, the official spokesperson for President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, said that Buhari was not indifferent to the killing of three policemen and a civilian by soldiers in Taraba State. In a statement on his verified Twitter handle, Shehu said that his principal had asked the Chief of Defence Staff to set up a committee to investigate the matter. He added that Buhari would take action once, he gets the report, as “he is following due process and procedure. Putting the cart before the horse is not President Buhari’s way of doing things.” Read more
Police recover guns in Lagos abandoned car (Punch)
The police at Ilemba Hausa area of Lagos State have recovered two locally made single barrel guns with 12 cartridges, one laptop and one mobile phone inside a vehicle abandoned by suspected robbers. Spokesman for the command, DSP Bala Elkana, said the recovery was made on Saturday at about 9.30pm after the Ilemba Hausa Police Station received a distress call that one Wale Lawal was dispossessed of his laptop by some armed robbers. Read more
It’ll be unfair to deny Southwest presidency in 2023 —Shehu Sani (Punch)
Former lawmaker representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani on Monday, declared that it would be unfair to deny the Southwest geopolitical zone the presidency in 2023. Sani, a member of the eighth Senate, said it would amount to ingratitude on the part of the North not to support the Southwest for the presidency. According to him, the Southwest geopolitical zone helped in uprooting the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015. Read more
PDP govs condemn killing of policemen, motorcyclist (Punch)
The Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum has condemned the killing of three policemen and a civilian by men of the Nigerian Army in Taraba. The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, in a statement he issued on Monday in Abuja also condemned the killing of Mr Chimaobi Nwaogwu, a commercial motorcyclist in Abia State by security personnel on Wednesday. Read more
43-year-old bus driver commits suicide at mechanic workshop in Lagos (Guardian)
The Lagos State Police Command said a 43-year-old commercial bus driver was found dead at a mechanic workshop after allegedly taking a liquid substance suspected to be sniper. The Spokesman for the command, DSP Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday. Elkana said the Shomolu Pedro Police Station received an information that one Kabiru Bello of No. 77, Owode Ibeshe, Ikorodu, Lagos State, allegedly drank a liquid substance suspected to be sniper. Read more
I will not use public fund to gratify myself —Gov Abdulrazaq (Punch)
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has said that he would not use public fund and resources to gratify himself at the expense of the masses that brought him to power. AbdulRazaq said this on Monday in Ilorin during a speech delivered at the second edition of the Ilorin Grand Durbar. Represented by his deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, the governor declared that public resources would only be applied strictly to public projects and overheads approved and budgeted for. Read more
Ebola drugs show ‘90% survival rate’ in breakthrough trial (BBC)
Ebola may soon be a “preventable and treatable” disease after a trial of two drugs showed significantly improved survival rates, scientists have said. Four drugs were trialled on patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where there is a major outbreak of the virus. Two of those were considerably more effective in treating the disease, the study found. The drugs will now be used to treat all Ebola patients in DR Congo, according to health officials. Read more
Trump targets legal migrants who get food aid (BBC)
US President Donald Trump’s administration is to make it more difficult for poorer legal migrants to extend their visas or gain permanent resident status (a green card). The rule targets migrants who rely on public benefits, such as food aid or public housing, for more than a year. Their applications will be rejected if the government decides they are likely to rely on public assistance in future. Read more
Brazil prosecutors move to ban Bolsonaro’s son from ambassador job (BBC)
Brazilian prosecutors have moved to ban President Jair Bolsanaro’s son from becoming ambassador to the US. The public prosecutor’s office filed an injunction on Monday asking a federal court to rule on the experience needed for anyone to serve as a diplomat. Opposition lawmakers have also asked the Supreme Court to block the appointment, calling it nepotism. It comes days after Mr Bolsonaro said US President Donald Trump had approved the appointment of his son, Eduardo. Read more
Argentine peso and markets plunge after shock vote (BBC)
Argentine stock markets and its currency have both plunged after conservative Argentine President Mauricio Macri suffered a shock defeat in primary elections on Sunday. The peso fell 15% against the dollar on Monday after earlier plunging around 30% to a record low. Some of the country’s most traded stocks have also lost around half of their value in one day. Read more
Trudeau urges China to show restraint in Hong Kong (Guardian)
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday urged China to be “very careful” in how it responds to pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong and to heed their “legitimate” demands. “We’re extremely concerned about the situation in Hong Kong,” Trudeau told a press conference. “We’re calling for peace, for order, for dialogue,” he said. “We certainly call on China to be very careful and very respectful in how it deals with people who have legitimate concerns in Hong Kong.” Read more
Canada killings: Teen murder suspects ‘in gunfire suicides’ (BBC)
Two teenagers who prompted a Canada-wide manhunt are thought to have died in suicides “by gunfire”, police say. A post-mortem examination has confirmed that bodies found last week in northern Manitoba are those of Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18. They were suspected of three murders – those of an Australian-US couple and a Canadian man. The two-week hunt for the suspects ended last Wednesday when their bodies were found near Gillam. Read more
Son who beat his own mum for eight years is banned from speaking to her (Metro)
A violent son who battered his mum for eight years could not control his ‘desire’ to abuse her, a court heard. Matthew Cowgill, 38, has a history of violence against his mum, including attacking her with a belt and metal dumbbell and grabbing her by the throat. The violent spree began in 2010 when he attempted to bite his mum and smash up the house they shared, resulting in an indefinite restraining order which he has breached repeatedly. Read more
Pompeii archaeologists uncover ‘sorcerer’s treasure trove’ (BBC)
Archaeologists working in the buried Roman city of Pompeii say they have uncovered a “sorcerer’s treasure trove” of artefacts, including good-luck charms, mirrors and glass beads. Most of the items would have belonged to women, said Massimo Osanna, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii. A room with the bodies of 10 victims, including women and children, was excavated in the same house. Read more
Environmentalists warn Trump ‘weakening’ endangered species protections (BBC)
The US federal government has announced an overhaul of the way it enforces the Endangered Species Act, a law credited with preventing countless extinctions. Trump officials say the new plan will reduce regulations, but environmental groups warn it will “crash a bulldozer” through the landmark 1973 legislation. The plan removes automatic protections for threatened species and allows economic factors to be considered. Read more
Christina Milian announces she’s having a boy in epic gender reveal: ‘We’re above and beyond cloud 9!’ (Metro)
Christina Milian has revealed she is expecting a baby boy with her boyfriend Matt Pokora and the gender reveal snaps are epic. The AM To PM hitmaker, who announced she was pregnant last month, staged a pretty lit party to reveal the gender of her second child. Think pink and blue balloons, cannons, lavish cakes, a pool… the whole shebang really. Read more
Onyekuru joins Monaco for €15m (Punch)
Nigeria international Henry Onyekuru has moved to French Ligue 1 club, AS Monaco, from Premier League club Everton. According to Monaco, the 22-year-old player signed up for five seasons. Though the club didn’t disclose the fee, there are reports that the player joined for a fee worth €15m. The skilful dribbler has 11 caps for Nigeria and was part of the team that helped Nigeria emerge third at the 2019 African Cup of Nations. Read more
Kenya and Sebastien Migne end contract by mutual consent (BBC)
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Sebastien Migne have agreed to terminate the coach’s contract by mutual consent. The Frenchman had been coach of the Harambee Stars since May 2018 and led the team to the recent Africa Cup of Nations. Kenya missed out on progressing to the last 16 in Egypt on goal difference as one of the best third-placed teams in the group stage. Read more
Paul Pogba slammed by Sam Allardyce after Manchester United’s win over Chelsea (Metro)
Sam Allardyce has slammed Paul Pogba for his performance in Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Chelsea, claiming that the World Cup winner was causing his own side more problems than the opposition. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side began their new Premier League campaign with a victory following a double from Marcus Rashford, while Anthony Martial and Daniel James also found the net. Read more
Frank Lampard: Chelsea boss has ‘one hell of a job on’ – Chris Sutton (BBC)
Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has “one hell of a job on” this season, says former striker Chris Sutton. The Blues lost 4-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday in Lampard’s first Premier League game in charge. Eden Hazard left Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid in June, while Chelsea are banned from signing new players until next summer. “It’s like going into an Olympic rowing final and being asked to compete in a dinghy,” said Sutton. Read more
Valencia set to sign defender Mangala from Man City (Punch)
Valencia are set to sign France defender Eliaquim Mangala from Manchester City, the Spanish club announced on Monday. The La Liga outfit said in a statement they had: “reached an initial agreement with Eliaquim Mangala for the French defender to join the club through to June 30th, 2021. The agreement is pending the completion of the definitive paperwork.” Mangala joined City from Porto in 2014 but lost his place before moving to Valencia, where he made 33 appearances, and then Everton on loan. Read more
Alisson ruled out ‘for next few weeks’ (BBC)
Liverpool keeper Alisson has been ruled out “for the next few weeks” with the calf injury he picked up in the season-opening win against Norwich City, says manager Jurgen Klopp. The Brazil international, 26, went off after 39 minutes of the 4-1 victory and was replaced by summer signing Adrian. “It’s not too cool,” said Klopp. “It’s a calf injury which takes Alisson out for a while.” Read more
Dutch hero Sneijder announces retirement from football (Punch)
The Netherlands’ most-capped player Wesley Sneijder announced on Monday his retirement from football, bringing down the curtain on a trophy-laden career that spanned 17 years. The 35-year-old, who played 134 times for his country, made the announcement while speaking to the YouTube channel of his hometown club FC Utrecht after having bought a corporate box at their stadium. “My connection to the town is big. Now I’ve retired from football I want a nice place to share my memories,” he said. Read more
Graeme Souness says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is being ‘unfair’ on Marcus Rashford at Manchester United (Metro)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is being ‘unfair’ by putting too much pressure on Marcus Rashford at Manchester United, according to Graeme Souness. Rashford made an impressive start to the the new Premier League campaign as he scored twice in United’s 4-0 victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday. The 21-year-old will be required to step up this season following United’s decision to sell Romelu Lukaku to Inter this summer. Read more
Andy Murray beaten by Richard Gasquet on singles return (BBC)
Andy Murray was beaten by Richard Gasquet in his first singles match since hip resurfacing surgery in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters. The British former world number one lost 6-4 6-4 to France’s Gasquet. Murray 32, broke down in tears at the Australian Open in January, fearing surgery on his long-standing hip injury may end his chances of playing singles. Instead surgery has left him pain-free, allowing the three-time Grand Slam champion to resume his career. Read more