Lagos COVID-19 task force escapes gunshot attack, seals facilities (Guardian)
Members of the Lagos State Safety Commission enforcement team, at the weekend, escaped injuries after they were attacked and shot at while carrying out enforcement of the COVID-19 safety precautions in Ipaja area.
Disclosing this, the Technical Adviser to the commission, Mr Seun Awojobi, stated that while carrying out the enforcement on Friday night, the team was shot at and attacked at Osigold Hotels and Bar in Baruwa Ipaja, Lagos.
“The hotel had over 100 people clubbing and dancing within its premises, flouting the state government’s directive and contravening the Infectious Disease Law of the state,” he said. Read more
Lagos CJ blames parents for kid’s waywardness (Nation)
Lagos Chief Judge Justice Kazeem Alogba on Tuesday blamed parents and guardians for their children’s waywardness.
The CJ was speaking at Samuel Ilori Court House, Ogba, Lagos where he released 42 juveniles from BORSAL Correctional Training Institute, Adigbe, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The juveniles were brought in from Ogun for the release ceremony following the recommendation of Correctional Centres Decongestion Committee chaired by Justice Adenike Coker. Read more
Reps seek Lagos-Abeokuta road repair fund in 2021 budget (Punch)
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to fix the Lagos-Abeokuta road, urging the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency to carry out urgent repairs on the affected portions pending the reconstruction of the road.
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to include reconstruction of the road in the 2021 budget.
A member, James Owolabi, had at the plenary on Tuesday moved a motion titled, ‘Call for Rehabilitation of Abeokuta Expressway from Abule Egba to Sango Tollgate,’ which was unanimously adopted. Read more
‘Why Third Mainland Bridge must close now’ (Nation)
The Federal Government on Tuesday gave reasons for the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State on Friday for repairs.
It said there was no money to overhaul the entire bridge, hence the repairs to put it in good shape.
The job is expected to be completed next January.
The bridge, considered the busiest in the country with average traffic rate of 132,702 vehicles per day, will be formally closed to road users by midnight of July 24. Read more
Tragedy averted as petrol-laden tankers spill content in Lagos (Punch)
The driver of a tanker conveying 33,000 litres of petrol to a destination in Lagos State lost control of the vehicle while navigating a bend in the Alaluko area and the content spilled on the road around 5.14am on Thursday.
This was just as another tanker conveying 33,000 litres of petrol developed a mechanical fault around 4.40am on the Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, and also spilled its content on the road.
The acting Head, Lagos State Fire Service, Margaret Adeseye, said emergency responders, including the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority were on the ground to cordon off the areas and prevent secondary incidents. Read more
Controversy as man commits suicide at traffic agency’s premises in Ogun (Guardian)
There was pandemonium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Monday when a man identified as Fatai Salami drank an insecticide and died at the premises of Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that Salami was allegedly asked to pay a fine of N215,000 for violating the COVID-19 protocol in the state.
Salami’s truck was seized by officials of TRACE and in the custody of the traffic management agency in Abeokuta for five days over an alleged N215,000 fine. Read more
Police arrest headmaster for allegedly raping 10-year-old pupil twice (Vanguard)
The Police Command in Yobe on Tuesday paraded Abubakar Musa, an Assistant Headmaster, for allegedly raping a 10-year-old pupil (name withheld) in Jajere, Fune Local Government Area of the state.
Parading the suspect in Damaturu, the command’s Spokesman, ASP Dungus Abdulkarim, said Musa was with Jajere Central Primary School, in which the victim, a primary five pupil, was schooling.
He said the culprit had canal knowledge of the victim on July 15 and 17. Read more
PDP mourns Funtua, condoles Buhari (Vanguard)
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed sadness over the death of media tycoon, businessman and former Minister of Water Resources, Mallam Isma’ila Isa Funtua.
The party in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari over the death of Funtua, “who was Mr President’s very close confidant, a long-time friend and associate.”
“The PDP notes that Mallam Isa Funtua would be remembered for the roles he played towards the development of our nation including his contributions as a minister of the Federal Republic, an outstanding publisher and life patron of the International Press Institute, IPI, and the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN. Read more
Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan reach ‘major common understanding’ on dam (Aljazeera)
Ethiopia’s prime minister said on Tuesday his country, Egypt, and Sudan reached a “major common understanding which paves the way for a breakthrough agreement” on a significant dam project that has led to sharp regional tensions and fears of military confrontation.
Egypt and Sudan view the dam as a serious threat to vital water supplies, while Ethiopia considers it essential for its electrification and development.
The statement by Abiy Ahmed’s office came as new satellite images show the water level in the reservoir behind the nearly completed $4.6bn Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is at its highest in at least four years. Read more
Hijackers make off with COVID-19 samples in South Africa, raising biohazard concerns (RT)
A truck carrying a large number of COVID-19 samples has been hijacked in South Africa, prompting alarm about the loot posing a biohazard threat to the region.
The incident happened in Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape province, on Monday night.
The region’s premier, Oscar Mabuyane, spoke about the incident during his coronavirus media briefing on Tuesday, confirming that a container of Covid-19 specimens intended for a local laboratory has been stolen at gunpoint during a hijacking.
“We condemn this act of criminality, which puts the lives of people at risk,” Mabuyane said. Read more
Ukraine hostage crisis: Lutsk siege ends after president’s bizarre video (BBC)
A stand-off in Ukraine has ended with security forces freeing 10 hostages from a bus in the city of Lutsk and detaining the gunman, after a bizarre intervention by the president.
Pictures showed the gunman lying on the ground after his arrest.
Just before the man’s arrest, President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a short video to comply with one of his demands, saying the words: “Everyone should watch the 2005 film Earthlings.”
All the hostages are unharmed. Read more
A million Indians in fear as Kuwait looks to cap migrant numbers (Aljazeera)
In spite of having neither job nor savings, Indian electrician Shibhu Clemance was still hopeful that he would be able to find work again in Kuwait – until he learned of a proposal to drastically cut back on migrants in the country.
The 38-year-old, who lost his job in February due to the coronavirus pandemic, is among more than a million Indians in Kuwait, the largest expat group in the Gulf country of 4.4 million.
But after the pandemic hit oil prices and local jobs, Kuwait is considering setting new limits that could force about 800,000 Indians to leave the country, potentially slashing their remittances – a crucial lifeline for families back home. Read more
14 injured in crossfire as Chicago funeral attendees fire back at drive-by shooters (RT)
Fourteen people have been injured in a shooting at a funeral home in Chicago, Illinois, according to police. The incident saw an exchange of gunfire between attendees and the assailants, who fled the scene and remain at large.
The incident unfolded on Tuesday evening in Chicago’s Auburn Gresham community on the South Side, where police superintendent Eric Carter said more than a dozen people were shot outside a funeral home, noting that the victims are being treated at 5 different area hospitals.
While Carter did not elaborate on the extent of the injuries, the Chicago Fire Department earlier said all were in serious or critical condition. Read more
Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington joining forces for new Netflix movie (Metro)
Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington are teaming up again for a brand new Netflix movie titled Leave The World Behind.
Netflix has reportedly won the rights to the movie, based on an upcoming Rumaan Alam novel, and Julia and Denzel are on board to produce the project as well as star in it. Deadline reports that the film will be directed by Sam Esmail while author Alam will sit as executive producer. Read more
QAnon: Twitter bans accounts linked to conspiracy theory (BBC)
Twitter has announced sweeping measures aimed at cracking down on the QAnon conspiracy theory, including banning thousands of accounts.
The social media giant said it would also stop recommending content linked to QAnon and block URLs associated with it from being shared on the platform.
QAnon is a sprawling conspiracy theory whose followers support US President Donald Trump. Read more
Ighalo key to United’s Top 4 chase – Solskjaer (Punch)
Manchester United Manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, says the addition of players to the club’s ranks in January is key to their chase for Champions League qualification.
United bought Bruno Fernandes from Sporting Lisbon for around £47m in January and also secured a loan deal for Ighalo from Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.
Both players have settled well at United, with Fernandes playing at the heart of United’s midfield, while Ighalo has scored five goals in 15 appearances for the Red Devils. Read more
‘Courageous’ Aston Villa out of relegation zone with one game left (BBC)
Aston Villa’s players must prepare for a “cup final” after showing “courage” to secure a priceless win over Arsenal and move out of the Premier League relegation zone with one game to go, says boss Dean Smith.
Trezeguet beat Emiliano Martinez with a powerful first-time finish after Tyrone Mings had diverted a corner into the Egypt international’s path to lift Villa out of the bottom three for the first time since 28 February.
Villa moved above managerless Watford, who had started the day 17th before a heavy 4-0 home defeat by Manchester City, on goal difference. Read more
EPL must probe Saudi human rights record in Newcastle bid: HRW (Aljazeera)
The English Premier League (EPL) has been reminded to consider Saudi Arabia’s human rights record while evaluating a takeover bid of football club Newcastle United by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund.
In a report released on Tuesday by Human Rights Watch, the rights organisation and FairSquare Projects said: “The Premier League and the Football Association should consider adopting a comprehensive human rights policy in line with the policy put in place by FIFA [football’s world governing body].”
The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund has for months been trying to buy Premier League club Newcastle United. Read more
Tennis ace Williams heads female-majority consortium backing LA-based women’s soccer expansion team (RT)
Twenty-three time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams is ready to swap the court for the reportedly behind a star-studded consortium planning to open an LA franchise as an extension in the National Women’s Soccer League.
Thirty-eight-year-old Williams is continuing her crusade to promote and support women in sport by heading the star-budded lineup of investors behind the new NWSL team.
The former long-time tennis number one may swap her beloved grass courts for grass courts pitches, and together with husband and Reddit-founder Alexis Ohanian, reportedly wants to be part of the board to run Angel City FC. Read more
Spurs utility man Eric Dier signs new four-year contract (Vanguard)
Eric Dier has signed a new contract to keep him at Tottenham until 2024. The versatile England international had less than a year remaining on his previous deal, but will be remaining at the Premier League club.
Dier joined Spurs from Sporting Lisbon in 2014 and has made 239 appearances for the North London side, scoring 11 goals.
The 26-year-old is set to be available for Tottenham’s final game of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday after serving a four-match ban for climbing into the stands to confront a fan after an FA Cup defeat at home to Norwich City in March. Read more
Jack Grealish refuses to commit his future to Aston Villa amid Manchester United links (Metro)
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish admits he’s ‘not too sure’ about his future at the club amid interest from Manchester United.
Dean Smith’s side boosted their survival hopes with a vital 1-0 victory against Arsenal at Villa Park that lifted the side outside of the bottom three going into the final game of the season.
Grealish has been a shining light for Villa this season and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is believed to be keen on signing the 24-year-old this summer. Read more