Panic as fire breaks out at MMIA old terminal (DailyTrust)
A section of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) old terminal, Lagos, has been gutted by fire.
It was learnt that the incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday following a spark from an electric cable.
The old terminal of the MMIA built over 40 years ago was the same terminal which the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo announced it would be shut down by the end of the month. Read more
Tribunal declares Natasha winner of Kogi Central Election (Vanguard)
The Kogi State Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday nullified the victory of Sen. Abubakar Ohere as the winner of the Kogi Central Senatorial election.
The court further declared Natasha Akpoti- Uduagan as the actual winner of the February Senatorial election in Kogi Central.
The Tribunal Chairman, Justice K. A. Orjiako who read the unanimous judgment of the 3-man panel, said Ohere results were inflated in 9 polling units of Ajaokuta LGA while that of Natasha was intentional reduced in 9 of the same polling units by the INEC, as well as 3 other polling units result that was deliberately not entered for Natasha in the same LGA. Read more
Peter Obi only made allegations, failed to show how he won major votes – Tribunal (Guardian)
The Presidential Election Petitions Court on Wednesday said the presidential candidate of the Labour Pary (LP) Peter Obi failed to specify how they scored the majority of lawful votes in the February 25 presidential election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Bola Tinubu as the winner of the 2023 presidential election, defeating Obi, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other candidates.
In his petition, Obi and the Labour Party said they won the election and should be declared winner.
At the ongoing Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), Justice Abba Bello Mohammed while reading the lead judgement said the Obi and his party only made made generic allegations of irregularities, suppression of votes and corrupt practices to rob them of their votes, especially in Rivers, Benue, Lagos, Taraba, Imo and Osun states but failed to specify the polling units affected. Read more
UNILAG: Why we are protesting same day with PEPT verdict – Students (Punch)
Students of the University of Lagos protesting the hike in their school fees said registering their grievances is unconnected to the ongoing Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal judgment in Abuja.
They revealed that the protest date had long been picked before the Tribunal announced the date for the verdict.
A spokesman for the protesting students, Miracle Yemo, while speaking with our correspondent said, “We fixed the date long before now. It is just a coincidence that our protest fell on the same day as the PEPT verdict.” Read more
NERC hikes price of prepaid meters by 40% (Guardian)
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved an upward price increase for prepaid electricity meters in the country by 40 per cent.
The commission announced this in an order released with the number, NERC/2023/020, jointly signed by the commission’s Chairman, Sanusi Garba, and its Commissioner, Legal, Licencing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye.
The commission stated that a single-phase meter would now cost N81, 975.16k from the previous price of N58,661.69k, while the price of a three-phase meter was raised to N143,836.10k from N109,684.36k. Read more
Shake-up in Customs as acting CG redeploys CACs, appoints ACGs (Tribune)
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday announced key appointments and redeployment within the Service in response to the statutory retirement of some management members of the Service.
In a statement signed Wednesday by the NCS National spokesperson, Abdullahi Maiwada, Compt. Jaiyeoba Jide will be leaving Oyo/Osun Area Command to Apapa Area Command while Compt.
Dera Nnadi will leave Seme Customs Command for Tin-Can Island Customs Command. Read more
Surgical Error: Oyo NUJ blasts NMA over attack on Ayefele (Nation)
The Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has berated the chairman of the state’s chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Wale Lasisi, for his tirade against the ace musician, broadcaster, and the proprietor of Fresh FM 105.9, Ibadan Yinka Ayefele.
Lasisi had, in a statement last week, attacked Ayefele for airing on his chit-chat programme which he co-anchors with another broadcaster ‘Let’s Talk About It’, the case of a woman who went through a caesarian section.
The doctor who undertook the surgery forgot a sanitary pad in the woman’s stomach thereby causing her serious ill-health for two years. Read more
Falana demands Bawa’s release, says remand order expired (Punch)
Human Rights Lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN on Sunday demanded for the immediate release of the detained Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Falana in a statement issued in Lagos said the remand order for Bawa had expired hence the Department of State Services had no legal grounds to continue to detain him. Read more
Mission: Impossible star Emmanuelle Béart reveals she was victim of incest (CNN)
French film actress Emmanuelle Béart has revealed that she was a victim of incest, continuing a national reckoning with child sexual abuse in France.
Béart, a multi-award-winning star at home who is best known to international audiences for her appearances in Manon des Sources (1986) and Mission: Impossible (1996), says in a new documentary that she was sexually abused between the ages of 10 and 14, CNN affiliate BFMTV reports.
Béart tells her story as part of the documentary, “Un silence si bruyant” (“Such a loud silence”), which she co-directed. It is scheduled for release on French TV channel M6 on September 24. Read more
Emily Blunt reaches for the high life in ‘‘Pain Hustlers’’ trailer (THR)
Emily Blunt pursues a better life for herself and her young daughter only to fall with dire consequences amid a criminal conspiracy in the teaser trailer for David Yates’ “Pain Hustlers”, which Netflix dropped on Wednesday.
“Is that even legal?” Liza Drake (Blunt) asks Pete Brenner, played by Chris Evans, at one point in the trailer after landing a job at a failing pharma startup in a Florida strip mall. Liza’s charm, drive and guts send her into the high life, but it’s not enough to keep the company and her position safe at the center of a criminal enterprise, according to a synopsis of the film from Netflix.
The crime drama sees the pharmaceutical drug business marketing a new kind of opioid drug offering pain relief to cancer patients, which unwittingly helped spark the U.S. opioid epidemic for greed and profits. The trailer shows Liza’s life reaching riches she could have never imagined as a single mother. Read more
Universal Music Group and Deezer to launch new, ‘‘Artist-Centric’’ streaming payment model (Variety)
It is no secret that the current music-streaming payment model is no longer working — created more than 15 years ago, the so-called “aggregate” model, whereby artists and songwriters are paid according to their percentage of total streams, disproportionately rewards superstars while most others are earning a fraction of what the top artists are collecting.
There have been any number of theories on how to “fix” it, and Universal Music and France-based Deezer — which is approximately the sixth- or seventh-largest streaming service globally but is No. 1 in France and several other countries — have announced the launch of what they are calling an “artist-centric” streaming model, “designed to better reward the artists, and the music that fans value the most.” Deezer will launch the model in France in the fourth quarter of 2023, with additional markets to follow. Read more
Antony Blinken arrives in Ukraine for surprise visit (Guardian)
The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has arrived in Kyiv for an unannounced visit that is his first for a year to the Ukrainian capital.
He is expected to announce a new package of US assistance of $175m-$200m during the two-day visit, AP reported, with a larger package worth more than $1bn expected later this week, according to a senior state department official.
Blinken will meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, and the president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Read more
Africa Climate Summit concludes with “Nairobi declaration” (DW)
The landmark Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, came to a close on Wednesday with leaders adopting a joint “Nairobi declaration” to highlight the continent’s potential as a green powerhouse and encourage other world leaders to support new global carbon taxes.
“This declaration will serve as a basis for Africa’s common position in the global climate change process,” read the final document. “No country should ever have to choose between development aspirations and climate action.”
Backed by the leaders of the continent of 1.3 billion people — a population set to double by 2050 — the declaration will form the basis of Africa’s negotiating position at November’s COP28 summit. Read more
New movie filmed covertly by Israeli, Iranian filmmakers makes Venice debut (TimesOfIsrael)
The Venice Film Festival hosted on Sunday an unprecedented production co-directed by Israeli and Iranian filmmakers, who said they filmed the movie surreptitiously in Georgia and took precautions to prevent potential interference by the Iranian regime.
“Tatami”, shown in the “Orizzonti” (“Horizons”) section of the Venice Film Festival, recounts the story of an Iranian judo star who rejects her government’s rules about never facing an Israeli athlete in an international competition.
The film was jointly directed by award-winning Iranian actress Zar Amir, who also stars as the judoka’s trainer, and Israel’s Guy Nattiv, known for the recent biopic of Israeli ex-prime minister Golda Meir (“Golda”). Read more
Aerosmith kicks off farewell concert tour in Philly (UPI)
Iconic rock band Aerosmith kicked off its Peace Out farewell concert tour at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Musicians Steve Tyler, Joe Perry, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford — who have been touring for more than 50 years — played 18 songs over the course of two hours.
The set list included renditions of “Dream On,” “Rag Doll,” “Back in the Saddle,” “Love in an Elevator,” “Adam’s Apple,” “Janie’s Got a Gun,” “Cryin’,” “Seasons of Winter,” “Rats in the Cellar,” “Walk This Way” and “I Don’t Want To Miss a Thing.” Read more
2023 AFCONQ: Chukwueze, Ihenacho, Orban, 6 other players hit Super Eagles camp in Uyo (Vanguard)
Nine players have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Uyo ahead of their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sao Tome and Principe.
New invitees Gift Orban and Jordan Torunarigha are among the early birds in camp.
Others include; Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Kelechi Ihenacho, Frank Onyeka, goalkeepers Adeleye Adebayo and Francis Uzoho, as well as Bruno Onyemaechi. Read more
Spain coach Jorge Vilda hits back after sack (IrishTimes)
Jorge Vilda says he did not deserve to be sacked as Spain coach two weeks after winning the Women’s World Cup. The 42-year-old, who was dismissed on Tuesday, also denied claims that he tried to pressure Jenni Hermoso into defending Luis Rubiales after the now-suspended president had kissed the midfielder on the lips during the medal ceremony in Sydney.
“After everything that was achieved, after giving everything working, my conscience is clear: I have given 100 per cent over 17 years and I do not understand [the decision], I did not deserve my sacking,” Vilda said.
“This team’s success will be valued more with time. I am left with the doubt over what the footballing criteria are that mean I am not continuing as coach. It is a strange situation. What hurts most is that my honour and behaviour are questioned.” Read more
Manchester United signs World Cup Golden Boot winner Hinata Miyazawa (BBC)
World Cup Golden Boot winner Hinata Miyazawa has joined Women’s Super League side Manchester United.
The 23-year-old midfielder shone for Japan in this summer’s tournament, scoring five goals in four games.
She played for Mynavi Sendai in Japan’s WE League for the past two seasons.
Miyazawa said: “I am truly very happy to be part of this wonderful family and this great team. I am really looking forward to getting started and hope my style of play will excite our fans.” Read more
Novak Djokovic to swap tennis for golf as Serb’s plans after US Open confirmed (Express)
Novak Djokovic will cross paths with athletes from the world of Formula One and football in a special event after the US Open. The Serb is currently aiming to win his third Grand Slam of the year in New York, having reached the semi-finals after beating Taylor Fritz in the last eight on Tuesday.
Djokovic’s sole focus over the next few days will be on claiming the top prize at Flushing Meadows ahead of Carlos Alcaraz, who has emerged as the 36-year-old’s main rival since winning Wimbledon earlier this year. However, an exciting new challenge will await him after the US Open in the form of a celebrity golf tournament ahead of the Ryder Cup.
A host of famous faces will take part in the Ryder Cup all-star match before Europe face the USA in the 44th edition of the prestigious event. Djokovic will be putting his skills to the test alongside several other well-known sporting figures, including Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and former Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko. Read more
Kyle Walker: Manchester City defender says he was ‘close’ to joining Bayern Munich this summer (BBC)
Kyle Walker says he was “close” to joining Bayern Munich this summer but will now sign a contract extension at Manchester City.
The England full-back, 33, helped City become only the second English team to complete the Treble last season.
However, his future at Etihad Stadium appeared in doubt during pre-season amid strong interest from the German giants.
“Decisions can be made, things can turn,” Walker said. Read more
Coco Gauff is the 1st US teen since Serena Williams to reach consecutive US Open quarterfinals (USAToday)
Coco Gauff is the first American teen since Serena Williams more than two decades ago to reach the U.S. Open quarterfinals two years in a row, so the 19-year-old from Florida knows her way out of trouble on a tennis court.
As the second set slipped away against Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gauff needed a chance to think things through after handing over a break with a pair of double-faults and a stumble that left her doing the splits.
So Gauff turned in the direction of the near-constant chatter coming from Brad Gilbert, one of her two coaches sitting in a front-row seat, and said, “Please stop.” A couple of minutes later, Gauff said, “Stop talking.” Read more