Passengers stranded as NAAPE grounds Bristow Helicopters (ThisDay)
Passengers scheduled to fly with Bristow Helicopters on Monday were stranded as a result of an indefinite strike embarked upon by the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE).
The union is protesting against alleged discriminatory policies against Nigerian employees by the company.
A visit to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos early Monday showed that some passengers and expatriates were barred from entering the company’s facility.
But a statement by the management of Bristow explained that contrary to NAAPE’s assertion that all negotiations have broken down, it remained willing and prepared to continue dialogue with NAAPE but the union had abandon negotiations to embark on a strike which is both illegal and unwarranted. Read more
My sister once signed petition to restrict movement of trailers in Lagos – Brother of lady crushed by fallen container (Punch)
Mr Obinna Ajoku, brother of Ms Chidinma Ajoku, has narrated how the late 27-year-old daughter of Mrs Chineze Ajoku signed a petition in 2018 to restrict the movement of container-laden trucks in Lagos State to the hours of 11 pm and 5 am.
Obinna in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday explained that his late sister had a phobia for truck-carrying trailers and cringed each time any of them moved by a vehicle she was on.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that Chidinma and her colleague, Chima Nnaekpe, 29, m, who both worked in the Commercial Department, Hajj & Cargo Terminal at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria died last Sunday, July 26, 2020, when a truck with number plate SGM 715 XA loaded with a 20ft container fell on a commercial bus they were on. Read more
Rotaract Club cleans Lagos market, streets (Guardian)
Members of the Rotaract Club of Agege and Agege Leo Club, at the weekend, teamed up to clean Dopemu Market area in Agege, Lagos State.
The exercise, tagged ‘Clean Up Agege Community,’ saw the youths evacuate tonnes of waste from blocked drains and refuse heaps in the roads and streets around the Dopemu Market area.
At the end of the exercise, waste bins and nose masks were donated to the traders with a sensitisation on the need to keep their surroundings clean to avoid diseases and incidents of flood while also keeping safe from the coronavirus pandemic.
President of the Rotaract Club, Eleto Isiak Kolawole, said the clean-up was part of its yearly sanitation exercise to ensure not only a cleaner community, but also healthier citizenry, and to educate members of the public on how to keep themselves free from diseases. Read more
Electricity grid records rise to 5377MW peak generation after 18 months (DailyTrust)
The Nigerian power grid rose 5,377 megawatts (MW) peak power generation on Saturday night, a feat attained 18 months after the previous record. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed this on Monday. 25,000 MW electricity contract: Siemens to train DISCOs, stakeholders Lagos residents cry out over ‘punitive’ disconnection, exorbitant electricity bill It said the enhanced record occurred at 9.30pm on Saturday. On February 7, 2019, the national power grid reached 5,375MW peak generation, with improved electricity to many places nationwide. However, the latest records surpassed that of 2019 with 2.8MW, noted the TCN. It added that, “it was successfully transmitted to distribution load centres nationwide.” Read more
Excise duty, inflation impinge on NB’s revenue N152 bn in first half (Vanguard)
Following the rise in excise duty, inflation and coronavirus pandemic,Nigerian Breweries, NB Plc has recorded a revenue of N152 billion in its first half of the year ended 30th June 2020, representing a decline by 10.5 percent from N170 billion in the corresponding period of 2019.
The Management of NB explained that the half-year results for the 2020 financial year show a strong balance sheet despite several factors that negatively impacted on the Company’s operations – such as an increase in Excise Duty, a rise in inflation, an increase in VAT from 5% to 7.5%, as well as the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic on businesses worldwide.
According to its unaudited and provisional results filed with the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the Company announced a Profit After Tax (PAT) of ₦5.7 billion for the period under review. Read more
PCN seals 808 illegal pharmaceutical premises – Registrar (DailyTrust)
Dr Elijah Mohammed, Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) says the council has sealed 808 illegal pharmaceutical premises during the month of July. Mohammed made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja, while giving an update of the council’s activities in July. Gunmen kill popular pharmacist in Abuja We’ll address pharmacy practice, training challenges — PCN chair He said that out of the 1,179 pharmaceutical premises inspected by the council’s enforcement team, 740 illegal medicines shops and 68 illegal pharmacies were sealed. Read more
Obaseki kicks off campaign in Edo North (Vanguard)
The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki on Monday kicked off his re-election campaign in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Edo North Senatorial District, promising to build on the good foundation his administration has laid in the last three years and eight months, with an economic blueprint that will address the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Receiving the governor in his palace, the Otaru of Igarra, Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki II, prayed that God will guide the governor and bless his plans for the state.
“We pray that God will guide you in all your ways. You should not be discouraged in advising the youths against violence and political thuggery, because the era of violence and thuggery is gone,” the Otaru said. Read more
Unilorin Law student win International Bar Association contest (DailyTrust)
A 300 Level student of the Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin, Miss Famuyiwa Olushola, has won the maiden edition of the International Bar Association (IBA) Vlogging Competition. According to the University of Ilorin Bulletin issued on Monday, Olushola’s award letter, written by Anna Toth, the Divisions Administrative Assistant at IBA headquarters in London, United Kingdom, informed her of being selected as the winner of the IBA Vlogging Competition in the law student category. Why we sacked 127 staff — Bowen University Bowen University starts second semester examination The publication said the; “IBA introduced the first ever vlogging competition for young lawyers and law students, looking for their input, thoughts and opinions on COVID-19 and the law. Read more
Edo 2020: Deputy speaker, others support Ize-Iyamu (Vanguard)
The barrage of endorsement for the All Progressives Congress, APC governorship candidate for the September 19th election continued Monday as the Deputy Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Yekini Idaiye (Akoko-Edo I) and four other lawmakers pledged their support for Ize-Iyamu.
Among the other four were Emmanuel Agbaje, Akoko-Edo II and Nosayaba Okunbor (Orhionmwon East). These three have been among the 10 lawmakers who have been sitting while the other two that were also in the entourage; Vincent Uwadae (Ovia North East II) and Dumez Ugiagbe (Ovia North East I) are among the 14 lawmakers that are yet to be inaugurated.
The members maintained that they would not leave the APC for another party while assuring Ize-Iyamu of their loyalty and commencement of mobilization of voters at the grassroots to secure his victory at the polls. Read more
Tanzanian miner makes new multi-million dollar sale (BBC)
A Tanzanian miner who made headlines in June for discovering two rough Tanzanite stones valued at $3.4m sold another one for $2m on Monday morning.
The third discovery by Saniniu Laizer, who is a small-scale miner, weighed 6.3kg.
There was a lot of excitement from members of his community in the build up to the sale and hundreds were waiting from early morning to witness it, the BBC’s Aboubakar Famau reports from the capital, Dodoma.
Many other small-scale miners were shocked by Mr Laizer’s luck but also acknowledged that perseverance may have something to do with it, our correspondent adds. Read more
Man fatally shoots Burger King worker over drive-thru delay (NYPost)
A Florida man fatally shot an Orlando Burger King worker Saturday night after his friend’s drive-thru order took too long to complete, according to a report.
Kelvis Rodriguez-Tormes, 37, is accused of gunning down Desmond Joshua, 22, in the parking lot of the fast-food restaurant on East Colonial Drive about 7:30 p.m., according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
“You got two seconds before I shoot you,” Rodriguez-Tormes told the victim, who had only been recently hired, before pulling the trigger, WKMG reported, citing deputies. Read more
Coronavirus: Dozens test positive for Covid-19 on Norwegian cruise ship (BBC)
The MS Roald Amundsen is owned by the Norwegian firm Hurtigruten
At least 40 passengers and crew on a Norwegian cruise ship have tested positive for Covid-19, officials say.
Hundreds more passengers on the MS Roald Amundsen are in quarantine and awaiting test results, the company that owns the ship said.
The ship, which belongs to the Norwegian firm Hurtigruten, docked in the port of Tromso in northern Norway on Friday.
Hurtigruten has halted all leisure cruises because of the outbreak. Read more
Scientists inspired by ‘Star Wars’ create artificial skin that can feel (NYPost)
Singapore researchers have developed “electronic skin” capable of recreating a sense of touch, an innovation they hope will allow people with prosthetic limbs to detect objects, as well as feel texture, or even temperature and pain.
The device, dubbed ACES, or Asynchronous Coded Electronic Skin, is made up of 100 small sensors and is about 1 sq cm (0.16 square inch) in size.
The researchers at the National University of Singapore say it can process information faster than the human nervous system, is able to recognize 20 to 30 different textures and can read Braille letters with more than 90 percent accuracy.
“So humans need to slide to feel texture, but in this case the skin, with just a single touch, is able to detect textures of different roughness,” said research team leader Benjamin Tee, adding that AI algorithms let the device learn quickly. Read more
Islamic State group claims deadly attack on Afghanistan prison (BBC)
At least 29 people have been killed in an attack on a prison in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad which saw more than 1,000 inmates try to flee.
The attack, claimed by the Islamic State group (IS), began on Sunday evening when car bombs were detonated at the prison’s entrance by gunmen.
Eight of the attackers were killed in a battle lasting almost 20 hours, a Nangarhar province spokesman said.
As many as 300 inmates are believed to be still on the run. Read more
Man buys Porsche with fake check printed from home computer (NYPost)
A man in Florida reportedly purchased a brand new Porsche with a check he printed on a home computer — and then decided to splurge on some watches.
Casey William Kelley, 42, cashed in the nearly $140,000 check at a local car dealership on Tuesday but was taken into custody one day later when he attempted to buy several Rolex watches at a jeweler in Miramar Beach with more bogus checks, according to the Palm Beach Post.
He was subsequently arrested for grand theft of a motor vehicle and uttering a false bank note.
After selling the car, a Porsche 911 Turbo, the dealership unsuccessfully tried to cash Kelley’s check and then reported the vehicle as stolen. Read more
50 Cent returns to Instagram after ‘break’ over ‘bullying’ complaint (Metro)
50 Cent has already returned to Instagram shortly after announcing he would be taking a ‘break’ from the social media platform.
The In Da Club rapper has pretty much continued to post on his account despite informing his followers that he was ready for a hiatus after being reported for ‘bullying or harassment’. It came after 50 – real name Curtis Jackson – discovered one of his Instagram posts over the weekend had been removed by the app.
In a screenshot of the message, Instagram stated the photo ‘goes against our community guidelines on harassment or bullying’. They added: ‘We have these guidelines because we want our community to feel respected and safe.’ Read more
Teenage star, Kevin Omoruyi, signs first pro contract with La Liga side (Vanguard)
Still basking in the euphoria of securing a sensational promotion to La Liga, Spanish-born Nigerian youngster, Kevin Omoruyi, is celebrating signing his first professional contract with Huesca.
And he has promised to double his efforts in the Spanish top flight.
Omoruyi, whose career took an upward swing after Huesca emerged champions of the Segundo Division to secure a dream berth in La Liga, signed his first professional contract with Huesca. Read more
Willian rejects new Chelsea offer as Arsenal agree to three-year contract demand (Metro)
Willian has rejected Chelsea’s latest contract offer and is now in talks with Arsenal, according to reports.
The 31-year-old’s contract is due to expire this summer and he has been unable to reach an agreement over a new deal with Chelsea.
According to The Guardian, Willian has now turned down Chelsea’s offer of a two-year deal and the club’s hopes of keeping hold of the Brazil international are now ‘receding’. Read more
Simone Biles and NFL boyfriend Jonathan Owens are Instagram official (NYPost)
Simone Biles’ latest social share is scoring 10’s across the board.
The Olympic gymnast, 23, posted cozy photos with her new boyfriend, Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens, 25.
“It’s just us,” Biles captioned the Instagram shots.
Owens, who signed with the Texans last September, replied to Biles’ post with a collection of red heart emojis. Read more
Jadon Sancho: Borussia Dortmund set deal deadline for Man Utd target (BBC)
Borussia Dortmund have set a 10 August deadline to agree a deal for forward Jadon Sancho – who is Manchester United’s top summer transfer target – to leave the club.
The German club have told United they want in excess of £100m for the 20-year-old England winger.
There is no agreement yet on a fee, which would be paid in instalments.
Dortmund have set the deadline because they want undisturbed preparation for the 2020-21 Bundesliga season. Read more
Jack Wilshere sends message to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang over Arsenal future (Metro)
Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere says he would stay at the club for at least another season if he was in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s position.
Aubameyang scored either side of the break at Wembley on Saturday evening to help Arsenal defeat Chelsea and win the FA Cup for a record 14th time.
The brace took Aubameyang to 29 goals in all competitions for the campaign but there remains uncertainty over the striker’s future, with less than 12 months remaining on his contract in north London. Read more
WGC-St Jude Invitational: Justin Thomas warms up for US PGA with win (BBC)
Justin Thomas returned to world number one by winning the WGC-St Jude Invitational in Memphis.
The American began four shots behind leader Brendon Todd but won by three from Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Daniel Berger and Englishman Tom Lewis.
Defending champion Koepka birdied 17 to get within one of Thomas but found water on the last to end his hopes.
The closing five-under 65 gave Thomas his 13th PGA Tour title four days before the US PGA Championship starts. Read more