Residents rescue boy from abuse, hand over suspect to police (Guardian)
Residents of Union Estate in Ilamoshe, Oke-Afa, Ejigbo area of Lagos, at the weekend, rescued an 11-year-old boy from persistent child abuse and human rights violation meted out to him by his guardians.
Briefing residents yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the estate, Chris Santus, disclosed that the incident happened in Arochukwu Street.
He said: “Our security men at the Arochukwu gate found a boy of about 11 years crying and shivering at the gate. His body was brutalized badly. On interrogating the boy, he said the woman he was staying with used a mopping stick on him. As if that was not enough, she went out to get a cable to use on him, at this point he had to run for hiding at Arochukwu security post where the security man on guard saw him and raised alarm. Read more
Curfew: Police detain Lagos doctor as pregnant woman, baby die (Punch)
The life of a pregnant woman may have been saved if the doctor that was to operate on her was not allegedly held by policemen enforcing the COVID-19 lockdown on the Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the surgeon was held for about one hour, as entreaties that she was on an emergency call, fell on deaf ears.
After she was released, the doctor reportedly got to the hospital and discovered that both mother and baby were died.
Our correspondent was told that the incident happened on Monday, August 31 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi Araba, Surulere.
The deceased was identified only as Mistura. Read more
Lagos: only eight tank farms have permits (Nation)
The Lagos State government has said only eight out of the 41 tank farms in the state had planning permits.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Idris Salako, made this known during a meeting with the operators in Ikeja.
He has therefore ordered them to get tank farm operators one week to get the permits or face sanctions.
According to him, most of the tank farms have been operating illegally against Section 27 of the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) regulations 2019, which stipulates that anyone who builds without planning permit commits an offence. Read more
Families seek Lagos monarch’s intervention over property demolition threat (Punch)
The family of Adeyoruwa in the Igbogbo Bayeku Local Council Development Area of Lagos State has sought the intervention of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom, Oba Semiudeen Kasali, over an alleged threat to demolish the property of residents by a member of their family, Ishau Ogunlana.
PUNCH Metro gathered that the family, consisting of the Oyekan, Derufe, Kuti and Sopena branches, while narrating their ordeal to Kasali and his chiefs, complained that Ogunlana was behind the disputes in the family.
Speaking at the palace, a representative of the Derufe branch, Olawale Abdullahi, said the accused had been demolition notice on houses in the community. Read more
Security men repel bandits on Kaduna-Abuja Road (Vanguard)
Security operatives comprising of military and the police personnel, on Friday, successfully repelled armed bandit who opened fire on motorists plying the Kaduna-Abuja Road.
Reports have it that the incident occurred near Olam Feeds Company, but no arrest has been made.
The Commissioner, Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, told newsmen at the scene of the incident that those injured, were first treated at Olam Feeds Clinic and later referred to a specialist hospital for comprehensive medical attention. Read more
FRSC impounds 8,345 vehicles over safety protocols (Nation)
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said on Sunday it impounded 8,345 commercial buses for non-adherence to safety protocols against the spread of COVID-19 in Anambra.
The Sector Commander, Mr. Andrew Kumapayi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that about 962 rickety trucks were also impounded between January and August.
He said the arrests were made during the joint operations of the FRSC and the Anambra State Ministry of Transport. Read more
COVID-19 pandemic: Experts warn of massive surge as Nigerians abandon face masks (Punch)
Nigerians are abandoning the use of face masks and other safety protocols as rates of COVID-19 infections are declining in the country, findings by The PUNCH have revealed.
But the Nigerian Medical Association and virologists told The PUNCH on Sunday that with lax adherence to safety protocols, Nigeria could witness another coronavirus surge as schools prepared for full resumption.
They also warned that with resumption of international flights, failure to abide by COVID-19 protocols could trigger more cases of the deadly virus.
The PUNCH’s correspondents, who monitored adherence to COVID-19 protocols in states, reported that face masks had been abandoned, except in banks, where customers were forced to use them. Read more
ASUU warns against school reopening without adherence to COVID-19 protocols (Vanguard)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Ibadan Chapter, has warned against the reopening of schools without provisions for schools to meet COVID-19 precautionary guidelines.
Its chairman, Prof. Ayo Akinwole, stated this in a release he made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday.
Akinwole stated that the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on schools could be enormous if responsibility was not taken to ensure safety. Read more
Panic, red alert in Abuja over Boko Haram camps (Nation)
There was panic at the weekend in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the seat of the Federal Government, over a leaked intelligence report of the likely existence of Boko Haram camps in Abuja.
The terror group is also believed to have also set up camps in Kogi and Nasarawa — states sharing boundaries with the FCT.
Security agents last night urged the people to go about their lawful duties with an assurance of protection, having put operatives on the red alert. Read more
Paul Rusesabagina: President denies Hotel Rwanda hero was kidnapped (BBC)
Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has said the man who inspired a Hollywood film about the 1994 genocide returned to the country of his own accord before being arrested for murder and terrorism.
Paul Rusesabagina’s family allege the political exile was kidnapped in Dubai and taken to Rwanda, where he was paraded in handcuffs this week.
The opposition figure has been accused of supporting rebels in Rwanda.
His work to save lives was depicted in the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda. Read more
Turkey begins military exercises in Northern Cyprus (Aljazeera)
Turkey’s armed forces on Sunday began annual exercises in the breakaway republic of Northern Cyprus – an entity recognised only by Ankara – as tensions continue to rise with Greece in the eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey’s hunt for gas and oil reserves in waters claimed by Greece has put a huge strain on the relationship between the two NATO members.
As tensions run high, the Turkish military began its exercises called “Mediterranean Storm” with the Turkish Cypriot Security Command, Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter. Read more
Wealthy student busted for taking part in BLM rampage which caused $100K worth of damage (RT)
A wealthy college student is among eight people facing rioting charges after Black Lives Matter protesters went on a three-hour trail of destruction in Manhattan, causing around $100,000 worth of damage to businesses.
Clara Kraebber’s mother is an architect with a prominent New York firm and her father is a child psychiatrist who teaches at Columbia University. The family has homes in New York’s opulent Upper East Side and in Connecticut.
Despite this silver spoon background the 20-year-old was among those arrested after a vandalism spree in New York’s Flatiron District on Friday. “Every city, every town, burn the precinct to the ground!” the group chanted as it moved through the Manhattan streets, while smashing windows of banks, coffee shops and pharmacies. Read more
Costa Rica researchers turn to horses for coronavirus treatment (Aljazeera)
Researchers in Costa Rica are due to begin trials of an inexpensive coronavirus treatment based on antibodies taken from horses injected with the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to scientists.
Developed by University of Costa Rica’s Clodomiro Picado Institute (ICP), the equine antibodies medication is to be tested on 26 patients from mid-September, Roman Macaya, president of the Social Security Fund that manages public health centres, told Reuters news agency.
Costa Rican authorities hope to be able to begin applying the treatment more widely in hospitals if the results from the phase two study are encouraging. There are 471 hospitalised coronavirus patients in Costa Rica.
“We are proud to know that this product will save lives until the vaccine reaches the population,” said Alberto Alape, a project coordinator at ICP. Read more
Hubble captures incredible image of Cygnus supernova blast wave (RT)
The Hubble Space Telescope has beamed back countless breathtaking photos over the course of its 30-year mission. The latest example is an incredible image of a supernova blast wave that was around 2,600 light-years from Earth.
The powerful star explosion took place in the constellation Cygnus the Swan as a dying star was obliterated. The star was around 20 times more massive than our Sun and its devastating death likely occurred between 10,000 and 20,000 years ago.
The beautiful photo shows just a small portion of the blast wave that remains in the wake of the astonishing astronomical event. In the millenia since the supernova the remnant has expanded 60 light-years from its center. Read more
“Tenet”, first Hollywood post-COVID-19 release in US, takes $20m (Aljazeera)
Tenet, the first major Hollywood release in six months since the coronavirus pandemic delayed shoots and closed cinemas, has grossed $20.2m in its opening five days in the United States.
Such box office takings for an expected blockbuster that cost $200m to make would usually be a concern for Warner Bros, which is the film’s distributor. But the company hopes the latest highly-anticipated film from director Christopher Nolan will help entice American cinemagoers back to the big screen after months of coronavirus closures.
“Domestically, Tenet debuted at the lower end of expectations – $20m through Monday,” industry watcher Exhibitor Relations said on Sunday.
The US release has been timed for the usually busy Labor Day weekend. Read more
Hilary Swank on ‘disappointing’ reaction to her living as a man for “Boys Don’t Cry” trans role (Metro)
Hilary Swank has reflected on her ‘life-changing’ experience playing trans man Brandon Teena in Boys Don’t Cry, while adding she was ‘deeply discouraged’ by people’s reactions to her living as a man beforehand in preparation for the role. Boys Don’t Cry, which also stars Chloë Sevigny, tells the story of Brandon, who was raped and a week later murdered in Humboldt, Nebraska on New Year’s Eve 1993 at the age of 21. Hilary won the 2000 best actress Oscar for her role in the film. The star, who can currently be seen in new Netflix sci-fi series Away, recently told Queerty of the 1999 film: ‘It was clearly a life-changing experience for me. Read more
Ex-teammates pay tribute to late Babalade (Punch)
Tributes have continued to pour in from ex- teammates of former Super Eagles defender, Ajibade Babalade, who died in Ibadan on Friday.
The PUNCH had reported that Babalade died of cardiac arrest while being rushed to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, aged 48.
“I made him the Team Manager of 3SC when I was the General Manager of the club and he did quite well.
It is sad that he’s gone, but he will always remain in our hearts,” Ex-Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju, Babalade’s teammate at the 1992 Africa Cup of Nations, told The PUNCH.
Former Eagle forward Duke Udi added, “There’s nothing I say that will bring Ajibade back. He was always business-minded.” Read more
Tour Championship: Dustin Johnson leads by five shots after third round (BBC)
World number one Dustin Johnson built a healthy five-shot lead heading into the final round of the PGA Tour’s season-ending Tour Championship.
The American was a shot clear of Sungjae Im overnight but fired a six-under 64 during the third round, including seven birdies.
Xander Schauffele, after a round of 67, is tied for second place with Justin Thomas, who claimed a four-under 66.
Spain’s Jon Rahm also shot a 66 at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy went round in level par to stay on eight under, 11 shots off the lead, where he was joined by England’s Tyrell Hatton after a one-over 71.Read more
US Open: Djokovic disqualified after hitting line judge with ball (Aljazeera)
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic has been defaulted from his fourth-round match at the US Open after he accidentally hit a line judge with a tennis ball.
It was a stunning end to Djokovic’s bid for an 18th Grand Slam title and his 26-0 start to this season.
“In accordance with the Grand Slam rulebook, following his actions of intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences, the U.S. Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 U.S. Open,” the US Tennis Association announced. Read more
Fati scores for Spain on record-breaking night (BBC)
Barcelona forward Ansu Fati broke a 95-year national record to become Spain’s youngest goalscorer at the age of 17 years and 311 days against Ukraine.
Fati – also the youngest goalscorer in Champions League history and Barcelona’s youngest scorer in La Liga – curled home a fine 20-yard shot off the post on his first start.
He had already won a penalty, scored by Sergio Ramos, as he became the youngest player to start a Nations League match.
Ramos added a header in the win. Read more
Italian Grand Prix produces a classic as huge crash sends F1 race into chaos at Monza (RT)
French Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly claimed an emotional first-ever Grand Prix victory at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza after a massive crash involving Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc plunged the race into chaos.
The Formula 1 race was packed with stunning overtakes, scary crashes and a healthy dose of controversy as Frenchman Gasly, who was dropped by the Red Bull team last year, claimed victory in an incident-packed race at the historic Italian circuit in a race that saw none of Formula 1’s established top two teams, Mercedes and Red Bull, on the podium. Read more
US Open 2020: Jennifer Brady beats Angelique Kerber to make last eight (BBC)
American Jennifer Brady reached her first Grand Slam quarter-final by disposing of 2016 champion Angelique Kerber at the US Open.
The 25-year-old, seeded 28th, won 6-1 6-4 on Louis Armstrong Stadium at Flushing Meadows.
German 32-year-old Kerber, a three-time major champion, lost the first set in just 22 minutes and won only 35% points on her second serve throughout.
Brady faces Yulia Putintseva, who beat eighth seed Petra Martic 6-3 2-6 6-4. Read more
