We’ll reopen Eko bridge in October – Fed Works Controller (Vanguard)
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola, says the ongoing emergency rehabilitation of the Eko Bridge linking Alaka is almost completed and will be ready for use in October.
Popoola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while inspecting the bridge in Lagos on Wednesday that the new bearings had arrived from overseas and had been replaced along with the expansion joints.
Also read: Road repair: LASTMA announces partial closure of Apongbon road inward Eko Bridge
“We have removed the damaged expansion joint on Eko Bridge; we have also removed the bearings and replaced the damaged bearings with new ones. Read more
Lagos/UNDP COVID-19 fund to benefit 22,600 families; 5,500 SMEs (Vanguard)
No fewer than 22,600 families and 5,500 small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs in Lagos will benefit from the unconditional cash transfer programme for vulnerable communities affected by COVID-19 in the state.
The programme, also known as the COVID-19 basket fund, is an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, in collaboration with the Federal and Lagos State governments, European Union, EU, and some other donor organisations.
Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the launch of the programme in Ikoyi, Lagos Island on Tuesday, stressed that the fund is meant to “cushion the effect of the pandemic through stepped-up action to protect the vulnerable, who are also faced with the loss of income as a result of measures taken by the government to contain the spread of the pandemic by strengthening their capacity for the continuation of livelihoods… Read more
NDE trains 1,200 youths in Lagos (Nation)
The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Lagos has commenced training in Basic National Open Apprenticeship Scheme (B_NOAS) for 1000 participants and 200 participants in cosmetology training.
The two training schemes are among various vocational skills under the Vocational Skills Development programme department of the NDE.
The Director-General of NDE, Dr. Nasir Argugun, represented by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Edward Olayebi Serena, informed the trainees would undergo training in various vocational trades including catering, electrical installation, tiling, paint making, POP designs, fashion design, carpentry amongst others.
She added the trainees would be attached to seasoned and successful NDE master trainers in the informal sector. Read more
Kidnapped Catholic priest regains freedom in Delta (Punch)
A kidnapped Catholic priest in Delta State, Rev. Fr. Jude Onyebadi, has been released.
The priest was kidnapped by suspected herdsmen on his farm along the Isele-Uku/Issele-Mkpetime Road in the Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state.
A source disclosed that Fr. Onyebadi was freed by his abductors around 7:30pm on Tuesday.
He stated, “He was released on Tuesday evening and was immediately rushed to the hospital in Asaba for treatment.” Read more
Queen Elizabeth II congratulates Nigeria on 60th independence anniversary (Thisday)
The Queen of England, Elizabeth II, Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday’s occasion of Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the queen’s message was conveyed by the British High Commission in Nigeria.
He quoted the queen as saying, “It gives me great pleasure to offer my warmest congratulations on the 60th anniversary of Nigeria’s Independence, together with my best wishes for your country’s continued happiness and prosperity. Read more
Independence Day: Buhari addresses Nigerians from Eagle Square (Nation)
President Muhammadu Buhari will address Nigerians from the Eagle Square in Abuja on Thursday October 1, as part of the activities commemorating the nation’s Independence Day Anniversary celebration.
According to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the open air address, which will take place after an anniversary parade, will replace the traditional early morning radio and television broadcast.
The statement, however, noted that the anniversary celebration programme, which will take off from 10am, will be broadcast live on major television and radio stations. Read more
Nigeria at 60: Mark, Omo-Agege call for a united nation (Thisday)
Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, have called for a united Nigeria that all citizens will be proud of.
The duo, who made this submission in separate messages on Wednesday to mark 60th independence anniversary of Nigeria, stressed that the political class should strive to ensure the nation remains one irrespective of religious or tribal differences.
Mark, in his message, urged the political class to review critically the underlying concerns of Nigerians believed to be aggravating agitations, ethno-religious conflicts and insecurity in the country. Read more
FG lifts ban on Emirates Airlines (Punch)
The federal government has lifted the ban stopping Emirates Airlines from operating in Nigeria.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, announced this via his Twitter handle on Wednesday.
He tweeted, “UAE has written to state that they agree to issue visas to Nigerians, consequently decision has been reached to allow Emirates to fly into Nigeria.
“Commencement of the Visa issuance is condition precedent. Please bear with this unusual situation. Many thanks.” Read more
Flight attendant turns to drug dealing after losing job amid pandemic (NYPost)
A former flight attendant who crisscrossed across Europe and posed in social media has been sentenced to 28 months behind bars for turning to drug dealing after losing her job due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to reports.
Alexandra Dobre, 27, moved to the UK three years ago from her native Romania to pursue a carrier as a flight attendant and was based at London Luton Airport, where she worked for several airlines, the Sun reported.
Her Instagram page is replete with images of her standing next to Wizz Air and Ryanair planes — as well as striking sultry poses in exotic locales and vacation spots wearing stylish outfits, bikinis and lingerie. Read more
Berlin patient: First person cured of HIV, Timothy Ray Brown, dies (BBC)
Timothy Ray Brown, also known as the Berlin patient, pictured in 2012
The first person cured of HIV – Timothy Ray Brown – has died from cancer.
Mr Brown, who was also known as “the Berlin patient”, was given a bone marrow transplant from a donor who was naturally resistant to HIV in 2007.
It meant he no longer needed anti-viral drugs and he remained free of the virus, which can lead to Aids, for the rest of his life.
The International Aids Society said Mr Brown gave the world hope that an HIV cure was possible. Read more
Fighter jet breaking sound barrier sparks fears of huge explosion in Paris, interrupts Roland Garros (RT)
A fighter jet breaking the sound barrier rattled Paris on Wednesday prompting a wave of panic and confusion across the French capital as people speculated about the cause of the enormous explosion.
Play at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros was briefly interrupted as the sonic boom echoed in the distance, just before midday local time.
Amid the alarm, Paris police reassured everyone, revealing the source of the “explosion” as merely a jet aircraft breaking the sound barrier as it went supersonic.
“A very large noise was heard across Paris and the surrounding region. It was not an explosion, but a fighter plane which crossed the sound barrier,” the police tweeted.
“Don’t clog up the emergency lines!” Read more
Who needs wheels? Hyundai developing ‘transformer-class’ walking car (NYPost)
Will car companies walk before they can fly?
So-called “flying cars” may be all the buzz these days, but Hyundai has established a new team in Silicon Valley tasked with developing a production version of the futuristic Elevate walking vehicle concept it unveiled at CES in 2019.
The vehicle is equipped with robotic legs that have wheels instead of feet that allow it to drive like a car and also lift the body off the ground to traverse rough terrain in a walking motion.
“We aim to create the world’s first transformer-class vehicle, also known as the Ultimate Mobility Vehicle,” said vice president Dr. John Suh, who is director of the New Horizons Studio. Read more
Mac Davis: In The Ghetto songwriter dies aged 78 (BBC)
Mac Davis, the country songwriter who penned In The Ghetto and A Little Less Conversation for Elvis Presley, has died at the age of 78.
A household name in the US, he had his own TV show in the 1970s and a string of solo hits, including the number one single Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me.
He also appeared on TV shows like Fargo and Murder, She Wrote; and in his later years, he made a club hit with Avicii.
Davis died on Tuesday following heart surgery, said his manager Jim Morey.
“Mac Davis has been my client for over 40 years, and, more importantly, my best friend,” said Morey in a statement. Read more
63 million people in India may have been infected with COVID-19: survey (NYPost)
A staggering 63 million people in India may have been infected with the coronavirus, a new survey has found — a total that’s 10 times higher than officially reported.
Researchers discovered that about one in 15 people over the age of 10 had COVID-19 antibodies after they surveyed more than 29,000 in 700 villages and wards, CNN reported Wednesday.
More than 966 million people are aged 10 or older in India, which has a population of 1.3 billion, according to 2011 census data. That means one in 15 represents about 63.78 million people, the outlet said. Read more
Gabrielle Union: America’s Got Talent judge settles over show departure (BBC)
Actress Gabrielle Union has reached “an amicable resolution” with US TV network NBC over her exit from America’s Got Talent after one season as a judge.
Union, who left in 2019, claimed there was a toxic work environment on the show and alleged she was sacked for speaking out against racism and sexism.
She also complained about fellow judge Simon Cowell allegedly smoking on set.
In a joint statement, representatives for Union and NBC said she had raised “important concerns”.
NBC Entertainment, the statement continued, “remains committed to ensuring an inclusive and supportive working environment where people of all backgrounds can be treated with respect.” Read more
Anxiety grips Osimhen’s Napoli on COVID-19 (Nation)
Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen along with several of his Napoli teammates are now in palpable fear and might be forced to go into isolation with confirmation that some Genoa players have tested positive to the COVID-19 coronavirus.
On Sunday, Napoli thrashed Genoa 6-0 in a Serie A MatchDay 2 fixture at San Paolo but it has now emerged that about 14 players of the Rossoblù (The Red and Blues) have reportedly caught the COVID-17 bug.
The news set Serie A on alarm with photograph of Osimhen in a close mouth-to-mouth encounter against his Genoa marker Andrea Masiello splashed on the cover of major Italian news outlets including La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport amongst others. Read more
Austria ready to host Eagles’ friendlies despite COVID-19 (Guardian)
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has disclosed that Austria is ready to host the Super Eagles’ international friendly games against Tunisia and Algeria next month.
NFF Media Director, Ademola Olajire, said the instant response of the Austrian embassy by issuing visas to players and officials travelling to their country for the warm up games indicated that it is keen to hosting the matches despite the spike in COVID-19 cases reported in the European country last week.
He assured Nigerians that the NFF would continue monitoring situations in Austria to ascertain its readiness to host the teams expected for the matches. Read more
Serena Williams abruptly pulls out of French Open (NYPost)
Serena Williams abruptly withdrew from the French Open on Wednesday morning.
Williams made the decision before her second-round match against Tsvetana Pironkova, citing an Achilles injury she suffered in her US Open semifinal defeat by Victoria Azarenka.
“I love playing in Paris. I actually adore the clay, it is so fun for me. I really wanted to give an effort here,” said Williams, who was vying for her 24th grand slam title at Roland Garros over these next two weeks.
“So, it is my Achilles that didn’t have enough time to properly heal after the Open. I was able to get it somewhat better, but looking at it long-term, will I be able to get it through enough matches … And so for me, I don’t think I could. I am struggling to walk, so that’s a tell-tell sign I should try and recover.” Read more
French Open: Stan Wawrinka beats Dominik Koepfer to move into round three (BBC)
Former French Open champion Stan Wawrinka beat Germany’s Dominik Koepfer to move into the third round of this year’s tournament.
Wawrinka, 35, who defeated Britain’s Andy Murray in the first round on Sunday, secured a 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 victory over the world number 61.
The Swiss looked in complete control before Koepfer won the third set – the only time he broke Wawrinka’s serve.
However, the 16th seed easily won the final set in 30 minutes to advance.
Wawrinka will play either unseeded Frenchman Hugo Gaston or Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in the next round. Read more
LeBron James’ route to fourth NBA title goes through old team (NYPost)
LeBron James blossomed as a champion with the Heat, winning his first two titles in South Beach. It began his streak of eight straight Finals appearances.
Now as a Laker, James, at 35, revisits his glorious past to face Miami. It is James’ ninth Finals appearance in 10 years — a journey he classified as the toughest experience he’s faced in the NBA.
Looking for his fourth championship, James has carried his third club to the Finals, while Pat Riley’s Heat return to the stage without him as an underdog fifth seed.
Heat-Lakers tips off with Game 1 Wednesday at 9 p.m. in the Orlando bubble. The Lakers gun for their record-tying 17th title just months after franchise legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash. Read more
French Open 2020: Victoria Azarenka suffers shock defeat by Anna Karolina Schmiedlova (BBC)
Tenth seed Victoria Azarenka suffered a shock straight-sets defeat by world number 161 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the French Open second round.
The Belarusian, 31, reached the US Open final earlier this month but struggled on the clay against Schmiedlova, who won 6-2 6-2.
The Slovak fell in the second set and the trainer was needed to treat her knee, but it did not halt her progress.
Earlier, third seed Elina Svitolina beat Mexican qualifier Renata Zarazua.
The Ukrainian, 26, failed to win a game in the second set but recovered to claim a 6-3 0-6 6-2 victory. Read more
Neymar owes over $40.5m tax debt – Spanish authorities (Punch)
Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar owes more unpaid tax than any other individual on a Spanish authorities’ blacklist with debts of 34.6 million euros ($40.5 million), according to an official document published Wednesday.
The Brazilian, who played for Barcelona from 2013 to 2017 before moving to the French club for 222 million euros in the most expensive transfer in history, tops the list of thousands of names published on the website of the Spanish tax office.
The Spanish press reported last year that Spanish tax authorities were pursuing Neymar for fiscal fraud dating back to his time at Barcelona, but it is the first time that the information has been officially confirmed. Read more