Xenophobic attacks: Over 5000 jobs lost in Lagos, says Sanwo-Olu (Nation)
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has lamented the colossal loses recorded in the xenophobic attacks in Lagos, disclosing that over 5000 jobs were lost in the state. The governor who spoke after inspection of some damaged facilities in the wake of the xenophobic attacks in the state, condemned the attacks and the looting of goods in the shopping malls. He said: ‘’We have seen the level of destruction at both Novare Plaza and Surulere plaza. Read more
Buhari to visit South Africa after xenophobic attacks (Guardian)
Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to pay a state visit to South Africa in October, the South African presidency said Saturday after a spate of xenophobic violence in Johannesburg caused tensions between the countries. South Africa’s financial capital and surrounding areas were rocked by a surge of deadly attacks against foreigners this week, many directed against Nigerian-owned businesses and properties. Read more
Buhari has done well, says Oshiomhole (Nation)
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, on Friday gave President Muhammadu Buhari a pass mark in the first 100 days of his second term. “President Buhari can beat his chest to say I have started well; I have started fast. You cannot call him Baba Go Slow now. This time, he is Baba Fast,” Oshiomhole said last night in Abuja. He said: “Everything is about comparison. In 2015, after 100 days, we did not have a federal cabinet. The President had not appointed ministers. Read more
Omo-Agege celebrates victory, says tribunal needless distractions (Punch)
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, has commended the people of Delta Central Senatorial district and all Nigerians for their support while his tribunal case lasted. Omo-Agege’s victory was reaffirmed by the Electoral Tribunal sitting in Asaba in its verdict on Saturday. Read more
IPOB to S’East govs: we’re not interested in your apology (Nation)
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Saturday said they were no longer interested in any apology from the South-East governors. The pro-biafran group had in an open letter to the South-East governors, made many demands from the governors for there to be a truce which included open apology. The governors, on their parts, through their forum chairman, and Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi had said governors in the zone have no apology to tender to the group. Read more
Igbos in Zamfara laud Matawalle for tackling insecurity (Guardian)
The Eze Igbo of Zamfara, Chief Egbuna Obijiaku, on Saturday commended Gov. Bello Matawalle for tackling the security challenges in the state. Obijiaku made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau. “God used him to clear the tears of the people of Zamfara state. Read more
SARS should arrest people praying for enemies to die —Daddy Freeze (Punch)
Controversial on-air-personality, Ifedayo Lucian Olarinde, aka, Daddy Freeze, has said that operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad should start arresting Nigerians who engage in praying for their enemies to die. “SARS need to start arresting people praying for their enemies to die by fire and begin charging them for attempted suicide,” Freeze wrote on Saturday via his verified Instagram handle, daddyfreeze. Read more
Trump Turnberry: US Congress launches investigation into Prestwick Airport deals (BBC)
A US Congressional committee is investigating President Donald Trump in connection with a potential conflict of interest over military spending at a Scottish airport near his golf resort. The House Oversight and Reform Committee says expenditure at Prestwick airport has “increased substantially” since Mr Trump came into office. The debt-ridden airport has been fighting off closure. Read more
Amber Rudd quits cabinet and Tory party over Boris Johnson’s handling of Brexit (Metro)
Amber Rudd has quit the cabinet and the Tory party in protest over Boris Johnson’s handling of Brexit. The Hastings and Rye MP has quit her post as work and pensions secretary and is relinquishing the Tory whip after the Prime Minister sacked 21 rebels this week. Johnson removed the whip from them this week after they voted to give opposition MPs control of the Commons agenda – paving the way his week for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit before October 31 being blocked. Read more
Hurricane Dorian: Rescue efforts stepped up as storm survivors flee (BBC)
Rescue efforts have been stepped up in parts of the Bahamas worst hit by Hurricane Dorian, as hundreds scramble to flee the destruction. Cruise liners, private planes and helicopters are all being used to help those still trapped in the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama. The death toll stands at 43 but is expected to increase further. Read more
French ‘yellow vest’ protesters look to revive movement (Guardian)
Anti-government protesters turned out in several French cities Saturday, hoping to inject fresh momentum into weekly demonstrations calling for social justice and the ouster of President Emmanuel Macron. The so-called “yellow vest” movement had tapered off over the summer, but its leaders are hoping to galvanise support for a fresh wave of rallies as the government embarks on reform of France’s retirement system. Read more
Pair jailed for stealing mum’s car with her three children inside (Metro)
Two men who filmed themselves ‘laughing and joking’ as they drove a stolen car with three children inside have been jailed for the theft. Reggie Stovell and Badri Hussein, who are both 19, had stolen the vehicle shortly after the kids’ mum had parked up and got out in Fulham, south west London. Isleworth Crown Court heard the mother, a woman in her 20s, had stopped in a Range Rover in Harwood Road on Wednesday February 20. Read more
Brazil mayor blocked from banning Avengers comic over gay kiss (BBC)
A Brazilian judge has blocked attempts by the mayor of Rio de Janeiro to ban a Marvel comic showing two men kissing. Mayor Marcelo Crivella, a former bishop, had demanded the comic be withdrawn from a book fair, saying it included content unsuitable for minors. But the judge granted an interim injunction against this, citing the right to freedom of expression. Read more
US says North Korea blocking resumption of nuclear talks (Guardian)
North Korea must stop blocking nuclear talks with the United States before it is too late, the US special envoy to that country said amid a stalemate in the negotiations. “If we are to succeed, North Korea must set aside its search for obstacles to negotiations and instead seek the opportunities for engagement while that opportunity lasts,” Stephen Biegun said Friday in a speech at the University of Michigan. The State Department released the text of his remarks on Saturday. Read more
The Joker and Roman Polanski win at Venice festival (BBC)
The Joker, starring Joaquin Phoenix, has taken the top Golden Lion prize at the Venice Film Festival. Director Todd Phillips’ film about the comic villain, starring Joaquin Phoenix, is already being tipped for the Oscars. Roman Polanski won the Grand Jury Prize for An Officer and a Spy, despite controversy over of its inclusion. Read more
Arsene Wenger reluctant to return to Arsenal and wants ‘complete distance’ from Unai Emery’s reign (Metro)
Arsene Wenger has revealed that he has refused to return to Arsenal because he does not want to overshadow Unai Emery. The 69-year-old called time on his reign at Arsenal last year but has not been back to the Emirates Stadium to watch a game since Emery took charge. And while Wenger admits he has been in contact with Arsenal’s hierarchy, he would be reluctant to take up a role with his former club. Read more
Roy Keane slams ‘shocking’ England during 4-0 win over Bulgaria (Metro)
England ran out 4-0 winners over Bulgaria in their Euro 2020 qualifier on Saturday – but Roy Keane was not completely happy with the performance of Gareth Southgate’s side. Harry Kane scored a hat-trick while Raheem Sterling continued his excellent form for Manchester City with a lively performance and a goal in the 55th minute. Read more
Messi ‘can leave’ at end of season but Barca calm, says Bartomeu (Guardian)
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu said on Friday the Spanish giants are not worried about Lionel Messi’s future, despite the Argentinian star being able to leave the club at the end of the season. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner signed a new four-year deal with Barca in 2017, but Bartomeu says he is free to end his contract beforehand. Read more
‘Have sex now, get two-week paternity leave for Euro 2020’ (Punch)
Although Euro 2020 tournament will commence June 2020 in 12 cities across Europe, with the final played at Wembley, England fans are already planning a big way to lap it up. They are plotting how to secure two weeks at home just to watch Euro 2020. Read more
Watford: Quique Sanchez Flores reappointed after Javi Gracia exit (BBC)
Watford have reappointed Quique Sanchez Flores as manager after announcing the exit of Javi Gracia. Sanchez was in charge of Watford for the 2015-16 campaign before leaving at the end of the season. Fellow Spaniard Gracia, whose coaching team have also left, had been in charge since January 2018 – making him the first Hornets boss to last more than one full season since 2013. Read more
Man City women edge Man Utd in front of 31,000 (Punch)
Manchester City’s women got the better of Manchester United with a 1-0 win in the first-ever Manchester derby in the Women’s Super League (WSL) in front of a crowd of over 31,000 at the Etihad on Saturday. The attendance, with tickets at £7 ($8.6) per adult, smashed the previous record for a WSL match in the first of a serious of matches that will take place in the stadiums normally reserved for men’s games this season. Read more
Bianca Andreescu stuns Serena Williams to win US Open final (The Guardian)
Bianca Andreescu has become Canada’s first grand slam champion of the open era, beating Serena Williams 6-3, 7-5 to deny the American in her latest chance to draw level with Margaret Court’s record of 24 majors. The 19-year-old victor was competing in the US Open main draw for the first time, having played in only three previous slams. Williams lost her fourth grand-slam final in a row. Read more
Henman predicts Medvedev-Nadal US Open final scoreline (Metro)
Tim Henman is expecting a straight sets win for Rafael Nadal in the final of the US Open and would be ‘surprised’ if Russian opponent Daniil Medvedev won a set. The pair booked their spots in the final of the last Grand Slam of the season by beating Grigor Dimitrov and Matteo Berrettini by the same scoreline on Friday night, with Medvedev reaching his first major final. Read more