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Nigeria running Towards 50,000 COVID-19 Cases With 423 New Infections
According to Channels TV, COVID-19 cases in Nigeria is running faster inching towards the 50,000 mark after the country recorded 423 new cases.
Channels TV said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, which announces national figures, revealed that the new cases were spread across 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
They take the country’s total number of cases to 47,290. Out of the number, 33,609 patients have been discharged, while 956 people have lost their lives.
On Tuesday, Lagos, the country’s pandemic epicentre, witnessed 117 new cases followed by the FCT with 40 cases, while Ondo and Rivers states recorded 35 and 28 cases respectively.
Osun State witnessed 24 more cases, Benue – 21, Abia – 19, Ogun – 19, Ebonyi – 18, Delta and Kwara – 17 each, while Kaduna and Anambra recorded 15 and 14 cases respectively.
Other states with new cases are Ekiti – 11, Kano – 9, Imo – 6, Gombe – 4, Oyo – 3, Bauchi – 1, Edo – 1, Nasarawa – 1.
‘I Shall Continue To Offer My Shoulders For You To Climb,’ Atiku Tells Nigerian Youths
Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar has make known to Nigerian youths of his commitment to supporting them at all times.
Atiku disclosed this on Wednesday in a message to mark the 21st anniversary of the International Youth Day (IYD).
“I shall stay the course and continue to offer my shoulders for you all to climb because as youths, you are Leaders of Today,” he said.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hailed Nigerian youths for their doggedness and drive towards a better nation, saying this year’s theme, “Youth Engagement for Global Action,” captures how important young people are in the scheme of things.
“I salute the Nigerian youth in particular for their commitment and perseverance towards the attainment of a greater Nigeria,” Atiku added.
“This global picture, which has been on my mind, informed my decision of 40% youth inclusion in my 2019 presidential campaign; a promise I am committed to keeping for the futuristic benefit of our great Nation.”
He explained that with the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging the world, youths have a huge responsibility in fighting the disease as the future of humanity rests on their shoulders.
“Indeed, the survival of humanity rests largely on the shoulders of the youths, as vigour is required to wear out this plague,” the former vice president explained.
“The vigour and spirit that you embody as youth will play a crucial role in the socio-economic survival of the world, and its rejuvenation, post-COVID19.”
Source___Channels TV
Ondo state governor in Nigeria, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has bring into existence the pioneer officers of Ondo State Security network Agency named the ‘Amotekun Corps’.
Akeredolu while inaugurating the corps in Akure, the state capital make known of his excitement with the performance of the pioneer Amotekun Corps officers who just finished their training.
He yen them to put into good use all they were taught during training to ensure the security of life and property in the state.
While soliciting for more funding from the Federal Government to equip the police, governor Akeredolu said that the Amotekun Corps is designed to support the existing security framework in the state.
The Governor stressed that with a workable synergy among the leadership of the security agencies and that of Amotekun, a water-tight strategy capable of arresting crimes even before they occur would be deployed.
Governor Akeredolu also used the occasion to flag off some vehicles, motorcycles, and other communication gadgets to ensure the officers discharge their duties effectively.
Earlier, the Commander of Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Ade Adeleye commended Governor Akeredolu for a dream come true.
He described Amotekun Corps as a child of necessity born out of the need to explore other means of securing communities.
The ceremony was well attended by various stakeholders across the state; from the government to traditional and religious institutions.
Credit___Channels TV
Iraq rejects Turkish military action on its soil after commanders killed in a drone attack in northern Kurdish region.
According to Aljazeera, Iraq has cancelled a ministerial visit and summoned Turkey’s ambassador on Wednesday as it blamed Ankara for a drone attack that killed two high-ranking Iraqi military officers.
Aljazeera further said, Iraqi officials called the attack a “blatant Turkish drone attack” in the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, where Turkey’s military has for weeks raided positions of fighters it considers “terrorists”.
Two border guard battalion commanders and the driver of their vehicle were died from the attack on Tuesday, the army said in a statement, marking the first Iraqi troop deaths since Turkey inaugurated the cross-border operation in mid-June against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) rebels.
Iraq’s foreign ministry – which already summoned the Turkish envoy twice over the military action on its soil – said the ambassador would this time be given “a letter of protest with strong words” rejecting the offensive.
The outrage ministry also confirmed the Turkish defence minister would no longer be welcomed for a planned visit on Thursday.
Source__Aljazeera
Lebanon confirms highest coronavirus cases and deaths
Lebanon confirmed its highest daily toll of deaths and new infections from coronavirus as the country struggle with the aftermath of an enormous port explosion that rocked the capital, Beirut, and overwhelmed hospitals.
Seven people died of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said, and 309 new cases were confirmed.
That brought the toll of infections to 7,121 and deaths to 87 since the start of the country’s outbreak in late February.
BBC said even before the explosion last week there had been a recent increase in infections.
According to BBC, the daily figures are still very low in compay with others countries in the region, they have risen in recent days, straining health facilities already overwhelmed with the influx of the injured from the August 4 explosion.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned the chaos caused by the blast that killed more than 200 people, injured some 6,000, and left 300,000 without habitable housing risked accelerating the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus. Hospitals, many of which were damaged and their staff injured, were flooded with wounded.
Source___Aljazeera
Three killed in Bangalore fight over Prophet Muhammad post
Three people have been killed in the Indian city of Bangalore after police shot on crowds protesting against an allegedly blasphemous Facebook post.
Dozens gathered outside the house of a local politician whose relative was alleged of making an “offensive” post about the Prophet Muhammad.
BBC said they set fire to vehicles and attacked policemen who arrived on the scene with stones, police told BBC Hindi.
Police in the city have taken into custody the man, and also 110 others who were in the crowd.
City commissioner Kamal Pant said that at least 60 policemen including senior officers were injured in the violence on Tuesday night. Curfew was also imposed in two police districts of the city, he said.
Meanwhile city police tweeted that the situation was “under control”, adding that personnel had fired live ammunition to disperse the crowd only after using tear gas and batons first.
The deaths were confirmed by the home minister of Karnataka state of which Bangalore is the capital.
“I appeal to my Muslim brethren not to fight over someone who has violated the law. Whatever be the matter, we are all brothers. Whoever is responsible we shall ensure that proper punishment is given to those responsible. I am with you,” it said.
Source___BBC
According to BBC, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson has been named the highest-paid male actor for a second year in a row, according to the source from wealth magazine Forbes.
The former wrestler reportedly earned $87.5m (£67m) between 1 June 2019 and 1 June 2020, including $23.5m for the Netflix thriller Red Notice.
BBC said he also made money from his fitness clothing line, Project Rock.
The 10 top earners put together made $545.5m this year – more than a quarter of that from Netflix, Forbes said.
Johnson’s Red Notice co-star Ryan Reynolds was the second-highest paid actor, with earnings of $71.5m.
Among his movie deals were $20m, also for Red Notice, and $20m for Six Underground, another Netflix film.
Third on the list was actor and producer Mark Wahlberg, who earned $58m, while Ben Affleck came in fourth and Vin Diesel fifth.
Indian actor Akshay Kumar was the only Bollywood star in the top 10. He came in sixth place with earnings of $48.5m, which Forbes said mostly came from product endorsement deals.
Also on the list were Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, actors Will Smith and Adam Sandler, and veteran movie star Jackie Chan.
The highest-paid actresses for the same period are released as a separate list, and are yet to be announced.
Joe Biden choses Kamala Harris as running mate
BBC said, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden has named Kamala Harris as his running mate – the first black woman and South Asian American in the role.
Mr Biden will face President Donald Trump in the election on 3 November 2020.
At a White House news conference on Tuesday, Mr Trump, a Republican, said he was so excited with Mr Biden’s choice, disclosing she did “very, very poorly” in her effort to become the Democratic nominee.
Ms Harris will debate Mr Trump’s running mate, Vice-President Mike Pence, on 7 October in Salt Lake City, Utah in the US.
The role of a vice presidential running mate isn’t clearly defined as of now.
A running mate is often a safe bet and minimises the chance of embarrassment.
But with Mr Biden turning 78 in November, he would be by far the oldest person to be sworn in as president, making the potential necessity for Ms Harris to stand in as president more likely than usual.
Source___BBC
Backlash outrage over simple charges given to a driver who killed 3
There has been a huge backlash and anger against the justice system over the handling which involving a 21-year-old driver who killed three people along the Senegambia highway.
According to Standard, Abdoulie Gaye was charged with three counts of dangerous, careless and reckless driving after he was involved in car racing along the Bertil Harding Highway which result in the death of three and leaving others injured.
According to police investigations, Gaye was driving at a top speed when he lost control of the vehicle running into people alongside the road.
Nonetheless, the police magazine Poliso on Friday reported that the 21-year-old driver was convicted by a magistrate court in Kanifing and sentenced to a total fine of D 11,000 for the three charges and ordered to pay a compensation of D50,000 to each of the affected families.
Standard said he was also banned from driving for five years. but many Gambians took to social media and slammed the police for failing to properly do their job which resulted in the simple punishment.
Pro-democracy activist Madi Jobarteh wrote: “Where human lives are lost the State has an absolute duty to ensure justice is served. The taking of life is not just a gross violation of the right to life of the victim and his families contrary to our Constitution but it is also a heinous crime against the State for which the State has a duty to ensure justice and accountability according to the same Constitution. Justice must be served.”
Masanneh Jammeh charged: “What a travesty of justice.
Source___Standard Newspaper
Security guard found dead at Africell Bakau outlet
According to Standard, a security guard was found dead Saturday at the gate of the Africell Bakau outlet.
Personnel of the Gambia Red Cross Society were seen screening the body as well as fumigating office premises.
Bakary Sanneh of the Gambia Red Cross Society disclosed the occurrence, making known that the body was taken to the Accident and Emergency ward of the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital where he will be confirmed before a coronavirus test is conducted on him.
The Standard understood the man was working for a private security company.
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