March 2020

Trump Defends Ban On Travel From Europe As Virus Worsens

Trump Defends Ban On Travel From Europe As Virus Worsens

US President Donald Trump defended Thursday his decision to impose a 30-day ban on travel from mainland Europe over the coronavirus pandemic that sent markets into a tailspin and sparked panic among stranded travellers.

The US leader doubled down on his shock move as the number of cases and fatalities surged in Europe, prompting governments to roll out even tighter restrictions on travel and public gatherings.

The virus, which first emerged in China in December, has quickly spread across the continent even as cases in Asia have levelled out in recent days.

China even claimed “the peak” of the epidemic …

Marcelo Fined 105,000 Euros For Driving Without Licence

Marcelo Fined 105,000 Euros For Driving Without Licence

Real Madrid defender Marcelo has been fined 105,000 euros ($117,000) for driving without a valid licence, the Superior Court of Justice in Madrid announced Thursday.

The Brazil international was stopped by police in December after reportedly being clocked driving at 134km/h (83mph) in a 120km/h zone. He was subsequently found to be without a valid licence.

Read Also: Nottingham Forest And Olympiakos Owner Gets Coronavirus

It is not the first driving offence for the 31-year-old left-back. He was fined 6,000 euros in March 2013 for driving after his licence had been revoked.

Marcelo has made 505 appearances for Madrid since …

More And More Nigerians Are Being Born Into Poverty – UN

More And More Nigerians Are Being Born Into Poverty – UN

The United Nations Country Director in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, says more Nigerians are being born into poverty.

Kallon stated this in Abuja yesterday when he led a delegation of the UN on a courtesy visit to Nigerian Senate President Ahmad Lawan. He said Nigeria’s “alarming” population growth without a corresponding economic growth was one of the mega trends affecting development in the country. He said: “The UN is concerned about some mega trends that we feel is affecting Nigeria’s development.

Read Also: United Nations: Nigeria Still Owing Annual Contribution

“One, is our concern about explosive population growth vis-a-vis the Gross

Nearly 70,000 People Have Recovered From Coronavirus

Nearly 70,000 People Have Recovered From Coronavirus

While the number of coronavirus cases has surpassed 127,000, more than 68,000 people have recovered.

The World Health Organization says those who become infected generally experience mild illness and recover in about two weeks.
The virus threatens people over the age of 60 with underlying health issues.

As the rate of new cases of the coronavirus continues to climb in the United States, prompting concerns, new data shows that nearly 70,000 people have recovered from the infection since the outbreak kicked off in late December.

Data from Johns Hopkins University shows that more than 68,000 people have recovered from the …

$22.7B Loan - Southeast Caucus Laments Over Exclusion

$22.7B Loan: Southeast Caucus Laments Over Exclusion

The Southeast National Assembly caucus, on Thursday, decried exclusion of the zone by the Federal Government’s borrowing plan of $22.7 billion, approved by the Senate on Thursday last week.

Lawmakers from the zone who were led by the former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, expressed concern that the Southeast region was completely out of template that warranted the Federal government sourcing for $22.7 billion loan.

Speaking at a press conference, alongside members from the lower and upper legislative Chambers, he said they were under pressure from their Constituents over the exclusion.

Marler Gets 10wk Ban For Grabbing Captain's Testicles

Marler Gets 10wk Ban For Grabbing Captain’s Testicles

England prop Joe Marler was given a 10-week ban by an independent disciplinary committee on Thursday after they ruled he had grabbed Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones by the testicles during a Six Nations match at Twickenham last weekend.

England centre Manu Tuilagi, sent off in the same match for a high tackle on George North, was suspended for four weeks.

But the same disciplinary hearing in Dublin cleared Courtney Lawes of making a dangerous tackle after the England lock was cited following his side’s 33-30 win last Saturday.

Victory over the reigning Grand Slam champions revived World Cup finalists …

Coronavirus - 50 Oil Cargoes Stranded Off Nigeria

Coronavirus: 50 Oil Cargoes Stranded Off Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday raised the alarm about the looming crisis as a result of low oil prices and asked Nigerians to brace up for tougher times ahead.

The warning came as the coronavirus scourge continues to wreak serious havoc in the global economic landscape, especially by creating fiscal and planning distortions in crude oil and gas-exporting economies. The Group Managing Director of the state-owned oil corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari, who gave this hint yesterday at the Roundtable Parley with the CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele with the theme “Going for Growth 2.0” in Abuja, specifically advised …

Buhari Arrives Kebbi For Argungu Fishing Festival

Buhari Arrives Kebbi For Argungu Fishing Festival

President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Birnin Kebbi to attend the Agricultural Fair and Display, a part of the 2020 Argungu International Fishing Festival.

The President was received at the airport by top officials of the Kebbi State Government led by Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.

The Federal Government had earlier on Thursday officially flagged off the Argungu Festival in Abuja.

 

The President who was represented by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed in Abuja said the introduction of the use of local content in this year’s festival explains the government’s priority on Made-in-Nigeria goods and products.…

Coronavirus - India Suspends Tourist Visas

Coronavirus: India Suspends Tourist Visas

As the World Health Organisation declares coronavirus a pandemic, the Government of India has suspended all tourist visas and e-visas granted on or before March 11.

All incoming visitors including Indian nationals are advised against non-essential travel.

“All existing visas, Tourist Visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/international organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020,” it has said in the statement.

The order comes into effect from 1200 GMT on Friday, March 13.

Read Also: Coronavirus: Donald Trump Bans Flights From Europe

Visas of all foreigners already in India remain valid and they may contact the nearest FRRO/FRO through

Marinakis Nottingham Forest And Olympiakos Owner Gets Coronavirus

Nottingham Forest And Olympiakos Owner Gets Coronavirus

Marinakis, 52, was at the City Ground for Forest’s Championship fixture against Millwall on Friday.

Olympiakos are due to host Wolves in the Europa League on Thursday, although the BBC understands Wolves have asked for the game to be postponed.

“Mr Marinakis was diagnosed after showing the first symptoms on his return to Greece,” said Forest.

“During his stay in Nottingham he did not show any symptoms of the virus.

“The club are seeking advice from medical professionals and the relevant governing bodies to ensure the correct measures are taken.”

Marinakis had earlier revealed he had been diagnosed with coronavirus …

‘Bad Loser’ Klopp Takes A Swipe At Atletico Tactics

‘Bad Loser’ Klopp Takes A Swipe At Atletico Tactics

Jurgen Klopp hit out at Atletico Madrid’s defensive approach after holders Liverpool was knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Klopp’s side were on course for the quarter-finals after taking a 2-0 lead in extra time in the last-16 second leg.

Goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino left Liverpool 2-1 up on aggregate at Anfield.

But a howler from Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian opened the floodgates as Marcos Llorente struck twice before Alvaro Morata completed Atletico’s 4-2 aggregate triumph.

It was a bitter blow for Reds boss Klopp, …

APC Removes Oshiomhole’s Pictures, Banners At Secretariat

APC Removes Oshiomhole’s Pictures, Banners At Secretariat

Banners displaying the pictures of the embattled chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at the party secretariat in Abuja, have been removed.

The billboard with the picture of President Muhammadu Buhari and Oshiomhole, at the entrance of the party secretariat has also been replaced.

It was replaced on Wednesday night with a billboard displaying only the picture of Buhari.

Other billboards of Oshiomhole on Blantyre street, where the party secretariat is located, have been removed.

Meanwhile Buhari has given the go ahead for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC slated for Tuesday, presidency …