BAMY BLOG

The First person to be cured of HIV, Timothy Ray Brown – known as the ‘Berlin Patient‘ – has died after a battle with cancer. International Aids Society (IAS) made the announcement earlier today Wednesday, September 30th, 2020. The 54-year-old made medical history and became a symbol of hope for the tens of millions of people living with the virus that causes AIDS when he was cured more than a decade ago. He had been living with a recurrence of leukaemia for several months and received hospice care at his home in Palm Springs, California. IAS President, Adeeba Kamarulzaman said: ON BEHALF OF ALL ITS MEMBERS… THE IAS SENDS ITS CONDOLENCES TO TIMOTHY´S PARTNER, TIM, AND HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. WE OWE TIMOTHY AND HIS DOCTOR, GERO HUTTER, A GREAT DEAL OF GRATITUDE FOR OPENING THE DOOR FOR SCIENTISTS TO EXPLORE THE CONCEPT THAT A CURE FOR HIV IS POSSIBLE. Brown was diagnosed with HIV while was studying in Berlin in 1995. A decade later, he was diagnosed with leukaemia, a canc

Olympique Lyonnais have set Barcelona an ultimatum on signing their forward Memphis Depay this transfer window, as per Diario AS. The report cites how Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has told French media outlet Telefoot: “I think I will tell the players that all those who did not leave on Friday will remain at Lyon. As of Friday there will be no more departures.” It is reported how he is referencing both Memphis and midfielder Houssem Aouar – who has been linked with a switch to Arsenal. The Blaugrana are keen on a move for Memphis but it remains unlikely that they will be able to finance a deal, despite clearing Arturo Vidal, Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez from their wage bill. Memphis, 26, netted 11 goals across his last 18 matches for the Dutch national side and has also developed into the star attacking player at Lyon – netting 58 goals in 141 appearances, including four in three outings to date this campaign. Memphis started his career at PSV Eindhoven but endured a t

The Federal Government has said help was on the way for flood victims in Kaduna, following plans to build flood walls around River Kaduna to protect the people and their properties. The Acting Director, National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, Dr. Martin Edufie, who disclosed this, regretted that Kaduna had in recent years suffered spates of floods, leading to loss of lives and properties, including houses, crops and even farmlands. While addressing the ‘2020 World Rivers Day’ in Kaduna, with the theme: ‘’Waterways in our Communities’’, Edufie said the Federal Government’s plan was based on yearly study on flood in Kaduna State. He said: “Very soon, we are going to have a flood control project in Kaduna. We are going to have flood walls on both banks of River Kaduna to protect the people. “This is as a result of our yearly study on flood in Kaduna State. Every year, we study the flood in Kaduna and submit our report to our Minister. The Minister has taken steps to address

The Federal Government has said that there are no plans to Scrap the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC in the Petroelum Industry Bill 2020 that has been transmitted to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari. Answering questions from Journalists in Abuja after an interactive meeting with the leadership of the National Assembly, Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, who allayed the fears of staff of the Corporation and Nigerians, said that the bill seeks for the commercialisation of NNPC and not outright scrapping. The meeting which was Presided over by the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, with the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, and other Leaders of the National Assembly in attendance is aimed at discussing the details of a draft copy of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB). Sylva said, “We have heard so much noise about NNPC being scrapped but that is not envisaged by the Bill at all. ”NNPC will not be scrapp

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared Thursday, October 1, as a public holiday to mark the country’s 60th Independence Anniversary. Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Nigerians on the celebration of the country’s Diamond Jubilee while giving assurances of the government’s commitment to the socio-economic transformation of the country. This disclosure was contained in a statement which was issued on Tuesday, September 29, and titled, ‘FG Declares Thursday, October 1, 2020, Public Holiday to Mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary’. It was signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah on behalf of the Federal Government. According to the statement, the minister praised Nigerians for the feats in the economy, education, the creative sector, amongst others. The statement also quoted Aregbesola as saying; THOUGH CELEBRATING SIXTY YEARS OF INDEPENDE

Ex Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan, has defected from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Uduaghan, who was Delta State Governor for eight years in the build up to 2019 elections defected to the APC where he contested the senatorial seat and lost. There have been insinuations that the former governor is planning a comeback to the PDP in a bid to boost his chances in 2023 as PDP now fully controlled the South South region. Uduaghan met with Governor Ifeanyi Okoya two weeks ago to fine-tune plans to return to the PDP, his former base. He also met with James Ibori, who was also a former governor and the godfather of politics in Delta State. On Monday, Uduaghan formally defected to the PDP. “I am back to join forces with other party greats to strengthen our party, the largest Party in Africa -PDP!,” he said on his twitter handle.

Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe on Monday named the first ever female prime minister to head the government in the West African nation. Victoire Tomegah Dogbe, 60, replaces Komi Selom Klassou, who resigned on Friday. A close ally of the president, she has served as his chief-of-staff since 2009. Togo had been due for a government reshuffle since Gnassingbe was reelected in February for a fourth term in office, but the changes were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The president’s election win, which came after a constitutional change allowing him to run, extended more than a half-century of dynastic rule by the Gnassingbe family over the former French colony. The victory was disputed by the main opposition challenger, who has faced official harassment in the wake of the vote. The president has led the country of eight million people since taking over in 2005 following the death of his father Gnassingbe Eyadema, who ruled for 38 years. Togo’s economy has been hit b

The government of Canada has launched a fund to make up to $37m (c$50m) available to compensate Canadian productions for COVID-19-related filming delays. The Short-Term Compensation Fund is described as a temporary measure designed to fill the void left in Canada by a lack of insurance coverage for filming interruptions and shutdowns caused by the pandemic. The fund, to be administered by Telefilm Canada, will offer maximum compensation of $1.1m (c$1.5m) in the case of a temporary interruption and $2.2m (c$3m) for a complete shutdown of production. Government department Canadian Heritage said more information on the fund’s terms and conditions will be released by Telefilm in coming weeks. Minister of Canadian heritage Steven Guilbeault commented: “With this measure, we are responding to the needs of Canadian audiovisual producers who are severely affected by the pandemic. We will save jobs and continue to encourage creativity in this industry. Our government is proud to suppo

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has awarded up to N50 million in liability against Elisha Abbo. The court ordered Mr. Abbo to pay the sum of N50 million to Osimibibra Warmate, the woman he assaulted in a video that circulated online around March last year. The civil judgement came weeks after a magistrate’s court had earlier found the senator not guilty of criminal assault. More details to follow.

The President-General of Yoruba World Congress, Prof Banji Akintoye, has maintained that Nigerians, including Yoruba people, have the constitutional rights to demand to cease to be part of the country. Akintoye who is an emeritus professor of History, however cautioned Yoruba people against using violent means to assure independence from the country. He said this in a statement released yesterday to debunk a statement credited to him that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, could be the last President of Nigeria. He said some words he did not use were exported into the interview while blaming this on some persons he said wanted to discredit him. The statement read partly, “Nigerians have constitutional rights to organise peaceful protest over the state of the nation and have the right to demand to leave Nigeria, however,  the YWC, has cautioned the Yoruba people against the use of force or violence. “I have said in meetings, messages and other interviews that our

The Nigerian equity market extended its weekly gains by N390bn last week. The Nigerian Stock Exchange All-Share Index and market capitalisation appreciated by 2.92 per cent to close the week at 26,319.34 basis points and N13.76tn respectively. All other indices finished higher with the exception of NSE ASeM Index, which closed flat. A total turnover of 1.57 billion shares worth N20.56bn in 18,396 deals were traded last week by investors on the floor of the Exchange, compared with 1.14 billion shares valued at N12.69bn that exchanged hands the previous week in 17,109 deals. The financial services industry (measured by volume) led the activity chart with 1.18 billion shares valued at N9.18bn traded in 9,900 deals, thus contributing 75.14 per cent and 44.65 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The consumer goods industry followed with 90 million shares worth N1.68bn in 2,715 deals. The third place was occupied by the ICT industry, with a turn

The Ogun State Police Command, yesterday revealed that it had arrested no fewer than eight members of a dreaded cult known as the Black Axe Confraternity, while mourning one of their members, who died recently. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said this in a statement on Sunday. Oyeyemi explained that the suspected cultists allegedly shot a 16-year-old boy, Onome Iduru, during the procession in honour of their departed member. According to the PPRO, the arrested suspects are Olatunji Opeyemi, 26; Ayuba Oduola, 25; Sobowale Abiodun, 28; Sobowale Sunday, 25; Adelowo Olalekan, 32; Kareem Lanre, 21; Emmanuel Adebisi, 21; and Tobiloba Wasiu, 20. Oyeyemi added that after shooting the victim, the cultists also dispossessed him of his phone and unleash terror on the community. He stated, “The cultists were arrested following a report lodged at the Ogijo Police Station, where the 16-year-old boy was rushed to after he was shot in the stomach

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have suspended the strike scheduled to commence today (Monday). This followed an agreement reached with the Federal Government at a meeting which started at 8.30pm on Sunday and ended at 2:50am this morning. After exhaustive deliberations on the issues raised by the labour centres, the meeting agreed to suspend the application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments for two weeks. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, read the five-page communique signed by the representatives of the government and labour. The NLC President, Ayuba Wabba; and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Quadri Olaleye, amongst others signed on behalf of Organised Labour while the Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige; Minister of State Petroleum, Timipre Silva; Minister of State Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN); Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed; and the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustaph

Olamilekan Agbeleshe has emerged winner of the Big Brother Naija Season 5. Popularly known as Laycon, the upcoming musician beat 19 other housemates to be crowned the winner of this year’s reality television show. However, his victory does not come as a surprise as celebrities such as Eniola Badmus, Nkechi Blessing, Samklef, Odunlade Adekola, Broda Shaggi, Anita Joseph, Toyin Lawani, Yul Edochie, Reminisce, Teni D Entertainer, Vector, Niniola, Di’Ja, DJ Nana, Ice Prince, Timi Dakolo, Joeboy, Stephanie Coker, Small Doctor, Yvonne Jegede, Seyi Edun, Woli Agba and Funmi Awelewa have been canvassing votes for him on social media. Music producer-turned-blogger, Samklef, has been particularly vocal about his support for Laycon. He has never hidden his support for the lanky singer and many people have donated money to him, which Samklef, in turn, has disbursed to fans to buy airtime and vote en-masse for Laycon. As of September 25, he had raised over N900,000. Likewise, Tunde Ednu

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the ambush on entourage of Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, which led to the death of security men and some operatives of Civilian-JTF. The President made the condemnation in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja. He described the attack, on Maiduguri-Baga route, as an orchestrated sabotage against long planned return of displaced persons to their local communities. Buhari noted, with deep sympathy, the loss of lives of security men on the convoy, ahead of the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), commiserating with their families and loved ones. The president advised the government of Borno, working with security and intelligence agencies, to remain firm in their determination to restore normalcy to all communities liberated from Boko Haram terrorists. He urged security and intelligence agencies to intensify efforts to check sabotage, sanitise the roads, venues and loca

Manchester united coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was relieved to benefit from a winning goal “scored after the final whistle” following Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 Premier League win at Brighton. Bruno Fernandes converted from the penalty spot with the last kick of the game 10 minutes into added time to snatch three points for United from a crazy, incident-packed encounter. Referee Chris Kavanagh had initially blown for full-time before awarding the spot-kick having consulted the pitchside monitor and opted to penalise Neal Maupay for handball. United boss Solskjaer admitted his side were fortunate to avoid dropping points for the second successive match following last weekend’s shock loss to Crystal Palace and wants his players to make a habit of grabbing late goals. The Norwegian also joked he was grateful his predecessor Jose Mourinho was not at the Amex Stadium to measure the goal posts after impressive Albion remarkably struck the woodwork five times. “I don’t think w

Four executive members of the 151 Base Services Group (151 BSG) Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Makurdi, standing trial before a General Court Martial sitting at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi for criminal misappropriation of over N41 million have been found guilty and sanctioned appropriately. The sentences were handed down on September 24, 2020. The four NAF personnel, who were arraigned before the GCM for misappropriation of Cooperative funds, amongst other offences, were Flight Lieutenant Sherifi Olawoore, Flying Officer Ademola Adekoya, Master Warrant Officer Michael Oyebanji and Warrant Officer Paul Atteh. The personnel were sentenced based on their levels of involvement. Delivering his judgement, the President of the GCM, Air Commodore Nazib Aliyu, pronounced the four accused personnel guilty of various charges. Olawoore was tried for negligently performing his duty as the President of the Cooperative, found guilty and awarded six months loss of seniority.

Togo’s prime minister and his government have resigned, the West African nation’s presidency said late Friday. President Faure Gnassingbe congratulated prime minister Komi Selom Klassou and his team for their “economic, political and social efforts and the encouraging results despite the health crisis around the world”, a statement on the presidency’s official website said. Togo has been due for a political reshuffle since Gnassingbe was reelected in February for a fourth term in office, but changes were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. The president’s election win, which came after a constitutional change allowing him to run, extended more than a half-century of dynastic rule over the former French colony by the Gnassingbe family. The victory was disputed by the main opposition challenger, who has faced official harassment in the wake of the vote. The president has led the country of eight million people since taking over in 2005 following the death of his father Gnass

The First Lady of the federation, Aisha Buhari, has called on Nigerians to continue praying to witness the end of COVID-19 Pandemic as Nigeria prepares to mark her 60th independence anniversary. The First Lady during a Public Lecture to mark Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary at the National Mosque, Abuja, urged Nigerians to offer special prayers for peace, progress and sustainable development of the country. “We need to pray for forgiveness and a special prayer for forgiveness. The world is no longer the same as a result of the pandemic, and the pandemic is a sign that almighty God is not happy with us. I think we have no choice than to continue asking for forgiveness from Almighty Allah”, she said. Aisha urged leaders to always do the needful by ensuring justice for all. She, later joined other Muslim faithful to perform a two Jumma’ah prayer and called on Nigerians to support the Buhari administration in its quest to develop the country. “The President cannot do it al

The Rivers State Government has approved the reopening of universities, other tertiary institutions, as well as secondary and vocational schools in the state, with effect from Monday, October 5, 2020. The decision was reached at the end of an emergency State Executive Council meeting on Friday and presided over by Governor Nyesom Wike in Government House, Port Harcourt. Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the end of the meeting. He said the council’s approval did not include primary schools. “The council approved that schools in the State reopen on the 5th of October, 2020, with only the following – all secondary schools in the state, vocational schools in the state, universities and other tertiary institutions. “For the avoidance of doubt, the council based on expert medical advice did not approve the reopening of primary schools in the state, which would await a new date in the future,” Ebeku stated. The commissi

Real Madrid’s win over Real Betis on Saturday was Zinedine Zidane’s 100th in charge of Real Madrid in La Liga Santander. The Frenchman has coached Los Blancos in 147 La Liga matches in total, with 55 at home and 45 away from home. In those games, Zidane’s sides have scored 342 goals and conceded 142. Only Miguel Munoz has won more La Liga matches in charge of Real Madrid than Zidane with 257. As well as his centenary of victories, the former Real Madrid midfielder has won two La Liga titles – in 2016/17 and 2019/20.

Nigeria’s highest external debt stock to a multilateral or bilateral financial institution is its $10.46bn (N3.965tn at the official rate of N379/$) indebtedness to the World Bank Group, latest figures from the Debt Management Office have shown. An analysis of the country’s external debt stock as of June 30, 2020 showed that Nigeria’s indebtedness to the International Development Association and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development were $10.05bn and $409.51m respectively. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Development Association are both organisations of the World Bank Group. Other organisations of the multilateral financial institution include the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes. The World Bank Group and the African Development Bank Group are two prominent multilateral institutions that lend to

Arsenal got their Premier League season off to the perfect start with a 3-0 win at Fulham on Saturday – and Alexandre Lacazette says perfection is exactly what Mikel Arteta expects. Lacazette’s record-breaking early finish was added to by goals from Gabriel Magalhaes and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with newcomers Gabriel and Willian particularly impressing. Arteta will want his players to keep their feet on the ground after beating a side freshly promoted from the Championship, but the forward took heart from their performance. “It was the best way to start the season,” Lacazette told Arsenal’s official website. “We wanted to win today and get the clean sheet. Defensively I think we did some good stuff and respected what the coach wanted. At the end, we won so everyone is happy today. “He [Arteta] wants us to be perfect. We work a lot in the week for this kind of game because we know it’s really important for the season. We have to respect what he wants. “We want to be ag

Arsenal players made a flying start to the new Premier League season as Gabriel Magalhaes grabbed a debut goal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a stunner in Saturday’s 3-0 win at Fulham. Just 48 days after last season’s delayed conclusion, the Premier League is back and Arsenal hit the ground running with the kind of confident display that has become their hallmark since Mikel Arteta took charge. Arsenal’s free-flowing attack was too incisive for promoted Fulham and Alexandre Lacazette gave the visitors an early lead at Craven Cottage. Brazilian defender Gabriel scored Arsenal’s second after the break in his first appearance since his close-season move from Lille. Aubameyang added the final flourish with a typically eye-catching strike that emphasised why Arsenal are so desperate for the Gabon forward to sign an extension to the contract which expires at the end of the season. Arteta has said that fans concerned Aubameyang will leave can “relax” because he is “very opti

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk was hammered by Reds legends Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness during their 4-3 opening day win over Leeds United. The usually-reliable 29-year-old was punished for a loose touch on the edge of the hosts’ penalty area, and Leeds ace Patrick Bamford capitalised ruthlessly to score the equaliser in the thriller at Anfield. Carragher said: “It’s a brilliant game. I said hopefully after 17 minutes we’d get 90 minutes of this. This could be 7-7 at the end of the game. “Alisson is not happy, he gets between the centre backs there. Virgil van Dijk, that’s just too arrogant.” Van Dijk headed Liverpool back in front on 20 minutes from Andy Robertson’s corner, but was caught out at the other end in jaw-dropping fashion. Graeme Souness echoed Carragher’s scathing opinion, saying on Sky Sports: “Van Dijk has had an absolute stinker but he gets his goal here.” A fascinating statistic from OptaJoe has highlighted a stark drop in Van Dijk’s form in r

Ronald Koeman has picked captain Lionel Messi for his first game in charge of Barcelona for their friendly against Gimnastic on Saturday night. The Argentina had widely been expected to depart after signalling his intention to the club to leave on a free transfer this summer. However, after his wishes were rejected, he has rejoined the squad and now starts their first game of 2020/21 under their new coach. Luis Suárez and Arturo Vidal have been left out of the squad as they close in on exits, while Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembélé start. Teenage midfielder Pedri also makes his debut at the heart of the action.

UFC star Conor McGregor has reportedly been taken into custody in Corsica for alleged indecent exposure and attempted sexual assault – but ‘vigorously’ denies the explosive accusations against him. According to the AFP news agency, the Irishman was arrested following the incident. The prosecutor’s office wrote in a statement, “Following a complaint filed on September 10 denouncing acts that could be described as attempted sexual assault and sexual exhibition, Mr. Conor Anthony McGregor was the subject of a hearing by the police.” No other details have been given on the charges against him at present. A representative for McGregor has told TMZ, “Conor McGregor vigorously denies any accusations of misconduct. “He has been interviewed and released.” McGregor was recently pictured attending a lavish event in the region, on the port of Calvi, alongside his fiancee Dee Devlin on Friday night. He had proposed to his long-term partner during the summer and has shared several so

Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari was executed after being convicted of stabbing a security guard to death during anti-government protests in 2018, state media said, in a case that has sparked international outcry. Afkari was executed “this morning after legal procedures were carried out at the insistence of the parents and the family of the victim,” the media quoted the head of the justice department in southern Fars province, Kazem Mousavi, as saying. Afkari was convicted of killing Hassan Turkman, a water company security guard, and other charges. Iran’s Supreme Court rejected a review of the case in late August, according to state media. Afkari, a 27-year-old Greco-Roman wrestler, had said he was tortured into making a false confession, according to his family and activists, and his attorney says there is no proof of his guilt. Iran’s judiciary has denied Afkari’s claims. A global union representing 85,000 athletes called on Tuesday for Iran’s expulsion from world sport if

Doctors under the aegis of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), on Thursday suspended their ongoing strike. The doctors union also instructed its members nationwide to resume work on Friday. Just in: Nigeria doctors calls off strike, to resume 8am tomorrow Friday. The National President, Aliyu Sokomba, said “Following our meeting yesterday with the government we had a NEC meeting and resolved to once again suspend our strike to allow government time to address our demands. “So the strike is suspended to be reviewed in two weeks time.” Doctors had embarked on a nationwide “indefinite strike” on Monday as the nation continues to battle the deadly coronavirus. The one-week-long strike was suspended to give the federal and state governments time to fulfil the outstanding demands following an appeal by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, chairman of the Nigerian Governors F

Bakers have vowed to react to price increase in baking ingredients by increasing the prices of bread. The Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria and the Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria gave this warning on Thursday at a press conference in Lagos. The President, PBAN, Tosan Jemide, complained that businesses had been comatose due to the incessant increase in the prices of baking ingredients. He noted that in the last six months, the prices of flour, sugar and other baking ingredients had skyrocketed without a corresponding increase in the prices of bread by member bakeries. Jemide said, “We have been busy helping them remain profitable while our businesses suffer, because we are more in tune with the purchasing power of the consumer and are deeply concerned about food security. “PBAN and AMBCN shall no longer take seat and watch such blatant increases in prices going forward. We shall react with equal price increases or stiff resistance.” Jemide app

Apple has decided to seek damages against Epic Games for allegedly breaching its contract with the iOS App Store, in a new escalation of the two companies’ ongoing legal fight. The allegation has entered, alongside counterclaims for unjust enrichment and tortious interference with Apple’s relationship with its customers. Apple is seeking monetary damages as part of the claim, although the precise amount is not specified in the filing. “By all accounts, Epic has taken advantage of Apple’s support and services more than any other app developer for the past two years,” the filing reads. “But sometime before June 2020, things changed. Epic decided that it would like to reap the benefits of the App Store without paying anything for them.” Apple declined to comment beyond the filing. Apple has already removed Fortnite from the iOS App Store, and a recent ruling on a temporary restraining order validated Apple’s right to remove the game, despite the ongoing financial damage to Epic. T

Premier League clubs have agreed that all 28 fixtures in September will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom and around the world. The move comes to ensure supporters in the UK will still legally be able to watch their teams while matches are being played behind closed doors. Sky Sports will air an additional six matches live in the UK in September, with BT Sport broadcasting three extra and one each going to the BBC and Amazon Prime. This means that three kick-off times have now been changed on the opening weekend of the season … West Ham v Newcastle will now take place at 20:00 BST on Saturday 12 September. Sheffield United v Wolves has been brought forward to 18:00 BST on Monday 14 September. And Brighton v Chelsea gets under way at 20:15 BST on Monday 14 September. The Premier League are hoping that stadiums can begin to reopen to supporters in reduced capacities in October, but firm plans have yet to be fully put in place.

Authorities in Uganda have demanded that bloggers and others publishing or broadcasting online must register with authorities, drawing criticism from some who see it as an attack on free speech ahead of next year’s election. The Uganda Communications Commission has said that bloggers and online news sites must seek the necessary authorization with it by Oct. 5. A spokesman for the agency told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the directive was provoked in part by “an avalanche of people interested in opening online media.” “We know that if these tools are misused, they can lead to trouble,” Ibrahim Bbosa said of social media. With election campaigning effectively banned by orders aimed at stopping the spread of the coronavirus, Uganda’s social media scene has become even more vibrant in recent months. The election pits a longtime president with a youthful opponent in a reflection of generation gap seen across much of Africa. About 17 million of Uganda’s mostly youthful

A Sicilian mafia boss serving a life sentence bit off and swallowed a prison guard’s finger during an altercation, according to an Italian news report. Guiseppe Fanara, 60, who was serving a life sentence at Rome’s Rebibbia prison, attacked seven guards in June when they came to inspect his cell, the daily Il Messagero reported. Fanara, from Sicily’s notorious Cosa Nostra clan, was nine years into his sentence under Italy’s tough “41-bis” penal code reserved for mafia members. The harsh prison regime isolates mobster bosses entirely to prevent them from running their clans from behind bars. “During the altercation, he (Fanara) bit off the agent’s little finger on his right hand,” the paper said. “The finger disappeared, leading a Rome prosecutor to conclude it had been eaten,” it added. The prisoner then charged the six other guards, using a broomstick as a weapon, allegedly shouting “I’ll slit your throats like pigs!” Fanara has since been transferred to Sardinia’s hig

In its effort to ensure that the spread of the HIV virus is drastically reduced, the Federal Government has approved the inclusion of ”Wondfo HIV I and II rapid test kits” for use in the country. The National Coordinator, National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NASCP) Dr Akudo Ikpeazu, made the this known while presenting the evaluation report on the kit in (FCT) Abuja. “The Wondfo rapid test kit, could be used as a confirmatory test because of its high specification of 99.4 per cent,” she said. The coordinator said that in 2019, the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) approved the conduct of the laboratory performance evaluation of Wondfo HIV I and II rapid test kit. “The result of the evaluation which was conducted at the reference testing laboratory Public Health in Vitro Diagnostic Laboratory, Lagos” showed that Wondfo rapid test kit sensitivity, was 99.5 per cent and its specificity was 99.4 per cent. “The rapid test kit has an accuracy of 99.4 per cent with positive and n