UN-Secretary-General-Antnio-Guterres

He pledged to continue to work with all sides to open further possibilities for dialogue, peace andstability.

Source: NAN News

Serena Williams

Serena Williams survived another scare to beat older sister Venus 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Thursday in the latest instalment of their reluctant on-court sibling rivalry.

The win helped her to reach the quarter-finals of the inaugural Top Seed Open in Lexington, Kentucky.

Serena, who in her first-round match of the spectator-free tournament was five points from defeat against world number 60 Bernarda Pera, however had much work to do to survive.

She had to rally back from a set down and 4-2 final set deficit to prevail in a thrilling battle.

With the win, Serena improved to 19-12 in career head-to-head meetings with Venus.

It was a very high quality match, said Serena.

There was a lot of long points, running me around and then at one point it was just big serves and so I thought that was really interesting as we both started serving really well and returning well.

Top-seeded Serena was locked in early in the final set as she earned a quick break to go ahead 2-1.

Thereafter, Venus grabbed momentum by taking the next three games and moved closer to her first victory over her sister since 2018 at Indian Wells.

But Serena found her way back and eventually used a fierce backhand winner to get to 5-4 before going on to serve out the match on her first match point.

Serena made a fast start to the match and had break point chances for a 3-0 double break lead.

But Venus stormed back with a five-game win streak and then closed out the opening set with a powerful serve.

In the second set, Serena broke Venus with an inside-out backhand winner to pull ahead 4-2 and then closed out the frame with ease to force the decider.

Serena will face either Canadian qualifier Leylah Fernandez or American wildcard Shelby Rogers in the next round.

The suspension of tennis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic meant that, until this week, Serena had not competed on the tour since February.

As a result, the American said rather than focussing on winning the Top Seed Open, she wants to make sure she gets into top form for the Aug. 31 to Sept. 13 U.S. Open.

Im just here to play another match just to get match tough for New York, said Serena, who has failed to add to her haul of 23 Grand Slam titles since January 2017.

Ive done absolutely nothing but train and practise and so I am really low on the matches and so this is really helping.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Bianca Andreescu said on Thursday she would not defend her title at the U.S. Open in New York.

The Canadian said this was because the COVID-19 pandemic has compromised her ability to reach her highest level of form.

The 20-year-old joins a growing list of high-profile players to pull out of the Aug. 31 to Sept. 13 event.

She has not competed since she suffered a knee injury last October at the WTA finals in Shenzhen, China.

After many discussions with those closest to me, I have made the difficult decision not to return to New York this year, said Andreescu, who beat Serena Williams last year to become Canadas first tennis Grand Slam singles champion.

I have taken this step in order to focus on my match fitness and ensure that I return ready to play at my highest level.

World number six Andreescu is the latest top 10 player on the womens side to skip the U.S. Open.

She is joining Australian Ash Barty (one), Ukraines Elina Svitolina (five) and Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens (seven) on the sidelines.

Her decision also means the Grand Slam will be missing both reigning singles champions, as mens world number two Rafael Nadal previously said he would skip the event.

The U.S. Open victory last year has been the high point of my career this far and I will miss not being there, said Andreescu.

However, I realise that the unforeseen challenges, including the COVID pandemic, have compromised my ability to prepare and compete to the degree necessary to play at my highest level.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) decided to go ahead with the Grand Slam without spectators while players will be asked to follow strict measures, including regular testing.

This is all in a bid to avoid a spread of the virus.

I want to express my appreciation to the USTA and the WTA for all of their efforts in making the event happen, said Andreescu. I look forward to joining my competitors back on court soon.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Harrison Arubu

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says some hand sanitisers have been found to contain 1-propanol, a toxin that can harm the central nervous system.

FDA said in a statement that the affected products included those manufactured by Harmonic Nature, S de RL de MI, in Mexico.

It said the adulterated sanitisers were labeled to contain ethanol or isopropyl alcohol but have tested positive for 1-propanol contamination.

1-propanol, not to be confused with 2-propanol/isopropanol/isopropyl alcohol, is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitiser products marketed in the U.S. and can be toxic and life-threatening when ingested, it said.

Mostly at risk are children who accidentally ingest the products, and adolescents and adults who drink them as substitutes for alcohol, the agency noted.

It highlighted common symptoms of 1-propanol exposure to include confusion, decreased consciousness as well as slowed pulse and breathing.

According to the FDA, animal studies indicate that the central nervous system depressant effects of 1-propanol are 2 to 4 times as potent as alcohol (ethanol).

Consumers who have been exposed to hand sanitiser containing 1-propanol and are experiencing symptoms should seek immediate care for treatment of toxic effects of 1-propanol poisoning.

Skin or eye exposure to 1-propanol can result in irritation, and rare cases of allergic skin reactions have been reported, it said.

Hand sanitiser containing not less than 60 per cent alcohol is one of the essential items recommended by health authorities for people to carry around.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FDAs warning reinforces a similar alert issued by the UN on July 8.

In a research brief, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) warned that illegal trade in fake COVID-19-related products was booming amid a surge in demand.

Health and lives are at risk with criminals exploiting the COVID-19 crisis to cash in on public anxiety and increased demand for PPE and medications.

We need to help countries increase cooperation to close gaps, build law enforcement and criminal justice capacity, and drive public awareness to keep people safe, UNODC said.

Source: NAN News

crude oil

This is in spite of the coronavirus pandemic that has slammed economies worldwide.

Brent crude was up 14 cents, or 0.3 per cent at .10 by 0043 GMT, heading for a gain of about 1.6 per cent this week.

West Texas Intermediate had gained 12 cents or 0.3 per cent to .36.

The U.S. benchmark is heading for a gain of nearly three per cent this week.

The situation has improved some, but the market dynamics are still less than stellar, said Robert Yawger, Director of Energy Futures at Mizuho Securities, adding the market is oversupplied.

Prices have been bolstered this week by U.S. government data showing crude oil, gasoline and distillate inventories all fell last week as refiners ramped up production and demand for oil products improved.

Still, the International Energy Agency has reduced its oil demand forecast for this year.

And the agency said lower air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic would cut global oil consumption this year by 8.1 million barrels per day (bpd).

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said earlier this week that world oil demand is likely to drop by 9.06 million bpd this year.

This indicated a bigger decline than the 8.95 million bpd decline expected a month ago.

OPEC and allies including Russia, collectively called OPEC , cut output since May by around 10 per cent of typical global demand to tackle the fallout from the global health crisis.

Meanwhile, Russian Energy Minister, Alexander Novak, said he does not expect quick decisions on output cuts when an OPEC group monitoring committee meets next week, Russian news agencies reported on Thursday. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Doris Esa

The Committee on Citizens Data Management and Harmonisation has concluded its assignment and substantially addressed the concerns of the United States on citizen data.

U.S. concerns on citizens led to its imposition of visa ban on Nigerians.

The Committee, in its report, also urged the Federal Government to establish a National DNA data bank, testing laboratories and Data collection structures and formations across the federation.

It said this was to support the national security architecture with the view to finding lasting solutions to the security challenges bedevilling the country.

Mr Mohammed Manga, the Director, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry of Interior, made this known in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

Manga said the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Presidential Committee, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this on Thursday at the State House, Abuja, when he presented the report of the Committee to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement quoted the minister as saying that out of the six areas raised by the United States, two have been fully met, two substantially met while work is ongoing on the remaining two.

According to Aregbesola, Nigeria has substantially provided information on travellers identity except data on Emergency Travel Certificates for Nigerians being repatriated.

He added that information on 145,695 Lost and Stolen Passports had been transmitted to the INTERPOL Database as at 31st May, 2020, following the intervention of the Committee.

In addition, the Nigeria Immigration Service has now acquired the capability to directly transmit information on Lost and Stolen Passports to the INTERPOL Headquarters in Lyon which was one of the key demands of the United States, he said.

Aregbesola further said that the committee recommended the setting up of a Criminal Information Management System to include the establishment of a Data Fusion Centre fashioned after the INTERPOL model for pooling of crime data.

It also called for a National Criminal DNA Laboratory with the Nigerian Police Force as the co-ordinating agency.

This, according to him, is to be complemented by an industrialised standard procedure for the collection of DNA samples of all suspected criminals in government crime control and custodial facilities to aid criminal investigation and administration of criminal justice in the country.

The minister said the committee recommended that Federal Government should issue an Executive Order that would provide for the exclusive collection of biometric data by NIMC and its Licensees.

It also recommended exclusive storage of Biometric data in the National identity Database and the discontinuance of biometric data storage of new registration by all agencies and institutions in Nigeria.

It also suggested mandatory use of the NIN by all Mobile Network Operations (MNOs) for issuance of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) with effect from June 30, 2021, subject to the issuance of NIN by NIMC to at least 80 per cent of the population, with NIN as a unique identifier for all public servants.

The minister added that the committee recommended the need for the National Population Commission to commence the digital birth, death and other vital registrations (marriage, divorce, adoption, etc), at all hospitals and designated NPC offices in all federal wards.

It also recommended integration of the National Identity Database (NIDB) with all agencies capturing identity data directed to commence full enforcement of NIN as a requirement for accessing their services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that following the temporary visa restrictions placed on Nigerian citizens on January 31, 2020 by the United States Government, President Muhammadu Buhari constituted an 18-member Committee on Citizen Data Management and Harmonisation on Feb. 3, 2020.

Source: NAN News

Department of State Security Service (DSS)

By Monday Ijeh
The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday cautioned against the use of inciting and unguarded statements capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.

The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, gave the warning in a statement in Abuja.

He said the service, had on June 27, alerted the nation about desperate efforts by some notable personalities to use their exalted positions to achieve their selfish goal.

Afunanya said the DSS had revealed that part of the orchestrations was to engage in divisive acts as well as use inciting statements to pit one group against another in the country.

According to him, with the latest occurrences in the country, Nigerians may have no reason to doubt the Services earlier pronouncement.

Dr. Obadiah Mailafiyas recent outburst aimed at playing to the gallery and creating unnecessary tension is a confirmation of his groups desperation to breach the peace.

Mailafiya, as a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and currently, a Directing Staff at Nigerias foremost Policy Research Institute, the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, has unhindered access to government platforms.

It is expected that he should be conversant with official information management protocols.

But regrettably, he chose to cross the lines of decorum and conduct expected of a personality of his status, he said.

Afunanya said that it was disappointing that he never took advantage of these to reach any of the security or related agencies to share the so called information at his disposal.

He said comments by Mailafiya clearly suggested his mischief and determination to use the fake news he spewed to incite the people under his control.

It is even more condemnable that Mailafiya, who had profusely apologized during his visit to the Services Plateau Command for his ignoble statement, would, afterwards, announce to the world that he stood by his misguided eruption.

The Service also wishes to warn others, who in the guise of political mobilisation and supposed pursuit of group interests, engage in hostile and subversive activities, to desist forthwith from advancing their inimical and parochial causes.

The Service will not stand idly and watch disgruntled and aggrieved elements take laws into their hands and cause mayhem in the polity, he added.

Source: NAN News

Youth Day: NYC appoints global youth ambassadors

By Franca Ofili

The Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC), a coordinating youth body, has passed a vote of confidence in Youth and Sports Minister Sunday Dare and kicked any call for his removal.

Mr Blessing Akinlosotu, the President of the Congress, gave the indication in a statement in Abuja.

Akinlosotu said that the minister had been very open to the youth and had always engaged leaders at all levels to stabilise the ministry and introduce a new phase for the youth in Nigeria.

He stated that the call for the ministers removal was coming from a faceless group under the name of Coalition of Youth Organisations.

Akinlosotu described the call for Dares removal as daydreaming because the ministers actions and ideas had made him look like a father figure to the nations youth.

The minister has, in a recent statement, noted that the Federal Government through the instrumentality of the ministry, has tried to resolve the NYCN leadership crisis.

Clearly, those fuelling the crisis have no interest of the Nigerian youth at heart; the ministry has been left with one choice: partner youth organisations on merit.

Akinlosotu said that one could not stabilise a system by being dictatorial, noting that the person could only make corrections by valid judgment and interactions, which the minsiter had postulated.

He described Dare as very open to the youth and had always engaged leaders at all levels, to stabilise the ministry and ensure a new phase for the youth in Nigeria.

Akinlosotu said that the council had called on the coalition to stop the blackmail forthwith, describing as fallacy any plan to link the minister with any form of illegality.

We pass a vote of confidence in him because of his many accomplishments in promoting a new course for the nations youth via the congress and we can effectively say that he is doing well.

Dr Yakubu Shendam, Chairman, Board of the Congress, while reacting to the call for the ministers removal, described such clamour as a waste of time.

Shendam lauded the minister for repositioning the ministry to meet its objectives, by establishing the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF).

He said that the council believed that the fund would curtail the menace of unemployment of the youth in the country. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Zulum releases N148.8m to offsets corp members allowance

By Hamza Suleiman

Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has approved the payment of N148.8 million to offset the backlogs of arrears and monthly allowances of various batches of serving and past corps members in the state.

The Desk Officer of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state, Mr Christopher Godwin-Akaba, made this known in an a statement in Maiduguri on Thursday

Godwin-Akaba said that the breakdown of the allowance include; six months outstanding arrears for 2019 Batch A Corps members totalling N38.8 million, nine months outstanding arrears of 2019 Batch B Stream I Corps members totalling N41 million.

He said that part of the money would be used to offsets June and July 2020 allowances of 2019 Batch B Stream II Corps members.

He explained that a total of N24.3 million was also approved for the payment of serving Corps members for 2019 Batch C Stream I and II up to July, 2020, he said.

He recalled that with this latest approval, the total payments so far made by the state government to serving Corps members in the state stood at N351.5 million.

He said: At the moment, no Corps member both outgone and serving is being owned any state allowances, which has now been fully cleared up to the month of July, 2020.

Also effective from August 1st 2020, Gov. Zulum has approved the downward review of non-medical Corps members allowances serving with MDAs in the state to N5,000 monthly, he said.

According to him, the decision is necessitated by the current financial situation coupled with the competing demands on the states resources.

He noted that the downward review did not affect medical corps doctors and paramedics.

He, therefore, urged the benefitting category of Corps members to be patient as they will soon start receiving their payment.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dr Chikwe Ikekweazu NCDC Boss

By Abujah Racheal

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has reported zero death and 453 new cases from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak in the country.

The NCDC made this known on its official twitter handle on Wednesday.

The health agency said that the new cases pushed the nations infection total to 47,743 in the country.

According to it, till date 47,743 cases have been confirmed, 33,943 cases discharged and 956 deaths recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

It stated that the 453 new cases were reported from 16 states- Lagos (113), FCT (72), Plateau (59), Enugu (55), Kaduna (38), Ondo (32), Osun (26), Ebonyi (20), Ogun (9), Delta (8), Borno (7), Akwa Ibom (6), Oyo (5), Bauchi (1), Kano (1) and Ekiti (1).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that from the NCDC statistics, eight states including Lagos, FCT, Oyo, Edo, Delta, Kano, Rivers and Ogun are responsible for over 70 per cent of the cases recorded.

Nigerians are advised not to be tired in complying with the COVID-19 preventive guidelines from the NCDC.

Wearing face masks could prevent nearly 75,000 COVID-19 deaths in Africa. Over 600 coronavirus deaths could be prevented in Nigeria if people adhere to non-pharmaceutical preventive measures, it stated.

Source: NAN News