Frankfurt Airport

Fraport, the operator of Frankfurt Airport, announced plans on Tuesday to cut between 3,000 and 4,000 jobs as the crisis inflicted on the air travel industry by the coronavirus drags on.

Chief executive Stefan Schulte said in an interim report for the first half of the year that passenger numbers are still expected to languish at 15-20 per cent of 2019 levels in 2022 and 2023.

He said that this means that there will be less work for employees in the longer term.

Fraport has a current workforce of around 22,000.

The company, whose largest shareholders are the German state of Hesse and the Frankfurt city authority, is currently relying heavily on a state furlough scheme to avoid mass lay-offs.

In the second quarter, some 16,000 employees in Frankfurt were having their wages covered by the government aid programme, which was launched in response to the coronavirus crisis in March.

Working hours for the entire workforce have been reduced by 60 per cent, while operating expenses have been reduced by 30 per cent, partially thanks to terminal closures, and by as much as 40 per cent across the Fraport group as a whole.

Nonetheless, Fraport plunged deep into the red in the second quarter, posting a loss attributable to shareholders of around 182 million euros, after a 127-million-euro profit in the same period last year.

Revenue collapsed by around three quarters to 250 million euros, after air travel was brought to a near standstill earlier this year and has only slowly begun recovering. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Stricter COVID-19 lockdown in Manila

More than 27 million people in the Philippines went back under stricter lockdown measures on Tuesday after the number of coronavirus infections surged since last month.

The surge has prompted health workers to warn that the country was losing its battle against COVID-19.

Public transport, private and government offices and other commercial services were again suspended in the capital of Metro Manila and the four surrounding provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

The five areas were put under what is locally called modified enhanced community quarantine for the next 15 days.

Under the protocol, people are prohibited from going out of their homes unless for essential trips, gatherings are limited to five people and dine-in services in restaurants are not allowed.

Catholic churches were again closed to the public, as were salons, gyms and other establishments offering aesthetic services.

Some cities in Metro Manila again imposed a liquor ban.

The Philippines total caseload was at 106,330 as of Monday, with 2,104 deaths, according to the Department of Health.

The cases have been increasing since the government began to ease restrictions in June in a bid to revive the economy.

The spike prompted doctors, nurses and other health care workers to call on the government to recalibrate the response to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

One of the doctors who joined the call warned that if the infections are not halted, we will be the next New York City, where people die on stretchers, in the emergency rooms or at home because the hospitals are full. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Cyril Ramaphosa

South Africas anti-corruption watchdog said it was investigating irregularities in coronavirus-related tenders, the latest in a series of scandals that trade unions said showed the governments failure to tackle graft.

The probes by the Public Protector come soon after investigators launched separate inquiries into the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Gauteng province, the countrys economic heartland.

President Cyril Ramaphosa staked his reputation on tackling graft when he replaced Jacob Zuma as head of state more than two years ago, but he is on the back foot after news reports alleging that politically connected individuals have milked the state for millions during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ramaphosa used a weekly newsletter to the nation to promise that his government would finally deal with the entrenched patronage networks that enable government employees to bid for state contracts through their friends and relatives.

We will not allow public funds hard-earned by loyal taxpayers or donations by patriotic companies and individuals and the international community to vanish down a black hole of corruption.
COSATU, the countrys largest trade federation and a key ally of the governing African National Congress (ANC), said in a statement that Ramaphosas administration had acted feebly in the face of the recent corruption allegations.

It called corruption the biggest threat to the economy.

The Public Protector said it was investigating tender irregularities at least in three provinces, including over a quarantine site that is believed to be owned by a government official and PPE procurement in the KwaZulu-Natal province.

South Africa has recorded more than a half a million cases of COVID-19, the most in Africa, with the number of infections continuing to rise rapidly.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance, over the weekend called for a snap parliamentary debate on what it described as a feeding frenzy by ANC-connected individuals after normal procurement rules were suspended because of the coronavirus.

An ANC spokesman did not answer his phone when Reuters sought comment on Monday.

Ramaphosas spokeswoman, Khusela Diko, and a top Gauteng health official have taken leaves of absence after a media report said that Dikos husband won PPE contracts with the Gauteng government.

Diko and her husband have denied wrongdoing and the health official has said he was not involved in provincial procurement processes. (Reuter/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Dollar slips after political wrangling slows rally

A dollar rebound faltered on Tuesday as political wrangling over a U.S. relief plan and the gloomy outlook weighed on the currency.

After its worst month in a decade in July, the greenback started August on a firm note as some investors trimmed their short positions.

That only carried it so far, and the dollar edged down 0.2 per cent on Tuesday against a basket of currencies.

The euro which gained five per cent at the dollars expense in July inched up on the day, last up 0.2 per cent at .17875.

I think the eurozone recovery will be a lot faster than the U.S. recovery and that growth differential will continue to drive EUR/USD higher, Marshall Gittler, FX analyst at BDSwiss, said in a note.

The Aussie dollar edged ahead nearly 0.3 per cent after the central bank delivered no surprises by holding policy steady.

Australias central bank predicted the economic recovery will be uneven as the countrys second biggest state Victoria locks down to fight a resurgence of the virus.

Despite a slowdown in new U.S. virus cases and encouraging factory data, investors are reserving judgment on whether a U.S. economy with 30 million people out of work can really lead the worlds recovery.

Talks on a potential further economic relief package are ongoing, though top Democrats in the U.S. Congress and White House negotiators on Monday said they had made progress.

Were still in a situation where the market wants to believe the recovery is on track but is still worried about the COVID situation, said Bank of Singapore FX analyst, Moh Siong Sim.

The fiscal wrangling in the U.S. is the next key test for risk sentiment and if they manage to get a deal which seems likely that could be supportive of risk sentiment. (Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Police oficers on Duty

By Abdullahi Mohammed

The Police Command in Jigawa on Tuesday attributed the successes recorded in the low crime rate in six months to crime preventive strategies adopted and efficient service delivery.

SP Abdul Jinjiri, the Commands Spokesman, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse.

Jinjiri noted that rape which recorded 35 reported cases between January and June had the highest figure in the commands crime statistics.

The spokesman said that armed robbery had the second highest crime recorded with 21 suspected armed robbers arrested within the period under review.

Jinjiri said that homicide recorded 18 reported cases within the period while 13 unnatural offences and five kidnappings were also recorded.

He was optimistic that with the combined support from members of the public and the commands commitment toward curtailing crime and criminality, the state would be more peaceful for the remaining year.

NAN reports that the command had in 2019 recorded 61 reported cases of rape and indecent assaults, 32 armed robbery cases, 52 homicide cases, 13 unnatural offences and four kidnappings.

NAN reports that the command had in its 2019 projection and plan for 2020, promised to adopt community policing as one of the most effective way of crime control.

According to the plan, part of the strategies was to embark on robust enlightenment by engaging the communities in dialogue to resolve their problems, using policing process toward achieving crime control. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Former NNPC GMD,Dr Joseph Thlama Dawha,

By Edith Ike-Eboh

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has announced the death ofDr Joseph Thlama Dawha, who was its 16th Group Managing Director (GMD).

The corporation disclosed in a statement issued by its Spokesman, Dr kennie Obateru, in Abuja, on Monday, thatDawha died after a brief illness.

The GMD, Malam Mele Kyari, expressed shock over the sudden death of Dawha.

Kyari said that the NNPC family gravely mourned Dawhas death as he provided astute leadership and made immense contributions to the progress of corporation.

He described his death as a great loss to not only NNPC but also Nigeria as a whole.

Dawha was GMD of NNPC between August 2014 and August 2015.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

PCN

By Felicia Imohimi

Dr Elijah Mohammed, Registrar, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) says the council has sealed 808 illegal pharmaceutical premises during the month of July.

Mohammed made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, while giving an update of the councils activities in July.

He said that out of the 1,179 pharmaceutical premises inspected by the councils enforcement team, 740 illegal medicines shops and 68 illegal pharmacies were sealed.

In the month of July, the enforcement team of the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria visited Kwara and Ogun states in line with its mandate to sanitise the healthcare environment of our dear country.

A total of 1,179 pharmaceutical premises were inspected during the visits and at the end of the visit, 808 premises were sealed including 740 illegal medicines shops and 68 illegal pharmacies, Mohammed said.

The registrar expressed dismay over the uncontrolled proliferation of online pharmacies in the country.

He, however, cautioned people who engaged in the sales and promotion of medicines online to visit their PCN state offices to register the online pharmacies latest Aug. 31.

According to him, the minimum requirement for an online pharmacy is its direct affiliation to a registered physical brick and mortar pharmacy.

Failure to do so will lead to the pulling down of such portals and subsequent prosecution.

These include full-fledged online pharmacy websites, stores hosted on all purpose e-commerce sites and also those practiced on social media handles.

Colleagues are encouraged to report erring online pharmacies to this email address, he said.

Mohammed promised that the council was poised to deliver its full mandate especially as it concerned investigation and discipline of professional misconduct among players in the pharmaceutical.

The registrar also encouraged all frontline pharmacists to adhere to the strictest guideline for self-protection in a bid to eradicate COVID-19 virus in the shortest possible time.

He urged pharmacists not to let down their guards, noting that the virus infection rate was still on the increase.

As lockdowns and restrictions are gradually relaxed across the country, I implore all colleagues not to let down their guards as we know that the virus infection rate is not slowing down.

We commiserate with the families of colleagues who have died in the line of duty while we pray for the quick recovery of colleagues who are currently undergoing treatment, he added. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

Danny Rose

Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose has said he is tired of racial discrimination after being regularly stopped by police and asked if his car is stolen.

The 30-year-old England international said he has had similar experiences for the last 15 years.

The last time, last week, when Id just been at my mums house, I had pulled up in a car park. So, the engine was off, he said.

The police pulled in and they brought a riot van, three police cars and questioned me. They said theyd had a report that a car had not been driving correctly.

Im like: So why does that make it my car? I got my ID out and they breathalysed me. Its just one of those things to me now.

Each time its: Is this car stolen? Where did you get it from? Can you prove that you bought this car.

Rose said such incidents had made him sceptical about the prospects of lasting change.

I just give up with hoping that things will change because thats some peoples mentality towards racism.

Rose said last year that he could not wait to leave football because he had had enough of the racism in the game.(Reuters/NAN)

Source: NAN News

President Muhammadu Buhari

By Ismaila Chafe
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday presided over Security Council meeting at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those in attendance include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha.

Others are the Service Chiefs led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ekwe Ibas and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar as well as the National Security Adviser to the President, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, the Director General, Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, the Director General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai, and the Directorate of Military Intelligence also attended the meeting.

Some cabinet Ministers in attendance of the meeting include the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Rauf Aregbesola (Interior); Bashir Magashi (Defence); Muhammad Dingyadi (Police Affairs) and Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada.

Source: NAN News

Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it is working hard to ensure that Nigerians have access to the coronavirus vaccines when available.

Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, Director-General of NCDC, gave the assurance during the Presidential Task Force (PTF) briefing on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja.

Ihekweazu said that the centre was working with the global community to ensure this access.

He informed that data on research and development of a vaccine against COVID-19by the global scientific community showed that results on a possible vaccine were expected in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The DG, while noting that a vaccine was the best weapon in taming the virus, however, stressed that equitable access was key.

He added that the health agency was working together with other colleagues around the continent, through the Africa CDC, to start advocating for some of the trials to be done with African institutions in the short term.

To do this, we have to build capacity, gather sufficient data and include African institutions in these efforts.

We have to start preparing Nigerian population for vaccine delivery when it becomes available.

Access is a very key issue when it comes to vaccines; that a vaccine is developed donot necessarily translate tobeingavailable to those that need it the most.

So, through theAccess to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is working with GAVI to ensure that vaccines are available to countries regardless of their ability to pay.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that GAVI is an international organisation a global Vaccine Alliance, bringing together public and private sectors with the shared goal of creating equal access to new and underused vaccines for children living in the worlds poorest countries.

Its a work in progress and we are all working with Africa CDC and GAVI to ensure that when a vaccine becomes available, Nigerias can have access to it, NCDC boss said.

He also said that it was important to involve the private sector and academia in vaccination manufacturing.

Ihekweazu hinted that the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) would lead the distribution and planning.

The DG pointed out that campaign to enlighten Nigerians on the benefit of the vaccine was important.

This, according to him, is because a small part ofthe population resisted vaccines for different reasons.

So, the time to start the risk communication about the benefits of the vaccine is now.

As soon as a vaccine becomes available, its our collective responsibility to prepare Nigerians for the implementation of the vaccination campaign for whatever form they take.

So, its important that we start thinking about this, the DG said.

Ihekweazu stressed that a vaccine was the biggest weapon to get the virus under control and by far the most important medical tool known in history.

Vaccine development normally takes 10-20 years, but weve made incredible development in the last six months, he said.

Source: NAN News