Covid returns to China's Wuhan after more than a year without a single case

The virus is back in Wuhan where the first Covid outbreak was detected, more than a year without a single case.

Rafael Nadal opens up on his mental health ahead of bid for history at US Open

 

Rafael Nadal, (Getty image)

The world number three admitted there are times he has felt "anxious" during his career, while saying he feels no extra pressure to win a record 21st Grand Slam title in New York.

Rafael Nadal has opened up about his own mental health ahead of the North American hard court swing, where he will bid to win a record 21st Major at the US Open. Speaking in Washington as he prepares to play the Citi Open for the first time, he admitted to feeling anxious at times in his career. With Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic all tied on 20 Grand Slams, one could pull ahead in New York and make history.

The world number three is gearing up to play his first match since a shock semi-final loss to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros.

The 13-time French Open champion was an obvious favourite to capture the title again this spring, which would have taken him to a record 21 Grand Slam titles.

Instead, the Serb went on to sweep both the French crown and Wimbledon, meaning he, Nadal and Federer now sit equal with 20 Majors, the most any male player has ever achieved

It means there is even more pressure weighing on the upcoming US Open, presenting the chance for one of the big three to pull ahead in the Grand Slam race with a historical win.

Ahead of his opening round clash against Jack Sock at the Citi Open, the Spaniard said he would be approaching the US Open in the same way as always, despite history being on the line.

Speaking to CBS Evening News, Nadal said: “Honestly, it's the same important as always. The fact that Novak has 20, Roger have 20, I have 20 don't increase the motivation for me, or the pressure.

“My approach will not change. I always stay the same. I do my way. If Novak or Roger plays there and win, okay, well done for them. I will not be frustrated for that.

“I know I achieve something that I never dreamed about, and I gonna keep fighting for, keep doing things.”

The 35-year-old has been getting involved in the current mental health conversation happening in sport, having openly voiced his support for Simone Biles after she withdrew from multiple Olympic events.

After recently saying he “100%” respected her decision, Nadal opened up about his own mental health and admitted there have been moments of stress and anxiety, including in 2015.

"Everybody approaches the issues in a different way,” he said.

"We are under pressure because the competition makes you feel more stress. But, at the same time, we are super lucky persons, you know, because we are able to work on one of our hobbies.

“The most important thing in this life, in my opinion, is be happy, more than anything else.

"Sometimes you feel a little bit anxious.”

The man known as the ‘King of Clay’ shared different methods athletes could take to tackle their mental struggles, admitting he pushed through in the past and was able to accept his losses.

“One approach is stop it for a while and try to recover.

“Another approach is just keep trying and accept that you have this problem. You accept that you will not win.

“My approach was to keep going and slowly overcome that situation. So I was doing, and after eight months I started to feel much better.”

In Sokoto, 14 Corps Members Test Positive for COVID-19

Corps

Fourteen National Youth Service Corps members, undergoing orientation have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sokoto state.

Seven PDP NWC Members Resign From Office

pdp

Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) The party’s National Organising Secretary, Colonel Austin Akobundu (retd), confirmed Tuesday that seven members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party have resigned from office.

He said those who resigned from their offices are deputy members of the party’s NWC

The names of those involved were yet to be determined at the time of this report.

However, they were thought to have taken the action to put pressure on the National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, to vacate his position.

Even though his tenure is to end in December, he is believed to be eyeing a fresh tenure in office.

It's almost certain Abba Kyari will be extracted to the US

 

Abba Kyari

The deputy commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari may be facing possible extradition after he was suspended by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali.

Kyari has also been removed as the head of the Intelligence Response Team, IRT and is currently facing a special panel looking into his indictment by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI.

IGP has recommended the suspension of DCP Abba Kyari over FBI indictment

Usman Baba

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has recommended the immediate suspension of DCP Abba Kyari, the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), from the Service of the Nigeria Police Force, pending the outcome of an ongoing internal investigations.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by CP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer on Saturday.

A High Court has ordered the forfeiture of Diezani’s jewellery, gold iPhone worth $40m

Diezani at the world economic forum

Report suggests that Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the forfeiture of 2,149 pieces of jewellery and a customised gold iPhone, valued at $40m, belonging to Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Minister of Petroleum Resources.

Cristiano Ronaldo is highest-paid player, Lionel Messi third - Forbes

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo remained atop Forbes' list of the world's highest-paid athletes, beating out NBA star LeBron James.

Ronaldo, 32, is reckoned to have earned $93 million (€82.5m, £71.7m) between his Real salary ($58m) and off-the-field endorsements ($35m) last year. Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi, who was No. 2 last year, was third on the list, with calculated earnings of $80m ($53m in salary/winnings, $27m in endorsements).

Beyoncé And Jay Z Are Officially A Billion-Dollar Couple

Beyoncé and husband Jay Z are set to welcome twins this summer, joining their daughter Blue Ivy, 5. Buying new baby equipment shouldn't be much of a problem: Beyoncé and Jay Z are now officially a billion-dollar couple.
Per FORBES' list of America's Wealthiest Self-Made Women--released recently --Beyoncé, 35, has amassed a personal fortune of $350 million. The total for Jay Z, 47, has soared to $810 million per last week's ranking of hip-hop's richest acts (he trails No. 1 Diddy by just $10 million). That brings the couple to a combined net worth of $1.16 billion and counting.

NCC confirms MTN’s payment of another N30bn

 By Michael Okafor

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday, 31 March 2017, confirmed that MTN, on Thursday, 30 March 2017, paid additional N30 billion, being the third payment of the N330 billion fine imposed on the telecoms company for refusal to deactivate 5.2 million unregistered SIM cards on its network.

Experts report on why Naira depreciates despite CBN intervention

By Michael Okakor:

The President, Association of Bureau De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, has blamed the recent depreciation of naira on the speculators’ resistance by the banking industry.

The president revealed on Saturday in Lagos that the refusal of some banks to sell the invisibles such as personal and business travel allowances frustrated naira recovery.

The ABCON chief said that the CBN had recently accused the banks of frustrating its policies.

Biafra: Peter Obi asks Nigerian government to release Nnamdi Kanu

A former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi has called on the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Obi said there was need for the Nigerian government to change its ‘hardline posture and yield to the persistent clamour” by releasing the IPOB leader from detention.

Kalu was last year arrested by the DSS for leading a secessionist group.

Speaking with journalists in Enugu on Thursday, Obi said the federal government ought to engage the Biafra activists in dialogue as that was the only means the agitation could be resolved.

Exchange rate: Naira appreciates

As at today, March 23, 2017, Naira is being sold at N410 to a dollar.

Nnamani must quit as Electoral Reform Committee Chairman – Fayose

Ekiti State Governor and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has called for the immediate resignation of former Senate President, Ken Nnamani as chairman of the Electoral Reform Committee and allow a non-partisan person to take over, saying “if the federal government is serious about electoral reform, Senator Nnamani, a card carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won’t head the Electoral Reform Committee.”

Senate says democracy under threat as SGF shuns invitation

The Senate on Wednesday raised the alarm that the failure of the executive to answer legislative summons would end democracy in the country.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, stated this in an interview with The PUNCH, while reacting to a letter written by the Secretary to the Government of the  Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal.

The SGF, in the letter to the upper chamber on Wednesday, said he had dragged the Senate to court over a probe into the alleged management of funds meant for the rehabilitation of the North-East.

Verizon, AT&T suspend ads from Google over offensive videos

The Verizon logo is seen on the side of a truck in New York City, U.S., October 13, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

(Reuters) - U.S. wireless carriers Verizon Communications Inc and AT&T Inc said on Wednesday they have suspended digital advertising on Google's YouTube and other advertising platforms not related to search over concerns that their ads may have run next to extremist videos.

Verizon and AT&T joined a list of well-known British brands such as retailer Marks and Spencer Group Plc deserting Alphabet Inc's Google. Google is under fire in Europe from politicians and brands angered by ads appearing alongside videos on its YouTube platform carrying homophobic or anti-Semitic messages.

Pres Buhari says VP Yemi Osinbajo remains in charge as he continues his rest in Abuja

President Buhari who arrived Nigeria from London today, has asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to continue piloting the affairs of the nation as he needs more time to rest. He said this when he met with Osinbajo, his cabinet members and some governors at the state house this morning.

President Muhammadu Buhari Returns To Nigeria.

The Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari on Friday morning returned to the country after 49 days of medical vacation.

He arrived at exactly 7.41am at the Air Force Base Mando in Kaduna State.

The President was received by the Kaduna State Deputy Governor Bala Bantex, GOC 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, the Air Officer Commanding,Training Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshall Christopher Okoye, the Commissioner of police and other dignitaries.

President Buhari after alighting from the Presidential Jet,

Naira depreciates as central bank moves to intervene again

The naira on Wednesday depreciated sharply to N465 per dollar in the parallel market due to upsurge in demand for dollars importers travelling to China.

Investigations revealed that the parallel market exchange rate rose from N448 per dollar on Tuesday to close at N465 per dollar at the close of business on Wednesday, indicating N17 depreciation.

GT Bank declares N165.14bn profit in 2016

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc on Wednesday posted a profit before tax of N165.14 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2016.

The profit represented a growth of 37 per cent when compared to N120.69 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2015.

A statement issued by the bank in Lagos said the bank’s gross earnings for the review period grew by 37 per cent to N414.62 billion from N301.85 billion reported in December 2015.