TheNewsGuru

Tag: UK

  • Football may face second COVID-19 lockdown – Guardiola

    Football may face second COVID-19 lockdown – Guardiola

    Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said football must accept its fate if lockdown extends to professional sport for a second time in England amid the coronavirus pandemic.

    Guardiola expressed a concern that many businesses are under threat at a time when football, albeit without fans, may get a special pass from the UK government.

    Prime minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday that the Premier League would be allowed to continue behind closed doors, during a four-week national lockdown that will see business such as non-essential shops close their doors, along with pubs and restaurants.

    Guardiola, who was speaking after a win at Sheffield United on Saturday, “It’s difficult,” he said.

    “I know the prime minister is taking the decision because the situation is getting worse. It happened in Spain, Germany and France. Everywhere.

    “So the virus is still there. Maybe people say it is stronger. I think the world of football cannot be an exception in what is happening in society.

    “So if we have to play, we will play. But we don’t want to be different from the rest of society when they have to close restaurants or close whatever.

    “It’s a position in which I am not involved. I want to be safe. I want to keep well for myself, for my family, my friends, for all England, all of the UK. But honestly I don’t know.”

  • BREAKING: UK announces fresh four weeks of COVID-19 lockdown

    BREAKING: UK announces fresh four weeks of COVID-19 lockdown

    The United Kingdom (UK) has announced a fresh four-week Coronavirus (COVID-19) for England as the country passed one million cases.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the lockdown Saturday evening in a national broadcast.

    Non-essential shops and hospitality will have to close for four weeks on Thursday, he said.

    But unlike the restrictions in spring, schools, colleges and universities will be allowed to stay open.

    It comes as documents suggested the UK was on course for a much higher death toll than during the first wave.

    The lockdown is due to last until 2 December, the prime minister said at a Downing Street news conference.

    Takeaways will be allowed to stay open as pubs, bars and restaurants close and people are being told they can only meet one person from outside their household outdoors.

    Mr Johnson, who chaired a cabinet meeting on Saturday afternoon, will make a statement to Parliament on Monday.

    The UK recorded another 21,915 confirmed coronavirus cases on Saturday, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 1,011,660.

    Another 326 people were reported to have died within 28 days of a positive test.

    The UK is the ninth country to reach the milestone of a million cases – after the US, India, Brazil, Russia, France, Spain, Argentina and Colombia.

    But the true number of infections is expected to be higher due to a lack of widespread testing at the start of the pandemic.

    More details later…

  • UK revives visa application centres in Nigeria

    UK revives visa application centres in Nigeria

    The United Kingdom High Commission has announced the reopening of its visa application centres in Nigeria.

    This is coming barely one week after it shut down its visa application offices in Victoria Island, Abuja and Lagos over the crisis arising from #EndSARS protests in the country.

    The UK made this known in a statement via its Twitter handle.

    It noted, however, that its centres would not open on Thursday due to the public holiday in Nigeria for Maolud Nabbiyy.

    The notice was titled ‘update on UK visa application centres in Nigeria’.

    Part of the notice read, “Our TLS contact visa application centres are now open in Nigeria. Following the recent closures, we are working hard to process all outstanding applications.

    “We thank you for your continued patience and understanding. Please note Thursday, October 29, is a public holiday in Nigeria and our Visa application centres will be closed.”

    Meanwhile, a judicial panel in Lagos on Tuesday inaugurated an inquiry into the shooting of peaceful protesters last week and broader police brutality that had sparked demonstrations and unrest.

    The state had been rocked by violence since demonstrators were gunned down in the economic hub on October 20, sparking international outrage and rioting.

    Amnesty International says 12 people were shot dead by the police and army at two locations, in assaults shared widely on social media.

    The #EndSARS protests in the state drew support from celebrities around the globe and turned into one of the biggest challenges to the governing elite in years.

     

  • #EndSARS: UK closes visa application centres in Nigeria

    #EndSARS: UK closes visa application centres in Nigeria

    The United Kingdom (UK) has shut down its visa application centres in Nigeria over the nationwide violence arising from the fallout of the #EndSARS protests in the country.

    The UK made this known in a statement on its website.

    The statement was titled, ‘Important: Closure of our Visa application centre’.

    The statement read, “Due to the ongoing protest in Nigeria and for the safety of both staff and applicants, our Nigeria centres will be closed for 48 hours at a minimum.

    “For applicants with booked appointments within this period, please you will need to reschedule your appointment for next week, from 26th October 2020.

    “We will continue to post regular updates on this page, so please keep checking back for the latest information on reopening.

    “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.”

    Recall the United States on Tuesday also shut down its consulate in Lagos.

     

  • COVID-19: PTF warns Nigerians against travelling to US, UK, France, others

    COVID-19: PTF warns Nigerians against travelling to US, UK, France, others

    The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on Monday warned Nigerians against travelling to or receiving travellers from the United States of America, United Kingdom, India, Russia and France.

    The warning came on the backdrop of increased COVID-19 cases in those countries.

    It also warned #EndSARS protesters against contracting and spreading the virus while gathering to protest against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

    The calls were made at the PTF’s media briefing in Abuja on Monday.

    The National Coordinator of the PTF, Dr Sani Aliyu, while answering a question on the protests, said, “On the impact of what has been going on and incidence of (having) new COVID-19 infections in the country, we are monitoring the situation in terms of testing closely.

    “We will continue to urge all – the young, the old, and the vulnerable – to please be careful. Any mass gathering of any sort is an event amplifying the situation for COVID-19. And COVID-19 is still very much around with us, we don’t want to get infected and carry the infection to our loved ones, especially those at home that might be vulnerable.”

    The task force’s chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also corroborated Aliyu’s position.

    The SGF, who urged the #EndSARS protesters to harken to the invitation to dialogue, emphasising that non-compliance with the non-pharmaceutical protocols were risky adventures that must be avoided.

    “We urge everyone who has been exposed unduly to large gathering to get tested and/or report any signs of the symptoms of COVID-19,” he said.

    Mustapha also noted that the global cases of COVID-19 rose by a record 400,000 cases on October 16 with 43 per cent of all the cases occurring in Europe, especially in the UK and France.

    “The top five countries in new cases reported in the last 24 hours are India (55,511); USA (44,941); France (29,837); UK (16,982) and Russia (15,099).

    “It is important to take precaution when planning to travel or receive travellers from these countries,” he said.

    He however said Nigeria was on the path to winning the war against the virus.

    Mustapha said, “The PTF continues to monitor developments in-country and around the world so as to improve on its activities and its decisions.”

    He said 4,876 patients recovered and were discharged which represents a 388 per cent increase when compared with 967 people discharged in the previous week.

    The SGF added that cumulatively, a total of 56,611 patients had been discharged after treatment, representing 92 per cent of all cases in Nigeria.

    “Last week was week 34 of our National Response and week 42 of the year. Indications are that Nigeria appears to be winning the war against COVID-19. Some of the current figures support this position.”

    According to him, in the 34th week of the pandemic in Nigeria, a total of 1,174 new cases were recorded in the country, representing a 32 per cent increase from the 921 recorded in the previous week.

    Mustapha said, “This statistical review becomes very relevant when we remember that over the same period, quite a number of large gathering events, particularly the protests across the country have been taking place.

    “It becomes more pertinent because of the fact that measures such as mask wearing, social distancing and use of sanitisers were never observed.”

  • Johnson to decide next move on Brexit talks after spat with Brussel

    Johnson to decide next move on Brexit talks after spat with Brussel

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to decide his country’s next moves on Friday in fraught negotiations for a post-Brexit trade deal following a spat over a statement from EU leaders.

    Johnson is expected to indicate whether he plans to press on with negotiations on future relations or make good on a previous threat to walk away from talks and instead focus on preparing for a no-deal scenario, in spite the economic consequences.

    An early morning statement from a close Johnson ally, Foreign Minister Dominic Raab, suggested the prime minister was unlikely to call time just yet.

    Only two issues are obstructing a deal, Raab said: access to fisheries and so-called “level playing field” guarantees demanded by the EU on future British standards.

    “We are close,’’ he said.

    Eight months after Britain formally left the EU, progress towards a deal remains elusive.

    With Britain due to exit a post-Brexit transition period at the end of the year, talks have been frustrated by disagreement on fisheries, assurances on environmental and social standards, and governance of potential disputes.

    Both sides expressed disappointment in the results of talks in the last few days, but all signs pointed to the prolongation of negotiations past a Thursday deadline touted by London in September as the last realistic chance to clinch a deal.

    However, a statement from EU leaders inked at a Brussels summit on Thursday evening that called on Britain to “make the necessary moves to make an agreement possible” drew the ire of London’s chief negotiator David Frost.

    “Surprised by suggestion that to get an agreement all future moves must come from the UK. It’s an unusual approach to negotiations,” he wrote on Twitter hours later.

    Johnson is to make a statement on Friday and has indicated that the threat to walk away still stands.

    Brussels fears London will undercut it in business by loosening often-costly rules on environmental protection or labour rights – commonly known as “dumping.”

    London refutes this, and insists it has not left the EU only to be bound by its regulatory regime.

    The EU also wants a trade deal to be contingent on continued reciprocal fishing rights access, while Johnson wants British waters to be reserved chiefly for domestic exploitation.

    On Jan. 1, the EU’s regulatory regime will cease to apply in Britain and a deal – if it is struck – would set out the new rules governing everything from customs checks and data-sharing to police cooperation.

    A no-deal scenario would lead to serious economic disruption, affecting businesses and supply chains on both sides.

  • Britain to require passports from EU travellers from 2021

    Britain to require passports from EU travellers from 2021

    Britain’s government on Thursday said travellers from the European Union wanting to enter the country would be required to show their passports as from October 2021.

    Previously, EU citizens were allowed to use identity cards to enter Britain, as is the case in the rest of the 27-member bloc.

    The requirement will be in place from October 2021, according to the British government’s policy paper “The Border Operating Model’’ .

    The new regulation also applies to visitors from Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

    The government argues that identity cards are less secure than passports.

    Britain officially left the EU at the end of January but remains in a transition period until the end of the year, during which little has changed in terms of practical arrangements.

    Britain is set to leave the EU internal market and customs union on Jan. 1, but is yet to close a new trade agreement with the bloc.

    Without an agreement in place, there is a threat of serious disruption for businesses and supply chains.

  • Sovereignty: UK replies FG, defends visa ban threats on perpetrators of electoral malpractices

    Sovereignty: UK replies FG, defends visa ban threats on perpetrators of electoral malpractices

    The United Kingdom (UK) says it respects absolutely the sovereignty of the Nigerian Government but also has the right to determine who to enter her country or not.

    Ms Catriona Laing, British High Commissioner to Nigeria, made this remark during an orientation programme for people with disability, seeking Chevening scholarship opportunities in the UK, on Thursday in Abuja.

    This is also coming following the response of the Nigerian government that it considers it disrespectful to the sovereignty of Nigeria, for any outside authority to judge the conduct of its citizens and apply punitive measures such as visa restriction.

    Recall that the governments of the United States of America and the UK announced visa imposition on anyone who constitutes violence and undermines electoral processes in the Edo and Ondo States elections.

    Laing, however, said that the UK welcomed the fact that the Nigerian Government was following up on any violence, commending the peaceful conduct of the Sept. 19 elections in Edo.

    She further said that the issue of visa restriction on perpetrators of electoral violence was the UK’s visa policy

    The high commissioner added that the Government of the UK could determine who travels to the country.

    “It is our visa policy, the UK and we can determine who comes to the UK.

    “So, that is a non-sovereign right.

    “And all we are saying is that in line with Nigerian policy, that those who commit violence or who incite violence, there may be an implication for that person when they apply for a visa to the UK.

    “So, I think it is actually completely consistent with the Nigerian policy.

    “This is our visa policy, but obviously, it is for Nigeria to determine how they deal with these perpetrators in Nigeria,’’ Laing said.

    Responding on if the UK would heed the Nigerian Government’s response and drop such plans of imposing a visa ban on the individuals, Laing said she was surprised with the response of the government.

    She recalled that prior to the 2019 general election, the Nigerian Government welcomed its policy.

    On the award of Chevening scholarship to Nigerians, Laing said that many Nigerians had benefited from the programme over the years, putting the numbers in thousands.

    “Because the programme has been running for a long time and in this year, we are sending 49,’’ Laing stated

  • Burna Boy becomes first Nigerian artist with certified silver album in UK

    Burna Boy becomes first Nigerian artist with certified silver album in UK

    Nigerian superstar, Damini Ogulu, a.k.a Burna Boy has become the first Nigerian artist with a certified silver album, “African Giant” in the UK.

    The renowned singer, who said he was so excited over the achievement, took to his Instagram page @burnaboygram to announce the news to his fans and also expressed love to everyone that supported him.

    “AFRICAN GIANT SILVER IN THE UK ?? & OWN IT X2 PLATINUM.

    “Shouts to my brudda Stormzy ? and love to everyone that supports us. Go stream `REAL LIFE’ now,” he wrote.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that a silver certification in the UK means an album has sold 60, 000 copies.

    NAN also reports that this came after news that ‘Own It’ by Stormzy featuring Burna Boy and Ed Sheeran, has a two-time platinum certification for selling 600,000 copies.

    On June 4, it was announced that ‘Be Honest’, the 2019 single by British singer, Jorja Smith featuring Grammy nominee, Burna Boy has been certified platinum in France.

    Burna Boy had accepted a gold plaque for his 2018 single “On The Low’’. The gold plaque is for selling 100,000 (or more) copies.

    A gold plaque can also be handed to an artist, whose single has been streamed 15 million times in the country, thus 15 million streams of a single in France is equivalent to 100,000 pure sales.

    Burna Boy is a multi-awarding Nigerian Afro-Pop singer, whose sound inspired by Nigerian legend Fela Kuti.

    He got his breakthrough in 2012 with his hit single such as to Party off his debut album ‘L.I.F.E’ released in 2013.

    Burna Boy in 2017, signed with Bad Habit/Atlantic Records in the U. S. and Warner Music Group internationally.

    He released his first major label backed album ‘Outside’ in 2018.

    The artist immense contribution in entertainment industry coupled with his numerous songs has made him outstanding.

  • Edo indigenes in UK laud Buhari, world leaders over guber polls

    Edo indigenes in UK laud Buhari, world leaders over guber polls

    The Concerned Indigenes of Edo State in the UK have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring a free, fair and credible gubernatorial election in Edo State.

    Speaking to TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) correspondent in London, the spokesperson for the group, Deacon Henry Olovba recounted how they feared for the lives of their loved ones in Edo State who would have been the victims of any use of force by security agencies in the course of the election.

    “We were worried for our friends and families in Edo who have threatened to resist any attempt by security agencies to disenfranchise them from exercising their civic rights.

    “As you know, the gun is only a friend to the one who holds it and presses the trigger facing a target. We knew that, if push comes to shove, the security agencies might deploy the use of force against any resistance.

    “This concern necessitated our raising a petition to the British Prime Minister who we know enjoys a good relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari, to help us appeal to him to ensure that no external interference by security agencies, that ordinarily should not be on ground in Edo State on Election Day.

    “You will recall that on Thursday 10 September, our group went to the Nigeria High Commission here in London to hand a copy of our petition to the Ambassador for onward transmission to President Buhari. This was after submitting the master copy to the British Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson.

    “I made a press statement outside the Nigeria High Commission on behalf of the group, appealing to our Prime Minister and other world leaders to help us appeal to our President on the subject matter.

    “Barely 2 days after that appeal, the United States of America made some strong statements regarding election riggers and placing travel ban on some un-named people.

    “Within 24 hours of the US statement, the British Government warned of consequences for anyone who engages in electoral malpractices and violence in the Edo and Ondo States’ elections.

    “Few days to the election, President Buhari reassured Nigerians and Edo indigenes of his commitment to a free and fair election as part of his resolve to strengthen our democratic process,” Olovba said.

    Deacon Olovba noted that, their appeal yielded the needed outcome. He said the 2020 Edo guber election which held on Saturday 19 September has been adjudged as one of the most credible elections in Nigeria in recent times.

    He expressed his appreciation, on behalf of the group, to President Buhari, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for doing their due diligence in ensuring a peaceful election.

    He also thanked Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Donald Trump for lending their voices to the call for a violence-free election in Edo State.

    He commended the electorates for coming out in their numbers to cast their votes and assured them that, with this template set by this election, future elections would see more participation.

    Deacon Olovba used the opportunity to call on Governor Godwin Obaseki to be magnanimous in victory, and work for all Edos across party divide and provide dividends of democracy to the electorates who gave him the overwhelming support.

    He said, election is over, now its time for governance.