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Covid-19: Messi announces Barca players will take 70 per cent pay-cut

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Barcelona are one of a number of European clubs taking pay cuts during the pandemic Barcelona players will take a 70 per centpay cut during the coronavirus pandemic and make additional contributions to ensure non-sporting staff receive full wages. Captain Lionel Messi said the move was delayed as the players were “looking for a formula to help the club”. Juventus players and manager Maurizio Sarri agreed to freeze their pay for four months at the weekend Spain’s national death toll now stands at 7,340, making it the worst-affected country in the world behind Italy. German sides Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, have also agreed to take pay cuts. In a statement, Barca skipper Messi said, “Before going any further, we want to make it clear that we were always willing to reduce our salaries because we understand perfectly that we are in an exceptional situation. We, as players, are always here to help the the club when they ask. “It does not cease to surprise us th

Wuhan records no coronavirus case for six days

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China on Monday reported a drop in new coronavirus infections for a fourth day as drastic curbs on international travellers reined in the number of imported cases. Meanwhile, policymakers turned their efforts to healing the world’s second-largest economy. The city of Wuhan, at the centre of the outbreak, reported no new cases for a sixth day, as businesses reopened and residents set about reclaiming a more normal life after lockdown for almost two months. “The Wuhan International Plaza is very representative of the city. “So its reopening really makes me feel this city is coming back to life,’’ said Zhang Yu, 29. The National Health Commission said Sunday’s figure of 31 new cases, including one locally transmitted infection, was down from 45 the previous day. As infections fall, policymakers are scrambling to revitalise an economy nearly paralysed by months-long curbs to control the spread of the flu-like disease. The central bank unexpectedly cut the interest rate on r

Senators donate half salaries, to slash NASS 2020 budget

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The senators have agreed to donate half of their March salaries to the fight against the spread of coronavirus in the country. They are however still consulting  among themselves on the amount to cut from their own portion of the N128bn National Assembly budget approved for the year. Investigations by our correspondent on Sunday revealed that the senators have started sending half of their salaries to a dedicated account. The account it was learnt was being coordinated by the Senate Committee on House Services. The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, confirmed to our correspondent on Sunday that his colleagues had started donating half of their March salaries. He said, “We’ve already given out 50 per cent of our  salaries like ministers, (to government)  amidst other individual efforts to our constituents.” But the Leader of the Senate, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, told our correspondent on Sunday that the senators were still consulting on the matter. He, how

COVID-19: Over 600,000 coronavirus cases, 27,000 deaths recorded globally

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Civil Defence members carry a patient on a stretcher as they arrive at the Severo Ochoa hospital in Leganes, Spain. Photo: AFP More than 600,000 cases of the novel coronavirus have been officially recorded around the world since the outbreak of the epidemic, according to an AFP tally at 1045 GMT on Saturday. There were 605,010 cases of infection with 27,982 deaths in 183 countries and territories. The United States had 104,837 cases of which 1,711 were fatal. Italy had the highest number of deaths at 9,134 and a total of 86,498 cases. China, the epicentre of the outbreak, had 81,394 cases and 3,295 deaths. The figures represent only a fraction of the number of infections as many countries only carry out tests on suspected cases if they are hospitalised.

Akure blast shocking, says PDP

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The Peoples Democratic Party on Saturday expressed apprehensions and shock over the explosion that rocked a suburb of Akure, Ondo State. The explosion had injured many people and destroyed numerous houses. The PDP National Publicity Secretary,  Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in a statement, also urged the Federal Government to immediately set up an inter-agency panel to conduct a forensic investigation into the remote and immediate causes of the explosion, particularly the source of the reported explosives and the purpose they were meant to serve. He insisted that a forensic investigation is imperative given the spate of such explosions in various parts of the country in recent time. Ologbondiyan said, “The PDP also demands that the Federal Government should immediately provide palliatives to the victims as well as the communities affected by the blast.” He called on the National Emergency Management Agency to immediately move in and commence the handling of emergency issues in the

Senators sneak into private hospitals for COVID-19 tests

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The last executive session of the Senate before sitting was suspended for two weeks was with a drama over COVID-19. About 35 Senators who recently came back from London after a seminar on Petroleum Industry Governance Bill were isolated by their colleagues at the session because they refused to subject themselves to Coronavirus test. All the remaining senators refused to either shake hands or engage them in discussions. The usual camaraderie was absent as many senators wanted a snappy session. Findings at press time revealed that most of the senators opted for COVID-19 test only in private hospitals because they feared that their health status might leak from government clinics. All of them are keeping the results to themselves. The challenge at hand is that the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, does not know who is positive or negative among his colleagues. The Senate remains at a higher risk.

BREAKING: Davido’s fiancée, Chioma, tests positive for coronavirus

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Singer David Adeleke, aka Davido, has said his fiancée, Chioma, tested positive for coronavirus. Davido disclosed this via his verified Instagram account on Friday evening. He said, “I came back recently from America after cancelling (my) tour. “My fiancée Chioma also came back from London recently with our baby. “We had no symptoms and still both feel perfectly fine but because of our recent travel history, we decided to take ourselves and our all close associates we’ve come in recent contact with for the COVID-19 test on the 25th of March. “Unfortunately, my fiancée’s result came back positive while all 31 others tested negative including our baby. “We are however doing perfectly fine and she is even still yet to show any symptoms whatsoever. “She is now being quarantined and I have also gone into full self-isolation for the minimum 14 days. “I want to use this opportunity to thank you all for your endless love and prayers in advance and to urge everyone to please