Council boss opposes Ebola hospital

Chairman, Kuje Area Council, Shaban Tete, on Monday objected to the choice of the Kuje General Hospital as the treatment centre for Ebola, arguing that the decision has triggered tension in the area.

Tete suggested to the government to consider setting up of a specialist centre for the management of the viral disease.

The council chairman, who raised the objection during a stakeholders meeting on Ebola management, in Abuja, convened by the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, said he was not comfortable with the choice of the hospital for the treatment of Ebola.

“We in Kuje are in trouble. This issue is a deadly virus,” he said.

Obviously irked by his comments, the minister told the council boss not to rebel against a decision taken in the best interest of the FCT.

Mohammed said, “You see chairman of Kuje, I am not going to scold you for intransigence but I will tell you that you are operating from a point of ignorance. We cannot seat down here with experts from all over the world to import a disease to Kuje.

U.S. ratchets up Ebola response, officials on high alert

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By Patricia Zengerle and Julie Steenhuysen

WASHINGTON/CHICAGO (Reuters) - The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told lawmakers on Thursday he has activated the agency's emergency operation center at the highest response level to fight the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

Dr Thomas Frieden testified at an emergency hearing that the CDC has more than 200 staff members in Atlanta working on the outbreak, and will soon have more than 50 disease experts in West Africa.

Frieden said he was "confident there will not be a large Ebola outbreak in the United States." However, he said it was possible that people who have traveled to West Africa might bring the virus back home with them, and even spread it to some healthcare workers and family members.

Frieden said it is not clear whether experimental treatments that were given to two infected U.S. aid workers will ultimately be effective. The two are now being cared for at Emory University in Georgia.

Robin Williams Dead of Apparent Suicide at 63

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Robin Williams, the manic comic who morphed from TV's Mork from Ork to Oscar-winning glory, is dead of an apparent suicide. He was 63.

Emergency personnel were called to Williams's home in Tiburon, California, at 11:55 a.m. local time, per the Marin County Sheriff's Office.

Williams was found unconscious and pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are investigating the death, and an autopsy is forthcoming, but initial evidence points to "a suicide due to asphyxia," according to Marin Sheriff's Lt. Keith Boyd.

In a brief statement, publicist Mara Buxbaum said Williams had been "battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time."

"This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend," said Williams's wife, Susan Schneider.

"While the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken. On behalf of Robin's family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to millions."

Alexis Sanchez: Barcelona forward signs for Arsenal

By David Ornstein BBC Sport

Chile international striker Alexis Sanchez has signed for Arsenal from Barcelona on a long-term contract for in the region of £35million.

The 25-year-old scored 47 goals in 141 appearances for Barca and netted two goals in the World Cup in Brazil.
He said: "I'm so happy to be joining a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players and huge support around the world.
"I'm looking forward to playing in the Premier League and Champions League."
The Gunners also remain on course to sign French right-back Mathieu Debuchy, 28, from Newcastle United.

Most expensive summer transfers involving British clubs this summer

Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez agrees to join Arsenal

Chile international striker Alexis Sanchez has agreed to join Arsenal Football Club on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.
Sanchez, 25, joins Arsenal from Barcelona where he made a total of 88 appearances, scoring 39 goals during his three seasons with the Catalan side.
With Barcelona, Sanchez won both La Liga (2012/13) and the Copa del Rey (2012), as well as the Spanish Super Cup on two occasions (2011, 2013), the UEFA Super Cup (2011) and the FIFA Club World Cup (2011).
Regarded as one of the world’s finest talents, Sanchez has just returned from the World Cup in Brazil, where he played an integral role in Chile qualifying from their group (which included the Netherlands, Spain and Australia) and reaching the round of 16. During the tournament, Sanchez scored two goals from his four appearances.

He has consistently produced top-quality performances at the highest level for a number of seasons now and we are all excited to see him integrate into the Arsenal squad
Arsène Wenger

The striker, who has now made 71 appearances for Chile, scoring 24 goals, started his career with Cobreloa, based in Calama in north Chile, where he spent a season before moving to Santiago-based Colo-Colo, where he won the Chilean Primera Division in 2007.
After convincing performances in Chile between 2005 and 2007, Sanchez went on loan to Argentine side River Plate, where he added the Argentinian Primera Division to his honours.
Following his success in South America, Sanchez made a permanent move to Serie A side Udinese in 2008, where he spent three seasons, scoring 20 goals from 95 appearances, before making the move to Barcelona in 2011.
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said: “As many people have seen during the World Cup this summer, Alexis is a fantastic footballer and we are delighted that he is joining us at Arsenal Football Club.
“Alexis will add power, creativity and much quality to our squad and we are all looking forward to him joining up with us in a few weeks. He has consistently produced top-quality performances at the highest level for a number of seasons now and we are all excited to see him integrate into the Arsenal squad. I’m sure all Arsenal supporters will join me in welcoming Alexis to our club.”
Sanchez said: “I’m so happy to be joining Arsenal, a club which has a great manager, a fantastic squad of players, huge support around the world and a great stadium in London. I’m looking forward to meeting my new team-mates and to be playing for Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League. I will give my best to Arsenal and want to make all the supporters happy.”
Sanchez travelled to London Colney on Thursday to complete his medical and will join up with his new team-mates at the end of July, after spending some time on holiday following the World Cup.
It is expected that Sanchez will make his first Arsenal appearance at the Emirates Cup, which takes place at Emirates Stadium on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3.
Sanchez’s Arsenal squad number will be revealed soon through Arsenal’s official Instagram account.
A full interview with Alexis will feature soon on Arsenal Player.
Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Alexis to the club and looks forward to seeing him in an Arsenal shirt.
The transfer is subject to the normal regulatory process

BREAKING NEWS? BREAKING NEWS?BREAKING NEWS?

Shops razed as bomb blast hits Kaduna

There was confusion on Tuesday in the Asikolaye area, along Nnamdi Azikiwe Western bye-pass, Kaduna, as an object suspected to be bomb exploded in the area.

Although as at the time of filing this report there was no casualty but it was gathered that a shop was damaged and windscreens of some vehicles shattered as a result of the impact of the explosion.

It was also learnt that many residents started praying when they had a loud sound.

A source said armed soldiers and other security operatives arrived at the scene and were seen carrying out further checks to ascertain how the incident occurred.

Another source who pleaded anonymity said the suspected bomber must have taking advantage of the quietness of the area and planted the bomb.

How I survived Abuja EMAB explosion, injured student narrates

“I could not tell if I was still on fire. All I knew was that my whole body was so hot and for a second I was restless.”

Michael Anyanacho woke up in the early hours of Wednesday morning to go to EMAB Plaza, Wuse 2, Abuja, where he works to earn extra money for school.

The student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, works as a phone repairer at the plaza, visited by hundreds of Abuja residents daily.

“When (school is) on break I repair phones so I can earn little to take back with me but, presently, school is in session. I just came home for a little break and decided to work as usual because I don’t depend solely on my parents,” Michael explained.

However, on that fateful Wednesday, towards the close of work, Michael found himself running away from EMAB Plaza, his body on fire.