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An infographic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows how different styles of beards can stop face masks and respirators from working. The chart was initially released in 2017, but has resurfaced after a top CDC official warned that it’s no longer ‘a question of if…but when’ coronavirus will spread in the US. Being clean shaven or having side whiskers, soul patches and handlebar moustaches will allow the mask to fit properly. However lengthier styles such as the Fu Manchu tashe, mutton chops, beards and even stubble are not recommended because they would likely interfere with seal, allowing air particles to slip in.

Odion Ighalo has scored his first goal for Manchester United as they cruised into the Europa League last 16 at the expense of Club Bruges with one of their best performances of the season. Bruno Fernandes scored his second United penalty in a week after Simon Deli was sent off for a ludicrous handball to block Daniel James' shot. The Portuguese, who was at the centre of everything, had a hand in the second as he lifted a pass over the top to Juan Mata, who squared for full debutant Ighalo to tap in from six yards.

The vice president of Iran is understood to have been infected with coronavirus a day after the country’s health minister confirmed he had tested positive. A state-owned newspaper said vice president Masoumeh Ebtekar has contracted the deadly infection. Iran has emerged as a major hotspot in the region, with 26 fatalities – the highest death toll outside China. A day before,  the country announced deputy health minister Iraj Hairichi is one of those infected in Iran. He had given a news conference on Tuesday seeking to play down the danger posed by the virus. He stopped at one point to wipe away sweat from his forehead.

The Federal Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Nigeria. Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, confirmed the case in a statement issued in the early hours of today, February 28, 2020. According to the statement, the case involves an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria and just returned from Milan, Italy on the 25th of February 2020.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians to be cautious when taking cup of tea popularly known as `Maishayi’ from Hausa tea vendors. NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja today Monday February 24th. The NAFDAC boss said the agency received information that the Hausa tea vendors now mix intoxicating drugs in the tea prepared for customers.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has found Mr Olisa Metuh guilty of money laundering in the sum of N400 million. The trial judge, Justice Okon Abang, found the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) guilty on Tuesday while delivering judgement in the suit instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The anti-graft agency charged Metuh, who is standing trial alongside his company, Destra investment, with seven counts bordering on criminal diversion of the money received from the office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Nigerians should be prepared to pay cost-reflective electricity tariffs in order to enjoy the benefits of the liberalisation of the power sector, the government-owned Transmission Company of Nigeria has said. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, TCN, Mr Usman Mohammed, who said this on Thursday, noted that the government had continued to pump money into the power sector despite privatising it more than six years ago.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Thursday said it has so far recovered over N60 billion from erring banks as excessive charges imposed on customers. The bank also said it has equally returned same amount to the affected customers. This is just as the Apex Bank announced that it had commenced the processes for creation of 10 million jobs in the next five years through investment support in agriculture, using 10 commodity models.

Burna Boy did not clinch the International Male Solo Artist award at 2020 Brit Awards in London on Tuesday night.  The Nigerian singer was nominated along with veteran singer Bruce Springsteen, Dermot Kennedy, Post Malone and Tyler, the Creator. Tyler, 28 years old, an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and music video director won in the category. 

Few days after the news of his exit from Mark Angel Comedy went viral, talented comedian Denilson Igwe has come out to reveals the main reason behind his action. The comedian is also a co-founder of the comedy series which was founded in 2013. Read below:

National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, and the Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Abba Kyari, are allegedly at loggerheads over National Security matters. According to a report by Premium Times, Monguno has accused Kyari of interfering in security matters which he insists is not within the purview of Kyari's office. Read the report below;

Nigeria's Odion Ighalo made history on Monday night as he came on for new club Manchester United in the 2-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, replacing Anthony Martial in the 90th minute. Ighalo wearing the number 25 jersey, broke two records on Monday night - He is now the fist Nigerian player to play for United since the creation of the club 142 years ago and the 200th player to make appearance for Manchester United in the Premier League.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Diri Duoye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), governorship candidate as the validly elected Governor of Bayelsa State, following Thursday’s s Supreme Court judgement. INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu who announced the decision of the Commission after several hours of meeting in Abuja said, the Commission will consequently issue him the Certificate of return to enable his inauguration.

The Federal government has pledged N36 million cash gift to any Nigerian scientist who can find a cure for Coronavirus. Minister of Techology, Ogbonnaya Onu, announced this when he spoke at the send forth party organised in honour of the former director of Chemical Technology in the ministry, who recently retired. The Minister said Nigerian scientists need to go into research to find a cure for coronavirus so the world can know that Nigeria has the best minds.

President Vladimir Putin has ruled out legalizing gay marriage in Russia. Speaking on Thursday in Kremlin, where he met a state commission to discuss the changes to Russia's constitution, the 67-year-old spoke against allowing the traditional notion of mother and father to be 'subverted' by what he called "parent number 1" and "parent number 2".

Ahead the valentine’s day celebration, Professor John Oxford from Queen Mary University has advised people to avoid hugging and kissing in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The Professor explained while on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the deadly coronavirus is a ‘social virus’ and that people could protect themselves by employing a bit of ‘British standoffishness’. He described the illness as a ‘social virus’ that could infect people by close contact and want people to cut contact off.

The Supreme Court on Thursday nullified the election of Bayelsa State governor-elect, David Lyon and his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, who were already preparing to be inaugurated into office. A five-man panel of the apex court led by Justice Mary Peter-Odili ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to the All Progressives Congress’ candidates as the winners of the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.

The world’s richest man just set a new record for priciest home in Los Angeles. Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos paid $165 million for David Geffen’s palatial Beverly Hills home, sources said. That beats the previous record for priciest residential purchase of $150 million in LA set last year for a Bel Air estate known as Chartwell.

The Rivers Police Command has banned the use of sirens, revolving lights, spy and covered number plates in the state. A statement signed by the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, said the Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura, banned the aforementioned facilities due to the directive of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, on the abuse and indiscriminate use without appropriate approvals.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, said on Wednesday about one billion barrels of crude oil have been discovered in the North-East part of Nigeria. Sylva disclosed this at a news conference on the 2020 Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) held in Abuja. He said: “The figure we are getting, the jury is not totally out yet but from the evaluation results we are getting the reserve that has been discovered in the northeast is about a billion barrels.

The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari has expressed disappointment with the state of power generation in Nigeria.  Speaking at the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit which provided opportunity for the signing of a $1.1 million grant between Nigeria and the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) as part-funding for the Abuja Independent Power Project (IPP) in Abuja on Tuesday February 11, the NNPC Chief lamented that Nigerians are still struggling to afford a day’s meal and that electricity is now "a luxury” exclusive for the elite.

The United States of America, Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, on Tuesday, hinted that the Immigration ban placed on Nigeria is a temporary measure that will hopefully be resolved “in a single-digit month.” The Ambassador gave the hint on Tuesday during a courtesy call to the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila. The Speaker, according to a statement by his Spokesperson, Lanre Lasisi, expressed displeasure over the measure taken by the United States, and called for clarification on the ban.

Nigerian soldiers serving in the North East have kicked as the Federal government allegedly released 1,400 ”repentant” Boko Haram suspects recently under the Operation Safe Corridor programme, which was launched in 2016. The Federal government reportedly released the rehabilitated sect members in Borno state and this was confirmed by Babakura Jato, the commissioner of Information in Borno state. Jato in a chat with newsmen, said those rehabiliated suspects were released after it was discovered that they were neither members of the sect or were discovered to be children of Boko Haram members.

Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has emerged winner of the 2019 African Leadership Magazine Person of the Year award for Philanthropy & Charitable Contributions to Society. Otedola made history in December 2019 when he donated N5 billion to charity, the highest donation made by an individual in Nigeria. The Publisher of the Magazine Mr. Ken Giami, who unveiled the list of winners at the UK Head Office of the group, said the winners shall be decorated and presented with their awards on February 28th in Johannesburg, South Africa, at an event that will attract a wide spectrum of African policy, diplomatic and business leaders. The award, which is largely via voting, had over 300, 000 entries in the keenly contested polls for the 7 different categories.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has allegedly traced billions to accounts linked to Chinedum Orji, the former Governor of Abia State T.A Orji's son, who is now the Speaker of Abia House of Assembly. The money was uncovered after a group, Fight Corruption: Save Nigeria Group filed a petition against the former Governor and his son on March 17, 2017. T.A. Orji who served two terms as governor between 2007 and 2011 and now represents Abia Central Senatorial district, was accused of withdrawing N500 million monthly as security vote from the state’s treasury during his eight years in office.

This year's Academy Awards held in Los Angeles. Here's the full list of winners and nominees. Best picture Winner: Parasite Ford v Ferrari The Irishman Jojo Rabbit Joker Little Women Marriage Story 1917 Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood

Bill Gates has commissioned the world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht, in a £500m signal of his belief that investment in new clean technology is the best way to cut carbon emissions. The retired 64-year-old is behind the construction of a cutting-edge vessel by the Dutch superyacht specialist Feadship. The custom build is based on blueprints for the 112-metre design "Aqua" publicised last year at the Monaco Yacht Show by the Dutch marine architects Sinot to draw environmentally sensitive billionaires. It said the plans took “inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner”.

The Lagos State Government has appealed to residents of the State, particularly the leisure and entertainment business operators to be compliant with environmental laws guiding their operations during the forth coming Valentine’s day celebration, urging them to “spread love and not noise” This appeal was contained in a statement jointly released by the duo of General Manager, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, Dr Dolapo Fasawe and Director General, Safety Commission, Mr. Lanre Mojola in Ikeja.

Shege ka Fasa, a security outfit created by the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, was launched yesterday to operate as the northern regional security outfit similar to Amotekun. The CNG said the reason for setting up the outfit was to complement the police and military in efforts to deal with the security problem in the region. The outfit would also carry out specific and general task that would realign attitude and thinking of the public with the ideals and objectives of the founding fathers of the region.

An individual may no longer be able to own more than three phone lines going by a directive handed down to the Nigerian Communications Commission by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isah Pantami. The directive was based on security considerations. Pantami directed the NCC to revise the policy on SIM card registration and usage, according to a statement issued by his Technical Assistant on Information Technology, Dr Femi Adeluyi, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Odion Ighalo says he was so desperate to join Manchester United he took a pay cut to make the deal happen and did not sleep the night it was agreed. The 30-year-old Nigeria forward has joined United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua until the end of the season. The ex-Watford player says his mum cried at the news and there were parties on the street where he grew up.

Russia plans to expel foreigners who test positive for the fast-spreading new coronavirus, Interfax news agency reported on Monday (Feb 3), as nations worldwide try to curb an outbreak that has killed 361 people in China since it emerged in December. Russia, which has a 4,300km border with China, reported two cases of the virus last week, in the Siberian region of Tyumen and the far eastern Zabaykalsky region, both involving Chinese nationals.

Patoranking just launched 'patoranking scholarship' and he is offering 10 Nigerian students full scholarship. He says the scholarship will offer 10 students to study at Africa’s most innovative university. He made the announcement on Instagram, informing Nigerians thus;

The US House of Representatives is set on a fresh course of collision with President Donald Trump, this time over the Friday restriction of immigrant visa against Nigerians and nationals of five other countries. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Saturday that the new policy smacked of discrimination and undermined the US global leadership, constitution and heritage.