ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: Sunday

08 Nov ALL THE RELEVANT NEWS: Sunday

🔵COVID-19 Update: The US elections took attention of the world off the coronavirus pandemic, but it is still ravaging Europe, the US and other countries. Worldwide, there are over 50 million confirmed cases (50,263,181); 1,256,352 deaths and 35,548,003 recoveries
* The US reported a third straight daily record for new cases on Friday, when more than 127,000 infections and 1,149 deaths were reported in 24 hours. It is the worst affected nation in the world, with more than 10 million confirmed cases and a death toll of more than 230,000.
* In Nigeria, 59 new infections were recorded on Saturday, taking total confirmed cases to 63790; with 59884 recoveries and 1154 deaths.

🔵President Buhari’s engagement process with Nigerians kicked off yesterday with a meeting of a Presidential delegation led by Ibrahim Gambari and leaders of the South-East , who pledged their commitment to an indivisible and united Nigeria “built on love, fairness, equity and justice.” They also complained about “marginalization” of the region.

🔵Minister Fashola says FG has paid over N725 billion to the 36 states of the federation as part of the refund for work on federal roads in their states; and has earmarked N80.9bn to rehabilitate 50 bridges nationwide

🔵IGP Adamu orders police to resist violent protesters.

🔵The US Presidential election: Much of the world exploded with joy and relief yesterday as Joe Biden won the election. He won the key battleground of Pennsylvania, propelling him over the 270 electoral college vote threshold required to win.
* Relief came at a time it was feared democracy, the best system of government, was going to fail in a country which serves as a beacon.
* Relief came in the confirmation that a system that works has the capacity to correct and re-invent itself; and that in a system that works, public officers are eventually accountable to the people when every vote counts.
* What needs to happen next: The process is smooth but complications are expected from Donald Trump’s legal battles.
* From now, the votes need to be certified in each of the states. That’s usually a formality and should happen in the next few weeks.
*In the US Constitution, the new term of office begins on 20 January at noon.
*Trump, a super narcissist, hates to be a loser but except something dramatic happens, there may not be much to do about this. Reality will dawn as the world, including some of his allies and staff members begin to pull away from him.
*Countries like Germany, Britain, Canada and France would not make a mistake to congratulate a president-elect. Even Netanyahu has joined other leaders in congratulating Biden. He thanked Trump though.
* In a victory speech last night, Biden pledged to unite the US.