Israel Set to Advance 4,000 Settlement, US Says damages Two State Solution Prospect

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May 9, 2022

PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-SETTLEMENT — A general view shows ongoing construction work in the Israeli settlement of Givat Zeev, near the Palestinian city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on October 28, 2021. - Israel on October 27 advanced plans for building more than 3,000 settler homes in the occupied West Bank, a move condemned by the Palestinians that came a day after the US forcefully criticised such construction. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)

Israel is set to advance plans for nearly 4,000 housing units in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, despite firm American opposition to settlement construction.

The Defense Ministry said 2,536 units are slated to be green-lit through the final planning stage by the Civil Administration’s Higher Planning Subcommittee at the Thursday meeting, while another 1,452 will advance through an earlier stage in the permitting process known as deposit.

The expected approvals will come just over a month before a planned visit to Israel by US President Joe Biden.

Washington has repeatedly said Israeli settlements threaten a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. When Israel advanced some 3,000 settlement homes last October, the State Department called it “completely inconsistent with efforts to lower tensions and restore calm.” Several weeks later, Israel retreated from plans for a massive construction project near Atarot in East Jerusalem following US pressure.

Over the past several years, Israel has approved new batches of settlements on a quarterly basis, though gaps between meetings of the Higher Planning Subcommittee have sometimes extended longer during sensitive diplomatic periods. The committee operates under the Defense Ministry’s Civil Administration, which administers West Bank construction in areas under full Israeli civilian control.

Over six months have passed since the last meeting, but pressure had been growing in recent weeks on Prime Minister Naftali Bennett from within his own party to push ahead new housing construction beyond the Green Line.

Meanwhile, The Biden administration on Friday blasted Israeli plans to advance nearly 4,000 settlement homes in the West Bank, saying the measure “deeply damages the prospects for a two-state solution.”

“The Biden Administration has been clear on this from the outset. We strongly oppose the expansion of settlements which exacerbates tensions and undermines trust between the parties,” said State Department deputy spokeswoman Jalina Porter during a phone briefing with reporters. “Israel’s program of expanding settlements deeply damages the prospects for a two-state solution.”

Why you should avoid high Potash consumption

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Cleopatra Okohai

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May 9, 2022

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A Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nwabumma Asouzu, has urged pregnant women to avoid food laden with potash.

Asouzu stated that food high in potash could trigger high blood pressure as well as induce abortion and premature delivery during pregnancy.

According to her, studies have revealed that potash is the second most popularly used salt in Nigeria.

The dietician said potash, generally used to refer to a group of potassium-bearing minerals and chemicals, has lots of health risks when consumed in excess.

She noted that potash has high sodium content and very little potassium, adding that potash is widely used in Nigeria as a tenderising agent for local dish preparation, and also to relieve toothache, even as it serves as a preservative due to its antifungal properties.

Potash, she said, is also used for medicinal purposes, adding that some people use it as an herbal concoction for cough treatment, to relieve constipation and stomach ache, among others.

The dietician explained, “Consumption of potash can trigger high blood pressure among those who otherwise don’t have the condition, while a hypertensive person is advised to steer clear of eating foods prepared with high potash.

“Consumption of potash in high quantity increases the uterine contraction in women, which could induce premature delivery or abortion during the early stages of pregnancy. It also reduces the protein value in the diet.

“Potash has also been associated with loss of appetite, weakness, reduced activity level and weight loss in Wistar rats.”

Citing some published articles on the health risk of potash, Asouzu cautioned that its consumption should be reduced to the barest minimum, adding that a high intake of the substance could also lead to liver problems.

“In an article entitled Peripartum Cardiac Failure published in the Bulletin of World Health Organisation, potash was implicated in the incidence of peripartum cardiac failure (a type of heart failure that occurs during the last months of pregnancy or within a few months after childbirth) among nursing mothers, especially in the Northern region of Nigeria.

“It is also said that excessive intake of potash by men predisposed them to low sperm production.

“The high sodium content makes it accumulate in the blood and could trigger high blood pressure, and also makes it unfit for consumption by hypertensive individuals,” she said.

According to her, previous studies have also indicated that the high level of potash in foods and drinking water could be detrimental to human health.

Asouzu called on public health nutritionists to always educate the populace, especially the rural dwellers on the trends in foods and health to ensure they avoid some traditional harmful practices relating to their food intake.

She said awareness should be encouraged from time to time to educate the populace on some trivial and silent issues surrounding intake of some substances related to food such as potash”.

Updated: ASUU Confirms 12 Weeks Strike Extension

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 9, 2022

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) President, Emmanuel Osodeke, has confirmed that ASUU has extended the strike by 12 weeks; this will make it 20 weeks students will stay at home.

Osodeke in a telephone interview on Monday in Abuja, that it extended its roll-over strike for another 12 weeks to enable the Federal Government address issues in concrete terms.

He said that the extension was due to the Federal Government’s failure to implement the agreement entered with the union.

The union had embarked on a nationwide warning strike from Feb. 14 to press home its members’ demands.

The first warning strike started on Feb. 14 for four weeks and the second strike commenced on March 15 for another four weeks, while the third one is announced on May 9 for another 12 weeks.

The lecturers’ demands include funding of the Revitalisation of Public Universities, Earned Academic Allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) and promotion arrears.

Others are the renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FG Agreement and the inconsistency in Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System.

Recall that the union during its last National Executive Council (NEC) meeting noted that it was disappointed that government had not treated the matters with utmost urgency they deserved and as expected of a reasonable, responsive, and well-meaning administration.

“NEC viewed government’s response so far as a continuation of the unconscionable, mindless and nonchalant attitude of the Nigerian ruling elite toward the proven path of the national development which is education.

“NEC, having taken reports on the engagement of the trustees and principal officers with the government concluded that government had failed to satisfactorily address all the issues raised in the 2020 FGN/ASUU Memorandum of Action within the four-weeks-roll over strike period.

“NEC resolved that the strike be rolled over for another eight weeks to give government more time to address all the issues in concrete terms so that government will resume as soon as possible, ”it said.

JAMB Candidates Stranded Over Sit at-Home Order in Enugu

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Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 9, 2022

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Candidates writing 2022 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in Enugu were stranded following the sit-at- home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) every Monday in the South East.

The 2022 Computer Based Test (CBT) which began on Friday May 6, ought to have ended on Monday, May 9 but was shifted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) to Tuesday, May 10.

An official of JAMB who spoke to the News correspondents on anonymity on Monday in Enugu said the board shifted the exam to May 10 due to Monday sit-at-home in the South-East.

Some of the candidates who also spoke said they were not aware of the cancellation, saying they came to the Centre only to be told that it had been shifted.

They said that many of them that went to do reprint of their slip discovered that the date and time for the exam had been shifted to Tuesday May 10 by 7am.

Meanwhile, the students writing the ongoing West African Examination Council (WAEC) in the state have decried the stress they went through to write Food and Nutrition subject due to non-availability of transportation.

Many of the candidates were seen after the examination trekking home as there were few vehicles on the road.

There was partial compliance of the order as many businesses were open while some commercial vehicles including tricycles and small buses were plying within the metropolis.

The usual police and military checkpoints also disappeared apparently in compliance with the order.

WAEC Reverts To May/June Calendar, Fixes Date For 2022 WASSCE

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 9, 2022

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The West African Examinations Council, WAEC, has reverted to its former calendar, with May/June for the conduct of this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination, WASSCE.

This is just as the body, on Monday, announced the start of 2022 WASSCE for school candidates slated from May 16 to June 23.

Recall that during the pandemic, WAEC shifted the date of WASSCE to two months after the normal date that is from August to September.

Briefing journalists, the head of WAEC Nigeria national office, Patrick Areghan expressed delight over the reverted calendar, noting that it was a move that showed recovery from the effects of the pandemic.

He said: “I am delighted to inform you that the conduct of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for school candidates, will take place between the 16th of May and 23rd of June, 2022 in Nigeria, spanning a period of six (6) weeks.

“The revert to May/June period for the conduct of the examination should be celebrated.

“The significance of this is that the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the various member States, save Ghana, have now again found a common ground in respect of their academic calendars.

“This shows a massive recovery from the devastating effects, disruptions and confusion caused by the Pandemic.

“We must give kudos to the Honourable Minister of Education and his Ministry for this wonderful feat,” Areghan noted.

CBN’s Emefiele Loses Bid To Secure Court Order To Back Presidential Ambition

By

Koko Lawrence

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May 9, 2022

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The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, refused to shield the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emiefele, from being disqualified to contest for the presidential ticket of any political party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Emefiele’s lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, earlier on Monday, urged the court to issue an interim order stopping the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from disqualifying him from participating in the primary election of his preferred political party.

But ruling on the ex parte application, the judge, Ahmed Mohammed, ruled that he would rather order INEC and the AGF to appear to state their side of the case instead of granting the CBN governor’s request.

The judge said having read the affidavit in support of the motion, it was more appropriate to direct the defendants to appear in court on May 12, to show cause why Emefiele’s request should not be granted.

The court also ordered that Emefiele’s filings should be served on the defendants before the next hearing date.

Ozekhome filed the ‘ex-parte’ application on May 9 (Monday) for an order of court for maintenance of status quo, fearing that Emefiele might be disqualified from running in the presidential primaries.

U.S. Government Cuts Internet Costs For Low-Income Families

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Koko Lawrence

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May 9, 2022

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Hacker stealing password and identity, computer crime

The United States government has reached agreements with 20 major telecom companies to cut costs or raise internet broadband speeds for tens of millions of eligible households, the White House announced Monday.

The “Affordable Connectivity Programme” (ACP) requires internet service providers who have signed up to give eligible households “high-speed, high-quality internet plans” for no more than 30 US dollars per month, the administration said in a statement.

“Lowering prices — including the cost of high-speed internet service — is President (Joe) Biden’s top priority,” said the statement, which added that the new program was part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress last year.

Households are eligible for the program if their income is below twice the US federal poverty level, or if they already qualify for certain other federal poverty alleviation programs such as Medicaid or nutritional assistance.

The federal poverty level for a family of four in 2022 is $27,750 per year.

The Biden administration estimates more than 48 million households will qualify for the program, with more than 11.5 million households already signed up, the statement said.

Additionally, eligible households can receive a discount of up to 30 dollars per month on any internet service plan offered by a participating provider, with households on Native American tribal lands eligible for discounts of up to 75 dollars per month.

Several major US telecom companies were among those to sign up to offer services through the new program, including Comcast, AT&T, Spectrum, Verizon and Cox Communications.

“We have been working on digital equity issues for over a decade and believe this new program offers even more support to achieve those goals,” said David N. Watson, chief executive and president of Comcast Cable, in a statement.

Sri Lankan PM, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Resigns Amid Economic Crisis

By

Koko Lawrence

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May 9, 2022

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Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has resigned amid mass protests at the government’s handling of the economic crisis, officials say.

The move came as the island was placed under curfew after violent clashes between Rajapaksa supporters and anti-government protesters in Colombo.

At least 78 people have been injured in the violence in the capital, a local hospital says

There have been protests over soaring prices and power cuts since last month.

The island nation is facing its worst economic crisis since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The government has requested emergency financial help.

Rajapaksa, 76, sent his resignation letter to his younger brother President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, saying he hoped it would help resolve the crisis, but the move is highly unlikely to satisfy government opponents while the latter remains in power.

Since demonstrations erupted in early April, protesters have been camped outside President Rajapaksa’s office, demanding he quit.

Earlier in the day police were deployed following violence outside the prime minister and president’s offices in Colombo.

Police fired tear gas and water cannon at ruling party supporters after they breached police lines and attacked anti-government protesters using sticks and poles.

Sri Lanka’s foreign currency reserves have virtually run dry, and it can no longer afford essential items including food, medicines and fuel.

People are furious because the cost of living has become unaffordable.

Bomb Hits School Sheltering Over 90 Ukrainians

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 9, 2022

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Dozens of people were reportedly dead after a bomb hit a school in east ukraine, where government forces are battling russian troops and separatists.

Earlier, the governor of luhansk region, Serhiy Haidai, said 90 people had been sheltering in the building in Bilohorivka, and 30 were rescued.

Haidai said a Russian plane had dropped the bomb on Saturday, though his accusation could not be verified independently and there was no immediate response from russia.

Luhansk has seen fierce combat as Russian troops and separatist fighters seek to surround government forces, just over two months since the start of the Russian invasion.

Much of Luhansk, which along with Donetsk forms part of the Donbas region, has been under the control of the separatists for the past eight years.

Bilohorivka is close to the government-held city of Severodonetsk, where heavy fighting was reported in the suburbs on Saturday. One Ukrainian newspaper, Ukrayinska Pravda, says the village became a “hot spot” during fighting last week.

According to the governor’s writing on social media, the blast brought down the building which caught fire and it took firefighters three hours to extinguish the blaze.

He said almost the entire village had been sheltering in the basement of the school.

The final death toll would only be known when the rubble had been cleared, the governor added.

Just Inn: ASUU Extends Strike by 12 More Weeks

By

Rhoda Onuzulike

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May 9, 2022

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities has rolled over its ongoing strike for another 12 weeks.

A statement signed by ASUU president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, said this was to give the government enough time to satisfactorily resolve all the outstanding issues.

It also stated that the roll-over strike was effective from 12.01 am, May 8, 2021.

ASUU said this decision was made after its National Executive Council meeting on Sunday night at the Comrade Festus Iyayi National Secretariat, University of Abuja.

Details later…