Malawi Police Intercept 10 Bangladesh Nationals for Illegal Entry

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May 18, 2021

Barely a week after the Karonga Senior Resident Magistrate Court fined and ordered two Tanzanian nationals for illegal entry and stay in the country, Police in Mzimba have on Tuesday intercepted 10 people of Bangladeshi nationality for illegal entry.

Particular details of the arrested remain scanty but Mzimba police deputy publicist, John Nyirongo, said the 10 had entered the country illegally through Songwe border in the lakeshore district of Karonga.

Nyirongo said they intercepted a Scania truck registration number KK 8692, which was enroute to the capital Lilongwe, at Raiply road block.

He said two Malawians were also arrested but the driver of the Scania truck is currently at large.

Increased cases of illegal entry

Last week, a court sitting in Karonga found three Tanzanian nationals guilty of illegal stay in Malawi, and has since ordered them to pay fines of K20 000 each and return to their country.

Lawyers against financial independence for Judiciary condemn JUSUN strike
Not all lawyers in Nigeria are in support of the call for judicial autonomy in the third arm of government.

Some lawyers in Cross River State, against the call for financial autonomy and independence of the judiciary, have condemned the lingering strike action by JUSUN.

Judicial staff across Nigeria had been on strike for over a month protesting the lack of financial autonomy by the judiciary and implementation of executive order 10 by state governments.

Speaking with our correspondent, some lawyers who pleaded anonymity condemned the action of some judges and magistrates who they accused of acting like mini gods.

DR Congo army says killed 22 militiamen in under-siege east

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Henry Williams

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May 18, 2021

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DR Congo’s army said Tuesday its troops have killed 22 rebels since May 6 when it launched an offensive against the notorious ADF militia in the restive east of the country.

A historically Ugandan Islamist group, the Allied Democratic Forces is the bloodiest of scores of armed militias that roam the mineral-rich zone, many of them a legacy of two regional wars from 1996 to 2003.

The army has also seized eight AK47 machine guns, regional army spokesman Antony Mualushayi told AFP.

He said the army arrested 60 ADF collaborators including about a dozen foreigners, mainly Ugandans.

The ADF — which the United States brands a “terrorist” organisation” affiliated to Islamic State group — has been accused of murdering more than 1,000 civilians since November 2019 in and around the major city of Beni in North Kivu province.

“We have the support of the people, a population that is sick of the lack of security and wants peace to return,” Lieutenant Mualushayi said.

The government of DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi placed North Kivu and neighbouring Ituri province under a 30-day “state of siege” on May 6.

The move is allowed under the former Belgian colony’s constitution “if severe circumstances immediately threaten the independence or integrity of the national territory, or if they interrupt the regular functioning of institutions”.

The army of the vast central African country has conducted operations against the ADF since October 2019, but has been unable to put a stop to the massacres.

The army itself is regularly accused of excesses including exactions against civilians.

UK return to Nigeria $6 mn stolen by ex-governor

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Henry Williams

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May 18, 2021

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Nigeria has received 4.2 million pounds ($5.9 million) looted by a former governor, who was jailed in Britain for money laundering and fraud, the justice minister said Tuesday.

The money was stolen by James Ibori, the flamboyant governor of the southern oil-rich Delta state between 1999 and 2007.

A landmark corruption case led to a deal in March signed by Nigeria and Britain on repatriating the money.

The deal stipulates that Nigeria will use the funds to finance vital infrastructure projects.

A spokesperson for Justice Minister Abubakar Malami said “the Federal Government of Nigeria has received GBP 4,214,017.66.”

“The amount has been credited into the designated Federal Government account with naira equivalent value of the amount as of 10th May, 2021,” the spokersperson, Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, said in a statement.

Ibori was jailed in April 2012 for fraud amounting to nearly 50 million pounds (at the time $78.6 million or 62 million euros).

The one-time cashier at a chain of British DIY stores used public funds to buy luxury homes, top-of-the-range cars and a private jet.

He fled to Dubai in 2010 but was extradited to Britain, where he was sentenced and served four years of a 13-year jail term. He was released in December 2016.

Scotland Yard said that during his two terms as governor, Ibori “systematically stole funds from the public purse, secreting them in bank accounts across the world.”

Anti-corruption campaigners hailed his sentence as a rare victory in the fight against international graft.

Millions of dollars stolen by former military ruler Sani Abacha have also been repatriated to Nigeria from Switzerland and other countries.

Abacha died in June 1998 after reputedly looting some five billion dollars.

Air passengers could be weighed to prevent overloading as obesity levels rise

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Cleopatra Okohai

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May 18, 2021

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The Federal Aviation Administration in the US suggesting weigh-ins for passengers before they board could be introduced, to ensure planes are carrying a safe amount of weight on board before take off.

Air passengers could face weigh-ins at airport boarding gates to avoid overloading planes, as obesity levels soar.

Carriers already calculate the weight and balance of aircraft to make sure they’re within safety limits before take-off.

But in the US, where obesity levels are particularly high, there are concerns the existing restrictions are outdated.

The Federal Aviation Administration previously sent out a circular raising fears about weight and balance on aircraft, and now the consultation period has ended, changes could be on the cards, according to reports.

And while any new rules would only cover US air travel, they would potentially affect Brits on holiday in America.

Weighing passengers at airports would allow for a more accurate idea of plane load and the number of seats available in-flight could be adjusted accordingly.

It could mean random weigh-ins- with scales used at the gates before flights.

But the FAA notes this would be voluntary for passengers, so passengers couldn’t be weighed against their will.

Recent figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the obesity rate in the United States was 42.4 percent in 2017-18.

Old FAA standards found that the average adult passenger weighed in at 170 pounds, or 12 stone, in the summer and 175 pounds in the winter.

Their carry-on baggage, due to extra layers of clothing, and new standards increased the averages to 190 pounds, or 13.5 stone, and 195 pounds, according to AirInsight Group.

The FAA circular noted that operators should do “a review every 36 calendar-months” to ensure the numbers were up to date.

“Regardless of the sampling method used, an operator has the option of surveying each passenger and bag aboard the aircraft and should give a passenger the right to decline to participate in any passenger or bag weight survey,” the circular stated.

“The scale readout should remain hidden from public view. An operator should ensure that any passenger weight data collected remains confidential.”

#2023 Who would you choose for President of Nigeria

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Henry Williams

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May 18, 2021

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A. Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

B. Peter Obi

C. Akinwumi Adesina

Ariana Grande Marries Real Estate Agent, Dalton Gomez

By

Koko Lawrence

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May 18, 2021

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Pop star Ariana Grande married her real estate agent boyfriend in California over the weekend, some five months after the couple got engaged, the singer’s representatives said on Monday.

Grande, 27, tied the knot with Dalton Gomez, 25, whom she started dating in January 2020.

“They got married,” Grande’s representative told People magazine. “It was tiny and intimate — less than 20 people. The room was so happy and full of love. The couple and both families couldn’t be happier.”

The wedding took place at Grande’s home in Montecito, Southern California.

The “thank u, next” singer announced her engagement to Gomez in December 2020, having started dating about a year before.

Grande was previously engaged briefly to “Saturday Night Live” comedian Pete Davidson in 2018 but they split about five months later. Grande was also in a long relationship with rapper Mac Miller, who died of an accidental drug overdose about four months after their relationship ended in 2018.

Supermodel, Naomi Campbell Welcomes First Child At 50

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Koko Lawrence

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May 18, 2021

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American supermodel, Naomi Campbell, has welcomed her first child – a baby girl — at the age of 50.

Describing the joy she felt as a mother, the superstar said, “a beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother.”

The legendary American model took to her Instagram account to announce to her 10.4 million followers that a bundle of joy has been added to her family.

“A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother. So honoured to have this gentle soul in my life. There are no words to describe the life-long bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love,” she wrote.

In May 2017, Campbell told Evening Standard magazine that she had thought about becoming a mother but wasn’t in a rush to make it happen at a specific time.

“I think about having children all the time,” she said at the time. “But now, with the way science is, I think I can do it when I want.”

Routine blood pressure check can avert sudden death in older people

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Cleopatra Okohai

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May 18, 2021

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The coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older People in Nigeria on Monday urged older people to always check their blood pressure for long life.

The President of the coalition, Sen. Eze Ajoku, made the call in an interview with the Newsmen in Abuja in commemoration of the World Hypertension Day, annually marked on May 17 around the world.

According to reports, the WHD aims to raise awareness about the silent killer disease and this year, it has “Measure Your Blood Pressure, Control It, Live Longer” as its theme.

Ajoku then described hypertension as not just a silent killer but a major cause of stroke, kidney damage and sudden death, especially among older people.

He said, “hypertension is one of the major underlying morbidities in older people which has remained a major cause of sudden death otherwise called silent killer.

“Accurate and regular blood pressure checks, taking hypertension drugs daily, exercising and relaxation will go a long way in preventing sudden death.

“Many people diagnosed as hypertensive stop their medication without doctor’s recommendation, allowing complications to develop. Some take a lot of salt and other salt derivatives like Maggie cubes, which are known to increase the blood pressure.

“Others allow anger, unforgiveness and stress to raise their pressures. Older persons with hypertension must find occasions to relax, laugh and exercise.

“Good sleep occasionally with relaxant will also help to control hypertension.”

The coalition boss advised older persons to check their blood pressure whenever they have a persistent headache.

“They should avoid panic when their pressures are high but reach out to their doctors and family members. Panic will increase the pressure.”

He stressed the need for older people to cultivate a routine medical check-up to avert sudden death, saying “older persons should have blood pressure monitors at home. You can call your doctor who will advise based on the monitors reading if you cannot get to the hospital.

“Hypertension or high blood pressure occurs when the blood pressure rises to an unhealthy level; it develops over the years.

“Narrow arteries cause more resistance and increase blood pressure. This force can cause damage to blood vessels and lead to heart attack, brain stroke, kidney damage, or nerve damage.”

He explained that the key to a longer and healthy life was routine medical checks and regular taking of recommended drugs, especially for older people.

Lagos considers holiday for traditional worshippers

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Cleopatra Okohai

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May 18, 2021

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The Lagos State Government has said the state will soon become the hub for tourism, leisure and business in Nigeria.

The state added that it was considering a public holiday for traditional worshippers in the state.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, stated on Monday during the ongoing ministerial press briefing marking the second-year anniversary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Alausa, Ikeja, that some programmed of the government were geared towards accelerating tourism growth.

Akinbile-Yusuf added that the ‘Community Based Tourism Initiative’ in the state local government areas would boost domestic tourism and community participation.

She said, “This is to address community-based tourism potential by locally creating more awareness about tourist destinations and explore the strengthening and improvement on locations while offering authentic, affordable and favourable experiences and packages that meet the needs of tourists.”

Akinbile-Yusuf also announced the ‘Tourism Master Plan and Eko Culture Series,’ saying both were aimed at showcasing and managing the rich heritage of the state to generate revenue.

She said, “With the master plan, we hope to lay the foundation for developing a comprehensive and sustainable tourism strategy for the state which focuses on rich heritage, community development, heritage management, preservation and revenue generation.”

Similarly, the Special Adviser to Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Solomon Bonu, said a bill at the state House of Assembly, which would soon be signed into law by the governor, would earmark a public holiday for traditional worshippers and regulate their activities.

“Very soon, the State House of Assembly will pass a bill regarding the activities of traditional worshipers. With the bill, there will be a specific day earmarked for them as public holiday or work-free day, and on that day which may likely be in August.

“The government will organise activities to celebrate with them at a venue where all worshipers will gather to showcase their stuff. Again, this bill will also regulate activities of the worshipers; including masqueraders, in order to turn it tourists’ attraction,” he said.

Cyclone Tauktae Leaves 90 Missing In India

By

faith Jegede

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May 18, 2021

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The Indian navy has rescued 177 of the 270 people aboard a barge off the coast of India’s Mumbai city after it sank amid a severe cyclone. Efforts to find other survivors are ongoing as more than 90 people are still missing.

Three other commercial barges carrying about 700 people are stranded at sea in the wake of cyclone Tauktae.

The stricken barge, owned by India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), was carrying personnel deployed for offshore drilling. The barge’s anchors gave way as soon as the cyclone began causing it to begin drifting.

The company has reportedly deployed boats to rescue its personnel.

Initially classified as “extremely severe”, the cyclone made landfall in Gujarat state with wind speeds of up to 160km/h (100mph) before weakening but at least 12 people have been confirmed dead.