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Eritrea Frees 36 Christians Jailed For Their Faith

Emenike Agu
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Eritrea Frees 36 Christians Jailed For Their Faith

The Eritrean authorities have released on bail 36 prisoners who had been in detention because of their faith.

14 of the released prisoners have been in detention for the past four years on Dahilik island. Twenty-two others, arrested at the end of last month, have also been freed on bail.

The prisoners are all from Christian Evangelical and Pentecostal denominations.

In 2002 Eritrea introduced a new law that forbids all churches except for the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations.

Sunni Islam is also officially recognised.

But recently the Eritrean government has been releasing people imprisoned because of their religious affiliation.

In September 2020, the Eritrean government released more than 20 prisoners who had been detained for years. In December, the authorities also released 28 members of the Jehovah’s Witness group after they had served long prison terms.

Many Christians still remain in detention and others are routinely arrested because of their faith, according to religious freedom campaigners.

The Eritrean government accuses Pentecostal and Evangelical Christians of being instruments of foreign governments.

Eritrea, a secretive, highly militarised nation, has been ruled by Isaias Afwerki since its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, with no elections or parliament and a draft constitution that has never been implemented.

DIY: Homemade lip balm for soft and luscious lips

Chris Ottah
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DIY: Homemade lip balm for soft and luscious lips

Even though most lip balms are not expensive, making it yourself and saving the cost can add up over time. Not only that, but many of us are allergic to some harsh ingredients that are often used in name brand lip balm or lip scrub. This is why many women are making homemade lip balms out of only a few simple organic ingredients.

There are many advantages to making your own lip balms. All you need is a few simple ingredients, most of which are probably already in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet.

Chapped and dry lips are more common during the cold months, but a lot of women rely on their lip balm year round. If you look at some ingredients on your store-bought lip balm, you will see that they contain such ingredients as alcohol, mineral oil and artificial flavorings.

However, if you make a DIY lip balm, you can rely on organic and natural ingredients that are more beneficial for your lips.

Materials Needed To Make DIY Lip Balm

Following is a list of the most common materials you should have on hand for your homemade lip balm:

  • Oils & Beeswax (Vegans may use Candelilla wax)
  • Herbs for infusing:
    • Chamomile
    • Dandelion
    • Goldenseal
    • Lemon Balm
    • Rose Petal
    • Violet Leaves
  • Essential Oils:
    • Almond
    • Clove
    • Lemon
    • Lime
    • Orange
    • Peppermint
    • Tea Tree
    • Vanilla
  • Lip Balm Tubes, Tins & Labels
  • Lip Balm Filling Tray
  • Heating Gun

Now comes the fun part: how to make a lip balm at home! As well, we have included some recipes for some of our favorite homemade lip balms!

How To Make Your Own Lip Balm

Following is a basic formula for making DIY lip balms. You might need to tweak it as per the specific recipe you choose to make:

  • 1 part beeswax
  • 3 parts carrier oil (olive oil, castor or coconut oil are the most common)
  • Optional
    • Solid butter such as Shea or cocoa butter
    • Essential oils (see above)

Directions:

  1. Gather all of your ingredients.
  2. Combine carrier oils, beeswax or candelilla oil and solid butter (optional) in a heatproof jar or measuring cup.
  3. Place the jar in a saucepan contain a couple of inches of water and heat at a low heat until melted together.
  4. Remove jar from pan and add a few drops of essential oil.
  5. Pour into tins or lip balm tubes.
  6. Allow to cool

Now that you have the basic idea, here are some of our favorite recipes for DIY lip balms.

Cocoa Honey Lip Balm

Ingredients:

  •  ½ tbsp Jojoba Oil
  • 1 ½ tbsp Castor Oil
  • 3 tbsp Coconut Oil
  • 2 tbsp Shea or Coco Butter
  • 3 tbsp Sweet Almond Oil
  • 4 tbsp Beeswax pastilles
  • ½ tsp cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp honey

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a measuring cup(make sure it is heat proof.
  2. Place in saucepan with a few inches of water.
  3. Heat over low to medium low oil blended
  4. Pour into lip balm tins or tubes.
  5. Allow to cool completely

Raspberry Lemon Lip Balm

Ingredients:

  • Lip balm tubes or tins
  • Microwave Safe Bowl
  • Spoon
  • 3-4 drops Lemon Essential Oil
  • 2 tsp Raspberry Gelatin Mix
  • 2 tbsp Coconut Oil

Directions:

  1. Place coconut oil only in microwave safe bowl and heat for 20 seconds.
  2. Add raspberry gelatin and mix until well blended.
  3. Microwave again for 20 seconds.
  4. Add essential oils and stir.
  5. Pour into tins/tubes
  6. Allow to cool.

Vanilla Coconut Oil Lip Balm

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp beeswax pastilles
  • 2 tbsp cocoa butter or mango butter (or 1 tbsp of each)
  • 2 tbsp organic and virgin coconut oil

Directions:

  • Measure equal parts butters and beeswax into a heatproof glass jar.
  • Add coconut oil.
  • Merge in a few inches of water in a saucepan.
  • Heat on medium-low heat until melted.
  • Remove immediately and add vanilla extract
  • Still, to combine and add to lip tins or tubes.
  • Allow to cool. ( or you can refrigerate it to set)

Minty Chocolate Lip Balm Recipe

Ingredients:

  • ⅛ cup Coconut Oil
  • 1 tbsp Beeswax Pearls (or grated)
  • ½ tbsp Shea Butter
  • ½ tbsp Cocoa Butter
  • ½ tsp cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp honey
  • 3 drops peppermint essential oil
  • ⅛ tsp Vitamin E oil

Directions:

  1. Place cocoa butter and Shea butter in small pot.
  2. Add coconut oil.
  3. Heat over low heat for approx. 20 minutes. Stir occasions and do not allow mixture to reach more than 175 degrees.
  4. Add beeswax. Allow to melt and combine.
  5. Remove from heat and add honey, vitamin E, essential oil and cocoa powder.
  6. Stir oil smooth and well-blended
  7. Pour into tins/tubes.
  8. Allow to cool and set for at least 3 hours.

We hope you find these recipes for homemade lip balm to be useful. Remember you can use any of the above ingredients and formula to create your own!

PSG Rejected €300m Offer From Real Madrid To Buy Neymar – Brazilian’s Former Agent Claims

Emenike Agu
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PSG Rejected €300m Offer From Real Madrid To Buy Neymar – Brazilian’s Former Agent Claims

Wagner Ribeiro, Neymar’s agent has claimed PSG rejected a €300 million (£260m/$357m) bid for Neymar in 2019.

According to Wagner Ribeiro, Paris Saint-Germain made it clear that even “a billion” would not be enough to get the Brazilian.

PSG smashed the world transfer record in the summer of 2017 to sign Neymar away from Barcelona in a €222m (£192m/$264m) deal.

Since Neymar’s move to PSG there have been reports he could come back to Spain, with Barcelona his former club also interested.

Ribeiro, a former agent of Neymar, told L’Equipe: “At that time, he was close to going to Real Madrid. Madrid were willing to pay €300m for him. Florentino [Perez] told me, but Nasser [Al-Khelaifi] refused. ‘Not for a billion, he’s not going to go!’ He told me.”

Ribeiro added: “He is happy there. No club in the world can offer you what PSG offers. Only they can afford Neymar. Madrid has financial problems. Barca? Even worse. In Italy and United or City? I don’t think so.

“In Paris he makes a good living and plays for a very good team. This season they will win the Champions League and Neymar will land the Ballon d’Or.”

Neymar has scored 83 goals in 106 appearances, helping PSG win domestic honours and reach the Champions League final.

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Why am I unable to lose weight?

Chris Ottah
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Why am I unable to lose weight?

It’s only human nature to wonder if those weights will ever come off especially after you’ve tried so hard but the scale wouldn’t budge. But don’t raise the white flag and chuck your diet just yet. See if one of these sneaky things is secretly messing with your weight loss hopes.

Is it because I skip breakfast?

It could be. When you take a pass on that first meal of the day, it can work against you. You’re likely to get hungrier later, so you may overdo it at lunch.

Try to eat within an hour of waking up. A high-fiber, protein-packed breakfast can help you feel full, longer.

Do I eat too close to bedtime?

A late-night meal can spell trouble for your weight loss plan. It may raise your body temperature, blood sugar, and insulin, which makes it harder for you to burn fat. Try to eat dinner at least 3 hours before you go to sleep.

Be careful about snacking after supper. You take in more calories than you realize when you nibble while you watch TV or use the computer.

Is it because I’m under too much stress?

It’s possible. It can make you reach for high-calorie, high-fat foods. Your body also tends to store more fat when you’re stressed out.

To reduce stress, try exercise or meditation.

Is it because of my gender?

It could make a difference in how you lose weight. A recent study suggests it’s easier for men to drop pounds quickly. But women tend to have more success with long-term efforts.

Where you lose weight can also differ. Guys lose belly fat first, but that area can be tougher for the ladies.

Do I burn calories more slowly than other people?

Possibly. How fast you burn them is based on your metabolism.

If you have a slow metabolism, your genes may be to blame. Or you may not have enough lean muscle mass. People with lean, muscular bodies burn more calories than people with a higher percentage of body fat.

Am I getting enough sleep?

When you don’t get your ZZZs, it can make it harder to lose weight. Your metabolism may slow and you won’t burn calories as fast as you’d like.

You may also have less energy when you don’t get enough sleep. That makes it harder to exercise.

Is it my genes?

Maybe. Some bodies are simply better at burning fat than others. It’s something you inherit from your parents or grandparents.

You don’t have any control over the genes that were passed to you, so you may need to work a little harder to burn calories and lose weight.

Nigerians Partner to Turn Local Gin To Premium Brand

faith Jegede
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Nigerians Partner to Turn Local Gin To Premium Brand

When you first think of exporting “made in Nigeria”, the first thing on your mind would definitely not be “kai kai” but for Chibueze Akukwe and his partner Lola Pedro, the two Nigerians striving to take Nigeria’s locally produced gin into the international market as a luxury brand, it is a worthy cause.

Ogogoro is a popular local gin that is distilled from palm wine and is especially made in the south of Nigeria. Its production and consumption could be said to be as on a scale equivalent to the brewing industries. 

By combining traditional techniques with modern distillation processes Akukwe and his business partner Lola Pedro are aiming higher with Pedro’s palm Spirit to attract wealthy drinkers home and abroad.

“I didn’t see much of a difference between some of the big name brand spirits that we know all across the globe, when you compare those with Ogogoro,” said Akukwe,

“Our spirits deserve to be showcased,” he said. “Our culture and our heritage deserve to be showcased.”

Following the covid-19 restrictions, which forced people to cultivate new ways of hosting guests and friends, the brand is hoping to tap into a growing appetite for spirits in Africa’s most populous country.

How to help your child develop a love for reading

Chris Ottah
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How to help your child develop a love for reading

It has been proven that a love for reading can be hugely valuable for children. The benefits of leisure reading include increased general knowledge, a positive impact on academic achievement, enhanced reading ability and vocabulary growth.

Indeed, research suggests that time spent reading for pleasure could be a key indicator for the future success of a child – even more important than their family’s socio-economic status. It is therefore not surprising that many parents are interested in getting their children hooked on books.

But certain reading practices used by parents and teachers could end up putting children off reading. On the other hand, though, there is compelling evidence that children who may not want to read for pleasure can be influenced to take it up.

A research which explored the reading habits of a group of children in a book club aged between nine and 12, uncovered ways to entice children to develop a love for leisure reading.

Read aloud (and make it exciting)

Reading aloud fosters a love of books in children, and helps children get hooked on books as they associate reading with pleasure. It is important that the reading be done in an enthusiastic way that children find engaging.

Ensure access to books

Children who have easy access to engaging texts do more reading.

Parents who may not be able to buy books for their child could take the child to a public library and assist the child in borrowing books. Another option could be downloading suitable free e-books for children to read.

Create a space for reading

It is important to establish a comfortable space and conducive atmosphere for reading as well as set aside time for leisure reading.

This could be as simple as a corner in a room which could be decorated as the reading space. This will encourage children to pick up a book and spend some time in the reading corner.

Let children choose books

The freedom to select books leads to a positive attitude towards reading, better engagement with the book, and a more enjoyable reading experience.

Additionally, children should be allowed to read whatever materials they fins interesting, be it comics, magazines, or poetry. Doing otherwise may reduce their potential to engage in recreational reading.

Talk about books

Having discussions about books is another way to spark children’s interest in reading and in books. However, these should centre on books that might appeal to the child rather than on the books you as an adult find engaging.

When children find reading fun and enjoyable, they are likely to repeatedly spend time with books, become engaged readers, and gain the benefits of leisure reading.

Leicester City boss praises Kelechi Iheanacho’s efforts vs West Ham United

Henry Williams
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Leicester City boss praises Kelechi Iheanacho’s efforts vs West Ham United

After a disappointing weekend of English Premier League football for East Midlands club Leicester City, Northern Irish manager of the club Brendan Rodgers had a lot to be concerned about the team’s overall display that led to the Foxes being behind by three goals in 48 minutes and their response, which very nearly led to a draw.

However, Rodgers singled out in-form Nigerian striker and Leicester forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, for praise in the 3-2 loss to David Moyes’ extremely impressive West Ham United on Sunday at the London Stadium in London.

On a matchday when the often reliable safe hands of Leicester keeper, Kasper Schmeichel, were leaking goals and the Foxes’ defense did not help with protecting the backline, Iheanacho took on the heroic business of dragging the entire team back to contention, only that his brace was not enough as they simply ran out of time to score a leveller.

The double-takes Iheanacho’s goal run to nine in his last six matches which is an incredible vein of form for the Super Eagles striker, whose performance last month won him the prestigious Premier League Player of the Month award for March.

The two goals also mean Iheanacho’s blazing form has brought him equal to his personal best on 14 goals scored in a single season of the EPL. He first attained that feat while at the Etihad playing in Manchester City colours during the 2015/2016 campaign.

Nigeria Seeks Global Action against Drug Trafficking, Terrorism

Henry Williams
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Nigeria Seeks Global Action against Drug Trafficking, Terrorism

Nigeria has called for a well-coordinated international cooperation to tackle the links between drug trafficking and all forms of organised crime including terrorism.

This was one of the country’s demands at the ongoing 64th session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) holding in Vienna, Austria.

Presenting Nigeria’s demand at the meeting, which was virtually held on Monday, is the Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd).

He explained that Nigeria has continued to adopt her drug control policies and strategies to respond to emerging and evolving realities, adding that: “Despite the implementation of our framework and strategic action plan, trafficking and abuse of controlled substances persist. First, the cultivation and high traffic of cannabis and its abuse has been on the increase.”

He disclosed that the National Drug Use Survey, 2019 revealed that over 10 million persons abused cannabis in one year, which was a similar pattern with the 2019 and 2020 World Drug Reports, which identified cannabis as the most abused substance with its threat to security, health and wellbeing of the global population.

He added that the trafficking and non-medical use of synthetic and pharmaceuticals opioid, especially Tramadol, remains a challenge.

Improve your health in less than a minute with these simple tips

Chris Ottah
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Improve your health in less than a minute with these simple tips

It’s popularly believed that what we’re supposed to do to keep ourselves healthy is time- consuming, but we’ve taken our time to put together for you simple ones that will just a minute or less but yield big results. And YES, they can be done right at home.

Drink water in the morning

Drinking a large glass of water when you wake up in the morning will help you stay super dehydrated from sleeping all night and perhaps getting up for the loo once or twice. It also turns on your brain, kidneys, and gut faster, making them sharper as you wake.

Swish for 30 seconds.

Sloshing mouthwash for at least 30 seconds allows enough time for all your teeth to be exposed to the antibacterial properties of the rinse.

Amp up your breakfast.

Eating protein in the morning helps keep blood sugar and energy levels stable all morning, which means your hunger and mood are more stable too.

Healthy up your carbs.

When enjoying a carbohydrate-rich food, like bread, pasta, or potatoes, drizzle it with some olive oil or vinegar first. The fat and acid can considerably lessen the carbs’ glycemic impact. In other words, this helps keep your blood sugar on an even keel, which can keep your energy even too.

Build stronger bones.

Running for at least one minute a day is associated with 4% better bone health.  This is important, especially because after menopause the rate of bone mineral density loss is approximately 1% a year. So doing 60 seconds of daily jogging essentially reverses about four years of this decline.

Use your body weight.

If you do not have time for a full workout, do one minute of body-weight squats. Squats strengthen your legs; improve hip, ankle, and spine mobility; and increase blood flow throughout your body. They also target your core. Make sure your heels are flat on the floor, your back is straight, and your hips are open so your knees are in line with your toes. If you’re a beginner, work up to 25 squats in a minute.

Go on a stair run.

According to a study, vigorously climbing 60 steps in 20 seconds three times a day, three days a week for six weeks boosts cardio fitness by about 5%. That might seem modest, but even a small increase in cardiorespiratory fitness improves overall health and reduces your chance of developing cardiovascular disease so that’s a big win!

Stand up!

It’s thought that when we sit for prolonged periods, toxins also sit, which promotes damage to our blood vessels, increasing our risk for heart disease and related diseases. To combat the effect, it’s recommended that you stand up once an hour to help reduce the damaging effect on blood vessels.

Soothe back pain.

Sit up straight in a chair, hands-on thighs and shoulders down. Pull your shoulders back, squeeze the blades together, and hold for five seconds. Repeat this three to four times daily to strengthen your back muscles and mitigate back pain.

Be nicer to yourself.

When you’re about to tell yourself something harsh or demeaning, pause for a moment and ask, Would I say this to my best friend? This simple question allows you the space to think about the compassion we often have for others, but don’t always show ourselves.

Prince Philip: William And Harry Pay Tribute To Grandfather

Koko Lawrence
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Prince Philip: William And Harry Pay Tribute To Grandfather

The Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex have paid tribute to their grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.

In separate statements, Prince William described him as an “extraordinary man”, while Prince Harry said he was “a man of service, honour and great humour” and the “legend of banter”.

“I will miss my Grandpa, but I know he would want us to get on with the job,” William added.

Prince Philip died at Windsor Castle on Friday aged 99.

It comes as parliaments across the UK were recalled to remember the duke.

“My grandfather’s century of life was defined by service – to his country and Commonwealth, to his wife and Queen, and to our family,” Prince William said in a statement.

“I feel lucky to have not just had his example to guide me, but his enduring presence well into my own adult life – both through good times and the hardest days.

“I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her.

“I will never take for granted the special memories my children will always have of their great-grandpa coming to collect them in his carriage and seeing for themselves his infectious sense of adventure as well as his mischievous sense of humour!”

He added that he and his wife, Catherine, would “continue to do what he would have wanted and will support the Queen in the years ahead”.

Paying tribute to his grandfather, Prince Harry said: “He was authentically himself, with a seriously sharp wit, and could hold the attention of any room due to his charm – and also because you never knew what he might say next.

“He will be remembered as the longest reigning consort to the monarch, a decorated serviceman, a prince and a duke.

“But to me, like many of you who have lost a loved one or grandparent over the pain of this past year, he was my grandpa: master of the barbecue, legend of banter, and cheeky right ’til the end.”

Harry described Prince Philip as “a rock” for the Queen “with unparalleled devotion”.

“While I could go on, I know that right now he would say to all of us, beer in hand, ‘Oh do get on with it!'” he said.

“So, on that note, Grandpa, thank you for your service, your dedication to Granny, and for always being yourself.”

Harry signed off his message with the words “Per Mare, Per Terram”, meaning “by sea and by land” in Latin – the motto of the Royal Marines, of which Philip and Harry were both Captain General.

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