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Diego Maradona ‘died poor’ with ‘just £75,000 in his account

By
Henry Williams
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FILE - In this June 29, 1986 file photo, Diego Maradona holds up the trophy after Argentina defeated West Germany 3-2 during a World Cup soccer final match at Atzeca Stadium in Mexico City. The Argentine soccer legend says he favors the use of video referees, but appreciates the technology didn't exist in 1986 when he made his famous goal against England using his hand that became known as "The Hand of God." (AP Photo/Carlo Fumagalli, File) ORG XMIT: XLAT101

Diego Maradona ‘died poor’ with ‘almost nothing left in his bank account’, it has been claimed.

Maradona, who died from a heart attack at the age of 60 on Wednesday, squandered much of his vast fortune through a combination of a life of excess and having his money ‘stolen’ by people who took advantage of his remarkable generosity, according to a report in Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

Diego Maradona died on Wednesday from a heart attack, just two weeks after an emergency operation to remove a blood clot from his brain. The football legend was aged 60

The Argentina legend, who was arguably the greatest footballer in history, raked in huge sums through contracts with brands such as Puma, as well as £15million per year through being honorary president of Dynamo Brest in Belarus and coaching stints in the Middle East, yet had less than £75,000 in his bank accounts, the report claims.

It quotes an Argentine journalist called Luis Ventura who ‘had always been close’ to Maradona as saying on television programme Fantino a la Tarde: ‘He had almost nothing left in his bank account, he died poor.’

His coffin, draped in an Argentinian flag, was carried by his family and friends at his funeral at the Jardin Bella Vista cemetery, in Buenos Aires on Thursday

His estate includes ‘jewels, land, prestigious properties including an entire building and several apartments in the centre of Buenos Aires, six luxury cars including BMW, Audi and Rolls Royce, investments in Cuba and Italy, football schools in China and image rights contracts that will remain in effect even after death’, according to Corriere della Sera.

His estate could, therefore, be potentially worth up to £150m, according to reports in Argentina.

Gold Bead, Lost On Temple Mount 3,000 Years Ago, Found By 9-Year-Old

By
Elizabeth Williams
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The first ever First Temple-era gold granule bead was discovered during wet sifting of earth from the Temple Mount by a nine-year-old. Jerusalemite Binyamin Milt uncovered the perfectly preserved minute cylinder, created by four layers of tiny gold balls.

The bead was in such outstanding condition that it was initially dismissed as a modern “invader” into the jumbled earth and artifact bucket that the Milt family was sifting.

The family was sifting through dirt for the Temple Mount Sifting Project, which salvaged tons of dirt that were discarded in the Kidron Valley between 1996 and 1999 by the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement during a large-scale building project on the Temple Mount, a site holy to all three monotheistic religions.

Volunteers have for the past 16 years been sorting through the jumble of debris and earth that was illegally excavated from the Temple Mount, the holiest place in Judaism and site of the third holiest shrine in Islam.

Online video games used to spread extremism, prepare attacks, EU anti-terror chief warns

By
Elizabeth Williams
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An image of "Crypto," the main character in the video game "Destroy All Humans!," appears above people playing video games at the THQ Nordic exhibit, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, at the Pax East conference, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Online video games can be used to propagate extremist ideologies and even prepare attacks, the EU’s anti-terrorism coordinator told AFP in an interview in which he urged more regulation.

The official, Gilles de Kerchove, made the argument ahead of the European Commission’s presentation on December 9 of a proposed Digital Services Act that aims to rein in Big Tech excesses and internet hate speech.

“I’m not saying that all the gaming sector is a problem. There are two billion people playing online, and that’s all very well,” said de Kerchove, a Belgian appointed to his post 13 years ago.

But, he warned, “you have extreme-right groups in Germany that have come up with games where the aim is to shoot Arabs, or [Hungarian-born US Jewish billionaire George] Soros, or Mrs. [German Chancellor Angela] Merkel for her migration policy, etc.”

De Kerchove also raised concerns over “algorithmic amplification,” where platforms such as Facebook and YouTube put “problematic” and “borderline” content up high, exploiting emotional reactions to boost user engagement.

This is one aspect the EU executive wants to tackle in its Digital Services Act by demanding more transparency from digital titans. The European Parliament is also discussing a proposal which would require content deemed to have a terrorist character deleted online within one hour.

The fight against terrorism has shot up the EU agenda since recent jihadist attacks in France and Austria.

Nigeria edges closer to getting World Bank loan, in the final stages of talk

By
Henry Williams
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The Finance Minister has disclosed that Nigeria has fulfilled the conditions and is in the last stages of securing a World Bank loan.

Nigeria is set to achieve its plans of getting the $1.5 billion World Bank loan package as it is in the closing stages of the deal following its fulfilment of the conditions set by the international multilateral organization.

This disclosure was made by the Minister for Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, during an interview on Friday, November 27, 2020, with Bloomberg Television.

While pointing out that Nigeria’s senate approved the borrowing plan from the World Bank in June, Ahmed said the board of the multilateral institution will discuss the loan package at their next meeting.

Alleged Head Of Iran’s Nuclear Weapons Program Assassinated Near Tehran

By
Elizabeth Williams
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Iran’s defense ministry said, The alleged head of Iran’s nuclear weapons program was assassinated Friday near the capital Tehran, The ministry confirmed the death of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a professor of physics and an officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, after it was widely reported in Iranian media.

Several top Iranian officials indicated they believed Israel was behind the killing in the hours after the attack, with one adviser to the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader vowing revenge.

“This Friday afternoon, armed terrorist elements attacked a car carrying Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, head of the Ministry of Defense’s Research and Innovation Organization,” it said. “During the clash between his security team and the terrorists, Mr. Mohsen Fakhrizadeh was seriously injured and taken to hospital.

Unfortunately, the medical team did not succeed in reviving him, and a few minutes ago, this manager and scientist, after years of effort and struggle, achieved a high degree of martyrdom.

There was no comment on whether the attackers had escaped.

The attack happened in Absard, a small city just east of the capital, Tehran. Iran’s Fars and the Tasnim news agencies, both close to security sources, said it involved “terrorists bombing a car before shooting at Mr. Fakhrizadeh’s car.”

Those wounded, including Fakhrizadeh’s bodyguards, were later taken to a local hospital, Fars said.

Police Operations: Two Suspected Robbers Killed, Eight Arrested In Akwa Ibom

By
Itohan Olomu-Agbodo
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Operatives of the Akwa Ibom Police Command on Wednesday killed two suspected armed robbers during a shoot out with the hoodlums in Essien Udim Local government Area of the state.

The two suspects were confirmed dead after being taken to a hospital while eight of them from the same gang have been arrested

A statement by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, on Friday, said the command also arrested three suspected cultists at Ikot Atai village in Itu LGA, who allegedly robbed and inflicted pains on their victims with machete cuts

Items recovered from the suspected robbers include two locally made pistols, two axes, 86 live cartridges, 5 expended cartridges, charms, the sum of N9,150.00 cash, one airtel sim card, and four big bags.

The statement reads, “On 25/11/2020, at about 2200hrs, a distress call was received about an ongoing armed robbery operation at Obo Annang Junction in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

“A combined team of operatives, coordinated by the Area Commander Ikot Ekpene, ACP Nasir Kankarofo, led to an exchange of gunfire with the hoodlums, one Pius Ubong and Sunny (other names unknown) were hit and confirmed dead after being taken to the hospital while Stephen Dominic, age 20 years, Sunday Akpan, 22 years, and Friday Emmanuel Akpan, 32 years, all male and members of the same gang were arrested.

“The following exhibits were recovered from the suspects: Two locally made pistols, two locally made pistols, two axes, 86 live cartridges, 5 expended cartridges, charms, the sum of N9,150.00 cash, one airtel sim card and four big bags.

“On the same day, the Divisional Police Officer of Essien Udim, CSP Samuel Isiek, led a combined team of Tactical Squads to raid criminal hideouts around Essien Udim which led to the arrest of five hoodlums suspected to have robbed Obo Annang Market earlier in the week. They are helping the police with further investigation.

“Similarly, on 21/11/2020, at about 2215hrs, premised on a distress call from Obot Idim Junction in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, three (3) suspected cultists / Armed robbers, one Edikan Aniekan Udo, ‘m’ of Use Offot Village in Uyo LGA, Samuel Solomon Ekong ‘m’ of Ikot Obio Atai Village in Itu LGA and one Gabriel Effiong Eyo, ‘m’ of Ikot Ide Etukudo Village in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA were arrested in an operation led by the Divisional Police Officer SP Ahmadu Bello, for robbing and inflicting machete cuts on their victims who were swiftly rushed to the hospital by the Police Operatives while two Laptop Computers, long machetes, big scissors, and torch lights were recovered from the suspects.”

Economy Watch: India enters first recession in 73 years

By
Itohan Olomu-Agbodo
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India’s economy contracted 7.5 percent between July and September, performing the poorest among major advanced and emerging economies and entering a technical recession for the first time since independence, official data showed Friday.

Although the figures were an improvement on the record 23.9-percent contraction recorded last quarter, they indicate that Asia’s third-largest economy is in for a tough fight as it attempts to revive demand and create jobs even as coronavirus infections climb.

The two successive quarters of contraction mean that the country has now entered a “technical recession” for the first time since 1947.

After virus-led lockdowns ravaged the globe, the growth recorded by major economies including the United States, Japan and Germany during the quarter ending on September 30 raised expectations that India would also enjoy a revival.

But, while consumer businesses saw a boost due to increased spending in the run-up to the October-November festive season, hopes of a broader recovery were dashed, with the construction and hospitality sectors taking a hit.

Farming continued to be a relatively bright spot, while manufacturing activity also increased during the July-September period after plunging nearly 40 percent during the previous quarter due to the lockdown.

New Delhi has struggled to kick-start an economy that is expected to shrink 9.5 percent this year, according to estimates released by India’s central bank governor Shaktikanta Das last month.

The International Monetary Fund has meanwhile predicted that India’s economy would contract by 10.3 percent this year, the biggest slump for any major emerging economy and the worst since independence.

A report by Oxford Economics released earlier this month said that India would be the worst-affected economy even after the pandemic eases, stating that annual output would be 12 percent below pre-virus levels through 2025.

India’s economy had struggled to gain traction even before the pandemic, and the hit to global activity from the virus and one of the world’s strictest lockdowns combined to deal the country a severe blow.

The shutdown in the vast country of 1.3 billion people left huge numbers of people jobless almost overnight, including tens of millions of migrant workers in the shadow economy.

Netherland Returns 600-year-old Smuggled Terracotta To Nigeria.

By
faith Jegede
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Nigeria has received an ancient priceless terracotta head that was taken from Ile-Ife, a city in the southwestern state of Osun.

The minister of information, lai Mohammed said, that the 600-year-old artifact, had been smuggled through Ghana into the Netherlands, where it was flagged as suspicious.
The Dutch ambassador to Nigeria, Harry Van Dijk, on Thursday, returned the artifact to the minister in a ceremony in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.

The information minister in a statement said that the “The smuggler had obtained forged documents” with which he carried the artifact out, passed it through ghana but was intercepted by Dutch customs at the Amsterdam airport.

Mohammed said hundreds of Nigerian artifacts, including Benin bronzes that were stolen during the pre-colonial and colonial period, are in museums in Europe and the United States, and Nigeria would continue to seek their return.

He noted that with the repatriation of the “priceless and timeless’’ artifact, the federal government’s efforts at pursuing the return of Nigerian antiquities had started yielding results.

Narcolepsy After Vaccination Campaign Against 2009-2010 Swine Flu Creates New Vaccine Skepticisms – Article

By
Elizabeth Williams
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0

Take a vaccine developed in haste? Never again, says Meissa Chebbi, who, like hundreds of other young Swedes suffered debilitating narcolepsy after a mass vaccination campaign against the 2009-2010 swine flu pandemic. The experience has shaken some Swedes’ confidence in any future vaccine against the new coronavirus, compounding fears about unknown long-term side effects.

“I will never recommend that,” 21-year-old Chebbi told AFP when asked about taking a speedily developed vaccine. “Unless you really have to take it because of life-threatening circumstances.”

The Swedish case highlights the complex task governments face in rolling out vaccines against the coronavirus, especially at a time when rabid social media misinformation is feeding scepticism in state institutions and even about the disease itself.

The trauma over vaccines is particularly notable in Sweden, which normally boasts participation of more than 90 percent in its voluntary children’s vaccination programme.

But a recent survey conducted by the Novus polling institute suggested that 26 percent of Swedes do not plan to take any of the Covid-19 vaccines being developed and 28 percent are undecided. Forty-six percent said they would get a jab. Of those opposed, 87 percent said it was due to fears over as-yet  unknown side effects.

What is Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a central nervous system disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and abnormal manifestations of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This disorder is caused by the brain’s inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles normally, but it can be treated with medication and behavior modification. About narcolepsy and other sleep disorders.

Pandemrix is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline in Europe and was specifically produced for pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza. It was not used before 2009, and has not been used since the influenza pandemic season (2009-2010). It contains an oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant called ASO3. Adjuvants are substances added to a vaccine to increase the body’s immune response to that vaccine.

Pandemrix was not licensed for use in the United States.

CDC Vaccine Safety Efforts and Research

In response to the events in Europe, CDC reviewed data from the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) and found no indication of any association between U.S.-licensed H1N1 or seasonal influenza vaccine and narcolepsy.

In 2014, CDC published a study to assess the occurrence of narcolepsy following vaccination with 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine or 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine, both of which contained the 2009 H1N1 virus strain (more about types of influenza viruses). The analysis included more than 650,000 people who received the 2009 pandemic flu vaccine and over 870,000 people who received the 2010-2011 seasonal flu vaccine. The study found that vaccination with influenza vaccines containing the 2009 H1N1 virus strain used in the United States was not associated with an increased risk for narcolepsy.

Health authorities in the Scandinavian country in 2009 urged the public to voluntarily take the Pandemrix vaccine against swine flu, made by British drug company GlaxoSmithKline. More than 60 percent heeded the call — the highest level in the world.

According to the director of the Swedish Public Health Agency, Johan Carlson, 60 to 70 percent of the population would have to be vaccinated in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Vaccine development

Following covid-19 warp speed vaccine produced around the world by different pharmaceutical companies, the scepticisms of side effects continues to grow.

Firstly, vaccine development is normally a very long process to ensure vaccines are safe and effective before they are used.

Clinical trials will have to be done for efficacy. This is not optional – regulators will need to know extensive testing has taken place before licencing any vaccine. Even if animal tests are done in parallel with early human tests, the remainder of the process is still lengthy.

In the UK a number of vaccines have recently reported successful trials but none have yet gained safety approval.

England and Scotland have already made vaccine rollout announcements.

A number of vaccines have recently reported successful trials but none have yet gained safety approval.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said her government hopes to vaccinate a million people by the end of January, while in England they hope to have all vulnerable people vaccinated by Easter.

Now the Million Dollar Question is why the rush in Vaccine Roll Out that has not been Certified Safe or approved.

20 natural ways to look more pretty and attractive

By
Chris Ottah
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0

A lot of us invest so much time and effort into trying to be beautiful, this is understandable as it’s clear we live in a beauty-obsessed world and the beauty business is a multi-billion dollar industry. 

However, being pretty is so much more than just using the right beauty products. It’s about finding ways to feel beautiful, powerful and confident. And it doesn’t have to cost much money at all.

It’s about finding ways to be naturally beautiful that work for your life and feel authentic to you.  

20 tips to make you more attractive:

1. Make eye contact. 

Not only is making eye contact with someone respectful, it’s also a sign of confidence. When talking to people, look them in the eye and truly listen to what they have to say.

This type of active, engaged communication not only makes you seem more attractive, prettier and more confident to someone you may find attractive and want to date, it can help you at work and even in your relationships with family and friends. 

2. Smile more.

Smiling can boost your mood from the outside-in. Think of something that makes you laugh, a family member or pet that brings you joy, and let that smile come across your face. 

The fact that smiling makes you prettier is just an added bonus.

3. Wear clothes that are comfortable and fit well.

You don’t have to have the latest styles or copy the hottest influencers to have a wardrobe that boosts your overall prettiness.

In fact, unless you absolutely love shopping and keeping up-to-date on trends, it’s best to stick with styles and brands that are a bit more timeless and make you feel great.

4. Take good care of your skin.

The skincare products you use need to be suited to your skin and your particular needs.

Remember that even if your gorgeous friend uses a particular cleanser with great results doesn’t mean it’ll do the same for you. Our skin needs are as unique as we are!

5. Exfoliate the right way.

Another thing to consider is how you exfoliate. While it is recommended to do it regularly to get rid of dead cells and make the skin more vibrant, you should make sure to be gentle.

Instead of using a rough scrub, try something with very fine exfoliating particles and then apply gently. You can also try a chemical exfoliant.

6. Find a makeup routine that works for you.

Makeup should help you feel confident and beautiful, not awkward or overdone, and only you can define that for yourself. The process of trial and error is usually the best way to do this.

Your natural beauty comes from inside of you — your smile, your personality, and the sparkle in your eye, and that is what you really want to enhance with your makeup.

7. Add a little shimmer to your glow.

There are many ways to highlight your natural beauty with makeup, but one of the easiest and most universal is to use a product that has a bit of shimmer or strobing effect on your cheekbones, under your eyebrows and along your jawline. You can even add a little to your collarbones. 

Healthy skin glows naturally, and your shimmer should replicate that — not give the effect of glitter on your skin. 

8. Gently curl your eyelashes.

If you’d like to naturally draw attention to your eyes where your personality can really shine through, try curling your eyelashes!

For maximum effect, apply mascara after curling. 

9. Invest in a professional eyebrow shaping.

A great brow shaping can make your eyes pop, make you look well-rested, and help add balance to your features. 

After one good shaping, you can carefully maintain your brows by tweezing just a few hairs every day as they grow back.

 

10. Take great care of your nails.

There are different styles and preferences when it comes to nails these days and that is something we should all accept. However, one thing has not changed: Whether you prefer long or short nails, bare or polished, they need to be even and clean.

Also, if your nail polish is seriously chipped or otherwise ruined, be sure to remove it. 

11. Protect the skin on your neck. 

There are many skin care products that claim to have anti-aging effects that will revitalize your skin and bring its youthfulness back. But did you know that most facial products can and should be applied to the neck area, too?

Check the label and choose the products that can be applied to both décolletage and neck, as those are also quite prone to aging signs.

12. Use lip balm to heal chapped lips. 

If you have flaky lips, do not put on lipstick. Instead, try to get rid of dead skin cells with a toothbrush (be gentle) and utilize a moisturizing balm. Once you get rid of dryness, regularly use a medicated lip balm like Carmex to heal and restore the natural balance of your lips. 

After your lips are healed, you can return to making your lips beautiful with lipstick.

13. Keep perfume light.

Everyone loves an attractive woman with a fresh and attractive scent, but you need to know where the limit is when applying perfume. There is no need to leave behind your scent minutes after you leave the room.

Remember, you want people to say, “She smells good” — not, “she smells like perfume!”

14. Change your hairstyle regularly.

Some women love wearing a ponytail, bun, or braid and that’s their favorite hairstyle for all occasions.

While there is nothing wrong with that, you should make sure not to always tie it in the exact same position. These types of styles lead to plenty of hair tension and if you’re wearing it every day, you can weaken the quality and health of your follicles. You may even notice some hair loss in the areas where your hair is pulling. 

In addition, mixing it up frames your face differently and gives you a fresh look.

15. Keep your teeth white.

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on bleaching to have a brighter smile. Whitening strips work well, and can give you whiter teeth that still look natural.

Add whitening toothpaste, regular flossing and visits to the dentist and you’ll have a naturally pretty smile. 

16. Set yourself up for a night of true beauty sleep.

Everyone needs a good night of sleep. After all, that’s when the cells in our bodies regenerate and heal! According to the CDC, adults need at least seven hours each night. 

There are many factors contributing to lack of sleep, but getting an inadequate amount of sleep greatly affects our beauty. Not only will you feel tired, but you will also look tired.

From dark circles under our eyes to premature aging, getting 7 or more hours of uninterrupted sleep is key to being naturally attractive.

17. Start your day with a big glass of water and then sip all day.

Hydration not only helps every organ in your body work better, it also prevents headaches, can help reduce anxiety symptoms from dehydration and can help your skin look plumped and fresh!

If you exercise and work up a big sweat, you will need to add in more fluids to this minimum, including electrolytes.  

18. Exercise regularly.

There are so many benefits to getting regular exercise that we can’t even list them all here! The first thing to know is that — despite what the beauty and fitness industries may try to sell you — being beautiful has nothing to do with the size or shape of your body. 

With that in mind, remember that exercise is proven to boost “happy hormones” in your brain — and there’s nothing more naturally pretty than your smile. 

19. Feed your body healthy foods.

There are many foods you can eat that will help you be naturally pretty because they promote good health overall. But some specific foods can help boost your natural beauty by nourishing your skin and hair, too. Unsurprisingly, fresh fruits and veggies top this list — but that’s not all. 

According to Healthline, foods like avocados, salmon, and walnuts contain healthy fats that can help your hair look healthier and give your skin more elasticity (which reduces fine lines and wrinkles). 

They also recommend eating foods that are high in vitamin C like bell peppers and many fruits.

Finally, eating foods that are high in beta carotein, lutein and lycopene can help reduce the damaging effects of the sun’s rays. That means carrots, tomatoes, dark leafy green veggies, and sweet potatoes. 

20. Eat dark chocolate. 

If you’re looking for a little indulgence, head straight to one of our favourite foods: dark chocolate. Despite the warnings from your mother that chocolate causes acne (it doesn’t!), dark chocolate (which has very little dairy compared to milk chocolate) can actually help your skin look better. 

Also, when you eat something you love you can experience a boost of happy hormones in your brain and body, helping you feel relaxed. And when you feel good, you look good!

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