Peter Gotti, former boss of the Gambino crime family in New York from 1999 to 2002 has died in prison, after spending 17 years for racketeering and other charges..
He was sentenced to 25 years in jail after being convicted in 2003.
According to the Associated Press, he died of natural causes at the Federal Medical Center in Butner.
Peter Gotti served as the acting boss of the Gambinos from 1999 to 2002 after his younger brother, John, was sent to prison for murder and racketeering.
John Gotti was the main boss of the Gambinos until Peter took over as acting boss when John was imprisoned
John died of cancer in 2002 at age 61.
Peter Gotti spent an estimated $70,000 on failed attempts to hunt down Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano after Gravano gave out information about his brother John to the feds, court papers say.
Gravano helped authorities bring John Gotti down in exchange for a 1991 plea deal so after Peter tried hunting him down he was arrested and sent to jail.
Gotti, from New York, had recently asked for an early release from prison because of his poor health.
He had been suffering from thyroid problems and was blind in one eye, Lewis Kasman, a former mobster and John Gotti confidant, told the AP.
“We are truly afraid he is dying now, he feels he is,” attorney James Craven wrote in court papers in December 2019.
“As his lawyer, I am afraid this will all become moot soon if nothing is done.”
Craven remarked that even “Stevie Wonder could see” the former crime boss was not dangerous.
According to Kasman, Gotti, a former sanitation worker, was a “regular knockaround guy who didn’t let his title go to his head but his kindness made him ill-suited to lead the Gambino crime family”
“He was trying to do his brother’s bidding, and he had a tough task,” Kasman said.
“A lot of the captains were very upset with him because he wasn’t a strong boss. The Lucchese family walked all over him.”
The Facebook Oversight Board has received an appeal to restore former President Donald Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, a spokesperson for the board has confirmed.
“We can confirm that a user statement has been received in the case before the Oversight Board concerning President Trump’s Facebook and Instagram accounts,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Facebook handed the case to its independent board in January. The board’s process reportedly gave administrators of Trump’s Facebook page the option to submit a statement challenging Facebook’s decision which has now been done.
The spokeswoman said the board would have no further comment until it had issued a decision.
The board is responsible for overseeing an appeals process that allows users to challenge decisions made by Facebook and Instagram. The decisions made by the board are final and cannot be overturned by any executives, including Zuckerberg.
Last month, Facebook and Instagram indefinitely banned Donald Trump following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
“We believe the risks of allowing the President to continue to use our service during this period are simply too great,” Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg said at the time
Two self-made South Korean billionaires have pledged to give away half their fortunes.
Kim Beom-su, the founder of South Korea’s biggest messaging app KakaoTalk, announced this month he will donate more than half his estimated $9.6 billion assets to try to “solve social issues”.
Kim Bong-jin of food-delivery app Woowa Brothers and his wife, Bomi Sul, have also signed the Giving Pledge. They are the first South Koreans to join the philanthropic campaign which was set up by Bill and Melinda Gates, alongside Warren Buffett, for billionaires to give away at least half their wealth.
In his Giving Pledge statement, Kim of Woowa Brothers described his “humble beginning” on a small island.
His parents ran a small restaurant, where he slept at night, and as a teenager he gave up his dream of attending an art high school, enrolling instead in a cheaper vocational school.
Wealth, he said, had value when it was used for “the greatest benefit of the least advantaged members of society”.
Rather than keeping the entirety of their fortune, Kim and his wife said in their statement: “We are certain that this pledge is the greatest inheritance that we could provide for our children.”
Neither of the billionaire Kims, who were born to working-class families, has so far provided a precise timeline for their pledged donations.
More than 200 super-wealthy from around the world have signed the Giving Pledge, according to its website.
The state government had ordered the temporary closure of 10 grant-aided secondary schools in Ilorin; C&S College, ST. Anthony College, ECWA School, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, CAC Secondary School, St. Barnabas Secondary School, St. John School, St. Williams Secondary School and St. James Secondary School, after a meeting between leaders of the Christian and Muslim communities ended in deadlock.
While the Muslim leaders insisted their students should be allowed to use the head covering in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution, their Christian counterparts demanded respect for the ‘religious background’ of the schools.
However in a statement released by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government Mamma Jibril on Thursday evening, the state government announced that it has approved the use of hijab in all public schools in the state and directed the 10 schools which were shut down last week to reopen on Monday March 1.
The statement read;
“Consequently, the government hereby acknowledges and approves the right of the Muslim schoolgirl to wear the hijab, and directs the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to come up with a uniform hijab for all public/ grant-aided schools, which will be the accepted mode of head covering in schools. Any willing schoolgirl with the approved (uniform) hijab shall have the right to wear same in public/grant-aided schools.
“Also, the government affirms the right of every child in public schools to freedom of worship. The government hereby directs that the affected 10 schools should reopen to commence classes on Monday 8th March 2021.
“Similarly, the government has carefully noted submissions regarding ownership of grant-aided schools and related issues. While the status of these schools is the subject of judicial determination, this and other related matters will soon be subjected to a technical committee to advise accordingly. The government reassures all members of the public that it will act in good conscience at all times.
“The government asserts that there is no victor or vanquished on the hijab question. It urges the two faith communities, especially the leaders, opinion moulders and media personalities to act with restraint and great responsibility in their public utterances and actions, and continue to live in peace and harmony with one another. The government commends all the thought and religious leaders on both sides for their forbearance, understanding and commitment to peace.”
Kwara State Government has approved the use of hijab in all public schools in the state, barely a week after 10 schools were shut down over a hijab controversy.
The state government had ordered the temporary closure of 10 grant-aided secondary schools in Ilorin; C&S College, ST. Anthony College, ECWA School, Surulere Baptist Secondary School, Bishop Smith Secondary School, CAC Secondary School, St. Barnabas Secondary School, St. John School, St. Williams Secondary School and St. James Secondary School, after a meeting between leaders of the Christian and Muslim communities ended in deadlock.
While the Muslim leaders insisted their students should be allowed to use the head covering in accordance with the Nigerian Constitution, their Christian counterparts demanded respect for the ‘religious background’ of the schools.
However in a statement released by the Secretary to the Kwara State Government Mamma Jibril on Thursday evening, the state government announced that it has approved the use of hijab in all public schools in the state and directed the 10 schools which were shut down last week to reopen on Monday March 1.
The statement read;
“Consequently, the government hereby acknowledges and approves the right of the Muslim schoolgirl to wear the hijab, and directs the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development to come up with a uniform hijab for all public/ grant-aided schools, which will be the accepted mode of head covering in schools. Any willing schoolgirl with the approved (uniform) hijab shall have the right to wear same in public/grant-aided schools.
“Also, the government affirms the right of every child in public schools to freedom of worship. The government hereby directs that the affected 10 schools should reopen to commence classes on Monday 8th March 2021.
“Similarly, the government has carefully noted submissions regarding ownership of grant-aided schools and related issues. While the status of these schools is the subject of judicial determination, this and other related matters will soon be subjected to a technical committee to advise accordingly. The government reassures all members of the public that it will act in good conscience at all times.
“The government asserts that there is no victor or vanquished on the hijab question. It urges the two faith communities, especially the leaders, opinion moulders and media personalities to act with restraint and great responsibility in their public utterances and actions, and continue to live in peace and harmony with one another. The government commends all the thought and religious leaders on both sides for their forbearance, understanding and commitment to peace.”
Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum, the daughter of Dubai ruler and UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has sent a letter to police in the UK asking them to investigate the alleged kidnapping of her older sister, Princess Shamsa, from Britain in 2000, 21 years ago.
In a new BBC Panorama documentary, Latifa claimed to be held hostage in Dubai in secret video recordings.
She said she was always guarded in a secret house and was told by security operatives she will never see the sun again.
According to her she has been held hostage since 2018 when she tried to flee the country but was arrested while on sea by Navy commandos.
Now in a letter dated 2018 but released on Thursday, February 25, Latifa says the UK should investigate her sister’s alleged kidnap as she has been ‘missing’ since then.
“In the summer of 2000 Shamsa escaped the family vacation house in England. She was 18 years old … and of sound mind,” Princess Latifa, wrote in a letter sent to CNN by her friend David Haigh, a campaigner for her release and part of Detained International, a legal advocacy NGO.
“She was enslaved and oppressed and suffered physical abuse at the hands of family members … She wanted to seek asylum in the UK where she has family permanently living there. After a few months, she was kidnapped … She was dragged from the street kicking and screaming. She was tranquilized and flown back to Dubai,” Latifa wrote in the document dated February 2018.
The princess added her sister was tortured, “kept incommunicado with no release date, trial, or charge.”
“She was tortured by getting her feet caned which is something I experienced myself with my own imprisonment,” she wrote.
“Her ultimate goal is to be an emancipated person, to live with dignity, to have freedom of choice and freedom of movement … She wants the basic rights that all human beings are entitled to,” the princess continued.
The princess said her sister has “strong links to England” and was “abducted in an illegal manner, on UK soil.”
“All I ask of you is to please give attention on her case because it could get her freedom, which is the only thing that she wants in life,” she added.
The letter was obtained and delivered to the police by one of Latifa’s cousins and Haigh.
The botg the of them also submitted a “transcript of a number of video statements from Sheikha Latifa,” which were obtained by “smuggling, with great difficulty and danger, a mobile phone into the Dubai jail of Sheikha Latifa,”
“Contact [with Latifa] was maintained throughout the majority of 2019 and 2020. Contact was lost in the second half of 2020,” Haigh said.
They claims possessing evidence that one British citizen was involved in the kidnapping of Princess Shamsa.
“We were not able to release such evidence previously due to what we believed was an unacceptable risk to the life and safety of Sheikha Latifa. However, now that contact has been lost, we are gravely concerned for her life and safety and decided to take the step to release the evidence obtained,” Haigh added.
Meanwhile the United Arab Emirates embassy in London says coverage of Latifa’s situation “is not reflective of the actual position”
The owner of British Airways, International Airlines Group, has announced the biggest annual loss in its history as the Covid pandemic closed borders and grounded its aircraft.
The airline group, which also owns Iberia, Vueling, and Aer Lingus, announced on Friday, February 26, a post-tax loss of €7.4bn loss in 2020, the worst since the company’s formation 10 years ago.
“Our results reflect the serious impact that Covid-19 has had on our business,” said Luis Gallego, the chief executive of IAG. “The group continues to reduce its cost base and increase the proportion of variable costs to better match market demand. We’re transforming our business to ensure we emerge in a stronger competitive position.”
IAG’s passenger revenues reportedly plunged 75% from €22.4bn to €5.5bn last year but it said its cargo business had “helped to make long-haul passenger flights viable” during the pandemic. Cargo revenues increased by almost €200m to €1.3bn and IAG also operated more than 4,000 cargo-only flights during the year.
The airline group said that because of the uncertainty over the impact of the pandemic on its business, it would not provide profit guidance for this year and called for an international plan to “reopen the skies”.
Gallego said: “The aviation industry stands with governments in putting public health at the top of the agenda. Getting people travelling again will require a clear roadmap for unwinding current restrictions when the time is right. We know there is pent-up demand for travel and people want to fly. Vaccinations are progressing well and global infections are going in the right direction. We’re calling for international common testing standards and the introduction of digital health passes to reopen our skies safely.”
IAG burned through €4.1bn in cash last year almost €80m a week. Despite this, the company said its liquidity stood at €10.3bn, higher than at the start of the pandemic and market value halved to £9.6bn.
“These results from IAG really do bring out just how painful the last year has been for the airline industry,” said Jack Winchester, an analyst at Third Bridge. “Investors have been willing to plug IAG’s finances on the assumption of an eventual recovery but when the dust settles we are likely to see that low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air have come out of 2020 in far better shape.
Golf legend, Tiger Woods has been moved to a new hospital in Los Angeles to continue his recovery from surgery following his recent car accident.
The 15-time major winner, 45, underwent surgery to stabilise compound fractures of his tibia and fibula after the accident on Tuesday, February, 23, and has now been transferred from the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
“Woods was transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for continuing orthopaedic care and recovery,” Harbor-UCLA Medical Center interim CEO Anish Mahajan said on the hospital’s Twitter account.
“It was an honour to provide orthopaedic trauma care to one of our generation’s greatest athletes.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff has said Woods, 45, would not face criminal charges in the crash.
Woods, who recovered from numerous surgeries to break an 11-year major drought and win the 2019 Masters, has received an outpouring of support from friends, athletes and former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama in the wake of the crash.
American rapper, Kanye West reportedly spent a whooping $13.2 million including $12m of his own money on his failed Presidential bid in 2020.
The 43-year-old announced his 2020 United States presidential election campaign through Twitter on July 4, 2020, Independence Day, and on July 16, 2020, the campaign filed a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission.
Kanye reportedly received around 57,000 votes across the 12 states in which he was in the running.
According to a new report from People, Kanye West spent an eye-watering amount of money on his failed 2020 presidential attempt.
In a Federal Election Commission report, the rapper contributed $12.5 million of his own money and raised a little over $2 million from outside contributions to fund his Presidential bid.
The reports also notes that he’d raised $14.5m for his campaign and ended it with $1.3m left in the bank.
Last week, his wife Kim Kardashian filed for divorce to end their marriage of nearly seven years.
They are seeking to split physical and legal custody of their four children (North, seven, Saint, five, Chicago, three, Psalm, 21 months) 50/50.
Zamfara State Governor, Bello Mohammed Matawallen on Thursday, received three more repented bandits who surrendered their arms at the Government House, Gusau.
Among the repented bandits was one Muhammadu Sani Zakwi, the son of late Buharin Daji, Muhammad Sani Zakwi, a one time notorious bandit leader.
Zakwi inherited the leadership of one of the most dangerous camps in the state (Buharin Daji Camp) after his father’s death. The gang operated within Maru and Bungudu local Government Areas.
Items surrendered by the repentant bandits included 8 AK-47 rifles, two rocket launcher, 1 Map machine, and 1,041 live Ammunitions.
Receiving the repentant bandits and the surrendered arms and ammunition, Governor Matawallen noted that in less than two weeks, his administration had received four more groups of repentant bandits in furtherance to his carrot and stick approach to ensure lasting peace and tranquility in the state.
The Governor maintained that his administration will not rest on its oars until total peace is achieved in all parts of the state.
The Governor who thanked the Almighty God for making it possible for his administration to continue recording this successes, explained that the peace accord and reconciliation process with repentant bandits would be sustained in the state, while those unrepentant ones will face the full wrath of the law.
According to the Governor, not all Fulanis are criminals, noting that “as we all know, Fulanis are living and conducting their cattle rearing business in the bush.
He enjoined his colleagues, Governors across the country to embark on the peace and reconciliation with bandits and provide them with a sense of belonging.
He thanked the Emir of Maru and other stakeholders in the area for having talks with the bandits which led to the success recorded.
In a remak, the state Commissioner of Security and Home Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed Dauran said this giant initiative of common approach towards addressing insecurity in the state is yielding positive results.
Alhaji Abubakar Dauran added that in this regard, a lot have been achieved in the state internal security operations as a result of the peace accord which led to the return of normalcy in some hard-hit areas.
The commissioner explained that since the beginning of the peace process and reconciliation with bandits in the state, about 181 sophisticated weapons, 1525 live Ammunitions, 64 magazines, 2 number of Handcuffs as well as 887 locally fabricated Den guns were voluntarily surrendered by repentant bandits and local vigilantè group (Yansakai) across the state.
Earlier, the Emir of Maru, Alhaji Abubakar Gado Maigari told the Governor that his emirate and other stakeholders in the area engaged the bandits in the bush on the need to stop the ugly business and embrace the peace process of the state Government.
The occasion was attended by the former Deputy Governor of Zamfara state, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammed, Head of Service, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, Deputy Chief of staff, Dr. Bashir Muhammed Maru, Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello commissioners and senior Government officials.
On their parts, Zakwi with two of his colleagues said they were convinced to surrender with the way other repentant bandits were handled by the State Government.
“We finally resolved to surrender and join the society for normal living and peace to reign as a result of reconciliation and dialogue” they said.
Zakwi swore that, henceforth, he will live peacefully and enjoy citizenship in the state.
“I swear in the name of the holy Almighty God, that I will never either kill, kidnap or disturb the peace of innocent citizens of Zamfara State and even beyond again. I want to live as a law-abiding and peace-loving citizen,” he said.
“I want to assure the innocent people of Zamfara State that, a large number of bandits still living in the forest are willing to embrace peace as we were all made to understand that, administration of Governor Matawalle does not mean to trap and harm us, but rather meant to restore peace in the state.”
Responding, Governor Matawalle assured the repentant bandits of equal treatment without being stigmatized by any person or group of persons.
“My administration was committed to providing conducive living standard such as better education, health care delivery among other things.”
The office of the national security adviser (NSA) has expressed its fear with the deployment of 5th Generation (5G) technology in the country.
Bala Fakandu, director of communications in NSA who appeared before the senate committee on communications on Thursday February 25, said they are concerned about the deliberate vulnerabilities and backdoors within the 5G network equipment, which according to him might expose Nigeria to “eavesdropping, tracking, cyber-attacks, military and industrial espionage and other malicious activities by foreign actors.”
Fakandu also asked the ministry of communications and digital economy to carry them along in the formulation of the policy that would guide the use of 5G in the country.
He said;
“We are concerned about the deliberate vulnerabilities and backdoors within the 5G network equipment.
“That is one of the key concerns we have and this will make the infrastructure highly susceptible to eavesdropping, tracking, cyber-attacks, military and industrial espionage and other malicious activities by foreign actors.
“We understand these are things that will be put in place particularly in the policy the minister has talked about.
“I need to emphasise it so that the stakeholders in the telecommunications industry will understand where we are coming from because the national security concerns is the concern of the office of the national security adviser and of the president as well.”
AC Milan and Sweden striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes Brazil’s Ronaldo is the best player in history and that “everyone” wanted to play like the World Cup winner at the height of his career
Ibrahimovic expressed his admiration towards the World Cup winner ahead of Milan’s Europa League clash with Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night, while putting him ahead of modern-day greats such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the all-time list of top players.
Zlatan, 39 thinks Ronaldo Nazario, who inspired Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, changed the game with his unique talents and still stands till this day.
Zlatan told Discovery Plus: “I don’t need to describe Ronaldo, ‘The Phenomenon’.
“I always say you have the players that play the game, and the players that are the game. For me, Ronaldo is the game. When you watch him play, everyone wanted to play like him and become like him.
“The way he was moving, the way he did his stepovers, the way he did ‘the snake’. The way he was moving, for me he’s the greatest player through history, no doubt.”
Ronaldo’s extraordinary career saw him play for PSV, Barcelona, Inter, Real Madrid, Milan and Corinthians.
He scored 296 goals in 452 matches in total, while also winning three FIFA World Player of the Year awards and two Ballons d’Or .
He helped Brazil reach the World Cup final in 1998 before scoring eight goals in the 2002 World Cup to fire the Selecao to their fifth title.
A sultry video vixen, dancer and contemporary Rhumba exponent Lyn Magodo a.k.a Lady Storm has been reportedly busted by a DNA test conducted on her child who she’s been accused of using to get ‘maintenance money’ from different men.
The DNA tests which were carried out by Global DNA Zimbabwe revealed that the entertainer’s child was not fathered by businessman Tinarwo “Mukanya” Gotora as the she has always insisted, but by a South African-based car dealer Luckmore Pongolani.
Commenting on the DNA test in an interview with H-Metro, the dealer Luckmore Pongolani said he decided to go public with the news after Lady Storm denied him access to their child and insisted on running more tests.
Pongolani said;
“I have just called you to clarify on my paternity row with Lady Storm, which has been raging on for the past three years.
“As I have always maintained from the start that DNA tests should be conducted, she has not been cooperating insisting that Mukanya (Tinarwo Gotora) who was married to her was the father since he provided for her needs before they split.”
Luckmore Pongolani with the child. (Image Credit: H-Metro)
Luckmore also accused Lady Storm of fleecing multiple men by claiming money for child support.
He added;
“She once came here (South Africa) and that’s when I realised she was also claiming money from another guy in South Africa called Denzel and another old man in Harare.
“It appears she had been having unprotected sex with other men at the same time and I am, glad that I am HIV negative otherwise it could have been another story.
“My daughter’s life is at stake and that’s why I decided to take this action.
“Lady Storm has been nagging me asking for money but she always changes her mind after receiving what she wants from me.”
Tinarwo “Mukanya” Gotora (Image Credit: H-Metro)
Asked how he convinced Lady Storm also known as Eriza to partake the DNA results, he said;
“Firstly, I contacted her so that I could send blood samples to Lancet here in South Africa since I have offices here but she didn’t cooperate.
“I then contacted Global DNA Zimbabwe with her blessings and the results came in my favour.
“The only problem now is that she is contesting the results insisting that she wants to go for another test with Mukanya.
“What is bothering me now is that she has shifted goalposts insisting that I am supposed to compensate Mukanya for the lobola he paid for her.
“To be honest, I won’t compensate another man because I have been deprived access to my daughter for a while and her mother’s lifestyle worries me.
“I have also learnt that Lady Storm gives my daughter beer especially ciders and that she talks vulgar in the presence of our daughter which is grossly unfair.
“In short, all I want is custody of my daughter, I didn’t want to share this with the world for our daughter’s sake, but it was Lady Storm who started it when she told a Zimbabwean daily paper that I was not the father.”
With Lady Storm preferring to remain mum on the issue, Global Diagnostic Centre Zimbabwe representative Mugabe confirmed the dancer was contesting the results without proof.
Mugabe said;
“From my findings, Luckmore is the father even though the woman is disputing them. She claims they held other tests locally but she could not provide any further proof to justify her claims and bring the matter to finality.”
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Talata Mafara local government area of Zamfara State and abducted ‘300’ of the school girls.
According to reports, the gunmen stormed the school premises in the early hours of today, Friday, February 26.
The state police command or the state government is yet to comment on this development.
This incident comes barely a week after bandits attacked the Government Science College in Kagara, Niger state and abducted 27 students and 15 others after they had shot a student dead.
in another news:
Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has accused the Federal Government of abandoning them in negotiation to secure the release of victims abducted at Government Science College, Kagara.
Bello said this when Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu visited him at the Government House in Minna on Thursday February 25.
The governor who said the state has been left to handle the rescue on its own, said they were left to shoulder the financial responsibility which came off the abduction. He however admitted that the Federal Government sent a delegation to the state and also deployed 300 mobile policemen to the state.
The Niger state Governor however vowed to ensure that the kidnap victims are freed. Bello said;
“So where is the support? At the moment we have not seen any Federal support here since this incident occurred. Yes we had a delegation that came to commensurate with, but we are left to ourselves.
“We will use whatever means and resources available to make sure the children return home safely. We don’t have exact day and when these children will be released but I am sure that it will happen very soon.
Thierry Henry has quit his job as manager of Montreal Impact in Canada, stating that the role was having too much impact on his family.
The Arsenal legend took charge of the MLS club ahead of the 2020 season but stated that the coronavirus pandemic has made it impossible to continue. He added that he will be moving back to London.
‘It is with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to take this decision,’ Henry said in a club statement.
‘The last year has been an extremely difficult one for me personally. Due to the worldwide pandemic, I was unable to see my children. Unfortunately due to the ongoing restrictions and the fact that we will have to relocate to the US again for several months will be no different.
‘The separation is too much of a strain for me and my kids. Therefore, it is with much sadness that I must take the decision to return to London and leave CF Montreal.
‘I would like to thank the fans, players and all the staff of this Club that have made me feel so welcome.
‘I would also like to thank Kevin Gilmore, Olivier Renard and of course Joey and all of the Saputo family for giving me this wonderful opportunity.
‘We had an impossible year together and to make the playoffs with this group of people is an experience that I will never forget. Thank you all for being there on this journey and I wish you all the success for the future.’
The club’s sporting director admitted his regret at seeing the exit of the 43-year-old.
‘Thierry’s departure is unfortunate and premature because this was very promising, but he informed me of his desire to be back with his family because the situation was and remains very difficult for both him and his family,’ Olivier Renard said.
‘I want to thank him, first on a human level because he led the players by example last year by being away from his family, but also from a sporting level and for what we have built together since his arrival.’
Henry was recently linked with taking over at Championship side Bournemouth following the sacking of Jason Tindall. But missed out to caretaker manager Jonathan Woodgate, who was named as interim boss until the end of the season after guiding the club to three wins in their first five games.
President Buhari has vowed that his administration will continue to deal with insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals who constitute a threat to innocent citizens across the country.
The President said this when he spoke at the joint security meeting of Northern State Governors’ Forum and traditional rulers on Thursday February 25.
Represented by Ibrahim Gambari, chief of staff to the president, Buhari said criminality should be handled without resorting to ethnic profiling.
“I must appreciate the efforts of the 19 Northern States Governors’ Forum for their contribution towards national growth and development, especially in this challenging period in our nation’s being where certain fundamental corporate existence need to be frankly deliberated upon and actionable resolutions reached.
This meeting is coming at a time when the nation is making steady progress in addressing the many challenges impeding developmental and progress. We are providing critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, airports among others which are critical to economic prosperity of our people as well as opening up economic opportunities for our citizens to pursue legitimate aspirations that grow the economy.
At the same time, we are confronting the various dimensions of security challenges that continue to slow down the emancipation of our people from poverty and economic deprivation. The Government shall continue to deal with insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals who constitute a threat to innocent citizens across the country.
Criminals are criminals and should be dealt with accordingly, without resorting to ethnic profiling. I have already tasked the new Service Chiefs to devise new strategies that will end this ugly situation where the lives of our people continue to be threatened by hoodlums and criminals.
I expect that at this meeting, your Forum will also discuss and devise ways of building stronger collaboration with the security architecture and the people in defeating criminality across the region and the nation at large.”
Though Scott Disick and Kourtney Kardashian haven’t been together for several years, Scott believes they will one day be together forever.
In a preview for the final season of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” Scott tells his ex he’s “ready” to marry her “right now” and wants to know what demands she may have. And Kourtney gave him an ultimatum.
It began while the Kardashians were at a family dinner and Kim Kardashian brings up the topic, asking Kourtney and Scott when they are going to get back together.
Scott pauses briefly then answers, “Wherever Kourt stands, I stand with her. Forever.”
“Obviously,” Khloe Kardashian immediately replies, before Kourtney then chimes in, saying, “That’s nice.”
Kim then tells Scott and Kourtney they should get married.
“Can we just have a Kourtney-Scott wedding? That would be epic!” Kim says, to which several people at the table appear to agree.
Kris Jenner then says, “Scott, if you could just bring it within yourself to go over there and get on one knee, propose, we’ll have the wedding. It’ll be amazing. Make my daughter respectable.”
Scott then becomes serious and says that he wants to marry Kourtney.
“Well, I love you and I’m ready to marry you. Right here, right now,” he says. “Kourtney knows that eventually we’ll get married and live a good life.”
Kourtney then replies with an ultimatum, “…Or when you wanna work on yourself.”
And Scott asks, “What else do I have to do?”
Khloe then turns to Kourtney, surprised, then says: “Oh, you’re giving him an ultimatum right now? What the hell is it?”
Twin sisters, Amesha Thuesday Grant and Amela Latahsa Thuesday on Wednesday, February 24, gave birth to their babies some 13 minutes apart at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital in Guyana.
Both infants, a girl named Cassidy Miracle Grant and a boy named Myron Kingsley Rajgopaul arrived at 9:10hrs and 9:23hrs respectively. Both babies weighed some 3kg.
Amesha and Amela were both admitted to the hospital on February 23.
A statement posted by the Regional Democratic Council of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), on Facebook said that the Regional Health Officer Dr Vishalya Sharma and Medical Superintendent Dr Vasana Henry were thrilled that the institution was chosen by the mothers to care and manage their deliveries.
The new mothers, Amesha and Amela said they are thankful to God that they are able to share this experience with each other.
“Father I wanna thank you for bringing me and my sister through safe with our delivery. Twins make twin cousins mins apart. They both would be celebrating their birthday together while me and my twin gone do the same” Amela wrote on Facebook.
Nigerian singer, Davido has revealed his billionaire father, Adedeji Adeleke, worked as a manager at Burger King, a fast-food restaurant in the US before he became wealthy.
The singer disclosed this while speaking about his biggest inspiration during a performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk, a video series of live concerts hosted by NPR Music in Washington.
“The inspiration for me has been my father, a Nigerian-American like me. He studied in the States. I studied there myself. I went to HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), a predominantly black college,” he said.
“My dad went to one as well. He used to work at Burger King. He was a manager at Burger King.”
The Management of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology LAUTECH, have reacted to the viral video of a man said to be a lecturer of the institution having sex with a lady alleged to be a student of the institution.
LAUTECH became the number one trending topic on Twitter on Thursday February 25 after the sex tape was released. In the 44-second video, the middle-aged man was seen having his way with the young lady in a room. The lecturer was left in shock after he turned during the act to see a third party filming him. The video was later released online.
Reacting to the development, the school authorities in a statement released, denied claims that the female is one of its students.
”We don’t have anything to do with the lady you mentioned. There are many of them who did not even complete secondary school education but would go on social media to claim they are LAUTECH students.
We don’t know her. LAUTECH is a school for serious-minded students and staff and not her type.” the statement read
For the first time as US president, Joe Biden ordered a series of US military strikes in Syria on Thursday February 25, against sites used by two Iranian-backed militia groups in response to rocket attacks on American forces in the region in the past two weeks.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the strikes took place “at President Biden’s direction” and were authorized not just to respond to recent attacks against American and coalition forces, but to deal with “ongoing threats to those personnel.”
Kirby said that Biden conducted the strikes after consulting with US allies, including coalition partners.
“Specifically the strikes destroyed multiple facilities located at a border control point used by a number of Iranian backed militant groups including Kait’ib Hezbollah and Kait’ib Sayyid al Shuhada,” Kirbry said.
“The operation sends an unambiguous message; President Biden will act to protect American coalition personnel. At the same time, we have acted in a deliberate manner that aims to deescalate the overall situation in both Eastern Syria and Iraq.”
The site is believed to be used as part of a weapons smuggling operation by the militias.
The decision to target the site in Syria was made from the “top down,” a defense official said, and was not because of a specific recommendation from the military.
The strikes come as US and Iran position themselves for negotiations about Iran’s nuclear program, an already complicated fragile situation.
Chinese President, Xi Jinping has announced that his country has achieved the “miracle” of eradicating extreme poverty.
According to Xi, over an eight-year period, nearly 100 million people have been lifted out of poverty due to the nation’s aggressive economic policies.
Speaking at a ceremony in Beijing on Thursday, February 25, Mr Xi said it was a “complete victory” that would “go down in history”. Xi said the “arduous task of eradicating extreme poverty has been fulfilled”.
“We have achieved the miracle of eradicating extreme poverty.
“According to the current criteria, all 98.99 million poor rural population have been taken out of poverty, and 832 poverty-stricken counties as well as 128,000 villages have been removed from the poverty list,” he said.
China announced late last year that it had removed the last remaining counties from a list of poor regions, which officials said meant it had achieved the goal of eliminating extreme poverty by the end of 2020.
But some economic experts have questioned the way China has measured ‘extreme poverty’
In China, extreme poverty is defined as earning less than $620 (£440) a year.
The threshold set by China to define extreme poverty amounts to $1.69 a day at current exchange rates, compared to the World Bank’s global threshold of $1.90, Reuters news agency reports
Nigerian teenager, Shola Shoretire has secured a spot in Manchester United’s history books after making his Europa League debut on Thursday night, February 25.
Shoretire, born in England, came on in the second half of United’s clash with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, and is now the youngest player to feature in Europe in the club’s entire history.
When Shoretire came on for Greenwood at the age of just 17 years and 23 days, he beat the previous mark set by former United forward Norman Whiteside back in 1982.
Whiteside was 17 years and 131 days when he lined up in Europe for the first time, and he went on to feature in over 200 games across all competitions for the Manchester outfit.
Speaking to BT Sport after the game on Thursday, Solskjaer said: “Shola has got some skills, he’s going to make a very good player here.
“It’s a platform tonight, just 15 minutes but it’s something to remember for him at Old Trafford. Maybe he would’ve enjoyed it more with fans because they give you so much energy.
“But I’m sure all the fans will see him soon.”
“He’s a young kid that we believe in. [He has] a great attitude, you can see the shape of him physically, he’s an athlete, technically very very good, makes good decisions.
“[We will] gradually feed him into this team and he’s got his feet firmly on the ground, a very likeable boy who hopefully we will see loads of in the future.”
The body of John Geddert, the former USA Gymnastics coach, was found on Thursday, February 25, just hours after he was charged with 24 counts of criminal misconduct including kidnapping and sexual assault, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Geddert, who coached the 2012 U.S. women’s gold-winning Olympic team, worked closely with Larry Nassar, the disgraced physician convicted of multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct and child pornography.
Geddert, 63, owned and operated Twistars USA Gymnastics gym near Lansing, Michigan, where Nassar also treated several gymnasts.
Earlier Thursday, Nessel announced the charges against Geddert which included 14 counts of human trafficking and forced labor causing injury; six counts of human trafficking of a minor for forced labor; one count of continuing criminal enterprise; one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct; one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct; and one count of lying to a police officer during a violent crime investigation.
“Geddert sold his reputation as an Olympic-level coach and promised to unsuspecting parents that he could turn his students into world-class athletes, allowing them to secure college scholarships, the attorney general’s office alleges,” according to a news release from Nessel’s office.
Nessel said that Geddert “used force, fraud and coercion against the young athletes that came to him for gymnastics training for financial benefit” to him.
“The victims suffer from disordered eating, including bulimia and anorexia, suicide attempts and self-harm, excessive physical conditioning, repeatedly being forced to perform even when injured, extreme emotional abuse and physical abuse, including sexual assault,” she added.
“Many of his victims still carry the scars from this behavior to this day”.
Geddert had been expected to turn himself in earlier on Thursday but has now committed suicide.
“My office has been notified that the body of John Geddert was found late this afternoon after taking his own life. This is a tragic end to a tragic story for everyone involved,” Nessel said in a statement.
Convicted Nigerian fraudster, Obinwanne Okeke has been barred from taking up jobs that can grant him access to money or bank accounts.
Upon completing his 10 year jail term in the U.S, the Nigerian entrepreneur who featured on a Forbes cover is also barred from holding posts involving investments.
In addition to presenting himself before a duly-authorised immigration official of the Department of Homeland Security Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement “for deportation review” and restituting $10.7million proceeds of the crime, Justice Rebecca Smith also ordered that if Okeke is not deported, he is “prohibited from engaging in any employment where he has access to money or bank accounts and shall not be employed in any capacity involving investment.”
Other “special conditions” for his supervised release include losing the right to privacy concerning his financial life and “providing the probation officer access to any requested financial information.”
Smith said;
“If not deported, the defendant shall participate in the Treasury Offset Programme (TOP) as directed by the probation officer.”
Premium Times also reported that the Judge also ordered that if Okeke remains in the U.S. after his jail term, he must “not incur new credit charges or open additional lines of credit without the approval of the probation officer.”
On the restitution order, the convicted fraudster is expected to “apply monies received from income tax refunds, lottery winnings, inheritances, judgment, and any anticipated or unexpected financial gains to the outstanding court-ordered financial obligation, or in a lesser amount to be determined by the court upon the recommendation of the probation officer.”
He was also directed to pay for the support of his minor child, a baby girl born in the U.S. about a month before his arrest. The amount to be paid for his minor’s support would be as ordered by any social service agency or court of competent jurisdiction.
US president Joe Biden on Wednesday, February 24, revoked Donald Trump’s suspension of many green card applicants from entering the United States.
The now revoked order (Proclamation 10014) had suspended the entry of certain immigrants and non-immigrants into the U.S. since late April 2020 on grounds of protecting the U.S. labour market in the wake of COVID-19.
In his proclamation, President Joe Biden said his predecessor’s proclamation, “does not advance the interests of the United States” and that “to the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here”.
“It also harms industries in the United States that utilise talent from around the world. And it harms individuals who were selected to receive the opportunity to apply for, and those who have likewise received, immigrant visas through the Fiscal Year 2020 Diversity Visa Lottery,” he said.
This proclamation lifts parts of the Trump-era ban, but the ban on work visas remains, though that is set to expire at the end of March. Programs like the diversity visa lottery offers 50,000 visas to people from nations with a low rate of immigration to the U.S.
The remains of the seven personnel of the Nigeria Air Force who died in the crash that happened close to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Sunday, February 21, have been laid to rest. They were buried at the military cemetery in Abuja today February 25 amidst tears.
The deceased include Flight Lieutenant Haruna Gadzama (Captain), Flight Lieutenant Henry Piyo (Co-Pilot), Flying Officer Micheal Okpara (Airborne Tactical Observation System (ATOS) Specialist) and Warrant Officer Bassey Etim (ATOS Specialist), Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi (ATOS Specialist), Sergeant Ugochukwu Oluka (ATOS Specialist), and Aircraftman Adewale Johnson (Onboard Technician).
May their souls rest in peace, Amen. Read a brief biography of the deceased and see more photos from the funeral below
Late Flight Lieutenant Chiroma Haruna Gadzama, the pilot of the crashed plane, was born in January 11, 1990 in Kaduna. He hailed from Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force as a member od Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 62 ON 14 August 2010 and commissioned pilot on 14 August 2020. Until his death, he was serving as a Squadron Pilot at 307 Executive Airlift Group, Abuja. He was not married.
Flight Lieutenant Piyo Henry Piyo was born on 11 May 1991 in Jos. He hailed from Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 62 on 14 August 2010 and commissioned Pilot on 12 September 2015. Until his death, he was serving as a Squadron Pilot at the 307 Executive Airlift Group Abuja. He was single.
Flying Officer Micheal Ifeanyi Okpara was born on 11 September 1995 at Takum in Taraba State. He hailed from Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force as a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy Regular Course 65 on 21 September 2013 and commissioned Pilot Officer on 13 October 2018. He was married with two children
Warrant Officer Bassey Asuquo Etim, was born on 24 December 1973 in Kaduna. He hailed from Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on 15 July 1996.
Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Ojo Olawunmi was born on 30 March 1983. He hailed from Ekiti South Local Government Area of Ekiti State. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on 1 March 2002.
Aircraftman Adewale Stephen Johnson was born on 9June 1996. He hailed from Ibadan South East Local Government Area of Oyo State. He was enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on 5 August 2017.
A Florida man who allegedly used a pair of scissors to cut off his wife’s lover’s penis claims he “blacked out” during the attack, a new report has revealed.
Alex Bonilla, 51, pled guilty on Thursday, February 25, to charges of kidnapping, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for a July 2019 attack in Bell.
According to reports, Bonilla, married father of five from El Salvador, barged into the victim’s home, a man he claimed was having an affair with his wife, then threatened him with a handgun and a metal pipe.
He then tied up the man in his bedroom, and said, “You are not going to die, but you are going to have something to remember this for your whole life,”
As he pulled down the victim’s shorts he said, “This is normal, you will not die today.”
He then took a pair of scissors and began cutting the man’s penis, splattering blood everywhere.
He continued threatening the man and then left the house with the severed organ.
The victim’s two daughters were at home when the incident occurred.
Doctors say they are unable to reattach the victim’s penis.
The victim now finds it hard urinating while his sexual life with his wife is practically dead.
Bonilla faces 30 years in prison if convicted today.
The Igbo apprenticeship system has passed the first phase of editorial work to feature on Harvard publication.
This means that, once it passes the other stages of editing, a documentation of our local Igbo apprenticeship system (IAS) will be published in the Harvard Business Review (HBR) and made available for all to study.
Professor Ndubuisi Ekekwe, founder and president of the African Institute of Technology, made this revelation via his Twitter page on Tuesday, February 23.
He added that there are more phases to go before the IAS will be published by Harvard Business Review.
He tweeted: “The Igbo Apprenticeship System work has passed the first phase of editorial work at Harvard. We have more phases to go, but everything is looking fine. Due to the nature of the topic, it is taking time.”
Back in September 2020, it was announced that Harvard Business Review (HBR) editors have approved the proposed work on the Igbo Apprenticeship System (IAS).
The aim of this publication is to document the African business framework that has produced multiple millionaires.
Professor Ekekwe, who has been writing for Harvard Business Review for 10 years, stated that “the Igbo Apprenticeship System has frameworks which could be adapted, for the rise of all” and it has “everything the world is looking for to reduce inequality.”
Golf legend, Tiger Woods reportedly has no memory of the car accident that left him with leg injures and unaware of how badly injured he was when the first deputy arrived at the scene.
“At the hospital, he was asked about it by the investigators and he had no recollection of the crash itself,” LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told CNN, according to the Times of London.
Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Gonzalez, who arrived first at the scene, told NBC’s “Today” on Wednesday that the golfing legend was calm, but appeared to be unaware of how badly he was hurt.
“I don’t think he was aware of how gravely he was injured at the time. It could be a mixture of adrenaline, it could’ve been shock,” Gonzalez said.
“Again it was very quick, the moment that I arrived from the moment that he rolled over, so I don’t know if he had time to fully assess his injuries,” added Gonzalez, who arrived six minutes after a 911 call was made.
The deputy said he did not see any signs of impairment at the site.
“At the scene, we’re looking for evidence of intoxication like if there’s an odor of an alcoholic beverage or there’s an open container or prescription medication,” he said.
“At this time we didn’t see any evidence of impairment and anything beyond that in terms of the medical toxicology, I wouldn’t be aware at this time,” Gonzalez added.
He said the 45-year-old golf icon remained calm as he asked him assessment questions before determining that he needed to call the fire department to help extricate him.
“I’ve seen collisions that didn’t look as serious where the occupants were injured much more severely,” he said.
“I think that’s just a testament to the fact that he was wearing a seatbelt, airbags worked as intended and modern vehicles are much more safe than they ever used to be.”
Gonzalez was wearing his body camera while interacting with Woods and the footage should be available in the near future, according to USA Today.
Asked about the possibility of a reckless driving charge, Villanueva said there was no evidence Woods’ crash met the criteria.
“A reckless driving charge has a lot of elements into it,” he said. “This is purely an accident.
A Nigerian man who is allegedly part of an international criminal network in which women are befriended on Facebook and promised lavish gifts and jewellery, was on Wednesday, February 24, slapped with an additional 11 fraud-related charges.
The suspect identified as Uche Raymond Okoye, also known as Uche Parker, of Lot 6 Delph Street, Campbellville, Georgetown was charged by the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) for allegedly being part of a package delivery criminal organization that fraudulently receives cash deposits from unsuspecting victims, particularly women.
According to the charges, Okoye, who made a virtual appearance before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, had between October 15, 2020, to November 16, 2020, with intent to defraud, obtained from Suruj Dei Balkaran the sum of $6,059,900, by falsely claiming he had packages intended to be sent to her.
He was also slapped with a similar charge which stated that he obtained $50,000 from another woman by falsely claiming he had a package to be sent to her.
Okoye was not required to plead to the indictable charges after they were read to him by the Magistrate. He was remanded to prison since he has no ties to Guyana. He will make his next court appearance on March 17, 2021, for reports.
The reports said that Okoye is suspected to be part of a criminal network involving Nigerian nationals who collaborate with other associates to solicit cash from their victims by promising high-valued merchandise following the payment of a charge or fee.
The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Prosecutor told the court that Okoye allegedly solicited funds from the women after he befriended them on Facebook under an alias name.
During that time, he informed them about the supposed packages containing the latest gadgets and electronic devices. He reportedly told the women that he would be sending the items and that they would need to contact a representative who would clear the packages and deliver them. The representative he refers to is himself, the SOCU prosecutor added.
According to the prosecutor, the Nigerian national sent the women a Whatsapp number which he could be contacted on about the transactions. It is alleged that the women paid the monies expecting the packages but every time Balkarran was told of some complications and was instructed to send more cash via bank transfers and Western Union. She reportedly sent monies on 10 different occasions.
On November 24, last year, Okoye was charged with two counts of obtaining money by false pretence; demanding money by menace; and entering Guyana by crossing the land frontier and failing to present himself to an immigration officer.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said that Okoye is part of a criminal organisation that has allegedly scammed unsuspecting Guyanese victims out of millions of dollars.
The Police said that the criminal network operating in Guyana has links to the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Peru, Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Paraguay, and other countries.
According to the police, the perpetrators would send a Facebook friend request to the intended victims, particularly women, and seek communication via WhatsApp. Police informed that the mastermind who is residing overseas, would express a romantic interest in the women and would later tell them he would be sending gifts and jewellery.
The women would later receive a call from someone purporting to be employed at a shipping company about a box arriving at the airport for them. At this point, the Police said that the women would be instructed to pay various sums of money to several individuals to uplift the boxes and to avoid prosecution.
These monies are sent to identified persons through money transfer services or a post office. But once the money is sent, the mastermind is never heard from again, and the victim never receives the packages.
The GPF has warned citizens, especially women about a scam involving persons pretending to be of Nigerian nationality who will make contact through Facebook and Whatsapp and offer to send them packages.
Police said that the perpetrators would demand that victims pay a large sum of cash to clear the packages and to prevent prosecution given the contents of the packages.
West Han United striker, Michail Antonio is reportedly set to switch his international allegiance from England to Jamaica in a bid to play at the 2022 World Cup.
Antonio, who was born in London to Jamaican parents, turned down the chance to represent Jamaica in 2016 and was later called up to England squads by Sam Allardyce and Gareth Southgate but did not make his debut.
According to The Telegraph, Antonio will accept Jamaica’s latest approach with their Football Federation hoping he will be available for the CONCACAF qualifiers in September against Mexico and Costa Rica.
The 30-year-old, whose current form has helped his club climbed into the Champions League places, revealed he rejected several approaches from Jamaica in 2016 because of his dream to play for England.
Speaking in 2016, after he was called up to the England squad by Allardyce, he said: ‘I turned down an approach from Jamaica in March and for this to happen so quickly, I’m buzzing. I just want to keep my feet on the floor.
‘In my first season in the Premier League, even though I had good stats, the England manager would have had to take a risk on me.
‘It looks like the gaffer now believes that I’ve done enough to be in there, so hopefully, I can prove him right.’
The forward was then called up by Southgate in 2017 but he was forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.
Abubakar Shekau who leads the Jama’at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da’wah wa’l-Jih?d led faction of Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attack that rocked Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State on Tuesday, February 23.
10 persons were killed in the attack that involved the use of mortars and rockets.
In a five-minute and thirty-two seconds-long video released today Thursday, February 25, Shekau said an infiltration team carried out the attack. Shekau in the video also denied claims of owning the farm that was recently discovered in Sambisa forest.
A 51-year-old Nigerian drug kingpin, Frank Onyeka Nwaru has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment in South Africa.
Nwaru was convicted for dealing in drugs on Wednesday, February 2021, at the Stilfontein Regional Court following his arrest on 21 May 2018.
The accused was arrested by the Hawks’ South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau (SANEB) after they followed up on information of alleged drug dealing activities near Klerksdorp primary school.
The investigative team followed him from his flat, when he noticed that he was being followed, he allegedly disposed of a black plastic bag and attempted to flee. He was apprehended and the contents of the plastic bag were established to be drugs.
Nwaru was taken back to his flat where the police conducted a search and found neatly packed packets containing Crystal meth and CAT drugs worth approximately R1.5 million.
He made a brief appearance before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court shortly after his arrest. The state successfully opposed bail and the accused remained in custody until ultimately being convicted of dealing in drugs.
Nwaru was taken back to his flat where the police conducted a search and found neatly packed packets containing Crystal meth and CAT drugs worth approximately R1.5 million.
He made a brief appearance before the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court shortly after his arrest. The state successfully opposed bail and the accused remained in custody until ultimately being convicted of dealing in drugs. He was sentenced as follows:
Count 1: 6 years imprisonment for Dealing in Drugs,
Count 2: 12 years imprisonment for Dealing in Drugs and
Count 3: 12 months imprisonment suspended for five years for Contravention of the Immigration Act.
Count 1 and 2 will run concurrently. The accused will therefore serve an effective 12 years imprisonment.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Patrick Mbotho welcomed the sentence and thanked the investigative team and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for their sterling work.
Abductors of the 27 students and three staff of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State, have threatened to starve them to death if the ransom they are demanding is not paid on time.
Recall that on February 17, armed bandits dressed in military uniforms, stormed the school, shot a student dead, and went on to abduct 27 others. The bandits also abducted three members of staff as well as 12 family members of the abducted staff.
In an audio recording released to a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, one of the abductors who spoke in Hausa, rejected N2.7m offered him as a ransom for the 27 abductees.
“I don’t have food for them. If anybody dies among them, we will tell you where to go and pick the corpse. You know these children are hungry. I don’t have food to give them, only water if they are going to die, let them die.”Punch quotes the bandit as saying
The bandit added that he was aware that many security agents and vehicles had been deployed in Kagara and vowed that they would not succeed in rescuing the abductees.
”You think I don’t know what you people are doing? I can tell you how many security vehicles are in Kagara as we speak.
It is with the help of the people of the city that intruders can overrun the city. Don’t you know that? The person who gave us this business is there among you. He is there with you. Wherever you go, he is watching you. If you want to do this deal, go ahead. From God we come and to him we will return
Even if you put together the entire security forces of Nigeria in Kagara, I have eyes all over Kagara. Whichever step you take in Nigeria, I swear, I will know. You people are saying they should not pay us, that if they pay us, we will use to money to buy weapons. With whose money did we buy our weapons? If we don’t have weapons, you will just send security agents to kill us and take the children.”the bandit said
Appealing to the bandit, the negotiator stated, “They (parents) have agreed to pay N2.7m. Each parent will pay N100,000 .”
But the abductor rejected the offer threatening to unleash terror on Kagara.
“If I want Kagara to be in peace, it will be in peace. If it is not going to be in peace, it will go in pieces from here until Ilorin. If I die in this process, I have children that I have instructed that if I die that I don’t want Kagara to be peaceful if you don’t do as I say. Even if I die, nobody will come into Kagara.”
The abductor also slammed state governors who are against them being paid a ransom.
“Governors are saying we should not be given money because we are going to use it to buy guns; guns that Allah provides and you are boasting about. Niger won’t know peace until it disbands vigilantes.
In all of your (Niger State) madness, you are not up to Zamfara. It was compelled to accept our terms and talk less of small fries like you. You see, if you want to seek peace, seek peace and if you don’t stop the activities of vigilantes in Niger you will not know peace forever.”
Your deploying security officials in Kagara is a waste of time. Is there a fence in this forest? You know we are not in the cities, we are in the forest.”the bandit said
Former Governor of Imo state, Rochas Okorocha has reacted to the demolition of Reach FM’s fence, a property said to be owned by his daughter.
Okorocha who was was arrested on Sunday February 21, for unsealing a property seized by the Imo state government and later released after the intervention of the south-east governors forum, accused Eyinnaya Onuegbu, commissioner for lands in Imo of claiming that the property was built on what should have served as a road for residents.
The senator in a statement released by his media aide Sam Onwuemeodo, said the property was acquired 25 years ago and subsequent administrations, both military and civilian had never raised any issue about it.
Okorocha accused Uzodinma of using his governorship to create a new Imo State where bloody clashes, killings, thuggery, kidnappings, and tension now pervade or reign. He further stated that Uzodinma can’t win the current war between both of them, because no one wins war on the basis of falsehood and deceit.
The statement read;
“And that untenable claim by Onuegbu was to justify another nauseating action. Before the radio station, you get two hotels and six other buildings in front.
“Beside and behind the station, you also have several other buildings. And there is no way a building at the centre of other buildings, including hotels, could have been on the road.
“The pulling down of the fence and gate of the radio station, with indigenes and non-indigenes of the state working there to earn their living, had come two days after the same people had invaded the Royal Palm Hotel with armed thugs and men in police uniform, who claimed to be from the Government House.
“They had earlier looted the hotel under the guise of sealing it.
“To all intents and purposes, Chief Uzodinma has used his governorship to create a new Imo State where bloody clashes, killings, thuggery, kidnappings, and tension, now pervade or reign.
“Aside Okorocha, other Imo people had either been attacked, arrested or detained and homes and offices invaded like that of NLC in Owerri.
“We are not expecting these attacks occasioned by envy, vendetta, conspiracy, hatred, and lack of ideas for good governance to stop. But we shall only continue to inform the public whenever they carry out any fresh attack.
“But obviously, Governor Uzodinma shall not win. What is important in every war is who wins and who loses. Governor Uzodinma cannot win, because no one wins war on the basis of falsehood and deceit.”
US authorities have listed ways it will recover $10.7 million ordered to be restituted by the convict, Obinwanne Okeke.
Recall that on February 16, Okeke was sentenced to 10 years in jail by an Eastern District Court of Virginia following his guilty plea to multi-year wire fraud in June last year. He was also ordered to undergo three years of “supervised release” after serving his complete jail term.
Upon completing his jail sentence, the Forbes celebrated Nigerian entreprenuer will be presented before a duly-authorised immigration official of the Department of Homeland Security Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement “for deportation review”. The official will determine whether to immediately deport him or make him undergo the three years “supervised release” in the U.S.
Premium Times has now obtained a ‘Restitution Order’ and ‘Consent Order of Forfeiture’ jointly signed by the judge, the Acting U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, Raj Parekh, Mr Okeke, and his defence lawyer, John Iweanoge.
The U.S. authorities are empowered to enforce the monetary judgment by taking over assets, credit, or monetary claims Mr Okeke may have in the country. The restitution is due in full and payable immediately from assets known and unknown and including assets identified in the Presentence Report.
The assets include his “white gold emerald cut engagement ring with small accent diamonds”. The other forfeited assets are ”two cars back home in Nigeria”, and N280,555,010 translating into about $700,000 which the Nigerian government had seized from him.
Mr Okeke was also urged “to participate in the Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Financial Responsibility Programme” to enable him to comply with the provisions of the financial plan” and to meet his “financial obligation” in accordance with the law. He is also expected to make periodic payments during his three years of supervised release.
The court ordered that beginning from 60 days of his release from prison and transiting into the supervised release phase, the convict will pay either $1,000 or 25 per cent of his net earnings, whichever is greater.
The restitution order read in part:
“If restitution is not paid in full immediately, the defendant shall pay to the Clerk at least $1,000 per month or 25 per cent of net income, whichever is greater, beginning 60 days after release from any period of confinement, or 60 days after sentencing if no confinement is imposed.
“All payments shall be made to the Clerk of Court, United States District Court, 2400 West Avenue, Newport News, Virginia 23607.”
The restituted funds will be distributed to companies which fell victim to Okeke’s fraudulent activities. They are Unatrac Holdings LLC in Washington DC, which was duped $5,429,166.54; Orient Insurance PJSC, duped $ 5million, and QBE European Operations which lost $250,000 to the fraudsters.
The court ordered that the Clerk of Court “shall distribute the funds to Unatrac first and to the remaining victims on a pro-rata basis.”
Billionaire, Elon Musk bounced back strongly to become the world’s richest man after a daily gain of $9.81 billion on Wednesday, February 24.
Tesla, Musk’s company surged back to $190 billion, after the electric car company’s shares recorded impressive gains of 6.18%, thereby putting the market value of Tesla at $712 billion coupled with the SpaceX he founded completing another funding round, pushing him atop the Bloomberg Billionaires Index for the third time in 2021.
The gains pushed Musk past Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos, who is now worth $185 billion and had a few days ago reclaimed the title as the world’s richest person after Tesla shares plunged to record levels.
Tesla Inc stocks were on a record buying spree at Wednesday’s trading session, indicating that global investors are buying the dip following a four-day plunge that erased the world’s most valuable car company year-to-date gains.
Recent reports say SpaceX raised another $850 million this month from a group of leading institutional investors led by Sequoia Capital.
Such investment now puts SpaceX’s valuation at $74 billion, a 60% jump from August, and helped boost Musk’s net worth by about $11 billion, according to the index.
Nigerians have taken to social media to react to Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele’s comment of Cryptocurrency being used to describe the activities of traders in an electronic dark world.
The CBN Governor who appeared before a joint senate committee on banking, insurance and other financial institutions; ICT and cybercrime; and capital market to explain why the apex bank banned cryptocurrency transactions in the country, had claimed “Cryptocurrency is not legitimate money” because it is not created or backed by any Central Bank.
Emefiele also said the ban decision was taken in the interest of every well meaning Nigerian, who have nothing to hide and is happy to have traceable and transparent dealings in our financial system.
Reacting to this, some Nigerians said the CBN Governor gave an “unintelligent reason” for the ban.
A chilling video has surfaced showing the terrifying moment a Turkish man led his pregnant wife to the edge of a cliff to pose for selfies before he allegedly pushed her to her death to cash in on her life insurance.
Mr.Hakan Aysal is accused of murdering his 32-year-old wife, Semra Aysal, and their unborn baby during a vacation in Butterfly Valley in Mugla, Turkey, in June 2018.
Mrs. Aysal and their unborn child, who she had been carrying for seven months, were killed instantly after falling almost 1,000 feet.
Prosecutors previously said that Aysal murdered his wife who was 7 months pregnant so he could cash in on more than £40,000 of personal accident insurance he took out on her behalf before her death. He denies the allegations.
After news of the police investigation surfaced, a concerned tourist shared online footage of the couple just moments before the mother-to-be died.
The footage shows Aysal appearing to hold his wife’s hand as he led her down the cliff edge. The pair are later seen standing behind a rock as they look out across the sea.
According to The Sun, police are now using the tourist’s footage as part of their investigation into the alleged murder.
It was also revealed that Aysal revisited the scene where his wife fell to her death and posed for a photo with the ‘tribute’ message: ‘A place that was once my paradise no longer has sun’.
Prosecutors claim that the only reason the couple sat on top of the cliff for three hours was so Aysal could make sure no one was around. As soon as he realised they were alone, he deliberately killed Mrs. Aysal by pushing her off the cliff, they allege.
The indictment stated Aysal had claimed the insurance payment shortly after her death, but it was declined when news of the investigation was unveiled.
In a video interview presented to Fethiye High Court, the victim’s brother, Naim Yolcu, said: ‘When we went to the Forensic Medicine Institute to get the body, Hakan was sitting in the car.
‘My family and I were destroyed, but Hakan did not even appear sad.’
He added: ‘My sister was always against taking out loans. However, after she died, we learned that she had three loans taken out by Hakan on behalf of my sister’.
Previously, Aysal told the court: ‘After taking a photo, my wife put the phone in her bag. Later she asked me to give her the phone. ‘I got up and then heard my wife scream behind me when I walked a few steps away to get the phone from her bag. ‘When I turned back, she was not there. I did not push my wife.’
Cattle and Foodstuff dealers under the aegis of Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) on Thursday February 25, began a nationwide strike following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the federal government to attend to their demands.
The union had demanded payment of N475 billion compensation for lives of members and properties lost during the #EndSARS protest and Shasa market chaos, and dismantling of all road blocks on federal highways due to problems its members get subjected to when carrying out their duties.
Grand Matron of AUFCDN, Hajia Hauwa Kabir Usman who announced commencement of the strike asked the police not to disturb task force of the union who will carry out enforcement of the strike by ensuring that no food and cattle were moved from North to the South.
Usman said;
“The leadership of the union has already made a strong plan to ensure that all our exits (our borders) between the Northern and Southern part are closed.
“Every truck that will go out has to be checked. If you carry any food or cattle, you cannot take it out except you take it back or be destroyed there. None of the security agents should dare intimate our task force members because if they do, we will fight it legally.”
Usman who recalled how they gave a 21-day ultimatum to the federal government, vowed that the union would not compromise on its demands.
Abubakar Shekau led faction of the terror group Boko Haram has given a week ultimatum to the Federal Government to secure the release of Pastor Bulus Yakuru who was abducted on Christmas eve in Borno State.
The Pastor was abducted in an attack in which about seven people were killed at Pemi village of Borno state on December 24, 2020. Hum Angle reported that Pemi is located approximately 20 kilometres from Chibok, where Boko Haram insurgents had abducted hundreds of schoolgirls.
The pastor had previously appeared in two Boko Haram videos days after the abduction in December and early January 2021, where he also pleaded for Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s intervention, Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State and church leaders to rescue him.
In a new video, Pastor Yakuru identified himself and pleaded with Nigeria’s President, Borno State Governor and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the umbrella body of Christians in the country, to intervene and secure his release.
While one of the terrorists stood behind him with a knife, the Pastor revealed that he was given a one-week ultimatum by his abductors which will end on Wednesday March 3.
Yakuru said;
“I’m calling on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Borno to help me because I have been given a one-week ultimatum today, Feb. 24.
“If you want me alive, I beg you in your capacity as President, the governor and our local government chairman to save me from this suffering.
“I’m calling on the EYN Church of the Brethren President to intervene and secure my release. Please pray for me.
“Today is the last day I will have the opportunity to call on you in your capacity as my parents and relatives in the country. Anyone who has the intention should help and save me. Please release me from this pain.”
In Jan. 2020, Boko Haram killed Reverend Lawan Andimi, the district chairman of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) in Michika, Adamawa State.
Facebook has banned the Myanmar military from using its Facebook and Instagram platforms with immediate effect, as weeks of mass demonstrations continue in the Southeast Asian country after the military seized power.
“Events since the February 1 coup, including deadly violence, have precipitated a need for this ban,” Facebook said in a blog post on Thursday, February 25.
“We believe the risks of allowing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) on Facebook and Instagram are too great.”
The army seized power earlier this month after alleging fraud in a Nov. 8 election swept by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), detaining her and other party officials.
According to reports, at least three protesters and one policeman have been killed during violent protests in the country.
The social media giant said it would also ban all “Tadmadaw-linked commercial entities” from advertising on its platforms.
It said the decision to ban the Myanmar army came due to “exceptionally severe human rights abuses and the clear risk of future military-initiated violence in Myanmar”, as well as the army’s repeated history of violating Facebook’s rules, including since the coup.
“Events since the February 1 coup, including deadly violence, have precipitated a need for this ban,” Facebook said in a blog post on Thursday, February 25.
“We believe the risks of allowing the Tatmadaw (Myanmar army) on Facebook and Instagram are too great.”
The army seized power earlier this month after alleging fraud in a Nov. 8 election swept by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), detaining her and other party officials.
According to reports, at least three protesters and one policeman have been killed during violent protests in the country.
The social media giant said it would also ban all “Tadmadaw-linked commercial entities” from advertising on its platforms.
It said the decision to ban the Myanmar army came due to “exceptionally severe human rights abuses and the clear risk of future military-initiated violence
Kim Kardashian has been spotted without a ring after filing for divorce from Kanye West to end their nearly seven-year marriage.
The Keeping Up With the Kardashians’ star stepped out for dinner without her wedding ring at Beverly Hills hotspot Matsuhisa on Tuesday February 23. It was her first night out as a single lady just days after officially filing paperwork to end her marriage.
The mother of four, 40, showcased her banging body in a skintight dress neon dress which she rocked with a pair of strappy lime green heels for girls’ night out with sister Kourtney, her best friend La La Anthony, and former assistant, Stephanie Shepherd.
The outing comes just six days after Kim Kardashian filed for divorce from Kanye West, who she wed in May 2014.
They are seeking to split physical and legal custody of their four children (North, seven, Saint, five, Chicago, three, Psalm, 21 months) 50/50.
Former beauty queen, Helen Prest-Ajayi has debunked the report that she was the reason her late husband, Dr. Oluwatosin Ajayi left his first family 35 years ago.
It will be recalled that there was a mild drama during the funeral of Dr. Ajayi when his older children struggled with Helen for the shovel at the grave side.
The mother of three has since addressed the issue . However, she had earlier responded to a Facebook comment by one Muyiwa Akinsete and made several revelations including the fact that her late husband had been living alone in Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja for ten years before he met her and moved out.
“Dr Ajayi left his family and was living alone in Sheraton Hotel Ikeja for 10 years before he met me. For the avoidance of doubt, I repeat, I was not the cause of him leaving his family. I did not know him and I did not know them,” she stated.
“He met me and left the refuge of Sheraton Hotel within a month. I was married to him for 25 years. I was not a secret. Nobody challenged me or said a word. I never had any exchange of words with his children throughout our 25 years together,”
“Instead of thanking me for caring for their father and giving him a happy life, they have sort to disrespect him, his choices and his life. What kind of children do that even at their father’s graveside. 25 years is not a joke. If their father did not want me in his life I would not have been there,”
“He made it very clear he did not want their mother in his life. They did not live together or communicate with each other for 35 years. Even when he was in hospital he did not contact her though he had his phone with him. They should respect that,”
“On my part, the fact that my husband did not want their mother in his life does not also give me the licence to disrespect her, after allshe is the mother of his children. Which is the reason when she was called to give the last rites I waited respectfully and quietly, expecting the same degree of respect to be given to me in turn. Of course I forgot that in Nigeria the words respect, honour, dignity are hollow”
The US is reportedly angry after China ordered US diplomats to undergo anal swab tests for Covid-19.
The anal swab test involves inserting a cotton swab three to five centimetres into the anus and gently rotating it several times.
Similarly to the nasal method, the swab is removed and securely placed into a sample container.
The whole procedure is said to take about 10 seconds.
Its is alleged that the US diplomats were forced to undergo the swabs due to an administrative error, Vice reports.
But Beijing has denied the claims while Washington has blasted the tests as “undignified.”
According to news site Vice, a US State Department official told them that the diplomats were told to refuse the swabs to protect the dignity of American diplomats
A spokesperson said: “The State Department never agreed to this kind of testing and protested directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when we learned that some staff were subject to it.”
“We have instructed staff to decline this test if it is asked of them, as was done in the past,” they said.
According to Beijing, if an anal swab was given then it was given in ‘error’ as diplomatic personnel were exempt from the test, which is mandatory for arrivals in some parts of China.
China’s foreign ministry spokesman, Zhao Lijian, dismissed the claims saying, “To my knowledge… China has never required US diplomatic staff stationed in China to conduct anal swab tests.”
Some Chinese medical experts believe that anal swabs detect Covid-19 better and faster.
Bayern Munich defender, Jerome Boateng is being investigated for allegedly tearing the ear of his girlfriend Kasia Lenhardt a year before her death.
The case against Boateng, which was first opened in 2019 before being shelved last year, has now been re-opened by prosecutors after new information emerged from the Berlin police inquiries that followed Lenhardt’s suicide, Mail Online reports.
The Germany International is accused of intentionally injuring Lenhardt, a former Germany’s Next Top Model contestant, in October 2019, before their public breakup ended in her death in a Berlin apartment earlier this month.
The incident have taken place on October 3, 2019, prompting authorities to open an investigation in December that year. But the probe against Boateng was shelved six months later in June 2020, after Lenhardt had indicated she did not want to proceed with her claims.
But the case was re-opened on February 10 this year, just a day after Lenhardt was found dead in Berlin, said Anne Leiding, a spokeswoman for Munich prosecutors.
This was because ‘we received new information in the context of the investigation into her death, which could lead to a resumption of the case,’ she told MailOnline.
While Prosecutors have not yet revealed details about the alleged injury, Bild reports that Boateng is suspected of tearing his then-girlfriend’s earlobe.
Boateng is also accused of assault in a separate case involving his ex-partner Sherin Senler, which is on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The case involving Senler was filed with a Munich court in 2019 but prosecutors couldn’t proceed with the case because of the virus situation.
In that case, Boateng is accused of causing ‘dangerous’ bodily harm to Senler.
Senler is the mother of two of Boateng’s children – twin girls called Soley and Lamia who were born in 2011. The pair first began dating in 2007, and were on and off before the relationship finally ended in 2018, according to German media.
Kasia, who rose to prominence on TV show Germany’s Next Top Model where she appeared in 2012, placing fourth in the competition, dated the footballer for 15 months.
The pair separated on February 2, amid bitter accusations of blackmail and infidelity before Lenhardt was found dead at her Berlin apartment on February 9.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday February 25, met the newly appointed chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa.
The President met Bawa at the state house in Abuja, barely a day after his nomination as head of the anti-graft agency, was confirmed by the senate.
A bill seeking to regulate the breeding, rearing, grazing and marketing of livestock in Bayelsa has been passed by the state house of assembly.
Leader of the House, Hon. Monday Obolo who said the bill became neccessary due to the unpleasant security experiences in the state, added that it will necessitate the creation of a regulatory committee saddled with the responsibilities of ensuring that all aspects of the law are put in proper perspectives.
Obolo said;
“It is indispensable to pass an appropriate law for the safety and security of all Bayelsans and other Nigerians living in the state.”
He stressed that all livestock presently in the state and others that may wish to come into the state must be duly registered with the appropriate authorities, and licenses given must be approved by the governor.
Obolo further stated that any herder who defaults will be liable for two or three years imprisonment.
After Hon Bernard Kenibai, Salo Adikumo and Emmanuel Isenah spoke in support of the bill which has already scaled the second reading, it was committed to the House committees on agriculture and natural resources, security and other relevant committees for scrutiny.
They are to report back to the House in seven days before the final passage.
An Iranian woman who died of a heart attack while waiting to be executed was allegedly still hanged.
The woman, identified as Zahra Ismaili, had been convicted of killing her husband, who was a senior official in the Ministry of Intelligence.
Her lawyer, Omid Moradi, claimed her husband had allegedly been abusive to both her and their daughter and that she had acted in self-defence.
However, the mother-of-two was sentenced to death by hanging.
On the day she was to be executed, she was reportedly made to watch as 16 men were hanged in front of her while waiting her turn at Rajai Shahr Prison, west of the capital Tehran.
She died of a heart attack before it got to her turn but they still went ahead to hang her, according to local news.
Following her death, her lawyer, Mr Moradi, took to Facebook to describe how the events unfolded. He claimed his client’s body was still hanged after she collapsed, to allow her husband’s mother to kick a chair away from beneath her.
Pope Francis has appointed a new personal doctor weeks after the previous one died from Covid-19.
The 84-year-old pontiff picked professor Roberto Bernabei, an expert in health care for the elderly, as his physician, the Vatican said in a statement on Wednesday, February 24.
Bernabei, 69, leads the geriatrics and rehabilitative medicine department at Rome’s Gemelli, the Catholic hospital where popes are traditionally treated.
The last papal doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, died aged 78 on January 9 of Covid-19-related pulmonary complications, following a hospitalisation for cancer.
Francis is believed to be in relative good health, despite having had part of his lung removed when he was a young man after developing pleurisy.
Last month, he cancelled several events due to a chronic nerve condition that causes hip pain and makes him walk with a slight limp.
The pope later received the coronavirus vaccine alongside his predecessor, former pope Benedict XVI.
A missing girl has been found in a hotel room with a 22-year-old man who lured her after meeting her on Snapchat.
Tyler Thompson, 22, was arrested by police in Volusia County, Florida, on February 18 after being caught on camera in a dark room, shirtless, with an underage girl.
The girl was reported missing by her grandmother at around 6.15pm on Thursday, Feb 18, after she failed to come home after school.
Initial investigations determined that a friend of the missing girl said the victim was planning on going to a motel with someone she met online.
The friend told police she thought the man’s name started with a T, possibly Tyler, and that he was from Orlando. She said he may have picked up the victim at the Dollar General store in Oak Hill, near Edgewater.
Deputy Royce James went to the store to look at security video and found surveillance images of the victim at the store. An employee told the officer that the girl said she was waiting for someone to pick her up.
Deputy James then began visiting motels in the local area, showing the front desk clerks a photo of the missing girl.
At the third motel he checked, the officer noticed a guest checked in under the name Tyler Thompson, with an address of Orlando.
Deputies went to his room and knocked on the door several times before Thompson finally answered.
Police bodycam footage shows the moment an officer opened the hotel room door, in Edgewater, Florida, to find Thompson with the girl last Thursday.
The unnamed 13-year-old can then be seen running up to the officer and giving him a hug.
Deputy James can then be heard saying to the girl as she hugs him; “What’s up sweetheart?”
He then tells her to go and wait in another room as he confronts Thompson.
Thompson has since been charged with interference with child custody and traveling to meet after using a computer to lure a child. Additional charges are may follow, police added.
Thompson was released from the Volusia County Branch Jail on Friday night, Feb 19, on $15,000 bail.
