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    Netflix loses over 950K Subscribers in 4 months..


    Streaming giant, Netflix say they have lost 970,000 subscribers in the last quarter, a good result for the company who predicted to lose 2 million subscribers.


    The news comes as Netflix’s stock  tumbled more than 65 percent in the past year following customer dissatisfaction over high subscription costs and also spring up of other cheaper streaming services like Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime and HBO.

    During the first quarter, when Netflix lost 200,000 subscribers and spurred Wall Street and Hollywood to reevaluate the economics of the streaming business, the company warned that it expected to lose an additional 2 million subscribers during Q2. Though the quarter still ended with a net loss in subscribers, the streaming giant is projecting it will add 1 million subscribers in Q3.

    Netflix on Tuesday, July 19 said it now has a total of 220.67 million subscribers, a decrease from the 221.64 million reported at the end of Q1. Revenue hit $7.97 billion for the second quarter, representing a roughly 8 percent year-over-year growth in part due to a “stronger U.S. dollar,” according to Netflix’s letter to shareholders, while net income landed at $1.44 billion.


    By region, Netflix saw the most losses in the U.S. and Canada, despite major English-language series like Stranger Things‘ fourth season premiering during the quarter. US and CANADA saw a 1.3 million loss in subscribers, dropping to a total of 73.3 million paid subscribers in the region. 


    Europe, Middle East and Africa region also saw a decline in subscriber growth during Q2, losing 770,000 subscribers, while Latin America saw a modest addition of 1,000 paying subscribers. 

    The Asia-Pacific region emerged as the strongest contributor to Netflix’s subscriber growth, bringing in 1.08 million subscribers during the quarter.

    In the aftermath of its Q1 earnings report, Netflix went into overhaul mode: The streamer implemented several rounds of layoffs, with the most recent resulting in the loss of 300 staffers, which amounted to $70 million in severance costs; reevaluated its film strategy to focus on fewer but better projects, moving away from the low-budget fare; then decided to staft an advertising-supported subscription tier by partnering with Microsoft, which will handle sales and tech for the streaming company.


    In its letter to shareholders, Netflix said it planned to release its ad-supported tier “around the early part of 2023.” The offering will likely first roll out in markets where “advertising spend is significant.” The letter continued, “While it will take some time to grow our member base for the ad tier and the associated ad revenues, over the long run, we think advertising can enable substantial incremental membership (through lower prices) and profit growth (through ad revenues).”

    “Investigation on individuals financing Boko Haram almost complete” — Nigerian Govt. Say

    The Federal Government has said it has almost finished investigation into individuals financing the Boko Haram terrorist group in the country.


    The government disclosed this at the opening session of a five-day Compliance Summit organised by the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA.


    According to the Director of Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, Mr. Mohammed Jiya, the Federal Government has requested from 28 countries including Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana and Niger for more information about the suspected terror financiers.

    The NFIU boss said: “The intelligence report submitted to the government led to formation of inter agency operation, which resulted in degrading of Boko Haram activities.

    “I am happy to intimate this gathering that the Chad platform on terrorism financing, last week, expanded its membership to 11 countries, active members as Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Niger and Benin; and observers as Ghana, Guinea and Central Africa Republic.

    “Meetings will now be holding every three months with the Chad Basin and Sahel countries. This new synergy is good for both experience sharing and operational success of security agencies.” 


    He described the summit, which has the theme, ‘’Current and Emerging Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Issues,”  as apt and timely, noting that three of top 10 countries in the 2022 Global Terrorism Index, GTI, were from West Africa.


    The revelation comes after the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, said last September  that investigation to unravel those behind activities of insurgents in the country had reached advanced stage.

    He said the government would at the appropriate time, disclose their identities through a judicial process that would entail prosecution.


    “The position, as it stands, is that investigation has reached advanced stage and the government will make statement in that direction in due course,” he said.

    China warns US of ‘resolute and forceful measures’ if House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan

    China has warned that it would take “resolute and forceful measures” if US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Taiwan.


    Pelosi, who is second in line of succession to the US presidency, has reportedly outlined plans to take a delegation to Taipei in August, according to the Financial Times,and if she makes the visit it would be the highest-level delegation from the United States to the self-governing island in 25 years.

    On Tuesday, July 19, China’s Foreign Ministry lashed out at the potential visit, saying it would “have a severe negative impact on the political foundation of China-US relations, and send a gravely wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces.”

    China warns US


    “If the US insists on going down the wrong path, China will definitely take resolute and forceful measures to firmly defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told a news conference. “The United States must be fully responsible for all the consequences caused by this.”

    Also, August 1 is the anniversary of the founding of China’s People’s Liberation Army.


    Beijing’s ruling Communist Party has long claimed Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly vowed to “reunify” the island of 24 million people with the Chinese mainland by force if necessary despite having never governed the region in 70 years.

    Pelosi had previously stated plans to lead a US congressional delegation to Taiwan in April, but the trip was postponed after she tested positive for Covid-19. At the time, China had strongly opposed the trip and issued similar warnings.

    A visit by Pelosi would be the first by a sitting House Speaker since Republican Newt Gingrich traveled to Taiwan in 1997.


    US officials and lawmakers have embarked on more than 20 trips to the democratically controlled island since the Taiwan Travel Act was signed into law by then US President Donald Trump in March 2018.

    China, meanwhile, has sent record numbers of war planes near Taiwan, as tensions soared to their highest in recent decades.

    Bakery and confectionery makers declare nationwide strike over rising cost of flour/wheat

    Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN), comprising owners, Managing Directors and Partners of premium bakeries in Nigeria, will be embarking on a four-day warning strike beginning from Thursday July 21, 2022.

    The strike decision was taken by the bread makers due to increasing prices of baking materials in the country. 

    The entrepreneurs who disclosed that it has become impossible to operate bakeries in Nigeria, asked the Federal Government to stop charging 15% Wheat development levy on wheat import.

    President of the Association, Emmanuel Onuorah and Public & Industrial Relations Officer,  Babalola Thomas also asked NAFDAC to review downwards the N154,000  penalty charged bakeries on late renewal of certificates.

    Asides calling for stoppage of multi-agencies regulation of the breadmaking industry, PBAN also asked the federal government to grant members access to grants and soft loans being given by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to Minor, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs).

    The statement read; 

    “Operating a bakery in Nigeria has become near impossible as the incessant increase in the prices of baking materials and diesel rendered the industry comatose. Bakeries are mostly running on huge losses and this is no longer sustainable.

    “Bread is a staple food and one of the cheapest ‘grab and go’ food that is available for both the poor and rich. It therefore behooves on the federal government to be mindful of this and ensure the survival and sustainability of the industry.

    “In a move to ensure the survival of the Premium breadmaking industry in Nigeria, we have decided to embark on a withdrawal of services beginning from Thursday 21st July, 2022 for four days in the first instance and where no intervention from the government, we shall escalate the duration of the withdrawal.

    “Our efforts to ensure the survival of the industry led to series of meetings with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Abuja (FMITI) with our sister association in the breadmaking industry in 2021. Our best attempts to ensure that suggestions we put forward for survival of the breadmaking industry has not yielded the desired result.

    “Therefore, the withdrawal of service is the only way we believe we can use to get to Federal Government and Nigerians and let them know our plight and how difficult it has been with the breadmaking industry in Nigeria.”

    Ronaldo, former Brazilian star, goes on vacation with his girlfriend in Ibiza (photos)

    Brazilian World Cup-winning legend Ronaldo was pictured on a massive yacht off the coast of Ibiza with some close friends and family this week.

    The 2002 World Cup winner, 45, sported a big belly as he cozied up to stunning model girlfriend Celina Locks, 32.

    See more photos below.

    Ronlad goes to Ibiza
    Ronlad goes to Ibiza
    Ronlad goes to Ibiza

    Throwback of Ronaldo and David Beckham

    Russia ‘accidentally shoots down its own $40M fighter jets’ as they hunt for US HIMARS Missiles (video)

    Russia accidentally shot down one of its own $40million fighter jets in the skies over eastern Ukraine.

    Pro-Russian Telegram channel published footage of flaming wreck falling from the sky over Luhansk overnight on Sunday, saying Moscow’s forces shot it down. The words ‘Russian Aerospace Forces’ written down the side of the aircraft.

    Alongside the video, he wrote: ‘Last night, the air defense crew of the allied forces destroyed a target in the sky over Alchevsk (LPR). 

    ‘The nature of the target is not clear. The burning ball fell to the ground for more than a minute.’

     According to the reports, Putin’s men accidentally shot down one of their own jets identified as a rare $40million variant of the Su-34 fighter-bomber.

    $40million fighter jets

    The shoot-down came shortly after Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered his anti-air defences to prioritise taking out American-made HIMARS rockets.

    HIMARS have been playing havoc with Russia’s invasion by taking out headquarters and ammo dumps deep behind the frontlines, with Putin’s anti-air seemingly struggling to stop them.

    Michael Weiss, a respected security correspondent, tied the two events together – tweeting that: ‘They just downed their own Su-34, aiming at HIMARS.’

    Why did APC lost in Osun? – Adamu Opines

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Adamu, has given reasons his party lost the Saturday, July 16 Osun State governorship election.

    In an interview with BBC Hausa, Adamu said the crisis within the APC caused the party’s defeat at the polls and not that the party was not capable of winning.

    “We lost the race not because we are incapable but because of the crisis within. We had a massive gathering of supporters a few days before the election in Osogbo. No one could ever anticipate that we would lose the election.

    Osun defeat doesn’t in any way mean that we will lose at the general election. We only lost one state out of the 22 we have; you see, we are still strong.

    We will sit and check ourselves. We must ask ourselves what is right and wrong and what needs to be corrected.”

    The party’s candidate and incumbent governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola lost the election to his main rival, Ademola Adeleke, of the PDP.

    David Beckham wants to bring Lionel Messi to Inter Miami Club

    Inter Miami president, Jorge Mas has confirmed that he and co-owner David Beckham wants to bring Lionel Messi to the club.


    Messi is entering his second season with Paris Saint-Germain, but the two club owners are ‘very optimistic’ that a deal can be done in the future.


    The former Barcelona striker has just turned 35 but Mas still believes he is the best player on the planet and hopes to convince him to join one day.


    When asked about bringing Messi to the club, Mas said: ‘Well, look, both David Beckham and I aspire to bring the best players in the world here to Miami, not only because of the project we are creating.


    ‘We want to be the point of reference for soccer in the United States, but when you talk about the best players in the world, Leo is obviously the best player on the planet.


    ‘Hopefully, the conditions will be met for him to be there, playing with the United States Inter Miami jersey. We aspire to that.


    ‘I hope the circumstances are given. We have nothing guaranteed, there is no agreement, but I am a very optimistic man and I hope that in the future Leo Messi can be part of our project.’


    He added: ‘There are a lot of Catalans here: there is Xavi Asensi, Víctor Oliver, who has just arrived here from Barcelona to bring up topics for the future.


    ‘We are going to build a new stadium… I was with Laporta last night for a long time. And nothing, it is an honour to see clubs of the category of Barcelona here and it is what I aspire to, that Inter Miami has close relations with this type of club.’

    Abia State Polytechnic loses accreditation over non-payment of staff salaries for 30 months

    Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, has lost its accreditation over non-payment of salaries and allowances of staff for 30 months. 

    The National Board for Technical Education made the announcement on Tuesday July 19, in a statement released by the Head of Media Department, Fatima Abubakar. 

    The accreditation was withdrawn after several warnings which management of the school including Governor of the state, Okezie Ikpeazu, did not heed to. 

    The NBTE further disclosed that they had to withdraw the accreditation status of the polytechnic just to safeguard the quality assurance mechanism of the Board as well as to ensure that students were not left at the mercy of demoralised staff that might resort to ‘under the table’ practices to survive.

    The statement read; 

    “Regular payment of salary is one of the key components of the Board’s normative instruments for quality assurance in the polytechnics, and Technical & Vocational Education and Training institutions under her purview.

    “The Board had drawn the attention of the polytechnic to the dangers of non-payment of salaries, including the suspension of quality assurance visits.

    “The Governing Council and management of the polytechnic made several failed promises to settle the backlog of salary arrears and ensure regular payment of staff salaries.

    “The Board went the extra mile of writing His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, informing him of the dire situation of the polytechnic but all to no avail.”

    The board also told the National Youth Service Corps that “no product of the Abia State Polytechnic should be mobilised for national service until the management of the polytechnic resolves the issue of nonpayment of salary to its staffers, while the Board promised to notify the NYSC once the accreditation status of the polytechnic is restored.”

    NBTE also said notice of the withdrawal of the accreditation of the polytechnic had been sent to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund and Industrial Training Fund in order to stop any official transaction with the polytechnic by those organisations.

    The statement added; 

    “Polytechnic proprietors across the country are advised to take regular payment of salaries of staff seriously as failure could lead to loss of accreditation.”

    This is also coming months after Abia state university teaching hospital also lost its accreditation over non-payment of salaries among other issues. 

    Russia fines Google $360M for not removing ‘Ukraine war contents’

    A Russian court has fined Google 21 billion rubles ($360 million) for failing to remove content concerning Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine, the nation’s telecommunications regulator has revealed.

    The Moscow court said the Google-owned video platform YouTube had failed to block “false information” on the offensive in Ukraine, “extremist and terrorist propaganda” and content “calling on minors to participate in unauthorised demonstrations”.

    The regulator, Roskomnadzor said that as this was a repeat conviction for Google hence the huge fine.

    Russian authorities have increased pressure on Western social media firms in recent years with repeated fines and threats in a bid to remove criticism from the internet, the only source of free speech in Russia.


    Like most of its Western rivals, Google recently quit the Russian market in protest against Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine.


    According to Vladimir Zykov, an expert cited by Russian news agency Ria-Novosti, the fine is the largest ever imposed on a Western tech firm by a Russian court.


    Russian authorities can impose on Google “as many fines as they wish, they won’t receive the money” as the firm has pulled out of the country, he said.


    Russia’s internet regulator, Roskomnadzor branded the activities of Google and YouTube with the “terrorist” label in March, opening up the possibility they would be blocked in Russia, as have Twitter, Instagram and many independent media following the start of the military operation.


    In Russia,  the legal penalties for speaking out against the conflict has been increased with thise found guilty of spreading “false information” about the Russian military facing up to 15 years in jail.

    Several journalists, some politicians and citizens have already been jailed on such charges.

    “We did not endorse Tinubu” – RCCG

    The Redeemed Christian Church of God has denied meeting/endorsing the All Progressives Congress and its Presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. 

    The church described claim of endorsing the ruling party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket as false, adding that its General Overseer, Pastor E.A. Adeboye is under the authority of God, the Christian Association of Nigeria, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, and will not speak on behalf of Christians on issues regarding policies. 

    The RCCG further stated that Adeboye and the church will not endorse any candidate in the 2023 general election in Nigeria. 

    The church also threatened to seek legal redress should such claim be made again. 

    Redeemed Christian Church of God denies meeting/endorsing Tinubu and APC
    Tinubu

    Malaysia: No more teenage marriages and one year jail for polygamy without permission

    The Kedah state assembly in Malaysia has approved amendments to the state Islamic Family Enactment to raise the minimum marriage age for Muslim women to 18 years.


    Speaking at the assembly this week, speaker Datuk Juhari Bulat said the amendment involved raising the age of marriage for women from 16 to 18 years old as well as the punishment for polygamy without court permission.

    The punishment is imprisonment for one year or a fine of RM3,000 compared to six months imprisonment or a fine of RM1,000 previously.


    “If you want to get married, there is any problem, you can apply through the court, if the court finds that the candidate should be allowed even if she is 16 years old, she can marry with the court’s permission.


    Speaker Datuk also said Muslim girls aged below 18 who wished to get married may seek approval from the court.


    “If the court decides that the applicant should be allowed (to enter marriage) despite being 16 years, the applicant may get married with the court’s approval.


    “Those doing so without the court’s approval will be fined,” he told reporters at the end of today’s assembly sitting.


    Juhari added that lawmakers also approved an amendment to increase the current RM1,000 fine and six months’ jail for those entering polygamy without obtaining the court’s consent to RM3,000 and one-year jail term respectively.

    Petrol PUMP price finally raised above N165 per litre all Nigeria

    Petrol price has officially been raised above N165 across all regions in the country. 

    Guardian reported that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited approved an upward review in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from N165 per litre to N179 per litre, effective today, Tuesday July 19. 

    In a notice to fuel marketers, the NNPC ordered a change of petrol price on pumps to the new price effective today. This is also coming after the company equally increased the ex-depot price from N148.17 to N167 per litre.

    This is coming after fuel queues resurfaced across the country, with fuel retailers adopting different price bands to force unofficial deregulation attempts

    Due to hot weather, his employers banned wearing shorts and he wore ‘a skirt’ to work

    A man has gone viral for wearing a skirt to work after the company he works for banned men from wearing shorts despite the summer heat.

    The UK is suffering through one of its most extreme heat waves ever.

    The extreme summer heat wave, which meteorologists call an “apocalypse” caused a runway to “melt” at Royal Air Force Airport.

    The heat has also caused Brits to strip to their bathing suits as they visit beaches and pools to cool off.

    For the first time, the Met Office issued a “Red warning” in response to the extraordinary heat.

    “The Met Office Chief Meteorologist Paul Gundersen said in a statement: “It is important people plan for the heat and consider changing their routines. This level of heat can have adverse health effects.”

    Due to the heat, workers have been wearing less, with many forgoing suits for shorts.

    One company decided to ban shorts and a male employee responded to the ban by wearing a skirt to work.

    He shared a photo of himself in a shirt tucked into a skirt on Twitter.

    His caption reads: “Work dress code states no shorts.”

    wore skirts to work

    His photo immediately went viral, with many commending him.

    Asked whether he got in trouble for wearing a skirt, he said that hasn’t happened yet.

    “But everyone’s been complimentary,” he added.

    wore skirts to work

    See the Gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo’s wedding introduction (photos n video)

    The wedding introduction of gospel artiste, Mercy Chinwo, and her fiance, Pastor Blessed Uzochikwa, the head pastor of The Water Brook Church in Lagos, was held on Monday July 18.

    The couple announced their engagement in June.

    See more photos and videos from the introduction below…

    Mercy Chinwo
    Mercy Chinwo
    Mercy Chinwo
    Mercy Chinwo
    Mercy Chinwo
    Mercy Chinwo
    Mercy Chinwo
    Mercy Chinwo

    Shakhtar Donetsk demand £43M in damages from FIFA as their contracts have been suspended

    Ukrainian football club, Shakhtar Donetsk have demanded that they receive €50million (£43million) worth of damages from FIFA for lost transfer fees following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    Last month, the governing body ruled that foreign players and coaches in Ukraine can suspend their contracts with clubs until 30 June 2023, in light of Russia‘s invasion of the country. 

    13-time Ukrainian champions Shakhtar believe they have missed out on significant revenue as a result and have appealed against the ruling in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

    The club had 14 foreign players in the squad before Russia’s invasion and planned to sell them to help cover their losses which have stacked up since fighting started in late February. 

    However, FIFA’s ruling in June means that these players are able to join new clubs without Shakhtar receiving any compensation. 

    In a letter addressed to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, seen by The Athletic, the Ukrainian club’s CEO Sergei Palkin said: ‘Because of FIFA’s decision, FC Shakhtar has lost a chance to transfer four foreign players for the total amount of about €50m.

    ‘Four foreign players immediately withdrew from further negotiations regarding their potential transfers. 

    The players’ agents advised them to withdraw from negotiations in order to leave the club without any compensation, which would allow them to secure more lucrative arrangements with new employers.’   

    Palkin told The Athletic that the club had agreed a £6.4million fee with Fulham for Israeli winger Manor Solomon, but he is now set to join the Premier League club on a free loan. 

    Also, Brazilian midfielder Tete has joined Lyon on a free loan after Shakhtar claim they were in negotiations with the French club to sell the 22-year-old. 

    ‘Everyone believes we are one football family,’ Palkin told The Athletic. ‘This decision just crossed out this slogan. We are not one football family because nobody cares about Ukrainian clubs. This is a very big pity. FIFA does not care about us.’ 

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic signs fresh £15,000-a-week deal with AC Milan

    Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has signed a new contract with AC Milan that ties him to the Serie A champions until next year.


    Zlatan who turns 41 in just three months has defied the odds to still play at the top level and helped AC Milan win the serie A title last season.

    According to Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio and Fabrizio Romano, Ibrahimovic has officially put pen to paper on a new deal with Milan and is expected to bag £15,000 per week with the Rossoneri, a far cry from the £250,000 weekly salary he earned at his epak with Manchester United.

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic


    “Zlatan Ibrahimovic has just signed his new official contract with AC Milan until June 2023.

    0“He will play for one more season as expected,” Fabrizio Romano wrote on Twitter.

    Ibrahimovic has played for some of the best clubs in the world, such as Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United.


    He joined United in 2016 and impressed during his two-year stint at Old Trafford as he scored 29 goals and bagged 10 assists in 53 appearances before his move to Major League Soccer outfit LA Galaxy.

    He initially joined Milan on loan in 2010 from Barcelona before making his transfer permanent a year later.

    His first spell with the Rossoneri lasted only two years as he later moved to PSG but returned in 2020.

    The star centre-forward has netted 92 goals and registered 35 assists in 158 appearances across all competitions with Milan.

    Hint: Top 10 banks in Nigeria with highest account maintenance revenue in Q1 2022

    Banks listed on the floor of the Nigerian Exchange scooped a total of N36.04 billion from account maintenance charges in the first quarter of 2022. This is according to data extracted from the quarterly financial statements of listed commercial banks in the Nigerian stock market.

    Zenith Bank, Access Bank and GTB led the list of banks in Nigeria with the highest income from current account maintenance in the period under review. The amount generated from account maintenance charges in Q1 2022, represents a 17.5% increase compared to N30.67 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021.

    According to the Central Bank of Nigeria, the account maintenance fee are charged on current accounts only in respect of customer-induced debit transactions to third parties and debit transfers/lodgements to the customer’s account in another bank.

    Banks’ earnings from account maintenance charges, though low when compared to other revenue streams, still make up a significant portion of their non-interest income. According to the directive by the CBN on bank charges, Nigerian banks are allowed to charge their customers a “negotiable” N1 per mille.

    What this means is that banks can charge N1 per N1000 debit transactions on current accounts. Banks’ account maintenance charges come in the form of COT (i.e., Commission on Turnover) which is a charge levied on customer withdrawals by their banks.

    Below is a ranking of Nigerian commercial banks based on their account maintenance earnings in the first quarter of 2022.

    #5: UBA – N3.92 billion

    United Bank for Africa came fifth on the list with N3.92 billion revenue from account maintenance, which is 24.5% higher than N3.15 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021.

    The pan African bank’s account maintenance income accounts for 10.9% of the total N36.04 billion recorded by the 12 banks under consideration. In terms of the bottom line, UBA grew its profit after tax by 8.8% year-on-year to N41.49 billion in the review period.

    #4: First Bank – N4.14 billion

    First Bank of Nigeria saw its account maintenance income increase marginally by 2.2% from N4.05 billion generated in Q1 2021 to N4.14 billion in the same period of 2022. It accounted for 11.5% of the total account maintenance income of the industry.

    First Bank’s profit after tax increased significantly by 107.7% year-on-year to N32.4 billion in Q1 2022 from N15.59 billion posted in the previous year.

    #3: GT Bank – N5.17 billion

    GT Bank generated a sum of N5.17 billion from account maintenance income between January and March 2022. This represents a 23.8% increase compared to N4.18 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021.

    However, its net profit dropped by 5.1% compared to N45.55 billion recorded as of the same period in the previous year to stand at N43.21 billion.

    #2: Access Bank – N6.04 billion

    Access Bank, the largest financial institution in the country by customer base and total asset value, with a total asset of N12.08 trillion, recorded a 16.2% year-on-year increase in its account maintenance income in Q1 2022 to stand at N6.04 billion from N5.2 billion.

    In a similar fashion, the newly restructured bank grew its profit after tax to N57.39 billion from last year’s figure of N52.55 billion, representing a 9.2% year-on-year increase.

    #1: Zenith Bank – N9.27 billion

    Zenith Bank seats comfortably in top position having generated a sum of N9.27 billion from account maintenance, representing 25.7% of the total income by the 12 banks. Zenith Bank increased its account maintenance income by 17.6% compared to N7.88 billion that was made in Q1 2021.

    Similarly, the tier-1 giant printed a year-on-year 9.7% increase in its profit after tax to N58.19 billion compared to N53.06 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2021. In comparison to other listed banks, Zenith Bank recorded the highest net profit, representing 21% of the total N275.7 billion recorded by the industry in the period under review.

    Others

    • Unity Bank – N1.67 billion
    • FCMB – N1.53 billion
    • Fidelity Bank – N1.23 billion
    • Stanbic IBTC – N927 million
    • Sterling Bank – N911 million

    [Nairametrics]

    Cristiano Ronaldo rumoured to be ‘set to join Atletico Madrid’

    Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked with a shock return to LaLiga  to join his former club’s  rival Atletico Madrid.

    Spanish outlet Diario AS have published a sensational report that the player could be on his way to city rivals Atletico Madrid in what would be a dagger to the hearts of all Los Blancos fans. 

    Ronaldo, 37, has already made it clear that he wants to leave Manchester United this summer.

    According to the report, Ronaldo’s representatives have made contact with Diego Simeone’s side and persuaded the Argentine manager to make a move for the player.

    Ronaldo who scored 311 goals in 292 games for Real Madrid including claming victory over Atletico in two Champions League finals in three years, is hated by Atleti fans, and a move would surely create friction with the fanbase.

    This comes Portuguese legend took to Instagram to deny rumours of a return to Sporting, after a photo was posted by Sport TV Portugal claiming his car was spotted at the club’s stadium. 

    But Ronaldo was straight to the point with his response to the claims, simply commenting: ‘Fake’. 

    “Western sanctions are causing Russia ‘colossal’ problems” – Putin admits

    Russian President, Vladimir Putin has admitted his nation is facing ‘colossal’ problems due to the unprecedented Western sanctions over Ukraine.

    The Kremlin chief said the West’s sanctions had cut Russia off from major technology products and conceded the nation could not develop in complete isolation, but added it would be impossible to fully sever Moscow’s connection to the rest of the world.

    ‘This is a huge challenge for our country,’ the president said today during a video conference with other Russian officials.

    ‘Realising the colossal amount of difficulties we are facing, we will look for new solutions in an energetic and competent manner.

    ‘Clearly, we cannot develop in isolation from the rest of the world, but we won’t. In today’s world, you can’t just, you know, circle everything with a compass and put up a huge fence, it’s just not possible.’

    Many top tech companies including Apple, Microsoft and Intel suspended their operations in Russia or left the country altogether after Putin sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, leaving Russia with few domestic alternatives. 

    Putin also said that many fast-growing Russian firms in the sector, such as online retailer Ozon or internet company Yandex, had their growth stunted as their access to Western financing had been severed.

    But the warmongering Russian leader said the nation would focus on developing ‘sovereign ‘technology and innovation from domestic companies, calling on the nation’s finance ministry and banks to make plans for major cash injections.

    ‘I very much look forward to detailed proposals from both the finance ministry and the Bank of Russia,’ Putin declared.

    His admission that Western sanctions are crippling Russia’s tech industry came as EU foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss fresh proposals of yet more sanctions. 

    Ministers from EU nations are reviewing a potential ban on gold exports, among other things, to further cripple the Russian economy. 

    The European bloc’s foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said that at the moment ‘the most important thing is a ban on Russian gold’, which is Moscow’s second-largest export industry after energy.

    Aero Contractors shuts down passengers flight operations

    Aero Contractors has announced the temporary suspension of flights from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

    In a statement released today, July 18, the airline said the temporary suspension would not affect the maintenance activities of the Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO), otherwise known as AeroMRO, or the Approved Training Organisation (ATO), also known as Aero Training School; and its helicopter and charter services operations.

    The statement, titled “Aero suspends scheduled commercial flight operations”, reads: “Due to the impact of the challenging operating environment on our daily operations, the management of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd. wishes to announce the temporary suspension of its scheduled passenger services operations with effect from Wednesday, July 20, 2022.

    “This decision was carefully considered and taken due to the fact that most of our aircrafts are currently undergoing maintenance, resulting in our inability to offer a seamless and efficient service to our esteemed customers.

    “We are working to bring these aircrafts back to service in the next few weeks, so we can continue to offer our passengers the safe, efficient, and reliable services that Aero Contractors is known for, which is the hallmark of Aero Contractors Company of Nig. Ltd.”

    Aero Contractors

    Bride was mistakely shot dead during celebratory gunfire in Iran

    A bride has sadly been shot dead at her own wedding ceremony after a stray bullet from celebratory gunfire hit her in the head.

    Mahvash Leghaei, 24, got married at Firuzabad in Iran when a guest, who is believed to be a cousin of the groom, fired his unlicensed high-powered hunting rifle. The bullet reportedly went straight through her skull and also injured two male guests at the event.

    Police spokesman Colonel Mehdi Jokar said: ‘We had an emergency call of a shooting at a wedding hall in Firuzabad city and officers were dispatched immediately.

    ‘The officers discovered that somebody had fired shots with a hunting rifle as part of the local nomad tradition, but unfortunately because of the crowds and the person’s poor control of the weapon, he managed to shoot three people, two men and the bride.

    Mahvash Leghaei

    ‘The shooter then fled the area but police located the man still carrying the unlicensed hunting rifle that had been fired at the wedding.’

    According to initial reports two bullets were fired, the first without incident, but the second hitting the bride in the head, passing through her brain and hitting the two other guests.

    The police spokesman said the bride was placed in a coma and later died but the two others who had been shot were not seriously injured.

    The shooter was identified as a 36-year-old who was not named but was reportedly a cousin of the groom.

    The police spokesman added: ‘Naturally any disturbance of public order like this crosses the red line with the police need to act, and people need to know that to create a safe community shooting is banned at weddings.

    ‘We will take tough action against anybody found to be breaking this rule.’

    The victim’s family said her organs were donated and they have helped three people.

    The custom of firing a gun at weddings is illegal but still common in the Middle East.

    Alert! Ghana confirms 2 cases of deadly Marburg Virus

    Ghana has officially confirmed two cases of the Marburg virus, a highly infectious disease similar to Ebola. 

    Tests conducted in Ghana came back positive on July 10, but the results had to be verified by a laboratory in Senegal for the cases to be considered confirmed, according to the World Health Organization.

    One case was a 26-year-old male who checked into a hospital on 26 June 2022 and died on 27 June. The second case was a 51 -year-old male who reported to the hospital on 28 June and died on the same day. Both cases sought treatment at the same hospital within days of each other.

    Ghana Health Service (GHS) said in a statement; 

    “Further testing at the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal has corroborated the results.”

    GHS is working to reduce any risk of the virus spreading, including the isolation of all identified contacts, none of whom have developed any symptoms so far, it said.

    This is only the second outbreak of Marburg in West Africa. The first ever case of the virus in the region was detected last year in Guinea, with no further cases identified.

    There have been a dozen major Marburg outbreaks since 1967, mostly in southern and eastern Africa. Fatality rates have varied from 24 percent to 88 percent in past outbreaks depending on the virus strain and case management, according to the WHO.

    It is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials, the WHO says.

    Marburg is a highly infectious viral haemorrhagic fever in the same family as the more well-known Ebola virus disease. It is only the second time the zoonotic disease has been detected in West Africa. Guinea confirmed a single case in an outbreak that was declared over on 16 September 2021, five weeks after the initial case was detected.

    Woman wakes from 2-year coma and narrated how she was almost killed

    A West Virginia woman woke from a two-year coma after being brutally attacked and identified her brother as the assailant.

    Wanda Palmer had been in a long term care facility in New Martinsville, West Virginia, after being beaten in her home in June of 2020, according to the West Virginia Metro News.

    When Palmer was discovered, Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellenger said she was so savagely attacked, authorities thought she was dead.

    Last week, the care facility where Palmer was kept contacted authorities to let them know the woman had come out of her coma.

    Medical staff told authorities that, despite suffering brain damage from the assault, Palmer was able to speak enough to identify her assailant.

    “The keys to the whole thing lay with the victim herself and with her unable to communicate we were left with nothing. Now low and behold two years later and boom, she’s awake and able to tell us exactly what happened,” Sheriff Mellenger told Metro News.

    Daniel Palmer, Wanda Palmer’s brother, was arrested after being identified as the attacker.

    “He didn’t give us any fight or anything. There was a little bit of surprise, but not entirely,” Mellenger told Metro News of the arrest.

    Officials said they believed Daniel Palmer attacked his sister with a machete or a hatchet.

    He was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and malicious wounding.

    “#Peter_Obi’s has great chances at polls but we are prepared” – APC Chairman confesses

    The National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, has said he is not underestimating the ‘ability of Peter Obi to lead his party to victory’ in the 2023 presidential election.

    Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party and a frontline candidate in respect of the forthcoming elections.

    He has a massive following online and among the youths.

    Adamu while speaking on Obi’s candidacy during an interview on Arise TV on Sunday, described the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Presidential candidate as someone who is “well-grounded”, but said his party, the APC, is “better organized”, and would win the 2023 presidency.

    “Peter Obi… I knew him when he was Governor of Anambra State; I visited him when I was governor or minister. These are people that mean well from their outbursts, as far as I’m concerned. They are well-grounded, I don’t have any doubt about that. So, I have no reason whatsoever to underestimate their ability to lead their party to victory. But I’m telling you that we are better organised,” Adamu said.

    Calvin Bassey offered £19M by Ajax Club

    Ajax have offered £19million plus-add-ons to sign Super Eagles of Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey from Rangers.

    Bassey has been lined up by Ajax to replace Lisandro Martinez who is joining Manchester united for £46m.

    Rangers are keen to retain Bassey in the wake of his excellent breakout season and have placed a £25million price tag on the player. 

    Coach Alfred Schreuder identified Bassey as his preferred replacement for Martinez, with one report in the Netherlands claiming they have already spoken by phone.

    The versatile defender is also attracting interest from the Serie A and Bundesliga with at least seven sides tracking the 22-year-old.

    The defender, who still has two years on his deal left, made 50 appearances across all competitions last season and was named in the Europa League team of the season following the club’s run to the final.

    He also played a key role as Rangers won the Scottish Cup in May, adding to the Scottish Premiership title he won the previous campaign.

    2023 Elections: Peter Obi’s ambition not ordinary, says Renowned Prophet

    Prophet Godfrey Gbujie of the Ministerial Leader of World Zionist Union has said that the presidential bid of the candidate of the Labour Party ( LP), Mr. Peter Obi was not ordinary, stating that there were strong spiritual forces backing him in the race.

    Speaking in Awka yesterday, Gbujie said Nigerians might witness surprises in the polls and called for prayers for a peaceful exercise.

    He said: “The level of problems we are witnessing now will be a child’s play to what shall happen next year and so everyone should pray and prepare because things will not be easy.

    “What is happening around Peter Obi ahead of 2023 presidential election is not ordinary and everybody especially those in authorities should be very careful.

    “I am saying this because nothing happens accidentally in the religious, economic and socio-political realm.

    “The hand of God is behind what is happening around Peter Obi, especially the mass support from the youths across the country.

    “This calls for serious warning for those at the corridors of power. Obi, Bola Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and many others have been listed among actors to fulfill the divine plans for the country.”

    ‘If you are man enough, vote them out’ — Portable rants as politicians ‘seek refund’ of show money [VIDEO]

    Portable, the controversial singer, has flared up on yet another public outburst over the situation of things in Nigeria.

    In a video that surfaced online on Friday night, the fast-rising musician ranted in the Yoruba language while cursing “anyone who votes for the politicians who put Nigeria in this condition”.

    Portable, who appeared to have filmed the footage at the Abuja airport, lamented that his flight to Lagos was delayed and that the excuse was no fuel to move the plane.

    He also claimed he is being asked to refund payment made to him for a show he was supposed to perform after the money had been spent.

    “I’ve suffered. The money I already spent. You should talk about paying another one. Are you kidding? Is the fault not with Nigeria as a country? A whole Abuja? No fuel inside the airplane. If you all are man enough, vote for the bad politicians,” he said.

    “They’ve conned your generation. You can’t con us the way you conned our grandparents. It should be us enslaving you all. Imagine [them] telling me to refund the money paid for the show.”

    It is not exactly clear if the refund Portable speaks of is for a stage performance not delivered.

    It also remains to be seen if his rant is directed toward his political engagements in Osun state.

    Portable earlier endorsed Gboyega Oyetola, the governor of Osun who is seeking a second term in the ongoing election.

    He had flaunted wads of naira notes given to him by the governor.

    Photos also surfaced last Thursday showing Portable performing at a road show campaign for Oyetola.

    Portable’s outburst comes as the latest in a series of controversies involving the singer.

    He had previously called out Davido, the Afropop star, for unfollowing him on social media.

    [THECABLE]

    Over 80 babies were born within 7 months in Benue State IDF camp !

    The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has said that it is difficult to control the sexual libido of Internally Displaced People IDPs after 80 babies were delivered in its IDP camps in the state in seven months.

    The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Dr Emmanuel Shior, disclosed this to newsmen during the agency’s monthly distribution of relief materials to the IDPs on Friday, July 15.

    He said that the deliveries were registered by the agency and most of the IDPs were staying with their partners and this accounted for the high number of births recorded in the camps.

    “The agency is very strict on illicit sexual affairs in the camps. It is very difficult to control the tide of births in the camps, the IDPs are human beings. 

    It is the nature of man, even when they don’t have food to eat, they have the desire for sex; that cannot be taken away from the IDPs. Most of them have their families at the camps.

    The aspect we try to control is unmarried people sleeping with each other; other unlawful sexual acts are also forbidden in the camps” Shior said

    “Why I didn’t pick successor from 30-man list” – President Buhari

    The President, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has explained why he did not announce a successor before the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress which produced a national leader of the party, Bola Tinubu, as the candidate.

    Tinubu defeated Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, among other aspirants, to clinch the presidential ticket.

    Speaking in Katsina when he paid a Sallah visit to the Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumin Kabir, at his palace on Saturday, Buhari, who recalled the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the former Lagos State governor, said some party leaders initially gave him a list of 30 presidential aspirants, out of which he was asked to pick a candidate of his choice.

    He, however, said he chose to allow the delegates to pick the candidate of their choice as making his preference known would affect Osinbajo.

    The President, who spoke in Hausa, said, “I was given a list of 30 aspirants to pick from. Most of them were my ministers and governors. So, who will I choose or support? One of the governors even came to see me and asked who they were to choose. If I do that, it would affect my vice-president because he was listening to our conversation.

    “I then told them to choose who they wanted. So, they elected Tinubu as the APC presidential candidate. I hope that the way they (APC) conducted their congress, where they elected the party’s national chairman, the presidential candidate and how the presidential candidate picked his running mate, the forthcoming (2023) general elections would also be peaceful. I hope God will help us to conduct the general elections peacefully.”

    The President, who also recalled that he contested the presidential election on three occasions and visited virtually all the 774 local government areas in the country from 2003 to 2015, pleaded with Nigerians to allow peace to reign during the 2023 general elections.

    He also said he hoped and fervently prayed for peaceful elections in 2023.

    “May God give us the wisdom to serve people more,” he added.

    The Emir of Katsina had while welcoming the President to the palace, urged him to expedite action on the Kano-Katsina highway, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway and the Rimi windmill power generation project.

    The emir said apart from contributing to the development of Katsina State, the projects would also create employment for residents.

    Also speaking, the state Governor, Aminu Masari, said security agencies were doing all they could to tackle banditry and other forms of crime in the state

    Masari, who later saw the President off to the Umaru Musa Yar’dua Airport where he later took off for Abuja in a Nigerian Air Force aircraft, called on residents to give security agents the necessary support.

    Cristiano Ronaldo not interested in £250M deal to join a Saudi Club

    Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has rejected the chance to join an unnamed Saudi Arabian club amid his uncertain future at Manchester United.

    Ronaldo has been offered £250million in wages over the next two seasons to move to the Middle East, with the club also tabling a £25m bid to United. However Ronaldo will reject the chance to become the world’s highest-paid player in order to try and secure a move elsewhere, according to Sport Mail.

    United manager Erik ten Hag has already made it clear that Ronaldo is in his plans, shutting down questions in his latest press conference when asked about the Portuguese striker.

    Ronaldo has missed the Red Devils’ pre-season tour of Australia because of a family issue, but he’s been working individually in order to prepare for the new season.

    The 37-year-old reportedly wants to play Champions League football next season.His aim is to compete for major trophies in a top league during the twilight years of his career .

    Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid are reportedly still interested.

    Ronaldo scored 24 goals in 38 games last season following his return to Manchester after originally leaving the club for Real Madrid in 2009. United, however, finished sixth in the Premier League, failing to qualify for the Champions League, which is believed to the be the reason behind his desire to move. 

    Robert Lewandowski set to join Barcelona in a £42.5M deal

    Barcelona have agreed a deal with Bayern Munich for the signing of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski for £42.5m (€50m).

    The former Dortmund striker will fly to Miami on Sunday July 17, where Barcelona will begin their pre-season tour, for a medical before signing his three-year contract, which contains an option for a further 12 months.

    The Poland international had just one year remaining on his Bayern contract and had told the club he would not renew his deal.

    “I didn’t have much time to prepare for it. It all went very quickly to say goodbye to everyone!” Lewandowski told Sky Germany after agreeing his move.

    “These eight years were special and you don’t forget that. I had a great time in Munich.

    “I will fly soon but after the training camp I will come back and say goodbye properly and organise a few things. I said goodbye to the boys on the field today, I wasn’t worried about an injury in training. Something can happen to me at home. I wanted to keep fit and trained with the boys again.”

    Lewandowski, who joined Bayern Munich from Borussia Dortmund  in 2014, scored 344 goals in 375 games for Bayern, including 98 over the past two seasons.

    US is prepared to stop Iran from getting nuclear arms – Joe Biden says

    US President, Joe Biden has pledged that the US might use its military to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

    Biden made the declaration with Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid on Thursday, July 14 during the second day of his visit to Israel .

    The US and Israel have long accused Iran of state-sponsored terrorism in the Middle East. Iran provides funding, training and weapons to Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah movement, and the Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.

    US is prepared to stop Iran from getting nuclear arms


    Iran denies that it sponsors terrorism and says the organisations it backs are resistance groups fighting Israeli and US aggression.

    Israel considers the Iranian nuclear programme to be its greatest threat, as the Iranian regime sees Israel as an illegitimate nation, though Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

    US is prepared to stop Iran from getting nuclear arms

    On Thursday, Biden outlined a series of strategic commitments underpinning the US relationship with Israel – its closest regional ally in a document known as the Jerusalem US-Israel Strategic Partnership Joint Declaration.


    In an interview with Israel’s Channel 12 TV , Mr Biden also said the US would be prepared to use force against Iran “if that was the last resort”.

    He said the US was “prepared to use all elements of its national power” to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

    He also pledged that the US would “work together with our other partners to confront Iran’s aggression and destabilising activities”, including Iran’s use of “terrorist organisations such as Hezbollah, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad”.

    While the US and Israel have repeatedly said they would never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, Joe Biden’s administration would rather get a nuclear deal with Iran through diplomacy although months-long talks aimed at getting a nuclear agreement back on track have stalled.

    Israel wants Iran’s nuclear programme stopped altogether and has said it reserves the right to use force if it has to.

    Biden was asked about voices in the Democratic Party who describe Israel as an apartheid state and call for an end to unconditional American military aid. Biden said those views were “few and wrong”, adding that there was no possibility of his party walking away from Israel.

    US sends a Nigerian man to Prison for 8 years for fraudalent Schemes

    U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang has jailed a Nigerian man, Oluwaseyi Akinyemi, a/k/a “Paddy Linkin”, a/k/a “Joseph Kadin”, for elderly fraud and Covid-19 Unemployment fraud scheme

    Akinyemi, 35, of Hyattsville, Maryland, was sentenced on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, to eight years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for two counts of mail fraud relating to a social media advanced fee fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims. 

    Judge Chuang also ordered Akinyemi to pay $486,119.07 in restitution to his victims.

    The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Acting Special Agent in Charge Selwyn Smith of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Acting Special Agent in Charge Troy Springer, of the Washington Regional Office, U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General; and Chief Malik Aziz of the Prince George’s County Police Department.

    “Akinyemi committed elder fraud and CARES Act COVID-19 fraud, which are both priorities for this Office,” said United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron.

    “Akinyemi not only took advantage of a nursing care patient, a national health crisis, and an employment crisis, but he also caused financial harm to at least 13 elderly victims,” 

    According to his guilty plea, from July 10, 2018 to April 29, 2019, Akinyemi and at least one co-conspirator engaged in a social media based elder fraud scheme.

    Members of the conspiracy targeted elderly victims on social media platforms, representing themselves as agents of both real and fictitious government agencies and offered victims non-existent financial rewards if the victims first sent cash, money orders, or gift cards to cover associated “taxes and fees.”  

    Conspirators even impersonated social media accounts of the victim’s friends to vouch for their fraudulent financial scheme. Believing that they would receive a financial reward, the victims sent cash, money orders, gift cards, and other valuable items through the mail to

    Akinyemi as well as other members of the conspiracy in order to obtain a financial reward. Akinyemi, who lived in Landover, Maryland at the time, received packages under the aliases of Paddy Linkin,” “Flex,” “Joseph Kadin,” “Anna Marcos,” and other aliases.  

    After receiving the fraudulently obtained funds, Akinyemi kept a portion of the funds and provided the rest of the fraudulently obtained cash to co-conspirators in Nigeria.  Akinyemi admitted that this advance fee fraud scheme defrauded 13 victims from around the United States, ranging in age from 47 to 78 years old, of a total of $478,145.07.

    For example, Victim 1, who was 78 years old and lived in Texas, received an application via social media to apply to a purported federal government grant program.  The application was accompanied by a message from a person whom Victim 1 believed was a friend, vouching for the program.

    Victim 1 was told by members of the conspiracy that he had been approved for $100,000 in grant funds but would need to pay taxes before he could receive the grant funds.  As instructed by members of the conspiracy, Victim 1 sent multiple packages of money, including to Akinyemi. 

    To induce Victim 1 to continue to send money, members of the conspiracy sent Victim 1 electronic “certificates,” including a “Certificate of Completion” bearing the Internal Revenue Service seal, stating that it was from the “Federal and State Tax Institutes.”  Victim 1 also received a certificate with a U.S. flag on it with the words “Federal Grants” next to it which included Victim 1’s full name and the text: “Federal Government Grants for the sum of $5,000,000.”  After receiving these certificates, Victim 1 continued to send money to Akinyemi and other members of the conspiracy.  In total, Victim 1 sent between approximately $70,000 to $80,000 to Akinyemi.

    Victim 2, who was 71 years old and lived in Indiana, received a message from someone they believed to be a high school friend regarding a “Strengthening Community Fund,” but was, in fact, a member of the conspiracy posing as the victim’s high school friend.  The conspiracy member told Victim 2 that they received money from the fund in the recent past and that there were different amounts for which a person could apply.  The member of the conspiracy then provided Victim 2 with the contact information for a fictitious agent representing the “Fund.”

    After Victim 2 contacted and sought information regarding the Fund, a member of the conspiracy masquerading as an agent asked Victim 2 if they were ready to apply.  When Victim 2 communicated their desire to do so, the member of the conspiracy sought biographical information from Victim 2, including their monthly income.  Once Victim 2 provided this information, the member of the conspiracy informed Victim 2 that they had been “approved.”  Victim 2 applied for $80,000, which Victim 2 believed would cost $800 in fees.  Victim 2 sent a total of approximately $50,000 in fictitious fees and taxes in order to obtain money from the fictitious fund.

    During an interview with law enforcement on April 25, 2019, Akinyemi confirmed that he had received packages from victims throughout the country, detailed the scheme to defraud, and informed investigators that individuals in Nigeria were responsible for soliciting the victims to send money to him.  

    Further, Akinyemi stated that he received approximately $80,000 in the mail in the year prior to his interview.  A subsequent review of Akinyemi’s phone revealed, among other things, photos of tracking numbers and dollar amounts, a receipt for a money order, and conversations with conspirators discussing the percentage of the proceeds Akinyemi would take for his participation in the conspiracy. 

    At least five victims suffered a substantial financial hardship as a result of the money that was fraudulently obtained by Akinyemi and his co-conspirators during the execution of the scheme.

    According to his plea agreement, beginning in December 2020, Akinyemi and other co-conspirators also illegally obtained unemployment and CARES Act COVID-19 related benefits by filing fraudulent unemployment claims in the names of living and deceased victims from Maryland and Arizona.  

    Akinyemi and his co-conspirators used the mailing address of his Landover residence, as well as the home address of a Washington D.C. client to whom Akinyemi provided at-home nursing care services to receive the fraudulent unemployment insurance debit cards in the mail. 

    A total of nine unemployment insurance claims were filed using the address of Akinyemi’s D.C. nursing care client.  As stated in his plea agreement, 10 CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (“PUA”) claims were filed with the state of Maryland using Akinyemi’s Landover residence as the mailing address, with an intended loss of more than $170,000.

    In total, Akinyemi and his co-conspirators used the identities of 19 real individuals to file fraudulent CARES Act unemployment insurance and PUA claims, causing an actual loss of more than $7,000, and an intended loss of $250,000 in state and federal benefits.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. 

    The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. 

    United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended HSI, the DOL-OIG, and the Prince George’s County Police Department for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Rajeev R. Raghavan, who is prosecuting the case.

    ECOWAS court declares Twitter ban in Nigeria unlawful

    A court of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has declared the ban on Twitter in Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari as unlawful.

    The court also ordered the Nigerian government led by Buhari not to repeat such, according to deputy director of Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) Kolawole Oluwadare.

    Nigeria banned Twitter in June 2021 after a tweet shared by Buhari’s account was deleted.

    The ban lasted for 7 months and was lifted in January 2022.

    But in the judgment delivered today, July 14, the ECOWAS court declared that it has the jurisdiction to hear the case and that the case was therefore admissible.

    The court also held that the act of suspending the operation of Twitter is unlawful and inconsistent with the provisions of Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights both of which Nigeria is a state party.

    “The Buhari administration in suspending the operations of Twitter violates the rights of SERAP and 176 concerned Nigerians to the enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and the media, as well as the right to fair hearing,” the court ruled.

    The court also ordered the Buhari administration to take necessary steps to align its policies and other measures to give effect to the rights and freedoms, and to guarantee a non-repetition of the unlawful ban of Twitter.

    The Court also ordered the Buhari administration to bear the costs of the proceedings and directed the Deputy Chief Registrar to assess the costs accordingly.

    Reacting to the judgment, Femi Falana, SAN SERAP lawyer in the suit said, “We commend the ECOWAS Court for the landmark judgment in the case of SERAP v Federal Republic of Nigeria in which the Judges unanimously upheld the human rights of community citizens to freedom of expression, and access to information. Even though the Court had granted an interim order of injunction last year which restrained the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN from prosecuting Nigerians who defied the Twitter ban, SERAP deserves special commendation for pursuing the matter to a logical conclusion.”

    Sri Lanka Prime Minister sworn in as acting President

    NORWAY OUT Mandatory Credit: Photo by TERJE PEDERSEN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (9915475b) Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe attend a joint press conference with Norway's Prime Minister Erna Solberg, after their meeting in Oslo, Norway, 05 October 2018. Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visits Norway, Oslo - 05 Oct 2018

    Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the country’s acting president on Friday, July 15, a government official said.

    Wickremesinghe had already taken on the role after former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country on Wednesday, July 13, following months of anti-government protests.

    Wickremesinghe, 73, took his oath of office before chief justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Wickremesinghe’s office said in a brief statement.

    According to the constitution, the prime minister automatically becomes president in the event of a resignation.

    Wickremesinghe on Friday asked legislators to work towards a consensus to establish an all-party government in the crisis-ridden country and said he would follow the constitutional process and establish law and order after months of anti-Rajapaksa protests.

    Parliament will now meet on Wednesday to elect a politician to serve out the remainder of Rajapaksa’s term ending in 2024, with nominations due the previous day.

    Arnold Schwarzenegger refused to financially support his son after he finished college

    Arnold Schwarzenegger told his son Joseph Baena he would stop financially supporting him once he graduated college.

    The 74-year-old Terminator star had helped his son get through college, something which Joseph said he is very grateful for.

    However, after college, he told his son, “You’re on your own”.

    Joseph, 24, is an aspiring actor and bodybuilder, but has entered into a different career to make ends meet.

    He now has a job in real estate to allow him to support himself after finishing his studies. He works for the Los Angeles realty firm ARIA Properties.

    Joseph told Unwaxed Podcast: “I needed a job, and I was not getting any of the acting roles that I thought I was going to get.

    “I was like, ‘I need to do something’, so I started interning at this real estate company.”

    He initially completed an internship with the company, hoping to learn as much as possible while earning money.

    Joseph soon realised he enjoyed working in real estate and eventually got his license, allowing him to legally sell, broker, or rent real estate to prospective tenants and buyers.

    Joseph said he still dreams of following in his dad’s footsteps and acting in big films while learning the trade.

    He added: “I just love having a goal and then going for it.

    “With acting, I know that my goal is to be a reputable actor and win some awards.”

    Joseph is the son from Arnold’s affair with the Schwarzenegger family’s former housekeeper Mildred Baena. She was reportedly pregnant with Joseph at the same time Arnold’s ex-wife Maria Shriver was expecting their fourth child.

    Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo supports Peter Obi as he has lost confidence in Tinubu

    Leader of socio-cultural Yoruba group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo has explained why he called for the support of Peter Obi’s presidential campaign rather than his fellow Yoruba man, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.


    According to Adebanjo, he has lost confidence in Tinubu and it is the time of the South east to rule Nigeria.

    Tweeting from his official handle on Wednesday afternoon, July 13, he said;


    “I will rather support Obi than to support Bola, I have lost my confidence in him, and because we have overtime clamour for equity, fairness and justice, I think it is the time for the south east to rule, Peter Obi has my support.”

    Pa Ayo Adebanjo

    Errol, Elon Musk’s father, welcomes child with his stepdaughter

    Elon Musk’s father, Errol Musk, 76, has secretly welcomed a second child with his 35-year-old stepdaughter, Jana Bezuidenhout.

    Errol revealed to The Sun that he had a second unplanned child with his own step-daughter three years ago in 2019. 

    Errol was married to Jana’s mother, Heidi, when Jana was just 4. Their marriage lasted 18 years and produced two biological children.

    Errol went on to welcome two children with Jana, meaning he has children with both mother and daughter.

    Errol said both children with his stepdaughter were unplanned and they live with their mother.

    Errol first welcomed a secret child with Jana in 2018. The child called Elliot Rush is now five.

    Errol Musk

    Jana lived with Errol for about 18 months after Elliot Rush was born and it seems it was during this period that she became pregnant again. 

    The revelation comes just days after it emerged that his son Elon Musk had fathered twins – his eighth and ninth children – with one of his executives while he was expecting another baby with Grimes.

    Errol and Jana are no longer living together.

    But Errol claimed, “if I’m still around she might wind up back with me.”

    He said he would like to have Jana’s kids living with him but the last time they visited “the kids were starting to get on my nerves.”

    The 76-year-old refused to rule out having even more children, however, saying: “The only thing we are on Earth for is to reproduce.”

    Errol admits he is aware that Jana is two generations younger than he is, with her mother Heidi being one generation younger that he. Errol is 20 years older than Heidi and 41 years older than Jana.

    Errol said: “I married her mother when she was 25 and I was 45. She was probably one of the best looking woman I’ve ever seen in my life.”

    Errol did admit that the relationship with Jana shocked his four daughters, who saw Jana as a sibling and found it “creepy”.

    A source told MailOnline when Elliot was born: “Errol has known Jana all her life. It has split the family. Errol got married to her mother when Jana was four years old.” 

    The shocking story reportedly angered Elon, 51, who went “berserk” when he found out his father had had a child with his step-sister.

    Although Errol denies having a bad relationship with his billionaire son, Elon has previously described his engineer father as “evil” and a “terrible human being.”

    Despite Elon’s anger at his father impregnating his stepsister, he too has welcomed multiple children with different mothers.

    Recent court documents revealed that the tech billionaire quietly had twins with one of his top executives in November, weeks before he welcomed a child with music star Grimes via surrogate.

    While Elon is reportedly angry at his father Errol, Elon’s child also does not want anything to do with the billionaire Tesla founder.

    Elon’s child, who was born a boy and named Xavier Alexander Musk, recently filed to change his gender to female.

    He also filed to change his name to Vivian Jenna Wilson, taking on his mother’s maiden name “Wilson” because he wants nothing to do with his father.

    A judge approved the gender and name change.

    Social media users have gone on various platforms to share their opinions about the Musk’s family dynamics after it was revealed that Errol welcomed children with his stepdaughter.

    It is Official! Raheem Sterling joins Chelsea on 5 year deal

    England football star, Raheem Sterling has joined Chelsea from Manchester City on a five-year contract.


    Sterling has been one of City’s key performers over the past seven seasons, hitting double figures for goals in each of those campaigns and claiming nine major honours, including four Premier League titles.

    The 27-year-old is one of only eight players to have scored 80 or more Premier League goals, averaging 22 in all competitions across the past five seasons, as well as an average of 10 assists per term over the same period.

    On returning to London to play for the Blues, Sterling said: ‘First and foremost, it’s a pleasure to be here.


    ‘I’ve obviously achieved a lot in my career so far, but there is still so much more to achieve and I’m really looking forward to doing that in a Chelsea shirt, under Thomas’s management.

    ‘London is my home and where it all started for me, and it’s amazing I now have the opportunity to play in front of friends and family week in, week out at Stamford Bridge. I’m really looking forward to meeting the fans there soon.

    ‘I do want to take the opportunity to thank Todd, Behdad, the ownership group, Thomas, and all involved in the process of getting me here.

    ‘I can’t wait to get going now and continue to do my talking on the pitch.’

    Todd Boehly, chairman and co-controlling owner of Chelsea, said, ‘Raheem Sterling is a serial winner and his signing is an important step in strengthening our squad. We are delighted for Raheem to return to London with Chelsea, and we look forward to seeing his world-class talent on display at Stamford Bridge.’

    2023 Elections: PDP goes to court, wants Peter Obi, Tinubu disqualified

    The Peoples Democratic Party has instituted a lawsuit compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission to prevent All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu; and Labour Party standard bearer, Peter Obi, from replacing their running mates with Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed respectively.

    The PDP is also asking the court to declare that Tinubu and Obi be disqualified unless they contest alongside their previous running mates: Kabiru Masari and Doyin Okupe respectively.

    In the originating summons with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022, the PDP is seeking an order barring the Independent National Electoral Commission from replacing the running mates of Tinubu and Obi.

    Those listed as first to seventh respondents in the case are INEC, APC, Tinubu, Masari, Labour Party, Obi and Okupe.

    Recall that Tinubu had nominated Masari as a surrogate running mate or placeholder in order to beat the June 17 INEC deadline.

    Obi had also nominated his campaign manager, Okupe, as an interim running mate.

    However, INEC gave a grace period of about one month to substitute their names.

    After weeks of consultations, Tinubu and Obi nominated Shettima and Baba-Ahmed respectively while Masari and Okupe resigned.

    However, the PDP asked the court to determine if by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s timetable, Tinubu and Obi are bound by the submission of Masari and Okupe respectively as their running mates.

    The party also asked the court to determine if “by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sections 29(1), 31, 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the first defendant (INEC) can validly accept any change or substitution of the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants as running mates of the 3rd (APC) and 6th (Labour Party) defendants.”

    The PDP is also seeking five reliefs including a declaration that by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the constitution, Section 29(1), 31 and 33 of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s timetable, both Tinubu and Obi must be bound by their submission.

    The party asked the court to rule that both Tinubu and Obi will be disqualified the moment they substitute the names of their running mates.

    One of the reliefs reads: “A declaration that by the combined interpretation of Section 142(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), Sections 29(1), 31, 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, the 1st defendant’s (INEC’s) election timetable, the 3rd (Tinubu) and 6th (Obi) cannot validly contest the 2023 Presidential election without the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Obi) respondents as their respective running mates.”

    The PDP also based its argument on the fact that the term ‘placeholder’ is unknown to Nigerian law.

    “The Electoral Act makes no provisions whatsoever for placeholder or temporary running mates. The acts of the 2nd (APC), 3rd (Tinubu), 5th (Labour Party ) and 6th (Obi) defendants in nominating and forwarding the names of the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants as running mates for the 2023 Presidential elections is valid and subsisting,” the party added.

    In a supporting affidavit sworn to by Evelyn Oroh, a litigation secretary in the law firm of Gordy Uche (SAN), it was stated that some of the defendants had stated openly that they were mere placeholders.

    “I know that the 3rd (Tinubu) and 6th (Obi) defendants have stated in media interviews and publications that the 4th (Masari) and 7th (Okupe) defendants are not their real running mates but merely holding the place as placeholders for the real running mates,” it stated.

    When contacted on the telephone, the Labour Party’s lawyer, Alex Ejesieme, said he had received the court processes.

    “I have received the processes and we are filing a response already,” he simply stated.

    The Head, Legal Directorate, Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), said he was aware of the suit when contacted by one of our correspondents on Thursday.

    Ogala, a former Legal Adviser of the APC, however, said Tinubu’s legal team had not been served a notice by the court.

    “Yes, I’m aware (of the matter). But they have not served us.” When asked to confirm the service, he restated, “They have not.”

    Earlier, INEC National Commissioner, Festus Okoye, had in an interview with Arise TV, described the issue of placeholder as a unique invention that had no place in the constitutional and legal framework of the country.

    He had said: “Political parties’ candidates have submitted names of associates to run with them, and that is the position of the law as of today and nothing has changed.

    “For there to be a substitution of a candidate, the vice-presidential candidate must write to the INEC, with an affidavit stating that he is withdrawing from the race within the time frame provided by the law, as that is the only way there can be a substitution of candidates.”

    Also, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Prof. Abdulganniy Raji, had said: “Being a part of the umpire, I will not say I see danger or I didn’t see danger (in party submitting place holders instead of running mate).

    “I will rather abide by the constitutional provisions, the extant laws.

    “The Electoral Act makes provisions for the procedure of how to nominate and there are also provisions for the substitution of the names, either in case of death or withdrawal by any candidate, whether the substantive candidate or the running mate.”

    Senior lawyers, in separate interviews with The PUNCH on June 20 had said the only risk involved in the place holding arrangement would be the refusal of the running mate to step down.

    A senior advocate, Adegoke Rasheed, said a placeholder could only be withdrawn if he died or voluntarily withdrew as neither INEC nor the court could make him relinquish the position.

    Another SAN, Rotimi Jacobs, said political parties had taken advantage of the silence of the Electoral Act on the issue.

    He said: “The political parties are just taking advantage of the provision of the Electoral Act: Section 33 permits the candidates to withdraw or an account of death or may be substituted.

    “The political party will conduct another primary election.

    “Or if he voluntarily withdraws, the political party that is affected must within 14 days conduct fresh primary elections to produce another candidate.”

    Source: PUNCH

    Nigeria currently pushed to its brink — IMF

    The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, has said that inflation, debt, and forex crisis is pushing Nigerian and other African economies to the brink.

    Georgieva disclosed this in a report titled, “Facing a Darkening Economic Outlook: How the G20 Can Respond“, on the IMF’s website.

    The IMF Managing Director said that ministers of finance and central bank governors on the continent disclosed this to her this week.

    She added that most countries on the continent could raise money from the global financial markets and do not have large domestic markets to turn to.

    She stated: “The particularly difficult conditions in many African countries at this moment is important to consider. In my meeting with Ministers of Finance and Central Bank Governors from the continent this week, many highlighted how the effects of this, entirely exogenous, shock was pushing their economies to the brink.

    “The effect of higher food prices is being felt acutely as food accounts for a higher share of income. Inflation, fiscal, debt and balance of payments pressures are all intensifying. Most are now completely shut out from global financial markets; and unlike other regions don’t have large domestic markets to turn to.

    “Against this backdrop, they are calling on the international community to come up with bold measures to support their people. This is a call we need to heed.”

    The report, which was released on Wednesday, is a backdrop to the meeting that G20 ministers and central bank governors will have in Bali later this week.

    According to the MD of the Washington-based lender, the human and economic impact of the war in Ukraine has worsened with commodity price shocks and an increase in cost of living leading to a crisis for hundreds of millions of people.

    She said inflation is now higher than expected and has broadened beyond food and energy prices which has prompted major central banks to announce further monetary tightening.

    She disclosed the fund would downgrade its global growth projection for both 2022 and 2023 in its World Economic Outlook update later this month.

    She explained that it is going to be a tough 2022, and the possibility of a tougher 2023 is quickly materialising.

    Georgieva stated, “It is going to be a tough 2022—and possibly an even tougher 2023, with increased risk of recession.

    “That is why we need decisive action and strong international cooperation, led by the G20. Our new report to the G20 outlines policies that countries can use to navigate this sea of troubles.”

    Cristiano Ronaldo was ‘offered £250M deal for a Saudi Arabian club’

    Superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been offered a £250million megadeal to finish his career in Saudi Arabia amid uncertainty over Manchester United future.

    An unnamed Middle East club is said to have apparently offered the 37-year-old an eye-watering amount of cash to join them.

    CNN Portugal say the club would not only pay United a transfer fee of around £25m to sign Ronaldo but they would offer him a salary in the region of £105m-per-season over two years.

    The lucrative package also includes £20m for Ronaldo’s representative Jorge Mendes.

    United paid Juventus an initial £12.85m to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford last summer, with the player signing a two-year contract with the option of a third.

    Ronaldo is not currently with the rest of the United squad on their pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia on compassionate grounds.

    Ten Hag refused to discuss Ronaldo’s future when asked in a press conference as United arrived in Melbourne for two fixtures.

    ‘We made a statement and nothing has changed,’ said Ten Hag ahead of Friday’s friendly match against A-League outfit Melbourne Victory at the MCG.

    Speaking before United’s 4-0 win over Liverpool in Bangkok earlier this week, Ten Hag slammed the door shut on Ronaldo’s attempts to leave Old Trafford.

    Ten Hag said in Bangkok: ‘We are planning for Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that’s it. I’m looking forward to working with him. Cristiano is not for sale. He is in our plans and we want success together.’

    The Dutch coach added: ‘He’s not with us and it’s due to personal issues.

    ‘I spoke with him before this issue came up. I had a conversation with him and I had a good talk. That is between Cristiano and me.

    ‘What I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together. I didn’t speak to him after (the news).’

    Mark Fleischman, Studio 54 Nightclub Owner, dies by assisted suicide in Switzerland

    Mark Fleischman, the owner of legendary nightclub Studio 54, has died by assisted suicide in Switzerland.

    Fleischman, 82, was unable to walk and his speech was impaired after getting sick in 2016.

    Doctors couldn’t diagnose his condition.

    “I can’t walk, my speech is f–ked up, and I can’t do anything for myself,” he told The Post last month.

    “My wife helps me get into bed and I can’t dress or put on my shoes. I am taking a gentle way out. It is the easiest way out for me.”

    Mark Fleischman

    Owning Studio 54, Fleischman partied with the biggest celebrities.

    “I liked to be high. So I would do drugs and drink. Possibly, this [health condition] is because I drank a lot and did drugs,” he told The Post.

    After suffering for years, Fleischman decided to travel to Switzerland and take a lethal dose of barbiturates.

    Former business partner, Daniel Fitzgerald told BBC News that Fleischman died following assisted suicide.

    Fleischman worked with the nonprofit Dignitas, which launched in 1998 and is devoted to helping people commit suicide when their health is failing. Dignitas members reviewed his medical records and had conversations with him.

    “The more I think about it, the more I want to do it,” Fleischman said. “I am flying direct to Zurich from LA. There will be no last party.”

    Ivana Trump, Donald Trump’s former wife, dies aged 73

    Ivana Trump, Donald Trump’s first wife and mother of three of his children, has died at the age of 73.


    The former model passed away in her home on New York City’s Upper East Side, according to her ex-husband, former President Donald Trump, who shared the tragic news of her passing on his Truth Social account on Thursday afternoon, July 14.


    ‘I am very saddened to inform all of those that loved her, of which there are many, that Ivana Trump has passed away at her home in New York City.’ he wrote.


    Trump – who shared three children with his ex-wife – went on to pay tribute to Ivana, describing her as a ‘beautiful, amazing’ woman, while honoring her close bond with their kids: Donald Jr, Eric, and Ivanka.  


    She was a wonderful, beautiful, and amazing woman, who led a great and inspirational life,’ he continued. ‘Her pride and joy were her three children, Donald Jr., Ivanka, and Eric.


    ‘She was so proud of them, as we were all so proud of her. Rest in Peace, Ivana!’

    Ivana Trump

    According to TMZ, Ivana went into cardiac arrest shortly after lunchtime on Thursday, with the outlet reporting that a call was made to NYPD from someone at her home just after 12.30PM ET.


    Officials believe she died of natural causes and are not treating her death as suspicious, according to ABC News in New York.


    She worked for several years in her then-husband’s business empire serving as a senior executive. Eventually she took on the role of CEO of Trump’s Castle in Atlantic City.


    Ivana was last pictured out and about in New York City on June 22, when she was seen leaving her Upper East Side townhouse and being escorted to hair salon.

    Ms Trump married Mr Trump in 1977, and the couple finalised their divorce in 1992.

    Cristiano Ronaldo rejected by Chelsea club as they don’t need him

    Chelsea have ended their interest in Cristiano Ronaldo after talks between manager Thomas Tuchel and co-owner Todd Boehly.

    Back in May, the American billionaire raised the prospect of bringing Manchester United’s wantaway star to Stamford Bridge following a meeting with the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, in Portugal.

    Following the discussions, the decision was made not to pursue the 37-year-old because Tuchel believes the arrival of Ronaldo may have potentially steal some of the limelight from Sterling, whom Chelsea view as a marquee signing and dressing room leader.

    The Portuguese is yet to join United on their pre-season tour after informing the club that he wants to leave after they missed out on Champions League football following a disastrous campaign.

    Reports have claimed that a club in Saudi Arabia is offering to sign Ronaldo and  pay him £105m a year.

    Actor Baba Ijesha goes to prison for 16 years for sexually assault

    Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, alias Baba Ijesha, has been convicted of sexually assaulting 14-year-old foster daughter of comedienne Princess, by an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

    Baba Ijesha was on Thursday July 14, convicted of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault in a 2-hour judgement. 

    He was however discharged and acquitted of count one and count six, which were: sexual assault by penetration and attempted sexual assault by penetration.

    Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo who held that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Baba Ijesha is guilty of all the charges against him, sentenced him to 16 years imprisonment

    A brazillian doctor who orally raped pregnant woman while she was having c-section’s Video released (video)

    The video of a Brazilian anesthetist putting his penis in a pregnant woman’s mouth during her C-section has been released.

    Dr Giovanni Quintella Bezerra, 32, was arrested on suspicion of rape after he was secretly filmed orally raping a woman after he heavily sedated her at the Hospital da Mulher in São João de Meriti, Rio de Janeiro.

    Hospital nurses, who noticed his patients are usually too weak to hold their babies after surgery, set up a hidden camera to find out why and the camera caught him in the act.

    Staff members who recorded the rape said the doctor had already carried out two similar procedures that day, with police investigating whether those two women were also victims of attack. 

    The custody hearing of the doctor was held on Tuesday, July 12.

    He is facing charges of rape with a prison sentence ranging from 8 to 15 years in Brazil. 

    Watch a video of the attack below.

    ‘In my country it is normal to have sex with young boys’ – Afghan sex offender in France says

    An Afghan migrant who raped and sexually assaulted multiple young boys and girls in France has defended his vile abuse as ‘normal’ practice in his home country.

    According to Mail Online, Mohammed Rahman Arsala, 32, moved to Saint-Brieuc in northern France in 2018 where he committed a string of offences. He was jailed last year for 15 years for raping a 12-year-old boy and was hauled back before the courts last week to answer for further offences against children.

    The court heard in July 2021 how Arsala followed the underage boy off a bus, grabbed his arm and took him to an abandoned warehouse to carry out the attack in August 2018.

    After returning the boy to the park, a group of underage girls who had previously been bothered by Arsala saw the distressed look on the boy’s face and alerted police and he was arrested later that day.

    The defence lawyer asked the judge to consider the ‘cultural element’ of the case, saying it was common practice for men to abuse underage boys in Afghanistan.

    The defendant said: ‘In my country, it is normal to have sexual relations with young boys because women are inaccessible. When I arrived in France I did not know your laws, but since I learned that it was prohibited’.

    The practice of Bacha Bazi is illegal in Afghanistan but perpetrators are rarely punished, with many powerful officials taking part.

    Prosecutors said of the defendant: ‘He tells us that if he had been married, that would never have happened because he would have had a wife to satisfy his needs… But does he, therefore, see others only as objects?’ 

    Last week, Arsala appeared in court in Brest to answer for other sex crimes committed in France.

    Before the rape of the 12-year-old boy, the sex criminal assaulted and harassed two underage girls.

    In April 2018, he approached one girl claiming to need help in his broken English and lured her to his room where he locked the door.

    The young victim said, according to Actu: ‘He slammed me against the wall holding me down with his knee, he was way too strong, I was trying to resist, but I couldn’t get away, he was trying to kiss me and tear my clothes off, I was terrified, he ended up telling me that if I wanted to leave I had to touch his penis. 

    ‘When I told him I would call the police, he immediately opened the door.’

    Just days later, she was hospitalised after a suicide attempt, which happened another five times.

    Arsala said in court: ‘I wanted to touch her a little, but she wouldn’t. If she was a decent girl, she wouldn’t have come up to my room.’

    The following month, another underage girl filed a complaint with police, saying he had pleaded with her to have sex with him.

    She said: ‘He was insistent and pursued me, I was very scared, I warned my parents who called the police.’


    Arsala was jailed for a further three years for the two attacks against the young girls, extending his prison sentence to 18 years. After serving his term, he will be deported from France.

    The sex pest has also been accused of taking photos of young children at school while others reported him masturbating on a beach. In prison, he acted inappropriately towards a female nurse and was moved to another facility where he was accused of sexually assaulting an inmate.

    Pope Francis names three women to become priests

    Pope Francis has named two nuns and a laywoman to the Vatican department that helps choose new bishops, the first time women have been allowed to serve on the body.

    The Holy See Press Office published the Pope’s latest appointments to the Dicastery in a statement on Wednesday, July 13.

    The female members are Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., Secretary General of the Governorate of the Vatican City State; Sister Yvonne Reungoat, F.M.A, former Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians; and, Dr. Maria Lia Zervino, President of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations.

    The three women were among 14 people appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops, which vets candidates and advises the pope on which priests should become bishops. The other 11 appointed on Wednesday were cardinals, bishops and priests.

    The appointment of the three women to the Dicastery for Bishops, nuns Raffaella Petrini and Yvonne Reungoat and lay woman María Lia Zervino comes as Francis seeks to usher in more gender equality within the Church’s positions of government and responsibility.

    The 85-year-old pope has repeatedly said that women should play greater roles within the Vatican’s hierarchy and has broken centuries of precedent to place women in some key spots previously held by men. 

    Last year, the Argentine pontiff issued a decree to allow women to serve as readers at liturgies, altar servers and distributors of communion  but stopped short of saying the change could one day open the door to female priests.

    Mesut Ozil signs up with Istanbul Basaksehir after Fenerbace terminated his contract

    Mesut Ozil has been announced as an Istanbul Basaksehir player just 29 minutes after having his Fenerbahce contract ripped up.

    The former Arsenal star, 33, only joined Fenerbahce 18 months ago but had his contract ripped up on Wednesday.

    Basaksehir, who finished fourth last season eight points behind second-placed Fenerbahce teased Ozil’s arrival on Twitter.

    The Turkish club shared a post on Twitter which simply read, “@M10,” – Ozil’s handle.

    The tweet was accompanied by 35 seconds of a popular Turkish song called Kir Zincirlerini

    Ozil moved to Fenerbahce in January 2021 after falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.

    He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract but his departure after 18 months was confirmed on Wednesday, before his move to Basaksehir was announced.

    He signed a three-and-a-half-year contract but his departure after 18 months was confirmed on Wednesday, before his move to Basaksehir was announced.

    In a statement, Fenerbahce said: “It has been agreed that the contract between our club and Mesut Ozil will be terminated by mutual agreement. We wish Mesut Ozil success for the rest of his career.”

    “We wish Mesut Ozil success for the rest of his career.”

    Ozil last featured for Fenerbahce in March and played 36 matches for the side in total, scoring nine goals and assisting three.

    He joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in 2013 and went on to make 184 Premier League appearances.

    Anambra state begins registration of traders for digital tax system

    Anambra Internal Revenue Service (AiRS) on Monday commenced the biometric enumeration and registration of traders in Eke Awka Main market in with the new digital system of tax collection in the State.

    Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has earlier stated the readiness of his administration to digitize the system of tax collection in the State to ensure transparency and eliminate double taxation in the system.

    Speaking during the exercise, the chairman of Eke Awka main market chief Jude Agunmadu (Baby Awka) described the exercise as the most efficient way of increasing the revenue generation of the state government.

    He pledges total support to Governor Soludo’s administration and further sensitization and mobilization of the traders in the market to ensure that they comply with the new government directives of tax collections in the state.

    According to Soldo TV, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on IGR Hon. Isaac Okoro was on ground at Eke Awka to monitor the exercise.

    Okoro later visited the Tricycle Owners Association office where he interacted with Union leaders and explained the modalities of the new system of tax payment in the state.

    [PM News]

    Criminals, Terrorists, Bandits Now Have Better Intelligence System Than Nigeria’s Police – Retired AIG

    A security expert and retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Aisabor has lamented the deteriorating security situation in Nigeria.

    According to Aisabor, the terrorists, bandits and other criminals attacking citizens of the country appear more prepared, coordinated and with superior intelligence information compared to the government and the security agencies.

    He said this is why the terrorists can launch daring attacks, escape with victims and then make ransom demands from the families of the government.

    According to the former AIG, the money the insurgents are making from ransom payments is being used to procure more sophisticated weapons while the government is getting more helpless in handling the situation.

    Specifically, he expressed concerns about the Kuje prison attack, the Abuja-Kaduna train attack and the inability of the government to so far free the victims.

    As a way out, Aisabor submitted that it is time for the government to seek foreign help.

    He as quoted by Daily Trust: “This will tell you that the situation the Federal Government is in now is that of helplessness. They don’t have the wherewithal to fight these terrorists. The intelligence system of the terrorists is better than that of the Federal Government. You can see this from the way they are attacking.

    “You can imagine N800m for seven people and one man last time paid N100m.

    “The situation has gone beyond them and that is why I suggested that they should now seek foreign assistance immediately.

    [NAIJANEWS]

    21 reasons why Peter Obi should be elected as next president of Nigeria

    Some supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party of Nigeria, Mr Peter Obi have advanced 21 reasons why he should be elected as the next president of Nigeria.

    However, below are the 21 reasons.

    1. Nigeria is tired of gerentocracy. Youths need young and open minds in governance.

    2. Obi is doing the unpopular and deviating from the corrupt norms of money politics, arson, hooliganism, gerrymandering, and political thuggery.

    3. Obi has proven himself to be a lover of the common man that constitute 70% of Nigeria’s population.

    4. Obi is calm in the face of accusation even when it comes from a respected cleric, showing that Obi has character.

    5. Obi is well read and his education is beyond papers. He applies what he has studied.

    6. Obi has track records of not chickening out when odds are against him.

    7. Obi is clean so no one can bring up any justifiable accusations against him.

    8. Obi is not after public funds, he would rather spend his income for the public.

    9. Obi is a democrat. He upholds egalitarianism, the rule of law, and constitutionalism.

    10. Obi is a level 5 leader whom people follow for who he is, not just for what he gives to people

    11. Obi represents hope to Nigerians as Obama did to America in the days of Economic depression.

    12. Obi is compassionate. He feels the pains of the masses.

    13. Obi is solid in his conviction. That’s why he left PDP and didn’t even look for a bigger political party to join.

    14. Obi will win if all the candidates are judged based on their personal merit.

    15. Obi knows the things that matter: Education, Infrastructure, Security, Human Capital Development, Justice, Wealth creation, and Equitable Income Distribution.

    16. Obi is humble, and God lifts the humble

    17. Obi has no ethnic bias: he will unite Nigeria and carry everyone along.

    18. Obi is a secure leader who is not afraid of gathering a team of technocats who can challenge him. Take a look at the pedigree of his running mate.

    19. Obi has the trust of Nigerians. Who is qualified to lead when the led don’t trust them?

    20. Obi has a vision for the future compared to some of his counterparts whose only agenda is that it’s their turn to rule.

    21. Obi is energetic and ready to work. Leadership requires a sound mind on a strong body.

    Angola overtakes Nigeria to become Africa’s biggest oil producer

    Angola has retained its position as the biggest oil producer in Africa for the second straight month.

    New data released by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Tuesday, July 12 shows Angola produced more crude oil than Nigeria in the month  of June despite Nigeria recording its biggest production jump in months by 134,000 barrels per barrel (bpd) to 1.158 million bpd in June from 1.024 million in May.

    Angola’s oil production rose to 1.175 million bpd in June, up from 1.162 million bpd in May making Nigeria lose its status as Africa’s top oil producer to Angola for two months running reducing it’s ranking among its peers in OPEC.

     
    Part of the OPEC report reads: “On a monthly average, crude differentials to the North Sea Dated benchmark of Bonny Light, Forcados and Qua Iboe rose by $2.45, $3.26, and $2.83, respectively m-o-m in June, to settle at a premium of $5.28/b, $7.61/b, and $6.53/b,”


    OPEC said Angolan crude differentials also rose on demand from Europe, adding: “The crude differential of medium-heavy sweet crude Cabinda rose in June by $2.83 m-o-m on average to a premium of $3.76/b.”


    According to secondary sources, OPEC’s crude oil production averaged 28.72 million bpd in June 2022, higher by 234,000 bpd compared to the previous month.


    “Crude oil output increased mainly in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, IR Iran, Kuwait and Angola, while production in Libya and Venezuela declined,” the 13-member oil cartel said.


    OPEC said despite the improvement in fossil fuel prices, the short-term economic outlook for Nigeria was clouded by high inflation, and in response to the elevated inflationary pressures, the Central Bank of Nigeria raised its policy rate by 150 basis points to 13 percent, bringing borrowing costs to the highest since April of 2020.


    It said: “Overall, the above-average fossil fuel prices support a firmly positive outlook for the rest of the year, but concerns over soaring inflation would increase uncertainty next year.”

    Preliminary data indicates that global liquids production in June increased by 1.32 million bpd to average 99.82 million bpd compared with the previous month.


    The report said: “The share of OPEC crude oil in total global production decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 28.8 percent in June compared with the previous month.

    “Estimates are based on preliminary data from direct communication for non-OPEC supply, OPEC NGLs and non-conventional oil, while estimates for OPEC crude production are based on secondary sources.”

    “Total oil demand is projected to average 100.3 million bpd. In 1Q22, demand was revised up amid strong economic growth in most consuming countries and a lower baseline,” it said.

    PSG refuses to sign Cristiano Ronaldo after talks with agent Jorge Mendes

    PSG have reportedly turned down the chance to sign Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Last month, Ronaldo informed new boss Erik ten Hag that he wants to quit Old Trafford this summer because he wants to compete for trophies.

    PSG are one of the clubs armed with the power to bring Ronaldo in, but even a side with the financial might of the French giants would struggle to secure such a deal, according to ESPN – who claim the club rejected the opportunity after talks between president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and the player’s agent Jorge Mendes. 

    According to Mail Online, Al-Khelaifi and Mendes have a close relationship and met this summer after the latter offered his client to the Ligue 1 champions. 

    But PSG believe they do not have enough room in their wage budget to accommodate Ronaldo, and also fear they would not even be able to fit him into the current squad because it is already filled with names like Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar. 

    They also believe Ronaldo would not be the right signing at this time, the report goes on, with PSG entering a new era following a hierarchical shuffle after agreeing new terms with Mbappe. 

    Galtier wants to play with a back three at PSG, the report claims, which will already make it difficult for him to find space for Mbappe, Neymar and Mbappe in his front three, meaning signing Ronaldo would not work.

    Cristiano Ronaldo reflects

    Speaking before Manchester United’s 4 – 0 victory over Liverpool in Asia, Ten Hag stressed he was not for sale and that the player was in his plans.

    ‘We are planning for Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that’s it. I’m looking forward to working with him. Cristiano is not for sale. He is in our plans and we want success together.’ 

    ‘I cannot tell (on Ronaldo joining tour) as absence I already explained and that is it for this moment,’ added the United boss. ‘He’s not with us and it’s due to personal issues. 

    ‘I spoke with him before this issue came up. I had a conversation with him and I had a good talk. That is between Cristiano and me. What I can confirm is we had a really good conversation together. I didn’t speak to him after (the news).’