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How to Overcome challenges

That everything happens for a purpose is a statement of fact though one might not be opportune to know the exact cause or reason for what happened when it did but at the fullness of time, the real essence for that would manifest.

Certain things happen that can challenge one’s faith and question the need for moral uprightness. Some things can become tough challenges with the propensity to bring about doubt in one’s position. At such instances emotional instability might set in, producing some state of uneasiness, confusion, sleeplessness, worries and fear which many have fallen victim to!

When the unexpected happens, on the negative path, one may succumb to emotions and shed tears. Under such conditions, stark reality would triumph over theoretical fabrication that emotional maturity could give way to emotional breakdown. This is what happens when you see a man crying like a baby as he could not understand why such fate should befall him. Well, it is part of the challenges of life.

Challenge is a necessity in life – and to live fully, one would encounter more challenges and possibly tougher ones. In other words, being cautious and treading always with care cannot insulate one from problems. Certain things are beyond human understanding and control.

Problem is an integral part of the living process. Whether we like it or not, with or without our consent, problems would come but embraced with a winner’s mindset, they have ways of bringing out the best in us. And the bitter truth is that we need problems to grow and maximize our potential.

Trouble has a way of leading into the other path of discovery. A troubled mind can think zigzagly and sometimes act irrationally but such behavior could bring about a total turn around. The end of a conscious mood swing can bring about an unexpected radical consciousness for an uncommon breakthrough. At tough times, tough people think abnormally and come out with something new. It pays to become tougher to handle and solve tough challenges. To become great, develop the attitude to demystify the mystery and the myth of troubles.

Be prepared and expectant. Welcome every eventuality, and then go out to turn it around for good. It is your determination that will define your work and it is your work that can design a glorious life for you. Engage yourself. Work the work.

In every circumstance, motivate yourself and look for the best. Be a source of inspiration and inspire yourself too. Don’t take ‘No’ for an answer even if it is the only option. Don’t succumb to intimidation or give in to their gang up. If you look deep, you will see the rays of light even in the darkest of darkness.

Cry when it is inevitable but at the end, pick up the pieces and move on. Being alive is proof that you can overcome that seemingly impossibility. Just try without giving up. Keep pushing without looking back. Every effort produces results. That challenge may be the best thing that ever happened to you so embrace it.

When you become an object for public attack, may be out of complex or sheer envy, don’t lose focus instead be encouraged and do more. It is because you do what they cannot imagine or think of that they attack you. Growth brings about opposition; success attracts envy.

Funny as it may sound, you are not just the prayer point of some people but you continually remain the agendum for their secret meetings. However, as long as your hands are clean, any person or group of persons that gang up against you will go down into the bottomless pit and anyone that digs a pit for you will be buried in that same pit. Related Posts

Nobody can waste time talking about failures. They discuss you because you have what they don’t have; they attack you because they feel threatened by your towering achievements. They steal and destroy your property because they find it difficult to understand why you do the things you do so they felt the only way you can be at the same level with them is by destroying your investments but that is the worst mistake they have made for any person or group of persons that directly or indirectly steal or destroy your property for no just cause will live a miserable life and beg to die.

Oh every loss comes with some degree of pains, and it pains to the marrow seeing one’s labour destroyed out of wickedness but it is not the end of the world. Pick up the pieces, dust yourself and move on. At worst, assume that you are starting all over again. You will get to the top.

However long a cow constipates, it won’t have the size of a goat. Despite the fact that every wicked act has consequences that must come to pass, you will remain better than the person that stole from you.

They did it for evil and might have rejoiced for going without being apprehended but that’s a big lie. As long as the covenant of day and night remains, the wickedness of the wicked shall find them. Therefore, anyone that is directly or indirectly involved in evil will not go unpunished. People reap what they sowed at the appointed time. They will live miserably and beg to die for as they cut short the flow of someone’s prosperity so will their lives be cut short. Nothing they do will prosper.

The mischievous geriatric that supervised the digging of a shallow grave by his window side, who was he thinking will be buried in it?

Were you to receive what you wished for others, what would have been your wishes? Treated the way you treat others, how would you feel? Think right. Keep your focus. Act right. However tempting, don’t use evil to fight another evil. The consequences may be much.

The people will continue to suffer whose members sabotage their collective efforts for selfish reasons, but the ones with a penchant for betrayal will bear the worst loss.

Resolve to see setbacks as opportunities and you will have cause to triumph over challenges, however, daunting or difficult such may be. Be a goal-getter.

In genuine pursuit of your ambition, may you not suffer the consequences of what you know nothing about, and may Nature fight for you when they gang up against you!

Source: Livy-Elcon Emereonye

Regina Daniels releases her own side of her story on social media after Jaruma’s arrest

Regina Daniels has issued a statement addressing her dealings with Jaruma and what went wrong between them.

Regina explained that she and Jaruma had an agreement for her to advertise her products, which she did, but Jaruma then wanted her to go beyond their agreement by posting things which were “deceitful” on her page.

Regina said she disagreed and when there was a “major crisis” going on in her family, Jaruma took advantage of that to promote her products at the expense of the Nwoko family.

Regina is thought to be making reference to Jaruma’s post insinuating that Ned Nwoko’s marriage to his Moroccan wife ended because of the kayanmata (sex-enhancing product) Regina allegedly used on Ned.

Regina also shared chats where she blasted Jaruma for claiming her use of kayanmata on Ned caused the problem between him and his Moroccan wife.

Regina reiterated that she has never used any of Jaruma’s sex products.

See below.

Regina Daniels releases her chats with Jaruma as she issues statement explaining what went wrong between them
Regina Daniels releases her chats with Jaruma as she issues statement explaining what went wrong between them
Regina Daniels releases her chats with Jaruma as she issues statement explaining what went wrong between them
Regina Daniels releases her chats with Jaruma as she issues statement explaining what went wrong between them

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson went for dinner @ Jeff Bezos’ $175 million home in Los Angeles (photos)

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson were spotted out on Tuesday evening, January 26, attending a dinner party at Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ $175m home in Los Angeles

The 41-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star and the 28-year-old Saturday Night Live fixture were spotted arriving at the billionaire’s home in a white luxury sedan.

Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson dine in Jeff Bezos home

The couple were there for multiple hours before they left the property in the same car. 

Following the evening with Bezos, Kim and Pete drove back to a hotel in Beverly Hills where the comedian is staying, according to TMZ.

A source told the publication that Pete has been working in California lately, and he seems to be taking every opportunity he can get to visit his girlfriend, who has also visited him in New York City when her schedule permits.

TMZ also noted that Kim met with other high-profile figures earlier in the week.

On Monday, the reality star was seen dining at Los Angeles’ Hot & Cool Cafe with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her daughter Chelsea Clinton.

The three were taping an episode of the Clintons’ documentary series Gutsy Women, named after a 2019 book that Hillary and Chelsea cowrote that focused on important women and change-makers.

1999 Constitution Amendment: A bill seeking to confer citizenship on foreigners who marry Nigerian women in process..

A bill seeking to confer citizenship rights on foreigners married to Nigerian women has been adopted by a committee of the House of Representatives established to amend the 1999 constitution.

The committee which adopted the bill after a presentation by consultants working with them on amendment of the constitution, had also agreed to creation of extra seats for women in federal and states constituencies, though the 35 per cent affirmative action was rejected.

One of the consultants, Joy Ezeilo noted that the Nigerian constitution is discriminatory to women as it only only allows citizenship by registration to be conferred on foreigners married to Nigerian men.

Ezeilo added that the bill seeks to amend section26 (2a) of the 1999 Constitution by opening citizenship by registration to male and female.

Chairman of the Committee and  Deputy Speaker, Idris Wase who called for more clarification on the specifics regarding the bill, averred that there are differences in culture as regards the rights of spouses in Nigeria.

He said; 

“Even within the context of our culture, I want to give an example of Idoma culture, you can only bury an Idoma woman in her homeland. In this age, we have a lot of attachment to our culture.”

Expressing concern on the conferment of automatic citizenship on foreigners based on marriage, the deputy speaker argued that Nigerian citizenship should be guarded jealously.

Responding to this, Ezeilo stated that citizenship is not automatic, as the bill only seeks to replace “any woman” with “any person”, which according to her is discriminatory.

Minority Leader, Ndudi Elumelu also raised concerns about the bill. According to him, such a bill could confer rights to vote and be voted for on foreigners.

Elumelu said; 

“What I was saying is– if we are going to agree to that provision, what about, for instance, somebody from Taraba State is married to a woman from Delta or Abia. Can that man from Taraba come down to Abia to contest? We should include it… If we are allowing the husband to come from abroad and claim citizenship.”

The bill was adopted by the lawmakers despite the concern raised. Its passage by both chambers of the National Assembly, will need the approval of at least 24 of the 36 state legislatures and presidential assent

Guinean President,Colonel Mamady forgives Guinea players for AFCON exit but wants a refund of budget – Report

Interim President of Guinea, Mamady Doumbouya, has forgiven the country’s national men’s football team for crashing out of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in a 1-0 loss to the Gambia but wants a partial refund for the games not played in the competition.

The president says that his utmost intention was to encourage them, having understood that building teams take time.

“Latest on Guinea President Mamady Doumbouya has forgiven the team. Says his ultimatum was just to encourage them. He understands team building takes time.

“But the money given to the team covered QF, Semi-final, and final games and that must be returned to the state coffers,” Ghanian sports journalist Saddik Adams tweeted on Wednesday. Related Posts

Mr Doumbouya previously said the team will refund the state’s money if they failed to win the cup. The Guinea elephants, however, crashed out of the competition on Monday.

Elon Musk offers student $5,000 to delete Twitter bot tracking his private jet but the student refused

A 19 year old Aerospace engineering student, Jack Sweeney, has rejected an offer of $5000 from the world’s richest man, Elon Musk.

Sweeney, a student at the University of Central Florida created a twitter bot that helps track the location and movement of private jets used by billionaires. The sophisticated bot matches data from several public sources to identify planes.

Musk messaged Sweeney offering him  $5,000 to delete the bot account over security concerns but the college freshman refused, asking the billionaire for an internship instead at either Tesla or SpaceX.

Elon Musk offers student $5,000 to delete Twitter bot tracking his private jet but the 19 year old engineering student refuses and asks for internship instead

Sweeney, who is studying information technology, created 15 Twitter bots tracking the private planes of tech billionaires including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos – but the account tracking Musk’s jet is by far the most popular, with 88,000 followers.


Although the information Sweeney uses is all public, his program requires sophisticated knowledge to match transponder frequencies with separately available anonymous flight plans, according to Protocol, which first reported the saga.


The popularity of the twitter bot named @ElonJet appears to have made Musk uncomfortable.

Elon Musk offers student $5,000 to delete Twitter bot tracking his private jet but the 19 year old engineering student refuses and asks for internship instead


Last week, Musk then contacted the student to request that he removes the account to prevent ‘crazy people’ from tracking his movements.


‘I don’t love the idea of being shot by a nutcase,’ he told Sweeney in their conversation. 


See the chat below.

Elon Musk offers student $5,000 to delete Twitter bot tracking his private jet but the 19 year old engineering student refuses and asks for internship instead
Elon Musk offers student $5,000 to delete Twitter bot tracking his private jet but the 19 year old engineering student refuses and asks for internship instead

Indian family found frozen to death near US-Canada border

The Canadian authorities have confirmed the identity of the family of four found frozen to death in a field at Emerson, Manitoba, near the US-Canada border. 

Bodies of Jagdishkumar Patel, 39; his wife Vaishaliben Patel, 37 and their children, Vihangi Patel, 11; and Dharmik Patel, 3, were discovered in the field on January 19, 2022. 

The Patel family had migrated from Dingucha village in Gujarat, India. 

According to a statement from Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the autopsies of the four were done on January 26 by Manitoba’s chief medical examiner who confirmed that the cause of death was due to exposure to extreme weather conditions.

“We can confirm that on January 12, 2022, the Patel family arrived in Toronto, Canada. From Toronto, the family made their way to Emerson on, or about, January 18, 2022,” the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said on their website. 

Since a vehicle was not recovered, the family is believed to have been dropped off at the border, according to the police, who are trying to determine how the Patel family travelled from Toronto to Emerson.

“With what we know so far of their activities in Canada, along with the arrest that occurred in the United States, we believe this to be a case of human smuggling,” they said.

The authorities are looking for anyone who might have encountered the family.

Seven Indians were picked up by U.S. border forces on Wednesday last week and are in various stages of removal proceedings, U.S. Customs and Border Protection had told The Hindu.

A criminal complaint was filed last week in the US District Court for the District of Minnesota against 47-year old US citizen Steve Shand, who has been charged with human smuggling. 

Meanwhile, India’s High Commission in Ottawa, Canada said in a press release, which also identified the four victims, that the next of kin of the deceased have been informed.

The Consulate General of India in Toronto is in touch with the family of the deceased and is providing all consular support. 

Indian family of four found frozen to death near US-Canada border

75% of Nigerian women use skin bleaching creams more than most Africans

Nigeria women have been ranked as the highest users of skin-whitening creams on the African continent.

The data was taken from the International Journal of women’s Dermatology and published by CNN. It shows that 75 per cent of women in Nigeria use skin-whitening products.

Nigeria is closely followed by Senegal at 60 per cent, Mali at 50 per cent and Ghana at 30 per cent.

Skin whitening is the use of cosmetic products or services to reduce the amount of melanin, or pigment, in the skin to make it appear lighter.

Skin whitening products often contain ingredients that are toxic when used cosmetically for long durations and without medical guidance as they have the ability not just to damage your skin but cause life-threatening ailments.

Skin whitening is a big industry and predominantly targets women of color in every region of the world, with the Asia-Pacific region being the most lucrative, according to a CNN report.

The report revealed that on the global stage, the Asia-Pacific market accounted for over half of the worldwide revenue in 2018 from skin whitening products. Meanwhile, China is among the fastest-growing markets globally.

Lighter skin has long been linked to wealth and status. Experts blame colonialism, slavery and globalization for this perception.

The report adds that colorism and light-skin privilege have led to disparities in every region of the world, in everything from social treatment to marriageability, education, employment and even, in the US, prison sentencing.

A Nigerian man and his accomplice have been arrested with 23 gram cocaine valued at Rs 4.6 lakhs in Pune, India

The suspects, Chukwujekwu Reuben who currently resides in Nalasopara, Thane district and his accomplice Mohammad Musavi,38, a resident of Padamji Park, New Nana Peth, were arrested by officials from Lashkar police station, Pune city police.

Musavi, a social media fitness influencer has a base of several thousand followers on social media platforms and also has videos with some known Bollywood actors.

Police have seized cocaine, two four-wheelers and two mobile phones, totally worth Rs 15.29 lakh from the accused. 

A team comprising Senior Police Inspector Ashok Kadam and PSI Akshay Sonawane were on night patrol duty when they intercepted the accused around 3.15 am on Monday, along Synagogue Street Road in Camp.

“We found them lurking suspiciously together and questioned them. The cocaine was found in their possession. Initially we got one day police custody. But it was increased by five days on Sunday. We will know more from their whereabouts in Mumbai and Pune,” said senior police inspector Ashok Kadam of Lashkar police station of Pune. 

“They both had drugs on them. Musavi is a well known fitness trainer and a body builder. We needed more time to search their places as the Nigerian national was found to have been selling the narcotic,” said Police sub-inspector Nilesh Mahadik of Lashkar police station who is part of the investigating team

“Reuben came to Pune to sell drugs. He had come to India on a business visa.” Inspector Kadam told journalist. 

“We have registered a case for offences under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.” he added. 

A court has remanded the accused to five days in police custody for further investigation.

The investigation is being carried out under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Rajendra Dahale, DCP (Zone 1) Priyanka Naranware, DCP (Zone 2) Sagar Patil and ACP (Lashkar division) Yashwant Gawari.

The team includes PSI Nilesh Kumar Mahadik, ASI Shirke, Head Constables Mansub Sheikh, Hindurao Shinde, Kailas Chavan, Police Naik Tejas Jagdale, Vijaya Vedpathak, Manisha Talekar, Constables Salman Sheikh, Sagar Huwale, Nanasaheb Ghadge, Abasaheb Dhavade, Narale, Pawan Bhosale, Chakradhar Shirgire and Sambhaji Darade.

A 36-year-old Nigerian national and his accomplice have been arrested with 23 gram cocaine worth Rs 4.6 lakh in Pune, India. 

The suspects, Chukwujekwu Reuben who currently resides in Nalasopara, Thane district and his accomplice Mohammad Musavi,38, a resident of Padamji Park, New Nana Peth, were arrested by officials from Lashkar police station, Pune city police.

Musavi, a social media fitness influencer has a base of several thousand followers on social media platforms and also has videos with some known Bollywood actors.

Police have seized cocaine, two four-wheelers and two mobile phones, totally worth Rs 15.29 lakh from the accused. 

A team comprising Senior Police Inspector Ashok Kadam and PSI Akshay Sonawane were on night patrol duty when they intercepted the accused around 3.15 am on Monday, along Synagogue Street Road in Camp.

“We found them lurking suspiciously together and questioned them. The cocaine was found in their possession. Initially we got one day police custody. But it was increased by five days on Sunday. We will know more from their whereabouts in Mumbai and Pune,” said senior police inspector Ashok Kadam of Lashkar police station of Pune. 

“They both had drugs on them. Musavi is a well known fitness trainer and a body builder. We needed more time to search their places as the Nigerian national was found to have been selling the narcotic,” said Police sub-inspector Nilesh Mahadik of Lashkar police station who is part of the investigating team

“Reuben came to Pune to sell drugs. He had come to India on a business visa.” Inspector Kadam told journalist. 

“We have registered a case for offences under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.” he added. 

A court has remanded the accused to five days in police custody for further investigation.

The investigation is being carried out under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Rajendra Dahale, DCP (Zone 1) Priyanka Naranware, DCP (Zone 2) Sagar Patil and ACP (Lashkar division) Yashwant Gawari.

The team includes PSI Nilesh Kumar Mahadik, ASI Shirke, Head Constables Mansub Sheikh, Hindurao Shinde, Kailas Chavan, Police Naik Tejas Jagdale, Vijaya Vedpathak, Manisha Talekar, Constables Salman Sheikh, Sagar Huwale, Nanasaheb Ghadge, Abasaheb Dhavade, Narale, Pawan Bhosale, Chakradhar Shirgire and Sambhaji Darade.

Donald Trump declares himself America’s next President (video)

Former US president, Donald Trump has declared himself America’s next president despite the 2024 presidential elections more than two years away.

Trump, America’s 45th president revealed his dream to be the country’s 47th President, as Joe Biden is the 46th president.


The billionaire businessman made the declaration on Wednesday, January 26 while playing golf at one of his golf resorts.

In the video,Trump was walking to the first tee when one of the people he was playing with said, ‘Now on the tee, the 45th president of the United States’.

Trump, wearing his trademark ‘Make America Great Again’ cap with ’45’, stood up after setting the golf ball and the took a walk around and then interjected the person as he said confidently ‘The 45th and 47th,’ 


The ex-president’s playing partners can be heard cheering to his remark and one of them says, ‘Yes, I love that!’

Samuel Kalu, Super Eagles Forward, Joins Watford From Bordeaux

Super Eagles forward, Samuel Kalu has completed his switch to the Premier League with Watford from Ligue 1 side, FC Girondins de Bordeaux. 

The Premier League side announced the deal that will last till June 2025 on its website.

He is the Hornets fourth signing of the January window following the arrival of full-back Hassane Kamara, central defender Samir, and midfielder Edo Kayembe .

A club statement reads, “Watford FC is delighted to announce the signing of Nigerian international winger Samuel Kalu on a deal until June 2025 from French club FC Girondins de Bordeaux.

“The fourth new signing of the January window, Kalu joins full-back Hassane Kamara, central defender Samir, and midfielder Edo Kayembe at Vicarage Road.

“The 24-year-old signs for the Hornets following three-and-a-half successful years in France’s top tier, where he scored nine goals.

“Capable of playing on either flank, Kalu is a versatile option in a competitive squad, typically operating on the right-wing.

“The quick-footed attacker first played for Slovakian side AS Tren?ín after moving to Europe from his native Nigeria, and earned a switch to Belgian giants KAA Gent in 2017 following impressive performances. He then joined Bordeaux in August 2018, where he has since made 86 appearances for Les Girondins.

“Kalu also has plenty of experience at European and international level, having played Europa League and Champions League qualifying football at his three previous clubs. Making his Super Eagles debut in September 2018, the winger also has 17 caps for Nigeria, scoring on his last competitive start against Benin.

“He will wear the number 28 at Watford.

“Welcome to the Golden Boys, Samuel!”

Kalu joins Maduka Okoye, Emmanuel Dennis, William Troost-Ekong, Oghenekaro Etebo who are other Super Eagles players at the club.

Vladimir’s Putin’s demand to bar Ukraine from joining NATO rejected by the US

The United States has rejected Russian president, Vladimir Putin’s demand to bar Ukraine from ever joining Transatlantic military alliance,  NATO, amid fears Russia wants to invade Ukraine, it’s neighbor.

Russia had issued a written list of its concerns about the expansion of the Nato military alliance and related security issues.


Among them was a demand for Nato to rule out the possibility of Ukraine and others ever joining the alliance.


In recent weeks, Russia has been amassing over hundred thousand troops on the Ukraine border – something which Western countries have seen as preparation for a possible invasion. But Russia denies it wants to invade rather claiming Russia is threatened by Ukraine.

Now the US, on behalf of NATO has responded to Russia’s demands.


Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the US will give Russia no concessions but said that he was offering Russia “a serious diplomatic path forward, should Russia choose it”.


According to Blinken the US is ready for whatever Russia decides to do, – an invasion or diplomacy.

Blinken said the US response made its “core principles” clear, including Ukraine’s sovereignty and its right to choose to be part of security alliances such as Nato.


“There should be no doubt about our seriousness of purpose when it comes to diplomacy, and we’re acting with equal focus and force to bolster Ukraine’s defences and prepare a swift united response to further Russian aggression,” he said.


“It remains up to Russia to decide how to respond,” he added. “We’re ready either way.”


The secretary of state said the US had sent three shipments of military “assistance” this week – including Javelin missiles and anti-armour weaponry, along with hundreds of tonnes of ammunition and equipment.


Russia’s foreign ministry says thr country would study Blinken’s response, delivered in coordination with Nato.


Blinken also denied any rift or difference of opinion between the US and its European allies such as Germany , Italy and France who are very dependent on Russia for energy and gas supplies. Nato, he said, had prepared its own set of proposals which “fully reinforces ours and vice versa”.


But Blinken said the US document stating its reply to Russia will not be made public.


“Diplomacy has the best chance to succeed if we provide space for confidential talks,” the Secretary of State said.


Nato Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance’s document had also been delivered to Moscow, and while he was willing to listen to Russia’s concerns, all nations havs the right to choose their own security arrangements.


In response, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, said Stoltenberg had “lost touch with reality”.


“You know, I stopped taking any view of his statements a long time ago,” Lavrov told the press in Russian parliament, which were broadcast live on social media.

Joe Biden’s Govt. nominates the first black woman to Supreme Court

US President Joe Biden will honour his electoral promise to make an African-American woman his first nomination to the Supreme Court, the White House has said.

This comes as Biden has been handed the unforeseen opportunity to nominate his own Judge to the US Supreme court after it was revealed on Wednesday, January 26 that liberal justice, Stephen Breyer will retire at the end of the current Supreme Court term in June.

Though Breyer’s retirement plans are yet to be officially confirmed, Biden has already shortlisted possible candidates although Justice Breyer’s replacement would not shift the court’s current 6-3 conservative majority.

The Supreme Court plays a key role in American life and is often the final word on highly contentious laws, disputes between states and the federal government, and final appeals to stay executions.

Each of the nine judges – known as justices serves a lifetime appointment after being nominated by the president and approved by the Senate.

Only two African Americans – both men – have ever served on the court: Justice Thurgood Marshall from 1967 to 1991 and his successor Justice Clarence Thomas, who is set to become the oldest member on the bench at age 73.

Ketanji Brown Jackson, 51, a former law clerk to Mr Breyer, is reportedly a top contender for the job.

Joe Biden to make history as he nominates first black woman to Supreme Court

The last Supreme Court vacancy came in 2020, when liberal Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died at age 87. Former President Donald Trump was able to appoint her successor, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, less than two months before the US presidential election.

“The president has stated and reiterated his commitment to nominating a black woman to the Supreme Court and certainly stands by that,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told a news conference.

President Biden and Justice Breyer are to appear together at a news conference on Thursday, January 27 where the retirement will be confirmed.

Nigerian Police Service Commission orders more probe into Kyari’s link to Hushpuppi again

The Police Service Commission has directed the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to deepen investigations into the connection between Abba Kyari, the suspended head of the Intelligence Response Team, and suspected internet fraudster, Abbas Ramon, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

Kyari had been suspended in July 2021 for alleged involvement in a $1.1 million Internet fraud allegedly perpetrated by Hushpuppi and four others; AbdulRahman  Juma (Abdul); Vincent Chibuzo (Kelly); Rukayat Fashola (Morayo); and Bolatito Agbabiaka (Bolamide). The Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI had in its report alleged that Hushpuppi paid $20,600 to two bank accounts allegedly provided by Kyari on January 20, 2020. When summoned by the police hierarchy, Kyari denied any wrongdoing.

Acting on a piece of advice given by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, the PSC gave the IG two weeks to turn in the report which would be reviewed by the PSC Standing Committee on Discipline.

Punch reports that the AGF had told the PSC that more investigations needed to be carried out on any link between Kyari and Hushpuppi as the facts contained in the police investigation report were not strong enough to convict Kyari.

The final report is expected to return to the standing committee which will review and send recommendations to the plenary where the final decision on Kyari will be taken.

Meanwhile, Hushpuppi will be sentenced in the U.S on February 14.

IOC confirms talking with Peng Shuai after her disappearance

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has held talks with Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai and has arranged to meet her in Beijing next month.
 

Back in November, the two-time Grand Slam doubles champion took to social media site Weibo to make allegations against the country’s former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli.

Peng, 36, claimed that he had “forced” her to have sexual relations with him, although the post was later deleted before she duly disappeared for around three weeks without trace.

She has since denied making the allegations altogether in an interview with Singapore media outlet Lianhe Zaobao, saying: “I need to stress one point that is extremely important, I have never said or written that anyone has sexually assaulted me, I have to clearly stress this point.”

Concern over her situation prompted the WTA to suspend all tournaments in China until further notice. 

.

Last November, the IOC claimed that, Peng had spoken to Thomas Bach, Emma Terho, and Li Lingwei via a video call and said she “is safe and well, living at her home in Beijing, but would like to have her privacy respected at this time.”

They didn’t release the clip, but have now revealed further contact with the tennis player last week, as well as plans to meet her in Beijing during next month’s Winter Olympics.

An IOC spokesperson said: “Since the first call that the IOC held with Peng Shuai on November 21, 2021, the IOC team has kept in touch with her and had a number of conversations with her, the last one just the past week.”

The opening ceremony for the Games takes place in China on February 4.

Robert Lewandowski is N° 1 footballer in the world ahead of Lionel Messi –

Erling Haaland says

Borussia Dortmund striker,  Erling Haaland named his fellow superstar Robert Lewandowski as the best footballer on the planet right now, with Karim Benzema and Lionel Messi completing his top three.

Lewandowski controversially missed out on last year’s Ballon d’Or award despite firing home a sensational 69 goals in 59 games for Bayern Munich throughout 2021. But it was  Barcelona legend and PSG superstar Lionel Messi, who scored 34 goals at club level, that scooped the prize for the seventh time.

Now, Haaland, the 21-year-old sensation with 79 goals in 80 appearances for Dortmund, has appeared to suggest Lewandowski should have taken the gong.

In an interview with ESPN, the Norwegian striker was asked to name his top three players in world football, and his Bayern counterpart pipped Messi and Real Madrid centre-forward Karim Benzema to top spot. 

Haaland said: ‘That’s a good question. I think it was the last year, right?

‘I think you have to say Lewandowski number one, and then for me, Benzema has also been amazing, but Messi is also outstanding.

So Benzema and Messi in shared second and third place.’ 

Erling Haaland names Robert Lewandowski as the No 1 footballer on the planet ahead of Lionel Messi

Lewandowski was also the outstanding candidate to win the Ballon d’Or back in 2020, only for the Covid-19 pandemic to force event organisers to cancel the ceremony that year.

After collecting the 2021 award, Messi said: ‘I would like to mention Robert Lewandowski, it’s been a real honour to compete with you.’Everyone knows and we agree that you were the winner last year.

‘I think France Football should award you your 2020 Ballon d’Or – you deserve it and you should have it at home.

Flight Management system stolen from Arik Aircraft leading to flight cancellations

There was a security breach at the domestic terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos, as a Boeing 737-73V, with registration number EI-ULN, belonging to Arik Air was burgled and its Flight Management System, stolen.

The FMS is a computer designed to provide virtual data and operational harmony between closed and open elements associated with a flight from pre-engine start and take-off, to landing and engine shutdown.

Sun Newspaper reports that a source at the airline said the theft took place in the late hours of Wednesday, January 19 to the early hours of Thursday, January 20 and this led to flights cancellations and postponement.

“The aircraft was parked inside the tarmac at MM2 and someone got access to the electorical electronic base where we have all the systems. There is a door underneath the aircraft where they opened and got access to remove the FMC and that was why we had obstruction in our operations that day.

It is expected that the CCTV should be on and capture whoever did it but we haven’t heard anything to that effect. That equipment that was stolen is small but it cost a lot of money. To repair it cost about $15,000 and a brand new one cost about $300,000 as at 2021.

Every item in an aeroplane has serial numbers and can be tracked anywhere in the world, so i don’t know how the thief intends selling it unless the person has a vendor. That is why we believe it is internal sabotage” a source said.

Joe Biden threatens to sanction Vladimir Putin’s finances and assets if Russia invades Ukraine

US President, Joe Biden has threatened to inflict personal sanctions on President Vladimir Putin if Russia invades Ukraine.

This comes as Russia continues to amass hundreds of thousands of troops at Ukraine’s border and multiple rounds of U.S.-Russia talks over Ukraine that failed to reach a breakthrough.


Biden has since warned Russia of economic consequences, but has now upped the tempo by saying Putin could face sanctions. 

The last time the US used sanctions on Foreign leaders was Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro. Syria’s Bashar al-Assad and Libya’s Muammer Gaddafi have also been sanctioned by the US government.

Speaking to reporters, Biden was asked if he would see himself imposing sanctions on Putin directly if Russia invaded Ukraine. ‘Yes,’ he responded. ‘I would see that.’


The US has also put 8,500 troops on heightened alert and prepared to send 50,000 more if Russia invades Ukraine

Despite Russia’s troop build-up near its border with Ukraine, Russia has denied planning an attack and says the crisis is being driven by NATO and U.S. actions.


Russia is demanding security guarantees from the West, including a promise by NATO never to admit Ukraine into the alliance as Russia sees the former Soviet republic as a threat if it joins NATO.


If Russia were to move into Ukraine with the estimated 100,000 soldiers it has massed near the border, Biden said it would be the ‘largest invasion since World War Two’ and would ‘change the world.’

‘There is not going to be any American forces moving into Ukraine,’ he said.

Anthony Martial signs up with Manchester United from Sevilla on loan

Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has finally left the club to join Sevilla on loan until the end of the season. 

The LaLiga side have agreed to cover the Frenchman’s wages though there is understood to be no option to buy him permanently at the end of the deal. 

A statement on the Manchester United website read: ‘Manchester United forward Anthony Martial has joined Sevilla FC on loan for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.

Anthony Martial finally secures Man United exit as he joins Sevilla on loan

‘The Frenchman completed a medical in Andalusia, after the two clubs agreed terms for his temporary transfer.’

Sevilla’s official club statement read: “Sevilla FC and Manchester United FC have reached an agreement which will see Anthony Martial, born in Massy, France on 5th December 1995, join the club on loan until the end of the current season.

“The club have completed a major signing and have strengthened their attacking options, with the player able to play either as a striker or on either flank, preferably on the left, where he can cut inside. “

Anthony Martial finally secures Man United exit as he joins Sevilla on loan

Martial touched down in Spain on Tuesday afternoon, January 25, to complete his loan move.  

The 26-year-old had told United he wanted to leave the club with Sevilla considered as his first choice. He was also targeted by other clubs such as Newcastle and Tottenham but Martial was keen to go abroad. 

Juventus and Barcelona were also interested but did not want to take on his salary.

Sevilla are challenging Real Madrid for the Spanish title with 16 games left and Martial is excited by the prospect of a new start after being frustrated at United.

Israel recommends 4th Covid dose to all adults as it will triple protection against severe illness

Health officials in Israel have recommended a fourth Covid jab to all adults in the country.

The move follows research showing fourth doses doubled protection against symptomatic Covid-19 and increased protection against severe illness by three to five times, compared with three doses.


 Other countries, including the UK, US and Chile, have signed off on fourth doses for immunocompromised people, such as those living with HIV or certain transplant recipients, but have hesitated on launching a widescale second booster campaign.



Israel’s vaccine advisory committee “recommends that those aged 18 and over be able to be vaccinated with a fourth vaccine dose”, confirmed the Israeli health ministry in a statement.

The rollout is subject to approval by health ministry director-general Nachman Ash. People would become eligible five months after their third dose or after recovering from the disease, the ministry added. In the past fortnight, about 900,000 Israelis have tested positive for Covid-19.


Israel became the first country to extend fourth doses to over-60s, healthcare workers and people with weakened immune systems in late December. About 600,000 Israelis have already received a second booster and about half of the population have received a third shot.

A senior Israeli government scientist told the Financial Times the recommendation was based on enabling “individual decision-making” rather than “pushing” fourth doses on younger groups. “We are making the people the gatekeepers over the decision,” he said.


He added it was a “quite unusual” recommendation aimed at balancing the “accumulating evidence” of the protection offered against severe disease against “the multiple open-ended questions” about safety risks and the likelihood of waning immunity.



However, Prof Eyal Leshem, an infectious diseases specialist at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Aviv, which has studied the effectiveness of boosters, said “the added value for a fourth dose is . . . not expected to be substantial”, adding that they should be targeted at vulnerable groups.

“From a global perspective, use of multiple boosters in low-risk populations during a short period should be weighed against the global shortage of Covid vaccines.”

YouTube star, Melanie Ham, 36, dies from rare bone cancer

Popular YouTuber, Melanie Ham has died from cancer days before her 16th wedding anniversary, her husband Robert Ham has announced.

Melanie, 36, from Los Angeles, with over 811,000 followers on YouTube , posts sewing, crochet and DIY tutorials on her channel.


In 2019 she revealed doctors had found a mass in her kidney, and she was diagnosed with a type of cancer called epithelioid angiomyolipoma.

Popular YouTuber Melanie Ham, 36, dies from rare cancer days before her 16th wedding anniversary


Announcing the news of her death her husband, Robert said: ‘It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness I share the news of the passing of my sweet, amazing, beautiful wife Melanie.


He shared a photo as he held his wife while she sat in a hospital bed, looking emaciated.

Popular YouTuber Melanie Ham, 36, dies from rare cancer days before her 16th wedding anniversary

‘If you’ve been following our journey I’m sure you were, like us, hopeful she could defeat this insidious disease. 


‘Over the past few months things have been progressively getting worse and we’re thankful that we made it to this point through the holidays and tried to make every moment count. 


‘We are short 9 days of our 16 year anniversary.’


He continued: ‘My family, our doctors, our nurses and especially Melanie fought until the end and did all we could do to avoid today, but that is not our path.


Let me reassure all those rooting for us, Melanie fought like a warrior queen.


‘Despite the deep grief my family and I feel today we want to celebrate an amazing woman and a life well-lived. 


She loved passionately, created beautifully, provided abundantly and was my best friend all the way to the end.’


He added: ‘She was an extraordinary woman and God has another beautiful angel.


‘She can now walk, and sing, and dance in a way her body did not allow over the last few months. 


‘She relied on her faith in Jesus all the way to the end and she will always be with me.’ 


The father-of-two then asked for prayers for his ‘beautiful, strong children.’


Sarcomas are uncommon types of cancer which can grow anywhere in the body – on muscle, bone, tendons, blood vessels and fatty tissue.


Bone sarcomas are rare and affect approximately 670 people per year – but there are other types of bone cancers.

Orange is the New Black Actress, Kathryn Kates dies from cancer @ 73

Orange Is The New Black and Seinfeld actress, Kathyn Kates has died at age of  73 following a battle with cancer. 

Her representatives at Headline Talent Agency confirmed the ‘incredibly brave and wise’ star died in Florida on Saturday January 22, in a statement provided to Deadline.

The statement read: ‘Kathryn has been our client for many years, and we have grown much closer to her in this last year since she knew of her cancer returning.

‘She was always incredibly brave and wise and approached every role with the greatest of passion. She will be greatly missed,’ they concluded.

Kates landed highly visible television roles in the mid-’90s, notably appearing as a counterwoman on two of the most memorable episodes of Seinfeld — “The Dinner Party” (or the Babka episode) in 1994 and “The [Marble] Rye” episode two years later in 1996.

Other credits on Kates’ screen resume include Matlock, Judging Amy, Lizzie McGuire, and Caroline in the City, before she landed recurring roles in hit shows Orange Is the New Black, Law & Order: SVU, and the Jennifer Lopez-starring Shades of Blue.

More recently, Kates appeared in last year’s short film Welcome to Sarajevo, and portrayed Angie DeCarlo in The Sopranos prequel movie The Many Saints of Newark. She had recently completed acting in a new project, titled Maybe There’s a Tree.

She is survived by her sister Mallory and brother Joshua.

Kim Kardashian deletes Instagram photo after being accused of Photoshopping her leg

Kim Kardashian quickly deleted one of her photos on Instagram after being accused of Photoshopping her famous figure. 

The reality star and mother of four, 41, recently shared a gallery of swimsuit-clad images from her recent Bahamas getaway with her new boyfriend,  Pete Davidson. However, eagle-eyed followers were quick to notice that her back leg looked distorted in one image. 

Kim Kardashian deletes Instagram photo after being accused of Photoshopping her leg in bikini snaps

As fans began to flock her comment section, Kim was quick to delete the post and reuploaded the gallery without the picture in question. The image was later shared to a fan page, with a lot of comments left under the image. 

Kim Kardashian deletes Instagram photo after being accused of Photoshopping her leg in bikini snaps

Kim’s Photoshop fail comes after she was forced to deny the existence of a second sex tape with her ex Ray J, when Kanye West claimed in an explosive interview that he retrieved the footage and returned it to his estranged wife last year. 

Kim, who shares four children with Kanye, dismissed the notion that any further sexually explicit content even existed in a statement to Page Six.

“I was awarded additional $3M against gossip blogger Tasha K” – Cardi B

Cardi B has spoken up after being awarded additional $3M against gossip blogger/YouTuber Tasha Kebe, a.k.a. Tasha K.

The Grammy-winning rapper was awarded the money in punitive damages and attorneys’ fees in her lawsuit on Tuesday January 25. 

Jurors ruled that Kebe is responsible for $1 million in punitive damages, Variety reports. Her company Kebe Studios LLC was ordered to pay an additional $500,000. Kebe will also have to reimburse Cardi for the rapper’s legal costs, which add up to $1,338,753.47.

This is in addition to the $1.25 million Kebe was ordered to pay the Hustlers star on Monday January 24, bringing the total to more than $4 million.

Variety reported that Kebe’s attorney Sadeer Sabbak said they “disagree with the verdict” and “will be filing an appeal.”

Reacting to the judgement in a statement made available to news outlets, Cardi B said; 

“After almost four years of repeated libel and slander against me, being able to walk away from this victorious brings me great happiness. I appreciate Judge Ray for conducting a fair and impartial trial.

“I am grateful for the jury and their careful deliberation over the past two weeks. I am profoundly grateful for the hard work and support from my legal team. Most importantly, thank you to my family and close friends who held my hand and helped me get the support I needed during this experience.”

Seemingly referencing her moment during the trial when she testified that Kebe’s remarks caused her to be “extremely suicidal”, Cardi noted that fans have “learned about the darkest time in my life”. She added that it was “fueled by the vile, disgusting, and completely false narratives that were repeatedly and relentlessly being shared online.”

The rapper said; 

“I thought I would never be heard or vindicated and I felt completely helpless and vulnerable.

“I have never taken for granted the platform that my fame allows me to have, which is why for over three years I dedicated every resource I had to seek justice.”

Cardi also said she didn’t want “justice” solely for herself, noting that “the intentional harm that was done to me, is done to countless others every day.”

She added;

“The only difference between me and the high schooler who is being cyberbullied and lied on by their classmates is the money and resources I have access to,” she added. “We collectively have to say enough is enough. We can no longer be a society that turns a blind eye to blatant lies. The unchecked behavior and provably false content on platforms like YouTube have to be addressed and removed. The constant harassment and lies that are reported as factual from journalists and bloggers have to end.”

She shared that her career was launched on social media, “so I know the power it has,” adding that while social media has forged movements from Black Lives Matter to Stop Asian Hate and Women’s Rights, “we’ve also seen countless stories of children and adults deciding to take their own lives due to cyberbullying and intentional attacks.”

Cardi said; 

“So while I am very grateful that this trial has come to its conclusion and the jury has rendered a powerful and substantial message, literally–I really hope that my experience forces all of us, but especially the platforms who allow this behavior to be a part of their communities, to re-think what moves us forward as a society versus what cripples us.

“If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help at 1-800-273-TALK.”

Jaruma goes to prison over silly post on Ned Nwoko and Regina Daniels

Aphrodisiac seller, Hauwa Muhammed aka Jaruma has been remanded in prison custody over post she made about business tycoon and actress Regina Daniels’ husband, Ned Nwoko on social media.

Nwoko who had written a petition against Jaruma, accused the popular Kayanmata seller of publishing falsehoods on her Instagram page against him and his wife, Regina Daniels, who is an actress.

Jaruma was arraigned before an Abuja Upper Area Court on charges centering on defamation of character, false news publication and intimidation.

Police Prosecutor, E. A Inegbenoise, told the court that Nwoko had reported the matter through a written petition from his lawyer to the FCT Police Command for proper investigation on January 20, 2021.

While Inegbenoise pleaded with the court to allow Jaruma to remain in police custody pending investigation, her lawyer, Mr James Odibe who made an oral bail application, urged the court to grant the defendant bail on self-recognition or in the alternative, in the most liberal terms.

Ruling on the case, Justice Ismailia Abdullahi ordered that the defendant be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre pending the bail hearing on Friday January 28. Abdullahi then adjourned the matter till February 23, 2021 for trial.

Kanye West claims to have stopped ‘Kim Kardashian and Ray J second sex tape’ from leaking

Kanye West has claimed that he stopped estranged wife Kim Kardashian’s second sex tape with Ray J from leaking.

The 44-year-old rapper, who was married to Kim Kardashian for six years before she filed for divorce last February, claimed that he did Kim a “huge favour” by stopping her second sex tape with Ray J from going public after the first one as leaked in 2007.

Speaking on Jason Lee’s Hollywood Unlocked Podcast, Kanye – who shares four children with the Skims founder – said that he did Kim the ultimate favour by getting the tape back from Ray J himself. 

“I went and got the laptop from Ray J myself that night,” Kanye said during the candid interview.

“I met this man at the airport, then got on a red-eye, came back and delivered it to her at 8 a.m. in the morning.

“She cried when she saw it. You know why she cried when she seen it on the laptop? Because it represents how much she’s been used.

“It represents how much people didn’t love her, and they just saw her as a commodity.”

A spokesperson for Kim confirmed that there was a laptop, but they denied any existence of explicit content on the hard-drive, according to Page Six.

“The computer and hard drive collected were supposed to contain the original video and any unseen footage. After review, there was nothing sexual unseen, only footage on the plane on the way to Mexico and footage at a club and restaurant on the same trip,” the statement reads.

“Kim remains firm in her belief that there is no new second tape that exists.

“After 20 years, she truly wishes to move on from this chapter and focus instead on the positive things she continues to do as a mother, entrepreneur and advocate for justice reform.”

Ozzie, The world’s oldest gorilla dies @ 61

Ozzie, the world’s oldest male Gorilla is dead. 

The western lowland silverback was found dead by his “heartbroken” care team at Zoo Atlanta in Georgia, US, on Tuesday morning, January 25.

The gorilla who died at the age of 61, is said to have lost his appetite since last week and was being provided with supportive care to encourage him to eat and drink.

But over the last 24 hours he had been treated for facial swelling, weakness and an inability to eat or drink, the zoo said.

Raymond B King, the zoo’s president and chief executive, said:

“This is a devastating loss for Zoo Atlanta. While we knew this time would come someday, that inevitability does nothing to stem the deep sadness we feel at losing a legend.

“Ozzie’s life’s contributions are indelible, in the generations of individuals he leaves behind in the gorilla population and in the world’s body of knowledge in the care of his species.

 “Our thoughts are with his care team, who have lost a part of their lives and a part of their hearts.”

Ozzie has more than 20 descendants, according to the zoo. He is survived by daughter Kuchi; sons Kekla, Stadi, and Charlie; granddaughter Lulu; great-granddaughter Andi, and great-grandson Floyd, all of whom live at Zoo Atlanta, according to the release. The rest of his offspring live at other accredited zoos in the US and Canada.

The gorilla first arrived in Atlanta in 1988, and was part of a scientific milestone when he became the first gorilla to get a blood pressure reading.

He held the title of oldest male gorilla, but Fatou, a 64-year-old female at Berlin Zoo is still the oldest living gorilla.

Last year, Ozzie was one of 13 gorillas at Zoo Atlanta who tested positive for COVID-19. Officials said they believed the apes contracted it from a fully vaccinated zoo worker who was wearing protective equipment. The worker was asymptomatic.

The zoo said it would release the results of Ozzie’spost-mortemafter it is completed by the University of Georgia’s veterinary college.

Teen brothers beat their stepfather to death after he sexually abused their sister

Three teenagers including two brothers are facing charges in the death of a 42-year-old man accused of sexually abusing the sister of two of the teens in a Texas trailer park home.

Brothers Alexandro and Christian Trevino, 18 and 17 years old, have been arrested for beating their stepfather, Gabriel Quintanilla, 42, to death after he allegedly abused their half-sister, according to police in Pharr, Texas.


Juan Eduardo Melendez, 18, has also been arrested in connection to the case.

Teen teams up with two brothers to beat


The body of Mr. Quintanilla was found by a farmer who informed law enforcement, with officers from the McCallen Police Department arriving shortly before 3pm on Thursday. The Pharr Police Department took on the case the following day.


Mr. Quintanilla bore signs of severe trauma and had been beaten with brass knuckles, MyRGV News reported.


His nine-year-old daughter notified someone on 20 January that he had touched her inappropriately. Police have said that Mr. Quintanilla already had been issued a warrant for abusing another child.


During a press briefing this week, Pharr Police Deputy Chief Juan Gonzalez said that “when the brothers Alexandro and Christian found out, they confronted Gabriel at the residents, and a physical fight ensued between the three”.


“Quintanilla left the location on foot … Christian Trevino runs out after the victim and finds him outside of an apartment complex further south down the road,” he added.

“A second assault occurs there and Alexandro Trevino and the driver of a red Dodge Charger, who we have identified as Juan Gonzalez Melendez, catch up to him and again join in on an assault of the victim at that point,” Mr. Gonzalez said.

The teenagers left the scene and changed vehicles, and again looked for Mr. Quintanilla, finding him walking alone along a road. That’s when police say a third assault took place and Mr. Quintanilla was placed in the back of a truck, a white Ford F-150, still alive.

The suspects then drove to an area in McCallen, where Mr. Quintanilla was left in a field. The authorities have said that they believe he was still alive at that point. The three teens fled the area after leaving Mr. Quintanilla.


The suspects were arraigned on Sunday. Christian Trevino and Mr. Melendez have been charged with capital murder, aggravated assault, and engaging in organized criminal activity. It’s unclear if they have retained lawyers to speak on their behalf.


Alexandro Trevino has been charged with aggravated assault and engaging in organised criminal activity.


The bond for all three suspects has been set at $500,00, according to ValleyCentral.

Boston Hospital refuses to perform heart transplant for ‘unvaccinated man’ because he refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19

A US hospital has rejected a patient for a heart transplant because he is not vaccinated against Covid-19.

DJ Ferguson, 31, is in need of a new heart, but Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston took him off their list.

David Ferguson told CBS 4 his son D.J. was removed from his place on the transplant line at Brigham and Women’s Hospital because he will not get vaccinated against COVID-19.  

“It’s kind of against his basic principles; he doesn’t believe in it. It’s a policy they are enforcing and so because he won’t get the shot, they took him off the list of a heart transplant,”  David Ferguson told the outlet.  

The hospital said it was following policy.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital told the BBC in a statement: “Given the shortage of available organs, we do everything we can to ensure that a patient who receives a transplanted organ has the greatest chance of survival.”

A spokesman said the hospital requires “the Covid-19 vaccine, and lifestyle behaviours for transplant candidates to create both the best chance for a successful operation and to optimise the patient’s survival after transplantation, given that their immune system is drastically suppressed”.

The hospital stated on its website that transplant candidates “must also receive the seasonal influenza and hepatitis B vaccines, follow other healthy behaviors, and demonstrate they can commit to taking the required medications” following the procedure. 

A Brigham and Women’s Hospital spokesperson reiterated the hospital’s policy to the New York Post, saying it does everything it can “to ensure that a patient who receives a transplanted organ has the greatest chance of survival.”

“Our Mass General Brigham healthcare system requires several CDC-recommended vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine, and lifestyle behaviors for transplant candidates to create both the best chance for a successful operation and to optimize the patient’s survival after transplantation, given that their immune system is drastically suppressed,” the spokesperson said.  

“Patients are not active on the waitlist without this,” they added.  

DJ Ferguson’s family do not agree with the vaccine policy and are “aggressively pursuing all options.”

“I think my boy is fighting pretty damn courageously and he has integrity and principles he really believes in and that makes me respect him all the more,” David Ferguson said of his son.

The decision by the Boston hospital has led to a debate, with people sharing their opinions for or against.

Good News! Anambra International Airport receives approval to operate Boeing 737-700s

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted Anambra state government approval to operate Boeing 737-700 Aircraft.

The approval was confirmed in a statement made by Chief Dr. Uche Nworah, the Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Services.

He said, “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has granted Anambra state government the approval to operate Boeing 737-700 aircraft or its equivalent at Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri”.

“The good news was conveyed to the governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano in a letter from the agency dated 24th January, 2022”.

“The approval was based on a satisfactory inspection carried out by aerodrome safety inspectors at the airport on the 21st of January, 2022 to ascertain the preparedness of the airport for the upgrade in fire cover from Cat 5 to Cat 6”.

“The latest approval will gladden the hearts of Ndi Anambra and others who have been flying through the airport since it’s commissioning”.

“According to Bobo Nkwonta, a Lagos – based businessman, “I am excited about this news. Governor Obiano has written his name in gold. I am even more elated as Airpeace airlines and United Nigeria airlines will now upgrade the planes they operate on that route to bigger aircraft”.

Majority of the British public say Boris Johnson should resign over ‘partygate’

Savanta ComRes has published some new polling on partygate. It suggests more than half of voters do not trust the Metropolitan police to investigate partygate, and more than half of voters think fines would be too lenient as punishment for breaches of the Covid rules.

This comes as Sue Gray’s report now reportedly set to be published this week after Met says no need to hold material back.

The Times is reporting this as definite. “Sue Gray, the civil servant investigating lockdown breaking parties in Downing Street, still intends to publish her report this week despite a police investigation into potential criminality,”

Here is an extract from the Savanta ComRes news release:

Half (51%) of the British public say that they do not trust the Metropolitan police investigation to uncover whether Coronavirus rules and regulations were broken at a series of lockdown get-togethers in No 10 Downing Street according to a snap poll by Savanta ComRes.

And although two in five (42%) say that they do trust the Met’s investigation, only 8% say that they trust it “a great deal”.

The investigation by the Metropolitan police is likely to only have the power to issue fines to those it finds have breached Coronavirus regulations, and a majority (59%) of the public say that this is too lenient, including 42% of 2019 Conservative voters. A third (32%) of the public say that fixed penalty notices are about a fair punishment.

The poll also suggests 67% of people think Boris Johnson should resign – “although this figure is practically unchanged from earlier this month when the prime minister admitted to briefly attending a BYOB drinks event in the Downing Street garden while Britain was in its first full lockdown”, Savanta ComRes says.

Government officials have handed over images of alleged parties in Downing Street to investigators, Sky News reports.

The photographs, seen by Sue Gray, are believed to feature Boris Johnson and show people close together with wine bottles.

From Sky News’ deputy political editor, Sam Coates tweeted:

Over 105 Catholic priests officially declare their status as gay in Germany

More than 100 Catholic church officials in Germany came out as LGBT, queer or non-binary, adding to calls for reform within the crisis-hit church.

Demands for a more liberal attitude to homosexuality within the German church have coincided with uproar over reports of widespread child sex abuse by Catholic clergymen in the country, including allegations of cases in which former pope Benedict XVI failed to act.

The 125-strong group, which includes priests and workers in education and administration, published a statement demanding an end to the “discrimination and exclusion” they had experienced.

“I don’t want to hide my sexual identity any more,” Uwe Grau, a priest in the diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, is quoted on the group’s website as saying.

“We are part of the church,” added Raphaela Soden, who works in pastoral care for young adults and identifies as queer and non-binary. “We always have been. It’s time to finally make it clear that we exist and how wonderfully queer the body of Christ is.”

The statement calls for “free access to all pastoral vocations” and an end to what the signatories called a “system of concealment, double standards, and dishonesty” surrounding LGBT issues.

“Entering into a non-heterosexual relationship or marriage must never be considered a breach of loyalty and, consequently, an obstacle to employment or a reason for dismissal,” they said.

The issue of homosexuality has caused a major rift in the Catholic Church between modernizers and conservatives.

Pope Francis is himself ambivalent over the sensitive subject.

US court grants Cardi B $1M in defamation suit against gossip blogger Tasha K

Rapper Cardi B has won her defamation lawsuit against Latasha Kebe, a blogger and YouTuber known online as Tasha K, and has been awarded $1.25 million in damages.

The jury’s January 24 verdict concluded a two-week federal trial during which Cardi B testified that she had experienced extreme anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation due to Kebe’s claims. 

Cardi took Kebe to court in 2019 over dozens of videos featuring wild allegations, among which was the high- (or low-)light that the rapper B “f–ked herself with beer bottles” onstage when she was working as a stripper. Kebe also claimed that Cardi had prostituted herself, was addicted to hard drugs, was unfaithful to her husband Offset, and had contracted herpes.

Cardi testified last week that she felt “extremely suicidal” over Kebe’s claims. “I felt defeated and depressed and I didn’t want to sleep with my husband,” she added, chalking up fatigue, weight loss, migraines and anxiety to the ordeal.

“Only an evil person could do that s–t,” Cardi reportedly said, subsequently apologizing to the court for her language.

The rapper also disclosed that the herpes rumor in particular dogged her online, as some of Kebe’s million-plus followers harassed her over pictures of her kissing daughter Kulture on the lips and called her “Herpes B.”

Kebe reportedly admitted in court that she had knowingly published lies about the rapper, but attempted to walk that statement back when her attorneys examined her. Ultimately, jurors sided with Cardi B on all three claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

They allotted $1 million for “general damages (pain and suffering and/or reputational injury)” and $250,000 for medical expenses. Tuesday proceedings will determine whether Tasha K will also owe more punitive damages or need to pay for Cardi B’s legal expenses.

Cardi B wins $1M defamation suit against gossip blogger Tasha K
Cardi B wins $1M defamation suit against gossip blogger Tasha K
Cardi B wins $1M defamation suit against gossip blogger Tasha K

Proceedings will kick off Tuesday January 25, to decide whether Kebe owes additional punitive damages, or whether she must reimburse Cardi B for her legal expenses.

“We will deploy 8500 soldiers to Ukraine if Russia invades” – US Govt. says

The Pentagon has said 8500 US troops are on standby to deploy at short notice to Europe, should Russia invade Ukraine.


Russia continues to deny planning military action against Ukraine, despite massing 100,000 troops at the border saying it sees Nato as a security threat, and is demanding legal guarantees that the alliance will not expand further east, including into neighbouring Ukraine. But the US has said the issue at stake is Russian aggression, not Nato expansion.

On Monday night, January 24, US President Joe Biden held a video call with European allies as Western countries plan for a common strategy against Russian aggression.

The Pentagon said troop deployment will happen if the Nato military alliance decides to activate a rapid-reaction force, “or if other situations develop” around the Russian troop build-up, according to Pentagon press secretary John Kirby.


There are no plans to deploy to Ukraine itself, he added.


Some Nato members, including Denmark, Spain, France and the Netherlands, are already planning sending fighter jets and warships to eastern Europe to bolster defences in the region.


This comes after 90 tonnes of US “lethal aid” including ammunition for “front-line defenders” arrived in Ukraine over the weekend.


Biden, Monday’s video call included UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Polish President Andrzej Duda, Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg and EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel.


“I had a very, very, very good meeting – total unanimity with all the European leaders,”  Biden said afterwards.

Earlier on Monday, Boris Johnson warned that “gloomy” intelligence suggests Russia is planning a lightning raid on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.


“The intelligence is very clear that there are 60 Russian battle groups on the borders of Ukraine, the plan for a lightning war that could take out Kyiv is one that everybody can see,” he said.


“We need to make it very clear to the Kremlin, to Russia, that that would be a disastrous step.”


Russia has seized Ukrainian territory before, when it annexed Crimea in 2014. After Russian forces seized control, Crimea voted to join the Russian Federation in a referendum the West and Ukraine deemed illegal.


Russian-backed rebels also control areas of eastern Ukraine near Russia’s borders. That conflict has cost an estimated 14,000 lives, with a 2015 peace deal a long way from being fulfilled.

Thousands sign petition to stop English language proficiency tests for Nigerians

Over 26,000 Nigerians have signed a petition on Change.org to stop the demand for English proficiency tests from Nigerians looking to travel abroad for studies or work.

The petition, which was initiated by Policy Shapers, was titled “Stop asking Nigerians to write IELTS”.

As Nigeria’s language of instruction at various levels of education is primarily English, the petition calls for an end to foreign institutions’ demands for the International English Language Testing System from Nigerians.

In the petition, which was addressed to the Home Secretary of the United Kingdom, Priti Patel, the group argued that no Anglophone African country are exempted from taking the English Language test despite being part of the Commonwealth.

It further said the UK Home Office has exempted Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and 10 other countries from those, who would require the test.

Policy Shapers said it had requested modalities the UK Home Office put in place to measure English proficiency in the 18 countries on its list as it expressed the belief that same should be applied to Nigeria and other Anglophone countries on the continent.

However, there has been no response as regards this from the Home Office, the group claimed.

It further argued that a test that costs more than three times the minimum wage and the result expires in two years, should not be required of Nigerians since the country is predominantly English speaking.

The petition reads, “Why should Nigerians be made to write English language proficiency examinations that cost more than thrice our minimum wage ($210) and the result expires every two years?

“The UK Home Office has a list of 18 countries whose citizens are exempt from writing an English proficiency test (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) when they seek to study or migrate to the UK, including; Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Malta, St Kitts and Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, to mention a few. 

“However, it will interest you to know that there is no Anglophone African country (out of 20+ English-speaking countries on the continent) on the Home Office list. Not Nigeria, not Ghana, not Kenya, not South Africa. Not Even One. Despite the fact that these African countries are former British colonies and belong to the Commonwealth! Why?

“The Home Office told the BBC, who did a report on this issue, that for a country to be listed on its IELTS Exemption list, 51% of its population must speak English as a first language. 

“Fair enough right? Since October we have written to the Home Office as a collective of campaigners requesting for the modalities it put in place to measure English proficiency in the 18 countries on its list as we believe same should be applied to Nigeria and other Anglophone countries on the continent.

“More than three months after our initial email and several follow-up emails (plus tons of social media posts), the UK Home Office has refused to respond to this urgent request.”

Burkina military announces takeover on live TV in Burkina Faso

More than a dozen mutinous soldiers on Monday January 24, announced that a military junta now controls Burkina Faso after they detained the democratically elected president following a day of gunbattle in the capital.

A junior officer announced the suspension of the constitution, the dissolution of the government and parliament, and the closure of the country’s borders from midnight Monday, reading from a statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba.

Announcing that a new Patriotic Movement for Preservation and Restoration (MPSR) would re-establish “constitutional order” within a “reasonable time”, the soldiers blamed the takeover on the civilian president’s failure to contain an Islamist insurgency.

They also announced that a nationwide nightly curfew would be enforced. The soldiers said  the takeover was carried out without violence and those detained were in a secure location.

The statement read;

“MPSR, which includes all sections of the army, has decided to end President Kaboré’s post today.

“The constitution has been suspended. Secondly, the government has been dissolved. Thirdly, the national assembly has been dissolved. Fourthly, land and air borders have been closed from January 24, 2022. Lastly, a curfew has been imposed from 9pm to 5am.

Kabore has been in power since 2015 and reelected in 2020 on a pledge to prioritize the fight against the insurgency. He has faced rising public anger over his failure to stop the bloodshed in the poor, landlocked country.

On Monday, the People’s Movement for Progress ruling party said Kabore was the victim of an “aborted assassination attempt”. A government minister, who was not named, also survived an attempt on his life and the president’s home was ransacked, it added.

The party said the presidential palace had been “encircled” by “a group of armed and masked men” and the national radio and television “occupied”.

DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good announce their decision to divorce

Meagan Good is speaking out about her divorce from DeVon Franklin.

The  Harlem actress, 40, and the preacher, 43, announced their decision to divorce after nine years of marriage, with a source later saying that Good and Franklin’s breakup was “a long time coming.”

Good was a guest on XONecole recently and she spoke about “grieving” her divorce. 

Throughout life, I’ve always approached relationships as understanding that at some point, they’ll get to the place that they’re going to, and then they would be over,” Good said during a Twitter Spaces chat.

“I’ve always had an attitude of like, ‘Alright, next chapter. We’ll see what’s next,’ and being okay with that and appreciating what you give to someone and what they give to you and sharing a moment in time and in life that you never get back regardless of how it ends.”

 She called her divorce “the most painful thing I’ve ever experienced in my life” but added, “I am still optimistic. I still am hopeful for the future. I still—maybe this isn’t a chapter, but I just feel that it’s my next act in life and I trust God.”

“Not everything makes sense to me right now, but I do trust God overall and I’m excited to see what this next act of life is going to be and what God has in store and that’s all I can really do but even in doing that, I do have gratitude and so much joy in my heart for these past 11 years that DeVon and I have been together,” said Good. “What he’s given into my life and what I was able to give to him, just everything.”

Good and Franklin wed in June 2012 in Malibu, California, after they met on the set of the movie Jumping the Broom in 2011 when he was working as a studio executive.

Dangote remains the richest man in Africa – Forbes [full list]

Nigerian businessman, Aliko Dangote has retained his rank as Africa’s richest man as confirmed in the 2022 edition of the Forbes’ Top 10 Africa’s Billionaires List.

Aliko Dangote who has been Africa’s richest person for 11 years in a row, has an estimated networth of $13.9 billion, up from $12.1 billion in 2021.

Forbes said this is as a result of 30 per cent increase in the stock price of Dangote Cement, his most valuable asset.

The Forbes report also revealed that Africa’s billionaires were richer than they had been in years, despite the global pandemic.

As a group, the continent’s 18 billionaires were worth an estimated $84.9 billion, a 15 per cent increase from twelve months ago and the most since 2014, when a larger number of billionaires (28) were worth a combined $96.5 billion.

On average, the continent’s billionaires were worth $4.7 billion now, worth $3.4 billion in 2014 with soaring stock prices from Nigeria to Zimbabwe lifted the fortunes of these tycoons, as demand for products from cement to luxury goods ticked up.

Jumping into the number two from the list, spot–up from number four last year–was luxury goods magnate, Johann Rupert of South Africa.

The 18 billionaires from Africa, who were not new to the ranks, also hailed from seven different countries, South Africa and Egypt each had five billionaires, followed by Nigeria with three and Morocco with two.

All of the continent’s billionaires were men; the last woman to appear in the ranks, Isabel dos Santos of Angola, fell off the Forbes list in January 2021.

See the full list below……………………………

1            Aliko Dangote           $13.9 B    64           cement, sugar

2           Johann Rupert            $11 B      71           luxury goods

3           Nicky Oppenheimer    $8.7 B    76           diamonds

4           Nassef Sawiris            $8.6 B    61           construction, investments

5           Abdulsamad Rabiu      $7 B       61           cement, sugar

6           Mike Adenuga           $6.7 B    68           telecom, oil

7           Issad Rebrab              $5.1 B    78           food

8           Naguib Sawiris           $3.4 B    67           telecom

9           Patrice Motsepe         $3.1 B    59           mining

10        Koos Bekker               $2.7 B    69           media, investments

10        Strive Masiyiwa          $2.7 B    60           telecom

12        Mohamed Mansour    $2.5 B    74           diversified

13        Aziz Akhannouch       $2.2 B    61           petroleum, diversified

14        Michiel Le Roux         $1.7 B   72           banking

15        Othman Benjelloun    $1.5 B    89           banking, insurance

15        Mohammed Dewji      $1.5 B    46           diversified

15        Youssef Mansour       $1.5 B    76           diversified

18        Yasseen Mansour      $1.1 B    60           diversified

President Buhari tells security chiefs to use 5G network to fight insecurity

President Muhammadu Buhari has launched the National Policy on Fifth Generation (5G) technology for Nigeria’s Digital Economy.

The President during the launch today, Jan. 25, in Abuja directed all security institutions to leverage the technology when deployed, saying it will enhance security in the country.

He said the Federal Government will take full advantage of the opportunities that 5G provides for the economy, security, and well-being of the nation.

The President allayed fears over the health safety of 5G, affirming that such issues have been “effectively addressed” in developing a Policy that suits the country.

On the benefits of 5G technology, the President noted that it can support virtually every sector of the economy, including enhanced connectivity, improved healthcare, support education while fostering smart cities and boosting agriculture, among other advantages.

He said: “It will also support security institutions with real-time communication.

“5G technology is significantly faster than earlier digital technologies and it provides near real-time communication. This can play a key role in boosting our efforts towards enhancing security across the nation.

“It will enable our security institutions to effectively deploy robotics, autonomous vehicles, augmented and virtual reality to address any security challenges that we face.”

He explained that the National 5G Policy includes a deployment plan to ensure that major cities across the country benefit from the technologies.

Buhari added that the policy is in line with the commitment of his administration to supporting the digital economy as an enabler of economic diversification.

He assured investors that the Federal Government would continue to provide an enabling environment for their businesses to succeed as Nigeria begins the roll-out of the technology.

President Buhari directed the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, to supervise the implementation of the Policy, being done by the Nigerian Communications Commission with the support of other government institutions.

Mario Balotelli joins the Italian squad for first time since 2018

Mario Balotelli has been named in the Italy squad for the first time since 2018 as the European champions plan for their World Cup play-off semi-final.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker, 31, has not featured for his country since September 2018.


Balotelli is one of 35 players named for a three-day training camp after scoring nine times in 21 appearances across all competitions this season, for his club Adana Demirspor in Turkey.

Italy will face North Macedonia on 24 March in a World Cup play-off semi-final.

Balotelli has a record of 14 goals in 36 games for his country, but has earned only three caps since the 2014 World Cup.

This week’s training camp is one of Roberto Mancini’s final opportunities to get his players together before the North Macedonia match.

Balotelli worked under Mancini earlier in his career at Inter Milan and Manchester City.

Burkinese President, Roch Kabore arrested and detained by soldiers

Burkina Faso President Roch Kabore has been detained at a military camp by mutinying soldiers. 

Reports of his detention on Monday January 24, came a day after soldiers staged mutinies at several army barracks, prompting fears of a coup in the conflict-hit country. Later on Sunday, heavy gunfire was also heard near Kabore’s residence in the capital, Ouagadougou.

It was gathered that the soldiers have been demanding for more support in their fight against Islamist militants.

Burkina Faso President Roch Kabore arrested and detained at military camp by

Aljazeera reported that several armoured vehicles of the presidential fleet, riddled with bullets, were seen near the President’s residence on Monday morning. One was spattered with blood.  Residents of the president’s neighbourhood reported heavy gunfire overnight.

Three armoured vehicles and soldiers wearing balaclavas were stationed outside the headquarters of the state broadcaster. Government sources could not immediately be reached on Monday.

Two security sources and a West African diplomat told Reuters news agency that Kabore was detained at a military camp. There was no immediate comment by the government, which on Sunday had denied that a coup was under way.

Journalist Henry Wilkins reported from Ouagadougou on Monday; 

“We just passed the military base where Kabore is alleged to be confined at the moment.

“Traffic is circulating as normal but there is an usually high number of military personnel out on the streets around the presidential palace.”

Burkina Faso President Roch Kabore arrested and detained at military camp by

AFP news agency also reported that the president was arrested along with other government officials. “President Kabore, the head of parliament, and the ministers are effectively in the hands of the soldiers” at the Sangoule Lamizana barracks in the capital, two security officials said.

Two of the rebellious soldiers told The Associated Press by phone early Monday that Kabore was being held “in a safe place”, but would not specify where.

Burkina Faso President Roch Kabore arrested and detained at military camp by

Kabore has led Burkina Faso since being elected in 2015 after a popular uprising ousted longtime strongman President Blaise Compaore, who was in power for nearly three decades. Kabore was reelected in November 2020 for another five-year term, however, frustration has been growing at his inability to stem the spread of violence across the country.

Attacks linked to al-Qaeda and the armed group ISIL (ISIS) are escalating, killing thousands and displacing more than an estimated 1.5 million people. The military has suffered heavy losses.

Angry mutinous soldiers said the government was disconnected from its forces in the field, and their colleagues were dying and they wanted military rule. The soldiers put a man on the phone who said  they were seeking better working conditions for Burkina Faso’s military.

Ye, Kanye West and Julia Fox make red carpet debut as a couple (photos)

Kanye West and Julia Fox have officially made their red carpet debut as a couple. 

The rapper and actress made their debut this weekend at Paris Men’s Fashion Week as they attended Kenzo’s show in matching denim looks.

Arriving on the red carpet on Sunday 23 January, Fox was dressed in full Schiaparelli, wearing a cropped denim jacket and loose-fitting, low-waisted blue jeans.

The jacket, which featured conical breasts reminiscent of Jean Paul Gaultier’s signature corsets, was paired with large gold earrings and matching Diesel denim boots.

West opted for a full Balenciaga look, wearing a padded denim jacket, blue jeans, and knee-length Red Wing boots.

Speaking to WWD about her outfit, Fox said she was wearing Schiaparelli creative director Daniel Roseberry’s personal pair of jeans.

“I was just at the [Schiaparelli] showroom before coming here,” she said.

“I’m actually wearing Daniel’s pants, the designer of Schiaparelli. I took the pants off of his body and he was very kind to let me wear them,” she added.

Fox shared photographs of the pair arriving at the show to her Instagram stories. In one, West smiles at the floor as he walks with his arm around the actor’s shoulder.

At the show, the couple were seen seated between rapper Tyler The Creator and Kenzo’s artistic director, Tomoaki Nagao, better known as Nigo.

Fox and Kanye have been dating for less than a month, since meeting on New Year’s Eve 2021.

See full photos below. 

Kanye West and Julia Fox make red carpet debut as a couple (photos)
Kanye West and Julia Fox make red carpet debut as a couple (photos)

Dylan Williams signs up with Chelsea

Premier League side, Chelsea have completed the signing of 18-year-old left-back Dylan Williams from Derby County for an undisclosed fee.

He is Chelsea’s first signing of the January transfer window with Derby boss Wayne Rooney saying on Friday that he ‘couldn’t stand in the way of his opportunity.’

Williams, who made the step up to first-team football at the stricken Championship club at the beginning of the season, posted a picture of himself signing his Chelsea deal on his Instagram account.

He wrote: ‘Wow. I am absolutely delighted to have signed for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

‘Thank you so much for everything the staff and players have done at Derby County. I cannot wait to get started at Chelsea.’

Williams made a total of nine first-team appearances for the Rams having played for the first time in their FA Cup defeat to Chorley last season.

Abuja court issues arrest warrant against Diezani Alison-Madueke, ex. Petroleum chief

Diezani Alison-Madueke

Justice Bolaji Olajuwon of a Federal High Court, Abuja, today January 24, issued an arrest warrant against the former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, believed to be residing in the UK.

The judge granted the request after counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Farouk Abdullah, made an oral application.

The court had fixed Nov. 3, 2021 for the EFCC to give a report on its effort at extraditing Alison-Madueke to the country to stand her trial, and for possible mention of the case. But on the adjourned date, the case was stalled as neither Abdullah nor Alison-Madueke was present in court.

Justice Olajuwon then fixed today, Jan. 24, for the matter and adjourned for report or for possible mention of the matter.

Justice Olajuwon took over Diezani’s case after the initial judge, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu was transferred to the Calabar division of the court. It would be recalled that Ojukwu had, on Oct. 28, 2020, rejected the EFCC’s prayer to issue a warrant of arrest against Alison-Madueke, citing the commission’s failure to enforce the earlier criminal summons, which the court issued on the former minister since July 24, 2020, saying court orders are not made in vain. The commission had, in requesting for the criminal summons in July 2020, claimed that it was required to facilitate the ex-minister’s extradition to Nigeria.

Faced with the failure of the ex-minister to honor the summons, the EFCC, through its lawyer, Abdullah, urged Justice Ojukwu to issue a warrant of arrest against her, saying that the extradition process failed as a result of the absence of the warrant of arrest. The judge, who turned down the request, directed the lawyer to file an affidavit to that effect supported by evidence from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and adjourned for the report and possible arraignment of the defendant (Alison-Madueke).

However, when the matter came up for hearing today, Abdullah was in court. He told the court that all efforts by the agency to get the ex-minister extradited when the matter was before Ojukwu were unsuccessful. Abdullah, who made an oral application for an arrest warrant, said the application was part of the requirements by the office of the AGF for the extradition.

He said that the arrest warrant was needed to further give the International Police (INTERPOL) the impetus to bring the defendant to Nigeria to answer to charges against her.

Justice Olajuwon then granted the application and adjourned the matter sine die pending when the defendant (Alison-Madueke) is arrested and produced in court.

According to court papers, EFCC says it seeks to question Alison-Madueke, in relation to many allegations against her, including “her role as the Minister of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of Strategic Alliance Agreement (SAA) to Septa Energy Limited, Atlantic Energy Drilling Concept Limited and Atlantic Energy Brass Development Limited by NNPC.

The EFCC says it also wanted Alison-Madueke to respond to questions about “her role in the chartering of private jets by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ministry of Petroleum Resources and her role in the award of contracts by NNPC to Marine and Logistics Services Limited.”

The antigraft agency says it was investigating Alison-Madueke‘s business relationships with Mr Donald Amamgbo, Mr Afam Nwokedi, Chief lkpea Leemon, Miss Olatimbo Bukola Ayinde, Mr Benedict Peters, Christopher Aire, Harcourt Adukeh, Julian Osula, Dauda Lawal, Nnamdi Okonkwo, Mr Leno Laithan, Sahara Energy Group and Midwestern Oil Limited, among others.

It added that Alison-Madueke was also required to clear the air on “her role in financing the 2015 general elections, particularly the money that were warehoused at Fidelity Bank Plc in 2015 prior to the elections.”

The agency added that it wanted the ex-minister to speak on several items, documents and Jeweleries recovered from her house at No: 10, Chiluba Close, off Jose Marti Street, Asokoro, Abuja, and some identified property that were linked to her In Nigeria, UK, U.S., United Arab Emirate and South Africa.

The United Arab Emirates intercepts ballistic missiles fired by Houthis terror group over Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates intercepted two missiles launched by the Iran-allied Houthi rebels in Yemen, its official news agency said on Monday, one week after a deadly strike by the group killed three people in Abu Dhabi.

Parts of the missiles fell over Abu Dhabi and did not cause any casualties but the attack highlighted the growing threat from the Houthis, who have targeted neighbouring Saudi Arabia for years with missile and drone strikes.

The rebels according to Financial Times claimed responsibility last week for a drone and missile strike on the UAE following weeks of threats. The assault was the first time the Gulf monarchy had acknowledged a Houthi attack on its territory, after previously denying rebel claims that they had struck Abu Dhabi’s airport and nuclear power plant.

The Houthis’ military spokesman said in a statement that the militia had targeted the Al Dhafra air base near Abu Dhabi city, which hosts US fighter jets, and other “sensitive sites”.

They also targeted locations in Dubai with drones, the statement added. The UAE has not acknowledged any military action against Dubai.

The UAE defence ministry said fighter jets had destroyed a ballistic missile launcher in the Houthi-controlled Al Jawf province to the north-east of Sana’a, Yemen’s largest city, immediately after it had been used to launch two missiles towards Abu Dhabi.

The UAE is part of a Saudi-led coalition that intervened in the Yemeni civil war in 2015, after the Houthi rebels ousted the internationally recognised government, over fears that arch rival Iran would expand its influence on its borders.

The coalition pushed the rebels out of the south back into their northern highlands but the conflict ground to a stalemate. The UN has described the Yemen war as the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crisis, with almost 250,000 direct and indirect deaths.

The latest attack on the UAE followed days of air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition on what it described as Houthi targets in Yemen. This included the targeting of a temporary detention centre in the rebels’ heartland of Saada, which killed at least 60 people.

There has also been an increase in violence around Marib, a Yemeni province where the rebels launched an offensive last year and ousted the government from its last foothold in the north.

In recent weeks, UAE-allied fighters known as the Giants Brigades have wrested control of the neighbouring energy-rich province of Shabwa and are now targeting Houthi lines around Marib city.

The rebels complained that the UAE’s “mercenaries” had intervened in the battle.

Saudi media reported on Monday that two ballistic missiles had targeted the south of the kingdom. The strikes injured two foreigners and caused damage to workshops and vehicles.

The Houthi attack on the UAE threatens the carefully constructed atmosphere of safety and security in the Middle East’s tourist and commercial hub, where many multinationals have established their regional headquarters.

Residents in Abu Dhabi said they were woken by loud explosions and flashes in the sky at about 4:20am.

“It was super scary,” said one, who lives on the main island of Abu Dhabi. “I think it was quite close. Lots of chatter in our compound WhatsApp group. Everyone was awake.”

The UAE defence ministry said it was “ready to deal with any threats and that it is taking all necessary measures to protect the state from all attacks”, the state news agency reported.

Nigerian Man Jailed 32 Years In Cyprus For Killing Fellow Nigerian

A Nigerian man, Sunday Osemeahon, was  sentenced to 32-year imprisonment by Jury  after he was found guilty of the murder of another Nigerian, Obasanjo Adeola Owoyale.

The accused person, Osemeahon had allegedly killed the victim, a family friend who had given him a lift after withdrawing a high sum of money from the bank, a Cyprus-based online news outlet, Olomoinfo reports.

Obasanjo was declared missing on July 1, 2019, but after eight days, he was found dead, wrapped in a blanket inside the trunk of his car parked in an open area near the Martyr Hussein Ruso Middle School in Lefkosia, capital city of Cyprus.

His feet were tied with a belt. On his head was a large cut, with a trace of his blood on a car found at the scene. An autopsy revealed that he died from a brain injury and from broken head bones.

The Cypriot police, during investigation, examined camera images around the area and identified the last place he visited, which led to the arrest of 11 people in an organized early morning operation in a three-storey apartment building located just about 200 meters from where the car was found.

Over 38 people were questioned during the period of investigation.

During investigation, police found blood stains on the wall of the apartment and took several items, including a knife and a blood-stained carpet, for examination. Forensics proved it was Obasanjo’s blood.

Police findings revealed that Obasanjo was murdered over a dispute concerning 32,000 euros (N15million) while about 36,241 euros (N17million) was withdrawn from his account during the period.

Following series of appearances in court, all those arrested, mostly Nigerians, were released from detention with no case brought against them in connection with the murder.

However, one of the suspects had left for Nigeria: Osemeahon. On September 29, 2019, he was arrested during immigration process at the Istanbul Airport in Turkey and handed over to Turkish Cypriot police.

According to reports, the suspect was traveling to Dubai when he was arrested but he claimed he was actually heading to Cyprus to clear his name.

He was taken to court the following day on charges of manslaughter and robbery. Police prosecutor told the court that the accused murdered Obasanjo on Monday, July 1 and then fled the country on July 4, 2021.

Judgment was delivered on Friday by a court in Lefkosia.

Fadil Aksun, president of the Lefkosa Heavy Penal Court, announced that the jury unanimously sentenced the accused to 32 years in prison. He said the accused accepted all charges of premeditated manslaughter, manslaughter, and robbery.

Aksun, who described the crime as serious and deserving of a long prison term, said the robbery element; defendant’s use of an assault weapon in the murder; use of barbaric and ruthless methods; and what he did to the dead body after the act were aggravating factors.

Man divorces his wife instantly during wedding reception over bride’s choice of music

A couple have set a new record for the shortest marriage after calling it quits at their reception venue because of the wife’s choice of song.

The groom divorced his wife following an argument during their celebrations in Baghdad.

According to local reports, the woman requested the Syrian song Mesaytara by Lamis Kan. The title translates to I am dominant or I will control you.

The song begins with the lyrics: “I am dominant; you will be ruled under my strict instructions, I will drive you crazy if you looked at other girls on the street.

“Yes, I’m dominant, you’re my piece of sugar. As long as you’re with me, you’ll walk under my command.”

The bride was reportedly dancing to the song and enjoying her wedding, but the groom’s family were not impressed resulting in a huge row between the two families.

This is not the first time this has happened. The song led to another divorce in Jordan last year.

Armenian President resigns over lack of power

Armenian President Armen Sarkissian resigned from office on Sunday January 23, complaining that he did not have enough power under the country’s constitution to implement necessary changes.  

In a statement posted on the presidential website, he attributed his resignation to “a paradoxical situation when the President has to be a guarantor of statehood without actually having any real tool.”

Sarkissian said;

“Because of the responsibility I assumed as the President of the Republic. I was obliged to do everything in my power to rule out further deepening of the internal division, possible clashes, which could lead to extremely negative consequences. I also sought to use my reputation and connections gained throughout my many years of work, my international political and economic potential to build a strong, stable state.”

He pointed out in the statement that due to the lack of appropriate tools endowed by the Constitution, he failed to influence the political events that led to the current national crisis.

The statement added that the president does not have the power to influence important domestic decision-making process which is important for the country.

Sarkissian stressed that the purpose of his proposal “was not to move from one model of government to another, but to create a state system based on checks and balances.”

Before his resignation, the former Armenian President was at the centre of a political crisis following an outbreak of fighting between Armenia and neighbour Azerbaijan, over control of the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

More than 6,500 people were killed in the six weeks of fighting, which ended in a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreement, granting Azerbaijan part of the enclave and surrounding areas.

The country has also been transitioning from a direct presidential system of governance to a parliamentary one after constitutional reforms were approved in a national referendum in December 2015. The parliament can elect a president with a three-quarters majority.

Under the new constitutional amendments, although recognized as the head of state, the president will hold a largely ceremonial role with real executive power lying in the hands of the prime minister.

Liverpool beats Crystal Palace in 3-1 win

Liverpool kept hope of a Premier League title race alive as a 3-1 win over Crystal Palace cut the gap on leaders Manchester City to nine points, while Arsenal missed the chance to move into the top four after being held 0-0 by Burnley.

Jurgen Klopp’s men also have a game in hand to come on the champions and face City away in April with the chance to further reduce the gap.

By the time Liverpool take the field again on Premier League duty, they should be bolstered by the return of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane from their international duties at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The visitors showed no sign of missing their talismen as they blew Palace away in the opening half hour.

Virgil van Dijk’s towering header from Andy Robertson’s corner opened the scoring just eight minutes in.

Robertson was the creator again when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doubled Liverpool’s lead with a calm finish.

However, Palace served warning of what was to come in the second half before the break as Alisson Becker had to make fine saves from Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta to keep the Eagles at bay.

The Brazilian spread himself brilliantly to deny Odsonne Edouard’s backheel, while Conor Gallagher somehow failed to turn in Olise’s dangerous cross in a blistering start to the second period from the hosts.

Palace finally got their reward with a brilliant move as Jeffrey Schlupp and Mateta teed up Edouard for a tap-in.

Alisson was needed once again to keep his side in the lead and turn Olise’s inventive lob behind.

But Liverpool’s two-goal cushion was restored in controversial circumstances a minute from time when a penalty was given after a lengthy VAR intervention for Vicente Guaita’s block on Diogo Jota.

Fabinho sent Guaita the wrong way from the spot to seal the points to Klopp’s relief.

Gunners misfire

Arsenal failed to bounce back from their League Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool in midweek as Mikel Arteta’s men were frustrated by a Burnley side that had not played a league game since January 2.

The Clarets have up to four games in hand on some of their relegation rivals and gave their hopes of survival a huge boost despite remaining bottom of the table.

Nick Pope kept the Gunners at bay despite enjoying over 75 percent possession and having 20 shots on goal.

Arsenal edge up to sixth but are two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Tottenham also have the chance to move into the top four when they travel to Chelsea later on Sunday.

Leicester’s hopes of European football next season were dealt a huge blow by conceding twice deep into stoppage time to lose to Spurs in midweek.

Brendan Rodgers’ men were again guilty of giving up a lead as Brighton secured a third consecutive 1-1 draw.

Patson Daka fired home on the rebound after Robert Sanchez had saved from Harvey Barnes in the first minute of the second half.

But Brighton levelled eight minutes from time when Danny Welbeck headed home Neal Maupay’s cross.

Imo: Policemen found roasted human bodies, skulls during a raid in kidnappers’ den

The Imo state Director of Security Services (DSS), Wilcox Idaminabo, has disclosed that security agencies discovered dead bodies, human heads and roasted bodies during a raid at the kidnappers camp last Monday.

Idaminabo made the disclosure while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

According to the security chief, the operation which led to the arrest of over 30 kidnappers, took place in Orsu local government in Imo state and Uli in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state.

The operation also saw the rescue of kidnapped Eze Acho Ndukwe of Ihube Autonomous community in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

Idaminabo said: “It was a joint security operation comprising the military, Police and the Director of State Services, DSS; we stormed the kidnapper’s hideout in a community In Anambra state and Orsu in Imo state.

“The community has been deserted and nobody is leaving there. The boys carved a large area of land and that is another form of insurgency; nobody is residing there.”

“In the cause of the operation the security forces were able to rescue Eze Acho, and we discovered a lot of decapitated bodies.

“I wonder, in the 21st century, we noticed that people still practice cannibalism here.

“We saw human flesh being roasted. It was an eyesore.

“We saw a lot of dead bodies. What they do is kidnap and kill some of them.

“Of course, they engaged the security agencies but we overpowered them and made a lot of arrests,” Idaminabo added.

“I have been dating billionaires my entire adult life” – Julia Fox confirms

Julia Fox is setting the record straight about her relationship with Kanye West and wants people to know that she is not with him for the clout or money.

On the latest episode of her Forbidden Fruits podcast, the American actress shut down speculation that she’s dating Kanye West for “fame,” “clout” and “money.”

“It’s funny cause I’m getting all of this attention, but I really couldn’t care,” Fox explained.

“People are like, ‘Oh, you’re only in it for the fame, you’re in it for the clout, you’re in it for the money.’ Honey, I’ve dated billionaires my entire adult life, let’s keep it real.”

The actress added, “When I was younger, I was such an attention seeker. I mean like ‘climb on top of the bar.’ It was always like ‘eyes on me.’ I had to get on stage at the concert. I had to make everything about me –– every situation about me. And as I got older and did work on myself, now I don’t need it or care for it or think about it. I don’t read any of the headlines or even see [them]. I just don’t really care.”

Fox’s comments come just a few weeks after the Uncut Gems star and the rapper’s relationship was confirmed by Page Six.

“Julia and Ye are dating,” a source told the outlet earlier this month. “They both just got out of their former relationships, and they’ve helped each other recover immensely… They’re kind of kindred spirits, and it’s cool to watch.” 

Days after she and Ye were spotted on multiple dates, Fox shed more light on their budding relationship with Interview magazine.

“His energy is so fun to be around,” she said. “He had me and my friends laughing, dancing, and smiling all night. We decided to keep the energy going and fly back to New York City to see Slave Play. Ye’s flight landed at six and the play was at seven and he was there ON TIME. I was impressed. After the play we chose to do dinner at Carbone which is one of my favorite restaurants. Obviously.”

‘Stowaway Man’ Survives 11-Hour Flight from South Africa to the Netherlands

A stowaway who hid in the front wheel section of a cargo plane miraculously survived an 11-hour flight from South Africa to the Netherlands.

Dutch military police said that man was found after he had squeezed into the wheel section below the fuselage.

He was found “doing well” despite the arduous journey after arriving at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport on Sunday, Jan. 23.

Border control officers said in a statement: “The man is doing well considering the circumstances and has been taken to a hospital.”

National police force Marechausse spokeswoman Joanna Helmonds said the man’s age and nationality had not yet been determined.

“Our first concern of course was for his health,” she said.

“This is definitely very unusual that someone was able to survive the cold at such a height – very, very unusual.”

A spokesperson for freight carrier Cargolux confirmed that the stowaway had been on a flight operated by Cargolux Italia.

“We are not in a position to make any further comment until the authorities and the airline have completed their investigation,” they said.

The only Cargolux freight flight arriving at Schiphol on Sunday was a Boeing 747 freighter that travelled from Johannesburg and made a stop in Nairobi, Kenya, according to Schiphol’s website and flight tracking data.

A spokesperson for the airport declined to answer questions about the incident, according to Reuters.

It comes after another man survived a gruelling flight while hiding in the landing gear.

On November 27 last year a man was found alive and well after stowing away in the landing gear of a plane traveling from Guatemala to Miami.

Why Buying ‘Tokunbo Trains’ for Lagosians ? — Opinion

A Rejoinder To Governor Babajide Sanwoolu Set To Buy More Than A Decade Second Hand Used Trains From Milwaukee, Wisconsin In United States.

The ingenuity of Babajide Sanwo-Olu in solving the problem of transportation in Lagos state by re-introducing the metro line, is a welcome development. However, there are questions, begging for answers?

One, what is the cost benefit analysis of these set of used and old trains? Cost benefit analysis is defined as a process of comparing the projected or estimated costs and benefits or opportunities associated with a project decision to determine whether it makes sense from a business perspective. Yes, we cannot completely run a government like a private company because of the strong consideration for human values.

In light of the above consideration for human values, I heard Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu saying it loud and clear; JOBS! JOBS! JOBS! In other words, the metro line will create a lot of jobs and reduce the unemployment rate in our society.

In addition, for the city of Milwaukee in United States to abandon the set of trains for more than ten years, one would have thought the trains are not cost effective and Lagos state will now be their dumping ground. Are we wise in Africa at all? Hmmm, what is wrong with African leaders?

However, will the benefits outweigh the costs of the project? This is because, the history of almost twenty four years of Tinubu dynasty in Lagos state, is saying otherwise.

A classic example is the controversial N4.5 billion naira Sunborn Yacht Hotel, ferried from London to Lagos waters by Army Officers’ Mess at Marina under the leadership of Babatunde Raji Fasola. It should be recalled that Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, the then Commissioner for Inter-Governmental Relations and Tourism facilitated the deal on behalf of the Lagos state government. The Custom-built yacht, with 102 suites, arrived the Lagos waters in November, 2008 and was abandoned, and rusted in the waters for four years. The contract was enmashed in controversy and, only for Lagosians to wake up one morning and discovered that the once cynosure of all eyes, has vanished into thin air. This was the last we heard about Sunborn Yacht Hotel and the rest is history.

Hmmmm, only God knows the huge amount of money that the Lagos State Government must have wasted on this project?

Again, what is the cost benefit analysis of the used and old trains?

Also, will this not be another bad experience like the Sunborn Yacht Hotel that hit the rocks after wasting taxpayers money?

Lagosians, please ask questions.

Two, what is the capital depreciation of these set of trains? In most cases, however, the value of the asset decreases as it is used up, and we call the phenomenon depreciation. In other words, the value of the capital assets decreases by an equal amount each year of its working life. Methinks, a set of used trains that have been abandoned for more than ten years, may not be too good for a state that prides herself as the second largest and fastest growing economy in Africa.

Three, do we have the technical expertise on the ground to maintain and refurbish these second hand set of trains or, are we bringing in foreign experts to maintain these set of trains? In Nigeria, we lack the inbuilt mechanism to maintain our infrastructures and equipments.

Suffice to say it, inculcating a maintenance culture is an inbuilt mechanism that ought to start from the beginning of a project. This is also part of the process of cost benefit analysis. Our local engineers did not build these set of trains and they may not have the technical knowledge of many components that constitute these set of trains and, relying on foreign experts to maintain these set of trains may be too costly. Again, what is the cost benefit analysis?

Lagosians, please ask questions.

Four, will the procurement department make available the details of all the payment transactions from requisition order to Bill of lading? The Freedom Of Information Act that was signed into law by President Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan on May 28th, 2011 has given citizens the right to ask government to give account of their stewardship with few exceptions. Yes, gone are the days when government contracts were shrewded in secrecy.

Lagosians, please ask questions.

Moreover, is this not another way of looting the treasury through procurement? In 2010 during the first term of Governor Babatunde Raji Fasola, Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo of blessed memory, an obstetrician and gynaecologist in Cook County Hospital in Chicago for many years, returned home to add great value to Lagos state medical system. He was appointed as the Chairman, Board of Management of the Lagos state University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). He facilitated the donation of large second hand medical equipments from Cook County Hospitals in Chicago to Lagos state.

One, did Tinubu and his cabal not change the deal from donation to buying the medical equipments?

Two, did they not sell all the medical equipments to Lagos state and pocketed the money?

Three, did Tinubu’s bosom friend, Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo not query the shady deal?

The last we heard of Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo, we were told he was drowned inside his own swimming pool in day light.

Hmmm, “àjẹ́ ké lánàá, ọmọ kú lónìí, ṣe kìí ṣe àjẹ́ ànọ́ ló pa ọmọ jẹ?” (“the witch cried yesterday and the child died today, was it not the witch that cried yesterday killed the child?”).

Yes, the mystery behind Dr. Nurudeen Olowopopo’s death has compelled many like me to ask, WHO KILLED DR. NURUDEEN OLOWOPOPO???

Yes, this is an unresolved death and the list is endless in this current dispensation.

In the final analysis, when we take into cognizance the history of shady deals in the life of Tinubu dynasty, are we not smelling another rat with Governor Babajide Sanwoolu buying used trains that had been abandoned for more than a decade from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in United States?

LAGOSIANS, PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

AGAIN, WHO KILLED THE ILUSTRIOUS SON OF LAGOS STATE, DR. NURUDEEN OLOWOPOPO???

ONLY TIME WILL TELL.

Source: By David Adenekan

Oh no! Over $1 Trillion Lost as Crypto Crash Continues

Investors are counting their losses this weekend as Crypto crash erases more than $1 Trillion in market value.

For Bitcoin, there’s only been one constant recently: decline after decline after decline. And the superlatives have piled up really quickly.

With the Federal Reserve intending to withdraw stimulus from the market, riskier assets the world over have suffered. Bitcoin, the largest digital asset, lost more than 12% Friday and dropped below $36,000 to its lowest level since July. Since its peak in November, it has lost over 45% of its value. Other digital currencies have suffered just as much, if not more, with Ether and meme coins mired in similar drawdowns.

Bitcoin’s decline since that November high has wiped out more than $600 billion in market value, and over $1 trillion has been lost from the aggregate crypto market. While there have been much larger percentage drawdowns for both Bitcoin and the aggregate market, this marks the second-largest ever decline in dollar terms for both, according to Bespoke Investment Group.

“It gives an idea of the scale of value destruction that percentage declines can mask,” wrote Bespoke analysts in a note. “Crypto is, of course, vulnerable to these sorts of selloffs given its naturally higher volatility historically, but given how large market caps have gotten, the volatility is worth thinking about both in raw dollar terms as well as in percentage terms.”

With the Fed’s intentions rocking both cryptocurrencies and stocks, a dominant theme has emerged in the digital-asset space: cryptos have twisted and turned in nearly exactly the same way as equities have.

“Crypto is reacting to the same kind of dynamics that are weighing on risk-assets globally,” said Stephane Ouellette, chief executive and co-founder of institutional crypto-platform FRNT Financial. “Unfortunately for some of the mature projects like BTC, there is so much cross-correlation within the crypto asset class it’s almost a certainty that it falls, at least temporarily in a broader alt-coin valuation contraction.”

Crypto-centric stocks also dropped on Friday, with Coinbase Global Inc. at one point losing nearly 16% and falling to its lowest level since its public debut in the spring of 2021, Bloomberg data show.

MicroStrategy Inc. tumbled 18% while the Securities and Exchange Commission said the company can’t strip out Bitcoin’s wild swings from the unofficial accounting measures it touts to investors. The enterprise software company’s pile of Bitcoin has effectively made its shares a proxy for the digital asset.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration is preparing to release an initial government-wide strategy for digital assets as soon as next month and task federal agencies with assessing the risks and opportunities that they pose, according to people familiar with the matter.

Antoni Trenchev,, Nexo co-founder and managing partner, cites Bitcoin’s correlation to the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100, which right now is near the highest in a decade.

“Bitcoin is being battered by a wave of risk-off sentiment. For further cues, keep an eye on traditional markets,” he said. “Fear and unease among investors is palpable.”

Take also the correlation between Bitcoin and Cathie Wood’s ARK Innovation ETF (ticker ARKK), a pandemic poster-child of speculative risk-taking. That correlation stands at around 60% year-to-date, versus about 14% for the price of gold, according to Katie Stockton, founder and managing partner of Fairlead Strategies, a research firm focused on technical analysis. It’s “reminding us to categorize Bitcoin and altcoins as risk assets rather than safe havens,” she said.

Meanwhile, more than 239,000 traders had their positions closed over the past 24 hours, with liquidations totaling roughly $874 million, according to data from Coinglass, a cryptocurrency futures trading and information platform.

Though liquidations have spiked, the numbers are relatively muted when compared to previous declines, according to Noelle Acheson, head of market insights at Genesis Global Trading. Acheson points out that Bitcoin’s one-week skew, which compares the cost of bearish options to bullish ones, spiked to almost 15% on Wednesday compared to an average of about 6% in the past seven days.

“This flagged a jump in bearish sentiment, in line with overall market jitters given the current macro uncertainty,” she said.

Kara Murphy, chief investment officer at Kestra Investment Management, said cryptocurrencies have a life of their own but that the recent slump is rational.

“It makes sense as people start to retrench a little bit, look for something that’s a little bit more solid, they’re gonna move away from crypto,” she said. “On the margin, with folks becoming more risk averse, crypto will suffer from that.”

4 women and others busted for selling drug cookies and noodles – NDLEA

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have raided a relaxation centre, popularly called Garden in Abuja and arrested six persons for selling drug cookies and noodles.

Following credible intelligence, operatives raided the garden at Wuse Zone 5 behind Shoprite, where a lady Rachael Famiyesun, 29, who deals in drug cookies was arrested along with her salesgirl, Stella Sunday, 20. Beside the cookies, they were also caught selling bottles of black currant drink popularly called Zobo prepared with cannabis.

Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy of the agency in a statement on Sunday, said that another business operator in the garden, Moses Obi, 30, was also arrested with his salesgirl, Aisha Abdulrahman, 19, for selling indomie noodles prepared with cannabis.

A barman, Ahonye Jonah, 31, who works with the owner of the garden, was equally arrested while one of their customers, 38-year-old Ngozi Justina Emelogu was also picked during the raid on Wednesday 19th Jan.

Two days earlier, officers of the FCT command of the Agency equally raided the Zuba Yam Market, where a drug dealer, Haruna Hassan was arrested with 19.3kg cannabis.

NDLEA raids Abuja garden, arrests four women, two others for selling drug cookies and noodles

Meanwhile, attempts by drug traffickers to export 1.53 kilograms of cocaine hidden inside hair cream to London, and another 880 grams of cocaine concealed inside synthetic hair to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as well as 3 grams of cocaine and 5grms of cannabis to Cyprus packed inside locally made shoes through two major courier companies in Lagos have been foiled by narcotic officers attached to the firms.

In Edo state, operatives on Tuesday 18th Jan. intercepted a Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. FKJ 897 DG (LAGOS) loaded with 360.4kg Cannabis sativa heading to Abuja and arrested the driver, Nurudeen Subaru, 42, in Auchi, Etsako West area of the state.

The following day, the Edo command officers also evacuated 111kg cannabis stored in a bush at Iruekpen, Esan West LGA while 276 compressed blocks of the same substance weighing 248.4kg were recovered from one Austin Okongwu (a.k.a Igwe), 45, at Agenebode, Etsako East while moving the drug in a Lexus saloon car with reg. no. ABC 583 MJ (ABUJA).

Also on Wednesday 19th Jan., a raid on a drug joint in the Edo state capital, Benin, led to the arrest of three drug dealers: Kelly Ogbebor, 38; Daniel Oviawe, 35, and Kelly Kenmakonam, 29 with different quantities of cocaine and heroin seized from them.

Different quantities of cannabis, methamphetamine and tramadol were seized from two suspects; Aliyu Abdullahi and Ishaya Emmanuel, when a commercial bus with reg. number GME711YX bringing them from Lagos to Yola, Adamawa state was intercepted along Abuja road by officers of the Plateau state command on Wednesday 19th Jan.

In Adamawa state, on Wednesday 19th Jan. the long arm of the law eventually caught a notorious drug dealer, Adamu Musa who has been on the run for nine months. His 31-year-old elder sister, Mrs. Hannatu Sini had been arrested on 16th April 2021, at Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa with 14.400kg of cannabis sativa and admitted keeping the exhibit for her younger brother, Adamu Musa who was subsequently placed on the wanted list of the command.

This is even as an ex-convict, Mrs. Modinat Lawal, was arrested in Kano on Wednesday 19th Jan with 22kg cannabis sativa she brought into Nigeria from Benin Republic. She had earlier been arrested, prosecuted and jailed for the same offence. The Ogun state born trafficker claimed then that her name was Bola.

While commending the officers and men of the FCT, Edo, Plateau, Adamawa, Kano and Directorate of Investigation and General Investigations for the arrests and seizures, Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) charged them and their counterparts in other commands to remain vigilant and always proactive.

NDLEA raids Abuja garden, arrests four women, two others for selling drug cookies and noodles
NDLEA raids Abuja garden, arrests four women, two others for selling drug cookies and noodles
NDLEA raids Abuja garden, arrests four women, two others for selling drug cookies and noodles
NDLEA raids Abuja garden, arrests four women, two others for selling drug cookies and noodles
NDLEA raids Abuja garden, arrests four women, two others for selling drug cookies and noodles
NDLEA raids Abuja garden, arrests four women, two others for selling drug cookies and noodles
NDLEA raids Abuja garden, arrests four women, two others for selling drug cookies and noodles

“General Abacha died in the night” – Abdulsalami recounts

A former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, has narrated how late dictator, Gen Sani Abacha died in 1998 and what he knew about his death.

In an interview with Daily Trust TV, Abdulsalami noted that the former dictator died during the night and the then Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie, broke the news to him.

Abdulsalami said, “A lot happened the day General Abacha passed away. He died I think the day he was to travel to Togo for, I think, the ECOWAs or AU summit.

“Now I got a call from the Villa that General Abacha wanted to see me. So, immediately what came to my mind, I said; I hope he had not changed his mind about going to this Togo and was going to send me because at that time when he passed away, already I was the de facto number two man because at that time General Diya and others were having problem on this alleged coup.

“So I suspected that the General had changed his mind and he was going to send me because in a lot of times, I am called upon to go and represent the head of state. So I took my time, when I went to the bathroom and I told my wife, “look I think I might be going to this AU Summit, so help me prepare my bag” but before I finished then there was another call.

“Yes, in the morning. Then there was another call; “look the president is waiting for you,” I said “okay I am coming”. So I casually put on my tracksuit since there was no time to dress in uniform and so on, since there was agitation that I was wanted immediately.

“So I came with my tracksuit, I think I was even wearing slippers. When I entered they said, “General is in the office”; so naturally when I come to the office, no matter who was with General Abacha I normally just go in and meet him and maybe he would say “Okay, wait, let me finish with this gentleman” or he will ask the fellow to give us chance.

“To my surprise when I came, as I was climbing the steps, somebody said “No, he said you have to wait in the waiting room”. To my surprise, I was in the waiting room for over 30, 40 minutes, then I kept wondering what was happening. Any time I wanted to go up, they said no, the General said I should wait.

“So after about 40 minutes waiting, then Late Coomassie, (Ibrahim Coomassie), who was the Inspector-General of Police came to where I was sitting and he said “Please come”. Instead of going up to the office, we followed out, he said “No, we are going to the house”.

“It was in that process he told me, “Look, unfortunately General Abacha has passed on in the night”. So that was how we went to the villa where General Abacha was living and as we entered, they showed me on the right where his corpse was, so I entered and prayed for his soul and so on.

“Then we entered the parlour where I found some gentlemen including I think…Coomassie of course was there then the chief justice of the federation, I think Ambassador Babagana Kingibe and one or two security operatives, I can’t remember everybody.

“Well at that time I was told he passed away and so on and at that time all these speculations did not arise until later on. All we were concerned was that okay, that the head of state has passed on, how do we now break the news to the country and so on and so forth.

“We were guided by the then chief justice of the federation saying that “Look, so much as there is the need to inform Nigerians about the passing away of the head of state, you cannot leave a vacuum, there must be a substantive head of state before you can go ahead with other things”. So I think that set up the chain of events.

“So immediately, as the chief of defence staff then, I quickly summoned for the council of state meeting. I was still in my tracksuit because there was no time, because it was really a shocking and devastating period we found ourselves. So it was later when we set up the meeting, that I had to go home and really get properly dressed.

“So now when I came back well dressed, by that time members of the military ruling council had started arriving, when we all assembled then we went to the meeting. Of all course we had to break the news although it had become a common knowledge between the members that his Excellency General Abacha had passed on.

“We had to tell the council of his demise and the advice given by the chief justice of the federation, that before we did anything there must be somebody to take over, so that he is in charge.

“It took time before the members of the council of state arrived. Of course in the chamber, there was a lot of interactions. Finally it was decided that okay we had General Useini who was then the most senior officer, so to speak, but he was in the administration, he was then minister of FCT and I was the chief of defence staff, so the issue was one of us should emerge as the head of state.”