Monday 28 November 2016
Accountant steals company’s $50,000, claims kidnappers took it
A 30-year-old accountant who earns a living working with a lubricant producing firm in Ikoyi, Eterna Plc, in Lagos State, identified as Femi Akinola, has been arrested by men of the Nigerian Police Force for faking his own abduction in an attempt to steal the company’s $50,000.
According to reports, Akinola was sent on an errand by his superior on Thursday, November 17 to withdraw the said sum from the United Bank for Africa in the Marina area but on getting back to the office, the suspect made up a story telling his boss he was kidnapped on his way back from the bank, saying his kidnappers dispossessed him of the money he was sent to withdraw.
His boss reportedly ordered his arrest and following police investigation, it was discovered that Akinola faked his own kidnap as he led security operatives to a fence of an unnamed primary school where he hid the sum of $30,000 inside a concrete block.
According to reports, Akinola was sent on an errand by his superior on Thursday, November 17 to withdraw the said sum from the United Bank for Africa in the Marina area but on getting back to the office, the suspect made up a story telling his boss he was kidnapped on his way back from the bank, saying his kidnappers dispossessed him of the money he was sent to withdraw.
His boss reportedly ordered his arrest and following police investigation, it was discovered that Akinola faked his own kidnap as he led security operatives to a fence of an unnamed primary school where he hid the sum of $30,000 inside a concrete block.
Tuesday 22 November 2016
Nigerian Cab Driver Fatally Shot In North Carolina
Members of the Nigerian community in Raleigh, North Carolina are mourning the shooting death on November 8, 2016 of Cyril Efobi, a long time resident of the city who worked as a taxicab driver.
On the day of his fatal shooting, Mr. Efobi closed early in the evening in order to go home and watch the US presidential election. After exchanging banters with some colleagues at the taxi company office, he packed up his laptop and stepped out of the office. A few minutes later, one of his colleagues sitting near a television heard gunshots outside the building. He panicked and quickly called the police. Within a few minutes, police vehicles arrived at the neighborhood located southeast of Raleigh. Once he saw the blue lights from police vehicles in the parking lot, Mr. Efobi’s colleague rushed to the door, but as he pushed it, Mr. Efobi’s felled body pushed back. Finally forcing the door outward, the colleague saw Mr. Efobi’s body in a heap, in a pool of his own blood. Raleigh police officers who responded to the emergency call pronounced Mr. Efobi dead at the scene from gunshot wounds. He was 56.
The surveillance camera caught the alleged gunman during and after the attack. Raleigh police are still investigating.
Mr. Efobi moved from Nigeria to Raleigh about 30 years ago to further his education. He graduated from Shaw University and made Raleigh his permanent home. Our correspondent could not ascertain whether the deceased, who lived alone, ever visited Nigeria again before his death. Friends said he had no wife or children and lived alone.
Two weeks after his murder, the Nigerian community held a candlelight vigil in front of the office where Mr. Efobi was gunned down. Members of the Nigerian community in Raleigh are making plans to raise funds to return Mr. Efobi’s remains to his natal community in Nigeria for burial.
Days after the gruesome murder, police released images of the suspected shooter from a surveillance camera. No arrests have been made.
credit: Sahara repoters
Monday 21 November 2016
Chelsea defeat Middlesbrough, top league table
The only goal of the game was scored by Diego Costa in the 41st minute, which gave them a sixth consecutive win and a sixth consecutive clean sheet.
Pedro came closest to doubling their lead, but despite their inability to grab a second, Middlesbrough were unable to do enough to get at Thibaut Courtois.
Read Also: Liverpool end winning streak, draws Southampton
The former league leaders Liverpool had a goalless draw on Saturday against Southampton, which has left Antonio Conte’s team to march on to the top. And they’re now looking every bit the title contenders that they weren’t in September!
credit:ripplesnigeria.com
Ugandan Head teacher confesses defiling his 14-year-old student, bribed her with money
Police in Mayuge, a district in Eastern Uganda, have arrested the head teacher of Nango township primary school for defiling an innocent 14-year-old pupil.
Farouk Kyeyango (pictured above) was on Saturday arrested after he allegedly defiled a primary 7 pupil who had just finished sitting for primary leaving examinations at the school.
The shocking incident was revealed when the girl’s mother, Grace Nambuya reported to authorities that her child had gone missing on November 3. Following several announcements passed on radio stations by the family, the Police finally got information that the girl was seen at the head teacher’s place.
The Police stormed his house and found the girl, leading to his arrest. Medical examination also showed that she had been defiled. In her statement recorded at Mayuge police station, she revealed that Kyeyango started having sexual intercourse with her since the first term of primary seven in exchange for money. According to the girl, he threatened to dismiss her from school if she ever reported him.
Kyeyango confessed to the crime, saying
“It is true we have been having a love affair and I had sexual intercourse with her only two times. I didn’t know that our affair would lead me to police. I ask for forgiveness and if God helps me to get out of here I will never do it again.”
The girl’s mother also revealed that the relatives of the suspect have twice visited her asking to settle the matter out of court but she refused. The police have since confirmed that their investigations are complete and the teacher would be charged to court for aggravated defilement.
Sunday 20 November 2016
killing in Zamfara, ‘25’ killed in fresh attack
At least 25 people were killed on Saturday night when gunmen stormed three Zamfara State communities, an official said.
The lawmaker representing Zurmi West in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Yusuf Moriki, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the incident occurred at Dole, Tudun Bugaje and Kwangwami communities in Zurmi Local Government Area.
Mr. Moriki said 25 were killed, while many others were injured during the attack.
“So far, we have the record of 25 people who were killed during the attack, while many others injured have been taken to hospital for treatment,” he said.
The bandits attacked the villages on Saturday night after carrying out similar attacks in some communities at neighbouring Shinkafi Local Government Area, the previous day.
Saturday’s attack occurs about two weeks after gunmen killed over 40 people in another attack in Zamfara.
Witnesses in the area said the gunmen, numbering over 70, rode into the mining site at around 3 p.m. on November 7 and shot anyone on sight, killing over 40 persons and injuring several others.
Another 40 people were kidnapped by gunmen in Maru Local Government Area of the state on Friday.
Speaking on Saturday’s attack, the police spokesperson, Dan Awunah, said seven of the victims were members of the communities where the hoodlums attacked. He told the News Agency of Nigeria that two others were policemen.
He said the Police Mobile Force and the Counter-terrorism Unit had been deployed to the area to restore law and order.
While speaking further on the killings, Mr. Moriki commended security agencies in the state for measures so far taken to restore peace and stability in the area, but urged them to do more.
He appealed to the people of the area to remain calm as the state government in collaboration with security agencies, was making efforts to restore peace and stability in the area.
He also urged them to continue to pray and seek God’s intervention in the insecurity challenges facing the state and the country.
credit: premimtimes
Egypt Head Of press bags Two-Year Jail Term
The head of the journalists’ union in Egypt, alongside two other colleagues, have been sentenced to two years in prison for “harbouring fugitives”.
A court in Cairo also ruled that Yehia Qallash and board members Gamal Abdel Rahim and Khaled Al-balshy, should pay a $630 bail, pending an appeal.
In May, police raided the union’s headquarters in the capital, arresting two opposition journalists.
The two had sought shelter in the building from arrest warrants.
They were accused of inciting protests against a decision by the Egyptian authorities to hand over two islands in the Red Sea to Saudi Arabia.
Also earlier in the year, dozens of Egyptian and foreign journalists were briefly arrested while covering protests over President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi’s decision.
He had announced in April, that Tiran and Sanafir would be transferred, during a visit by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman.
Critics of Mr Sisi have condemned the transfer of the islands as “unconstitutional and lacking in transparency,” while accusing him of selling the islands in return for a multi-billion dollar aid package, unveiled by King Salman during his visit.
credit: channelstv.com
Man killed his 3-year-old stepson for crying and defecating
The man identified as a 27-year old factory worker named only as "Tong"said he did it because the boy would not stop crying and defecated and urinated. He had hit the boy with a clothes hanger until he was unconscious. Then he took the boy into a toilet and forced water from a hose down his nostrils until he was dead.
credit: http://www.dailynews.co.th/crime/537328
World's largest space telescope ready to be launch in 2018
The world’s largest and most complex space telescope is finally ready after nearly two decades of construction.
Named after former NASA administrator James Webb, it will be far bigger and powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope, it is set to replace.
When it is launched into space in 2018, it will be able to peer in time, teaching us more than ever before about the origins of the universe. It will also be tasked with looking for signs of life on other planets.
Senior NASA Astrophysicist at the Observational Cosmology Laboratory, John C. Mather told a gathering: “We have done two decades of innovation and hard work and this is the result. We are opening up a whole new territory of astronomy. So we will see things that we haven’t been able to see before because this telescope is much more powerful than even the great Hubble telescope.”
The Telescope is equipped with a mirror five times larger than Hubble’s.
Powered by the Sun, the space telescope will be able to spot faint light from the very first objects that illuminated the universe and study every phase in the history of our universe following the Big Bang more than 13 billion years ago).
“We would like to know how did we get here from the Big Bang. I am hoping that we will find something that nobody knows is out there,” Mather said.
“So some little thing that happened in the early universe, that came before the galaxies, some way the black holes were formed, we don’t know where they came from. So that is a wide open topic for scientists and close to home, everything we know about planets out there has been a complete surprise. So I am expecting some more complete surprises about planets,” he added.
The Telescope’s greater power will also mean that it can see planets in greater detail, allowing scientists look for atmospheres, seasons and even weather or signs of life.
A cooperative venture between Nasa and its European and Canadian counterparts, the James Webb Space Telescope still has to go through a series of rigorous tests simulating the violent sound and vibrations it is expected to experience on its way out into space.
credit: africanews.com
Scores dead in train crash in northern India
More than 90 people are said to have died after a train derailed in northern India.
It happened in the early hours of the morning in the nation’s biggest state, Uttar Pradesh.
The train was travelling between the cities of Patna and Indore.
More than 150 people are said to have been injured. Some 30 ambulances were sent to transport them to hospital.
Many were said to have been asleep when the crash happened.
“All of a sudden, there was a massive jolt. Our heads collided with the roof of the coach as it derailed… We somehow managed to get out because the door couldn’t be opened,” said passenger Ravindra Pathak.
As rescue operations continue, emergency workers have been trying to free passengers who are trapped, using special cutting equipment. Fourteen carriages came off the track, three of them severely crushed.
It is still not clear what caused the accident. India’s railway system – the world’s fourth largest – has a poor safety record and derailments are frequent.
Suresh Prabhu, India’s Railways Minister, said in a tweet that the government would immediately investigate the causes of the derailment and promised accountability with the “strictest possible action”.
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credit: africanews.com
Friday 18 November 2016
Unilorin Hostel Update
Students who have made their school fee payment are to pick a ballot containing a yes or no, if you chose a yes, then you have gotten a hostel and if no, then you haven't gotten, then it boils down to luck on the part of the students.
best wishes.
Baby monkey breaks into a goat farm and picks its new mother
A baby monkey which was separated from its parents has reportedly picked its new mother from a flock of goats.\
The little monkey is from Jiangxi Province of China. He latches onto the back of its new found parent; a black nanny goat, following her wherever she goes.
The little monkey is from Jiangxi Province of China. He latches onto the back of its new found parent; a black nanny goat, following her wherever she goes.
Nigerian executed in Singapore
Chijioke Obioha, a 38-year-old Nigerian, has been executed in Singapore after being found guilty of drug trafficking, the local media reported on Friday.
Mr. Obioha was hanged in Changi Prison early Friday morning alongside a Malaysian national who was convicted on separate drugs offenses, the Straits Times reported, quoting a statement from the country’s anti-narcotics bureau.
Mr. Obioha was arrested in April 2007 after being found in possession of more than 2.6 kilograms of cannabis. The quantity surpassed the 500 grams threshold that triggers the automatic presumption of trafficking under Singaporean law.
He was found guilty in December 2008 and was sentenced to death by hanging. An appeal he filed was dismissed in 2010, the Strait Times said.
His execution came two days after he lost an appeal for clemency from the Singaporean government.
Amnesty International, which made serious efforts to overturn his death sentence, condemned the scheduled execution of Mr. Obioha.
“The death penalty is never the solution. It will not rid Singapore of drugs.“By executing people for drug-related offences, which do not meet the threshold of most serious crimes, Singapore is violating international law,” the rights group said on Wednesday.
credit: premiumtimes
Thursday 17 November 2016
Boko Haram kills 22 in Borno villages
Boko Haram insurgent attacks on communities in Borno state has left at least 22 people dead. Premium Times reports that the attacks occurred between Monday, November 14 and Tuesday, November 15 in Monguno local government area of the state.
According to Abbas Gava, a top official of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Borno, the villages attacked were Dasa and Duwabayi.
“We received the sad information from our colleagues operating in Monguno who said on Monday that gunmen attacked Dasa, a village about 3km away from Monguno during which they killed nine persons.
According to Abbas Gava, a top official of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in Borno, the villages attacked were Dasa and Duwabayi.
“We received the sad information from our colleagues operating in Monguno who said on Monday that gunmen attacked Dasa, a village about 3km away from Monguno during which they killed nine persons.
Tuesday 15 November 2016
Lieutenant Colonel B.U. Umar Killed By Boko Haram
Sources told SaharaReporters that Umar who is the Commanding Officer of the 114 Task Force Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Bita was ambushed along Bitta-Pridang Road in Borno state.
Umar and members of his troops reportedly came out of their armored vehicle to inspect a damage done to it by an IED laid on the side of the road when Boko Haram terrorists opened fire killing the CO and wounding several troops.
Thursday 10 November 2016
NEVER TRUMP- Protests Break Out Across American Cities
There were protests in cities across the United States on Wednesday against Republican Donald Trump’s surprise presidential election win.
This is in spite of defeated Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton having conceded and urged Americans to support President-elect, Donald trump, in ensuring sustainable development and ultimately a united America.
In New York, thousands of protesters filled streets in midtown Manhattan as they made their way to Trump Tower, Trump’s gilded home on Fifth Avenue. Hundreds of others gathered at a Manhattan park and shouted “Not my president.”
A demonstration of about 6,000 people blocked traffic in Oakland, California, police said. Protesters threw objects at police in riot gear, burned trash in the middle of an intersection, set off fireworks and smashed store front windows.
Police responded by throwing chemical irritants at the protesters, according to a Reuters witness.
In downtown Chicago, an estimated 1,800 people gathered outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower, chanting phrases like “No Trump! No KKK! No racist USA.”
Chicago police closed roads in the area, impeding the demonstrators’ path. There were no immediate reports of arrests or violence there.
“I’m just really terrified about what is happening in this country,” said 22-year-old Adriana Rizzo in Chicago, who was holding a sign that read: “Enjoy your rights while you can.”
In Seattle, police responded to a shooting with multiple victims near the scene of anti-Trump protests. Police said it was unrelated to the demonstrations.
Protesters railed against Trump’s campaign pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep immigrants from entering the United States illegally.
Hundreds also gathered in Philadelphia, Boston and Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday evening, and organizers planned rallies in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland, California.
In Austin, the Texas capital, about 400 people marched through the streets, police said.
A representative of the Trump campaign did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the protests.
Trump in his Victory speech earlier on Wednesday, had promised to uphold a united America and reclaim the nation’s destiny when he takes over.
He promised to be president for all Americans, saying: “It is time for us to come together as one united people.”
He also praised Clinton saying: “Hillary fought very hard. She has worked very long and hard over a long period of time. We have a sense of gratitude for her service”.
Donald Trump is set to become the 45th President of the United States as he won with 289 electoral college seats as against Clinton’s 218.
The Republican candidate won key battleground states – Florida, North Carolina and Ohio.
credit: https://www.channelstv.com/2016/11/10/anti-trump-protests-break-across-american-cities/
NEVER TRUMP- Protests Break Out Across American Cities
There were protests in cities across the United States on Wednesday against Republican Donald Trump’s surprise presidential election win.
This is in spite of defeated Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton having conceded and urged Americans to support President-elect, Donald trump, in ensuring sustainable development and ultimately a united America.
In New York, thousands of protesters filled streets in midtown Manhattan as they made their way to Trump Tower, Trump’s gilded home on Fifth Avenue. Hundreds of others gathered at a Manhattan park and shouted “Not my president.”
A demonstration of about 6,000 people blocked traffic in Oakland, California, police said. Protesters threw objects at police in riot gear, burned trash in the middle of an intersection, set off fireworks and smashed store front windows.
Police responded by throwing chemical irritants at the protesters, according to a Reuters witness.
In downtown Chicago, an estimated 1,800 people gathered outside the Trump International Hotel and Tower, chanting phrases like “No Trump! No KKK! No racist USA.”
Chicago police closed roads in the area, impeding the demonstrators’ path. There were no immediate reports of arrests or violence there.
“I’m just really terrified about what is happening in this country,” said 22-year-old Adriana Rizzo in Chicago, who was holding a sign that read: “Enjoy your rights while you can.”
In Seattle, police responded to a shooting with multiple victims near the scene of anti-Trump protests. Police said it was unrelated to the demonstrations.
Protesters railed against Trump’s campaign pledge to build a wall along the border with Mexico to keep immigrants from entering the United States illegally.
Hundreds also gathered in Philadelphia, Boston and Portland, Oregon, on Wednesday evening, and organizers planned rallies in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oakland, California.
In Austin, the Texas capital, about 400 people marched through the streets, police said.
A representative of the Trump campaign did not respond immediately to requests for comment on the protests.
Trump in his Victory speech earlier on Wednesday, had promised to uphold a united America and reclaim the nation’s destiny when he takes over.
He promised to be president for all Americans, saying: “It is time for us to come together as one united people.”
He also praised Clinton saying: “Hillary fought very hard. She has worked very long and hard over a long period of time. We have a sense of gratitude for her service”.
Donald Trump is set to become the 45th President of the United States as he won with 289 electoral college seats as against Clinton’s 218.
The Republican candidate won key battleground states – Florida, North Carolina and Ohio.
credit: https://www.channelstv.com/2016/11/10/anti-trump-protests-break-across-american-cities/
Tuesday 8 November 2016
FG Set To Shut Down MMM, Other Wonder Banks In Nigeria
The Federal Government of Nigeria is on the verge to wield the big stick on the insupportable activities of MMM and other wonder banks operating in the country – as regulatory authorities have unveiled plan to put them out of circulation.
Speaking on Monday, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim, stated that the regulators have set up a Committee to stem the nefarious activities of the fraudsters across the country.
Speaking during the NDIC Special Day at the 2016 Lagos International Trade Fair, the NDIC boss griped that in spite of pleas and warnings, Nigerians are still patronising the illegal fund managers.
Represented by the Director, Claims Resolution Department of the Corporation, Mr Bello Shittu, the NDIC boss, however, warned that all those who patronise these illegal funds managers are doing so at their own risk.
The Sun quoted him as saying:
“I wish to sound a word of caution to members of the public on the activities of illegal fund managers, otherwise known as Wonder Banks. It is worrisome to note that despite repeated advice, many unsuspecting members of the public are still falling victims to the mouth-watering interest being offered by these illegal fund managers.
Once again, I must sound a word of warning that those who patronise these illegal funds managers are doing so at their own risk. For the avoidance of doubt, these illegal fund managers or wonder banks are neither licensed by CBN nor under the NDIC deposit insurance coverage.
Members of the public are therefore advised to patronise only banking institutions that display the NDIC sticker: “Insured by NDIC” in their banking halls or entrances. However, the regulatory authorities have set up an inter-agency committee under the Financial Services Regulatory Coordinating Committee (FRSCC) to stem the nefarious activities of these fraudster across the nation”.
This is coming barely a week after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) warned Nigerians against patronising the scheme, MMM.
The Apex bank, via its head of the consumer protection, Kadija Kassim, stated that their activities were not regulated by it or any verified institution.
Kassim’s warning comes barely after the Minister of Solid Minerals and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, dissociated himself from the scheme, saying he has nothing to do with it or any other online financial aid community, projects or contracts.
Friday 21 October 2016
self-driving, talking bus- soon to be near you
(CNN)Self-driving cars are unlikely to reach the public until the next decade, but a self-driving bus will be serving - and talking to - US citizens within a year.
The electric shuttle from Local Motors named "Olli" is on trial in the Washington area, and the company is planning a commercial launch in 2017 in several cities including Las Vegas and Miami.
Olli can carry 12 passengers, and it is initially expected to provide public transport in closed network locations such as campuses and airports, before branching into new functions and locations.
The partly 3D printed vehicle is the first to integrate IBM's "Watson" cognitive computing technology, allowing passengers to interact with it and ask questions, such as what route the bus is taking and what attractions their destination offers.
"Many companies are working on autonomous vehicles," says Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers. "We hope to be among the first to make it real."
credit: CNN
Thursday 20 October 2016
baby with three biological parents
It was only a matter of time before the first baby was born with DNA from three parents.
Abrahim's birth will raise the hopes of any family affected by devastating diseases of mitochondria, the powerhouses found in every cell.
The boy's mum was affected by a disease called Leigh syndrome, a neurological disorder that had already killed two of her babies. It is caused by a defective gene in the mitochondria.
But by taking the nucleus - the yolk, in effect - from her egg and transferring it into the egg from a donor containing just the 'white', which includes the mitochondria, the scientists were able to produce a healthy baby.
It's a technique that has been carefully developed by UK scientists in Newcastle. It has taken them several years, largely because they have had to get permission from the embryology regulator every step of the way.
It has yet to be used clinically in Britain and any doctor hoping to use the technique would have to get special permission and then abide by tight controls.
But there are no such safeguards in Mexico, which makes many scientists uneasy.
In fact the team decamped from their base in New York to work over the border precisely because the technique is illegal in the US.
In this case the doctors only used the technique to create male embryos.
That prevents the genetic changes being passed on because mitochondria and the genes they contain always come from the mother.
So in Abrahim's case there won't be indelible genetic changes being passed down a family line.
But there are also concerns whether he will be monitored as he grows up.
In the UK doctors would have to regularly check there are no unexpected consequences from tampering with the egg - and they would proceed cautiously before rolling out the technique.
But that doesn't detract from the medical breakthrough.
It does, however, highlight the different standards of regulation that exist around the world.
Unscrupulous medical teams could in future take advantage of desperate families - and that should make us all uneasy.
credit: http://news.sky.com/story/three-parent-baby-breakthrough-sparks-concerns-10596134
