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Pakistan shut its airspace in February following tensions with India.

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Ffordd Pen Llech has taken the record from a street in New Zealand with a gradient of more than 37%.

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Uber wants to boost the number of female managers by tying some executive pay to diversity goals.

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Guinness World Records says the Harlech street has beaten the previous record holder in New Zealand.

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Three Australian newspapers wrongly accused the cricketer of lewd behaviour, a jury found in 2017.

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Four congresswomen dismiss the US president's defence of his controversial tweets.

The Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State, has expelled a female student of the institution, Anyaoha Goodness Ifeoma, and four other students over an allegation of sex-hawking online.

The institution made the decision after considering the report of the Students’ Disciplinary Committee.

The students, who had earlier appeared before the anti-cult unit and Students’ Disciplinary Committee, were said to have been expelled after making confessional statements concerning the allegation which was levelled against them.

An official letter from the school management, signed by Mr Chidi, I.M. for the Registrar partly read, “After investigations, the anti-cult unit and the Students’ Disciplinary Committee established a case of sex-hawking through in-message application against you and to which you had made confessional statements. Your activities constitute acts adjudged as major offense by the college as provided in the regulations guiding students’ conducts in the Students’ Handbook, page 102 No. 6.

"On the strength of the above, I have been directed to inform you that you are hereby expelled from the college with immediate effect."

“Furthermore, you are to surrender to the Dean, Student Affairs any college property in your possession, particularly your identity card. Be guided accordingly.” 
 

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A four-storey building has collapsed in Jos, the Plateau State capital, SaharaReporters can confirm. 

Many were reportedly trapped in the rubbles on Monday.

"It's a terrible scene this evening. I personally counted four corpses as they were pulled out of the rubble. The emergency services didn't arrive in time and it was the vigilantes that were assisting to dig through the rubble,” Jos-based journalist, Sani Yahaya Ibrahim, who witnessed the incident, told SaharaReporters.

He added, "I personally called the National Emergency Management Agency but it was like two hours after the incident that they arrived. A pregnant woman, who just gave birth, was trapped in the building as of the time I was there.

“I also heard that the landlord walked into the building just a few minutes before the building came down. Rescue operations are currently underway.”

Details later……

 

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Jacob Zuma, South Africa's former President, has told a judge-led inquiry that allegations of corruption against him are a conspiracy aimed at making him politically irrelevant in the country.  

Zuma was forced to resign his position as the president of South Africa in February 2018.

The BBC reports that Zuma was appearing for the first time at the inquiry, which is investigating allegations that he oversaw a web of corruption during his term in office.

The former president is accused of influencing cabinet decisions and winning lucrative state tenders based on his relationship with the wealthy Gupta family of South Africa.

In response, he said: "I have been vilified, alleged to be the king of corrupt people.

"I have been given every other name and I have never responded to those issues."

On his controversial relationship with the Gupta family, he said, "I never did anything with them unlawfully. They just remained friends, as they were friends to everybody else.

"Did I auction Table Mountain? Did I auction Johannesburg?" he queried.
 

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Jacob Zuma, South Africa's former President, has told a judge-led inquiry that allegations of corruption against him are a conspiracy aimed at making him politically irrelevant in the country.  

Zuma was forced to resign his position as the president of South Africa in February 2018.

The BBC reports that Zuma was appearing for the first time at the inquiry, which is investigating allegations that he oversaw a web of corruption during his term in office.

The former president is accused of influencing cabinet decisions and winning lucrative state tenders based on his relationship with the wealthy Gupta family of South Africa.

In response, he said: "I have been vilified, alleged to be the king of corrupt people.

"I have been given every other name and I have never responded to those issues."

On his controversial relationship with the Gupta family, he said, "I never did anything with them unlawfully. They just remained friends, as they were friends to everybody else.

"Did I auction Table Mountain? Did I auction Johannesburg?" he queried.
 

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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has launched an online petition signing, asking the United States of America to immediately withdraw the US entry visa issued to a former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje.

The call for petition signing followed an earlier petition sent to the US President, Donald Trump, through the US Secretary of State, Micheal Pompeo, and the US Embassy in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Goje was facing corruption charges, a N25bn scam until the Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation made a dramatic withdrawal of the charges.

HEDA stated that the demand is backed by the S.284 - Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, 114th Congress (2015-2016) particularly, Section 3a (3) & (4).

The group also referred to the US law which affirms  "ineligibility to receive a visa to enter the United States or to be admitted to the United States; or (B) if the individual has been issued a visa or other documentation, revocation, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)).” See Also Corruption N25bn Scam: Revoke Goje’s US Visa Now, HEDA Advises Trump 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

HEDA said: “Our demand is premised on corruption allegations of N25bn levelled against him and widely circulated by the media. Sequel to this, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission carried out detailed and diligent investigations for about 10 years, spending about N250m of taxpayers’ money, resulting in the matter being charged to court before Justice Babatunde Quadri of the Federal High Court, Jos, Plateau State.

“The matter was suddenly, in a dramatic turn of event, taken over by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice in June only and then withdrawn on the 6th July 2019 based on what the general public knows its for political expediency.”

The group stressed that the people of Gombe persistently suffer from flood and erosion, which is common to Gombe State.

It also claimed that Goje’s political standing had been stained with corruption allegations and is not fit to hold an American visa.

HEDA wrote, “We write this request to demand that a man of this kind of political standing with flags and stains of corruption allegations should not be allowed to hold an American visa or if he already has one, it should be revoked.”

To sign the petition, click here.
 

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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) has launched an online petition signing, asking the United States of America to immediately withdraw the US entry visa issued to a former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Danjuma Goje.

The call for petition signing followed an earlier petition sent to the US President, Donald Trump, through the US Secretary of State, Micheal Pompeo, and the US Embassy in Nigeria.

It will be recalled that Goje was facing corruption charges, a N25bn scam until the Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation made a dramatic withdrawal of the charges.

HEDA stated that the demand is backed by the S.284 - Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, 114th Congress (2015-2016) particularly, Section 3a (3) & (4).

The group also referred to the US law which affirms  "ineligibility to receive a visa to enter the United States or to be admitted to the United States; or (B) if the individual has been issued a visa or other documentation, revocation, in accordance with section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)).” See Also Sahara Reporters N25bn Scam: Revoke Goje’s US Visa Now, HEDA Advises Trump 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

HEDA said: “Our demand is premised on corruption allegations of N25bn levelled against him and widely circulated by the media. Sequel to this, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission carried out detailed and diligent investigations for about 10 years, spending about N250m of taxpayers’ money, resulting in the matter being charged to court before Justice Babatunde Quadri of the Federal High Court, Jos, Plateau State.

“The matter was suddenly, in a dramatic turn of event, taken over by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice in June only and then withdrawn on the 6th July 2019 based on what the general public knows its for political expediency.”

The group stressed that the people of Gombe persistently suffer from flood and erosion, which is common to Gombe State.

It also claimed that Goje’s political standing had been stained with corruption allegations and is not fit to hold an American visa.

HEDA wrote, “We write this request to demand that a man of this kind of political standing with flags and stains of corruption allegations should not be allowed to hold an American visa or if he already has one, it should be revoked.”

To sign the petition, click here.
 

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Some days ago, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) claimed it had paid over N2bn to settle outstanding fees of students undergoing its Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme.

Some of the beneficiaries of the scholarship have, however, alleged that the NDDC deliberately left out most of them and refused to pay their fees to their institutions of study.

They claimed that the commission was trying to victimise those who called out the commission on social media by excluding them from the payment.

“The NDDC said they are annoyed with us and did not pay our tuition because we called out the agency and we have given the agency a bad name.

“We've sent emails and up till now, no response. This is a deliberate act to remove our names from the list,” one of the affected beneficiaries told SaharaReporters.

Another beneficiary, whose tuition was not paid, alleged that the commission was making moves to revoke the scholarship of those who spoke ill of the commission on social media. See Also Education EXCLUSIVE: 2 Already Deported, More Than 100 NDDC Foreign Scholarship Beneficiaries At Risk Of Deportation 0 Comments 4 Weeks Ago

“Most of us who championed the cause of the campaign have not been paid at all.

“We have also been told that the NDDC wants to ‘discipline’ and revoke our scholarships and give it to other people. No penny has been given to us.

“They singled out people and they are making an attempt to victimize and revoke our scholarship.”

SaharaReporters had earlier reported how the non-payment of the tuition of beneficiaries led to the withdrawal of admission and deportation of the students.

Many of the beneficiaries are studying at Coventry University. Others are at the University of Leeds, University of Greenwich, University of Birmingham, and the University of Sheffield.

One of the beneficiaries studying at Coventry University has had his programme terminated. Another student, identified as Kevin, was studying at the University of Leeds but had his studentship revoked and was deported. 

NDDC payment

According to the commission, each beneficiary going for the doctorate programme abroad would receive N28,050,000 while those going for a master's degree would receive N9,180,000.

A breakdown of the payment shows that each beneficiary would get N10,000 for transportation, N500,000 as take-off grant and $30,000 for MSc while PhD candidates would be given $30,000 for three years.

Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, NDDC’s Acting Managing Director, in a statement by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, said: “NDDC has made payment (N2 billion) for NDDC scholars following the resolution of issues with the Central Bank of Nigeria which delayed remittance of the funds to the universities.”

The commission has begun the process to enrol students for the 2019 scholarship despite the non-payment of the 2018 beneficiaries.

Bambriafa said, “Of the 5,000 candidates that applied for the programme that 3,112 candidates had been selected to take part in the 2019 exercise.”

However, findings by SaharaReporters revealed that the claim by the commission is false and could only be regarded as a half-truth.

Attempts to reach the commission were unsuccessful as the top officials of the commission failed to answer calls and messages sent to them.

Calls to the Managing Director of NDDC, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa and Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the NDDC, Chris Oyirindah only rang out while Mr Okejoto Gochua directed our correspondent to the Corporate Affairs Department, who could not be reachable as of the time of filing this report.

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Nigerians on social media have reacted to the latest open letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Muhammadu Buhari.

While some praised the former President for speaking up, others pick holes in his statement.

Obasanjo through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, had on Monday released a letter that forewarned Muhammadu Buhari of the imminent crises that could engulf the country if some issues were not addressed.

According to the former President, the country is on the edge of a precipice and all hands must be on deck to prevent it from collapsing.

Obasanjo called for urgent actions to tackle Nigeria’s challenges and offered pieces of advice that could help combat the challenges.

Many Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the letter.

Olumuyiwa Ariyo wrote on Facebook, "Obasanjo is obviously not writing this letter for his own sake but for us. He is old and has achieved what anyone may be dreaming of. I pray the government listens."

On Twitter, @WickedResponses said, "Just imagine that Buhari listen to some of these good criticisms and fix Nigeria. Who will take the accolades? Is it Buhari or the critics?"

Also reacting to the letter in a Facebook post, Bassey Offor said, "I read through  OBJ's letter to Buhari. Some people are abusing him and calling him names. However, one would say that Obasanjo, though not perfect, is one of the greatest and most intelligent persons to have ruled Nigeria. Buhari should read this letter and act immediately.

Also commenting on Facebook, Sunday Gideon Gumut wrote, "I must confess the content of the letter encapsulated the present security challenges the country is faced with, and the potentiality of it escalating to a genocide which could lead to a total breakdown of the nation.

“Notwithstanding, I,  for one, would love to remind all Nigerians that we can only suggest to make comments and hope God provides Mr President with the right frame of mindset and the right hands on deck to check what's really going on in this country. Politics aside security(sic) is a menace to all, rich and poor, young and old so no need for sentiments. God bless you all."

Prince Felix Tewogbade Adedeji wrote, "This Obasanjo hasn't realized that Buhari doesn't even care he exists.

“The very first day Obasanjo started writing letters was the day Buhari asked the question "Where is the power after spending $16b"?

“However, there have not been official responses or rejoinder from spin doctors of President Muhammadu Buhari despite the fact that the social media is awash with comments on the open letter from Obasanjo."

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Nigerians on social media have reacted to the latest open letter written by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Muhammadu Buhari.

While some praised the former President for speaking up, others pick holes in his statement.

Obasanjo through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, had on Monday released a letter that forewarned Muhammadu Buhari of the imminent crises that could engulf the country if some issues were not addressed.

According to the former President, the country is on the edge of a precipice and all hands must be on deck to prevent it from collapsing.

Obasanjo called for urgent actions to tackle Nigeria’s challenges and offered pieces of advice that could help combat the challenges.

Many Nigerians have taken to social media to react to the letter.

Olumuyiwa Ariyo wrote on Facebook, "Obasanjo is obviously not writing this letter for his own sake but for us. He is old and has achieved what anyone may be dreaming of. I pray the government listens."

On Twitter, @WickedResponses said, "Just imagine that Buhari listen to some of these good criticisms and fix Nigeria. Who will take the accolades? Is it Buhari or the critics?"

Also reacting to the letter in a Facebook post, Bassey Offor said, "I read through  OBJ's letter to Buhari. Some people are abusing him and calling him names. However, one would say that Obasanjo, though not perfect, is one of the greatest and most intelligent persons to have ruled Nigeria. Buhari should read this letter and act immediately.

Also commenting on Facebook, Sunday Gideon Gumut wrote, "I must confess the content of the letter encapsulated the present security challenges the country is faced with, and the potentiality of it escalating to a genocide which could lead to a total breakdown of the nation.

“Notwithstanding, I,  for one, would love to remind all Nigerians that we can only suggest to make comments and hope God provides Mr President with the right frame of mindset and the right hands on deck to check what's really going on in this country. Politics aside security(sic) is a menace to all, rich and poor, young and old so no need for sentiments. God bless you all."

Prince Felix Tewogbade Adedeji wrote, "This Obasanjo hasn't realized that Buhari doesn't even care he exists.

“The very first day Obasanjo started writing letters was the day Buhari asked the question "Where is the power after spending $16b"?

“However, there have not been official responses or rejoinder from spin doctors of President Muhammadu Buhari despite the fact that the social media is awash with comments on the open letter from Obasanjo."

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Afenifere leader, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has asked Yoruba leaders to unite and find a lasting solution to the security challenges that are bedeviling the region and other parts of Nigeria.

Fasanmi said it was unfortunate that innocent people are  being killed like cows on a daily basis, owing to insecurity in the country.

He spoke on Monday while paying a condolence visit to Pa Reuben Fasoranti, over the killing of his daughter, Mrs. Olufunke Olakunrin.

The elder statesmen described the murder of Olakunrin by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen on the Ore express road as a "big tragedy" not only to the South- West region but Nigeria as a whole.

He said there is no longer sanctity for the lives of citizens of the country with daily reports of kidnappings, attacks and killings by gunmen in various parts of the nation.

He stressed that Yoruba people must come together, no matter their political affiliations, differences and address the scourge of kidnapping by suspected herdsmen who have already infiltrated the South-West.

He said, "It is a big tragedy for Nigeria, Pa Reuben Fasoranti is a man that I have known for the past 70 years. He is one of the best friends I ever had and his politics is without bitterness.

"His policy is that politics should not divide those God has joined together. What has happened is a big tragedy, not only for the people of Akure or Ondo State but to the whole of Nigeria.

"There is no adequate security in Nigeria. A situation where somebody will be killed like a cow is unacceptable; we are not cows.

"There is no respect for the sanctity of life and there is a lot to be done to ensure the security of the lives of people. In recent times, a lot of people have been killed in Yoruba land. Yoruba people, irrespective of their political affiliations, must come together and save the nation from an imminent catastrophe.

Describing Pa Fasoranti as an elder who has made a positive history in Nigeria, Fasanmi said the killers of his daughter (Olakunrin) must be arrested and brought to justice.

He added, "Fasoranti is an eminent Nigerian, leader and statesman and you cannot be talking of Nigeria history without mentioning his name.

"This is a big tragedy, not for him alone but for all of us and the whole of Nigeria. We must all come together to salvage this country from the forces of anarchy and tighten up our security so that lives and property can be safe.”

 

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Omoyele Sowore and Malcom Fabiyi

The African Action Congress (AAC) has accused Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja of deliberately refusing to release a copy of the judgment he passed in the case between the leadership of the AAC and the expelled Secretary of the party, Leonard Ezenwa.

It will be recalled that Justice Ekwo upheld the suspension of the National Chairman of the AAC, Omoyele Sowore, and Deputy National Chairman, Malcolm Fabiyi, on July 12, 2019.

In a statement on Monday, the AAC said, "Our lawyers applied for a certified true copy immediately after the judgment was read.

“Today, the court called our lawyer that only enrolled order is available and that the judgment will not be available until vacation is over in October.

"This means the case cannot be appealed while the expelled party secretary, Leonard Ezenwa, goes around scheming to hold a convention.

"This is what the judge has been doing since the case started. He also denied our lawyer the CTC of his interim injunction so that we won’t be able to respond to the case within seven days in May."

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Omoyele Sowore and Malcom Fabiyi

The African Action Congress (AAC) has accused Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja of deliberately refusing to release a copy of the judgment he passed in the case between the leadership of the AAC and the expelled Secretary of the party, Leonard Ezenwa.

It will be recalled that Justice Ekwo upheld the suspension of the National Chairman of the AAC, Omoyele Sowore, and Deputy National Chairman, Malcolm Fabiyi, on July 12, 2019.

In a statement on Monday, the AAC said, "Our lawyers applied for a certified true copy immediately after the judgment was read.

“Today, the court called our lawyer that only enrolled order is available and that the judgment will not be available until vacation is over in October.

"This means the case cannot be appealed while the expelled party secretary, Leonard Ezenwa, goes around scheming to hold a convention.

"This is what the judge has been doing since the case started. He also denied our lawyer the CTC of his interim injunction so that we won’t be able to respond to the case within seven days in May."

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Ajayi Boroffice, the senator representing Ondo-North senatorial district, has called on the Federal Government to  urgently address the issue of kidnapping in the country.

Boroffice made the call during a visit to the Akure residence of Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, whose daughter, Funke Olakunrin, was killed by suspected herdsmen.

He said, “The government, which I’m part of, should find a solution to this problem. The people in Ondo State will still carry out their businesses. You can’t ask them not to go out. In the senate, we discuss this issue of insecurity on a regular basis.

“I’m here in Akure now. I would have loved to go to Oka, my hometown, but the fear is that how do I move from Akure to Oka because there is a spot near Oba where these people (kidnappers) are. So, this issue is affecting everybody.

“It’s not something that we should feel unconcerned about. We are all concerned and I believe there is ongoing talks to find a solution to this problem.” 
 

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The UK PM calls attack directed towards Democratic congresswomen of colour "completely unacceptable".

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Mark Armstrong talks about his father, and the first ever Moon landing 50 years ago.

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Blue penguins keep visiting a Wellington sushi bar.

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South Africa's ex-president denies he oversaw a web of corruption during his term in office.

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They packed fishing rods into a 4x4 and drove alone through two states, but now face police charges.

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There are concerns The Gambia's new President, Adama Barrow, may try and cling to power.

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Servicemen and women trying to overcome the effects of war are digging at the Battle of Waterloo site.

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Nine people die when a plane carrying them for a parachute jump crashes in northern Sweden.