Home Blog Page 872

Bangladesh’s Supreme Court Overturns Quota System for Government Jobs Amid Violent Protests

By
admin
-
0

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Bangladesh’s Supreme Court on Sunday scrapped most of the quotas on government jobs that had sparked nationwide protests by students, leading to violent clashes and resulting in at least 114 people being killed in recent days.

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division dismissed a lower court order, directing that 93% of government jobs in the South Asian country should be open to candidates on merit, Bangladesh Attorney General A.M. Amin Uddin told Reuters.

“Students have clearly said they are in no way part of the violence and arson that have taken place in Bangladesh since Monday,” Uddin said by phone. “I am hoping normalcy will return after today’s ruling and people with ulterior motives will stop instigating people. I will ask the government to find out the culprits behind the violence and take strict action against them.”

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government had scrapped the quota system in 2018, but the lower court reinstated it last month, pegging total quotas at 56%, sparking the protests and an ensuing government crackdown.

Internet and text message services in Bangladesh have been suspended since Friday, cutting off the nation of nearly 170 million people as security forces cracked down on protesters who defied a ban on public gatherings.

Soldiers have been patrolling the streets of the capital Dhaka, where many checkpoints have been set up, after the government ordered a curfew late on Friday.

Scenes outside the Supreme Court were quiet immediately after the decision, a stark contrast to the chaotic protests that had erupted earlier. A military tank was stationed outside the court’s gate, indicating the high level of security in place.

The protests have led to some of the bloodiest clashes in the country’s recent history, with local media reporting 22 people killed on Friday alone as protesting students attempted to impose a “complete shutdown” on the country. Somoy TV reported 43 killed on Friday, while an Associated Press reporter saw 23 bodies at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka said Friday that reports indicated “hundreds possibly thousands” were injured across Bangladesh. It said the situation was “extremely volatile.”

The government has not shared any official numbers of those killed and injured.

The immediate challenge for the authorities is to quell further violence after police and protesters clashed at university campuses in Dhaka and other cities across the country. On Wednesday, universities suspended classes and closed dormitories, and on Friday, the Dhaka police said they were banning all gatherings and demonstrations in the capital until further notice.

Credit:Reuters

Gunmen Abduct Several Passengers in Nigeria, Killing Driver and Passenger

By
admin
-
0

Ondo State, Nigeria – Gunmen believed to be kidnappers have abducted several passengers after killing a commercial driver and a female passenger at Legbeka community, Ose Local Government in Ondo State, south west, Nigeria.

The Ondo Police spokesman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanyan, confirmed the incident, stating that policemen have been deployed to comb the forest to ensure the release of the victims.

It was gathered that two passengers were said to have escaped with injuries. Additionally, it was reported that a National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) member was among the passengers who were abducted.

According to a witness, the gunmen took over a checkpoint along the Akure-Benin highway after policemen stationed at the place had left. The witness said the driver thought the gunmen were policemen but realized too late after he had approached them.

“The criminals were at the police checkpoint. The driver thought they were policemen. It was when he attempted to reverse that they shot him and the passenger. He was shot in the head,” the witness recounted.

Credit: guardian.ng

Scandal Erupts as Fake Ghanaian Paralympic Team Absconds in Norway, One Dead

By
admin
-
0

Nine members of a fraudulent Ghanaian Paralympic team are currently at large in Norway following a visa scandal that has resulted in one death and one arrest. The incident, revealed in a letter from National Security Minister Albert Kan-Dapaah, has sparked an international alert and raised concerns about future visa applications for Ghanaian athletes.

The 11-member team, which obtained visas from the Norwegian Embassy in Accra under false pretenses, arrived in Oslo on April 25, 2024, allegedly to participate in the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon on April 27. However, the group failed to register for the competition, raising suspicions about their true intentions.

On April 26, team member Nana Antwi was arrested while attempting to leave Norway for Sweden on a one-way train ticket. Tragically, the team’s purported coach, George Gyamfi Gyasi, died on April 28 after being admitted to Oslo University Hospital following a collapse.

In response to the incident, the Norwegian Embassy in Accra has alerted all Western Diplomatic Missions in Ghana and the European Border Coast Guard agency to apprehend and repatriate the remaining team members.

Suspended committee chairman

Samson Deen, head of Ghana’s Paralympic Committee, has denied any involvement in the scandal, stating that his signature was forged on visa application documents. I have to put it on record that the Ghana Paralympic Committee has not sent anybody or sent a letter to apply for a visa,” Deen told Joy Sports Link.

The National Paralympic Committee of Ghana has indefinitely suspended Theodore Mawuli Viwotor, Yaw Ayisi, and the Ernestay Foundation for their alleged roles in falsifying documents and forging signatures.

This scandal could have far-reaching consequences for legitimate Ghanaian athletes, potentially affecting their ability to obtain visas for future international competitions. The Ghana Police Service is now investigating the matter, as authorities work to locate the nine individuals still at large.

The incident highlights the need for increased scrutiny in the visa application process for international sporting events and raises questions about the vulnerabilities in the system that allowed such a large-scale fraud to occur.

Credit: myjoyonline.com

Kenyan Authorities Arrest Two More Suspects in Connection to Dumpsite Serial Killings

By
admin
-
0

Nairobi, Kenya – Kenyan authorities have arrested two more individuals in connection to the ongoing investigation into the Mukuru case, where a suspected serial killer has confessed to the murders of 42 women. This follows the arrest of the primary suspect on Monday, who police believe is responsible for the serial killings.

On Tuesday, police apprehended Amos Momanyi Mogusu outside a bar in Nairobi. According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Mogusu was tracked down using the mobile phone of one of the victims, Roselyn Akoth, which was found in his possession.

The second arrest involved Moses Ogembo, a resident of Mukuru, who sold the phone to Mogusu. During a search of Ogembo’s residence, investigators discovered 154 mobile phones. Under questioning, Ogembo admitted to purchasing several second-hand smartphones from Collins Jumaishi Kalusha, the primary suspect in this case.

In a statement, the DCI reported finding additional incriminating evidence in Kalusha’s apartment, including a blood-stained pillowcase, a t-shirt, and various tools such as a hammer, pliers, knives, and scissors.

Despite initially confessing, Kalusha has since retracted his statements. During a Wednesday hearing at the Makadara Court to determine his pre-trial detention, Kalusha’s lawyer argued that the confessions were obtained under torture. Nevertheless, the judge extended Kalusha’s detention by 28 days.

Addressing public concerns, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura clarified that the bodies found in a quarry are unrelated to recent protests. Mwaura emphasized that the 10 bodies discovered in Kware are linked to femicides, not political killings, countering suspicions from civil society groups following the case.

Credit: africanews.com

Nollywood Actor Among Billionaire Kidnappers Killed in Lagos Police Encounter

By
admin
-
0

Lagos, Nigeria – Barely a few hours after police forces mowed down nine notorious billionaire kidnappers who had long terrorized Lagos and its environs, it has emerged that a popular Nollywood actor and producer based in Port Harcourt, identified simply as Odee, was among those killed in the police encounter.

Popular Nigerian actor Prince Henry Ode

Initial skepticism over the report continues to linger; however, it has been authoritatively confirmed that the actor and producer was one of the billionaire kidnappers killed by detectives from the Commissioner of Police Special Squad in the Ladipo area of Lagos. Sunday Vanguard learned that since the news broke, detectives have been making frantic efforts, carrying out both electronic and intelligence investigations to identify the kidnappers they confronted at the popular Ladipo spare parts market where they attempted to kidnap a wealthy businessman.

Ode and another popular Nollywood actor now a pastor.

Further investigations revealed shocking details when police recovered four mobile phones from the pockets of the deceased kidnappers and other vital personal items. Police sources said the first shocking discovery made by detectives was that the two vehicles used by the kidnappers – a Lexus 350 Jeep and a 4Runner Jeep – belonged to the actor, Odee. Both vehicles were discovered to be their operational vehicles and were duly registered in his name.

Prince Henry Ode

Additionally, the two mobile telephones they used for operations were also registered in the name of the actor but contained pictures of two yet-to-be-identified men. One of the phones, sources said, was used to coordinate their nefarious activities, and every other relevant communication regarding the kidnappers’ operations was in his name.

Sunday Vanguard also gathered that while detectives are working hard to unravel the true identities and connections of the kidnappers killed during the encounter, investigations are paying off as they have begun to piece together the entire operation network. Further intelligence has revealed that Odee and his gang were living together in some suburbs of Lagos. However, they had multiple hideouts where they operated from, making it difficult for the police to track their movements until the fateful encounter at Ladipo.

Nigeria-Based Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin Criticized for Selling Miracle Soap and Other Spiritual Items

By
admin
-
0

Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria – Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, has sparked controversy following the unveiling of his miracle soap, shirt, perfume, and mustard seed.

Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin, founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry

Known affectionately as Papa J, Prophet Fufeyin and his wife announced in a Facebook video that sales of these miracle items would begin at their upcoming program, “Break the Limit,” scheduled for August. The announcement has since drawn significant attention and criticism.

Activist VDM among the pastor’s critics.

During a Facebook live session titled “The Importance of Spiritual Items of God,” Prophet Fufeyin claimed that the soap possesses the power to cure any disease, specifically aiding those experiencing disappointment, failure, and delays in achieving their life goals. He further asserted that the soap had government approval and that the mustard seed, a gift from God, could overcome obstacles for those facing unforeseen building challenges after purchasing land.

The announcement was met with sharp criticism from Abel Damina, Senior Pastor of Abel Damina Ministries and CEO of Kingdom Life Network. During one of his services, Damina condemned the sale of such items, calling it a significant deviation from God’s authentic principles.

In a widely circulated video, Damina said, “Somebody says his candles, soap, and perfume are spiritual items. Jesus used mud and clay, Paul used handkerchief, Peter used shadows, but nobody paid for those things. They were freely given. But his soap is 1000USD (N1.4m) for one soap and he calls it spiritual items. That’s a business, my friend. You have turned to a house of merchandise,” he added.

Credit: Punchng.com

Nigerian Church Choir, MFM Mountain Top Chorale Wins Two Gold Medals at 2024 World Choir Games in New Zealand

By
admin
-
0

Auckland, New Zealand – The MFM Mountain Top Chorale, affiliated with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Worldwide, won two gold medals at the prestigious 2024 World Choir Games, held in Auckland, New Zealand.

The announcement was made by the General Overseer of MFM, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, who had previously expressed his pride in the choir representing Nigeria on the global stage. Olukoya took to Facebook on Saturday to congratulate the choir, saying, “Congratulations to the #mountaintopchorale who won two gold medals.”

Representing Nigeria, the choir joined over 11,000 singers from more than 30 countries in Auckland for the largest choral competition in the world. The 2024 World Choir Games featured performances from a diverse range of international choirs.

The MFM Mountain Top Chorale’s performance included “Ekiti Medley,” composed by Dr. Daniel Olukoya and arranged by #seunowoaje along with a host of other compositions. The choir’s efforts earned them gold medals in the Champions Competition category, specifically in Category C19 (Contemporary Music Mixed Voices) and Category C22 (Spiritual).

The results of the Champions Competition category were released by the World Choir Games, highlighting the choir’s significant achievements. Additionally, the MFM Mountain Top Chorale has qualified to participate in future INTERKULTUR major events, including the World Choir Games’ Champions Competition and the World Choir Championships’ Champions Round, for the next five years.

The World Choir Games is a prestigious international competition that brings together some of the finest choirs from around the globe, celebrating musical excellence and cultural diversity.

Credit: Punchng.com

Lionel Messi Honored at Inter Miami Game Despite Ankle Injury

By
admin
-
0

Lionel Messi, sidelined indefinitely with an ankle injury, was honored at Chase Stadium during a pre-game ceremony before Inter Miami’s match against the Chicago Fire on Saturday night. The celebration highlighted Messi’s record 45 titles and Argentina’s recent Copa America victory.

Messi, wearing a protective boot on his right foot, limped to midfield alongside team owner Jorge Mas. They stood on a circle that read “Lionel Messi 45 Titles” as the scoreboard displayed highlights of Messi’s illustrious career and Argentina’s 2024 Copa America triumph.

Jorge Mas addressed the crowd, saying, “Tonight we are celebrating the greatness of Lionel Messi, who has won more titles than anybody in the history of soccer. And I’m sure the 45 titles will not stay at 45.”

Messi injured a ligament in his right ankle during the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium last Sunday. Coach Tata Martino stated that Messi’s recovery will be evaluated weekly, emphasizing that the club won’t rush his return.

Despite Messi’s absence, Inter Miami has been performing well, boasting a 5-1 record in their last six games without him. The team currently leads the MLS standings with 50 points, two ahead of second-place Cincinnati.

In Saturday’s game, Inter Miami took an early lead against Chicago when Matias Rojas scored at the six-minute mark, assisted by Robert Taylor. The team dominated the first half but couldn’t extend their lead, entering halftime with a 1-0 advantage.

Luis Suarez returned to the starting lineup after limited play in the previous game. Notable absences included Benjamin Cremaschi and Diego Gomez, who are in France preparing for the Paris Olympics.

The match attracted celebrities, with U.S. national team star Christian Pulisic and Miami Heat player Tyler Herro spotted in the crowd. Inter Miami players debuted the club’s third uniform, a retro aqua kit with orange trim reminiscent of Miami Vice and the Miami Dolphins.

As Inter Miami continues to perform well without Messi, fans and the team alike eagerly await his return to the field, hoping his recovery progresses smoothly.

Uganda President Museveni Warns Anti-Corruption March Organizers to Drop Plans or Face Consequences

By
admin
-
0

Kampala, Uganda – President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern warning to the organizers of next week’s anti-corruption march, urging them to abandon their plans or face severe repercussions.

“Some elements, especially the opposition, are working with foreigners to ferment chaos in Uganda with illegal and inconsiderate processions. They should check themselves, or we will have no alternative but to check them,” Museveni stated during his national address on Saturday evening.

A group of activists has planned to march to parliament on Tuesday to express their discontent over corruption in the August House. The organizers have called on members of the public to join them in this demonstration.

Addressing the nation, President Museveni criticized the planned protests, calling it foolhardy for some people to want to destroy what has been achieved by “wealth creators.”

“This huge amount of food we eat is produced by us, the wealth creators, and everybody benefits. We are busy producing wealth and you here want to disturb us! You are playing with fire. We cannot allow you to disturb us,” Museveni warned.

He further cautioned, “When you hear people talking of demonstrations, when you do it in a place like Kampala where people are selling on the roadside, are you going to step in their products? You are playing. Don’t have such ideas in your head.”

Museveni advised the organizers of the planned demo to use Kololo independence grounds and hold their protests from there on a day like Sunday, which is not busy. He emphasized that such activities should not be allowed to disrupt the daily lives and businesses of Ugandans.

President Assad’s Baath Party Secures Parliamentary Majority in Syrian Elections

By
admin
-
0

Syria’s parliamentary elections, held on Monday, have resulted in President Bashar Assad’s Baath Party and its allies securing a majority of seats, as announced by election officials on Thursday. The vote, which took place across 8,151 centers in government-held areas, saw 1,516 candidates competing for 250 parliamentary seats.

The Baath Party and its allied parties presented a list of 185 candidates, all of whom won seats as expected. This marks an increase from the 177 seats the coalition secured in the 2020 elections. The remaining 65 seats were open for competition among other candidates.

Jihad Murad, head of the Supreme Judicial Committee for Elections, stated that the results “reflected the broadest representation of the Syrian people in their various groups and sectors.” However, the election process was not without controversy. Voting had to be repeated in several districts, including Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, and Daraa, due to reported irregularities such as double voting. Some electoral center heads were referred to the judiciary for alleged violations.

Voter turnout was reported at 38% of the 19.2 million eligible voters. Notably, Syrians in the diaspora were not eligible to participate in these parliamentary elections, unlike in presidential votes.

This election, the fourth since the onset of Syria’s civil war in March 2011, holds particular significance as President Assad faces term limits that would end his presidency in 2028. There is widespread expectation that the new parliament will attempt to pass a constitutional amendment to extend Assad’s term. Such an amendment would require a three-quarters majority, or 188 votes, just slightly more than the number of seats held by the Baath Party and its allies.

The election results and the potential for a constitutional amendment underscore the continued dominance of Assad’s regime in Syrian politics, despite the ongoing challenges faced by the country after years of conflict. As Syria moves forward, the international community will be closely watching the actions of this new parliament and their implications for the country’s political future.

1...871872873...989Page 872 of 989