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 Uganda signs deal with UAE to build third international airport Uganda has signed a pact with a business association from the United Arab Emirates to build a new international airport, President Yoweri Museveni's office said on Friday. The UAE's Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry will build the airport just outside the Kidepo National Park in the northeast near Uganda's border with Kenya, Museveni's office said in a statement, without giving the cost, Reuters reported. Construction will start in August, said Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, chairman of the Sharjah business body. The airport will boost tourism by drawing visitors to the 1,442-sq-km (557-sq-mile) Kidepo park known for lions, giraffes, buffaloes and other big game. The agreement was "a sign of the deepening relations with our Gulf partners and another opportunity to co-operate in investment and trade", Museveni, who witnessed the signing, said in a post on X.

 "We are ready to fight," President Kagame responds to DRC In an exclusive interview with France 24, Rwandan President Paul Kagame declared Rwanda's readiness to go to war with the Democratic Republic of Congo if necessary, stating, 'they are ready to fight and are not afraid of anything.' This follows accusations from Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, who claimed Rwanda is organizing a genocide in Eastern DRC. Kagame responded by accusing Tshisekedi of promoting a genocidal ideology against Congolese Tutsis. Kagame also refused to confirm the presence of Rwandan soldiers in the DRC, emphasizing the need to address the root causes of regional tensions. These statements underscore the rising tensions between Rwanda and the DRC and highlight the challenges facing Kagame as the election approaches." The decades-long conflict in eastern Congo has produced one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with over 100 armed groups fighting in the region, most for...

 EFCC Arrests Fake State House Staff  for N22m Employment Scam Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes commission, EFCC, have arrested a syndicate of fake State House Staff in Abuja for alleged criminal conspiracy, false representation and employment scam. The suspects were arrested separately following investigation on  petitions by various victims who were promised jobs as “Directors General” at the Ministry of Communication, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC and other ministries. The suspects are; Augustine Enamegbai Umogboi, who claimed to be a former staff of the State House, Eleojo Josephine Idakwo, a fake staff of the Ministry of Information in the Registry Unit, and Kingsley Onuh who also claimed that he just concluded  his National Youth Service Corps, NYSC.   Others are Omata Sunday and Eljayon Nigeria Limited, one of the companies which bank account they were using to get money from their v...

 Death toll linked to methanol-laced liquor illegally brewed in India rises to 47 The death toll from the latest case of tainted liquor in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has climbed to 47, with over 100 people still in hospital, a government official said on Friday. Since Wednesday more than 150 people, suffering from vomiting, stomach aches and diarrhea, have needed treatment after drinking methanol-mixed liquor made in the Kallakurichi district, about 150 miles from the state capital Chennai. On Friday morning, 118 people were still being treated in hospitals in the district and nearby areas, the government official said. On Thursday, a government spokesperson said at least 36 people had died. Police arrested four people over illicit liquor sales and seized 200 liters of the alcoholic drink, the state government said on Thursday, adding that it had taken disciplinary action against 10 officials for failure to prevent it. Deaths from illegally produced alcohol, known loca...

 After Hezbollah threatens Cyprus, Lebanese officials try to preserve friendly relations Lebanese government officials worked Thursday to maintain friendly relations with Cyprus a day after the militant Hezbollah group threatened to attack the Mediterranean island if it allows Israel to use its territories to attack Lebanon. Lebanon's state news agency said Foreign Minister Abdallah Bouhabib told his Cypriot counterpart that Beirut relies on the positive role that Cyprus plays in support of stability in the Middle East. Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned Cyprus in a rare threat not to allow Israel’s military to use its airports on the island to bomb Lebanon should a full-blown war break out between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.  Some Lebanese media outlets reported earlier Thursday that the Cypriot embassy was closed, but the mission later clarified that they were not accepting visa applications for administrative updates and the embassy will be introducing an ap...

 China silent as Russia and North Korea forge new defense pact, raising regional power shift concerns With no obvious options, China appears to be keeping its distance as Russia and North Korea move closer to each other with a new defense pact that could tilt the balance of power among the three authoritarian states. Experts say China's leaders are likely fretting over potential loss of influence over North Korea after its leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the deal this week, and how that could increase instability on the Korean Peninsula. But Beijing may also be struggling to come up with a response because of its conflicting goals: keeping peace in the Koreas while countering the U.S. and its Western allies on the global stage. Beijing so far has not commented on the deal — which requires both countries to provide defense assistance if the other is attacked — and only reiterated boilerplate statements that it seeks to uphold peace and stability on the...

 Israeli flag stolen from Maryland medical office, doctor demands suspect be charged with hate crime One Maryland doctor is speaking out after he had an Israeli flag stolen from his office, demanding the perpetrator be held responsible for a hate crime.  Dr. John Parkerson caught the thief on camera stealing an Israeli flag flying in front of his office in Baltimore. He joined "Fox & Friends First" to explain why he believes the suspect should be held responsible for a hate crime.   "It's absolutely hateful. It's the same fellow… it's my business, my property," Parkerson told Todd Piro on Friday. "The anger in his face, you can see it's just awful." "I feel violated," he continued. "It's just an affront… to decency. It's evil. This is a hate crime. I've got my guard up, but I'm not going to be intimidated by this." Parkerson first caught a thief ripping an Israeli flag down in May, and most recently a...

 Supreme Court upholds federal gun ban for those under domestic violence restraining orders The Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bans guns for those subject to domestic violence restraining orders (DVROs) in the first major test of the Second Amendment at the high court this term. In an 8-1 opinion authored by Chief Justice Roberts, the court's majority said, "[W]e conclude only this: An individual found by a court to pose a credible threat to the physical safety of another may be temporarily disarmed consistent with the Second Amendment." Justice Clarence Thomas was the lone dissenter. Both liberal and conservative justices agreed with the Biden administration that there was a history and tradition of keeping firearms from dangerous persons, despite the lack of any specific ban that may have been in place when the Constitution was enacted in the 1790s. The case, U.S. v. Rahimi, is first major test of the Second Amendment since a high court ruling in 2022 ex...

 UK PM Sunak 'incredibly angry' over allegations of illegal bets on election date by Conservatives British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Thursday that anyone involved in using inside information to bet on the date of Britain’s July 4 national election should be expelled from his Conservative Party. Sunak said on the BBC that he was "incredibly angry, incredibly angry" to learn of allegations that Conservative politicians bet on the election date, and that they "should face the full force of the law" if they were found to have broken the law. "It's right that they are being investigated properly by the relevant law enforcement authorities," he said. "If anyone is found to have broken the rules, not only should they face the full consequences of the law, I will make sure that they are booted out of the Conservative Party." Two weeks ahead of the general election, it was an uncomfortable experience for Sunak, whose Conservative Party i...

 ICE arrests illegal immigrant previously convicted of child rape, multiple DUIs Enforcement and Removal Operations officers arrested an illegal migrant this week who was previously convicted of sexually abusing a child and multiple other crimes. Enforcement and Removal Operations Baltimore (ERO Baltimore) arrested 39-year-old El Salvadorean national Luis Portillo-Henriquez on June 10, according to a report published Tuesday. "Luis Portillo-Henriquez has been convicted of sexually abusing a Maryland child," ERO Baltimore Field Office Director Matthew Elliston said in a statement following the arrest. "He represented a significant threat to the children of our Maryland neighborhoods."  "ERO Baltimore continues to prioritize public safety by apprehending and removing the most egregious noncitizen offenders from our communities," Elliston continued. "We are only out for the worst of the worst." According to the report, Portillo-Henriquez was first c...

 Hofstra University stabbing: 6 face gang assault charges for attack after charter school graduation.  Six people have been arrested and now face gang assault charges in connection to a stabbing this week following a charter school graduation at Hofstra University on New York’s Long Island.  The Nassau County Police Department says Isaiah Moore, 19, Devon Moore, 19, Taiwan Jackson, 23, Unique Pruitt, 21, Devon Fenner, 18, and Zachariah Fulton, 19, all from Hempstead, New York, have been taken into custody in the wake of Wednesday’s incident right after the Uniondale Charter School ceremony.  "According to Detectives, Third Precinct officers responded to 1000 Hempstead Turnpike for an Assault," police said in a statement. "Upon arrival, it was determined that two male victims were involved in an altercation. The altercation escalated and resulted in one victim being slashed on the back of his left thigh and one victim was slashed on his right ear."  Newsmen repor...

 Customs Hits N4.49 Trillion Revenue, As CGC Adeniyi Marks One Year in Office The Nigeria Customs Service says it has recorded a total revenue collection of N4.49 trillion between June 2023 and May 2024, a remarkable 74% growth when compared to the N2.58 trillion collected during the corresponding period of the previous year.  The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made this known during a press briefing at the Service Headquarters in Abuja on 19 June 2024 to commemorate his first anniversary in office.  According to him, this achievement was underpinned by a sustained increase of 70.13% in average monthly revenue collection compared to the previous year. "NCS recorded an average monthly revenue collection of N 343 billion, compared to the N202 billion monthly average". "Notably, there was a  substantial 122.35% rise in revenue collection during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year", the CGC stated. He attrib...

 Press Release  Binance Executive Facing Lawful Trial Has Access to Quality Medical Care - FG   It has become necessary for the Federal Government of Nigeria to address claims that Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan is being held in unsavory prison conditions in Nigeria, or that his health is deteriorating. We would like to state that these allegations are false and should be ignored.  Gambaryan is being held in lawful detention and has access to quality medical care whenever required. He also has full access to consular services from his home government.  The Federal Government will not do anything to jeopardize his fundamental rights to lawful trial, and to quality care, including healthcare, even as he undergoes trial by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  It is worth reiterating that his detention is a court-ordered one, and only the court can alter the terms or direct his release.  The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to foll...

 Abiodun Commiserates With Ifonyintedo Community Over Demise Of Oba Adesiyan The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has commiserated with the family members, people of Ifonyintedo and the entire Ipokia Local Government over the demise of the Olu of Ifonyintedo, HRM, Oba Isaac Olatunji Adesiyan (Atelugirijoye 1). Oba Adesiyan joined his ancestors on Sunday, 16 June, at the ripe age of 95. Governor Abiodun, in his condolence message, described the late monarch as a leader who was loved by his people. The governor said the reign of the late monarch was eventful as the Ifonyintedo community witnessed unprecedented development. "It is with deep sadness that we received the news of the passing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Isaac Olatunji Adesiyan (Atelugirijoye 1), the Olu of Ifonyintedo. At the age of 95, Oba Adesiyan has left an indelible mark on his community as a respected leader and a guiding force. "Oba Adesiyan dedicated his life to the service and development of Ifonyinte...

 ‘We found him suffering’ — US lawmakers visit Binance executive in Kuje prison     Two members of the United States (US) congress paid a visit to Tigran Gambaryan, Binance’s executive detained at the Kuje correctional centre in Abuja. The lawmakers are French Hill, a representative of the Republicans and Chrissy Houlahan, a representative of the Democrats. According to a post on X by Hill, Gambaryan was visited on June 19, while the lawmakers were on a national security visit in Nigeria. On June 5, US lawmakers had accused the Nigerian government of taking the Binance executive, “hostage”, urging President Joe Biden to help secure his release. Speaking after the visit in a post on X on Thursday, Hill also called for the release of Gambaryan, also a former US agent. “Yesterday, Houlahan and I visited with US citizen Tigran Gambaryan in Kuje Prison in Nigeria,” Hill said. “We found him suffering from the conditions there, as he has malaria and double pneumonia, and he repo...

 ‘Police will not evict Ado Bayero from palace’ – CP gives reason for ignoring gov’s order The Kano State Police Commissioner, Usaini Gumel, has said the Police will not evict the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero from his Nasarawa Palace. Gumel said the Police would not carry out the eviction order due to the legal tussle surrounding the matter. He explained that the Kano State government had filed an eviction order before the state High Court. On Thursday night, the state government directed the Police Command in the state to evict Bayero from his Nasarawa Palace to pave the way for renovations. The eviction order was issued by the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi. However, the CP said obeying the eviction order would amount to preempting the courts. Addressing the issue on Friday in Kano, Gumel said: “The police will not evict the deposed Emir because the same government has filed a case at the State High Court on the eviction order, which...

 A young man identified as Endwell Ejindu has been shot dead in Rivers State.  The incident occurred in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday. Ejindu was the Student Union Government (SUG) President of the Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Port Harcourt, during the 2017/2018 academic season. Details gathered suggest he was part of the youths who protested at the council headquarters on Tuesday as a viral social media video showed him chanting songs and waving an Ijaw Youth Council flag alongside some youths. Though details are sketchy, eyewitnesses said while on a commercial motorcycle, he was shot at close range by unknown assailants along the Ula-Upata Road in Ahoada main town at about 9pm on Tuesday. The Rivers State Police Command has not commented on the issue as of press time. Ejindu’s death brought the number of lives lost in the state in the past 24 hours to three. A cop and a vigilante operative were shot dead at Eberi-Omuma on Tuesday.

 Namibian court declares laws banning gay sex unconstitutional In a historic ruling on Friday, June 21, a Namibian high court declared unconstitutional two colonial-era laws that criminalized same-sex acts between men. This decision marks a significant victory for the LGBTQ community in Namibia, AP reported. The case was initiated by Namibian activist Friedel Dausab, with support from the UK-based Human Dignity Trust. Following the court's decision, Dausab expressed his joy, stating, "It's a great day for Namibia. It won't be a crime to love anymore."  Rights activists have noted that, although prosecutions under the "sodomy" and "unnatural sexual offences" laws were infrequent, these laws have fostered ongoing discrimination against the LGBTQ community and instilled fear of arrest among gay men. Namibia inherited the laws when it gained independence from South Africa in 1990, though same-sex acts between men were initially criminalised under c...

 21st June, 2024 PRESS RELEASE DEATH OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS, ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS/ARMED ROBBERS, RECOVERY OF TWO BARETTA PISTOL, TWO LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE GUNS, AMMUNITIONS AND CARTRIDGES CP OLUFEMI ABANIWONDA URGES YOUTHS TO SHUN ALL FORM OF CRIMES AND CULTISM 1. ARREST OF SUSPECTED CULTISTS/ARMED ROBBERS AND RECOVERY OF ONE LOCALLY MADE CUT-TO-SIZE GUN WITH FIVE (5) ROUNDS OF LIVE CATRIDGES:  Acting on available intelligence, on 19/06/2024 at about 1530hrs, the special operatives deployed by CP Abaniwonda Olufemi to Ughelli  led by ASP Julius Robinson stormed a criminal hideout in Sapele and effected the arrest of four suspects namely; Amechi Ichiagu "m" 25yrs of Ozalla Town in Nkanu West LGA Enugu State, Akpomiemie Larry ‘M" 32yrs of Jesse Community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State, Bright Ovie ‘m’ 36yrs of Ugbomaja Community in Ethiope West LGA Delta State, Ese Ogodo “m" 35yrs of Okpe community and recovered a locally made cut-to-size gun. Prelimin...

 TROOPS ELIMINATE TERRORISTS IN MULTIPLE OPERATIONS, RESCUE ABDUCTED WOMEN, CHILDREN IN BORNO STATE In a series of coordinated counter-terrorism operations, troops deployed in the North East, in collaboration with Vigilante and Hybrid Forces, have made remarkable strides in combating terrorists activities in the region. These operations have resulted in the neutralization of terrorists, rescue of hostages, as well as recovery of arms and other assorted items. In Gwoza Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, troops executed an ambush operation targeting terrorists' staging areas around Pulka and Ashagashiya. During the operations, troops made contact with the terrorists, neutralizing one, while others fled in disarray, abandoning their belongings. The troops successfully rescued seven women and nine children from the clutches of the terrorists. The troops also recovered one submachine gun (SMG), three bicycles, four blankets, cooking utensils, and several other items. Similarly,...

 INEC warns against hate speech, arms at campaign venue The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties involved in the off cycle governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States to avoid the use of hate speech and offensive languages in the conduct of their campaign for the elections.  The Commission also said that parties contesting the election should avoid carrying arms to venue of such campaigns which must be communicated to the Commission and the Nigeria Police, at least ten days before the campaign.  This was contained in the guidelines for campaign released by the commission on Friday, while also saying that in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, all candidates in the election should be allowed access to public facilities for their campaign activities.  A statement by the National Commissioner, Information and Voter Education, Sam Olumekun, reminded parties of the need to adhere to the provisions of the law befo...

 Let’s Work Together, Oyo Igbo Traditional Leader Says After Court Ruling On 28 Year Leadership Crisis The traditional leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo State, Alloy Obi, has urged members of the Igbo community in the state to come together in line with the spirit of togetherness for enduring peace.  Onyendu Ndigbo, as his title reads, made this call at a press conference held in Ibadan to mark the judgement of the appeal court which affirmed him as the rightful holder of the title, putting an end to the society’s leadership crisis which started on May 17, 1996, exactly 28 years ago.  Speaking on the ruling of the court, he explained that his commitment to the cause was driven by his selfless commitment to the Ndigbo community. “My victory at the Court of Appeal is not just for me as a person, the Appeal Court case lasted for ten years. I would have given up if it were just about me as a person. I remained in the struggle in the last ten years because of the implication on...

 Ojude Oba 2024: Families disagree over Balogun Kuku’s 8-year winning streak The annual Ojude Oba festivities has always attracted public attention over the years and the 2024 edition didn’t go without the usual fanfare, glitz, grandeur, and cultural resonance. For every edition of the Ojude Oba, one family, personality, group or association outshone others and stood far apart from the rest of the attendees. And on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, another edition of the annual festivity was held to honour the rich culture and tradition of the Ijebu people and honour Awujale, the king of Ijebu-Ode on his age milestone. The celebration also drew notable figures from near and far led by the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun. One of the most trending personalities at the 2024 Ojude Oba was 58-year-old Farooq Oreagba, who has been dubbed the king of steeze for this year’s edition. Oreagba shone like a bright star resonating well with the local palance of ‘steez and composure’ as he eff...

 Denmark fight back to hold England at Euro 2024 Denmark fought back to hold England to a 1-1 draw at Euro 2024 in Germany on Thursday to brighten their chances of qualifying from the group stage. England still top Group C with four points while Denmark and Slovenia have two points each, with Serbia on one point. England opened the scoring 18 minutes into the game through Harry Kane, who fired the rebound into the bottom left corner after the ball broke to him in the box. In the 32nd minute, Jonas Wind missed a good chance to score. An inch-perfect cross into the box found Wind who rose for a header, but sent the ball well over the bar. Denmark equalised in the 34th minute. Victor Kristiansen slidded a pass towards Morten Hjulmand who unleashed a fabulous shot from long range. The ball deflected into the bottom left corner off the post to make it 1-1. Kasper Schmeichel made a brilliant save in the 41st minute. Phil Foden easily wove through the defence and unleashed a shot from jus...

 There’ll be no BBNaija All-Stars reunion – Mercy Eke Big Brother Naija star Mercy Eke has claimed there will be no reunion show for the “All Stars” edition. She made this announcement on her Instagram live, disappointing fans eagerly anticipating the reunion. This marks a departure from the show’s usual tradition of hosting a reunion after each season. Fans, still unsure if she meant it or not, have vowed to keep fingers crossed while they keep tabs on the organisers.  But auditions for the ninth season of Big Brother Naija have begun. The auditions, which started on March 27, 2024, introduced a new twist: contestants will audition in pairs. These pairs can consist of close friends, family members, romantic partners, or any other combination that makes for a “dynamic duo”.

 How Aliyu Yakuba killed man he promised to make 'suddenly rich' in Adamawa A 36 years old resident of Jalingo Daddawa village in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State identified as Aliyu Yakuba has been arrested for killing one Bassey Isah after extorting different items from him on the pretext that he could make him suddenly rich. According to the spokesperson of Adamawa Police Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, Yakuba was arrested on 13, June 2024 for killing Ngoroje and burying his remains in a forest in the community. The suspect had allegedly obtained three bags of maize from his victims on the pretense of printing and producing naira notes for him. “The suspect further demanded and received from the Victim a Toyota Starlet car, a Motorcycle, and a Carry Go tricycle, promising to make him rich overnight. The suspect then took Bassey to a forest, where he brutally struck him with an iron rod and buried him,” the Adamawa Police Command spokesperson added. The suspect volun...

Adamawa vigilante Emmanuel Bori shoots 2 brothers dead over land dispute A 31-year-old vigilante operative identified as Mali Emmanuel Bori has been arrested in Adawama State for shooting two brothers, Emmanuel Hamma Shehu and Almond Hamma Shehu to death during an altercation over a farmland. The vigilante operative killed the two brothers on 13, June 2024 at Bori village in the Jada Local Government Area of the state, Adamawa State Police Command said in a statement. SP Suleiman Nguroje, the spokesperson for the police command said Bori shot the two brothers dead with his dane gun during a fight over the farmland on 13 June. He added that the suspect would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigations. The statement reads: “The Adamawa State Police Command has on 13/06/2024 apprehended Mali Emmanuel Bori, 31, a vigilante man for firing and killing Emmanuel Hamma Shehu and Almond Hamma Shehu all residents of Bori village, Koma District of Jada Local Government Area. “T...