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 Dogara: My monthly allowance as Speaker was N25m A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has revealed that he received N25 million as a monthly allowance when he was a presiding officer. Dogara made this known while speaking on Wednesday in Abuja at the Open Week of the House of Representatives. He further revealed that, as Speaker of the House, he earned N400,000 as a monthly salary. He stressed that the earnings of members of the National Assembly have been on the front burner for a while, even though their allowances cannot last them for more than three days. The former lawmaker noted that the misconception of huge salaries and allowances by Nigerians has given the National Assembly a negative image where they are called thieves even at public fora. Dogara noted: “While I was Speaker, my salary was less than N400,000. I don’t know if it has been increased now. My total imprest was N25 million and I told my accountant to open a separate account for the i...

 Indian social media app Koo, once seen as a rival to micro-blogging platform X, is shutting down, its founder, Aprameya Radhakrishna, said in a post on LinkedIn on Wednesday. The founders' decision comes after several rounds of talks for a potential sale or merger with multiple companies, including Dailyhunt, failed, people aware of the matter said. “Patient, long-term capital is essential to build ambitious, world-beating products from India, be it in social media, Al (artificial intelligence), space, EV (electric vehicle) or other futuristic categories," Radhakrishna said in a joint post along with cofounder Mayank Bidawatka. “It will need a lot more capital when the space has a global giant already.” “And when one of these companies takes off, it can't be left to the whims of the capital market, which goes up and down. It needs a strategic outlook to safeguard it and make it thrive,” Radhakrishna said in the post. “These aren't to be looked at as profit churning ma...

 Local dengue fever cases confirmed in Florida Keys, spread by mosquito bites Two cases of locally acquired dengue fever – a mosquito-borne illness – have been confirmed in the Florida Keys, the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County announced earlier this week.  The Monroe Department of Health and the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District (FKMCD) are upping their surveillance and prevention efforts as cases arise, the notice said. These measures include door-to-door mosquito inspections in the area, enhanced trapping and monitoring, and aerial and truck-mounted larvicide and adulticide treatments. Dengue fever can cause flu-like symptoms that include severe muscle aches, joint pain, fever and rashes, according to the alert. Dengue fever is not contagious and can only be spread by an infected mosquito. Symptoms can appear within 14 days of being bitten. DOH-Monroe reminded residents to take basic precautions against mosquito bites, including wearing bug repellent on sk...

 ANAMBRA POLICE CHARGED ON OFFENSIVE AGAINST ARMED CRIMINALS IN THE STATE _As CP Itam leads Operatives to the shooting range and assesses the schedule of the ongoing training_ The Commissioner of Police *CP Nnaghe Obono Itam* has charged Police Operatives to be on the offensive against armed hoodlums, following the commencement of training and retraining of personnel aimed at enhancing Operation efficiency, acquiring more skills in crime prevention strategies, and building courage and confidence in confronting armed hoodlums and responding to distress calls The *CP* made this remark today 3/7/2024 as he led trainees to the shooting range and assessed the schedule of the ongoing training. He reiterates the Command commitment to improving public safety and enforcing law and order in the State.  To this end, the *CP* warns those who were misled to take to crime to retrace their steps as the Police and other Security Agencies    will not allow some disgruntled eleme...

 ANAMBRA POLICE CALLS ON OWNERS OF STOLEN BUT RECOVERED VEHICLES AND MOTORCYCLES TO COME FOR COLLECTION This is to inform the general public and good people of Anambra State that during several operations on a raid of criminal camps and in the course of investigations via reports on armed robbery, stealing, murder, forceful/criminally dispossession of properties, and car snatching, the following vehicles, tricycles, and motorcycles were recovered Owners are requested to come to the office of the *State Criminal Investigations Department, Awka* with valid proof of ownership for a claim. Below are the details: 1. SPACE WAGON PASSAT WITH REG NOS: NNE 48 AS  2. GOLF WITH REG NOS: THE 479 AA 3. SHUTTLE BUS WITH  REG NOS: AGU 364 ZW 4. MITSUBISHI BUS WITH REG NOS. CN 25 ABJ 5. SHUTTLE BUS WITH REG NOS. JJT 442 ZF 6. SHUTTLE BUS WITH REG NOS. AWK 913 ZQ 7. TVS TRICYCLE WITHOUT REG NOS. 8. TVS TRICYCLE WITH REG NOS. AAH 410 VW 9. TOPSTAR MOTORCYCLE WITHOUT REG NOS. 10. HONDA TODA...

 EFCC WARNS PROMOTERS OF PLANNED PROTEST The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, wishes to alert the general public on the plan by a shadowy group to instigate a “protest” against the Commission. In the last couple of days, the group has been actively campaigning in the social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students to take up “arms” against the EFCC. This insidious campaign is being promoted as resistance to the operational activities of the Commission especially in respect of the enforcement of the laws dealing with cybercrimes. The Commission, while not averse to protests by citizens, is alarmed by  emerging evidence that  suggest a grand design by corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution by the Commission to  exploit the so-called protest to orchestrate a national uprising that may threaten the peace and security of our dear nation. As a responsible law enforcement organisation, the Commission will not tolerate ...

 A Family Loses 3 Generations of Women in India Crowd’s Panic They had worked hard for years to make a life: “Now it’s over with the death of my dear daughter, wife and mother — in one single blow.” Vinod Kumar was not at home on Tuesday, as he usually travels for days to do masonry work, when he received the terrible call. All the women of his family, three generations long, were dead, crushed in a stampede. For the rest of the day, Mr. Kumar and his three sons went from hospital to hospital, searching for their loved ones among the bodies of the 121 people who had died when a large gathering of a spiritual guru erupted in deadly panic. Around midnight, they found the bodies of his wife Raj Kumari, 42, and his daughter Bhumi, 9, at the government hospital in Hathras, stretched out on large slabs of ice among dozens of others in the corridor. “Why did you leave me like that? Who will now scold the children and force them to go to school?” cried Mr. Kumar at his wife’s feet. But he ...

 Ex-NFL player, wife arrested amid child abuse investigation; missing 14-year-old son found safe Former NFL player Daniel Muir and his wife Kristin were arrested after their missing 14-year-old son, Bryson, was found at their residence in Indiana, police said Wednesday. The Indiana State Police and SWAT team members executed search and arrest warrants at the Muirs’ Logansport residence early Wednesday morning amid an investigation into allegations of child abuse against the teen, authorities said. Police said Daniel, Kristin and Bryson were discovered at the home. Daniel and Kristin were taken into custody without incident and remanded to the Cass County Jail. Police said Bryson, who appeared to be "safe and well," was put into the care of the Cass County Department of Child Services. Daniel Muir, 40, was charged with one court of obstruction of justice, a felony, and one count of domestic battery, a misdemeanor. Kristin Muir, 38, was charged with felony obstruction of justic...

 WWE champ Cody Rhodes dishes on The Rock's return, how WrestleMania 40 main event was shaping up Cody Rhodes headlined both nights of WrestleMania 40 earlier this year, as his rivalry with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline faction evolved into a feud with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. At one point, despite Rhodes earning a shot at the WWE title with his win at the Royal Rumble, there was doubt that he would challenge Reigns as it seemed The Rock was going to go up against him in the main event. That storyline was put on hold as The Rock did main event Night 1 of WrestleMania, but in a tag-team match with Reigns against Rhodes and Seth Rollins. Rhodes went on to win the WWE Undisputed Championship over Reigns on Night 2 of WrestleMania, but the reason behind the decision to catapult him into the main event is still a mystery to most fans. The story is set to be told in WWE’s documentary on Wednesday night, "WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtains." "The American Nig...

 SANWO-OLU COMMISSIONS TWO LBIC HOUSING SCHEMES IN AMUWO-ODOFIN …‘Projects symbolise hope, progress’ — Governor   …Woos private investors to close housing deficit in Lagos    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, scaled up the Government’s housing stock with the inauguration of two newly completed housing schemes to meet the demand for decent homes in the State.   The Governor, joined by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, and other members of the State cabinet, commissioned a 10-storey Rising Lagos Apartment and multi-floor Greater Lagos LBIC/WGC Apartments in Amuwo Odofin area of the State. Both projects, built separately from each other, were developed and completed by Lagos State Building Investment Company (LBIC).   The 10-floor Rising Lagos Apartment built in Mile 2 is a three-block residential development with integrated multi-level parking lots; it consists of 50 units of three-bedroom flats and 10 units of two-bedroom flats, nestled in t...

 TROOPS ELIMINATE TERRORISTS IN AMBUSH OPERATION IN KADUNA STATE, CAPTURE WEAPONS  Troops of the Nigerian Army deployed for counter terrorism operations in Kaduna State have averted a potentially devastating terrorist attack by neutralizing 2 terrorists on a mission to carry out their nefarious activities. The troops, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted 4 armed terrorists on motorbikes at a known terrorists' crossing point in Kurmin Aja, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, just moments before they could strike. The troops, displaying exceptional courage, in a well executed ambush, engaged the terrorists in an intense firefight and neutralized 2 of them, while others fled with gun shot wounds into a nearby forest, thereby preventing loss of innocent lives. Following the successful operation, a thorough search of the area led to the recovery of 2 AK-47 Rifles, 30 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, 3 Magazines, and two motorbikes belonging to the terrorists. All law...

 Flood: Lagos Miscreants Charge Passersby N100 To Use Makeshift Bridge Some miscreants have been arrested by officials of the Lagos State Government for allegedly charging residents N100 to access a makeshift bridge along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. It was gathered that the  incident occurred at the Tradefair under bridge following the flood which submerged a major part of Lagos. A 54-second clip showed how some hoodlums were extorting residents before they could access an alternate route at the Tradefair under bridge. Some residents also blamed the development on the ongoing construction company  along Lagos Badagry expressway. “This is Tradefair underbridge, pay N100 before you can take the passage. And we have a President in this country. Look at their faces,” a woman’s voice in the clip said. Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, said the miscreants had been arrested by the operatives of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps. Wahab on his ...

 One feared dead, seven rescued in Lagos building collapse A child was feared dead on Wednesday when a building collapsed at 10, Cameroon street in Mushin, Lagos.  Seven other residents were also reportedly rescued by sympathisers from the rubbles.  A resident said the building collapsed following heavy downpours in many parts of Lagos.  She said the Lagos rescue team was yet to respond to emergency calls as of the time of filing this report. ACCORDING TO ANOTHER SOURCE:  Newly Constructed 2-Storey Building Collapses In Lagos A two-storey building has collapsed in Lagos as the state battles torrential rain which has triggered flood in many parts of the state. The building collapsed at No 12 Cameroun Street off Ewenla in Mushin. The state emergency management agency (LASEMA), in an update on the incident, said upon arrival of the response team at the scene of the incident, it was discovered that a newly constructed two storey building collapsed. Seven (7) people,...

 SERIOUS ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICERS: SUSPECTS ARRESTED AS CP FAYOADE ORDERS IMMEDIATE TRIAL OF ARRESTING OFFICERS FOR THEIR UNPROFESSIONAL, UNETHICAL AND UNCOUTH MANNER OF ARREST The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has ordered the immediate commencement of orderly room trial of the entire team of the  police officers seen in a viral video assaulting a suspect that was resisting arrest. Alausa Division of the Lagos State Police Command, having received numerous complaints on the flagrant abuse of hard drugs on Makinde Odewale Street, Oregun, mobilized some officers on July 2, 2024 to arrest the drug users and dealers. They, however, met stiff resistance leading to serious injury to one Inspector of police, who was stabbed in the head with a broken bottle, and assault on the Olu of Alausa and CDA Chairman. The injured Inspector has since been hospitalized.  Nonetheless, a reinforcement team succeeded in arresting some suspects with subst...

 IBEDC Increases Band A Electricity Tariff By N2.70 Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc ( IBEDC) has announced an upward review of the electricity tariff for Band A customers with immediate effect. The new tariff, Effective immediately, will be adjusted from N206.80/kWh to N209.50/kWh, according to IBEDC. The company in a notice on Wednesday, disclosed that the review has been duly approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as captured in the multi-year tariff supplementary order. The management of IBEDC stressed that the adjustment is necessitated by several key economic indices, including fluctuations in the exchange rate, the current inflation rate, available generation capacity, and the cost of gas. These factors, according to the Disco, have significantly impacted operational costs, and the new tariff will mitigate these financial pressures while continuing to deliver high-quality electricity services. In the notice signed by the Acting Managing ...

 Flood sacks Lagos schools, homes Schools in White Sand Estate, Isheri-Osun in the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, have closed their doors, advising students to stay at home as heavy rains and subsequent flooding have disrupted activities. White Sand Estate is one of the hardest-hit locations in Lagos, frequently experiencing severe flooding. Wednesday’s downpour rendered homes flooded, with water reaching mid-level heights inside residences. This severe flooding has left many residents trapped, unable to even sit down as their living spaces are submerged. In response to the flooding, a school located in the area (name withheld), sent messages to pupils, advising them to stay at home due to the hazardous conditions of the roads and the school. The message read, “Good morning dearest parents. Trust your night was splendid. Due to the downpour and a predicted serious rainy weather forecast today, we have decided to close the school and postpone today’s exam. As you can...

 I didn’t discuss Nnamdi Kanu’s release with South-East govs – Obasanjo Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that the issue of releasing Nnamdi Kanu was not part of his discussion with the South East governors in Enugu State, on Tuesday. The former President and Chief Emeka Anyaoku met with the governors on their own invitation to discuss regional development issues, and the purported plan release of Kanu by the federal government was not part of it. A release by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Wednesday, stated that the regional development issues include that of security and infrastructure. Others were economic and cooperative/collaboration, which was meant to complement the national economic development agenda. “The meeting with them was at my invitation and Chief Emeka Anyaoku before their summit begins. “The issue of Nnamdi Kanu was not on the agenda and was not discussed in my presence,” Obasanjo was quoted as having said.

 Ghanaian chef Smith busted for forging Guinness World Record in cooking marathon A Ghanaian chef, Ebenezer Smith, popularly known as Millennium Chef Smith, has been arrested and detained at the La Police Station for forging a Guinness World Record for marathon cooking. Smith on Tuesday presented a certificate confirming himself as the new world record holder for the 820-hour 25-minute cook-a-thon, which started on February 1 and ended on March 6, 2024, to his fans at a press conference. His cook-a-thon culminated in a star-studded event featuring performers such as Praye Tietia, Yaw Tog, Amerado, Kofi Jamar, and the Asakaa Boys. During the briefing, which was held at La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, the chef said, “Today is the day that I will forever remember. I am incredibly humbled and honoured to stand before you today as the Guinness World Record holder.” Earlier, the Ghanaian chef wrote in a social media post, “It is with great pleasure and honour that we inform the gener...

 PRESS RELEASE OSPAC VIGILANTE LEADER ARRESTED WITH HUMAN REMAINS IN RIVERS STATE The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a clampdown on the excesses of Vigilante Groups operating within the State. This follows numerous complaints about the operations of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee (OSPAC) in different parts of the State, predominantly in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA (ONELGA), as well as clashes with other Security Agencies by this Vigilante Group. On May 9th, 2024, Alhaji Usman Seleh, the Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group in ONELGA, reported that OSPAC had abducted a member of his group. He proceeded to report the matter to the Police. Consequently, the Police invited the ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, who refused to honour several invitations. Instead, the OSPAC outfit coordinated an attack on the Police Division in Omoku but the attack was thwarted as the Police repelled them. Following this development, Tactical Units of the Command stormed t...

 Egypt overhauls cabinet as economic pressures, power cuts persist Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi swore in a reshuffled cabinet on Wednesday that includes new finance and foreign ministers in a government facing challenges including the Gaza war on its border, economic woes and persistent power cuts. When the resignation of the previous cabinet was announced a month ago, Sisi reappointed Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and said his new government should focus on lowering inflation and regulating markets as well as boosting investment, Reuters reported. Sworn in as the new finance minister was Ahmed Kouchouk, formerly deputy finance minister and facing perhaps the biggest challenge in managing a stumbling economy and a debt burden that has soared in recent years. At the foreign ministry, Egypt's ambassador to the European Union, Badr Abdelatty, replaces Sameh Shoukry, a veteran who has steered Egypt's diplomatic efforts to contain the impact of the war in Gaza. Karim Ba...

 Stampede that killed 121 in India was caused by severe overcrowding and lack of exits, authorities say Severe overcrowding and a lack of exits contributed to a stampede at a religious festival in northern India, authorities said Wednesday, leaving at least 121 people dead as the faithful surged toward the preacher to touch him and chaos ensued. Five of those died on Wednesday morning, local official Manish Chaudhry said, and 28 people were still being treated in a hospital. Deadly stampedes are relatively common at Indian religious festivals, where large crowds gather in small areas with shoddy infrastructure and few safety measures. Some quarter of a million people turned up for the event Tuesday that was permitted to accommodate 80,000. It’s not clear how many made it inside the giant tent set up in a muddy field in a village in Hathras district in Uttar Pradesh state. It was also not clear what sparked the panic. But the state's chief minister, Yogi Adityanath, told reporters t...

 Wanted suspect in Washington leads police on 120 mph chase into Oregon, tries to swim into river to escape A robbery and assault suspect in Washington was arrested Monday after authorities say he led officers on a high-speed car chase into Oregon, where he tried to escape by swimming into a river. Jaden Hays, 27, was wanted on charges of first-degree robbery and fourth-degree assault for an incident that happened on June 25 in Longview, Washington, the Longview Police Department said. Hays allegedly stole property from a family member and threatened to kill them, FOX12 Oregon reported. Officers spotted Hays’ black Volkswagen around 8 p.m. Monday at Miller's Market in Longview and attempted a felony traffic stop. Hays, however, sped away from the scene, according to authorities. Hays led officers on a high-speed chase for more than 15 miles, continuing across the Lewis and Clark Bridge into Oregon, police said. He allegedly reached speeds of 120 mph. The Columbia County Sheriff’s O...

 LeBron James agrees to 2-year deal with Lakers LeBron James reportedly agreed to a new deal with the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. James will sign a two-year deal worth $104 million, which includes a player option and a no-trade clause, ESPN reported. The deal comes one day after his son, Bronny, was introduced as a member of the Lakers for the first time following the NBA Draft. James, arguably the greatest basketball player of at least this generation if not all-time, joined the Lakers before the start of the 2018-19 season after winning a championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. There have been plenty of highs and lows during his tenure with the Lakers. James has only played more than 70 games once outside the coronavirus pandemic. He helped the Lakers court Anthony Davis in a trade prior to the 2019-20 season, and the two led the Lakers to an NBA championship in the bubble. Aside from an in-season tournament victory this past season, the Lakers have not had much success. ...