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  Why Saudi Arabia chooses lavender protocol carpets instead of red carpets  In May 2021, the Saudi Ministry of Culture made an intriguing announcement, stating that they would replace traditional red carpets with purple carpets when welcoming guests in the future. The Saudi Ministry of Culture emphasized that the inspiration for the purple carpet comes from the vibrant purple flowers that bloom every spring in the southern Asir region. The region's Southern Tablelands and mountain areas are adorned with violets, lavender, Desert German, and Jacaranda Trees during this season. Notably, the capital of Asir Province, Abha, is almost engulfed in rows of violets. As part of Saudi Arabia's efforts to promote its "2030 Vision" and develop the tourism industry, Asir stands out as a popular tourist destination due to its mountainous terrain and lush climate, which contrasts the traditional desert perception of the country.  The jacaranda tree, an emblematic plant in Asir Prov...

  Police race to find gunman responsible for killing UnitedHealthcare CEO A suspect is on the loose in what police called the "brazen" targeted attack of Brian Thompson, the CEO of major insurance group UnitedHealthcare who was fatally shot outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel ahead of an investor conference on Wednesday. The masked gunman appeared to be lying in wait outside the Hilton hotel in what police said was a "premeditated" attack. The shooter arrived at the scene about five minutes before Thompson before shooting the victim in the chest around 6:40 a.m., police said. Video captured the moment the gunman walked up behind the CEO, pointed his gun at him and fired. A witness fled as Thompson stumbled and fell to the ground. The gunman then walked closer to Thompson, firing more times before fleeing. Writing discovered on shell casings Detectives later discovered writing on the shell casings found at the scene where Thompson was gunned down, police sources say. D...

 Navy Identifies Safety Protocol Violations as Cause of Kogi Boat Tragedy The Nigerian Navy Ship, Lugard, has identified a breach of safety protocols as the primary cause of the recent boat tragedy in Kogi State that resulted in multiple fatalities. Commodore Tamuno Senibo, Commander of NNS Lugard Lokoja, revealed this information during a free medical outreach in Kungbani, located in the Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State. He explained, "Overloading is a significant issue on our waterways. Boats designed to carry 15 passengers often accommodate as many as 50, and unfortunately, many of these passengers are without life jackets, which are critical for safety." Senibo emphasized that the failure to follow proper safety guidelines led to the boat disaster in Kogi that claimed several lives. He called on relevant authorities to enforce regulations requiring life jackets and other safety equipment for waterway travelers. "We’re not just offering advice. The Nigerian ...

 Three-time Olympic Gold Medallist Suspended Following Horse-Whipping Scandal Charlotte Dujardin, a three-time Olympic gold medallist in dressage, has been handed a one-year suspension following a horse-whipping incident that led to her withdrawal from the Paris 2024 Olympics. The British rider was initially provisionally suspended by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) just days before the Paris Games were set to begin. The suspension came after the FEI received a video showing Dujardin striking a horse repeatedly with a long whip, which the governing body deemed a violation of horse welfare principles. Dujardin, who was also fined 10,000 Swiss francs (approximately $11,300), acknowledged her "error in judgment" and expressed deep regret over the incident. Her suspension, effective from July 2024, will prevent her from participating in any competition until July 2025. The FEI confirmed that the time served during her provisional suspension would be credi...

 Lakurawa Terrorists Behind Zamfara Road Explosion, Police Confirm Zamfara State Police Commissioner, Muhammed Dalijan, has confirmed that the Lakurawa terror group, not local bandits, was responsible for the deadly explosion on the Dansadau-Gusau Road. The attack killed six travelers when their vehicle detonated an explosive device. Dalijan explained that the group, after surviving military strikes in Sokoto and Kebbi, planted the bomb under a bridge. The use of explosives, a new tactic for the area, has been linked to the Lakurawa group, as local bandits lack the capability to make such devices.

 Borno Deputy Governor and Over 100 Passengers Escape Max Air Incident Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umar Usman Kadafur, and more than 100 passengers narrowly avoided a potential tragedy when a Max Air flight experienced an engine fire shortly after taking off from Maiduguri International Airport. The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on Wednesday when the aircraft, en route to Abuja, suffered engine failure due to a bird strike about 10 minutes into the flight. The pilot and crew managed to safely return to Maiduguri Airport and perform an emergency landing, preventing a disaster. A Max Air staff member, speaking anonymously, confirmed the details of the incident, stating, “After takeoff, the plane collided with a bird, causing one of the engines to catch fire. The pilot acted quickly to ensure the passengers' safety.” Following the emergency landing, passengers were shaken, and many chose to retrieve their luggage and return home rather than board another flight. However, Max...

 Netflix denies rumours of exit from Nigeria Netflix has rejected claims that it plans to leave the Nigerian market, reaffirming its commitment to investing in the country’s local film industry. The rumours began circulating after comments from prominent Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan at the 2024 Zuma International Film Festival. Afolayan revealed that Netflix had recently cancelled several projects from unnamed filmmakers, which raised questions about the streaming giant’s long-term intentions in Nigeria. “When we signed the three-film deal with Netflix three years ago, it was a moment of great excitement,” Afolayan said.