Mexican city of Guadalajara unexpected hail storm strikes (Photos)

A freak hail storm on Sunday struck Guadalajara, one of Mexico's most populous cities, shocking residents and trapping vehicles in a deluge of ice pellets up to two meters (yards) deep.

"I've never seen such scenes in Guadalajara," said the state governor, Enrique Alfaro.

"Then we ask ourselves if climate change is real. These are never-before-seen natural phenomenons," he said. "It's incredible."

Guadalajara, located north of Mexico City and with a population of around five million, has been experiencing summer temperature of around 31 Centigrade (88 Fahrenheit) in recent days.

While seasonal hail storms do occur, there is no record of anything so heavy.

"I've never seen such scenes in Guadalajara," said the state governor, Enrique Alfaro.

"Then we ask ourselves if climate change is real. These are never-before-seen natural phenomenons," he said. "It's incredible."

Guadalajara, located north of Mexico City and with a population of around five million, has been experiencing summer temperature of around 31 Centigrade (88 Fahrenheit) in recent days.

While seasonal hail storms do occur, there is no record of anything so heavy.

At least six neighborhoods in the city outskirts woke up to ice pellets up to two meters deep.

While children scampered around and hurled iceballs at each other, Civil Protection personnel and soldiers brought out heavy machinery to clear the roads.

Nearly 200 homes and businesses reported hail damage, and at least 50 vehicles were swept away by the deluge of ice in hilly areas, some buried under piles of pellets.

While no casualties were reported, two people showed "early signs of hypothermia," the state Civil Protection office said.

Plane crash in Texas kills 10 people: officials

A small twin-engine passenger plane crashed in Texas in the United States on Sunday, killing 10 people, officials said.

"The Dallas County Medical Examiner has confirmed 10 fatalities and no survivors," a spokeswoman for the town of Addison, Texas told AFP.

The National Transportation Safety Board tweeted that it had dispatched a team to Addison to investigate the crash of a King Air 350 -- a twin-engine turboprop passenger plane.

It did not provide further details on the crash or its cause

Video broadcast by US media showed a massive column of black smoke pouring out of a building at the airport, as firefighters directed streams of water toward the blaze.

CNN reported that the aircraft was a private plane and that it crashed into a hanger at a local airport.

CBS News quoted sources as saying the aircraft lost an engine on takeoff and veered into the hanger.

Zamfara Government recovered rifles mostly AK-47 from bandits terrorizing residents.

216 rifles mostly AK-47 have been recovered by the Zamfara Government from bandits terrorizing residents.

In a statement by Yusuf Idris, Director-General, Press Affairs to Gov. Bello Matawalle on Sunday said the governor made the revelation when he received former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon at the Government House, Gusau on Saturday.  

The statement said that most of the weapons were voluntarily returned to the government by repentant bandits who surrendered to embrace peace while denouncing their bad ways. The governor described the elder statesman’s visit to the state as timely and sought for advice from the retired general on the best ways to end banditry in the state.

“Matawalle maintained that Nigeria now needs more of his personality with the current situation of banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes in order to advise current leaders in handling the terrible situation.

He further said that tapping from the wealth of Gowon’s experience as a former Army General and Head of State who fought for the corporate existence of the country will assist his administration positively on security intelligence and intervention. 

“On his government efforts to end the menace of armed banditry, the Governor informed the leader that his administration has adopted various methods that include reconciliation which have started to yield positive results as over 216 AK47 rifles have been surrendered to the authorities by surrendering bandits,” the statement said.

Outrage as suspected female thieves are stripped naked while their male counterpart is left with his clothes on (video)

Nigerians who stripped naked three suspected female thieves while a male who is alleged to be member of their gang was left with his clothes on.

 The suspected female thieves are allegedly members of a one-chance armed robbery gang.

 They were allegedly apprehended by SARS officers and policemen during one of their operations and stripped naked on the street.

 One of the suspected female thieves can be heard shouting she was a passenger in the vehicle.

 Nigerians on Twitter are condeming the act of stripping the ladies when they have not been confirmed to be thieves. They wondered why the male suspect was not stripped naked just as the female suspects.

See the video 

Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi training underwater ( photo)

Arsenal defender Shkodran Mustafi appears to have won the competition for most interested off-season training routine.

With the days of turning up for pre-season training a little bit overweight long gone for Premier League footballers, the players all keep their training regimes going while on holiday and often sharing evidence on social media.

But as far as we know, Gunners centre-back Mustafi is the only one to take his workout to the bottom of the sea. He shared a photo showing him running along the sea bed with a rock under his arm.

Boat Mishap in lagos left Missing 17 Persons Ongoing (photos)

Pictures from the ongoing rescue operations at the scene of a boat mishap that has left 17 missing have emerged.Two dead bodies have been recovered from the operations while three people who were rescued alive have been taken to a nearby hospital. Recall that a boat mishap occurred on Saturday at Ipakan boat jetty in Egbin, Ikorodu in Lagos State due to overloading of the boat and night travelling.

More photos 

Presidency Support Ruga Fulani Farm Settlements

The Presidency on Sunday defended the controversial initiative to create Fulani herders settlements known as Ruga around the country, saying that it is to put an end to the insecurity arising from farmers-herders clashes.

It also said that contrary to claims by some state governments which is observed cannot explain to their people why they are unable to pay salaries, the Ruga is not being built in states that do not want it.

A statement issued in Abuja by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity), said 12 states have applied to host the settlements and they were enough number for the pilot scheme.

“The Federal Government is planning this in order to curb open grazing of animals that continue to pose security threats to farmers and herders.

“The overall benefit to the nation includes a drastic reduction in conflicts between herders and farmers, a boost in animal protection complete with a value chain that will increase the quality and hygiene of livestock in terms of beef and milk production, increased quality of feeding and access to animal care and private sector participation in commercial pasture production by way of investments.

Source https://tribuneonlineng.com

Deportations of undocumented migrants to begin after July 4 - President Trump announces

US President Donald Trump has said that the deportation of undocumented migrants will begin after July 4. 

“We will be removing large numbers of people starting sometime after July 4,” Trump said as additional report said that US Immigration authorities had earlier announced plan to launch a sweeping effort to deport recently arrived undocumented families.   

The operation is expected to target up to 2,000 families facing deportation orders in as many as 10 US cities, including Houston, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles, according to a media report . A spokesman for the US  Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined to comment, saying,

“Due to law-enforcement sensitivities and the safety and security of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, the agency will not offer specific details related to enforcement operations before the conclusion of those actions.”

The Acting Director of ICE, Mark Morgan, said the agency would target for deportation families that have received a removal order from a US immigration court.  Morgan said ICE wanted to deport undocumented families who had recently arrived in the US to discourage more Central Americans from arriving. 

Trump had tweeted, before the formal kickoff of his 2020 re-election campaign, that ICE would begin removing “the millions” of undocumented immigrants in the US.  House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the country’s top Democrat, responded, saying, “The president’s new threat of a mass deportation dragnet is an act of utter malice and bigotry, designed solely to inject fear in our communities.”

Soldier arrested for selling bullets to notorious kidnapper in Kaduna State

 

When paraded, Yabiliok told journalists that he sold each round of the live ammunition for N400. The soldier serves in one of the military units at the Jaji Military Cantonment in the state.

Yabiliok however said he never knew that his customer was a kidnapper. He added that the suspected kidnapper only told him that he needed the ammunition for protection against cattle rustlers. “That is why I sold the ammunition to him. I never knew he is a kidnapper,” he said. 

The state Police Commissioner, Ali Aji-Janga, while addressing newsmen, said 61 other suspects were arrested for different crimes, such as kidnapping, armed robbery, culpable homicide and cattle rustling. He said assorted arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons, drugs and vehicles were recovered from

A lot has changed about marriage ever since God invented marriage by Reno Omokri

Read the piece on marriage by Reno Omokri below...

  

A lot has changed about marriage ever since God invented it while man was in the Garden of Eden. God made marriage to be a simple thing, but ever since man fell from grace and left Eden, we have been adding our own rules to make what is the most simple institution one of complexity.

If you study marriage from the book of Genesis to the book of Revelation, it bears no resemblance to what is being passed off as marriage in this day and age. There have been priests of God, from Melchizedek, to Jesus, our High Priest. None of them officiated weddings. But is that the case today? 

I have studied The Bible from cover to cover, multiple times and in various translations, and I have never once come across a marriage that was performed in a synagogue, temple or church by a priest. Biblical marriages happened in the home of the couples’ parents. 

2 Timothy 3:16 says “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Since this is the case, where does the inspiration for a White Wedding come from? Certainly, not from God’s Word. 

When I first taught on this, one of my followers told me that I was wrong because a priest in his church (name withheld) has told him that if he does not marry in church, the church would not recognise that marriage. 

My response to him was and is, why does your church have to recognise marriage for it to be valid? Who gave them that power and authority? And from whom and where does he get his doctrine from? From his Prost and his church or from his God and His Bible? 

The power of a PRIEST or PASTOR to pronounce a couple 'MAN and WIFE' comes from MAN, not from GOD. Read The Bible for yourself. It is God's letter to YOU. There is nothing like that in The Bible. Marriage is PURELY a FAMILY matter, not a CHURCH matter. It involves the couple and their parents ONLY. The first time marriage was mentioned in The Bible, it proceeded from God’s Mouth DIRECTLY. He said “Therefore shall a MAN leave his FATHER and his MOTHER, and shall cleave unto his WIFE”-Genesis 2:24. Jesus played NO PART in the MARRIAGE at Cana. He was invited as a GUEST. The only thing He did was turn WATER to WINE during the FEAST that FOLLOWED the WEDDING. If you want to justify CHURCH WEDDING, then couples should go to church with WATER for the PASTOR to turn to WINE. 

A lot of people are deceived by carefully crafted words. When a church uses the term 'marriage RITES', they are talking about RITUALS that are no better than voodoo RITUALS. CHURCH WEDDING is an unbiblical RITUAL. One of the worst thing in that EUROPEAN CULTURE passed off as BIBLICAL DOCTRINE is the use of the phrase 'for BETTER for WORSE, in SICKNESS and in HEALTH'. Do you know that is a CURSE? You are accepting an evil prophecy. God's testimony about you and your marriage is that "GOODNESS and MERCY shall follow you ALL (not SOME) the days of your life"-Psalm 23:6. You CONFESS your FAITH, not your FEARS. 

The truth is that many of these customs that we erroneously call Christian are in reality European customs that have over the years come to dominate Christendom. Nevertheless, no matter how far you have gone down a wrong route, you cannot get to your destination by going down that route. 

To show you how simple biblical marriage is, I will now break it down into the most elementary steps to make it easy to comprehend and then compare with Scripture. 

MARRIAGE according to The Bible.

Step 1: Man approaches Woman

Step 2: Man proposes marriage to Woman

Step 3: Woman accepts proposal

Step 4: They both tell their parents

End of process!

Every other thing, including CHURCH and REGISTRY is MAN MADE!

The things of God are not EASY, but they are SIMPLE. The things of satan are EASY, but they are COMPLICATED.

And I urge my readers not to take my word for it. Search the Scriptures. Be like The Berean Christians. This is what The Bible says about the Bereans: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

Do this with me and what I have taught you here. Subject my words to a test of The Bible to see if they pass the test. Then take your own church’s doctrine and do the same to them. 

Remember what Jesus said in John 8:32:

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Reno’s Darts 

In 4 years, General Buhari has not built ONE school for Nigerian children. Please don’t take my word for it, Google it. He has not built even one hospital. Please confirm what I just said. Now, this man who has not built a school or hospital for Nigerians wants to build RUGA settlements for herdsmen NATIONWIDE! Majority of these herdsmen are not even Nigerians. Are we a conquered territory? 

Not with OUR MONEY.

Not with OUR LAND.

Not in OUR NIGERIA.

Please join me to say #HerdsmenWontGetNigerianLand

ECOWAS adopt ECO single currency to be issued in January 2020.

The Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on Saturday adopted ECO as the name of the single currency to be issued in January 2020.

ECOWAS is made up of 15-member countries. They are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo.

The leaders at their 55th Ordinary Session in Abuja endorsed the name while congratulating the Ministerial Committee on the Single Currency for the considerable progress recorded in the implementation of the revised roadmap.

In the communiqué read by Mustapha Suleiman, Nigeria’s Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Authority instructed the ECOWAS Commission to work in collaboration with West African Monetary Agency.

The leaders also instructed the commission to work with West African Monetary Institute and the central banks to accelerate the implementation of the revised roadmap with regard to the symbol of the single currency.

The Authority also directed the commission and the central banks to accelerate the operation of the Special Fund for the financing of programmes in the revised Roadmap for the ECOWAS Single Currency Programme.

“It further directs the commission to ensure implementation of the recommendations of the meeting of the ministerial committee held in Abidjan on June 17 and June 18 as well as preparation and implementation of the Communication Strategy for the single currency programme.

“The Authority takes note of the 2018 macroeconomic convergence report. It noted the worsening of the macroeconomic convergence and urges member states to do more to improve on their performance in view of the imminent deadline.”

Furthermore, the ECOWAS Chairman, President Issoufou Mahamadou of Niger, said the revised roadmap still stipulated that the single currency would be issued in January 2020.

“We have not changed that but we will continue with assessment between now and then.

“We are of the view that countries that are ready will launch the single currency and countries that are not yet ready will join the programme as they comply with all six convergence criteria.

T.B. Joshua’s Isreal visit described as huge success in Jesus Home Town Nazareth -Israel

In the last week, Israeli media has been awash with news of the controversial visit of Nigerian cleric T.B. Joshua to Nazareth. Initial news of the visit ignited a furore among apprehensive religious leaders from both the Muslim and Orthodox Christian sector but the tone among locals appears to have emphatically shifted in the aftermath of the successful event. Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine and erstwhile presidential candidate in Nigeria, was among the visitors in Israel to attend the much-publicised Christian event in Jesus’ hometown.

Whilst traversing the ‘Holy Land’, he sampled opinions regarding the controversial cleric and was surprised at the warm response of Israeli’s.

“Joshua-mania hits Israel… It is incredible how T.B. Joshua is wowing the people of Israel,” wrote Mr Momodu to his 500,000 followers on Instagram, subsequently sharing short video clips of taxi drivers speaking glowingly of the cleric.

“Joshua is a good man,” a Nazarene driver named Alosh remarked to Mr Momodu. “He is always welcome to Israel. Everyone knows him here and we love him!”

Buttressing Mr Momodu’s assertion, the Mayor of Nazareth, Ali Sallam, touted the economic benefit derived by Joshua’s visit in an interview with local Arabic media, stating the region of Nazareth would accrue up to $1,000,000 as a result of the influx of tourists.

A Nigerian living in Israel named Kennedy stated that Israeli reactions towards him – and his fellow Africans living in the nation – had significantly brightened after Joshua’s two-day event.

“Many of us Africans who work here in Israel are treated with suspicion and we sometimes feel marginalised,” the Tel-Aviv based electrician originally from Imo State said in a video posted online.

“But after TB Joshua’s visit, I have observed a notable difference. Many people have approached to ask me more about Nigeria; they are responding far more positively to me and black people in general,” he stated. “I can testify that T.B. Joshua’s meeting in Nazareth is rebranding Africa’s image abroad.”

Writing on Facebook, Julian H – a pilgrim from the UK who attended the event – recounted the experience of how an Arabian seller at a local market gave him free fruit after learning he had attended the meeting with Joshua.

“He told me he watched the event live on a local station and was amazed that miracles can still happen today in Nazareth,” the Brit explained.

“Whether you hate this man or like him, the fact remains that T.B Joshua is Nigeria’s biggest export to the world at the moment,” penned Chukwudi Iwuchukwu, a lawyer and social media influencer, on Facebook.

“No other Nigerian – dead or alive – has the capacity to attract such global media attention except him, which makes him one of Africa’s biggest ever icons,” he bluntly wrote.

Opinion among the local Muslim community in Nazareth – which was significantly divisive before the event – appears also swung in the pastor’s favour in the aftermath.

“I thought Joshua was coming to try and force us to convert,” an Arabic clothes vendor named Habib stated.

“But I realise he is just a good man with a message of love for all. Also, I sold more in this last week than in the last four months combined because of the tourists he brought to our town – so he’s definitely welcome back!”

A young group of Arabic men admitted they actually attended the event to mock it. “I went with my friends for a joke. I thought they were all a bunch of actors but when I saw someone whom I personally knew receive healing, I started taking it seriously,” wrote Ahmed Dahar in Arabic on Facebook.

The two-day meeting, which has been viewed 500,000 times on Emmanuel TV’s YouTube channel since its broadcast, also received coverage from the international media.

Atiku and PDP appeal to Supreme Court, insist INEC’s server contains results

The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate in the February 23, election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have kept their vow to appeal the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal’s rejection of their request to access the “central server” which they alleged housed the results of the poll electronically transmitted by the Independent National Electoral Commission during the exercise.

A four-ground notice of appeal has been filed by the petitioners, urging the Supreme Court to not only set aside the June 24, 2019 decision of the tribunal, but to also grant all their prayers “contained in the motion on notice dated and filed (before the tribunal) on May 8, 2019.”   

Shortly after the tribunal delivered the said ruling on June 24, 2019, the petitioners had, through two senior members of their legal team Chief Chris Uche (SAN) and Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) vowed to challenge the tribunal’s decision at the Supreme Court.  Processes seen by our correspondent on Saturday showed that the petitioners filed their notice of appeal on June 26, 2019 two days after the tribunal’s decision was delivered.

The petitioners had, in their motion, which was dismissed by the tribunal, claimed that electronically transmitted the results of the disputed poll to the said central server.

INEC denied the claim, insisting that it never transmitted the results of the polls any server whatsoever, but that the results were collated and declared manually.

President Buhari and his All Progressives Congress, whose victory at the polls is being challenged by the petitioners at the tribunal, also opposed the petitioners’ request for access to the said INEC’s server.

most creative and intriguing one cast movie ever seen in the history of Nollywood. “Everything happens to me “ is a unique concept movie showing in cinemas

The most creative and intriguing one cast movie ever seen in the history of Nollywood. “Everything happens to me “ is a unique concept movie showing in cinemas

It stars the talented Sandra okunzuwa an award wining fast rising actress who gave a perfect interpretation to the role.

The movie is a sub horror thriller which tells the story of a young girl on a journey of self discovery amidst drugs , fear, loneliness, morals and peer pressure .

Manchester United have finally completed the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka after splashing £50million to get the defender from Crystal Palace. (photos)

Manchester United have finally completed the signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka after splashing  £50million to get the defender from Crystal Palace.

The 21-year-old England star signed a five-year deal worth £80,000-a-week that will keep him at the club until at least 2024.

Wan-Bissaka will wear the No 29 on his back at Old Trafford.

According to the transfer deal, United will pay an initial fee of £45m, with another £5m due in add-ons should the player hit certain performance targets.

Wan-Bissaka told United's website: 'It's an unbelievable feeling and an honour to call myself a Manchester United player and something I know that only a small number of players have the privilege to say.

'I can't wait to get going and integrated into the squad. I will have a short break now after the European Championships but I'm looking forward to starting training with the manager and my new team-mates on the pre-season tour.'

Speaking on the successful capture of the defender, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer  said: 'Aaron is one of the best upcoming defenders in the Premier League. He has the right work ethic, talent and mentality to play for Manchester United and he fits exactly the type of player that we are looking to bring into the squad to help us improve and push on further.

'Aaron is a young, hungry player and eager to learn and that's important at his age. I am delighted he has signed with us and we look forward to continuing his tremendous development so far.'

Aaron Wan-Bissaka  now joins winger Daniel James, who became the first summer arrival at Old Trafford when the 21-year-old joined from Swansea for £18m.

If you’re not corrupt, declare your assets - PDP tells Buhari

The Peoples Democratic Party has challenged President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to publicly declare their assets to prove to Nigerians and the world that they are not corrupt.

The main opposition party also asked the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to make public their assets to convince Nigerians.

 The PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Diran Odeyemi, in a statement on Friday said,

“We are of the opinion that President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, and Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, should declare openly their assets to allow Nigerians to further see how much wealth they have acquired since joining government.

“We believe laying claim to sainthood is easy as Buhari and others have been doing all along, but Nigerians deserve to see beyond whatever the government forces down their throats. By making public declaration of their assets, Nigerians will be able to see better and judge accordingly.

“By making public their assets, Nigerians will see how many cattle in 2019 had been added to what Buhari had in 2015. Blowing hot and cold at the same time is not the hallmark of a leader with clean hands.”

He warned that should Buhari and others fail to make public declaration of their assets, further aspersions would be cast on the anti-graft efforts of the present administration. He alleged that rather than build on the innovations introduced by the PDP administrations to end graft, Buhari appeared ''directionless and uncoordinated to stop corruption in the country.  ''

He said, “We urge Buhari and other top government officials to be more coordinated and exhibit transparency not only in fighting graft but in their dealings with Nigerians, because, no matter how fast lies have moved, in a flight, truth will catch up.”

Herdsmen Attacks: Why We Want To Set Up Vigilantes Across Nigeria – Miyetti Allah

The Fulani socio-cultural organization, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, 

MACBAN, has provided reasons for its plan to establish vigilance groups in the Southeast and other regions of the country.

National Secretary of MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, told The Sun that the move was a sure way of bringing to an end the present spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry and other forms of insecurity across the country.

He also said MACBAN’s proposition was misinterpreted in Enugu last week because of lack of proper understanding of it.

Ngelzarma added that the organisation’s desire was not only to deploy vigilantes to the Southeast but to all states of the federation.

I want trophies and awards not money, Mbappe Snubs PSG New Deal, Wants Move To Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe hold told Paris Saint-Germain that his long-term future lies elsewhere, Marca reports.

The 20-year-old has spent two seasons at PSG and his current contract is not due to expire until 2022.

Real Madrid have long been admirers of Mbappe and are keeping tabs on his situation.

The France international is one of PSG’s best-paid players and Real would be unable to compete with the Ligue 1 outfit in a straight wage war.

But it is believed that money is not Mbappe’s primary motivation and that he is keen to win trophies and awards.

He has therefore made it clear to PSG that he has no intention of extending his contract in Paris no matter how large their financial offer.

Real are unlikely to move for Mbappe this summer having already spent big on Eden Hazard from Chelsea, who could get as much as £150million from the deal.

Despite the public outcry against the planned establishment of Ruga settlements across the country, the Federal Government is set to commence the pilot phase of the project in Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna and seven other states.

Despite the public outcry against the planned establishment of Ruga settlements across the country, the Federal Government is set to commence the pilot phase of the project  in Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna and seven other states.

According to a report by Punch, the  execution of the project  would start in 11 states including Sokoto, Nasarawa, Kogi, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger. Documents obtained at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that all was set for the implementation of the initiative.

According to senior officials of the ministry, the Federal  Government is determined to go ahead with the  project, notwithstanding the public outcry, particularly in the South.

“The pilot states for its implementation are Sokoto, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Taraba, Katsina, Plateau, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger. They are actually 11 in number and the governors of these states are coming to the ministry to learn  how the Ruga settlements will be implemented,” a senior official at the FMARD, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.  

The source  added, “These are the states that have fully shown their  interest. But unfortunately, people are talking about this as if the Federal Government is planning to grab land in the states. That’s not true. The plan is mainly for these states that are ready and the Federal Government had a discussion with the governors concerned. Some of the governors came here and they promised to provide land because they have seen the benefits they will derive from the initiative. It is not that the Federal Government wants to invade the states, no!”  When asked whether the government would go ahead with the initiative despite its rejection by many other states, the official replied, “Why not? Of course, the government will go ahead with the programme, particularly in states that are willing to have it. For states that are not interested, no problem.”  

On Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Mohammed Umar,  said  aside from the  states where the pilot phase of the programme would start, many other states had expressed their interest in the scheme. The project is said to be part of the solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and herders.    

Umar had said, “The Ruga settlement will attract a lot of investment to Nigeria and it is our belief that in the next five years, each Ruga settlement will provide nothing less than 2,000 employment opportunities. We are collaborating with the cattle breeders associations in Nigeria.”

AFCON 2019: Mali send striker Adama Niane back home for 'slapping' team captain

The RSC Charleroi forward was expelled from his national team camp this week after he allegedly slapped fellow teammate and captain Abdoulay Diaby.

According to Footmali, the altercation allegedly initiated when Mali national team players ordered a hairdresser to their hotel and once he arrived Diaby sat on the barber chair. This didn’t please Niane who attacked his captain before slapping him.

The team’s media officer, Ibrahim Coulibaly also confirmed that the player has been sent home.

He told reporters: “Adama Niane was excluded from the Eagles group for non-respect,”

Before this recent incident,  Burundi had sent home 32-year-old midfielder Selemani Ndikumana for ill-discipline, before their first game without offering any further details.

On Wednesday Egypt sent Amr Warda packing for alleged sexual harassment of several women social media. Warda has since been recalled back to the squad.

Mali has since faced Tunisia with their reduced 22-man squad on June 28 at the Suez Stadium which ended 1-1.

Italian football club, AC Milan have struck a deal with UEFA to serve a one-year ban from European football over breaches of Financial Fair Play rules.

Italian football club, AC Milan have struck a deal with UEFA to serve a one-year ban from European football over breaches of Financial Fair Play rules.  

The club, which finished fifth in Italy's Serie A, will miss next season's Europa League and UEFA will end its proceedings against the Italians for overspending, said the Court of Arbitration for Sport. "AC Milan is excluded from Uefa club competitions of the sporting season 2019-2020," said Cas.  

 Milan's ban means AS Roma, who came sixth in the standings, move up to the Europa League group stage while their place in the qualifying rounds is taken by seventh-placed Torino. Seven-time European champions Milan finished one point behind local rivals Inter, who took the final Champions League qualifying place.

 AC Milan confirmed their "voluntary acceptance" of the ban and said they hoped it would "act as a stimulus" to take them back to the top.

"Whilst saddened by the fact that our fans will not be able to see their team compete in European competition next season, the club recognises and respects FFP. The club acknowledges it has no other choice but to accept the sanctions, as it seeks to forge a pathway back to full compliance. AC Milan remains committed to restoring the club to its rightful place at the top of European football"  the club said in a statement.

Griezmann Finally Agrees 5-Year Deal With Barcelona

Atletico Madrid forward, Antoine Griezmann, has edged closer to joining Barcelona after he agreed terms with the Spanish champions, L’Equipe reports.

Griezmann has already gone public with his desire to leave the Wanda Metropolitano, just 12-months after turning down a move to the Nou Camp.

The France international has now hammered out terms on a five-year deal, which will see him pocket an eye-watering €17million (£15m) annually.

Griezmann’s release clause is set to lower on Monday, due to stipulations inserted within his contract.

The World Cup winner previously had a buy-out value of £180m (€200m), which will drop considerably to £107m (€120m).

Atletico manager, Diego Simeone has reportedly asked whether Barca defender, Nelson Semedo could be included in a deal, though the Catalans are not open to the Portuguese defender leaving.

31-year old mother of two kicked off a plane for wearing a 'revealing' low-cut top and no bra

Harriet Osborne, a 31-year old mother-of-two claims she was kicked off an easy Jet flight because she wore a low-cut see-through top with no bra.

She said she was asked to leave the flight from Malaga to Stansted by crew who told her that her clothing choice was not appropriate for a plane with children on board. The make-up artist slept on the floor at the airport with a friend before paying £149 to fly back home the next day. 

The embarrassed mother told The Sun: 'This air hostess confronted me in front of the whole plane and said I wasn't allowed on in that top. 'She said to me, 'Oh no, move to the side', and tried to cover me up with my hands. 'I was escorted away from the aircraft. It was so sexist. I just burst out crying.' 

EasyJet in a statement however said she was removed due to disruptive behaviour;

'We can confirm that  a passenger travelling from Malaga to Stansted on June 23 was unable to travel due to behaving disruptively. Following concerns about her clothing crew politely requested that the customer wear an additional top for the flight which the customer agreed to.

'However she then proceeded to act disruptively towards a member of our crew. Our cabin and ground crew are trained to assess all situations and to act quickly and appropriately. We do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour towards our staff.

Arsenal willing to sell one striker to clear way for Wilfried Zaha

AS ARSENAL LOOK TO RAISE MONEY TO BOLSTER THEIR £45M TRANSFER BUDGET, ONE STAR STRIKER MAY BE SACRIFICED

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only joined Arsenal in January 2018, but his scoring record - and his partnership with Alexandre Lacazette - has been exemplary ever since, joint-winning the Golden Boot in his first full season.

However, Unai Emery needs reinforcements, and the players they've been linked with - William Saliba, Kieran Tierney and most recently, Wilfried Zaha - will cost more than what they've got in the bank.

BBC journalist David Ornstein claimed this week that cashing in on Aubameyang would be the "easiest way" for Arsenal to do their business this summer, but his potential destination is unclear.

AFCON 2019: Zimbabwe squad threaten to pull out from tournament over unpaid wages

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and the players are reportedly threatening to withdraw from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of their final group match.

According to the Local Media, ZIFA and the players were locked in talks on Thursday but no agreement was reached as the country's football FA was offering to pay $5,500 of the $12,500 the players are owed on Friday, but it was rejected amid the threat of a boycott of training until the full amounts were settled.

Both parties even threatened to quit the tournament ahead of Sunday's clash with Democratic Republic of Congo, which will be their final group match.

"We were called in and told of the developments about the possible withdrawal from the tournament and we told them (ZIFA officials) that we were ready to go home because we believe they haven't fulfilled our contracts," Zimbabwe's Herald newspaper quoted an unnamed player as saying.

A number of players are said to have also told officials they are ready to call it quits following the issues regarding their unpaid wages.

President Donald Trump hinted at a possible meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

President Donald Trump hinted at a possible meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea following his G20 summit trip with world leaders in Japan.

“After some very important meetings, including my meeting with President Xi of China, I will be leaving Japan for South Korea (with President Moon),” Trump said in a tweet. “While there, if Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!”

During a working lunch with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, Trump elaborated on his decision and told reporters he would be visiting the DMZ for around “two minutes.”

“If I didn’t become president … you’d be having a war right now with North Korea,” Trump said to reporters at the Imperial Hotel Osaka in Japan.

Trump is scheduled to meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Seoul on Sunday. A South Korean government official previously suggested that Trump could be meeting the Kim during his visit, but noted there were no plans for a trilateral summit that includes Moon, according to CNN.

The US president was scheduled to take a helicopter to the border to meet Kim in 2017, but the meeting was canceled due to inclement weather conditions. The potential trip follows the US-North Korea summit at Hanoi, Vietnam in February, which ended abruptly following disagreements with Pyongyang’s path towards denuclearization.

If Trump decides to make the trip to the DMZ, he would be the fifth US president to visit the border after the Korean Armistice Agreement in the 1950s. Former President Barack Obama last visited the border in 2012.

Liverpool fans upset as Naby Keita picks up injury for Guinea

Ed Aarons of the Guardian reported that Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita suffered a couple of injuries at the African Cup of Nations.

Keita played in the 1-0 loss to Nigeria and had to be subbed in the 71st minute. Aarons confirmed that the Liverpool star would also miss the final group game against Burundi.

The Guardian reporter added that this injury could increase the tensions between the Reds and Guinea after the national side rushed Keita’s return.

The 24-year-old picked up an injury against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg.Keita was part of the squad that trained at Marbella before the Champions League final but did not regain fitness for the clash against Tottenham.

Salt Lake City Police department confirms that 31-year-old Nigerian national identified as Ayoola Adisa Ajayi has been charged with aggravated murder and kidnapping in the case of missing Utah student, Mackenzie Lueck.

Today, the Salt Lake City Police department confirms that 31-year-old Nigerian national identified as Ayoola Adisa Ajayi has been charged with aggravated murder and kidnapping in the case of missing Utah student, Mackenzie Lueck. 

Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown said DNA testing shows that during a search of Ajayi’s residence, human tissue was found and subsequent DNA testing showed it was a match for the missing woman, who disappeared on June 17th.

“I will not be saying the killer’s name again,” Brown said, reported the Salt Lake Tribune, after announcing the suspect’s arrest.

Lueck, a 23-year-old University of Utah student, arrived in Salt Lake City from California after attending her grandmother’s funeral. She texted her parents when her flight landed before getting a Lyft to Hatch Park, which is about eight miles from her home.  She met a person at around 3 a.m. and left in another car but three days later, her parents reported her missing.

The suspect’s neighbors had told detectives they allegedly saw Ajayi “burning something in his back yard with the use of gasoline” on June 17 and 18. Other charred material was located which has now been forensically determined to be female human tissue. He also sold a mattress online in an attempt to get rid of the evidence

Lueck’s last communications were with Ajayi, who was briefly a member of the Utah Army National Guard in the past, but he was discharged and the location of the deceased’s and Ajayi’s phones pinged at a park within less than a minute of each other, at which time her phone stopped receiving data around 3 a.m. on June 17.

Cristiano Ronaldo and girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez meet NBA legend Michael Jordan and his partner Yvette Prieto (Photo)

Juventus striker, Cristiano Ronaldo and his girlfriend Georgina Rodriguez were pictured posing with NBA legend Michael Jordan and his partner,Yvette Prieto.

Breaking: iPhone designer, Sir Jonathan Ive announces exit from Apple

Sir Jonathan Ive, the British tech guru who over two decades helped turn Apple into the world's most valuable company, is leaving to set up his own venture. 

Jonathan, designer of the iMac, iPod and iPhone, will leave the company later this year to start a creative firm, LoveFrom, with Apple as its first client. "This just seems like a natural and gentle time to make this change," he said. 

“While I will not be an Apple employee, I will still be very involved. I hope for many, many years to come” he added.

The departure of the world’s most famous industrial designer and the custodian of the entire Apple aesthetic from its hardware and software to its physical architecture will come as a shock to its investors and customers as many see Sir Jonathan as one of its most crucial assets as it looks beyond the iPhone into a new phase of products and services. 

Apple boss, Tim Cook said his "role in Apple's revival cannot be overstated" pointing to an expanded group of in-house designers that is “the strongest it’s ever been”.

Sir Jonathan, who was knighted by the Queen in 2012, has provided vital continuity for Apple’s strategic vision since the death of its co-founder Steve Jobs in 2011 and is seen by some observers of the company as more important than Tim Cook to its pipeline of future innovations.

American actress, Allison Williams has split from husband Ricky Van Veen after four years of marriage

American actress, Allison Williams has split from husband Ricky Van Veen after four years of marriage

The 31-year-old Girls actress and the 38-year-old CollegeHumor co-founder made the announcement via a statement to Page Six.

'With mutual love and respect, we have made the decision to separate as a couple,' began the joint statement.

The statement continued: 'We are grateful for the friendship that we have and will continue to have.'

A source told the gossip site, 'Every time I’ve seen Allison out recently, Ricky’s been nowhere to be seen.'

The pair who first got together in 2011 got engaged in 2014 after meeting at a party before getting married secretly at a ceremony in Saratoga, Wyoming.

Airforce officer arrested as 39kg of cocaine is found on plane carrying Brazil president's team to G20 summit

A Brazilian air force officer travelling with President Jair Bolsonaro's G20 team has been arrested after being caught with 39 kilograms of cocaine. 

The officer was detained in Seville, Spain, when the back-up plane travelling to Osaka made a stop-over, a statement released by the Brazilian defence ministry said.

The statement said;

"The defence ministry informs that, on Tuesday 25 June, an air force officer suspected of transporting narcotic substances was detained in Seville airport in Spain. The military man is detained at the disposal of the Spanish authorities.

The aeronautics command established a military police inquiry (IPM) to determine all the circumstances of the case. Measures to prevent such illicit acts are adopted on a regular basis. In view of this, these measures will be strengthened."

President Bolsonaro was travelling on a separate plane and reacted to the arrest on Tuesday on Twitter, saying he had asked the defence ministry to cooperate with Spanish authorities.

He said: "I immediately ordered the defence minister to cooperate with Spanish police to establish the facts and cooperate with every stage of the investigation, and to launch an investigation by the military police.

There are around 300,000 men and women in the armed forces who are trained to uphold the highest principles of ethics and morality. If the airman is found to have committed a crime, he will be tried and convicted according to the law."

Rivers State and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) have agreed on the procedures for the re-opening of the oil facility.

Stakeholder communities of Oil Mining License (OML) 25 in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State and Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) have agreed on the procedures for the re-opening of the oil facility.

The stakeholders communities and Shell have also agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) next Monday to be facilitated by the Rivers State Government on their respective responsibilities in the final resolution of the conflict.

This was the outcome of the meeting yesterday between Stakeholder Communities of OML 25, SPDC, Service Commanders and officials of the state government on the directive of the state Governor, Nyesom Wike.

Representative of the Rivers State governor and Secretary of the Rivers State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, directed the Solicitor-General of the state to draft a memorandum of understanding on the premise of the resolutions reached at the meeting. He said the MOU would be signed on Monday.

Tottenham seem to takeover Arsenal's move for key transfer target

Tottenham are looking to frustrate their north London rivals by entering the race to sign Saint-Etienne's 18-year-old defender William Saliba, according to RMC

Arsenal looked to be closing in on the signing of Saliba for a fee of €25m, with Saliba being loaned back to Saint-Etienne for next season.

However, Spurs have reportedly made contact with Saint-Etienne and declared their interest.

While Arsenal may have history behind them, Spurs are in a better position to offer Champions League football to Saliba.

Also, the loan-back clause Saint-Etienne are insisting on may not be as big an issue for Mauricio Pochettino, who can already call upon Jan Vertonghen, Davinson Sanchez, Toby Alderweireld and Juan Foyth at centre-back.

Arsenal, on the other hand, are in dire need of defensive re-enforcements, so losing out to Saliba - particularly to their biggest rivals - would be tough to take.

Yahoo boy to forfeit his cars and seven-room duplex to FG, sentenced to six months imprisonment, (photos)

Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, sentenced a notorious yahoo yahoo kingpin, Akpojivi Onoriode, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a one-count charge bordering on cybercrime.

The convict, a 29-year-old graduate of Delta State University, Abraka and a father of two, was arrested by operatives of the Uyo Zonal Office of the Commission in the early hours of Saturday, May 4, 2019, following intelligence report exposing him of living above his means. He was picked up at his lavishly furnished duplex on Plot 10, Block VI, Unical Satellite Town, Calabar, Cross River State.

Upon his arrest, the convict, popularly known as “Blinks” or “Mr. White”, confessed to having offshore accounts in China, and narrated how he started the business of defrauding people quite early, while he was still an undergraduate at Delta State University, Abraka in Delta State.

The charge against Akpojivi reads: “That you, Onoriode Joel Akpojivi, on or about the 4th day of May 2019, in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did unlawfully produce, supply, procure for use and distributed a computer program (fake online banking link platform) designed for the purpose of electronically defrauding unsuspecting persons and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 28 (1) (a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc) Act 2015 and punishable under Section (1) (c) of the same Act.”

Delivering judgement, Justice Amobeda held that: “It is a known fact that crimes of this nature appear now to be prevalent in our time. I do hereby sentence the convict to 6 months imprisonment with an option of fine of N500,000.

“The convict shall forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria the instruments used in the commission of the offence being thus: Acura ZDX with registration number SMK 245 DQ (Lagos), Range Rover Envogue with registration number FST 772 EQ (Lagos), Mercedes Benz E 300 with registration number LSD 393 EG (Lagos) and the seven bedroom duplex situated at Victory Way Extension, Satelite Town, Calabar, Cross River State.”

Earlier, Justice Amobeda convicted another graduate of Delta State University, Abraka, Obabueki Philips, who was equally arraigned by the anti-graft agency on a one-count charge bordering on impersonation and cybercrime.

When Obabueki was arrested, he admitted that his area of specialisation was impersonation, and that he sends out fraudulent emails to defraud his victims.

A forensic analysis of his laptop led to the recovery of quite a number of highly incriminating scam documents that further indicted him of the crime.The charge to which Obabueki pleaded guilty to reads: “That you, Obabueki Eromosele Philips, (aka Leo Sim) ‘m’ on or about the 30th day of May, 2019 in Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did fraudulently impersonate one Leo Sim, with intent to obtain property from unsuspecting persons, the pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22 (2) (b) (ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition and Prevention, Etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22 (2) (b) (iv) of the same Act.”

In view of his guilty plea, Abuh informed the court of the plea bargain arrangement entered between the Commission and the convict and also prayed the court to convict and sentence him based on the agreements therein.

The court thereafter sentenced him to six months imprisonment with an option of fine of N50,000.