The attackers beat the fans of the British, alternative rock band with pipes for drinking alcohol during the holy month of Ramadan, Variety reported.
Radiohead issued a statement Friday night.
Friday, June 17, 2016
RAKITIC FEARS EURO 2016 DISQUALIFICATION AFTER FAN TROUBLE
UEFA are likely to take action against Croatia after fans threw flares on to the pitch in the final minutes of their 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic
OWEN & BECKHAM IN 98, VARDY & STURRIDGE IN 2016 - ENGLAND BOSS MUST LISTEN TO THE NATION
EURO 2016 STEWARD WAS CLOSE TO LOSINGHIS HAND AFTER FIRE WORK EXPLODED ON THE PITCH ARENA
The Euro 2016 match between Croatia and the Czech Republic was halted on Friday after Croatian fans threw fireworks and flares onto the field.
In a terrifying moment, one firework exploded directly in front of a steward who was working to clear the field.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
After meeting with Orlando victims, Obama renews call for gun control
President Barack Obama offered his condolences to those impacted by the deadly nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida. Obama said that today the country is reminded of what is good and that there is compassion, empathy and decency. (June 16) AP
WASHINGTON — President Obama said Thursday that destroying the Islamic State alone won't stop lone-wolf terror attacks as long as disturbed people have easy access to assault weapons.
Obama renewed his call for gun control legislation after a series of emotional private meetings in Orlando with the families of victims of the worst mass shooting in American history. Law enforcement officials say Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old security guard apparently inspired by a mix of radical Islamic propaganda and anti-gay hatred, shot and killed 49 people at a gay nightclub early Sunday morning.
"Those who were killed and injured here were gunned down by a single killer with a powerful assault weapon," Obama said. "The motives of this killer may have been different than the mass killers in Aurora, or Newtown. But the instruments of death were so similar. Now another 49 innocent people are dead. Another 53 are injured. Some are still fighting for their lives. Some will have wounds that will last a lifetime."
Obama tried to acknowledge the complex mix of motivations and causes of the Orlando attack, but focused mostly on just one: guns.
Calling on the Senate to reconsider gun safety legislation defeated after the 2012 shooting of first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Obama challenged opponents of gun control to meet with the families of the Orlando victims. "They don't care about politics. Neither do I. Neither does Joe," he said, standing beside Vice President Biden.
"I truly hope that senators rise to the moment and do the right thing. We can stop some tragedies. We can save some lives. If we don't act, we will keep seeing more massacres like this," he said.
Obama noted the role of the so-called Islamic State, also known as ISIL, in inspiring and encouraging terror attacks. But said the last two attacks — in San Bernardino and Orlando — were conducted by "deranged individuals warped by the hateful propaganda that they had seen over the Internet."
"It’s going to take more than just our military." he said. "If you have lone wolf attacks like this, hatched in the minds of disturbed persons, then we’re going to have to take different kinds of steps to prevent something like this from happening."
The president also expressed support for the gay community. "It's a good time for all of us to reflect on how we treat each other, and to insist on respect and equality for every human being," he said. "We have to end discrimination and violence against our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community."We have to end discrimination and violence against our brothers and sisters who are in the LGBT community — here at home and around the world
Obama's remarks to reporters followed private meetings with victims, police officers, doctors and staff of the Pulse nightclub where the shooting happened Sunday.
"As you might imagine, their grief is beyond description," Obama said. "Through their pain and through their tears, they told us about the joy that their loved ones had brought to their lives."
Obama and placed 49 white roses at a memorial for the 49 victims at a performing arts center near Orlando City Hall.
"Our hearts are broken, too. We stand with you," Obama said. "We are here for you."
In all, Obama spent about four hours in Orlando. Landing at Orlando International Airport with Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla. and Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., Obama disembarked Air Force One and greeted Gov. Rick Scott and Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, both Republicans. Obama also accepted a T-shirt from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, a Democrat.
Obama and Biden then went to the Amway Center, an arena about two miles from Pulse, where an apparently self-radicalized security guard, Omar Mateen, opened fire early Sunday morning.
Outside, many residents gathered outside the Amway Center, hoping to catch a glimpse of the president or his motorcade.
"It shows the compassion in their hearts they have for the Americans in this great country. And we appreciate them being here," said Vinnie Cannady of the Carter Street Neighborhood Association, holding a small American flag while watching the motorcade arrive. "Unfortunately, a young man was totally confused about his identity and life. And selfish, to take innocent lives.
"But he will not stop the love in this great country," she said.
Obama has increasingly taken on the role of comforter-in-chief during his presidency, as mass shootings and terror attacks have brought him to communities like Newtown, Conn., Roseburg, Ore. and San Bernardino, Calif., where he's often met privately with victims of shooting attacks.
"This is a solemn responsibility," White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said Wednesday. "This is a responsibility that's all the more important when you're talking about the way that the LGBT community in Orlando came under attack on Saturday. And signs of support and comfort from the president of the United States should be a powerful affirmation for those American citizens."
Contributing: Rick Neale of Florida Today in Orlando.
Meet Apple's youngest app developer. She's nine.
Meet 9-year-old Anvitha Vijay, an app developer from Australia who came to San Francisco on a student scholarship to attend the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference. Jefferson Graham reports SAN FRANCISCO — She's the star of Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference.
Anvitha Vijay, age 9, created an iPad/iPhone app about animals — Smartkins Animals — in Melbourne, Australia, and applied to be selected for one of the coveted scholarships to attend Apple's annual developer conference.
To her delight, Apple said yes, and now she's signing autographs, posing for selfies with grown-up app developers and hangin' with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
"He's really good," Vijay says, in an interview here. "Really nice."
Cook himself gave Vijay a shout-out during his Monday keynote as the youngest developer ever to attend Apple's WWDC, one of 350 mostly high school and college students invited by Apple to attend the conference for free. At WWDC, scholarship winners get to attend coding and programming sessions, and mix and mingle with app developers, to learn from veterans. samuelrasaq.blogspot.com
What does she want to be when she grows up? "I want to be an innovator, to build things that people will love and benefit from," she said
Sheriff: Body of toddler found after Florida alligator attack
The body of a 2-year-old attacked by an alligator at a Disney World resort has been recovered. The boy was playing in the water when the gator dragged him under. ORLANDO — Authorities recovered the body of a 2-year-old boy dragged into the water by an alligator near a Disney resort, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said Wednesday.samuelrasaq.blogspot.com
Members of the sheriff's office dive team located the remains of the toddler, identified as Lane Graves, around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, nearly 17 hours after the reptile snatched the boy, Demings said. The body was discovered intact, he added.
Demings identified the parents as Matt and Melissa Graves of Elkhorn, Neb. The family was vacationing at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa in Orlando when the attack occurred in a man-made lake.
"It was a tough message to deliver to them," the sheriff said. He added the parents asked him to thank all the members of the public who prayed for the safe discovery of their little boy. Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger expressed his condolences in a statement released on Wednesday.
"As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss," Iger said. "My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies."
The 7- to 8-foot reptile grabbed the boy late Tuesday as he was playing in about a foot of water at the Seven Seas Lagoon at the resort. His father, who quickly rushed to the boy's aid, could not fend off the alligator and received minor injuries to his hand.
The boy's mother also rushed into the water, but when the frantic couple were unable to save their son, they alerted a nearby lifeguard who called 911.
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
. Lee Min Ho
In 2015, Lee Min-Ho is our pick for the most handsome and famous Korean actor. He is a famous model and singer and has overcome insurmountable odds to become one of the most liked celebrities in South Korea and Asia in general. Lee Min-Ho has featured in several movies and won awards and nominations for awards for his stellar performance on stage. He is a renowned singer. Because of his stellar looks and admirable fashion sense, he has enjoyed a successful modeling career with reputable collections such as the Pret-a-Porter and Seoul Fashion Week since he was 20 years old. Currently, he is 25 years old.
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Nigeria football legend Stephen Keshi has died suddenly at the age of 54.
One of African football's best-known figures, the ex-Super Eagles captain is one of only two men to win the Africa Cup of Nations as a player and a coach.
NFF president Amaju Pinnick: "This is devastating. We have lost a superhero."
Keshi, who is reported to have suffered a heart attack by local media. also managed Togo and Mali, while his playing career included a spell with Belgian club side Anderlecht.
Sunday Oliseh, a former team-mate and Keshi's successor as Nigeria coach, tweeted his shock at the "horrible news" and called Keshi "an iconic hero".
Other tributes are being paid from around the world.Keshi (right) celebrates with the African Nations Cup trophy after victory over Zambia
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Omoni Oboli, Adesua Etomi, More Nollywood Divas Cover Vanguard Allure
Big Nollywood names, Omoni Oboli, Adesua Etomi, Linda Ejiofor & Chioma Onyenwe are on the cover of this week’s edition of Vanguard Allure Magazine rocking stunning all-white ensemblesAccording to the magazine, these four Nollywood divas have each made their mark in the film industry in the last one year. From Omoni’s incredible delivery in “Wives on Strike” to Adesua’s “Falling” to Chioma Onyenwe’s directorial debut in “8 bars and a clef’ starring Linda Ejiofor. Their acting prowess so far has earned them nods at the AMAA awards.
Check them out:
Economic hardship: Nigerians seek greener pastures abroad
Dayo Oketola, Adelani Adepegba, Nonye Ben-Nwankwo, Fisayo Falodi, Gbenro Adeoye and Jesusegu Alagbe
by samuel rasaq at samuelrasaq.blogspot.com
There are strong indications that the number of Nigerians emigrating to other countries in search of greener pastures may have increased significantly following the economic downturn in the country.
There are strong indications that the number of Nigerians emigrating to other countries in search of greener pastures may have increased significantly following the economic downturn in the country.
Findings indicate that visa applications by Nigerians to embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the United Arab Emirates had increased in the past 12 months.
It was learnt that desperate applicants besiege the embassies of economically-prosperous countries where they believe they could get better economic deals.
For instance, between January 2015 and March 2016, the UK mission in Nigeria said it issued visas to 14,231 Nigerians, making them one of the top 10 nationalities granted visas in the world.
Others are China, 92,715; India, 84,663; US, 34,278; Australia, 21,605 and Pakistan, 17,664. The list also includes Saudi Arabia, 17,586; Turkey, 13,474; Philippines, 13,262; and Russia, 12,503.
Although our correspondents could not get the total number of applicants from Nigeria for UK visa, the Press Officer, UK High Commission in Nigeria, Joe Abuku, said UK had reduced the number of visas granted to Nigerians.
Data from the mission show that there is a 25 per cent decrease in the number of visitor visa grants to Nigerians in the last one year, Russians (32 per cent), Pakistanis (20 per cent), Bangladeshis (39 per cent) and Iraq (52 per cent).
Findings also showed that at least 220,000 Nigerians applied for non-immigrant visas to the US Mission in Nigeria in 2014, but only 66 per cent of tourist visa applications were approved.
But the mission received over 300,000 applications for 2015 fiscal year which started in October, 2014 and ended in September, 2015. The data for 2016 is not ready yet, but the figure is expected to triple, according to US embassy officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
In 2015, 2,031 Nigerians were issued preference visa for employment by the US, which is the highest in Africa.
This was followed by Ethiopia, 1,569; Egypt, 953; Ghana, 930; Kenya, 452; Cameroon, 429; and Cape Verde, 699.
Preliminary data for fiscal year 2015 from the US embassy further show that 156,147 Nigerians were granted non-immigrant visas (including border crossing cards) compared to 141,527 in 2014.
Checks indicate that the numbers of Nigerians leaving the country has been steadily increasing year by year.
In 2010, 64,279 Nigerians were issued visas by the US mission in Nigeria, but the number dropped to 63,503 in 2011.
In 2012, the figure increased to 83,944 and to 113,503 in 2013 and to 141,527 in 2014.
It was gathered that 42 Nigerians were granted special immigrant visas out of the 116 issued to Africans last year. The US Press Attaché, Sean McIntosh, was not available to shed light on the different categories of the beneficiaries.
Under the employment fourth preference (Immigrant Waiting List By Preference Category) for year 2016, Nigeria is third with 4.7 percentage of the waiting list. Others include, India, 32 per cent; Afghanistan, 5.5 per cent; South Korea, 4.5 per cent; Mexico, 4.2 per cent; and other countries, 49.1 per cent.
The employment waiting list refers to prospective workers and their spouses and children entitled under the law to derivative preference status. The fact sheet noted that in several employment categories, the waiting list totals provided significantly understate real immigrant demand.
In February, a civil servant, Ayo Oludeji, with his wife and three children emigrated to Canada through its immigration scheme.
Oludeji, a geologist, told one of our correspondents on the telephone that he and his family had to leave Nigeria because it was getting harder for them to survive.
Although Oludeji and his wife have yet to get jobs in Canada, he said he was optimistic that their children would be guaranteed better lives in his home, which he described as “next to heaven.”
Oludeji said, “Everything works perfectly here and crime rate is one of the lowest in the world.
“We understand that jobs are not easy to get any longer but the environment itself is a testament to the numerous opportunities that abound here. We have power supply 24 hours a day and even the public schools here are very lovely unlike the situation in Nigeria.”
An employee of Stanbic IBTC Bank in Lagos, simply named Ola, told Saturday PUNCH that he was also planning to relocate to Canada with his family as soon as possible due to the economic uncertainty in the country.
Ola said his quest to relocate out of the country anytime soon was due to fears of being sacked just like his colleagues.
He said, “A friend of mine has just been sacked after spending about seven years working in the bank. He could not make his target, so he was asked to go. There are fears that some workers will also be laid off soon, whether targets are met or not.”
Due to the current economic hardship, Ecobank Nigeria fired over 1,040 of its employees during the week.
The PUNCH had also reported on Tuesday that Diamond Bank Plc sacked over 200 members of its workforce, while FBN Holdings, the parent company of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, recently said it would prune the number of its employees by 1,000.
Ola further said he was “just being prepared” for any eventuality.
He said, “You cannot predict what is going to happen next. Things are really hard here. I have three kids and a wife to cater for; I must be willing to sacrifice today for their future.
“A friend of mine, who works in Diamond Bank, resigned in April and has relocated to Canada together with his family. Now he has settled down there and after attending several interviews, he told me he had got a job.
“He is also furthering his education there. His two children have started schooling too. By God’s grace, I hope to also relocate there soon. Work is in progress. The economy is really bad here and I think it is better to go to a place where there are better opportunities than starving here in the name of love for the country.”
A banker couple, John and Temi Oduwole, who also had a successful application to emigrate to Canada with their two children, said they would be leaving for their new home in August.
The bankers said they would soon resign from their jobs to fully have time to prepare for their departure, adding that they would have no problem forfeiting their banking jobs for the opportunity to leave Nigeria.
Temi said, “We are particularly afraid for our children’s future with the way the economy and security situation in Nigeria are getting worse. We are happy that we can finally leave this country and hope for a better future. After our application, we went through medical examinations and after that, we were asked to send our passports. Our passports came back stamped and we are expected to leave within a few months from that time, before the results of the medical examinations would expire.”
The harsh economy in the country has apparently forced some families to relocate aboard and some, preparing to leave the country any time soon.
Speaking to one of our correspondents, Mr. Uzoma Ijele, who got a Canadian visa, has vowed not to come back to Nigeria until the economy improves.
He said, “Everything looks bleak. I tell you, I actually gave testimony in church when I got this visa. I don’t think there is anybody in Nigeria who is not facing this hardship. I cannot bear it again, I have to leave and my family will join me later.”
Also, a 44-year-old Nigerian, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he got a UK visa recently, adding that he is not likely to come back even when his six months visitor’s visa expires.
He said, “I have already got divorce papers from my wife here. Yes, we had to arrange it. I will certainly get married when I get there in order to facilitate my papers. Thereafter, I hope to divorce the British lady and re-marry my wife.”
Sunday said he had already arranged with a British woman whom he would pay 5,000 Pounds for the arranged marriage.
“When I get my papers, I hope to bring my family down here eventually,” he said.
Already, 34-year-old Marck Uchegbu, a one-time banker, had already left the shores of the country.
Uchegbu, who said he had not been able to secure a job since he was affected by the bank restructuring some years back, added that he was lucky to secure a Swedish visa and he quickly had to relocate.
Even as he said he is doing menial jobs in Sweden, Uchegbu said it is better than the hardship he was facing in Nigeria.
He said, “I know that so many Nigerians will be envying me now despite the odd job I am doing now. But as it were, I still see food to eat and I am in a decent country with decent economy. I wonder where our country will be in the nearest future. Well, that is not my business, I have taken off and I am overjoyed with where I am now.”
A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics has revealed that no fewer than 1.5 millions of Nigerians lost their jobs in the first quarter of 2016 alone. This is different from the same number of people who became jobless in the second quarter of last year.
More medical practitioners seek opportunities abroad
A medical practitioner resident in the US, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described to one of our correspondents how his colleagues had been relocating to the country from Nigeria.
She said some of her family and friends had also been relocating to the US in the past three months.
She said, “In the past three months, I have received notices from friends and a few extended family members planning to leave Nigeria, all of them professionals in different fields and in the middle class. Some of them are already here, I can tell you.
“This summer has seen an influx of many Nigerians to the US. A friend is currently staying with me in Huntsville as I write. She is a medical doctor. She also told me that several of our friends in Osogbo, Osun State, are planning to relocate too. They are being owed salaries.
“About four other medical doctors at different national hospitals have relocated here in the past two months. One of them is a paediatrician and the other a surgeon. Two of them are physiotherapists. There are many nurses who have left in the past three months, I am telling you. I think people are slowly giving up. Some have already given up.”
The immediate former National President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, who confirmed this development, said doctors had been moving out of the country in large numbers and that it would not be surprising if the current economic hardship has further pushed the number up.
Enabulele said if the brain drain is not checked in the medical sector, it would impact negatively on service delivery in the country.
He said, “The movement of doctors out of the country has been a yearly thing. The challenges facing the professionals still remain and an average of 650 doctors leave the country annually. Last year for instance, about 640 doctors left the country. We will continue to have this problem until we address the factors that are pushing them abroad.
“The current hardship in the country may have accelerated it so I will not be surprised if at the end of the year if we are recording almost three times the number we have recorded annually in the previous years. Currently, there are close to 3,500 Nigerian doctors in the UK and 5,000 in the US.
“The problems in the economy, security challenges, unfavourable work conditions have been responsible for the trend so they keep moving. One can project that it may be worse this year. And with just about 37, 500 doctors currently practising in a country of 180 million people, service delivery will get worse if the situation continues.”
Professionals leaving for Ghana
Investigations also indicate that the number of Nigerian professionals leaving for Ghana has doubled in recent times.
Sources told Saturday PUNCH that some professionals, especially lawyers, had relocated to Ghana and enrolled in the country’s law school in order to practise in the country.
It was learnt that with less than N5m, one could get a decent home in Ghana.
“So many lawyers have enrolled in Ghana Law School and other professionals are relocating,” the source added.
It was learnt that those leaving believed that the economy of Nigeria’s neighbour was doing better and could thus absorb them and their skills.
The Nigeria Immigration Service could not furnish the number of Nigerian professionals who had recently moved to Ghana. It’s spokesman, Ekpedeme King said the data of Nigerians that had emigrated to the country was yet to be collated.
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All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: editor@punchng.com
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Friday, June 3, 2016
JAMB CANCELLED POST UME
The Federal Government has scrapped the Post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).
The Post-UTME is an internal exam organised for students seeking admission, by Universities of their choice, after theUnified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME)organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB).
Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu told newsmen of the government’s decision on Thursday, June 2, 2016.
He made the announcement at the opening of the 2016 combined policy meeting on admissions to Universities, Polytechnics and other higher institutions in Nigeria
Adamu also said the Universities are free to hold screening interviews for prospective candidates, adding that he has confidence in JAMB’s ability to hold exams.
The minister also called on JAMB to stop all forms of multiple charges on change of school and course forms.
He said “As far as I am concerned the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing. The universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complain against JAMB let them bring it and then we address it.
“If JAMB is qualified enough to conduct tests and they have conducted test then there will be no need to conduct another test for students to gain admission.”
The post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) has caused a lot of controversy, as many parents have accused Universities of using the exam to raise funds.
See Pulse Photo-News gallery below.
The Post-UTME is an internal exam organised for students seeking admission, by Universities of their choice, after theUnified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME)organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB).
Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu told newsmen of the government’s decision on Thursday, June 2, 2016.
He made the announcement at the opening of the 2016 combined policy meeting on admissions to Universities, Polytechnics and other higher institutions in Nigeria
Adamu also said the Universities are free to hold screening interviews for prospective candidates, adding that he has confidence in JAMB’s ability to hold exams.
The minister also called on JAMB to stop all forms of multiple charges on change of school and course forms.
He said “As far as I am concerned the nation has confidence in what JAMB is doing. The universities should not be holding another examination and if the universities have any complain against JAMB let them bring it and then we address it.
“If JAMB is qualified enough to conduct tests and they have conducted test then there will be no need to conduct another test for students to gain admission.”
The post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) has caused a lot of controversy, as many parents have accused Universities of using the exam to raise funds.
See Pulse Photo-News gallery below.
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