BREAKING: Court Sends DG Arts And Culture, Runsewe To Prison

By Magnus- 2020-01-09 15:48:04 – [ News ]

Olusegun Runsewe
Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has sentenced the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Olusegun Runsewe, to prison.

Justice Okeke made the order on Thursday while ruling on a motion drawn from a suit filed by Ummakalif Limited against the Minister of the FCT; Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA); DG of NCAC, and the Minister for Culture and Tourism, as the first, second, third and fourth defendants respectively.

In the motion, the claimant sought an order of the court committing Runsewe to prison for contempt of court order made on December 15, 2017.

READ ALSO: Lai Mohammed Orders Implementation Of 70% Local Content In Broadcasting

Justice Okeke described Runsewe’s action as highly contemptuous, adding that committing him to the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) would serve as a deterrent to others who abuse office and disobey court orders with disdain.

He ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest Runsewe with immediate effect and hand him over to the NCS pending when he retraces his steps.

The court had ordered parties in the suit to stay proceedings on every activity concerning the demolition of the Arts and Craft village located in the Central Business District area of the FCT.

However, the respondents in the suit, particularly the NCAC flouted that rule.

Sony surprises with an electric concept car called the Vision-S

By Magnus- 2020-01-09 15:48:05 – [ News ]

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Sony just made what might be one of the biggest surprise announcements at this year’s CES: a car. Called the Sony Vision-S, it’s an electric concept sedan that is meant to showcase the Japanese tech conglomerate’s many different strengths, from entertainment products to camera sensors and more.

In fact, the Vision-S features 33 different sensors inside and outside of the car, multiple widescreen displays, 360 audio, and always-on connectivity, with some pieces coming from industry players like BlackBerry and Bosch. It’s also powered by a “newly-designed EV platform” — which appears to have been engineered by automotive supplier Magna — that Sony says will be able to power other vehicle types, like SUVs.

The outside of the vehicle has some strong Porsche vibes, especially around the headlights, and inside profile it somewhat resembles the Lucid Motors Air. Inside, the Vision-S features a dashboard-spanning screen much like the one that Chinese EV startup Byton is putting in its cars, with screens for rear-seat passengers in the headrests.

“This prototype embodies our contribution to the future of mobility,” Sony CEO Kenichiro Yoshida said.

The company announced the car at the tail end of its CES press conference, where it also unveiled the logo for the upcoming PlayStation 5. Sony only spent a minute or two discussing the car before ending the press conference, too, and so it left tons of questions unanswered. Does Sony (or Magna) intend to put this into production, or is it just meant to be a reference car? Will Magna let other companies build their own prototypes or reference cars on the platform?

Source: The Verge

Police arrest five kidnap suspects in Abia

By Magnus- 2020-01-06 21:32:06 – [ News ]

Eric Ugbor – Aba

The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Ene Okon, on Monday, confirmed the arrest of five suspects in connection with the abduction of a young boy in Umuoba, Isiala Ngwa South local government area of the state.

Okon, who spoke to journalists in Aba, said the suspects have also confessed to the crime.

He said: “I am aware of the arrest of five kidnappers who have confessed to kidnap escapades by Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). They are undergoing interrogation.”

A police source told our correspondent that the suspects were arrested on Monday morning in Isiala Ngwa North local government area of the state.

The suspects are – Ejike Nwankocha (42), who claimed to be a native doctor, David Alfred (23), Augustine Ejike (24), Alexander Azubunne (24), and Chide Monye (23).

The source said the suspects are all from Amaekpu Autonomous Community in Isiala Ngwa North LGA.

He said the suspects kidnapped the young boy in a bid to get his relation who resides abroad to pay them ransom.

Okon said the suspects would be arraigned in court at the end of investigations.

Soleimani: Shi’ites protest in Abuja, burn US flags

By Magnus – 2020-01-06 21:32:06 – [ News ]

Soleimani
Luminous Jannamike – Abuja

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) on Monday burnt the United States’ flags over the killing of the Iranian army chief, Qasem Soleimani.

Soleimani was killed in a drone strike by the US troops in Baghdad last Friday.

The Iranian military commander was killed over alleged plots to attack major American sites.

In their reaction to the killing, the Shi’ites held a protest near Banex junction in the Wuse District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

They also demanded the immediate release of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, who are currently in detention.

The angry protesters carried placards as they marched through the streets of Abuja and chanted slogans like “Death To America.”

A top member of the IMN, Sheikh Abdulrahman Abubakar, condemned the killing, saying: “The street demonstration is part of the global outcry against America for the extrajudicial killing of Soleimani and others with him.

“These kinds of protests are expected as the funeral rites of those who died commenced in earnest in both Iran and Iraq.”

UNIMAID Alumnus, Kazeem Jimoh Wins 2019 UNESCO MAB Award

By Magnus – 2020-01-06 21:32:05 – [ News ]

University of Maiduguri graduate and Research Fellow with the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Kazeem Jimoh has been selected for the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Award under the category of MAB Young Scientist of 2019.

Kazeem Jimoh
This programme seeks to promote a new generation of scientists worldwide in addressing ecological and sustainability issues.

Also Read: Harmattan: Two Friends Suffocate From Charcoal Smoke While Trying To Keep Warm In Jos

The award is focused at encouraging young researchers to undertake work on ecosystems, natural resources and biodiversity.

Kazeem is the only Nigerian among the seven scientists from different parts of the world to win the 2019 Young Scientist.

His work, Impact of Green Economy In Biosphere Reserve Project As An Alternative Livelihood Source On The Poverty Status Of OMO Biosphere Reserve Communities, was widely reviewed and selected by the council for the award.

Source:

Serie A: Cristiano Ronaldo equals Alexis Sanchez’s record after hat-trick against Cagliari

By Magnus – 2020-01-06 21:32:04 – [ News ]

Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, netted a hat-trick as they beat Cagliari 4-0 in a Serie A fixture on Monday.

His second-half treble means he becomes just the second player to score hat-tricks in Serie A, LaLiga and the Premier League.

The first player to achieve this feat is Alexis Sanchez.

Sanchez achieved this feat, when Arsenal beat Leicester 5-2 in September 2015, having previously hit trebles for Barcelona and Udinese.

Ronaldo hit league hat-tricks for Manchester United and Real Madrid before today.

It was the Portugal forward’s 36th league hat-trick of his career. Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, has 34.

Boko Haram: Women, children killed as bomb explosion rocks Gamboru in Borno

By Magnus – 2020-01-06 21:32:03 – [ News ]

Reports from Gamboru Ngala local government in Borno State indicate that several people, mainly women and children, have been killed as explosion suspected to have been masterminded by Book Haram rocked the area.

The explosives were said to have been planted close to a bridge between Nigeria and Cameroon border.

Traders, who spoke to DAILY POST on phone, said the bomb exploded during routine security check on people, who are coming out of the market.

Alhaji Tahir Mamman, who spoke to our Correspondent said he cannot ascertain the number of casualty.

“Today is the market day. The bomb incident happened at 3 O’clock when the people were returning home.

“A lot of women and children have been killed. May God Almighty bring an end to our predicaments,” Tahir said.

The military is yet to comment on the bomb explosion.

Video: Borno Governor blasts soldiers collecting N1,000 at checkpoint

By Magnus – 2020-01-06 21:17:05 – [ News ]

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The governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno state when he heard that soldiers have a checkpoint on Maiduguri-Damaturu highway and were collecting N1,000 each from drivers raced to the scene, tongue-lashed the soldiers and ordered that the drivers who were on the endless queues be released to go on their journey.

FG to empower local manufacturers to produce malaria drugs — NMEP

By Magnus – 2020-01-06 21:17:06 – [ News ]

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Dr Audu Mohammed, the Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), on Monday, said Federal Government would empower local manufacturers to produce malaria drugs locally.

He told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that government would be doing this through the World Health Organisation (WHO) prequalification programme.

He said the prequalification Programme, set up in 2001, was a service provided by WHO to facilitate access to medicines that met unified standards of quality, safety and efficacy for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.

The coordinator added that NMEP had applied for the fund from three donors – World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and Africa Development Bank to support manufacturers and buy malaria live-saving commodities.

He noted that “World Bank has promised to give us about N200 million dollars, the Islamic Development Bank — 100 million dollars and African Development Bank — 64 million dollars.

“We want to use part of the innovation fund to empower local manufacturers to produce malaria drugs.

“Most of the malaria drugs are imported because our local manufacturers have challenges, they need to have WHO global manufacturing practice, which only 46 manufacturers have in the country.

“They also need to be pre-qualified by WHO.

“However, we are now working with WHO to empower many of our manufacturers to have that prequalification; by so doing, we will also patronise them to buy these commodities as local content.

“This will enable us to employ more youths in the manufacturing industry and we will also be exporting drugs to other countries when our capacity improves.”

Mohammed, however, called on corporate bodies to support the effort of the government to eliminate malaria, saying “you do not wait for donors before you address your problems.

“We want to call on National Assembly, states and philanthropists to increase funding for malaria because the more you have domestic funding, the more you can address your problem.’’

NAN quoted to have said that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas had taken a bold step to eliminate malaria Bonny in River and called for more support from other organisations.

He commended some Civil Society Organisations for sensitising people at the community level, adding that the support would also go a long way in addressing malaria burden.

“Community sensitisation is important, no matter what the government is doing, people need to do their part; the moment a child has fever, parents or caregivers should not give him or her Paracetamol.

“They should take the child to a health facility for diagnosis and to have the right prescription; people should know that anti-malaria medications are available in health facilities as well,’’ he said.

In addition, the coordinator advised Nigerians to sleep under mosquito nets to prevent malaria, frowning at some people who collect nets without using them.

“Malaria requires prevention, we distributed mosquito nets in all states of the federation and we recorded 98 per cent coverage.

“However, when you go back to check, the coverage will be below 70 per cent, which it is not good.

“This is because some people do not sleep under a mosquito net.”

Ex-Trump aide Bolton ready to testify in impeachment trial

By Magnus- 2020-01-06 21:17:07 – [ News ]

(FILES) In this file photo taken on August 29, 2019 US National Security Advisor John Bolton answers journalists questions after his meeting with Belarus President in Minsk. – Former White House national security advisor John Bolton said on January 6, 2020 that he is willing to testify if subpoenaed in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. (Photo by Sergei GAPON / AFP)

Former White House national security advisor John Bolton said Monday that he is willing to testify if subpoenaed in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
Democrats believe Bolton has direct knowledge supporting charges of abuse of power and obstruction by the president.

But so far Republican Senate chief Mitch McConnell has indicated he does not want to call witnesses in the trial, expected this month.

“Based on careful consideration and study,” Bolton said in a statement, “I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify.”

Bolton is one of four Trump administration officials that Democrats want to testify in the trial, expected this month.

The House of Representatives has accused Trump of using military aid and other incentives as leverage to get Ukraine to investigate his political rivals, notably possible 2020 White House opponent Joe Biden.

The White House claimed executive privilege to prevent the four — Bolton, White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Trump assistant Robert Blair, and budget official Michael Duffey — from testifying to the House impeachment investigation.

If forced to testify in the Senate trial, Republicans fear they could provide deeply damaging evidence against Trump, raising the risk that he will be convicted and removed from office.

Bolton’s willingness aside, his subpoena and testimony are not a given.

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate and most are expected to support Trump in the trial.

Issuing a subpoena would require majority support from the senators, meaning several Republicans would have to cross over and join Democrats to vote in favor.

Bolton also noted that the constitutional issue of Trump’s ability to block his testimony was not resolved in court before the House voted to impeach Trump on December 18.

Even without a court ruling on the issue, suggested Bolton, he would be ready to come forward.

It was not clear whether the White House would again claim executive privilege to try and prevent his testimony.

Investigation finds no evidence of racial abuse aimed at Chelsea’s Rudiger

By Magñus- 2020-01-06 21:02:08 – [ News ]

Chelsea’s German defender Antonio Rudiger gestures at the end of the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on January 1, 2020. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Tottenham confirmed on Monday that a club and police investigation has found no evidence of racial abuse aimed at Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger.
The German defender complained that he was subjected to monkey chants in his side’s 2-0 win at Spurs on December 22.

The match was temporarily halted and announcements made over the public address system to warn fans that “racist behaviour among spectators is interfering with the game”.

Spurs responded swiftly, launching a full investigation alongside the police.

However, over two weeks on, no evidence has been found to corroborate or contradict Rudiger’s claim.

“We carried out extensive reviews of CCTV images and footage, working with professional lip readers. All materials and reports have now also been reviewed by the police who have carried out their own investigation,” Tottenham said in a statement.

“The police have notified us today that, having reviewed and investigated, they have closed the crime report as they can find no evidence to support the allegation of racial abuse.

“We fully support Antonio Rudiger with the action that he took – however there is no evidence to corroborate or contradict the allegation and as such neither ourselves nor the police are in a position to take any further action.”

Tottenham added that any fan found to have been guilty would have been handed a lifetime ban.

Source:

10 States Are Now Ready To Pay N30, 000 Minimum Wage – NLC Reveals

By Magnus – 2020-01-06 21:02:10 – [ News ]

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba

According to The Nation, the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) has said that about ten states have concluded negotiations with workers on consequential adjustments and ready to implement the N30, 000 national minimum wage.

Already, workers in Lagos and Kaduna, along with those at the Federal level, have started enjoying the new minimum wage.

The states, which have concluded discussions on consequential adjustments, according to NLC are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos and Ebonyi.

NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who appeared on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ programme on Monday, said the ten states met the December 31, 2019 deadline set by organised labour.

Organised labour had on December 11, 2019 at a meeting with its state chairmen in Abuja, set December 31 of the same year for all state governors to conclude negotiations with workers in their states following an agreement with the Federal Government on October 18, 2019.

President Buhari had in April 2019 signed the new wage bill aimed at boosting the morale of the Nigerian workers into law.

On October 18, 2019 after about six months of negotiations, the Federal Government reached an agreement with organised labour on the consequential adjustments after a lengthy negotiation process that dragged for months.

The federal government and organised labour agreed on per cent increase of 23.2 for workers on level seven and 20 per cent for workers on level eight, while it agreed on 19 per cent increase for workers on level nine.

Also, both the federal government and organised labour reached an agreement on 16 per cent salary increase for workers on level 10- 14 and 14 per cent increase for workers on level 15-17.

Wabba said about 23 states were still on the discussion table with labour leaders in their states on consequential adjustments.

He insisted that state governor do not have any reason not to pay the N30,000 minimum wage.

According to Wabba, the new wage is binding on all states following Buhari’s assent.

He said: “We are actually on tract. The Federal Government has set the pace. They have been able to meet up with all the obligations, including payment of arrears. Let us also not lose sight of the fact that from the day the President assented to the bill, it becomes a law. Therefore, states have no reason not to respect a law that had been enacted.

“So far so good, we have about ten states that have concluded the process of collective bargaining and some have commenced payment. They are in three categories. First are the states that have respected the deadline (December 31). They are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Lagos and Ebonyi.

“We have those (states) that are still on the table and they have until yesterday (January 5) to complete the process. This constitutes about 23 states that are on the discussion table and we have seen commitments.

“We insist on the process of collective bargaining because we don’t want an allocation of peanuts to workers. The principle of collective bargaining is enshrined in international law that workers should be able to know what they will be paid because the N30, 000 is already a law. What we are discussing is the consequential adjustment.

“That is why the unions are interested in looking at the details before they sign. Some (states) will want to pay peanut and that is what we are trying to avoid.”

The NLC president said that three states – Cross River, Kogi and Taraba, had yet to set up a committee to negotiate the consequential adjustments, warning that organised labour may be forced to declare a strike.

Wabba said the leadership of the NLC will meet with those of the Trade Union Congress and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) to review the situation state by state and take action.

“We have three stat

Allegations By CAN That Christians Are Persecuted In Nigeria Are False: Sultan Of Sokoto

By Magnus – 2019-12-26 14:02:02 – [ News ]

Sultan of Sokoto
Sa’ad Abubakar, sultan of Sokoto, has dismissed the claim by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that Christians are being persecuted in Nigeria.

This was in reaction to CAN’s support for the inclusion of Nigeria in the list of nations that tolerate religious persecution by the United States.

In a statement by Adebayo Oladeji, special assistant on media and communications to Samson Ayokunle, CAN president, he said that the alleged killing and alienation of Christians in key political appointments was open for a to see.

“All the key appointments that are being made since the second term of the President began, follow the same blueprint. These are facts and they are violations of some portions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” he said.

“It is widely believed that no country survives two civil wars. We, therefore, call on the government to correct the imbalances and not to be insensitive to the new development but instead address all the factors that are responsible.

Read Also: Buhari’s Third Term Agenda Kicked Off In September: Falana

“It is a fact that not fewer than 95 per cent of those who are being detained by the terrorists are Christians and the government has been paying lips service towards securing their freedoms.

“Leah Sharibu is a case study and the only reason why the government that secured the release of her colleagues has not freed her is because of her religion. We wonder why the government has not done the needful to liberate this innocent girl who happens to be a daughter of a Police officer.”

However, speaking at the closing ceremony of 77th annual Islamic vacation course (IVC) organised by the Muslim Society of Nigeria (MSSN) at Bayero University, Kano, the Sultan described the claims by CAN as “false and partial”.

He said the criminal activities perpetrated by armed “Fulani herdsmen” were not triggered by religion, “because not all Fulanis are Muslims”.

“If such persecution really exists, such is supposed to be tabled at the Interfaith Forum where Muslims and Christians leaders meet periodically to discuss issues that would promote harmonious coexistence between the two religions,” Abubakar said.

“Many Fulanis are atheists whose main interest is to protect their cattle.”

Source:

Italian Education Minister Quits Over Insufficient Funding

By Màgnus- 2019-12-26 13:48:03 – [ News ]

Image used to illustrate story: Students wait in the corridor to enter their classroom in the Lucien Colon school, in Lapalisse, central France on December 2, 2019. Thierry Zoccolan / AFP
Italian Education Minister Lorenzo Fioramonti of the anti-establishment Five Star Movement said Thursday he had resigned because his ministry is underfunded.

Fioramonti wrote on Facebook that he informed Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte of his decision on Tuesday, saying he had taken up the portfolio to “reverse… the trend that has for decades put Italian schools, higher education and research in conditions of great suffering.”

He said the government had failed “to ensure a financial waterline… especially in such a crucial area as universities and research.”

The resignation deals a new blow to the coalition government formed by Fioramonti’s M5S party and the centre-left Democratic Party just four months ago.

Dissensions have already arisen in several areas including migration.

M5S leader Luigi Di Maio, who is foreign minister, has come under harsh criticism within the party, with several lawmakers leaving to join the far-right, anti-immigrant League party led by Matteo Salvini.

Media reports say Fioramonti plans to form an independent group in parliament to support Conte that may be the embryo of a new political party.

AFP

Kano govt bans opposite genders from entering same tricycle

By Magnus – 2019-12-26 13:48:02 – [ News ]

The Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Wednesday banned persons of opposite genders from entering same commercial tricycles across the state, from January, 2020.

Ganduje announced the ban yesterday at the closing ceremony of 77th annual Islamic Vacation Course (IVC) organised by Zone A of the Muslim Society of Nigeria (MSSN) held at Bayero University.

The Governor was represented by Commander General of Hisbah Board, Harun Ibn-Sina.

He said the state government was committed towards upholding Islamic values.

Commercial tricycles, popularly known as ‘A daidaita Sahu’ in the state, were introduced by a former governor of Kano, Ibrahim Shekarau, as a means of transportation for women only.

This was after Shekarau’s government banned commercial motorcyclists from conveying women.

Since Mr Shekarau’s exit as governor, however, tricycles have been allowed to carry people of both sexes, a move the state government has now said will be changed.

Governor Ganduje also charged participants at the event to face their studies and shun drug abuse.

Source:

Horror! How Huge Fire Outbreak Razed Rivers Buildings, Shanties On Christmas Eve In Rivers (Photo)

By Magnus – 2019-12-26 13:32:05 – [ News ]

Scene of the inferno

According to a report by Punch Metro, serious tragedy struck in the Rumueprikom community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday as fire gutted some houses on Ekwurugwu Street, destroying properties worth millions of naira.

The fire was said to have started from one of the shanties close to a storey building around 9.10pm.

It was gathered that a mentally-ill woman had lit fire near a corner, where adulterated petrol and kerosene were kept within her residence, an action that caused the inferno to spread quickly to two other houses.

No life was lost to the incident, which caused pandemonium on the street and neighbouring streets in the area.

Residents, who noticed the inferno, had a tough time trying to extinguish the fire, which razed all the shanties, a storey building and the Grace Apostolic Church.

A source told Punch Metro that none of the occupants of one of the affected buildings was around when the incident happened as they were said to have gone for their church’s Christmas retreat.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, recalled that a similar incident occurred in the same area on Christmas Eve four years ago, adding that properties worth millions of naira were lost to the incident.

A trader, who identified herself simply as Gloria, said she was taking her bath after the day’s work when she heard people shouting “fire, fire,” adding that she rushed out of the bathroom, went into her room and took some money before rushing outside to avoid being trapped inside by fire.

Gloria explained that she bought detergent with which she mixed with water to quench the fire, but to no avail, adding that she lost her properties to the inferno.

She said, “I even bought N200 detergent to put out the fire, but to no avail. My younger brothers have travelled home for Christmas; so, nobody could help me. I could not remove anything; we lost everything to the fire.

“The fire was caused by one of our neighbours, who is mentally-ill; some of the residents sell kerosene and petrol for survival, but they know that these houses are shanties and they should have removed the fuel from the room to a safe place. They kept it inside one of the rooms and the woman mistakenly caused the fire.”

Another source, who simply identified herself as Blessing, said some residents opened the overhead tanks attached to another storey building close to the shanties in order to use the water stored in them to extinguish the fire.

While officials of the Rivers State Fire Service rushed to the scene, policemen were on the ground to prevent streets urchins from looting the properties that were supposed to be salvaged.

The fire was, however, extinguished around 11.15pm after the firemen had worked tirelessly for about an hour as their efforts stopped the inferno from spreading to other buildings.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Nnamdi Omoni, told our correspondent that no life was lost.

“Immediately I heard about it, I mobilised the fire service men and our men to the scene. The fire service men extinguished the inferno and our men were on the ground to ensure that there was calm. No life was lost to the incident,” he stated.

Babies-For-Sale Scheme Rocks European Country

By Magnus – 2019-12-26 13:48:03 – [ News ]

A picture taken on December 23, 2019, shows a nanny feeding a baby at the “Mankan Tun” orphanage in Yerevan, Armenia. KAREN MINASYAN / AFP
Syuzan Patvakanyan has been searching for her daughter ever since doctors in post-Soviet Armenia forced her to give her up as a baby nearly two decades ago.

Now 35, she shared her story with AFP as the authorities this month detained the country’s chief obstetrician-gynaecologist, the head of an orphanage and other officials as part of a probe into an alleged black-market adoption scheme believed to have been operating for years.

Patvakanyan accused the detained chief gynaecologist, Razmik Abramyan, and other doctors of pressuring her to give up her baby.

She was just a teenager when she “fell madly in love” with a man five years her senior, she said.

After the 16-year-old gave birth to a little girl, doctors threatened to report the baby’s father to police for having sex with a minor and coerced Patvakanyan into signing a consent form to hand over their daughter Stella.

“I cried, I didn’t want to do it,” Patvakanyan said in an interview, tears streaming down her face.

She signed the papers under pressure but three days later she returned to the maternity ward to take Stella home.

The baby girl was no longer there however.

The doctors claimed she had been sent to an orphanage in the country’s second-largest city of Gyumri. But the young mum could not locate her there either.

“We realised that the swaddled baby had been sold right out of the hospital,” the distraught woman said.

Patvakanyan appears to be one of dozens of women caught up in an underground baby-selling network that is now the subject of an official investigation in the impoverished ex-Soviet country.

In December, investigators said they had detained Abramyan, as well as the heads of a maternity ward and an orphanage in the capital Yerevan.

The chief gynaecologist was released several days later, sparking public outrage.

According to his lawyer, Abramyan dismisses the claims as “unfounded and absurd” and insists he had nothing to do with the adoptions.

The lawyer, Samvel Dilbandyan, confirmed Abramyan had helped to deliver Stella, but could not be expected to remember every birth he was involved in.

“It’s been 20 years, how can he remember her?” Dilbandyan told AFP.

‘More powerful than drugs mafia’

Armenia’s pro-reform leader Nikol Pashinyan has ordered a thorough investigation into the alleged scheme, which he said is believed to have been operating “for many years”.

“How could such a scheme exist in Armenia?” Pashinyan asked at a government meeting this month.

Marat Kostanyan, a lawyer who has represented Patvakanyan since 2013, claims the network was vast and involved high-ranking officials and police, as well as staff at maternity wards and orphanages.

“The mafia selling children is more powerful than the drugs mafia,” Kostanyan said.

“This criminal network has turned the country into a hatchery to produce babies.”

Despite all his efforts, there has been little progress in Patvakanyan’s case, the lawyer said.

“As far as I know, no one has managed to achieve justice and get their babies back,” he said.

Separately, Armenia’s security service said in November it had exposed a criminal network that helped Italians adopt more than 30 babies in recent years.

It said that between 2016 and 2018 several young women who had wanted to terminate their pregnancies were instead forced to carry the babies to term and then give them up for adoption.

“In some cases, the frightened mothers were told their newborn babies were sick,” the security service said.

Deputy labour minister Zhanna Andreasyan said officials had started looking more closely into adoptions after noticing that four times as many children went to foreigners rather than to locals.

All adoptions have since been suspended while the investigation is ongoing.

EPL: Manchester United make Leicester midfielder summer priority signing

By Magnus – 2019-12-26 13:02:03 – [ News ]

Manchester United Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, has reportedly set his sight on Leicester City star James Maddison as summer priority signing for the summer, according to Daily Star.

Maddison is also said to be edging closer to renewing his contract at King Power Stadium which may complicate any deal United are trying.

United boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is said to believe that even if the playmaker renews his contract at Leicester, it won’t be difficult for United to sign him.

Woodward and Solskjaer are agreement over the 23 year old’s transfer and so that smoothes matters out greatly.

Daily Star reports that Woodward is willing to make the Maddison transfer happen for Solskjaer next summer despite the deal potentially costing £80m.

United fans will be hoping this transfer goes better than the Harry Maguire one.

The England international has been in fantastic form this season for the Foxes.

Money Brings Out A Man’s True Nature – Reno Onokri

By Magnus – 2019-12-26 13:02:04 – [ News ]

Reno Omokri
Reno Omokri, in his usual fashion, has shared new nuggets on his IG page.

According to Reno this time, there is one way to actually know a man’s true nature, and according to him, money can help one tell just how good or bad a man is.

Read Also: Reno Omokri Shares His Greatest Moments In 2019

In his words;

“If you want to know a man, have financial dealings with him. Nothing brings out a man’s true nature like money. If you have not had such dealings with a man, you only think you know him. You don’t truly know him. Even the man does not really know himself. Money exposes a man to even himself. Many people that you think are ‘nice’ and ‘humble’ are in reality only poor. That is why I laugh when people say money changed their friend. No. Money REVEALED your friend to both you and him.”

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I did not join Barcelona to win titles’ — Antoine Griezmann

By Magnus – 2019-12-26 13:17:04 – [ News ]

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Barcelona’s French forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates after scoring a second goal during the Spanish League football match between Barcelona and Real Betis at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on August 25, 2019. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP)
Antoine Griezmann insists he did not leave Atletico for success at Barcelona, revealing it was for stylistic reasons as his former club is capable of winning silverware also.

The 28-year-old headed to the Blaugrana after they forked out his €120m (£107m/$134m) release clause during the summer transfer window.

When asked if he moved to Barcelona to win trophies, Griezmann was adamant he departed the Spanish capital to play a different style of football, not for success.

“I did not leave Atlético to win the Champions League or win more titles,” Griezmann told UEFA.com

“I came here to Barça to learn a new style of play, a new philosophy and to grow on a personal level.

“Atlético can also win the La Liga and the Champions League, they have the team and the coach to do it.”

Under Diego Simeone, who has managed the club since 2011, Atletico won the 2013-14 La LIga title and finished runners up twice between 2017 and 2019.

They also lost in two Champions League finals while being managed by the Argentine, with Griezmann remembering the 2015-16 defeat to city rivals Real Madrid without much fondness.

The French attacker struck a penalty off the crossbar just after half-time, and despite Atletico equalising with 11 minutes to play, they couldn’t force a winner and ended up losing 5-3 on penalties – even though Griezmann converted the first spot-kick.

The World Cup winner revealed it was his biggest career regret and that he feels his mistake cost Atletico a chance at Champions League glory.

“I was very angry to have failed,” Griezmann said. “I think my failure was what made us lose the final. “It will always hurt me, even if I win [the Champions League] with another club.

“It was my dream, the dream of the whole club and I had it in my feet. I can’t turn around, but I’m sure it will hurt me in ten or fifteen years.”

Griezmann has had a reasonable start to this Blaugrana career, scoring eight goals and creating four assists in 23 appearances.

Barcelona are currently two points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, as the competition heads into its Christmas and New Year’s break.

Their next match will come in the league with a clash at Espanyol on January 4.

Source: Goal.com

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