Over 20 People Injured After Passenger Plane Caught Fire In Florida!

More than 20 people were injured when a Caracas, Venezuela bound Boeing 767 carrying 101 passengers caught fire on Taxiway B,  Fort Lauderdale International Airport - Florida around 5:30pm, Thursday, October 29. 

Among those injured are a 62-year-old man who fell and hit his head on the tarmac while running away from the plane, and a 4-year-old boy. 

According to authorities, cause of the accident was a minor fuel leak in the area of the left wing near the engine, and a fuel fire on the ground.

The airport's runways were shut down while all inbound flights were diverted.

China Abandons Decade Long 'One-Child-Policy', To Allow Couples Have Two Children!

After its Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held from Monday to Thursday, 26th - 29th October,  the communique issued the following:

• To allow all couples to have two children, abandoning its decades-long one-child policy.

On Economy:

• Targets "medium-high economic growth" for the next five years starting 2016.
• The nation will aim to double its 2010 GDP and per-capita income of both urban and rural residents by 2020 by ensuring more balanced, inclusive and sustainable development.
• Government will intervene less in price formation.
•  Overhaul state assets management, establish modern fiscal and taxation systems, and reform financial supervision.
• Innovation will be put at core position for China's development in the next five years.
• Significantly raise the contribution of consumption to economic growth from 2016 to 2020.

On foreign Investment Policies: 

•  To attract more foreign investors by being clearer on the rules that apply to them.
• Adopt the "negative list" model nationwide which clearly states sectors and businesses that are off limits to foreign investment.

On Social Welfare: 

• Extend old-age insurance to its full population

Changes:

• Endorses prior decisions to revoke the membership of 10 former officials, including Ling Jihua.
• Three new members fill vacancies of the Central Committee of the CPC after former members were expelled from the Party.

British Born Ghanaian Actor, Sam Sarpong Dies After Falling Off Bridge In Los Angeles!

British born American actor, super-model, and musician, Samuel Osei Sarpong, Jr. popularly known as "Sam Sarpong"  is dead. 

Authorities said Sam died on Tuesday, October 28th, after jumping from Pasadena bridge - Los Angeles in what was ruled as an apparent suicide, after Police and family members tried to talk him out of it. 
The 40- year- old in his life time, featured in about 60 films and in 55 TV shows, among them includes: 'Love Don't Cost A Thing', Anchor Baby, Carmen The Hip Hopera. 

Sam released six rap albums with The League group, which sold more than a million copies. He was Louis Vuitton's first black male model,  he also modelled for Gucci, Versace and Tommy Hilfiger.

Prince Harry Visits Virginia Fort Belvoir!

To attract interests to the Invictus Games, a programs that help injured service members, Prince Harry accompanied by the First Lady Michelle Obama and the Vice- President's wife Jill Biden on Wednesday October 29th visited injured members of the military at the USO Warrior and Family Center, Fort Belvoir - Virginia. 

The British Prince also visited President barack Obama at the Oval office.

Recounting on what inspired his keen interest in the program for wounded members of the military, Prince Harry stated: "I am in no doubt that my two deployments to Afghanistan changed the direction of my life. There is very little that can truly prepare you for the reality of war. The experiences can be stark and long lasting. Returning to the UK after my first deployment, I shared the flight home with three critically-injured British soldiers, all in induced comas, and the body of a Danish soldier, killed in action. It hit me then that this flight was one of many, carrying home men and women whose lives would be changed forever, and some who had made the ultimate sacrifice.

"From that moment, I knew I had a responsibility to help all 
veterans, who had made huge personal sacrifices for their 
countries, to lead healthy and dignified lives after service."

Nigerian President In New Delhi To Attend The 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit!

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in New Delhi to attend the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit.
See Photos:

Lagos Safety Commission Issues ‘Stop Work’ Order To Eko Energy Estate!

 

The Lagos State government on Tuesday October 27th, issued a 'stop work' order to Eko Energy Estate for failure to comply with the Safety Laws. 

Reason for this action emerged when officials of the Lagos State Safety Commission on getting to the construction site noticed that workers were working without adequate protective measures, several cranes on site were without proper documentation, top most of the offence being that the visiting state safety officials were denied access into the facility by the site officials. 

All efforts to get the management of the estate to allow the safety officials carry out its lawful duties regardless of the enabling laws backing the Commission proved abortive. As a result, a 'stop work order' was issued on the estate.

Similarly, the commission also inspected the Eko Atlantic City project site where it brought to light, areas that needs to be upgraded and steps to be taken in order to ensure a more conducive and safe working environment.

The Property Development Company (PRODECO) was further ordered to submit its project plan so as to obtain the Safety Compliance Certificate which companies  are expected to have.

Eko Energy Estate is a large-scale development spread across about 250,000 square metres of newly reclaimed land in the north-west corner of Eko Atlantic City, to host offices and residences aimed especially at the oil and gas sector. The project is a client of  Property Development Company (PRODECO). 

Nigerian Governor Names State Building After Daughter!

The governor of Imo state, South East Nigeria, Owelle Rochas  Anayo Okorocha recently named a newly constructed 'government' building after one of his daughters, Uloma Nwosu (nee Okorocha).

Report revealed that Mrs. Uloma Nwosu is married to Mr. Uche Nwosu, the  Honorable Commissioner for Land Survey and Urban Planning in Okorocha’s cabinet, while Uloma is the Director General of the Rochas Okorocha Foundation. 

Persian Gulf Cities May Be Unfit For Human Survival In The Near Future - Study Warns!

Reports from new research carried out by authors from Loyola Marymount University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology indicates that due to increasing temperature during summer times, major cities like Doha in Qatar, in the oil-rich Persian Gulf region of the Middle East, will not be fit for humans to survive.

 

Cristiano Ronaldo Launches CR7 Footwear!

 Cristiano Ronaldo launches his CR7 Footwear in Portugal, his home town.



Photos of some the collection, which according to CR is "based on classic, timeless formal styles that can be worn every day but that have a unique flair- a special twist or detail in every piece".

Qatar Leads in World's Richest Country, As The United States And United Kingdom Follows In 7th And 23rd Position!

Data from the International Monetary Fund IMF's magazine ranked countries around the world according to their GDP per capita and Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) basis, which takes into account the living cost and inflation rates, to contrast living standards between the nations, in order to determined the poorest and richest over the 2009-2013 period.

The List Below: 

Combating Crime/ Traffic - Lagos State Moves To Purchase Helicopters!

In a bid to combat increasing crime rate and logjam around Lagos metropolis, Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode stated that Lagos state has concluded plans to procure three helicopters by November, 2015. 

Mr Ambose disclosed this during an interview On Sunday October 25, with Soni Irabor Live (SIL) on Inspiration 92.3 FM.

Scores Killed As Massive Earthquake Hits Afghanistan, South Asian Region!

More than 150 people were killed and about 1,400 buildings leveled, when a  7.5 magnitude earth quake hit northeastern Afghanistan, tremors was felt across South Asian region, particularly Pakistan which recorded about 123 casualties and over 900 injuries. This happened on Monday, 26th October, at about 2:10 p.m. (5:10 a.m. ET).
See photos below:

Nigerian Ministerial Nominees Screening.... And Issues Raised!

Below are some questions directed to Ministerial nominees by the Nigerian Senate during their screening.



And answers provided by the nominees on Thursday, October 22, as presided over by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

Barrister James Ocholi

- 'I make a vow; I will be honest, I will look at the issues &say the truthful legal advice to the President'

The Criminal Justice System

- 'Issues on Human Rights will be given adequate consideration if i'm given anything that has to do with that area'

- 'I will work on the design and construction of new Prisons'.

- 'Justice delayed is Justice denied. I like the recently passed Administration of Criminal Justice Law'.

- 'We have 69% of the total number of inmates awaiting trial in Prisons. This is unhealthy for Nigeria.'

Plea Bargain, should it be abolished?

- 'In my experience, I have had a difficulty in buying into plea bargaining.'

Plea Bargaining has only been recently codified clearly; the initiator, the terms, the guilt or otherwise'.

On Supreme Court Justices

- 'Our Supreme Court Justices are doing a very great work'

- 'In this time and age, our courts are still grinding slowly. Judges still hand write things that are said.'

- 'The Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is too wide. We are in fact lucky that they don't die on the seat'.

On the number of Women in Government

- 'I plead with you not to allow me comment on this'.

'however says 35% appointment for women is not only tied to Ministerial Posts'.

Honourable Baba Shehuri Mustapha: 

Former Councillor, former LG Chairman, former House of Assembly Honourable and Reps Honourable.

On improve Local Government Administration

Canvassed for Local Government Autonomy

Professor Cladius Omoleye Daramola: 

On teaching quality, teachers' renumeration and the standard of education posed by Senator Ohuabunwa.

- 'We have to train and retrain Teachers. And most importantly, Teachers have to be paid regularly.'

On cultism in the educational sector, posed by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari.

- 'On Cultism, you rarely find Children of the poor as Cultist, most of them come from comfortable families'

Heineken Lokpobiri: 

A former Senator.

On Environmental Rights vis a vis the Niger Delta, posed by Senate President Bukola Saraki

- 'I wrote on Environmental Rights as a scholar because our rights do not make provision for Environmental Rights.

Rotimi Amechi: 

ex- governor of Rivers state.

On political antecedents as Speaker and later Governor of Rivers State for 8 Years each:

- 'We refined governance and repositioned leadership under my tenure as Governor.'

Issues concerning the Nigerian Governors' Forum posed by Senator Tayo Alasoadura
- 'All we did in the Governors Forum was to defend the rights of Nigerians'
- 'If we keep to the rule of law, allow a Governor to function as a Governor, that will be it'

- 'Nigerian politicians believe there is need for compromise but not when it clashes with my principles'

On Niger Delta Region if made a Minister of the region:

- 'If I become the Minister for Niger Delta, the East - West Road will be first to be completed'.

- 'I believe there are resources in the Niger-Delta, that is why there is Militancy'

Investment in Nigeria

- 'Why people don't invest in Nigeria is because the cost of investment is higher than the profit'

- 'We must improve on the Social Rights of the people; if you have peace you'll have investors.'

Corruption charges leveled against Him posed by Senator Gbenga Ashafa
- 'I have never collected bribe in my life.'

Can you, in your own view define what corruption is all about posed by Senator Shehu Sani.

- 'Corruption is difficult to define.'

- 'If they send a girl to you to do something for her and you sleep with the girl, you are corrupt.'

What he intends doing in his first 100 Days as Minister posed by Senator Wamakko Aliyu
- 'If I become the Minister for Niger Delta, the East - West Road will be first to be completed'.

- 'I believe there are resources in the Niger-Delta, that is why there is Militancy'

Buhari Presides Over First Meeting With Council of States!

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, October 21st, presided over a meeting of the Council of State, the first since his inauguration on May 29.
Photos Below:

Mathew Knowles Hinted Beyonce Might Be 'A Lil' Older Than She Claims!

Beyonce's dad, Mathew Knowles gave hint that his famous daughter might actually be a little bit older that she claims, when he recently appeared on a radio talk show "The Breakfast Club" in New York City.



Answering a question on Beyonce's age, Mathew Knowles said "Officially: She's 34—​born Sept. 4, 1981".
  

While referring to the many talented artists working in Atlanta in the

mid-90s, he said: 

P!nk …"is the exact same age as Beyoncé ...

...You had Usher; he was the same age. All 14 and 15 years old 

living in Atlanta."

Obviously, Ushe and P!nk are not 34 years of age.

Sword Wielding Masked Man Kills Teacher, Injures Several Others In Swedish School!

One person, a teacher was killed while about four others (a teacher and students) were injured when a masked man in black clothes, wielding a sword entered Kronan school premises in Trollhattan, north of Gothenburg, western Sweden in the early hours of Thursday, October 22. 

Initially, the students thought he was a joke, and took pictures with him, while some touched the sword. 

The Police responded to an emergency call that one person had been attacked near the school cafeteria. The assailant who was initially thought to be dead after he was shot by Police, is said to be undergoing surgery at the regional hospital  NÄL.

The victims included one adult and four children. A teachers and two boys aged 11 and 15, were also seriously wounded and undergoing surgery at Trollhättan hospital.

Chris Rock To Host 2016 Oscar!

The 88th Oscars ceremony which is scheduled to air from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on February 28, 2016, will be hosted by Chris Rock.

Nominees will be announced on January 14, 2016.

Vatican Denies Report On Pontiff's Health!

The Vatican has denied the rumor that the pontiff has a benign brain tumor, saying it is "a grave act of irresponsibility, absolutely inexcusable and unconscionable"; stating instead that the Pontiff is in good health.

The worrisome news on Pope Francis's health was reported by an Italian newspaper Quotidiano Nazionale daily on Wednesday, October 21st, a claim the Vatican wasted no time to rebuff. 

Nigerian Government Vows To Remain Vigilant Through Enhanced Surveillance For Ebola And Other Diseases!

As Nigeria marks one year of declaration as an 'Ebola free country', by World Health Organization (WHO), the Federal Government says it will remain vigilant through enhanced surveillance not only for Ebola, but for other disease that constitute public health emergencies.



This was made known by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute at the 1st  anniversary of declaring Nigeria Ebola free.

Yet Another Police Officer Shot And Killed!

A Police officer was shot in the fore-head and killed Tuesday around 8:30pm, October 20th, during a chase and gunfight with a criminal, who had stolen a bike and was being pursued by cops on a pedestrian overpass above the FDR Drive in East Harlem, New-York city.

The 33-year-old officer, Randolph Holder died from injuries sustained at about 10:22 p.m. at Harlem Hospital where he was taken to.

Authorities state that Holder was the fourth officer killed in the line of duty in the city in the past 11 months.

Domestic Violence Fingered In LUTH Consultant Paediatric Surgeon's Death!

A Consultant Clinical Pathologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos- Nigeria, Dr. Thomas is currently cooling his heels at the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, SCIID, Yaba, over alleged involvement in his wife’s death.

The deceased, a mother of two and a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, identified as Dr. Hestianna Idiodi-Thomas died on Thursday, October 15, 2015, after she was rushed to LUTH battered. A close examination of her body revealed cuts on her skull and marks of violence on her body.

Dr. Thomas denied any wrongdoing, saying he only found his wife's lifeless body outside their bedroom that morning and rushed her to LUTH she was confirmed her dead by doctors.

The late Dr. Hestianna has been described as a “compassionate and caring doctor with a vibrant personality” by her colleagues.

Assad Visits Putin In Moscow!

Syrian President Bashar Assad, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during Assad's first visit to Russia since the war broke out in 2011. 

A transcript of their meeting published on the Kremlin website states: 

"I would like to express enormous gratitude to the whole leadership of the Russian Federation and to the Russian people for the help they are giving Syria," 

"Thank you for standing up for the unity of Syria, and its independence. Those political steps that have been taken by the Russian Federation since the start of the crisis have not allowed events in Syria to develop following a tragic scenario."

Falling Crude Prices - Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain Assets May Fall In 5 Years If...!

Against the back drop of the fall in oil prices, Saudi Arabia, the island nation of Bahrain, and Oman in the Arabian Peninsula may run out of financial assets needed to support spending within five years, despite measures being considered by oil exporting nations says the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday, October 21st. 


While Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates have relatively more financial assets to support them for more over 20 years.

Saudi authorities are reportedly planning on measures to curtail spending, the oil rich nation strongly believes that the kingdom’s economy, is strong enough to weather the plunge in crude prices.

Construction Of 114 Local Government Roads- Lagos State Government Releases Invitation To Bid!

Based on the approval granted to Local Governments and Council Development Areas to execute projects, the Lagos state government on Tuesday 20th October released invitation for bids for the construction of 114 local government roads across the state. 

Below is the  invitation.