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.