Trump's push to reopen schools part of bid to boost suburban standing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump's demand for U.S. schools to fully reopen this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic is central to an emerging re-election strategy that seeks to resuscitate his flagging support in the nation's critical suburbs.

Trump in recent weeks has taken stances on hot-button issues his campaign hopes will appeal to suburban voters, particularly women, who have soured on the Republican president since his 2016 election and continue to move away as the virus rages across the country and the economy sputters.

Along with aggressively pushing for students to return to classrooms - "Schools must be open in the Fall," he tweeted on Friday - Trump has warned of rising urban crime rates and threats to civil order in the wake of protests over racial injustice while pointing to the vibrant stock market as a marker of economic health |||READ MORE

 

You could end up in jail, US warns its citizens in China

The US has warned its citizens in China to “exercise increased caution” because of a heightened risk of arbitrary detention and exit bans that prevent foreign citizens leaving the country.

Citizens could face prolonged spells in jail, without US consular support, or access to details of any alleged crime, the state department said. The warning, sent in an email to US citizens in China, comes after Beijing passed a national security law for Hong Kong, with the legislation drafted to cover people “from outside [Hong Kong]”, including non-residents.

Lawyers and activists have warned China could use this assertion of extra-territorial jurisdiction – the legislation could theoretically be used to bring charges against any person from any country – to mute critics around the world. The state department did not specify what prompted the alert, but it did warn that criticism of the Chinese government, even in private communications, could be used against foreign citizens |||READ MORE

Dengue prevention efforts stifled by coronavirus pandemic

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — To slow the spread of the coronavirus, governments issued lockdowns to keep people at home. They curtailed activities that affected services like trash collection. They tried to shield hospitals from a surge of patients.

But the cascading effects of these restrictions also are hampering efforts to cope with seasonal outbreaks of dengue, an incurable, mosquito-borne disease that is also known as “breakbone fever" for its severely painful symptoms.

Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Indonesia have dealt with concurrent outbreaks of dengue and coronavirus this year. In Brazil, where there are over 1.6 million COVID-19 infections, at least 1.1 million cases of dengue have been reported, with nearly 400 deaths, according to the Pan American Health Organization |||READ MORE

 

BREAKING: Buhari signs revised N10.8trn 2020 budget into law

President Muhammadu Buhari has signed the revised N10.8 trillion 2020 budget into law.

The appropriation bill was sent to the National Assembly for approval after it was revised to comply with the current economic realities caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The budget had to be revised due to the impact of the coronavirus on the nation’s economy and to ensure a strict compliance with the January to December budget cycle |||READ MORE

 

NIPC Senior Staff demand sack of Executive Secretary

The Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission Chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria has called for the sack of its executive secretary, Yewande Sadiku.

The body accused her of disloyalty to the President, embezzlement and deviating from the core mandate of the NIPC.

The Nigeria investment promotion commission is a federal government Agency, established by the NIPC Act to promote, co-ordinate and monitor all investments in Nigeria |||READ MORE

Meet the new Acting EFCC Chairman, Mohammed Umar

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday approved the immediate suspension of the acting Chairman of the Economic and Fiancial Crmes Commisson, Ibrahim Magu.

The president also approved the appointment of Mohammed Umar as acting chairman pending the completion of the ongoing investigation of the allegation against Ibrahim Magu.

This is contained in a state statement issued by the media aide to the Minister of Justice |||READ MORE

 

2,191 COVID-19 Cases Yet To Turn Up For Admission – Lagos Govt

The Lagos State government has called on residents to take responsibility in the fight against coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

This comes as the Commissioner for Health in Lagos, Professor Akin Abayomi, decried the action of some residents who are not supporting the government’s effort to flatten the curve of the virus in the state.

In a series of tweets on Friday, Professor Abayomi revealed that a total of 2,191 active cases of COVID-19 in various communities have yet to turn up for admission in the government’s treatment centres |||READ MORE

 

Buhari Affirms Magu’s Suspension, Directs Mohammed Umar To Take Charge

President Muhammadu Buhari has affirmed the suspension of Mr Ibrahim Magu as acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Magu’s suspension by the President, which takes immediate effect, was announced on Friday in a statement from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

The minister’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Umar Gwandu, who signed the statement explained that the presidential directive was to allow for an unhindered inquiry by the Presidential Investigation Panel under the Tribunals of Inquiry Act and other relevant laws |||READ MORE

 

6 Truths About Marriage Every Engaged Couple Needs to Hear

As Ted and I meet with engaged couples, I find myself sharing things I wish our mentors had told us.

Eighteen years ago, my fiancé Ted and I sat side-by-side on a blue floral couch in a living room in Virginia. Across from us, in a set of club chairs, sat a married couple from our church. As we chatted with them for the first time, both nervousness and excitement cartwheeled in my stomach.

They’d been married at least a decade. They knew firsthand about marriage’s better and worse, richer and poorer, sickness and health. As Ted and I counted down the four months until our wedding, they were there to help prepare us for the days, months and years to come after we promised, “I do.”

What I wish our premarital mentors had said |||READ MORE

Dreamin' of Heaven

When I first visited Orlando, Florida, I realized why it's called the "Theme Park Capital of the World."

Disney World theme parks and resorts cover 30,000 acres. As if that weren't enough, there's the competitive Universal Studios, the legendary Sea World, plus a plethora of smaller amusement parks like Legoland, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove.

All of these theme parks are successful because people love fantasy. There are a number of negative applications I could make about our desire to fantasize, but there's also a very positive one |||READ MORE

 

HIKING IN TIERRA DEL FUEGO NATIONAL PARK: A GUIDE TO INDEPENDENT HIKING

If you’re planning to visit Ushuaia, a few days of hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park need to be on your itinerary! I mean, this park is about as epic as it gets. You are basically hiking at the end of the world, in the middle of the subantarctic forest, looking out over the Beagle Channel, and the chill in the air is a reminder that the next stop is Antarctica!

Tierra del Fuego National Park is Argentina‘s southernmost park and it offers trails for hikers of all levels. Whether you’re looking for a light stroll that’s under 1 kilometre, a longer day hike with some elevation gain, or a more challenging overnight trek across a mountain pass, this park has something for you.

The hiking in Tierra del Fuego National Park is nothing short of spectacular. You’ll be treated to dramatic landscapes featuring snowcapped mountains, forests, lakes, lagoons, peat bogs and pebbly beaches. Not to mention the ever-changing weather; drizzle, fog or shine, the view in front of you is constantly changing. That’s part of the charm of the place – you just never know what you’re going to get hiking at the end of the world! |||READ MORE

 

How Do You Remove A Watch Strap Without The Tool?

A watch is such an accessory that has a universal fan base. Its use is not restricted to anyone which makes it a popular jewelry type. And while the main device can last for years, the straps or watch bands tend to wear off and need replacement. Unfortunately, it is a costly affair to get them replaced at a store. 

The good thing is, this task can be conducted at home with a few simple steps. So, whether you are changing the strap because it has become time-worn or simply to alter its look, consider doing it yourself. You would be saving quite a few bucks!

And we are here to guide you in that very process.

Leather Watch Strap Removal

1. Settling the watch

Grab a soft towel or cloth and fold it evenly, such that the watch can rest on it. Set this down on top of a table or counter-top and drop the watch on the soft material.

Make sure the face of the dial is in contact with the cloth, meaning it will be laid upside down on its face. The cloth or towel will cushion the exterior of the watch from any unwanted damage like scratches or nicks |||READ MORE

 

July 17th is #NoCorruptionDay and here’s all you need to know

YOU MAY BE CORRUPT AND SERAP (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project) is here to tell you how. On the 17th July 2020, tagged #NoCorruptionDay, we are joined by dedicated citizens; the likes of MI Abaga, Alex Ekubo, Osas Igodaro, Lillian Esoro, Jeff Bankz & others – who are willing to use their platforms to share this powerful message and also supported by agencies; Accountability Lab and Yiaga.We have activities centered around #NoCorruptionDay geared towards tackling corruption through mindset reorientation.

In 2019, SERAP undertook a survey to assess & highlight key behavioural and belief patterns about corruption across Nigeria. The survey birthed the Anti-Corruption Social Norms Report.

This report found that 40% of respondents do not believe in the possibility of successfully ending corruption in Nigeria. 43.3 % do not believe they have a role to play in the change dings lend credence to the idea that corruption has become a Nigerian norm. 71% of research respondents were found to depend on the internet and Social media to reset social norms and get information so naturally, these media became the avenues to prioritize to help policy makers and Anti-corruption agencies effectively reach Nigerians |||READ MORE

 

Oluwo of Iwo kicks against family planning in Nigeria

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, has kicked against the practice of family planning in Nigeria saying its application will wipe out the human race.

The monarch said this while making his contribution to a public debate on family planning recently.

In his opinion, Nigerians should respect the dictate of God on procreation. He argued that the assumption that overpopulation is responsible for poverty is not correct. He said that what China has achieved as the most populous nation and emerging giant of the world could be linked to the country's huge human resources |||READ MORE

'I don't want to die': Final interview with mother, 31, who died from bowel cancer leaves viewers 'absolutely devastated' - after Panorama reveals her treatment was 'paused' for six weeks during lockdown

A mother-of-one's final interview before she died of bowel cancer last month - after her treatment was halted stopped because of the global Covid pandemic - has left viewers 'angry' and 'in floods of tears'.

In an interview broadcast during Panorama: Britain's Cancer Crisis, which aired on BBC 1 last night, Kelly Smith, 31, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, is seen telling hosts of the Radio 5 Live podcast 'You, me and the Big C' that she's 'terrified' of dying.

Kelly had restarted chemotherapy shortly before lockdown after discovering her bowel cancer had spread to her small intestine, her pancreas, lymph nodes, liver, spine, stomach and brain |||READ MORE

Post Covid-19 green recovery: Cycling club advocates implementation of non motorised transport policy

Cycology Riding Club has stressed the need for the implementation of non motorised policy in Nigeria, with the aim of enhancing the safety of cyclists.

Captain of the Cycology Club, Tunde Laoye, made the call at a webinar organised by the club, under its “Share the Road” initiative.

Laoye, said the implementation of the non motorised policy would also encourage greener and less polluted environment |||READ MORE

TikTok to stop app operation in Hong Kong

The move by TikTok, owned by China-based ByteDance, came as Facebook, Google and Twitter put a hold on requests by Hong Kong’s government or police force for information on users, following China’s imposition of a sweeping new security law.

“In light of recent events, we’ve decided to stop operations of the TikTok app in Hong Kong,” TikTok told AFP.

TikTok has consistently denied sharing any user data with authorities in China, and was adamant it did not intend to begin to agree to such requests |||READ MORE

Domestic flights will no longer serve meals on board ― Sirika

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, on Monday, said food will no longer be served on domestic flights when operations resume.

Sirika who spoke during the Presidential Taskforce, PTF on COVID-19 briefing in Abuja explained that the decision was part of efforts to control the spread of the novel coronavirus on flights.

“For this domestic operation, there will be no food. No food will be given to reduce contamination level and we will allow you to come with your mask,” he said |||READ MORE

EFCC’s Magu, DSS in arrest, interrogation drama

Acting Chairman of the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, and the Department of State Services, DSS, were principal actors in a drama of confusion, arrest, denial and interrogation, yesterday, in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Initial reports indicated that Magu had been arrested by men of the DSS, but this was refuted by the agency, which said that its agents did not arrest him.

In a statement, DSS Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, said yesterday: “The Department of State Services, DSS, wishes to inform the public that it did not arrest Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as has been reported by sections of the media. The service has since today, July 6, 2020, been inundated with enquiries over the alleged arrest.” |||READ MORE

Benue boat mishap: One family lost 5 children, another triplets

Five more bodies were yesterday, recovered from River Benue by local fishermen and the Police taking the number of victims of Sunday’s boat mishap on River Benue at Ijaha community, an outskirt of Makurdi Local Government Area, LGA, to 26.

The victims said to be children of Mobile Police personnel of MOPOL 13 in Makurdi and members of the youth wing of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, Adeke Makurdi, were on their way to an annual church retreat for youths when the boat which they were travelling in capsized midstream due to overloading.

The victims were crossing from Agbor, Innyongu Area of Wadata to a village in an island opposite Kwaghter called Ole-Gabu, for the Annual Church Retreat |||READ MORE