Trump-Zelenskyy Meeting Marred by Clothing Controversy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent meeting with Donald Trump at the White House was marked by tension, particularly over Zelenskyy's attire. According to reports, Trump's team had advised Zelenskyy to wear a suit, but he opted for an all-black outfit instead, which reportedly irritated Trump.

The meeting, which was already expected to be challenging due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, got off to a bad start with Trump commenting, "He is all dressed up today," as he shook Zelenskyy's hand. The tension escalated during the press conference when Brian Glenn, a reporter from Real America's Voice, asked Zelenskyy why he didn't wear a suit, implying that it showed a lack of respect for America.

Zelenskyy responded, "I will wear a costume when this war is finished. Maybe something like yours. Maybe something better. Maybe something cheaper." His response highlighted the significance of his attire, which is a deliberate choice to reflect Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia.

Zelenskyy's outfit, typically consisting of olive green jumpers and combat boots, serves as a reminder that Ukraine is still at war. It also reflects his solidarity with the armed forces and those fighting on the frontline. While he did wear suits before the war, he has stated that he will not return to doing so until the war has ended.

The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy ultimately ended without an agreement on the deal that Zelenskyy had flown 5,000 miles to discuss. The Ukrainian leader has since arrived in the UK for a summit with European leaders.

It's worth noting that Trump's reaction to Zelenskyy's attire is not an isolated incident. The meeting was marked by tension and disagreements, reflecting the complex and challenging situation in Ukraine. As the conflict continues, Zelenskyy's attire remains a symbol of Ukraine's resilience and determination.

European Leaders Unite to Support Ukraine, But Not Everyone Agrees

As Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Downing Street, he was greeted by enthusiastic crowds outside, contrasting sharply with the chaotic atmosphere he faced during his previous day's meeting with Donald Trump. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the Ukrainian President with open arms, both literally and figuratively, emphasizing the unwavering support of the UK for Ukraine. Starmer expressed that the UK stands firmly with Ukraine, extending their backing as long as it takes to achieve lasting peace, with a focus on Ukraine's sovereignty and security.

During this significant visit, a notable development took place in the UK’s financial support for Ukraine. While Zelenskyy met with Starmer, Ukraine's Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko participated in a video conference, finalizing a new loan arrangement. UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves signed off on £2.6 billion in loans intended to aid Ukraine, capitalizing on frozen Russian assets, specifically through measures termed extraordinary revenue acceleration loans. The repayments for these loans will depend on the high returns from these Russian assets, which amount to £236 billion located within Europe, showcasing a strategic financial maneuver amidst the ongoing conflict.

In parallel to these supportive gestures, not all European leaders aligned completely with Ukraine's cause. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, regarded as one of Vladimir Putin's closest allies in Europe, advocated for negotiations with Russia to pursue a ceasefire. He stated that this approach contradicted the draft conclusions set for an upcoming EU leaders' summit, which advocates for no negotiations with Russia without Ukraine's involvement and insists that any ceasefire be part of a comprehensive peace arrangement. Similarly, Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico reiterated his country's refusal to offer military or financial support to Ukraine, demanding an immediate ceasefire and warning that the upcoming summit may not reach any consensus on Ukraine if their requests are disregarded.

The backdrop of these developments is underscored by Zelenskyy's reputation at home. Despite Trump's claims of declining support for Zelenskyy, Ukrainian polling reveals a different story. Recent surveys conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology indicated that around 57% of Ukrainians express trust in their president. Public sentiment favors Zelenskyy for a potential second term, should elections, currently suspended due to martial law, take place.

Furthermore, Zelenskyy is set to meet with UK King Charles during his visit, highlighting the diplomatic outreach and support he is receiving from various high-profile officials in the UK. The ongoing war has placed Ukraine under significant strain, and the dynamics of international support are crucial.

Amidst this camaraderie between Zelenskyy and the UK government, the fallout from his meeting with Trump remains a significant topic. Many international observers, including leaders from NATO, have urged Zelenskyy to mend relations with the US, emphasizing that the United States remains a pivotal ally for Ukraine amid the Russian aggression. Poland's President, for instance, advised Zelenskyy to return to negotiations to maintain American support, while NATO officials characterized his recent interactions in Washington as unfortunate.

GOP Outraged by Biden's Decision to Stop Weapons Delivery to Israel

According to a report from Al Jazeera on May 10, 2024, there is a significant amount of anger among Republicans regarding President Biden's decision to halt the shipment of US weapons to Israel. Republican Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, attempted to downplay the situation by suggesting that Biden may be experiencing a senior moment, implying that he would be surprised if such a policy were actually implemented.

It is worth noting that Congress recently passed a bill approving tens of billions of dollars in funding for weapons and humanitarian aid to Israel. Despite this, a Republican senator went so far as to suggest that Biden should be impeached. However, it is highly unlikely that the decision to withhold military aid from Israel would meet the threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors necessary for impeachment.

Some Democrats have also expressed concerns about this move. However, within the Democratic Party, progressive members have praised Biden's decision, considering it a necessary first step and urging him to take further action. This decision has become a political liability for President Biden in his pursuit of a second term, especially among young Democrats, as evidenced by the reactions on college campuses across the country.

While there is considerable anger among some lawmakers on Capitol Hill, there is limited recourse for them to address the situation. Ultimately, the authority lies with the president, who historically possesses the power to deny the provision of weapons, and Congress has little ability to challenge such a decision.

Israel Ready to Face Gaza War Alone, Netanyahu Declares

According to a report from BBC News on May 10, 2024, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has stated that Israel is capable of "standing alone" in the event that the United States halts arms shipments. This statement came in response to warnings from the US that it might suspend arms supplies if Netanyahu ordered a full-scale invasion of Rafah in Gaza.

Netanyahu expressed his determination by saying, "If we need to...we will stand alone. I have said that if necessary we will fight with our fingernails." President Joe Biden had previously indicated that the US would withhold certain arms, including artillery shells, if an invasion of Rafah were to occur. The US had already paused a shipment of bombs due to concerns about civilian casualties.

Netanyahu sought to dismiss the US warnings by citing Israel's past experiences, specifically referencing the War of Independence in 1948. He emphasized that Israel emerged victorious despite facing an arms embargo and lacking weapons, relying instead on the strength of spirit, heroism, and unity among its people.

Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, echoed Netanyahu's sentiment, stating that Israel cannot be subdued and will remain strong in the face of both enemies and allies. The comments were made as thousands of people fled Rafah amid continuous bombardment, and Israeli tanks amassed near populated areas. The UN expressed concern over the lack of aid reaching the city, with food and fuel running out for the more than one million people seeking shelter there.

The Israeli forces claimed to be conducting targeted raids against remaining Hamas elements in Rafah but did not rule out the possibility of a full-scale invasion. President Biden warned that he would not supply Israel with the munitions for such an invasion, as he believed it would not achieve the goal of defeating Hamas.

The report also mentioned recent airstrikes and casualties in Rafah, as well as fading hopes for a peace deal as both Israeli and Hamas delegations left talks in Cairo. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for seven months, resulting in a significant loss of lives and hostages being taken. Israel reported that 128 hostages remained unaccounted for, with 36 presumed dead.

Israel Notified US in Advance of Planned Strike, No Approval Given

The recent events in Iran have brought significant upheaval to the already volatile Middle East. According to a US official who spoke with CNN, Israel has carried out a military strike inside Iran. This strike has raised concerns about the potential escalation of tensions between the two countries and its broader implications for regional stability. The attack took place near the city of Isfahan, and while Iranian officials have downplayed the incident, the situation remains tense.

Details of the Strike

The US official revealed that Israel notified the United States of its intention to carry out the strike in the coming days. However, the US did not endorse the action. The strike resulted in three explosions near a major military airbase close to Isfahan. Iran's air defense systems were activated in response, and state media reported that air defenses intercepted three drones. There were no reports of a missile attack, and Iran has not yet identified the source of the strike.

Reports indicate that the attack targeted sites associated with Iran's nuclear program. Multiple state-aligned news agencies have claimed that these sites remain secure, suggesting that the attack was limited in scope. Iranian media, in an attempt to downplay the incident, broadcasted calm scenes from Isfahan, showing normalcy in the city.

Escalating Tensions and Reactions

The strike by Israel comes in the wake of Iran's unprecedented direct strike against Israel just days earlier. On that occasion, Iran launched over 300 drones and cruise missiles toward Israel in response to a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Damascus. These recent events have further heightened tensions in the region.

Iran's Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, warned that any further military action by Israel would be met with an immediate and maximum-level response. He emphasized that this message had been communicated to the White House via the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. The situation remains precarious, and the international community is calling for restraint from all parties involved.

US Position and Expectations

Before the Israeli strike, the US had expected that Israel would not target Iran's civilian or nuclear facilities. The senior US official indicated that Israel had communicated its intention to carry out a limited and narrowly focused strike inside Iran. The specific targets were not disclosed but were understood to exclude nuclear and civilian locations.

US President Joe Biden has shown support for Israel, praising its ability to defend itself against Iran's recent attack. However, he has also urged restraint and emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions in the region.

Escalating Conflict: Israel Attacks Iran, Explosions in Isfahan, and Ongoing War in Gaza

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a critical point as Israel reportedly launched a military strike inside Iran. This development marks a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict and has the potential to further destabilize the region. Additionally, explosions were reported in Isfahan, while the war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas continues in Gaza. The following report provides a summary of the latest updates from the live coverage.

Israel's Attack on Iran:

According to information obtained by CNN from a US official, Israel carried out a military strike inside Iran. The Israeli military has not commented on the matter, and Iran has not yet identified the source of the attack. An Iranian official stated that air defenses intercepted three drones, and there were no reports of a missile attack. Iranian media reported that sites associated with Iran's nuclear program remained secure, and footage showcased calm scenes in the areas where explosions were reported.

Reaction and Potential Escalation:

A regional intelligence source, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that direct state-to-state strikes between Israel and Iran are considered to be "over." While Iran is not expected to respond to the recent strikes, the reason for this decision remains unknown. Iranian government officials have downplayed the impact of the attack, seeking to maintain a measured response.

Israel's Capacity for War:

Maha Yahya, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center research foundation, emphasized that Israel would require substantial support from Western allies to engage in a full-scale war in the Middle East. Yahya stated that Israel lacks the capacity for a sustained conflict without external assistance, relying on the United States and other Western powers for military resources. The pressure exerted by Israel's Western allies to exercise restraint likely influenced Israeli officials' decision-making process.

Syrian Consequences:

Southern Syria reportedly experienced "material losses" following an Israeli strike, as confirmed by Syrian state media. The Israeli military declined to comment on reports in foreign media. The extent of the damage and specific targets remain undisclosed.

Assessment of the Situation:

It is too early to definitively determine whether a regional war will emerge from the recent events. Iranian journalist Abas Aslani noted that Iranian officials perceive Israel's attack as an attempt to save face after being targeted by Iran in previous strikes. While the situation does not currently indicate a regional war, escalation remains a possibility. Iranians, regardless of their political affiliations, have predominantly supported their government's actions against Israel due to national security concerns.

UN Watchdog's Response:

The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), stated that there was no damage to Iran's nuclear sites following the aerial attack in Isfahan province. The IAEA's chief, Rafael Grossi, called for extreme restraint from all parties and emphasized that nuclear facilities should never be targeted in military conflicts.

Israel Launches Intensive Bombardment of Gaza Following Hamas Hostage Threats

In the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict, Israel has intensified its bombardment of the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip after the militant group Hamas threatened to execute hostages it abducted during a weekend assault. The situation has prompted Israel to impose a total siege on Gaza, cutting off essential supplies and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.

Hamas' unprecedented ground, air, and sea assault, which Israel has compared to the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, has left Israel reeling. The death toll in Israel has risen to over 900, prompting Israel to respond with a barrage of strikes on Gaza, resulting in a death toll of 687.

The Israeli army announced on Tuesday that it had regained control of the Gaza border after a mass breach by Palestinian gunmen on Saturday. They reported recovering the bodies of approximately 1,500 Hamas militants inside Israel, confirming the scale of the assault. Israeli communities around the border have been evacuated nearly completely.

Gaza City has been subjected to intense bombardment, with explosions and sirens filling the air. Hamas claimed that Israeli air strikes had already killed four of its hostages and threatened to carry out executions themselves. In a televised speech, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Hamas to the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, and announced plans to deploy "unprecedented force."

Israel has called up 300,000 army reservists for its campaign titled "Swords of Iron." Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that Israel would impose a complete siege on the Gaza Strip, cutting off electricity, food, water, and gas supplies. This move has raised concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation, which United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warned would deteriorate exponentially.

The conflict has also heightened tensions in the Middle East, with Iran expressing support for Hamas, although denying any direct involvement in the military operation. Hamas has called on "resistance fighters" in the West Bank, as well as in Arab and Islamic nations, to join their operation, dubbed "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood."

Taliban police rescue woman held captive in a room for 25 years.

The Taliban Interior Ministry has announced that Taliban police have rescued a woman who was held captive in a dark room in the capital of Afghanistan for a period of 25 years.

According to the ministry, the room where the woman was imprisoned was filled with debris and garbage, as depicted in disturbing images released by the ministry.

During her captivity, she was provided with food through a window.

Ministry spokesman Abdul Matin Qani described the woman's ordeal, stating that she feels unsafe and fearful whenever she encounters other people.

Currently, the woman is receiving medical treatment in a hospital in Kabul, as she has suffered both mental and physical harm.

A doctor reported that she is malnourished and has developed severe anemia.

Medical professionals also observed that her bones were deteriorated and her joints were damaged.

According to the police, the woman endured years of turmoil, including a separation from her first husband, struggles with infertility, her brothers' involvement in criminal activities, and a dispute over inheritance.

In connection with the case, the police have arrested four of her family members, including her brother and nephews.

The police have stated that a comprehensive investigation into the case is currently underway.

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Among the four sons who embarked on a hazardous migration route, only one was able to make it back home safely.

According to a BBC article published on September 3rd, 2023, titled "Four sons set out on a perilous migration route. Only one came home," the account tells the story of Adama and Moussa Sarr, two brothers from Senegal, and their cousins, Pape and Amsoutou. They embarked on a hazardous journey to Europe aboard a traditional Senegalese fishing canoe called a pirogue, accompanied by 101 other passengers. Departing from the coastal village of Fass Boye on July 10th, their destination was the Canary Islands, located around 1,000 miles away in the North Atlantic.

The route from Senegal to the Canary Islands is widely known as one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world. After six days at sea with no sight of land, a dispute arose among the passengers about whether to continue or turn back. Despite the disagreement, the captain opted to push forward, leading to a scarcity of food and water.

After enduring five weeks at sea, a fishing vessel discovered the adrift pirogue off the coast of West Africa. Adama, weakened to the point where he could only stare, witnessed Moussa slipping into the water. Fortunately, the fishing crew spotted Moussa and saved him from drowning. When they approached the pirogue, they found Adama, the other survivors, and the bodies of seven individuals.

Adama was the only one among the four sons who managed to safely return home to Senegal. Although visibly thinner, he was reunited with his family in Fass Boye. This story serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers and difficulties faced by migrants attempting to reach Europe through this treacherous route.

Researchers have identified a roundworm typically found in snakes within the human brain.

Imagine having a live worm in your brain – and not just any worm, but one that came from a snake. That's what happened to a 64-year-old woman in Australia, who is the first person in the world to be infected by a new parasite species.

The parasite is called Ophidascaris robertsi, and it is a type of roundworm that normally lives in the intestines of carpet pythons. Somehow, the woman ingested the worm eggs from a plant she picked near a lake where the snake had defecated. The eggs hatched in her gut and the larvae travelled through her bloodstream to various organs, including her brain.

The woman started feeling sick in January 2021, with symptoms like stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, cough and shortness of breath. She was treated for various infections, but none of them worked. It was only when she had brain surgery that the doctors found the culprit: an eight-centimetre-long worm that was still alive and moving.

The doctors removed the worm and sent it to a laboratory for identification. They also gave the woman anti-parasitic drugs to kill any remaining larvae in her body. She recovered well and was discharged from the hospital.

This case is a rare example of zoonosis, which is when a disease or infection jumps from animals to humans. As we encroach on wildlife habitats and interact more with animals, we may face more risks of catching new and unknown parasites. The researchers who studied this case have published their findings in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Drama as man screams during embalming by mortuary staff #trending

Peter Kigen , from Bureti in Kenya, had collapsed at home .

According to his uncle , Denis Langat, the 32 - year old “ had been

suffering from a stomach ailment which forced us to rush him to

hospital .”

A nurse at Kapkatet Hospital “casually ” checked the patient over ,

says Mr Langat, before declaring him dead .

Mr Kigen was transferred to the hospital ’ s mortuary, and the staff

there promptly set about preparing him for burial .

As part of the embalming process , the blood is removed from the

body through the veins and replaced with formaldehyde - based

chemicals through the arteries .

It appears to have been this procedure that caused the “ dead”

man to regain consciousness and scream in pain .

Mr Kigen ’ s younger brother, Kevin Kipkurui, told The Standard :

“The mortician called me into the morgue and we saw him make

movements .

“We were shocked . We could not understand how they could

move a person who is still alive into the mortuary .”

Mr Kigen , speaking from his hospital bed , is still stunned at his

apparent resurrection : “ I cannot believe what just happened, ” he

said . “ How did they establish that I was dead ?”

While Mr Kigen ’ s family believe that the error was down to

hospital staff , Kapkatet Hospital ’ s medical superintendent Gilbert

Cheruiyot said that they were to blame for the incident: “ His

relatives presumed he was dead and did not even wait for

certification of death , ” he said .

“They moved him to the mortuary , on their own .”

He added : “ They asked Kigen ’ s relatives to give them some time

but they accused the clinicians of taking too much time and

decided to take him to the mortuary. "

“It was while the mortician was getting ready to embalm his body

that she noticed some signs of life. ”

Dr Cheruiyot said it took three hours to completely resuscitate the

patient , and that Mr Kigen was expected to be discharged in “a

few days.”

He concluded : “ I advise those bringing their loved ones to the

hospital to follow the laid down regulations .”

“Before a body is moved the mortuary, it has to be certified by a

clinician . In Kigen ’ s case , we can only say he was lucky .”

Source: Vanguardngr.com

Diego Maradona dies of heart attack at 60 #diegomaradona

Argentine football legend Diego Maradona has passed

away at the age of 60 after suffering a heart attack .

The Gimnasia coach had been hospitalised at the

start of November , days after celebrating the

landmark birthday , after complaining of low spirits

and fatigue .

Tests at the La Plata clinic revealed a blood clot on

the brain, which doctors later revealed was operated

on successfully .

Maradona was subsequently discharged from hospital

as an outpatient to continue his convalescence,

which he carried out in his dwelling in a private

neighbourhood near Tigre, northern Buenos Aires .

But on Wednesday morning he suffered cardiac

arrest , and paramedics at the scene failed to revive

him .

Maradona began his professional career with

Argentinos Juniors at the age of 16 and went on to be

considered one of the greatest players ever to step

onto a football field .

The diminutive left- footed forward went on to

represent Boca Juniors , Barcelona , Napoli, Sevilla and

Newell ’ s Old Boys as a player, and the likes of Racing

Club , Dorados, Gimnasia and the Argentina national

team later as a coach .

Source: punching.com

End SARS : Two nabbed for allegedly eating police officers in Ibadan #sars

The Oyo State Police Command in Nigerian has arrested suspects allegedly

linked with the roasting and eating of the flesh of police officers

burnt in Ibadan during End SARS protest .

Police Spokesman at the Oyo State Command , SP Olugbenga

Fadeyi , made this known in Ibadan in an interview with the News

Agency of Nigeria (NAN ).

Fadeyi added that the suspects , a 34 - year - old expectant mother

and a 43 - year - old man have been transferred to the Force

Intelligence Bureau at the Force Headquarters in Abuja for further

investigation .

The 34 - year - old woman was alleged to have eaten some body

parts of one of the police victims , an allegation which she denied.

According to her , though it was true that she was at the scene ,

she was only given the body parts to keep by the second suspect,

the 43 - year - old man .

The 43 - year - old suspect did not also deny being at the scene of

the incident with other hoodlums , but disclosed that it was the

woman who voluntarily took the body parts and only asked him

for a towel or handkerchief to wrap them in .

The deceased policemen were deployed to contain the End SARS

protest in October, which was hijacked by hoodlums, when they

met their deaths , NAN reports .

Source: Vanguardngr.com

Words you don't know have Racist Root in American #Racism

Racism is the marginalization and/or oppression of people of colour based on a socially constructed racial hierarchy that privileges white people.

Here are the phrases which you should know are offensive to an African American person:

1. Tipping point

In the late 1950s, this phrase was commonly used by the Whites and it means a point of no return or a force of change. “Tipping point” described the “white flight,” when white families moved away from neighbourhoods that had a large number of Black residents, according to Merriam-Webster.

For instance, in a 1958 letter to the University of Pennsylvania Law Review, Will Maslow, a civil rights leader and former director of the American Jewish Congress, wrote, “The percentage of minority occupancy that initiates withdrawal of other tenants has been denominated the ‘tipping point.'”

2. Peanut gallery

The peanut gallery is the top gallery in a theatre where the cheaper seats are located. It is reported that most Americans use this term to describe hecklers.

However, the phrase came about in the 19th century in Vaudeville theaters. The “peanut gallery” referred to the worst seats in the house, typically in the very back, where Black people were forced to sit. Peanuts were sold at the shows (much like they are at modern- day baseball games), and if the performances were bad, sometimes the audience would throw peanuts.

3. Call a spade a spade

If you have ever thought that this popular expression which means to “say it like it is,” is about a gardening tool, you got it wrong.

Variations of this phrase date back to 120 A.D. with the ancient Greek phrase, “to call a fig a fig and a trough a trough.” But, it took on a racist slant during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, when a “spade” became a derogatory slur for a Black person, according to NPR.

4. Uppity

This word is often thought to be synonymous with the term arrogant but it has a racist connotation. It was first written in the Uncle Remus series of Black folk tales published in the 1880s by Joel Chandler Harris. Later on, white supremacists would use it to describe “insolent” Black people who were lynched for “not knowing their place,” according to PBS.

Even today, the word still lingers: Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have been called “uppity” by critics.

5. Grandfathered in

In America, companies often use the “grandfather clause” to mean that you are exempted from a set of rules even after new laws or terms are put into place. For instance, if you have a membership or plan that raises its prices, you would be able to pay the same amount because you’re “grandfathered in,” while new members would have to pay a higher rate to join.

And what you also may not realize is that the phrase is actually rooted in slavery. It is said that after the 15th Amendment was ratified on Feb. 3, 1870, prohibiting racial discrimination in voting, several Southern states created the “grandfather clause” to disenfranchise Black voters. The “grandfather clause” stated that requirements (such as literacy tests and poll taxes) were suspended for anyone eligible to vote on or before Jan. 1, 1867, as well as their descendants. But, since Black people were not legally allowed to vote until 1870, they were excluded.

6. Sold down the river

Today, this expression signifies betrayal, but really, it is a reference to slaves who were literally sold down the Mississippi or Ohio Rivers to cotton plantations in the Deep South, according to NPR. Louisville, Kentucky, was at the heart of this horror, being one of the country’s biggest slave-trading marketplaces throughout the first half of the 19th century.

7. Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

This is considered to be a children’s counting rhyme which has existed since 1820. But the lyrics changed from the original iteration as seen in The Counting-out Rhymes of Children: Their Antiquity, Origin, and Wide Distribution, a Study in Folk-lore (published in 1888), the rhyme which means the “tiger” that was caught by the toe was actually originally the N-word. This version of the rhyme was popular during slavery, when it was used to describe slave selection or punishment for runaway slaves, according to Vox.

Killings in Nigeria : UK lawmakers report Buhari to Commonwealth

Some lawmakers in the United Kingdom parliament have reported President Muhammadu Buhari to the Secretary - General of Commonwealth over the unabating spate of killings in the country .

Daily Post reports the British lawmakers wrote the Commonwealth Secretary- General, Patricia

Scotland QC , over widespread violence in Nigeria .

These lawmakers include Caroline Cox, David Alton, Jin Shannon and Helena Kennedy.

According to them , thousands of civilians in.Nigeria had been killed and elements of the Nigerian Government may be complicit in the

violence.

Others , who signed the letter, are Lord Williams , Lord Carey , Dr Christopher Cocksworth, Phillip Mounstephen , Lord Stoddart, Lord Anderson, Lord Cormack.

Sir Geoffrey Nice QC , Ayo Adedoin , Ewelina Ochab, Mervyn Thomas , Dr Khataza Gondwe , Nevile Kyrte - Smith , Dr John Eibiner and Ann

Buwalda.

The lawyer sought intervention on the killings in Nigeria , highlighting the helplessness of the

current administration .

Source: vanguardngr.com

Cult Leader Who Claims To Be Jesus Arrested By Russian Security Forces

A former traffic police officer who

claims to be the reincarnation of Jesus

was arrested today in a special

operation staged by Russian security

agents.

Sergei Torop , who is known to his

followers as Vissarion , was arrested

along with two other leaders of the

group , Vadim Redkin and Vladimir

Vedernikov.

Russia’s investigative committee said

it would charge him with organising

an illegal religious organisation ,

alleging that the cult extorted money

from followers and subjected them to

emotional abuse .

A spokeswoman for Russia’s

Investigations Committee said

that the group is suspected of

“ establishing a religious

association whose activities

involve violence against

individuals and of inflicting

grievous bodily harm to two or

more people .

“ They used the money of [their

followers] and also used

psychological violence against

them, ” she is quoted as saying by

state media.

The 59- year- old cult leader , who lost his job as a traffic officer in 1989,

claimed he experienced an

“ awakening” as the Soviet regime

began to collapse. In 1991 he founded a movement now known as the Church of the Last Testament and has written a ten - volume ‘ sequel to the Bible’.

In 2002, told the Guardian UK : “ I am

not God . And it is a mistake to see

Jesus as God . But I am the living word of God the father. Everything that God wants to say, he says through me ” .

Several thousand followers live in a

series of remote hamlets in the

Krasnoyarsk region in Siberia .

Converts to the cult have included

professionals from across Russia as

well as pilgrims from abroad.

In an interview with the BBC three

years ago , Torop said: “ We have a

school of noble maidens here . We ’re

preparing girls to become future wives , future brides for worthy men .

“ She has to understand not to rise

above the man, not to be proud of her

independence but to be shy,

inconspicuous and weak .”

Torop is reported to have two wives

with six children. Veganism is

enforced and monetary exchange is

banned inside the commune .

Followers wear austere clothing and

count years starting from 1961, the

year of Vissarion ’ s birth , while

Christmas has been replaced by a

feast day on 14 January , his birthday .

Source: guardian.ng

Billionaire fulfills dream to die poor, donates N3trillion fortune to charity

Irish billionaire Chuck Feeney, 89, is officially broke as he has

given away $8 billion(N3tn) to charities, universities, and

organisations worldwide via his foundation, the Atlantic

Philanthropies, Forbes Magazine reports.

The report stated that Feeney reached his billionaire status by

co-founding airport retailer Duty Free Shoppers. The business

man was popular for leading the way with lifestyle of giving.

The report suggests he believed in the idea of ‘Giving While

Living’.

The idea encourages philanthropists to spend all their money

during their own life-time to have better control over its use.

In a pre-interview with Forbes, the business tycoon said that

he was, in fact, very satisfied.

Under his Giving While Living vision, he has been able to do

some hands-on charity and did not have to rely on funding a

foundation post-death.

The billionaire added that he learned a lot along his journey

and the idea of why not give it all (the wealth) away had

struck as very appealing to him. He wanted to do it under his

watch.

Feeney has been estimated to leave about $2 million

(N767m) for his and his wife’s retirement and was said to

have given all his money anonymously and made sure it

stayed that way.

Currently, he lives in an apartment in San Francisco.

Source: the nation online ng.net

Indian man slits open pregnant wife’s belly to check baby’s gender

A 43 - year - old father of five girls sliced open his

pregnant wife’ s stomach hoping to confirm she was

having a boy in India . Pannalal attacked his wife Anita Devi on Saturday

night at their home in UP ’ s Budaun district , leaving

her in a pool of blood .

Anita ’ s family told investigators that the husband

attacked and cut open her stomach to “ know the

gender ” of the child.

Though the baby in the womb was unhurt , Anita’ s

condition deteriorated due to severe damage to her

insides and excessive bleeding . According to Times of India . com , the woman has

been admitted to Safdarjung hospital with the help of

the police . The husband said he did not attack his wife

intentionally . He told local media he threw the sickle

at her but had no idea it would injure her so

severely .

“ I have five daughters , one of my sons is dead. I

know that children are the gift of God . Now whatever

is to happen , will happen . ”

Police officials said the husband has been arrested

and the investigation is ongoing.

Woman accused of sending poisonous letter toWhite House arrested

A woman suspected of sending an envelope containing the poison ricin, which was addressed to White House, has been arrested at the New York-Canada border, three law

enforcement officials told The Associated Press on Sunday.

The letter had been intercepted earlier this week before it reached the White House. The woman was taken into custody by U.S.

Customs and Border Protection officers at the Peace Bridge border crossing near Buffalo and is expected to face federal charges, the

officials said. Her name was not immediately released.

The letter addressed to the White House appeared to have originated in Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have said. It

was intercepted at a government facility that screens mail addressed to the White House and President Donald Trump and a preliminary investigation indicated it tested

positive for ricin, according to the officials.

The officials were not authorised to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

There have been several prior instances in which U.S. officials have been targeted with ricin sent through the mail.

A Navy veteran was arrested in 2018 and confessed to sending envelopes to Trump and members of his administration that contained the substance from which ricin is

derived. The letters were intercepted, and no one was hurt.

In 2014, a Mississippi man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after sending letters dusted with ricin to President Barack Obama and

other officials.

Source: vanguardngr.com

US security intercepts envelope addressed to White House containingpoison ricin

US Federal officials intercepted an envelope addressed to the White House that contained the poison ricin, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Saturday.

The letter was intercepted at a government facility that screens mail addressed to the White House and President Donald Trump, the official said. A preliminary investigation indicated it tested positive for ricin, a poison found naturally in castor beans, the official said.

The official was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Federal investigators were working to determine where the enveloped originated and who mailed it. The FBI, the Secret Service and the US Postal Inspection Service were leading the investigation.

In a statement, the FBI said agents were working to investigate “a suspicious letter received at a U.S. government mail facility” and that there is “no known threat to public safety.”

A Navy veteran was arrested in 2018 and confessed to sending envelopes to Trump and members of his administration that contained the substance from which ricin is derived.

Authorities said the man, William Clyde Allen III, sent the envelopes with ground castor beans to the president, FBI Director Christopher Wray, along with then-Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, then- CIA Director Gina Haspel, Adm. John Richardson, who at the time was the Navy’s top officer,

and then-Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson. The letters were intercepted, and no one was hurt.

In 2014, a Mississippi man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after sending letters dusted with ricin to President Barack Obama and other officials.

Reference: vanguardngr.com