US freezes $458mn Sani Abacha cash 

The United States today said it had ordered a freeze on $458 million in assets hidden in European accounts by former Nigerian dictator Sani Abacha and his conspirators.
The Justice Department said the corruption proceeds — stashed away in bank accounts in Britain, France and Jersey — were frozen at Washington’s request with the help of local authorities.
Last week, at a ceremony to mark the centenary of Nigeria’s formation by colonial lords, the Nigerian government headed by Goodluck Jonathan honoured Abacha, along with other past leaders for services rendered to Nigeria.
The award triggered an outpouring of outrage by Nigeria’s Nobel literature laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka.
Soyinka himself turned down the award given to him at the occasion.
In a rejection note headlined ”The Canonisation of Terror”, Soyinka observed that the inclusion of Abacha on the list does not only show a failure of a moral rigour but it calls into question ”the entire ethical landscape into which this nation has been forced by insensate leadership”.
He reminded those who have forgotten so soon that General Sani Abacha was a vicious usurper under whose authority the lives of an elected president and his wife—M.K.O and Kudirat Abiola— were snuffed out.
It was under Abacha, he said, that assassinations became routine, that torture and other forms of barbarism were enthroned as the norm of governance.

Ukraine crisis: What's happening? Depends on whom you ask 

Tensions are mounting as Russian troops step up their presence in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and world leaders push for a diplomatic solution to the escalating crisis.

As ideological battle lines are drawn around the world over the situation, leaders are painting vastly different pictures of the realities on the ground.

Here are some of the questions at play, with a look at how key players are weighing in:

Who's in charge of Ukraine?

 Russia's take: Viktor Yanukovych remains Ukraine's elected leader, and Ukraine's new government is illegitimate. Russian United Nations envoy Vitaly Churkin called it an "armed takeover by radical extremists."

Ukraine's take: Ukraine has a legitimate government and is set to have new presidential elections on May 25. "Let's give an opportunity for that to work," Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.N. Yuriy Sergeyev said.

United States' take: Yanukovych abandoned his post last month, fled the country and was then voted out of office by Ukraine's democratically elected parliament.

How many Russian troops are inside Ukraine?

Russia's take: Russia hasn't said how many troops it's sent into Ukraine.

Ukraine's take: Russia has sent military ships, helicopters and cargo planes to deploy 16,000 troops into Crimea since February 24, Sergeyev told the United Nations on Monday.

United States' take: Russian forces "have complete operational control of the Crimean peninsula," a senior U.S. administration official told CNN on Sunday, with estimates of 6,000 Russian ground and naval forces in the region

Do Russian troops have a right to be in Crimea?

Russia's take: Yes. A treaty between the neighboring nations allows Russia to have up to 25,000 troops in Crimea, Russia's U.N. envoy said Monday, adding that Yanukovych requested that Russia send military forces.

Ukraine's take: No. Russian troops amassing in Crimea and near the border with Ukraine are an "act of aggression."

United States' take: No, and Russian President Vladimir Putin is playing a dangerous game. The consequences of military action "could be devastating," U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Samantha Power said Monday.

Why is the tense standoff unfolding now?

Russia's take: Russia has said its parliament approved Putin's use of military force to protect Russian citizens in the Crimean peninsula.

Ukraine's take: There's no evidence of any threat to Russians inside Ukraine. Russia wants to annex Crimea.

United States' take: Russia is responding to its own historic sensitivities about Ukraine, Crimea and their place in Moscow's sphere of influence, a senior White House official told CNN Monday. Russia fears that Ukraine is falling under European or Western influence, the official said.

Teacher suspended for taping pupils' mouths shut

 

A teacher has been suspended for taping pupils' mouths shut with Sellotape, after claims the teacher complained children were too rowdy and noisy 

A teacher has been suspended following claims she taped children’s mouths shut in a classroom.

Parents claimed the teacher - believed to be female - said the pupils were too rowdy and giggling at a game they were playing in the classroom.

Danesfield School in Williton, Somerset, confirmed “a member of staff had been suspended whilst the investigation continues” and said it was investigating the matter.

Rob Lovell, said his 10 year old daughter was 'shocked' by what happened and that the tape had hurt her.

He said: "When she removed it a the end of the lesson it took the skin off her lips and made her lips bleed.
She was a bit upset telling us because she thought she'd done something wrong."
Mr Lovell claimed that most of the pupils in the class had tape put on their mouths apart from a couple who were allergic.
He went on: "She said if they took it off they'd be taken out of the lesson.
"When the Sellotape started to come off she put more on. She got them to keep it on for the whole lesson."
The school converted to an academy earlier this month and is now known as Quantock Academy.
Another parent said: "My child said that they were playing a game in the classroom and giggling because it was fun.
"The teacher told them to be quiet and when they didn't quieten down they put tape all over their mouths.
"I just can't believe that something like this would happen, it 's absolutely appalling."
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they had spoken to one family but added that they would not be taking any further action.
Ian Bradbury, executive head teacher of the Quantock Federation said: “We take all allegations concerning the well-being of our children very seriously. An incident happened yesterday which we are investigating thoroughly.
"A member of staff has been suspended whilst the investigation continues. My thanks to the numerous parents who have brought this matter to my personal attention and have given their on-going support to us in this challenging situation.”
He has taken statements from all of the children and met several concerned parents.

Magistrate jails man for feigning ignorance of English

 

A 36-year-old man, Leonard Nzekwe, has been ordered to be remanded in prison for pretending not to understand English language.

Nzekwe had said he did not understand English when a criminal charge of assault was read to him.

He had said he wanted to be spoken to only in Igbo language.

When the court further asked if he could understand pidgin, Nzekwe said he did not understand that either.

The action prompted the magistrate, Mrs M.O Tanimola, to order him to be taken to the Ikoyi Prison, pending when he would show readiness to answer to the alleged crime.

The defendant had been arraigned before the court for assaulting one Vivian Chukwuneme.

The charge reads, “That you, Leonard Nzewe, on February 8, 2014  about 9am at 11, Ajalah Street, Orile Iganmu, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did assault one Vivian Chukwuneme, by severally beating her up.”

The police prosecutor, Inspector  Samuel Ishola said the offence was punishable under Section 168(1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, Nigeria, 2011.

The decision of the defendant not to take his plea stalled the proceeding, leading to his remand in prison. No date was fixed for adjournment.

 

Boko Haram raids Borno again, kills 40 persons

In another orgy of killing, the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, attacked Jakana village on Tuesday in Borno State, where 40 persons were killed.
Jakana, which is about 35 kilometres from Maiduguri, the state capital, shares a common border with Mainok, where 39 persons were killed by the terrorists on Saturday.
The insurgents had on Sunday night attacked Mafa in the violence-ravaged state, killing no fewer than 35 persons.
The violent group was said to have distributed fliers, informing Mafa residents of their impending attack before hitting the town around 9pm on Sunday.

 

Nigeria Sacks Heads Of All Aviation Agencies

 

Some four months after Saharareporters exposed monumental fraud and corruption at the ministry of Aviation in Nigeria, the Nigerian government today fired all directors working in various aviation agencies in the country.
Saharareporters had exposed how the former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah,  forced several cash strapped agencies in her ministry to purchase several luxury vehicles including two BMW cars for $1.6 million.
 See text of press release by the the SGF office below:
RE-ORGANIZATION IN THE MINISTRY OF AVIATION
His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has approved the following re-organization in the Ministry of Aviation:
(i) Engr. Saleh Dumona (Director Projects, FAAN) to replace Mr. George Uriesi as Managing-Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
(ii)Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam (General Manager, Procurements, NAMA) to replace Engr. Nnamdi Udoh as Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
(iii) Capt. Samuel Akinyele Caulcrick (Government Safety Inspector & ICAO Focal Point for Nigeria on line Aircraft Safety Information Systems, OASIS) to replace Capt. (Mrs.) Chinyere Kalu as Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT).
(iv) Capt. Muhktar Usman (Commissioner, Accident Investigation & Prevention Bureau, AIPB) to replace Capt. Fola C. Akinkuotu as Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) subject to confirmation by the Senate. Engr. Benedict Adeyileka is to act as DG, NCAA pending the confirmation by the Senate.
(v)Dr. Engr. Felix A. Abali (Director Licencing, NCAA) to replace Capt. Muhktar Usman as Commissioner,  Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau (AIPB).
(vi)Dr. Tony Anuforo retains his position as Director-General of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMMET).
     (Signed)
Sam Nwaobasi
Special Assistant (Media) to the
Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Meet India's Amazing Stunt Couple

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