The US has consistently voted NO. This was their reason, last year.
The United States is committed to countering racism and racial discrimination in all its forms, at home and abroad. In his first weeks in office, President Biden put forward a whole-of government strategy to embed racial justice and equity for marginalized populations across Federal agencies, policies, and programs. At the 46th session of the Human Rights Council, the United States led a joint statement signed by 158 countries condemning racism and racial discrimination and resolving to do more to address systemic racism. The United States is committed to working with partners to promote racial and ethnic equity, as we host the Summit for Democracy in December and approach the final two years of the International Decade for People of African Descent. The United States also strongly supported the creation of a Permanent Forum for People of African Descent.
The United States believes the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination provides comprehensive protections in this area and constitutes the most relevant international framework to address all forms of racial discrimination. In addition, we remain deeply concerned about speech that advocates national, racial, or religious hatred, particularly when it constitutes discrimination, hostility, or incitement to violence. We remain convinced that the best antidote to offensive speech is a combination of robust legal protections against discrimination and hate crimes; proactive government outreach to racial and religious minority communities; and the vigorous protection of freedom of expression, both online and offline.
As in previous years, we deeply regret that we cannot support this resolution, which does not genuinely focus on countering racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. Among our concerns are the resolution’s endorsement of the Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA), the outcome of the Durban review conference and its endorsement of overbroad restrictions on freedom of speech and expression. We reject any effort to advance the “full implementation” of the DDPA. We believe this resolution serves as a vehicle to prolong divisions , rather than providing an inclusive way forward for the international community to counter the scourge of racism and racial discrimination.
In addition, the United States cannot accept the resolution’s call for States to consider withdrawing reservations to Article 4 of the CERD. Further, this resolution has no effect as a matter of international law. We also reject the resolution’s call for “former colonial Powers” to provide reparations “consistent with” the DDPA.
Sofija Korac Advisor for Economic and Social Affairs New York, New York November 15, 2021
The 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council (held between 12 September - 7 October 2022) considered issues including systemic racism, enforced disappearances, climate change, water and sanitation, the rights of people of African descent, and colonialism, amongst others.
The United Kingdom, United States and Ukraine voted against a resolution to take action against racism at the fifty-first session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Countries that voted against the resolution include Czech Rep., France, Germany, Montenegro, the Netherlands and Poland. There were seven abstentions.
On Friday, the resolution titled ‘From rhetoric to reality: a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance’ was tabled before the council.
On Friday, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted 14 resolutions, extending mandates on Ethiopia, Burundi, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Central African Republic, and Somalia.
The Council also adopted resolutions on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic; strengthening the voluntary funds for the universal periodic review mechanism of the Human Rights Council; national human rights institutions.
Also was a global call for concrete action against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; promoting international cooperation to support national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up.
Lastly was an enhancement of technical cooperation and capacity building in the field of human rights; technical assistance and capacity building to address the human rights implications of the nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands; and on technical assistance and capacity building for Yemen in the field of human rights.
Mr. President, we remain resolute in our commitment to combating all forms of racism, racial discrimination and xenophobia and related intolerance whether that be at home or abroad. Discrimination of any kind has no place in society, and we will continue to treat all forms of discrimination with equal seriousness.
Nonetheless, we have a number of concerns with this text. We do not agree with the multiple references to the Durban Conference, given the historic concerns over antisemitism. And we cannot accept the references to the Durban Review Conference or the positive language regarding last year’s commemorative event in New York and its political declaration.
We do not agree with claims made in this resolution that states are required to make reparations for the slave trade and colonialism, which caused great suffering to many but were not, at that time, violations of international law. Moreover, these claims divert focus from the pressing challenges of tackling contemporary racism and global inequality – which are global challenges affecting all regions. We believe that the most effective way for us all today to respond to the cruelty of the past is to ensure that current and future generations do not forget what happened.
Mr. President, we stressed last year that the importance of the fight against racism requires that we move forward together on a common path. For that to happen, we must come together to find a new approach, one that focuses on what we are all individually and collectively going to do to combat the scourge that is modern-day racism. This draft resolution, however, does not offer the sort of new approach around which we can achieve consensus and for that reason we will vote against it.
We are committed to continuing a dialogue with the sponsors of this resolution and hope that we might be able to reach a different outcome in the future.
Thank you Mr. President.
Rita French UK Human Rights Ambassador Published 7 October 2022
The Department of Correctional Services on Friday said former president Jacob Zuma has served his 15-month sentence. The department added these concluded administrative processes related to Zuma's sentencing.
Zuma said he felt mixed emotions but expressed gratitude he was free to "do whatever I want without restrictions". The Department of Correctional Services says former president Jacob Zuma's 15-month sentence expired on Friday.
The former president was sentenced on 29 June last year and started serving his sentence on 8 July.
The Constitutional Court ordered his arrest after he defied its order to appear and testify before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry.
Zuma only served two months of his sentence.
He was released in September after former correctional services head Arthur Fraser controversially granted him medical parole.
In December, the Gauteng High Court judge Keoagile Elias Matojane ruled against Fraser's decision and ordered Zuma to return to prison.
Zuma challenged the ruling, which is now with the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
News24 reported this week Matojane would not comment on his ruling after Judicial Service Commission commissioner Julius Malema asked if he thought incarcerating elderly people benefitted society.
Matojane was a candidate for the judge position in the SCA. He did not make the cut.
"That matter is pending before the Supreme Court of Appeal. I am out of it. Whether I am right or wrong, a higher court is going to relook at the evidence, and then they will decide. If I am wrong, they will say so. It is not really for me to answer that question, Mr Malema with due respect," he said.
Correctional services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the expiration of Zuma's sentence also meant the end of administration processes.
"Medical parole placement meant that Mr Zuma was to serve the remainder of his sentence under Kranskop Community Corrections. Essentially, Mr Zuma complied with his conditions for medical parole as set out during his placement," added Nxumalo.
Zuma said he had mixed emotions about the end of his sentence.
He felt the same sense of freedom after his release from Robben Island in 1973 but, this time around, was sad the apex court ordered his arrest without trial, he added in a statement.
Zuma said he was grateful he could now "do whatever I want without restrictions".
"I am relieved to be free again to walk around and do whatever I want to do without restrictions and having to seek permission, in the same manner that I felt in 1973 when I was released from Robben Island.
"Only this time, I am also filled with sadness. It was the first time ever that the Constitutional Court sentenced any person to a term of imprisonment and without even the benefit of a trial. I never expected this to happen during the freedom and democracy we fought so hard to attain," he added.
Biden: Nuclear ‘Armageddon’ risk highest since ’62 crisis
President Joe Biden said Thursday that the risk of nuclear “Armageddon” is at the highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, as Russian officials speak of the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons after suffering massive setbacks in the eight-month invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking at a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin was “not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons.”
Biden added, “We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis.”
Biden also challenged Russian nuclear doctrine, warning that the use of a lower-yield tactical weapon could quickly spiral out of control into global destruction.
“I don’t there is any such a thing as the ability to easily use a tactical weapon and not end up with Armageddon,” Biden said.
U.S. officials for months have warned of the prospect that Russia could use weapons of mass destruction in Ukraine as it has faced a series of strategic setbacks on the battlefield. as recently as this week, though, they have said they have seen no change to Russia’s nuclear forces that would require a change in the alert posture of U.S. nuclear forces.
As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.
Today, I’m taking steps to end our failed approach. Allow me to lay them out.
First: I’m pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession. There are thousands of people who were previously convicted of simple possession who may be denied employment, housing, or educational opportunities as a result. My pardon will remove this burden.
Second: I’m calling on governors to pardon simple state marijuana possession offenses. Just as no one should be in a federal prison solely for possessing marijuana, no one should be in a local jail or state prison for that reason, either.
Third: We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin – and more serious than fentanyl. It makes no sense. I’m asking @SecBecerra and the Attorney General to initiate the process of reviewing how marijuana is scheduled under federal law.
I’d also like to note that as federal and state regulations change, we still need important limitations on trafficking, marketing, and underage sales of marijuana.
Sending people to jail for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives – for conduct that is legal in many states. That’s before you address the clear racial disparities around prosecution and conviction. Today, we begin to right these wrongs.
About 3,300 people have been told to evacuate their homes by 9 am (0700 GMT) on Thursday in the eastern German city of Dresden because of the discovery of a World War II-era bomb, according to police.
Police are moving through the area with loudspeakers to alert people about the plans to defuse the bomb. Emergency shelters are in place, though they are asking that people only head to the shelters if they have no other option for temporary housing.
The 250-kilogram bomb was discovered on Wednesday during construction work. The defusing attempt is planned for later on Thursday.
Residents that fall within the yellow are to lock themselves indoors.
This morning a suspicious object was found during construction work on Friedrich Road in #Dresden, which could be a #World War II bomb. The immediate area is currently cordoned off, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Service requested.
The suspicious object found in the morning is a World War II bomb. The specialists from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Service still have to decide how to proceed. The area of the discovery site remains locked.
The World War II bomb found on a construction site on Friedrich Road is to be defused tomorrow (today been Thursday).
The Explosive Ordinance Disposal Service examined the bomb in detail. It turned out that the bomb's head fuse was significantly deformed.
The specialists then decided to remove the detonator with a water cutter. In connection with the defusing, evacuation measures will also be necessary on Thursday. Information about the timing and scope will still be given today.
At least 31 people have been killed in a mass shooting at a pre-school centre in a north-eastern province of Thailand, police have said.
Local media reported that attacker also killed himself and his family.
The shooting occurred in the afternoon local time, while children at the centre were sleeping.
Local media reported that the shooting took place in Na Klang district in Nong Bua Lamphu province.
Chanpen Dechpok, a village chief, told the Guardian the children at the centre were of nursery age. He was not able to confirm the number of fatalities.
Police put the death toll at 31 and said victims included both children and adults. They said the gunman was an ex-police officer.
The rate of gun ownership in Thailand is high compared with some other countries in the region but official figures do not include huge numbers of illegal weapons, many of which have been brought in across porous borders over the years from strife-torn neighbours.
Mass shootings are rare but in 2020, a soldier angry over a property deal killed at least 29 people and wounded 57 in a rampage that spanned four locations.
The family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer killed on the “Rust” movie set in 2021, and Alec Baldwin have reached an undisclosed settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit filed against the actor and others, according to a statement released by the actor’s attorney.
The lawsuit, filed in February in Santa Fe, against Baldwin, the film’s production companies, its producers and other key members of the crew, alleged numerous industry standard violations.
Matthew Hutchins, widower of Halyna Hutchins who was killed on set, will be an executive producer on film, the statement adds.
“We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death case against the producers of Rust, including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed. The filming of Rust, which I will now executive produce, will resume with all the original principal players on board in January 2023. I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr. Baldwin). All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work,” Hutchins said in a statement.
“Throughout this difficult process, everyone has maintained the specific desire to do what is best for Halyna’s son. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the resolution of this tragic and painful situation,” Alec Baldwin’s attorney, Luke Nikas of Quinn Emanuel, said in a statement.
Film director Joel Souza, who was also injured in the shooting, is expected to return to the film.
“Those of us who were lucky enough to have spent time with Halyna knew her to be exceedingly talented, kind, creative, and a source of incredible positive energy. I only wish the world had gotten to know her under different circumstances, as it surely would have through her amazing work. In my own attempts to heal, any decision to return to finish directing the film could only make sense for me if it was done with the involvement of Matt and the Hutchins family. Though certainly bittersweet, I am pleased that together, we will now complete what Halyna and I started. My every effort on this film will be devoted to honoring Halyna’s legacy and making her proud. It is a privilege to see this through on her behalf,” Souza said in a statement.
Rust Movie Productions, LLC, through its attorney, Melina Spadone of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, said: “We are pleased the parties came together to resolve this matter, which, subject to court approval, marks an important step forward in celebrating Halyna’s life and honoring her work.”
The lawsuit also claimed the production companies and producers “cut corners” and “chose to hire the cheapest crew available,” specifically noting that they “knowingly hired a wholly unqualified armorer,” and required her to split time in a second role as assistant props master.
Jason Bowles, an attorney for Hannah Gutierrez Reed, who served as the armorer on “Rust,” said they hope the settlement is recognized as a “measure of Justice.”
“Hannah is grateful that this settlement will benefit the Hutchins family and that the parties were able to constructively resolve the civil lawsuit. We are hopeful that the district attorneys office will also recognize that a measure of Justice has been achieved in regards to this tragic accident, and that they will opt not to pursue criminal charges,” Bowles said.
A spokesperson for the Santa Fe District Attorney told CNN in a statement that the settlement agreement would not impact the ongoing criminal investigation in the case.
“While civil suits are settled privately and often involve financial awards, criminal cases deal only in facts,” Heather Brewer, spokesperson for the Office of the First Judicial District Attorney of New Mexico, said in a statement. “If the facts and evidence warrant criminal charges under New Mexico law then charges will be brought. No one is above the law.”
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria says it has lodged a suit against Meta Platforms Incorporated (owners of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp platforms) and its agent AT3 Resources Limited at the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the apex regulatory body for Nigeria’s advertising ecosystem, ARCON is seeking a declaration among others that the continued publication and exposure of various advertisements directed at the Nigerian market through Facebook and Instagram platforms by Meta Platforms Incorporated without ensuring the same is vetted and approved before exposure is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the extant advertising Law in Nigeria.
ARCON stated that Meta Platforms Incorporated’s continued exposure of unvetted adverts had also led to loss of revenue to the Federal Government.
ARCON is seeking N30bn in sanction for the violation of the advertising laws and for loss of revenue as a result of Meta Incorporated’s continued exposure of unapproved adverts on it’s platforms.
The statement read in part, “ARCON reiterates that it would not permit unethical and irresponsible advertising on the Nigeria’s advertising space.”
According to ARCON, the Council is not regulating the online media space. Rather, it’s focus is on advertising and marketing communications on the online platforms in line with its establishment Act.
Wolverhampton Wanderers have sacked boss Bruno Lage after Saturday’s two-goal defeat at West Ham left them in the Premier League relegation zone.
Lage – who was appointed Wolves boss last summer to replace Nuno Espirito Santo – has overseen a long-term slump in form at Molineux with just one victory in their opening eight Premier League matches this campaign following last season’s concerning finish which saw the side finish without a league victory in their final seven games.
Wolves are the lowest scoring team in the Premier League with just three goals in their opening eight matches, continuing their concerning form in front of goal last season: their 38 Premier League goals was the lowest of any team to avoid relegation.
Lage took the Midlands club to a respectable top-half finish in his first season at the helm but their hopes of European football tailed off in the closing weeks of the season with an alarming seven-game winless run, which was to carry on into this season.
Expectations at the club were raised this summer after a transfer spend that exceeded £120million with Portuguese internationals Matheus Nunes and Goncalo Guedes signed from Sporting CP and Valencia respectively, defender Nathan Collins joined from Burnley, Hee-chan Hwang’s loan move from RB Leipzig was made permanent and striker Sasa Kalajdzic arrived from Stuttgart.
Austrian Kalajdzic, 25, suffered a knee ligament injury during his debut in his side’s 1-0 win over Southampton – their only Premier League victory to date this season – and there are fears the striker could miss the majority of the campaign.
The Bank of England will reveal images of updated banknotes featuring a portrait of HM King Charles III by the end of this year. The notes are expected to enter circulation by mid-2024.
His Majesty’s portrait will appear on existing designs of all four polymer banknotes (£5, £10, £20 and £50). This will be a continuation of the current polymer series and no additional changes to the banknote designs will be made.
In line with guidance from the Royal Household to minimise the environmental and financial impact of the change of monarch, existing stocks of notes featuring HM Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be issued into circulation. New notes will only be printed to replace worn banknotes and to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes.
Current banknotes featuring the portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II will continue to be legal tender and will only be removed from circulation once they become worn or damaged. They will co-circulate with those featuring HM King Charles III.
Notes to editors
His Majesty’s portrait will feature on the front of the banknote, as well as in cameo in the see-through security window.
The current series of banknotes (series G) features the following characters in the designs: £5 – Winston Churchill, £10 – Jane Austen, £20 JMW Turner, £50 – Alan Turing. HM Queen Elizabeth II first appeared on Bank of England banknotes in 1960.
The legal tender status of paper £20 and £50 notes will be withdrawn after 30 September 2022, as previously announced.
Anthony Joshua has been labelled an ‘idiot’ and a ‘coward’ after missing Tyson Fury’s deadline to sign the contract for their planned blockbuster fight.
Joshua was offered the proposition of becoming world heavyweight boxing champion once again by Fury despite his second defeat at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk. Having seemingly lost his shot at a title after two losses on the bounce, AJ was given another chance by the Gypsy King in a potential clash which would finally settle the scores between the two British fighters.
Both had seemed in agreement for a fight to take place in December after back-and-forths on social media. But an impatient Fury claimed he would move on from the fight on the weekend if Joshua did not put pen to paper on Monday, which the latter apparently failed to do.
Fury took to social media to post a video message, saying: "Well guys, it's official. D-Day has come and gone, it's gone past 5'o'clock Monday and no contract has been signed.
"It's officially over for Joshua, he's now out in the cold with the wolf pack. Forget about it. Idiot, coward, s***house, bodybuilder.
“Always knew you didn't have the minerals to fight the Gyspy King. Regardless of what you say now, I don't really care. Good luck with your career and your life, end of."
Students of secondary schools are currently protesting in the streets of Bauchi over a new policy by the government to separate boys from girls in schools.
Students officially resumed school today (Monday) across the state.
Vanguard had reported that Bauchi State Commissioner for Education, Mr Aliyu Tilde, said the State government has concluded plans to separate male and female students in secondary schools in the state.
Tilde, while addressing newsmen after a State Executive Council (SEC) meeting in Bauchi, noted that it would only be executed whenever and wherever it was possible.
He explained that the idea was to address moral decadence, which he said has become prevalent among students of secondary schools.
According to him, private schools would take a cue from the initiative and separate the males who would be attending their academic activities in one institution and the females in another separate institution.
In less than 30 minute Prof. Zainab Duke Abiola & her domestic staff will be arraigned at the Chief magistrate court Zone 6. We promised a public prosecution & in fulfilling the above, the arraignment will be on our Instagram Live at FCT POLICE COMMAND. Connect and stream.
Prof. Zainab Duke Abiola & co were arraigned by the Chief magistrate court in zone 6 for the offenses of Criminal conspiracy, Causing Criminal, hurt without provocation, Attempt to commit culpable homicide & Intentional insult to cause a breach of trust.
The court ruled that the suspect be remanded in the Kuje Correctional facility while the case was adjourned to October 5th for the next hearing.
China's former justice minister Fu Zhenghua, who spearheaded several corruption-fighting campaigns, has been jailed for bribery.
Fu pleaded guilty in July to accepting 117 million yuan ($14.7m; $16.5m) in gifts and money for personal gain.
On Thursday, a court in Changchun gave him a death sentence to be commuted to life in prison after two years.
His conviction comes amid a sudden crackdown on officials ahead of a key Communist Party congress next month.
China's ruling party holds the event once every five years and this time President Xi Jinping is expected to be given a historic third term and consolidate his hold on power.
Fu's jailing on Thursday follows the sentencing of three other former provincial police chiefs this week. All four men are not only accused of corruption but also of being disloyal to Mr Xi.
They are all alleged to have been part of a political circle led by another ex-security figurehead, Sun Lijun. Sun, who is currently awaiting his sentence, was said to have created his own political faction through helping elevate other officials in the security apparatus.
Xi Jinping famously promised to take out both "tigers and flies", meaning corrupt cadres at all levels of the party. Surely, the public might ask, the "tigers" have already been eliminated?
Fu's case is among several that have been widely covered. He was China's justice minister from 2018 to 2020, after a career where he worked his way up from being a policeman to the deputy head of China's Ministry of Public Security.
He had led several high-profile investigations into corrupt politicians - including a probe which brought down Zhou Yongkang, one of the most powerful officials in recent years to be convicted of bribery.
But in October last year, the party's internal watchdog announced it was investigating Fu for "serious violations of discipline and national laws".
He was dismissed from public office and then in March this year expelled from the Communist Party. He was arrested a month later on the corruption charges.
Prosecutors said he took advantage of his authority to seek gains for others and himself on business contracts, official positions and even legal cases. He was accused of hiding evidence in a criminal case that involved his younger brother.
Sun, the alleged power broker of the group, was a vice minister of the Ministry of Public Security until 2020.
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice signs abortion ban into law
Republican Gov. Jim Justice on Friday signed into law a ban on abortions at all stages of pregnancy, making West Virginia the second state to enact a law prohibiting the procedure since the U.S. Supreme Court’s June ruling overturning its constitutional protection.
The bill will go into effect immediately, except for the criminal penalties, which will go into effect in 90 days, he said. Justice described the legislation on Twitter as “a bill that protects life.”
“I said from the beginning that if WV legislators brought me a bill that protected life and included reasonable and logical exceptions I would sign it, and that’s what I did today,” he said.
The ban has exemptions for medical emergencies and for rape and incest victims until eight weeks of pregnancy for adults and 14 weeks for children. Victims must report their assault to law enforcement 48 hours before the procedure. Minors can report to the police or a doctor, who then must tell police.
The bill requires abortions to be performed by a physician at a hospital — a provision that at least two Republican lawmakers have said was intended to shut down abortions at the Women’s Health Center, which has provided the procedure since 1976 and was the state’s sole abortion clinic. Providers who perform illegal abortions can face up to 10 years in prison.
Shortly after lawmakers passed the bill Tuesday, Women’s Health Center of West Virginia Executive Director Katie Quiñonez said the clinic’s lawyer advised them to suspend abortions immediately. Staff spent Tuesday night and Wednesday cancelling dozens of appointments and providing them with resources to book appointments out-of-state and funding to help cover travel and the procedure.
Indiana’s abortion ban — passed in August — started being enforced Thursday.
Indiana and West Virginia now join more than a dozen states with abortion bans, though most were approved before that Supreme Court ruling and took effect once the court threw out the constitutional right to end a pregnancy.
On Tuesday, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina introduced a bill that would ban abortion nationwide after the 15th week of pregnancy, with rare exceptions, intensifying the ongoing debate inside and outside the GOP, though the proposal has almost no chance of becoming law in the Democratic-held Congress.
The moment the Queen's Guard collapsed during the lying-in-state of Elizabeth II at WestMinister Hall.
Queen Elizabeth II began lying in state on Wednesday and will continue to do so until her funeral on Monday morning. The Queen is the first person in the U.K. to be so honoured this way since her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's funeral in 2002.
Premier League fixtures this weekend will honour the 70-year reign of Her Majesty
All Premier League matches between Friday 16 and Sunday 18 September will provide an opportunity for the League, clubs and fans to come together to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation and world.
Honouring Her Majesty
Fans will be asked to join a minute’s silence, which will be followed by the National Anthem, God Save The King.
Big screens and LED perimeter boards will display tribute images to Her Majesty and flags at the grounds will be flying at half-mast.
When the clock turns to 70 minutes, fans will be invited to applaud The Queen’s 70-year reign.
President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, pays condolence visit to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, following the death of the British Monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, on Saturday, 10th September, 2022 in Abuja.
The Nigeria's flags, home and in foreign missions, are to be flown at half mast in honour of the passage of Queen Elizabeth II, the Federal Government declared on Friday night.
According to a statement by Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the flags would be flown at half mast on Sunday 11 to Monday 12, 2022.
The government commiserated with the government and people of the United Kingdom and all the affected people of the Commonwealth and the World on the passage of the Queen.
The statement reads:" In honour of Queen Elizabeth II, the sovereign of the United Kingdom, Chairman of the Commonwealth and an eminent global personality whose passage to eternity was announced yesterday, the Ministry of Interior of the Federal Republic of Nigeria declares that all flags in Nigeria and our missions abroad be flown at half mast on Sunday September 11, 2022 and Monday 12, 2022.
"We commiserate with the government and people of the United Kingdom and all the affected people of the Commonwealth and the World.
Passports currently state: "Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State requests and requires in the name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary."
It is expected this will be changed to the male pronoun for any new passports.
Any older passports that do not have the new phrasing would be unaffected and not forced to change until they are renewed.
Like currency, the new passports will be phased in over time.
Queen's Counsel
The country's leading barristers, previously known as Queen's Counsel, have become King's Counsel.
The Bar Council, which represents barristers, said the change was immediate.
Barristers of that standing will now use the initials KC after their name, rather than QC.
Sports › It Was A Clumsy Joke: Puyol Apologises Over Tweet On Casillas Gay 'stunt' by HonNL(op): 8:31pm On Oct 09, 2022
