As well as postboxes, the Royal Mail will commission new stamps bearing the King's profile to replace that of his mother.
When stamps were last changed with a monarch in 1952, a series called the Wilding Issues were released.
They featured portraits taken by Dorothy Wilding within a couple of weeks of King George's death, and were used up until 1971.
National Anthem
With King Charles on the throne, the words to the national anthem will be changed to God Save The King.
It will go as follows:
God save our gracious King! Long live our noble King! God save the King! Send him victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us, God save the King.
This version was last used when the Queen's father George VI was on the throne.
According to the Coin Expert, an affiliate of the Royal Mint, a new portrait of Charles will come into circulation to be portrayed on the currency.
The coins and notes that bear the Queen's portrait will continue to be issued for the remainder of the year or perhaps longer, after which the new portrait will come into circulation.
Coins and notes bearing the Queen will not be recalled; instead, the process will be a gradual one and many coins marked with her portrait will remain in circulation for many years.
Banks and post offices will issue the newly designed coins and notes and collect the older versions.
According to royal.uk, the official website of the Royal Family, from the time of Charles II onwards, a tradition developed of monarchs being represented on the coinage facing in the opposite direction to their predecessor.
The exception to this was in the brief reign of Edward VIII. He liked portraits of himself facing to the left, even though, according to tradition, he should have faced to the right. Designs for proposed coins for his reign show Edward VIII facing to the left.
The tradition was restored in the reign of George VI, with his portrait facing left as if Edward VIII had faced right.
A royal cypher is unique to each reigning monarch and consists of their name and title.
It usually appears on government buildings, uniforms, royal or state documents and royal-affiliated items.
Now that the Queen has died, ER could be swapped for CR.
The second letter may not change because the R can stand for either Rex or Regina, the Latin for King and Queen.
However, the next royal cypher is not confirmed yet.
Postboxes
Royal Mail postboxes are marked with ERII, which stands for Elizabeth Regina II.
They could now change to CRIII.
When postboxes are made, they are given the mark of the monarch ruling at the time, and with more than 100,000 estimated to be dotted around Britain, it could take a long time to replace them all.
The Postal Museum notes that this will only happen when new postal boxes are added - old ones will not change.
The Queen's portrait is all over stamps, coins and notes, and her initials adorn postboxes, uniforms and government signage all across the country. Her death has ushered in a new age, and with it comes the mammoth task of changing all this.
The Queen's death marks a monumental moment in the history of the nation.
With the end of the second Elizabethan era comes the beginning of the reign of King Charles, to be known as the Carolean age.
As history changes, so too must the everyday objects that bear the monarch's portrait.
The Queen's likeness features on stamps, coins and notes, and her initials adorn postboxes, uniforms and government signage all across the country.
Changing all this will be a huge and costly task, one likely to take several years if not decades, and indeed, one that may never be completed.
The Carolean age
The new King will be known as King Charles III and his ascension heralds a return to the Carolean age, a term that originates from the Latin for Charles, Carolus.
The first Carolean age was under King Charles I, whose reign from 1625 to 1649 was marred by disputes and controversy.
They eventually led to deeply divisive civil wars and ultimately Charles's execution for high treason in 1649.
For the next 11 years, the country was a republic under Oliver Cromwell.
The second Carolean age arrived when Charles II was restored to his father's throne. Known as the merry monarch, he ruled from 1660 until his death in 1685 but had no legitimate children, so the crown passed to his brother.
The third King Charles will be proclaimed at the Accession Council at 10am on Saturday morning.
Declaring her support for the King, the prime minister heralded a "new Carolean age".
"All of us in this House will support him as he takes our country forward to a new era of hope and progress," Liz Truss told the Commons on Friday.
BUCKINGHAM PALACE A STATEMENT FROM HIS MAJESTY THE KING AT THE TIME OF THE OUEEN'S DEATH
The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was no widely held.
The Queen has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace has announced.
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow," Buckingham Palace said.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history and the world's oldest head of state.
On her death, the Queen's eldest son and heir, Charles, the former Prince of Wales, has become King of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms.
No official details have been released about what will happen over the coming days, but it is anticipated that the Queen will be given a full state funeral, as is traditional to mark the death of a monarch.
It is also expected that her body will lie in state to allow the public to pay tribute.
The King will sign off the final plans in the coming days.
The Queen has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace has announced.
"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and the Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow," Buckingham Palace said.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history and the world's oldest head of state.
On her death, the Queen's eldest son and heir, Charles, the former Prince of Wales, has become King of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth realms.
No official details have been released about what will happen over the coming days, but it is anticipated that the Queen will be given a full state funeral, as is traditional to mark the death of a monarch.
It is also expected that her body will lie in state to allow the public to pay tribute.
The King will sign off the final plans in the coming days.
Move comes as Biden administration outlines plans to boost domestic production of semiconductors
US technology firms that receive government funding will be banned from building “advanced technology facilities” in China for a decade, the Biden administration has announced, as it outlined plans to increase domestic production of semiconductors.
The requirements come under the US government’s near-$53bn (£46bn) plan to scale up manufacturing of semiconductor chips – the “brain” in every electronic device from cars to household appliances – which are predominantly produced in Asia.
The US Chips and Science Act (Chips), approved by Congress in August, is part of the American response to a long-running technological dispute between Washington and Beijing, as US firms demand more government support to reduce reliance on components produced in Chinese factories.
The US Department of Commerce said it hoped to begin seeking applications by next February for $39bn in government semiconductor subsidies to build new production facilities in the US. The plan will also give a 25% investment tax credit for chip plants, where construction begins from 2023.
“We’re also going to be implementing the guardrails to ensure those who receive Chips funds cannot compromise national security,” the US commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo, said. “They’re not allowed to use this money to invest in China; they can’t develop leading-edge technologies in China; they can’t send latest technology overseas.”
The US currently only produces about 10% of the world’s supply of semiconductors; most chips are manufactured in factories in Taiwan and South Korea.
Global shortages of computer chips, prompted by the coronavirus pandemic, have caused large production delays for carmakers in the UK and beyond, as well as for technology companies and other manufacturers.
In addition, the industry has gained increased geopolitical prominence as China has begun asserting itself on the world stage under its president, Xi Jinping, including threatening Taiwan.
This has led to investment in and expansion of semiconductor production in the US, as well as in Japan and the EU.
“These funds are intended to help companies maximise the scale of their projects. We’re going to be pushing companies to go bigger and be bolder,” Raimondo said. “We’re going to negotiate these deals one at a time,” she added, saying the companies receiving government funds would need to “prove to us the money is absolutely necessary to make these investments”.
The Chips Act commits a total of $280bn to hi-tech manufacturing and research, and is designed to increase the US’s competitiveness with China.
Eric Bailly has suggested Manchester United picked players during his time at the club based on whether they were English rather than their talent.
Bailly, an Ivory Coast international defender, is on loan at Marseille from United. The 28-year-old featured just four times last season, while, for example, England international Harry Maguire kept his place despite struggling for form.
The defender has said he hopes Erik ten Hag will change the situation for foreign players.
“The club should avoid favouring English players and give everyone a chance,” said Bailly.
“[The club should] encourage competition in the dressing room, not just look out for some. I’ve always had the feeling that the national player was prioritised.
“That doesn’t happen at Chelsea or other big Premier League clubs. Some people take it for granted that they are going to start, and that weakens the team. Luckily [Erik] Ten Hag has a lot of character and I hope he can change that dynamic.”
Bailly and Marseille face Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League on Wednesday.
He brought a temporary end to his stay at United, which began when he joined from Villarreal in 2016, after Lisandro Martinez joined the club from Ajax. Rafael Varane and Maguire were also ahead of him in the pecking order.
At least 46 people were killed when a strong earthquake struck southwestern China on Monday, state media reported, as violent tremors in a remote region damaged homes and left some areas without electricity.
The magnitude 6.6 quake hit about 43 kilometres (26 miles) southeast of the city of Kangding in Sichuan province at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said that 17 people died in Ya'an city, while 29 deaths were reported in neighbouring Ganzi Prefecture.
"Another 16 people were missing and 50 were injured," CCTV said late Monday.
Tremors shook buildings in the provincial capital of Chengdu -- where millions are confined to their homes under a strict Covid lockdown -- and in the nearby megacity of Chongqing, local residents told AFP.
"I felt it quite strongly. Some of my neighbours on the ground floor said they felt it very noticeably," said Chen, a resident of Chengdu.
"But because Chengdu is currently under epidemic management, people aren't allowed to leave their residential compounds, so many of them rushed out into their courtyards," she added.
At least one town had suffered "severe damage" from landslides triggered by the quake, CCTV reported.
A road to another town was blocked and telecommunications lines in areas home to more than 10,000 people were severed, the broadcaster said, adding that shocks also forced some power stations offline in the areas of Garze and Ya'an.
Footage broadcast by CCTV appeared to show damaged buildings and a street strewn with fallen masonry in Garze.
A video posted online by the China Earthquake Networks Center showed boulders thundering down mountainsides in Luding county, kicking up clouds of dust as tremors swayed roadside telephone wires.
- Rescue teams dispatched -
State media reported that several aftershocks were recorded in nearby areas. A smaller magnitude 4.6 tremor hit eastern Tibet less than an hour after the initial quake, according to the USGS.
Hundreds of rescue workers were dispatched to the epicentre, CCTV reported, alongside footage of firefighters in orange jumpsuits boarding trucks and navigating a highway littered with rocks and other debris.
The Sichuan seismological authority said more than 1,000 soldiers had been sent to help the rescue workers.
Authorities also sent thousands of tents, blankets and foldable beds to the affected areas, according to the broadcaster.
Other state media photos showed officials in military fatigues heaving shovels and other equipment along a highway -- all while wearing face masks as a Covid precaution.
President Xi Jinping called for local authorities to "make saving lives the first priority, go all out to rescue people in disaster-stricken areas, and minimise loss of life", according to CCTV.
A resident of Chongqing said the quake was "pretty noticeable" and that it had shaken the lights and furniture in his fifth-floor apartment.
"I was pretty scared," he told AFP, "but it didn't seem to faze people here."
- Summer of extremes - Earthquakes are fairly common in China, especially in the country's seismically active southwest.
A magnitude 8.0 quake in 2008 in Sichuan's Wenchuan county left tens of thousands dead and caused enormous damage.
In June, at least four people were killed and dozens more injured after two earthquakes in southwestern China.
That month, a shallow 6.1-magnitude shock hit a sparsely populated area about 100 kilometres west of Chengdu.
It was followed three minutes later by a second quake of magnitude 4.5 in a nearby county, where the deaths and injuries occurred.
Authorities in Chengdu extended the city's lockdown on Sunday as they fight a Covid flare-up with hundreds of cases.
The region has also suffered a summer of extreme weather, with a record-breaking heatwave noticeably drying rivers in Chongqing.
A twitter user has narrated how she suffered a serious cut on her leg due to the faulty escalators at the MMIA, Lagos.
In a post shared on twitter, the lady @elvikioup said she was going to take legal actions after the near-death experience.
Life-Threatening Experience with Escalators at Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos.
Thread with pictures and videos attached.
On Saturday 3rd September 2022, I returned to Nigeria with my family. My excited 5 year old wanted to use the escalator instead of the stairs.
We travel around the world and escalators are normal to him. However, in the past I’d warned my kids not to use escalators in Nigeria (how sad). On this day, he wanted to and I insisted I hold his hand (there's no place in the world we go that I've held his hand on an escalator).
I noticed the razor-sharp edges of the escalator and it was going very fast. I looked down and the very fast escalator had people tumbling on themselves. Humans started piling on each other. My reflex, I lifted my 5yr old in the air, he spread his legs high while I lay on my back.
I joined the pile of humans at the base of the escalator. The only defense I had for myself was to raise my head so that only my back was bearing the grind of the escalators. A passenger snatched my 5yr old from me.
My 9 yr old son, behind me jumped over the railings and other passengers caught him. My husband was behind me had managed to take a grip that only his back was scratched by the sharp edges. My daughter and Gloria who were behind my husband were running back up the escalators
Eventually some people lifted me up at the base of the death-trap called escalators. The immigration officers that were looking at us, looked away while continuing with the job at hand on which passengers will be in a net, 'catch for the day'.
Despite the shouts, the wailing and pandemonium, everyone was going on with their activities. It took them over 40 minutes for first aid to arrive after my husband had shouted down the airport.
I remember when those escalators happened to a boy years before. That was why I warned my children, but my 5 year old was too young to remember.
I went to the hospital and I was given a tetanus injection. Gloria had an X-ray taken of her hand.The body ache, swelling on my back and legs is ongoing.
I wonder who certified and approved the safety/ use of these escalators. We were told that they were serviced a few days before. I am definitely going to sue . The state of those escalators is totally unacceptable.
As a citizen of this country and a consistent tax payer, I have the right to raise an inquiry into this matter and sue for damages. It’s more worrisome that protection, safety, support of human life is an outward neglect and negligence of the immigration officers at the airport.
This is an obnoxious show and dereliction of duty from the immigration and security official at the airport. It is also appalling that first aid came as the last aid after 40 minutes of this painful ordeal. I was bleeding and anxious to go to hospital.
I don’t think it should be a crime to come back to my country after a holiday abroad only to go through a near-death experience.
I will get to the root of the certification of these escalators legally.
However, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has taken full responsibility and apologised to the family involved.
September 5, 2022
Press Release
Re: Life-Threatening Experience With Escalators at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
With respect to the above mentioned incident which occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Saturday, September 3, 2022, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria takes full responsibility for the unfortunate incident, and we hereby tender our apology to the family involved.
Accordingly, We have also reached out to actively participate in the care for the injured.
FAAN is reviewing the operating procedure for the equipment, to ensure that such sudden mechanical faults do not occur again.
FAAN......Committed to her core values of Safety, Security and Comfort.
Faithful A. Hope-Ivbaze (Mrs.) Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs
A TOWERING to-do list faces Liz Truss if she is announced as the new Conservative leader today, with the incoming Prime Minister's inbox overflowing with issues to tackle.
The Foreign Secretary, Truss is expected to be unveiled as Boris Johnson's successor at 12.30pm today when the result of the Tory leadership election is finally announced. For six weeks Ms Truss and her rival Rishi Sunak have toured the country setting out their different visions for the country.
Exclusive polling for Express.co.uk by TechneUK published on Friday as voting closed indicated the South West Norfolk MP was set to storm to victory with the support of 64 percent of Conservative members compared to the 36 percent thought to have backed Mr Sunak.
While the candidates will only find out who has won the race for No10 10 minutes before the result is public, Ms Truss has already started planning for her expected premiership.
After weeks of accusations of a "Zombie Government", the new Prime Minister will face extreme pressure to quickly get a grip on a number of issues facing the country.
Polling for this website indicates more than half of all voters want tackling rising energy bills to be the top priority for the new resident in Downing Street.
The TechneUK survey found 52 percent of the public saw it as the number one issue facing the country.
However, the number drops to just 39 percent among Conservative voters, with almost as many backers of the Tories (36 percent) saying tax cuts must be the no1 issue for the new Prime Minister.
At the same time, hardline Brexiteer on the Government backbenches in the House of Commons want fast action on tackling the EU over the Northern Ireland Protocol.
"She made clear it was a priority and I suspect she'll deliver."
The CFCB First Chamber concluded settlement agreements with eight clubs who agreed to a total of €172 million in financial contributions, specific targets and conditional and unconditional sporting restrictions over the next few years
The Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) First Chamber, chaired by Sunil Gulati, announced today a series of decisions involving clubs that participated in the 2021/22 UEFA club competitions.
The CFCB First Chamber found that AC Milan (ITA), AS Monaco (FRA), AS Roma (ITA), Beşiktaş JK (TUR), FC Internazionale Milano (ITA), Juventus (ITA), Olympique de Marseille (FRA) and Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) did not comply with the break-even requirement.
The analysis covered the financial years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Financial years 2020 and 2021 were subject to the Covid emergency measures aimed at neutralising the adverse impact of the pandemic. Under these measures, financial years 2020 and 2021 were assessed as one single period and clubs were allowed specific covid-19 adjustments, and to average the combined deficit of 2020 and 2021. Further information on the emergency measures can be found here.
These eight clubs agreed to financial contributions of €172 million. These amounts will be withheld from any revenues these clubs earn from participating in UEFA club competitions or paid directly. Of this amount, €26 million (15%) shall be paid in full while the remaining balance of €146 million (85%) is conditional depending on these clubs' compliance with the targets stated in the respective settlement agreement.
The settlement agreement framework is identical for all clubs. Settlement agreements cover either a 3-year or a 4-year period. Their aim is to accompany clubs through the transitional period between the “old” Club licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations – Edition 2018 and the newly approved Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations – Edition 2022 (CL&FS) that will be implemented in a staged approach as from financial year 2023. The clubs’ objective is therefore to fully comply with the stability requirements (i.e. the football earnings rule), as defined in the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations – Edition 2022 at the end of the Settlement agreement.
Under the 3-year settlement agreement, clubs agree to comply with the football earning rule during the 2025/26 season. They undertake to reach intermediate annual targets, and to the application of conditional financial and sporting measures should these targets not be met.
The 4-year settlement agreement differs in that it provides one additional season to comply with the football earnings rule but includes unconditional sporting restrictions on the registration of new players applicable as from 2022/23 season. AS Roma and FC Internazionale Milano opted for a 4-year settlement agreement while all other clubs opted for a 3-year period. Further details on the settlement agreements can be found here and here.
Moreover, the CFCB First Chamber found that CS Santa Clara (POR) and RSC Anderlecht (BEL) reported minor breaches to the break-even requirements. CS Santa Clara was imposed a fine of €10,000. RSC Anderlecht was imposed a fine of €100,000, unless the club’s aggregate break-even result for the financial years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 is in compliance with the break-even requirement.
Furthermore, during the 2021/22 season, the CFCB First Chamber continued the monitoring of the clubs that were already under settlement regimes, namely AEK Athens FC (GRE), LOSC Lille (FRA), İstanbul Başakşehir (TUR) and FC Porto (POR). Details on those settlement agreements can be found here.
The CFCB First Chamber found that FC Porto (POR), after reopening the case, slightly failed to fulfil the primary purpose of its Settlement Agreement and, as a result, the CFCB First Chamber decided to impose a fine of €100,000 and to exclude the club from the next UEFA club competition for which it would qualify in the next three seasons, unless the club’s aggregate break-even result for the financial years 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 is in compliance with the break-even requirement.
Furthermore, it found that LOSC Lille (FRA) and İstanbul Başakşehir (TUR) only partially fulfilled the targets set for the 2021/22 season and, as a result, the conditional sporting measures foreseen in the settlement agreement, namely the limitation on the number of players a club can register in the List A and the restrictions of newly transferred players, will apply in the 2022/23 season.
As to AEK Athens FC (GRE), the CFCB First Chamber confirms that the club has fulfilled the conditions imposed by the CFCB within the set deadlines. Accordingly, the club can exit the settlement regime.
Finally, the CFCB First Chamber also observed that another 19 clubs that took part in the 2021/22 UEFA club competitions, namely Borussia Dortmund (GER), Chelsea FC (ENG), FC Barcelona (ESP), FC Basel 1893 (SUI), 1.FC Union Berlin (GER), Fenerbahçe SK (TUR), Feyenoord (NED), Leicester City FC (ENG), Manchester City FC (ENG), Olympique Lyonnais (FRA), Rangers (SCO), Real Betis Balompié (ESP), Royal Antwerp FC (BEL), Sevilla FC (ESP), SS Lazio (ITA), SSC Napoli (ITA), Trabzonspor AŞ (TUR), VFL Wolfsburg (GER) and West Ham United FC (ENG), were able to technically fulfil the break-even requirement thanks to the application of the COVID-19 emergency measures and/or because they benefited from historical positive break-even results (T-3 and T-4).
The CFCB First Chamber reminded these clubs that as from financial year 2023 these exceptional COVID deductions and consideration of historical financial results will no longer be possible. These clubs were further asked for additional financial information and will be monitored closely in the upcoming period. The goal of course is that the clubs’ overall financial situation is in compliance with the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations – Edition 2022 in coming years.
Nigeria must show genuine commitment to ending enforced disappearances
• Families of victims of enforced disappearance let down by authorities • Dadiyata still missing after abduction by gunmen 3-years ago • No accountability for families of victims of enforced disappearance
Nigerian authorities must show genuine commitment to ending the heinous crime of enforced disappearances, which is still prevalent in the country, says Amnesty International Nigeria to mark the International Day of the Disappeared.
“When people are arrested by state agents, without any trace of their whereabouts, and the state denies knowledge of where they are, their families are exposed to unthinkable suffering; they find it difficult to move on as they wait each day in anguish, hoping their loved ones’ return,” says Osai Ojigho Director Amnesty International Nigeria.
“Between 2020 to 2022, Amnesty International Nigeria has documented several cases of enforced disappearances, mass arrest, torture, extortions, ill-treatment, and extrajudicial executions by law enforcement officers responding to the activities of IPOB in the Southeast and Southwest,” says Osai Ojigho
The mother of a 34-year-old father of three who disappeared since 6 February 2022 after arrest by the police from the State Command, Owerri, Imo State told Amnesty International that: “My son was arrested on 6 February 2022. Since his arrest, we have made efforts to locate his whereabouts to no avail. The police warned us not to come near their offices. Nobody knows whether he is dead or alive.”
In a similar case of enforced disappearance, Sunday Nwafor, a 47-year-old businessman was last seen on 27 February 2020 after his arrest by army officials from 140 Brigade Ohafia, Abia State. “Since 27 February 2020, I have not seen my husband. When I go there, they tell me to go and pray; that my husband is an IPOB member. He has never participated in any IPOB activities. I now go to the bush to get firewood which I sell. My daughter had to drop out of school.” Sunday Nwafor’s wife told Amnesty International.
Other victims of enforced disappearance including, Obioma Okoroafor (40 years), Ozoemela Nwaokorie (34 years) and Ogechi Ifere Matins were arrested on 27 October 2020 by men of the Nigerian Army at Oyibo, Rivers State during the #EndSARS protests. The military denied having them in their custody. “Upon enquires at 6 Division, 29 Battalion, we were informed that their names and pictures do not match with that of any civilian in their custody. Since then, their whereabouts is still unknown” - a civil society organization working on the cases told Amnesty International.
The unresolved enforced disappearances of some activists underscore the need for action. Abubakar Idris (Dadiyata) has not been seen for 1,123 days since his abduction from his home in Kaduna on 2 August 2019. The government has denied holding him. His 66-year-old mother, Fatima Abubakar, who believed strongly that her son would return soon, waited in vain as the days cumulated to years. She died in anguish on Tuesday 19 April 2022.
“It is unfortunate that the Nigerian government continues to use enforced disappearance as a longstanding tactic to silence critics and instil fear in civilian populations facing triple threats of armed groups, including Boko Haram, kidnappings and banditry,” says Osai Ojigho
Every disappearance violates a range of human rights including the right to security and dignity of person, right not to be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, right to humane conditions of detention, right to a legal personality, right to a fair trial, right to a family life, and right to life.
Nigeria is bound by international legal obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance both of which it has acceded to – to investigate, prosecute, punish, and provide remedies and reparations for the crimes of enforced disappearance.
Another 30th of August marks families’ daily wait for the truth on the fate of their disappeared relatives. The Nigerian authorities must fulfill its obligation under international law to end enforced disappearance, and bring succor, hope and justice to these families.
Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to criminalize enforced disappearance under national law and make it punishable by appropriate penalties in view of its devastating impact on families. With ongoing conflicts across Nigeria more families are having to bear the pain of enforced disappearance.
“The authorities must take immediate actions to end enforced disappearances and other related human rights violations. They must demonstrate zero tolerance for such crimes through ensuring independent, impartial, and effective investigations, and prosecution of those culpable in fair trials, without recourse to the death penalty,” says Osai Ojigho.
Enforced disappearance is an instrument of intimidation that grossly violates human rights. It is unacceptable and must stop. Nigerian authorities must also ensure that victims and their families are told the truth and that they are provided with full and effective reparations to address the harm they have suffered.
The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to a false publication by an online newspaper, Peoples Gazette, in which it quoted Amnesty International (AI) as stating that SSS abduct innocent Nigerians under Buhari regime. Whether reported by Peoples Gazette or Amnesty International, the Service outrightly denies this misleading narrative. It does not abduct Nigerians.
As part of its enforcement activities, the DSS arrests when, where and if necessary. This is evidently carried out in line with tenets of democratic ideals. At no time has the agency embarked on its actions without following laid down procedures in respect of obtaining warrants of arrest or orders for detention from competent legal authorities. The claim of abduction or use of enforced disappearances is an absolute lie and a make-up narrative designed to bring the Service to disrepute.
The DSS is law abiding and committed to the protection of citizens and sensitive government installations. In doing this, it will continue to discharge its mandate of intelligence collection and timely dissemination of same to relevant action agencies and stakeholders.
Public attention should, however, be drawn to the deliberate and determined efforts of the publisher of Peoples Gazette, Samuel Ogundipe, to use his platform to undermine law and order. He is known to have, on several occasions, engaged in false and distorted publications to disinform the public. He and his cohorts are hereby warned, for the umpteenth time, to desist from these deplorable acts against the peace and security of the nation. It is time for Ogundipe and the likes to choose reason over fatuity; and patriotism over disloyalty and treachery. Their continuous mischievous resolve to use fake news and hate speech to set the country on fire is condemnable.
Media practitioners in the country should rise above parochial considerations, sanitise its fold and fish out quacks among them. The media can also peer review and embark on self-censorship as part of achieving professionalism in the industry. They must reject the allure of enticement by external forces to use them to instigate violence or undermine government and its institutions. Otherwise, those who run foul of the law must be ready to face justice either now or in the future.
Peter Afunanya, Ph.D, fsi Public Relations Officer Department of State Services National Headquarters Abuja. 31st August, 2022
In Kampala at the 11th Graduation ceremony of Cavendish University Uganda (CUU).
In my address to the congregation as the Chancellor, I expressed my pleasure with the exemplary innovation-driven mileage attained by the university, especially the remarkable progress recorded since the covid pandemic.
I also rejoiced with the graduating students and charged them to embrace success anchor habits, develop big goals and a determination to achieve them. That way, they will become 21st Century's change agents with a knack for overcoming society and humanity's challenges.
I met with H.E Goodluck Jonathan who is in the country for the second graduation ceremony of Cavendish University. He called on me at State House Entebbe and we discussed a wide range of issues.
The head of Japan's National Police Agency announced his resignation on Thursday after an investigation confirmed "shortcomings" in the security plans for assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe.
Abe, the country's best-known politician and longest-serving premier, was shot and killed while delivering a stump speech on July 8 in the city of Nara in western Japan.
"There were shortcomings in the security plans and the risk assessments on which they were based, and direction from the field commander was insufficient," Itaru Nakamura told reporters.
"The root of this problem lies in the limitations of the current system, which has been in place for years, in which local police bear sole responsibility for providing security."
Nakamura said he would take responsibility for the failings and step down from his post as police chief.
"We have decided to shake up our personnel and start afresh with our security duties, and that's why I tendered my resignation to the National Public Safety Commission today," he said.
Abe's suspected killer was detained at the scene and is believed to have targeted the politician because he thought he was linked to the Unification Church.
Local police in the area Abe was killed had already acknowledged "undeniable" flaws in security for the former leader, which was comparatively light on the day he was shot.
The Nara police chief also made a tearful resignation on Thursday.
The National Police Agency's report said areas south of the podium from which Abe spoke were not properly guarded, leaving a route open for the shooter to approach.
If adequate security personnel had been in place there, "it is deemed highly probable that this incident could have been prevented", the report concluded.
- New training planned for police -
The man suspected of killing Abe, Tetsuya Yamagami, is believed to have fired two shots from a handmade weapon.
But the police report found officials at the scene did not immediately realise the sound made by the first shot was caused by a gun, "leading to delays in their coming to his (Abe's) defence".
"There is a possibility that what happened could have been prevented had they understood the situation immediately and evacuated (Abe) for protection when the first gunshot was heard," Nakamura said.
He added it was "essential" to improve capacity among security officials and that the police agency would "implement high-level education and drills aimed at contingency responses, including helping officials better discern gunshots and take immediate evacuation measures".
The report also said the National Police Agency will now become more involved in organising security for individuals, and will collect and share intelligence with local police.
Suspected shooter Yamagami is reportedly undergoing a psychiatric evaluation to determine his state of mind at the time of the assassination.
Prosecutors are expected to determine whether he can bear criminal liability based on the examination, before making a decision on whether to indict him.
Yamagami's mother is reported to have made large donations to the Unification Church, which her son blamed for the family's financial difficulties.
Abe's family held a private funeral for him shortly after his death, but a state funeral is also being organised, with leaders from around the world expected to attend the September 27 event.
The event will be "non-denominational, simple and sombre" according to the government -- but the plan has faced some opposition, with criticism over the expenditure of public funds on a funeral for a politician.
While Abe maintained a prominent place in public life even after resigning in 2020 for health reasons, he was also a divisive figure who faced cronyism allegations and was criticised for his staunch nationalist views.
The Director of Finance and Accounts in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Eno Ubi-Otu, is currently being grilled by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in relation to a case of alleged diversion of over N25billion tax remittances.
The suspect who arrived at the Commission in the early hours of Wednesday was still being interrogated as at press time.
A source disclosed that the arrest was part of a larger investigation of the forensic Audit Report of the NDDC.
Spokesman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached for confirmation at the time of filling this report.
The former Olympic and world 100m champion Usain Bolt has moved to trademark a logo of himself in his familiar celebration pose.
The application for the logo, which depicts Bolt pointing skywards in silhouette, was filed in the US last week.
“The mark consists of the silhouette of a man in a distinctive pose, with one arm bent and pointing to the head, and the other arm raised and pointing upward,” the trademark application states.
The filing suggests Bolt plans to use the logo on a number of products clothing, sunglasses, jewellery, bags, restaurants and “a retail shop carrying exclusive track and field products”.
The Jamaican sprinter won eight Olympic golds across three Games between 2008 and 2016 and retired from athletics in 2017.
Turji is the arrowhead of killings and kidnappings around Shinkafi – Sabon Birni and Isah local government areas of Zamfara and Sokoto states.
A notorious bandit kingpin Bello Turji has embraced the peace initiative of the Zamfara State Government as part of efforts to end banditry in the north-western state.
Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Hassan Nasiha, disclosed this during a conference on security in Gusau, the State capital organized by the Students Union Of Medina University.
Nasiha commended Turji for deciding to shun banditry, saying his action is bringing about relative peace in the three local government areas which were hitherto the frontline of banditry in Zamfara State.
According to the deputy governor, for the past five weeks, there has not been a clash between the Fulanis and Hausas in Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi and Zurmi Local Government Areas of the State as a result of the dialogue to broker peace between the two warring factions in the State.
“There were several wars which fought but that did not stop the parties involved from dialogue to resolve their differences through a peace deal,” he said.
“It is in the light of this that governor Bello Mohammed thought it is necessary to use kinetic and non-kinetic approaches. It would not be a gun battle or a war using whatever weapons between the bandits and the people.”
He also disclosed that the committee constituted by Governor Bello Matawalle chaired him had held a peace meeting with nine bandits’ camps at Magami District and Dansadau Emirate of Gusau and Maru Local Government Areas of the State to stop attacking innocent citizens.
“This is why in the last three months at Magami District, there has not been any bandits attack as a result of the peace initiative with the bandits. The Committee met with nine bandits’ camps at Magami and Dansadau Emirate where the bandits raised their concerns.
“They said the Hausas always attacked and raped their women, killing the Fulanis on their way to or returning from the market. There is no school built for our children, this ignorance pushed them to join in engaging banditry.”
He further stated that Turji, who keyed into the amnesty of Governor Bello Matawalle, is now launching an offensive against the terrorists in the areas to ensure peace and stability returns to the state.
-185th Premier League goal for Tottenham -250th goal for #THFC -#THFC's 1000th Premier League home goal -Overtaken Sergio Aguero for most Premier League goals scored for one club (184)
Record breaking Harry Kane gives Tottenham the lead...
International carrier, Emirates Airlines, has announced decision to suspend all flights from Nigeria, effective from 1st September, 2022.
In an official statement issued Thursday, the airline stated that, “Emirates has tried every avenue to address our ongoing challenges in repatriating funds from Nigeria, and we have made considerable efforts to initiate dialogue with the relevant authorities for their urgent intervention to help find a viable solution.
“Regrettably there has been no progress. Therefore, Emirates has taken the difficult decision to suspend all flights to and from Nigeria, effective 1 September, 2022, to limit further losses and impact on our operational costs that continue to accumulate in the market.
“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our customers, however, the circumstances are beyond our control at this stage. We will be working to help impacted customers make alternative travel arrangements wherever possible.
“Should there be any positive developments in the coming days regarding Emirates’ blocked funds in Nigeria, we will of course re-evaluate our decision. We remain keen to serve Nigeria, and our operations provide much-needed connectivity for Nigerian travellers, providing access to trade and tourism opportunities to Dubai, and to our broader network of over 130 destinations”, the airline stated.
Earlier in July, Emirates had lamented that due to its inability to repatriate its blocked funds from Nigeria, it was planning to cut its operations from Dubai to Lagos from 11 per week to 7 per week, which was to start August 15th, 2022.
Emirates is one of two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates. The other being Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways.
The International airline plan then was contained in a letter, signed by Sheikh Majid Mualla, DSVP International Affairs, addressed to the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Federal Ministry of Aviation, dated July 22, 2022.
According to Emirates, “As of July, 2022, Emirates has US$85 million of funds awaiting repatriation from Nigeria.
Billionaire Elon Musk was joking when he said he was going to buy English soccer club Manchester United (MANU.N), the entrepreneur said on Twitter on Wednesday.
"No, this is a long-running joke on Twitter. I’m not buying any sports teams," Musk said, when asked by a user if he was serious about buying the club.
Elon Musk tweeted Tuesday evening that he is purchasing the Manchester United football club, although it was not clear if the eccentric billionaire, currently embroiled in a lawsuit over his bid to buy Twitter, was being serious.
The 51-year-old Tesla and SpaceX CEO, who has a habit of posting provocative statements on social media for fun, said: "Also, I’m buying Manchester United ur welcome," in a reply to an earlier tweet about supporting both of America's two major political parties.
Manchester United, a storied English football club, is currently led by the six children of late American businessman Malcolm Glazer, who took a controlling stake in the franchise in 2005.
Shares of the team listed on the New York Stock Exchange are down year to date, but ended Tuesday flat, with a market capitalization of $2.1 billion.
The Glazer family also owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, an NFL franchise in Florida.
There was no immediate reaction from the club or its owners to Musk's tweet.
Manchester United fans have protested the team's management for poor performance in recent years, as well as their involvement in a plan to start a new "Super League" of Europe's richest teams.
The Red Devils finished last season at sixth place in the English Premier League, but have gotten off to a rocky start this year.
After two straight losses, including a humiliating 0-4 defeat last weekend at Brentford, Manchester United currently sit at dead last -- the first time they have been at the bottom of the chart in 30 years.
More protests against the Glazer family's ownership of the club are planned ahead of United's next game at home to Liverpool on August 22.
As for Elon Musk, the richest man in the world recently sold nearly $7 billion worth of Tesla shares, and is in a major legal battle in the US state of Delaware over his aborted plan to buy Twitter.
A fire ripped through a church in a densely populated neighborhood of the Egyptian capital of Cairo on Sunday, leaving at least 41 dead and injuring 14, the country’s Coptic Church said.
The cause of the blaze in the Abu Sefein church in the working-class neighborhood of Imbaba was not immediately known. An initial investigation pointed to an electrical short-circuit, according to a police statement.
The Coptic Church reported the casualty toll, citing health officials. It said the fire broke out while a service was underway Sunday morning.
Fifteen firefighting vehicles were dispatched to the scene to put out the flames while ambulances ferried the casualties to nearby hospitals.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi spoke by phone with the Coptic Christian Pope Tawadros II to offer his condolences, the president’s office said.
Egypt’s Christians account for some 10% of the nation’s 90 million people and have long complained of discrimination by the nation’s Muslim majority.
Egypt 's President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi paid his condolences to the families of the victims of a fire accident at a church in Cairo on Sunday.
I am closely following the developments of the tragic accident in Al-Munira Church in Giza Governorate, and I have directed all concerned State agencies and institutions to take all necessary measures, and immediately to deal with this accident and its effects, and to provide all aspects of healthcare for the injured.
I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the innocent victims who moved to the side of their Lord in one of the houses in which they worshipped.
The Nigerian Communications Commission's Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) has urged organisations to adopt stronger cybersecurity measures like ensuring their employees use strong, unique passwords for every account and enabling multi-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it is supported to prevent ransomware attacks. It also advised organizations to ensure regular systems backup.
The NCC-CSIRT’s warning contained in its advisory of August 12, 2022, came after the Yanluowang threat actors gained access to Cisco's network using an employee's stolen credentials after hijacking the employee's personal Google account containing credentials synchronised from their browser.
Ransomware is a malware designed to deny a user or organization access to files on their computer until they pay the attackers.
Cisco reported the security incident on its corporate network but said it did not identify any impact on its business although the threat actors had published a list of files from this security incident on the dark web on August 10.
NCC-CSIRT estimated potential damage from the incident to be critical while predicting that successful exploitation of the ransomware will result in ransomware deployment to compromise computer systems, sensitive products and customers’ data theft and exposure, as well as huge financial loss to organizations by incurring significant indirect costs and could also mar their reputations.
The team said, “The first step to preventing ransomware attacks is to ensure that employees are using strong, unique passwords for every account and enabling multi-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it’s supported.”
It further disclosed that “In response to the attack, Cisco has immediately implemented a company-wide password reset. Users of Cisco products should ensure a successful password reset.
“As a precaution, the company has also created two Clam AntiVirus signatures (Win.Exploit.Kolobko-9950675-0 and Win.Backdoor.Kolobko-9950676-0) to disinfect any potentially compromised assets. Clam AntiVirus Signatures (or ClamAV) is a multi-platform antimalware toolkit that can detect a wide range of malware and viruses.
“User education is critical in thwarting this type of attacks or any similar attacks, including ensuring that employees are aware of the legitimate channels through which support personnel will contact users, so that employees can identify fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information. “Organizations should ensure regular systems backup,” the advisory urged.
The Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) is the telecom sector’s cyber security incidence centre set up by the NCC to focus on incidents in the telecom sector and as they may affect telecom consumers and citizens at large. The CSIRT also work collaboratively with the Nigeria Computer Emergency Response Team (ngCERT), established by the Federal Government to reduce the volume of future computer risks incidents by preparing, protecting and securing the Nigerian cyberspace to forestall attacks, problems or related events.
Rushdie’s agent, Andrew Wylie, sent an update on his condition to NYT, saying Rushdie was on a ventilator and could not speak. “The news is not good," he said. "Salman will likely lose one eye; the nerves in his arm were severed; and his liver was stabbed and damaged."
In Montenegro, a man went on a shooting rampage after a family dispute, killing 11 people. The shooter was later killed after firing at police officers.
At least 11 people were killed during a mass shooting in Montenegro's central city of Cetinje on Friday, the country's public broadcaster said. The city is 36 kilometers (22 miles) west of Podogrica, the capital of the small Balkan nation.
Montenegro's public broadcaster RTCG also said that six people were wounded, including a member of the police.
RTCG, quoting witnesses, said the violence started while the attacker was arguing with his family members. The man then started randomly shooting at people walking in the street, including children. He was eventually killed after firing at police officers, the broadcaster reported.
According to unofficial information from RTCG, the attacker was identified as 34-year-old Vuk B.
Four of the wounded were transferred to a hospital in Cetinje while two others with serious wounds were sent to the Clinical Center in Podgorica.
According to the local newspaper Pobjeda, at least ten people were injured.
Police still have not issued an official statement about the attack. However a police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed the number of people killed to the AFP news agency.
@Dritan Abazović (Montenegrin Prime Minister) via Telegram:
There has been an unprecedented tragedy in Cetinje, calling on the country “to be, in their thoughts, with the families of the innocent victims, their relatives, friends and all the people of Cetinje.
WhatsApp says it will soon allow people to control who can see when they're online, prevent others from taking screenshots of certain messages, and leave groups without notifying entire channels.
Your privacy deserves more protection.
That's why we're excited to announce three new layers of security to wrap your messages in.
When you want to make the subtle exit, starting this month, you can leave groups silently. From now on, only admins will be notified when you leave a group.
Rolling out soon will be a new feature, online presence, that lets you decide who can see when you're online.
Another feature we'll be launching soon is built-in screenshot blocking for your view once photos and videos.
Foreign Affairs › Re: The Carolean age, money & stamps: What changes with the Queens death? by HonNL(op): 7:07pm On Sep 09, 2022
