₦airaland Forum

'We are relieved' -- Binance reacts as Gambaryan leaves Kuje prison

Richard Teng, the chief executive officer of Binance, a cryptocurrency exchange, says the company is relieved that Tigran Gambaryan, its head of financial crime compliance, has been released from prison by the Nigerian government.

In April, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Binance and Gambaryan on allegations of money laundering.

Gambaryan has been in detention since February following the clampdown on Binance over alleged manipulation of the Nigerian currency.

On Wednesday, EFCC told the court the anti-graft agency was dropping its case against Gambaryan due to some reasons, including critical international and diplomatic reasons.

In a post on X on Thursday, Teng praised Gambaryan for his resilience during the eight-month period.

“We are deeply relieved and grateful that Tigran Gambaryan has finally been released after enduring nearly eight months of detention in Nigeria,” Teng said.

“Throughout this difficult period, Tigran has shown immense strength, and we commend his resilience in the face of such severe adversity. We are deeply thankful to everyone who dedicated countless hours to support Tigran’s release.

“Tigran’s health and well-being remain our top priority, and we are thankful he can now receive the medical care and rest he so urgently needs alongside his family.”

In another statement by his family, Yuki, Gambaryan’s wife, appreciated the United States government for its efforts in securing his release.

Yuki said the past eight months have been a living nightmare for her and his family.

“It is a huge relief that this day has finally come. The past eight months have been a living nightmare. I wish it hadn’t taken this long for his release, or that his health had not declined so much, but we can now focus on healing as a family,” she said.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to the US government for their efforts in securing his release. I also want to thank everyone who helped us throughout this ordeal. There were moments I feared this day would never come, but Tigran’s supporters gave me hope and strength.

“The road ahead for Tigran’s recovery is going to be difficult and I appreciate us being given the time and space to focus on that. Our children cannot wait to see their dad again.”

The family said Gambaryan left Kuje prison on Wednesday night.

baysol:
Envy gini, theives drug pushers kidnappers and ritualists....you definitely have not woken up from your dreams. The table will soon turn you mofos will start doing what you know how to do best. Beg to stay in yoruba land, this time no 20 pounds no pity.

I make N750,000 monthly from motorists – Fake LASTMA officer confesses

A suspect, Mr. Adewunmi Taiwo, 45, arrested by men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, for impersonating an officer of the agency has confessed how he made at least N750,000 in a month from unsuspecting motorists caught over traffic offences.

The suspect, who was arrested on Oshodi Bridge in a sting operation, has since been detained for further action.

Taiwo had been posing as a LASTMA officer to intimidate and extort funds from both commercial and private motorists in the vicinity.

Commenting on the Addressing the incident, LASTMA General Manager Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed that the suspect had been operating a white Hiace Coaster Bus with the registration number KJA 724 YJ, utilizing it as a guise to harass drivers in the area.

Bakare-Oki, explained that, “Upon a meticulous search of his vehicle, LASTMA officers uncovered an official LASTMA uniform, including a branded raincoat, among his possessions, confirming his intentions to deceive.

“During interrogation, Mr. Taiwo, who claimed to hail from Ilesha in Osun State and is married with three children, confessed to misusing the uniform to extort unwitting motorists, targeting high-traffic routes along Ikorodu Road and the Oshodi to Mile-2 Expressway.

“He further admitted to generating between N15,000 and N25,000 daily from these unauthorized activities.

“The agency had received multiple reports regarding extortion linked to this particular Hiace Coaster Bus. In response, LASTMA’s Surveillance and Monitoring Unit was mobilized to investigate and subsequently apprehend the suspect.

“We are unwavering in our commitment to uphold LASTMA’s integrity and professionalism.”

Bakare-Oki, therefore, warned individuals who exploit LASTMA’s identity for unlawful gains to desist forthwith as “any attempt to tarnish the agency’s reputation will be met with the full force of the law when caught. The suspect will be charged accordingly.”

He reassured the public of the agency’s vigilant enforcement efforts to safeguard the efficacy of traffic management in Lagos State.

Bakare-Oki, urged all motorists to report any suspicious activities via LASTMA’s toll-free hotlines (080000527862) to aid in eradicating illicit practice among officers of the agency for better service delivery.

Karl P. Schmidt, a renowned American herpetologist, chose to dedicate his final moments to science when faced with death, demonstrating remarkable dedication to his work.
📷

In September 1957, the Lincoln Park Zoo brought a 30-inch snake to the Chicago Natural History Museum, seeking help with its identification. Schmidt, who was highly respected in the field of herpetology and had several species named after him, agreed to examine the snake.

On September 25, Schmidt observed that the snake was African, with bright patterns and a head shape similar to a boomslang—a venomous snake from Sub-Saharan Africa. However, he was unsure if it was a boomslang because the snake’s "anal plate was undivided," a feature inconsistent with that species. (It turned out to be a juvenile boomslang snake (Dispholidus typus).

While examining the snake, Schmidt made a fateful decision. He picked it up for a closer look, but the snake suddenly bit him on the left thumb, leaving two small puncture wounds. Instead of seeking medical help, Schmidt, ever the dedicated scientist, began documenting the effects of the venom in his journal.

“I took it from Dr. Robert Inger without thinking of any precaution, and it promptly bit me on the fleshy lateral aspect of the first joint of the left thumb,” Karl Schmidt wrote in his journal. “The mouth was widely opened and the bite was made with the rear fangs only, only the right fang entering to its full length of about 3 mm.”
Within 24 hours, he would be dead.

Schmidt may have underestimated the severity of the bite. He took a train home and continued noting his symptoms in detail:

-4:30 - 5:30 PM: Strong nausea, no vomiting. Took a suburban train trip.
- 5:30 - 6:30 PM:Experienced chills, shaking, fever of 101.7°F. Bleeding from the gums began around 5:30.
-8:30 PM: Ate two pieces of milk toast.
- 9:00 PM - 12:20 AM: Slept well. Urinated at 12:20 AM, mostly blood. Drank water at 4:30 AM, followed by violent nausea and vomiting. Felt better and slept until 6:30 AM.

The next morning, Schmidt carried on with his routine, eating breakfast and continuing to document the venom's effects:
-September 26, 6:30 AM: Ate cereal, poached eggs on toast, applesauce, and coffee for breakfast. Noted continuous bleeding from the mouth and nose, though "not excessively."
"Excessively" was the last word Schmidt wrote. After lunch, he vomited, called his wife, and soon became unresponsive. Despite attempts to revive him, Schmidt was pronounced dead at 3 PM, the cause being respiratory paralysis.
Boomslang venom is terrifyingly potent; just .0006 milligrams can kill a bird within minutes. The venom causes internal bleeding, leading to a slow and agonizing death. Schmidt’s autopsy revealed that his lungs, eyes, heart, kidneys, and brain were all hemorrhaging.

The Chicago Daily Tribune later revealed that Schmidt had been advised to seek medical help but refused, saying, “No, that would upset the symptoms.” Some say Schmidt’s death was a tragic case of curiosity overcoming caution. Others believe that, knowing the antivenom was only available in Africa, Schmidt simply accepted his fate, continuing his life’s work until the very end.

baysol:
You will soon realise that you igbo lot belong in your evil forest called biafra not yoruba land the die will be cast soon. Just wait and see the hunger of 1969 will look like childs play in your potopoto republic of Biafra.

The Federal Government has given owners of its titled properties nationwide a 60-day deadline to pay outstanding ground rent and other statutory charges or face revocation of their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O).

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Musa Dangiwa, announced this on Wednesday at the 29th Conference of Directors of Lands in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) held in Abuja, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The conference, themed “Equitable Land Stewardship: Challenges of Land Administration and Its Impact on Climate and Community Rights,” brought together key stakeholders from federal and state agencies.


Dangiwa noted that many property owners have defaulted on payments, costing the government trillions of naira in revenue. He stressed that the Ministry, under the current administration, no longer tolerate such non-compliance, as these funds are critical to national development efforts.

“The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is aware that several owners of its titled properties have failed to pay ground rent and other statutory charges to the Ministry for several years now.


“This non-compliance has resulted in the loss of trillions of Naira in revenue to the Federal Government.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, this cannot be tolerated as this revenue is much needed to deliver the Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians.

“As such all Federal C of O title owners are hereby given a 60-day notice to settle all outstanding ground rent and statutory charges. Failure to make payment within this period will result in the revocation of their C of Os,’’ Dangiwa said.

The minister also noted that some residents’ associations in Federal Government-owned estates have obstructed ministry officials from conducting billing and enforcing payments.

Dangiwa warned that these associations must comply with the terms of their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) to avoid penalties and sanctions.

The report further noted that Dangiwa disclosed the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has enhanced the Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (e-C of O) and Land Titling System for all federal government-owned lands across Nigeria’s 36 states.

The upgraded system integrates a web-based Advanced Workflow System (WNABS) and an Electronic Documentation Management System (EDMS) to streamline the review, approval, and issuance processes, significantly reducing administrative bottlenecks and processing times.

He noted that as of October 2024, over 600 e-C of O applications have been digitally approved, with plans to clear the remaining backlog by December.

This initiative is part of a broader national land titling program, developed in partnership with the World Bank and other stakeholders, aimed at unlocking $300 billion in untapped capital tied to unregistered land.

A 14 year old boy took his own life after falling in love with ‘Game of Thrones’ AI chatbot

14-year old boy Sewell Setzer III reportedly ended his life after becoming obsessed with a chatbot on Character AI.

Character AI just released a statement on social media while the mother of Sewell is expected to file a lawsuit this week.

“Sewell, like many children his age, did not have the maturity or mental capacity to understand that the bot, in the form of Daenerys, was not real. She told him that she loved him, and engaged in sexual acts with him over weeks, possibly months,” the papers allege.

These were the final messages before he used his father's handgun to take his own life.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday in Abeokuta said the principle of regionalism has continued to plague the country, describing it as the root of Nigeria’s problems.

Obasanjo said this when the League of Northern Democrats visited him, noting that the principle of regionalism which was adopted at Nigeria’s independence in 1960 was still being craved for today.


“Where a leader hails from does not matter. Rather, what he brings to the table in terms of development and governance should matter,” he told the group led by former Kano state governor, Ibrahim Shekarau.

Obasanjo faulted the name of the group, advising it to become a national league rather than a sectarian group.

“One of the things that led us to where we are today, and we haven’t gotten out of, is regionalism.

“Whenever I hear ‘North’, ‘East’ or ‘West’, I get frightened.

“Your name would have been ‘National League of Democrats’, instead of ‘Northern League of Democrats’. But you must start somewhere,” he said.

The former President however noted that the group was right to be concerned about Nigeria.

“But how we correct the wrongs is what should be paramount in our minds.

“Nigeria is greater than all of us and we should see it as a wholistic entity.

“I share your concern, but if you’re a National League, maybe I will join you and even be your Patron if I cannot be active because I’m getting old,” Obasanjo said.

That message from the World Bank

Earlier in his remarks, Shekarau had explained that the group was an amalgamation of like minds of Northern extraction.

He disclosed that the group, which has a membership of 400, came into existence three months ago as a result of various consultations and discussions.

The former state governor said the group seeks to influence political decisions and the process of recruiting leaders at all levels in Nigeria.

He added that the issue of credibility and righteousness in leadership have been a challenge in the country.

“We have analysed the various challenges facing us as a nation and particularly as the largest region, and we have to influence certain decisions in the political landscape.

“There are many issues facing us: issues of insecurity, issues of unity among ourselves, issues of youthful exuberance, and issues of education.

“We also have ussues of making sure our democratic process is sustained and improved upon,” the former Minister of Education added

Nigeria Has Disappointed Black Race, Africa And World At Large –Obasanjo


The former Nigerian President emphasized that this disunity has kept the country from achieving greatness and fulfilling its potential as a leading force for the black race.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed concern over Nigeria's lack of unity, which he believes has hindered the nation's progress.

The former Nigerian President emphasized that this disunity has kept the country from achieving greatness and fulfilling its potential as a leading force for the black race.

Receiving a 20-member delegation from the League of Northern Democrats on Tuesday, led by former Kano State governor Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, Obasanjo explained that regionalism, which emerged before Nigeria's independence in 1960, is at the root of the country's prolonged lack of cohesion, The PUNCH reports.

“The truth is that at independence, Nigeria emerged with three leaders, and so it has been a situation of three countries in one ever since,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Obasanjo said he remains optimistic about the future of Nigeria, adding, “As long as we can look back as a country and correct the mistake of the past.”

He stressed the importance of merit, capacity, and ability in appointing leaders rather than focusing on regional backgrounds. “It is high time we began working for the national interest,” he noted.

Obasanjo continued, “Yes, you have identified your group as the League of Northern Democrats, but how I wish you to call your group National League of Democrats because where you come from should not be a problem. Where I was born should not be the enemy of my Nigerianess.”

“I will be increasing by being a Nigerian rather than being a member of the Republic of Oodua.

“I am undoubtedly proud to be a Yoruba but my being a Nigerian should not be the enemy of my being a Yoruba…we must get the best man for the job, it doesn’t matter where he comes from. We must get our acts together,” he added.


The former President urged the nation to focus on uniting for progress. He also reflected on the country’s missed opportunities, stating, “When we got our independence, what they were calling us was giant in the sun, but is that the situation today? We have disappointed ourselves, we have disappointed the black race, Africa, and the world at large.”

Obasanjo added that despite the disheartening state of the country, it is not too late to make amends and strive for greatness.

“We must put the past behind us and work for the greatness of Nigeria,” he concluded.

Identify the mother in this picture

christejames:
Indirectly talking to Tinubu's urchinsons



...they are now international beggers on every platform.

US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine


Air Peace workers celebrate salary increase
Allen Onyema; CEO of Air peace airline


The District Court in Atlanta, Georgia has exonerated Allen Onyema, the Chief Executive of Air Peace, of any business fraud. This is after three years of investigation involving about five agencies of the American government and the subsequent legal fireworks.

The court, which discovered that there was no loss against any bank in the indictment suit filed by the Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, however, ordered a probation and $4000 fine against a former staff of Springfield Aviation Company Inc., Ebony Mayfield last Friday.

A statement by the law firm of Augustine Alegeh & Co., counsel to the Airline, explained that Mayfield was an administrative staff of Springfield with limited knowledge in Letter of Credit Transactions, who pleaded guilty to one count in the indictment, presumably as she realised the futility of attempting to explain several Letters of Credit utilised for purchase of aircraft for Air Peace Limited in a jury trial.

Probation, the firm explained, is the lowest possible sentence available under American Federal Law. The firm noted that there have been false and unsubstantiated stories in Nigeria, about the indictment.

“Our clients never took loans or credit from any American Bank and Mayfield was never paid the sum of $20,000 at any time to commit any fraud, as it is being peddled in some quarters.

“There was no loss of money or any damage whatsoever to any third party. The American government admitted in Court that no bank suffered any financial loss in the matter.

“Mayfield, like other Springfield Aviation Company Inc. staff, was only paid her bi-weekly salary and/or allowances,” it clarified.

According to the firm, the decision confirmed the position of its clients that there was no fraudulent intent in all the Letters of Credit, because there was no victim in any way, manner or form.

All the funds involved, it explained, were legitimate funds belonging to its clients “Our clients maintain their innocence in the matter and state that all steps taken in respect of the Letters of Credit were taken in good faith and with legitimate funds.

“All the aircraft involved were brought into Nigeria and utilised in the operations of Air Peace Limited. There was no victim. There was no loss of funds to any person and there was no criminal intent whatsoever.

“Our client’s position has been reviewed by various Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria and no evidence of criminality has been established against them. Our Clients remain resolute in the assertion of their innocence,” the firm declared.

South Korea has summoned the Russian ambassador, seeking the "immediate withdrawal" of North Korean troops which it says are being trained to fight in Ukraine.

About 1,500 North Korean soldiers, including those from the special forces, have already arrived in Russia, according to Seoul's spy agency.

In a meeting with the ambassador Georgiy Zinoviev, South Korea's vice-foreign minister Kim Hong-kyun denounced the move and warned that Seoul will "respond with all measures available".

Mr Zinoviev said he would relay the concerns, but stressed that the cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang is "within the framework of international law".

It is unclear what cooperation he was referring to. The ambassador did not confirm allegations that North Korea has sent troops to fight with Russia's military.

Later on Monday, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters the cooperation between the two nations is "not directed against third countries".

He added it "should not worry anyone", according to Russian state news agency Tass.

Pyongyang has not commented on the allegations.

South Korea has long accused the North of supplying weapons to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine, but it says the current situation has gone beyond the transfer of military materials.

Some South Korean media reports have suggested as many as12,000 North Korean soldiers are expected to be deployed.

"[This] not only gravely threatens South Korea but the international community," Kim said on Monday.

Moscow and Pyongyang have stepped up cooperation after their leaders Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un signed a security pact in June, which pledges that their countries will help each other in the event of "aggression" against either country.

Last week, Putin introduced a bill to ratify the pact.

Pyongyang's deployment of troops to fight with Russia "would mark a significant escalation" in the conflict, Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Monday.

In a phone call with Rutte on Monday, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol urged the alliance to explore "concrete countermeasures", adding that he will take steps to strengthen security cooperation between South Korea, Ukraine and Nato.

British Foreign Minister David Lammy, who is visiting Seoul, called Russia's actions "reckless and illegal", adding that London would work with Seoul to respond, according to Yoon's office.

The United States and Japan have also condemned the deepening military ties between North Korea and Russia.

Meanwhile, in response to a BBC question about the alleged North Korea-Russia cooperation, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that China hopes all parties will work to de-escalate the situation and aim for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis.

Some defence experts told BBC Korean that North Korea's involvement could complicate the war.

"North Korea’s involvement could open the door for greater international participation in the conflict, potentially drawing in more countries," said Moon Seong-mok from the Korea National Strategy Institute.

"The international community will likely increase sanctions and pressure on both Russia and North Korea, but it remains to be seen whether North Korea’s involvement will truly benefit either country," Dr Moon said.

But others believe the Russian military units will have difficulties incorporating North Korean troops into their frontlines.

Apart from the language barrier, the North Korean army has no recent combat experiences, they said.

Valeriy Ryabykh, editor of the Ukrainian publication Defence Express, said the North Korean soldiers could be asked to guard sections of the Russian-Ukrainian border, which will free up Russian units to fight elsewhere.

"I would rule out the possibility that these units will immediately appear on the front line," he said.

China unveils a train on magnetic levitation capable of reaching 1000 km/h

[/b]China has unveiled a train on magnetic levitation capable of reaching 1000 km/h, following successful tests in a vacuum tube. This technology promises to revolutionize future transportation systems. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

China has demonstrated a new development in high-speed transport: a train on magnetic levitation capable of reaching 1000 km/h. The tests took place in a vacuum tube, which reduced friction and increased system efficiency.

This technology promises to replace airplanes on short routes in the future, providing speeds beyond expectations. The corporation CASIC led the development aimed at achieving a theoretical speed of up to 4000 km/h.

[b]How a train on magnetic levitation capable of high speeds will change global transportation
The new development will significantly change transport systems both within China and abroad. The main challenge remains the infrastructure and energy costs required for full implementation.

Launching magnetic levitation trains requires expensive low-vacuum tunnels. These tunnels demand significant resources and space, complicating their construction in densely populated areas.

The current railway infrastructure is incompatible with the maglev system, so an entirely new network is needed. This greatly increases construction and operation costs compared to traditional rail systems.

Despite the high costs, magnetic levitation trains have the potential to reduce the carbon footprint. They can replace regional passenger flights and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 3-4 percent.

The advantages and challenges of implementing a train on magnetic levitation capable of 1000 km/h
The high speed of these trains will dramatically reduce travel time over medium and long distances. For example, a 400-kilometer journey could be completed in less than 30 minutes.

The main goal of implementing magnetic levitation trains is to reduce travel time and improve environmental safety. Using renewable energy to power the trains will minimize carbon emissions.

If the project is successfully implemented, China will become a leader in high-speed transport, offering the world a new approach to transportation. The magnetic levitation technology could also be used in other regions.

Thus, magnetic levitation trains could significantly impact international transport systems. China is already demonstrating its readiness to lead in high-speed transport technologies.

The project faces challenges, including high construction and operational costs, but its potential is undeniable. The ability to travel at speeds of up to 4000 km/h will open new horizons for global urbanization.

China’s developments could form the foundation for a global network of high-speed trains that will change the future of transport. If the project succeeds, it will be a significant step forward for the entire industry.

Army pulls 15 generals from service

Army to conduct battle simulation in Abuja barracks, alert residents

No fewer than 15 generals of the Nigerian Army from the Artillery Corps have bowed out of service.

PUNCH Online reports that the Artillery Corps delivers heavy firepower support to allied forces positioned at the front lines on the battlefield.

In a post on Sunday on social media, the Nigerian Army said the retired officers consist of 11 Major Generals and four Brigadier Generals.

The post added that the retired generals were pulled out of the service at a ceremony held at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kaduna State.

It read, “The Nigerian Army formally pulled out 15 retired generals from the Artillery Corps on Saturday, October 19, 2024, during a ceremony at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia, Kaduna State. The group of retirees included 11 Major Generals and 4 Brigadier Generals.”

Speaking on behalf of the retired officers during the pulling-out parade, Maj Gen James Myam (retd.) reflected on their long military careers, expressing fulfilment and gratitude.

“He attributed their success to divine grace, acknowledging God’s protection throughout their years of service. He also extended his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, wishing him continued strength and wisdom in his leadership of the NA.

“Looking back, Maj Gen Myam recalled the beginning of their military journeys when they reported to the Nigerian Defence Academy in Kaduna as Officer Cadets.

“He offered advice to the officers still in service, urging them to remain loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government while maintaining vigilance and security consciousness.

“The retired general also expressed gratitude to the families, spouses, friends, instructors, and mentors who supported them throughout their careers. The event was attended by several senior retired and serving military officers, including former Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Alwali Kazir (retd),“ the statement added.

SAUDI MAN to NETANYAHU - "We love you"

Saudi Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has recently said "He doesn't care about Palestine."

Badadvisor:
Ayes knack 5 Vikis and one 22(BB) man with 2 Jews.

Cultists are the most foolish people on earth.
Just watch how this community is going to town to Gaza with these two useless groups killing themselves.

Shameless low self esteem fools. Small Jew big boys around go still send them go buy fuel. Useless shameless people forming strong man😂😂

if you wanna stay rich as man, you've gotta be extra stîngy with these ladies." Akon



"When I made my first $1-million, I gave my mum and dad $150k each and my girl brõke up with me because I gave her just $5k." __ Akon

"When I made my first $1-million from music, I was so excited that I spent everything so fast. The first thing I bought was a studio so that if everything faîls, I'll be writing and producing records for other artistes. I spent about $250k on that studio set.Then I took $150k and gave it to my mum, took $150k and gave it to my dad, and gave all my brothers like $25k each to start up businesses. And when my girlfriend at that time learnt about it, she asked for $200k. But I just laughed and gave her $5k because I can never give a woman more than 2% of my total money. But then she brõke up with me but I wasn't moved because I realized that she just wanted money and not me. The thing is if you wanna stay rich as man, you've gotta be extra stîngy with these ladies." Akon

Kings, learn from Akon. Stop paying for love.

Highway built over apartments in China.

Engr Dave Umahi, over to you.

Sinwar's wife on October 6, hours before the massacre, walking in the tunnels with a $32,000 Hermes bag

European aid money put to good use.

According to Yaphet Kotto, he was not allowed to to do any press for the film "Live and Let Die" (1973), nor was he allowed to attend the premiere. Kotto states that the producers told him that they were afraid of the public's reaction to the villain being black. At 33, Kotto is the youngest actor to play a main Bond villain.

"There were so many problems with that script. I was too afraid of coming off like Mantan Moreland. I had to dig deep in my soul and brain and come up with a level of reality that would offset the sea of stereotype crap that Tom Mankiewicz wrote that had nothing to do with the Black experience or culture.

The way Kananga dies was a joke, and well, the entire experience was not as rewarding as I wanted it to be. There were a lot of pitfalls that I had to avoid, and I did."

Ross Kananga (credited as "Stunt Coordinator" was the owner of the alligator and crocodile farm, in which Bond escapes some hungry reptiles. Kananga did this stunt by himself wearing Sir Roger Moore's clothes and shoes made of crocodile skin.

The crocodile shoes were a fun idea of Sir Roger Moore. It took five attempts to complete the stunt. During the fourth attempt, one of the crocodiles snapped at one of the shoes as it went by. The producers (while scouting locations) first took notice of Ross Kananga's farm from the sign out front, which read: "WARNING: TRESPASSERS WILL BE EATEN."

This sign can be seen in the finished film. They liked Ross Kananga so much, that the movie's villain, Dr. Kananga, was named after him.

(IMDb)

shoodboi2:
Netanyahu will soon flee into his bunker as he always does. A coward whose only power lies in weapons from the United States. Ordinary small Hamas, he has been unable to defeat and has resorted to committing a genocide instead.

While Nethanyahu hides in a bunker, Yahya SInwar took to the battlefield and fought to the very last. That is who a fighter, a commander and a leader is. A soldier to the very end. The same man who they lied to us had surrounded himself with hostages was actually on the battlefield fighting and destroying Nethanyahoo’s army🤣🤣🤣

And what about Hezbollah? After months of preparation and general noisemaking and three weeks of invasion, Nethanyahoo’s army is still yet to gain a foothold in Lebanon. They keep receiving missiles and rockets from Hezbollah fighters. And as usual, they have resorted to their usual tactic of bombing civilians once they lose on the battlefield.

Niger bans grain exports to Nigeria, other non-members of ASS


Niger’s military authorities have banned rice, cereal and other food exports to all countries except fellow Alliance of Sahel States (ASS) members to protect local supply, the government has said.

ASS is a confederation formed between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso as a mutual defence pact following the 2023 Nigerien crisis, in which the West African political bloc ECOWAS threatened to intervene militarily to restore civilian rule after a coup in Niger earlier that year.

With the Sahel nation experiencing high inflation on certain foods, the products banned for export besides rice include legumes such as cowpea and cereals like millet, sorghum and corn.

The government said in a statement late Wednesday that Junta chief Abdourahamane Tiani took the measure “to protect the supply of the internal market” and “make the goods of mass consumption accessible.”


“These prohibitions do not apply to exports” to Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger’s allied neighbours which are also ruled by military leaders who took power in coups, the statement added.

Punishments for those infringing the ban range from the seizure of shipments to criminal penalties.

Niger is a key regional supplier of cereals, especially for some states in neighbouring Nigeria.

Although the sanctions imposed on Niger by the West African bloc ECOWAS in the wake of the July 2023 coup were lifted in February, they have nonetheless disrupted regular supplies to Nigerien markets where inflation remains high for products including rice.

The closure of the border between Niger and Benin has also contributed to the disruption.

The agriculture minister has vowed to buy part of farmers’ harvests to fill up the country’s emergency reserves.

The ministry said it hoped for “good agricultural harvests” despite major flooding across the West African nation.

Watch the video pic.twitter.com/VuxPfIdBbQ

— REKZY (@MeetREKZY) October 17, 2024