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BEIJING — Events have been underway for three days, but the 2022 Winter Olympics officially begin Friday night with the opening ceremony.  The opening ceremony for the Beijing Winter Olympics has taken place at the distinctive Bird’s Nest stadium, its rim bedecked with the flags of the 91 competing nations and regions. The ceremony, a spectacle of music, choreography and technology, will culminate in the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.

IELTS: UK Home Office reacts to Nigerians’ call to skip English proficiency test. WITH over 60,000 signatures on a petition on change.org to stop foreign universities from requesting English proficiency tests from Nigerians, the UK Home Office says changes will not be implemented soon. THE UK Home Office responded to a request by Ebenezar Wikina, founder of Policy Shapers, an open-source policy platform, which asked the Home Office to provide its criteria for exempting countries from taking the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Foreign universities demand the IELTS as a requirement for admitting international students. While the IELTS tests are expensive, and fees more than double the minimum wage in Nigeria, the test results are valid only for two years. “To be included on the Majority English Speaking Country (MESC) list, we must have evidence that most people in the country (more than half) speak English as a first language,” the UK Home Office said. The UK Home

  Biden says ISIS leader died by suicide bomb in 'desperate act of cowardice,' vows to hunt terrorists down The president gave the final go-ahead for the operation that resulted in the death of Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi on Tuesday, an administration official said. WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday said an overnight raid by U.S. special forces in northwest Syria had resulted in the death of the leader of the Islamic State terrorism group, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, in one of the most significant counterterrorism operations of his presidency to date. "As our troops approached to capture the terrorist, in a final act of desperate cowardice, with no regard to the lives of his own family or others the building, he chose to blow himself up," Biden said at the White House. "Last night's operation took a major terrorist threat off the battlefield and has sent a strong message to terrorists around the world: We will come after you and find

Nigeria says it has identified 96 sponsors of terror groups The Nigerian government on Thursday said it has uncovered 96 financiers of terrorist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP). Nigeria’s information and culture minister Lai Mohammed made the disclosure at a press conference in Abuja. Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), in 2020-2021, revealed 96 financiers of terrorism in Nigeria,” Mohammed said. Mohammed said the NFIU had intelligence exchanges on Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, kidnapping and others with 19 countries. The minister disclosed that 424 associates and supporters of the financiers were also uncovered. Mohammed said about 123 companies and 33 Bureau de change were linked to terrorists in addition to 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and seven co-conspirators who have now been identified. He disclosed that an “analysis has resulted in the arrest of 45 suspects who will soon face prosecution and seizure of assets.” Source: Guardian

THE GUARDIAN * Biden says IS leader killed in US military raid US special forces carried out a brazen nighttime airborne raid in northwestern Syria during which the head of the Islamic State group was “taken off the battlefield”, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday. * Nigeria says it has identified 96 sponsors of terror groups The Nigerian government on Thursday said it has uncovered 96 financiers of terrorist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP). * Terrorism: Zulum puts losses suffered by North East at $6.9 billion Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum Thursday put the total losses suffered by the North East as a result of terrorism at about $6.9billion dollars. * DR Congo: At least 50 dead following militia attack on camp At least 50 people, including women and children, were killed in an attack on Tuesday night at a site for internally displaced people in Savo, Ituri Province, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN said on Wednesd

What To Eat If You're Hungry Right Before Bedtime, According To Nutritionists Image credit: YouTube  Snacking before sleep isn't often recommended, but sometimes it's necessary. Here's what to grab. In an ideal world, we would all eat a hearty, healthy dinner. It would be followed by something small and sweet — a square of dark chocolate, maybe — and then a few hours later, we would curl up in bed and sleep all night, our stomachs perfectly full until the next day.  The reality is more complicated. Whether we stay up later than we should, eat a small dinner or we’re hungry without a good reason (it happens), a lot of us end up craving a bedtime snack. Although we’ve long heard that eating before bed is associated with weight gain, this is (thankfully) mostly a myth. That being said, what you choose to eat before bed could impact your weight over time, along with your ability to sleep soundly. So if you know that skipping a bedtime snack will leave your stomach rumbling,

Whoopi will lose out on her pay check - her two week pay check - during her suspension from The View.. She earns $5million per year, which after tax gives her around $40,000-a-week   ABC News President Kim Godwin put her on suspension after yesterday's apology Staffers embraced the news and have called it a 'new day at the network'  'We want the women to have robust conversations but what Whoopi said was not based in fact and was highly offensive,' one senior source told DailyMail.com The source said it had been a 'free for all' power grab on the panel since 2014, when Barbara Walters left  Whoopi and co-host Joy Behar, in particular, could 'do and say whatever they wanted', the source added  Whoopi took the news well, they said, and did not cause any kind of scene The saga began on Monday when she claimed the Holocaust 'was not about race' Whoopi apologized on-air and on Twitter but critics demanded she be fired.   Source:  Daily Mall

GUARDIAN Insecurity: 10,366 killed in 2021, Buhari pledges change in North East Nigeria woos foreign investors to ICT sector for digital economy boost Zulum counters El-Rufai, says 90% B’Haram members genuinely repented Osinbajo launches Nigeria Integrated Energy Planning Tool today #EndSARS protest: Duke, Imoke, Ndoma-Egba, others lost over N45b property in C/River Makinde, Abiodun vow to end banditry on Ogun, Oyo borders AfDB president, Adesina awarded honourary PhD at FUT Minna FEC okays N115.4b, $328.87m for Katsina highway, railway Obiano, PLWDs seek justice as police set to arraign killer of 47-year-old blind brother Kano govt files five counts against Hanifa’s killers Appeal Court reserves ruling in Andy Uba, APC guber case Stakeholders lament poor turnout of Igbo youths in police recruitment Again, Rivers exco gives approval to access N15b CBN fund Group urges Buhari to urgently sign amended electoral bill Buhari condemns abortive coup plot to oust Guinea-Bissau’s leader Court

In 1888, in Curaçao. A bridge was built to connect two parts of the city. A toll was charged but officials wanted it to be a "progressive" tax. Rich people will pay more to cross. So how could they identify rich and poor quickly? They had an idea, rich people wear shoes (it's 1888 remember), so they decided to charge a tax based on that. If you cross the bridge wearing shoes you pay a tax, but if you are barefoot, you cross for free. Simple Easy Difficult to avoid Brilliant But it failed. Why? The rich simply took off their shoes and crossed the bridge. (Tax Avoidance) The poor?  They did not want to be seen as poor, so they would wear shoes or borrow shoes to cross the bridge. This, they say, is a true story So what's are the lesson? 1. Poverty is loud, literally 2. Poverty is in the mind 4. The rich stay rich by not spending. The poor stay poor by spending 5. The rich most often than not will apply logic to a situation, they are analytical  6. The rich always get be

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE 2023: Okorocha, Tambuwal Declare Interest In Presidency,  Olubadan: Ibadan High Chiefs Withdraw Suit, Kingmakers May Meet Again… Alao-Akala For Burial February 18 As Constitution Review Ends: Governors May Lose Immunity For Criminal… Convention: APC Writes INEC, Confirms Feb 26 Date LATEST NEWS Nigeria has grown beyond military coups — Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari has dismissed fears of a possible military takeover in the country, assuring that Nigeria has grown beyond such development.He made the declaration while speaking at a dinner in honour of the 2022 Committee of… LATEST NEWS National convention: APC may lose out in 2023 if…  The All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Development and Progressive Forum has warned that the ruling party may lose out in 2023 if the crises bedeviling the party in states are allowed to linger beyond the February 26, 2022 national… LATEST NEWS Alleged N2.9bn fraud: EFCC slams 17-count fraud charge against Okorocha   The Economic an

Everyday People is a post that depicts life as it is for the everyday person. The Author, Janet Odidi Obuotor echoblog-ger.blogspot.com/ Read on.... January, is the month that makes one ponder where do I get more funds from?  Hello, my name is Bala and this is my 'Everyday people' narrative. As I was saying; January bounces on you with a roll-out of the bills.  We all know that December comes with an endless merry go round of expenditures. This is because December ushers in a period for a beehive of activities -  ranging from the end of year parties, the Christmas celebrations and the 'joyful' additional expenses associated with the incoming New Year.  I attribute the word 'joyful' to the expenses linked with the New Year celebration because the majority of people are extremely glad to see a New Year.  Therefore, we go about celebrating the New Year in style.  However, in a dash, "King January" arrives riding a horse and a cart filled with a chart of n

  THE GUARDIAN Egypt and Senegal into AFCON semis as crush stadium confirmed as venue for final Task Force arrests suspected land grabber in Lagos Empower Eguavoen now, editors urge NFF Tunisia coach Kebaier sacked after Cup of Nations exit Mane and Senegal march on to Cup of Nations semis Nadal beats Medvedev for record 21st grand slam Aruna is 11th world best in ITTF’s latest ranking Concerns as cybercriminals unleash SMS-based Android malware on Nigerians Rohr’s rumoured link to Ghana should not worry Eagles, says Obuh  Three rapists get life sentence in Jigawa Gunmen kill soldier, injure three in Rivers Nigeria kicks against N19.2m business registration fee in Egypt Why Kanu’s bail should be vacated, by counsel Only 2.5m motorists captured as insurers plan N7,500 for third-party Eighteen years after the initial review of third-party insurance to N5,000, motorists in the country may have to gear up for another review, The Guardian has gathered. An inside source... In fresh attacks,

  Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, in Katsina on Saturday, said the reason why the Federal Government “officially declared bandits as terrorists  is to enable security agencies to take more stringent measures against them.” The Vice President made the statement at the Katsina Emir’s palace while in Katsina on Saturday to pay condolence to Dahiru Barau Mangal, who lost his mother, Hajiya Murja nine days ago. VP Osinbajo, speaking at the Emir’s palace, expressed optimism that with all the new measures ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari “we should be able to see a very significant change in Nigeria security situation. While thanking the Katsina Emir and his chiefs for the warm welcome, he prayed for continuous peace for his kingdom and the country in general. “This Kingdom will know prosperity under your reign. There will be prosperity, there will be happiness, joy and the country also will know peace. By the grace of God, peace would return to all our communities and villages in

The best moment of my life, is being a father says Big Brother Naija Tobi Bakre. Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Tobi Bakre,  revealed that being a father has been the best moment of his life. He made this known at a Question and Answer segment on his Instagram story on Saturday. Bakre got married in August 2021 to Anu. They welcomed their first child together on December 30, 2021 and named him after his father. He described being a father as; “the simplest and best moments of my life, really.” He added that fatherhood was “a lot of work and more to come” but he had so much “joy, happiness, and willingness to do it.” The actor also revealed that he was in the delivery room when his child was delivered, it was “surreal.” He said. 

Popular Nigerian rapper and actor, Folarin Falana better known as Falz has got nothing but love and respect for his colleague, Wande Coal. Falz, took to his Twitter page today, January 29, 2022, and referred to the former Mavin Records artiste Wande Coal as a genius. He wrote; Wande Coal is a spectacle Gemstone Such a genius.”

I never knew January could be this difficult. Until this morning when my neighbour brought his pet cat and ask me to buy it.  I said to him that I don't have rats in my house, he pleaded with me and said I should just buy the cat he will bring me rats later in the evening!

For all applicants to get fair treatment, the United States (US) Mission in Nigeria has extended visa fee validity to September 2023. This move will impact positively applicants facing difficulty in booking appointments for non-immigrant visas. Thousands of applicants have been facing serious difficulty getting an appointment date. With the majority of them securing dates nine months from the date of booking, at the earliest. The usual practice is that VISA fees are only valid for one year from the date of payment, On its website, the American Embassy said that it has extended validity to September 2023 to assist all applicants get an appointment date. Routine consular services that were suspended in the last two years, will soon be restored, the Embassy hinted. Their statement is below. “The United States Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria understand that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment. “We are work

Have Fun! Take A Break From Life's Hustle.

Would you get a robot manicure? 3 ways technology is changing the beauty Industry. It sounds like something out of “The Jetsons,” but robots are making a play for the multibillion dollar beauty business with lash extensions, manicures and even hairstyling getting a futuristic makeover.  While the robotics startup Luum is still in its crowdfunding phase, they've started accepting customers in Oakland, California, to test out their lash extension technology. Laura Pochop, who recently tried the service, said that she was pleasantly surprised by the experience. “The actual feeling of it reminded me of when my kids were little and they give you butterfly kisses,” she told Vicky Nguyen, NBC News senior consumer investigative correspondent. Here's how it works: Robots apply lash extensions in 30 minutes or less — a quarter of the time it can take their human counterparts. After her robot encounter, Pochop told TODAY the results were pretty similar to what she sees when a human being

The Special Committee on Amendment of the 1999 Constitution of the House of Representatives has rejected a bill seeking to confer immunity on judicial officers and on presiding officers of the National Assembly. The National Assembly's presiding officers are the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Deputy Speaker of the House. The bill is titled, “An Act to alter Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to extend immunity to cover presiding officers of the legislative institutions.”The bill is sponsored by Segun Odebunmi (APC, Oyo). Segun Odebunmi, chaired the Committee that approved the suspension of Twitter by the Federal Government. He is also the sponsor of the controversial National Broadcasting Commission bill and the Nigerian Press Council bill. At the public hearing on the bill yesterday, Abdulhamid Mohammed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who is one of the consultants working with t