The United States wins a case in Fiji to seize a Russian superyacht, which sails away.

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Read Time:1 Minute, 46 Second

The court decision represented a significant victory for the United States as it faces challenges in its efforts to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs around the world.

The US won a legal battle to seize a Russian-owned superyacht in Fiji on Tuesday and wasted no time taking command of the $325 million vessel and sailing it away from the South Pacific country.

The court decision represented a significant victory for the United States as it faces challenges in its efforts to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs around the world. While many opponents of the Ukrainian war applaud those efforts, some actions have stretched the boundaries of American jurisdiction abroad.

The Supreme Court of Fiji lifted a stay order that had prevented the United States from seizing the superyacht Amadea.

Chief Justice Kamal Kumar ruled that based on the evidence, the chances of defense lawyers mounting an appeal that the top court would hear were “nil to very slim.”

Kumar said he accepted arguments that keeping the superyacht berthed in Fiji at Lautoka harbor was “costing the Fijian government dearly.”

“The fact that U.S. authorities have undertaken to pay costs incurred by the Fijian government is totally irrelevant,” the judge found. He said the Amadea “sailed into Fiji waters without any permit and most probably to evade prosecution by the United States of America.”

The U.S. removed the motorized vessel within an hour or two of the court’s ruling, possibly to ensure the yacht didn’t get entangled in any further legal action.

In early May, the Justice Department issued a statement saying the Amadea had been seized in Fiji, but that turned out to be premature after lawyers appealed.

It wasn’t immediately clear where the U.S. intended to take the Amadea, which the FBI has linked to the Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov.

Fiji’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, stated that unresolved issues of money laundering and ownership of the Amadea must be resolved in the United States.

“The decision recognises Fiji’s commitment to complying with international mutual assistance requests and its international obligations,” Pryde said.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Biden Says The U.S. Will Defend Taiwan Militarily If China Attacks

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Read Time:4 Minute, 7 Second

TOKYO — President Joe Biden said Monday that the U.S. would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan, saying the burden to protect Taiwan is “even stronger” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It was one of the most forceful presidential statements in support of Taiwan in decades.

Biden, at a news conference in Tokyo, said “yes” when asked if he was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan if China invaded. “That’s the commitment we made,” he added.

The U.S. traditionally has avoided making such an explicit security guarantee to Taiwan, with which it no longer has a mutual defense treaty, instead maintaining a policy of “strategic ambiguity” about how far it would be willing to go if China invaded. The 1979 Taiwan Relations Act, which has governed U.S. relations with the island, does not require the U.S. to step in militarily to defend Taiwan if China invades, but makes it American policy to ensure Taiwan has the resources to defend itself and to prevent any unilateral change of status in Taiwan by Beijing.

Biden’s comments drew a sharp response from the China, which has claimed Taiwan to be a rogue province.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin expressed “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” to Biden’s comments. “China has no room for compromise or concessions on issues involving China’s core interests such as sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

He added, “China will take firm action to safeguard its sovereignty and security interests, and we will do what we say.”

A White House official said Biden’s comments did not reflect a policy shift.

Speaking alongside Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Biden said any effort by China to use force against Taiwan would “just not be appropriate,” adding that it “will dislocate the entire region and be another action similar to what happened in Ukraine.”

China has stepped up its military provocations against democratic Taiwan in recent years aimed at intimidating it into accepting Beijing’s demands to unify with the communist-ruled mainland.

“They’re already flirting with danger right now by flying so close and all the maneuvers that are undertaken,” Biden said of China.

Under the “one China” policy, the U.S. recognizes Beijing as the government of China and doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, the U.S. maintains unofficial contacts including a de facto embassy in Taipei, the capital, and supplies military equipment for the island’s defense.

Making an example out of Putin for China

Biden said it is his “expectation” that China would not try to seize Taiwan by force, but he said that assessment “depends upon just how strong the world makes clear that that kind of action is going to result in long-term disapprobation by the rest of the community.”

He added that deterring China from attacking Taiwan was one reason why it’s important that Russian President Vladimir Putin “pay a dear price for his barbarism in Ukraine,” lest China and other nations get the idea that such action is acceptable.

Fearing escalation with nuclear-armed Russia, Biden quickly ruled out putting U.S. forces into direct conflict with Russia, but he has shipped billions of dollars in U.S. military assistance that has helped Ukraine put up a stiffer-than-expected resistance to Russia’s onslaught.

Taipei cheered Biden’s remarks, with Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Joanne Ou expressing “sincere welcome and gratitude” for the comments.

“The challenge posed by China to the security of the Taiwan Strait has drawn great concern in the international community,” said Ou. “Taiwan will continue to improve its self-defense capabilities, and deepen cooperation with the United States and Japan and other like-minded countries to jointly defend the security of the Taiwan Strait and the rules-based international order, while promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers stand in line after a commemoration in Beijing on November 11, 2016.

It’s not the first time Biden has pledged to defend Taiwan against a Chinese attack, only for administration officials to later claim there had been no change to American policy. In a CNN town hall in October, Biden was asked about using the U.S. military to defend Taiwan and replied, “Yes, we have a commitment to do that.”

Biden’s comments came just before he formally launched a long-anticipated Indo-Pacific trade pact that excludes Taiwan.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed Sunday that Taiwan isn’t among the governments signed up for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which is meant to allow the U.S. to work more closely with key Asian economies on issues like supply chains, digital trade, clean energy and corruption.

Inclusion of Taiwan would have irked China.

Sullivan said the U.S. wants to deepen its economic partnership with Taiwan on a one-to-one basis.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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South India must unite under Dravidian identity, Kamal Haasan says

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CHENNAI: Actor Kamal Haasan believes that the collective voice of a south India united under Dravidian identity would be strong enough to dictate terms to the central government. The actor, who had already announced that he would begin a state-wide tour from Ramanathapuram district on February 21, has now revealed that late President A P J Abdul Kalam’s residence will be the starting point of his tour.
Kamal made the comments in a weekly column he pens for a Tamil magazine. The veteran actor, who is referred to as Ulaganayagan (world leader) among his fans, had recently announced his intent is to enter politics.

The actor wrote that Tamil Nadu was among the top states contributing significantly to the nation’s tax revenue. “Some say that (the Centre) is collecting taxes here (Tamil Nadu) and using it to develop north Indian states. My opinion is that is how it works in a joint family,” the actor wrote.

“The big brother, who is the breadwinner, will look after the unemployed younger brothers in a (joint) family. But the younger ones should not take the elder sibling for a fool and leave him hungry,” he added.

It is in this regard, the actor let out a clarion call to the chief ministers of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala to find pride in embracing their Dravidian identities.

“Chandrababu Naidu (chief minister of Andhra Pradesh), Chandrashekar Rao (CM of Telangana), Siddaramaiah (CM of Karnataka) and Pinarayi Vijayan (CM of Kerala) are all Dravidians. If the Dravidian identity is imbibed all over south India, the discrimination (from the Centre) which we complain about now will vanish. Together, our voices will become a loud chorus that will allow us to talk to Delhi,” he wrote.

To illustrate his opinion, Kamal cited the example of Lord Shiva. “There is no shame in being known as the Shiva of south India. It just shows that He is omnipresent in all the (southern) states. Dravidianism is like (Shiva),” he wrote, before adding a disclaimer: “I am not advocating the dissolution of Tamil or other languages to create a combined, common tongue. Ethnicity, self-respect and love for your language should not change. This applies to all of India. (What I advocate) is what Nehru observed – unity in diversity.”

The 63-year-old took exception to the extremes in which the Dravidian movement was viewed by sections in the society.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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India and Russia begins talks for Rs 39,000 cr Triumf missile shield deal

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Read Time:1 Minute, 33 Second

NEW DELHI: India has now begun final contract negotiations with Russia for the Rs 39,000 crore (over $5.5 billion) acquisition of five advanced S-400 Triumf air defence missile systems, which can detect, track and destroy hostile strategic bombers, stealth fighters, spy planes, missiles and drones at a range of up to 400 km and altitude of 30 km.
India wants to conclude the major deal in the 2018-19 financial year, with the first S-400 surface-to-air (SAM) missile system, with its associated battle-management system of command post and launchers, acquisition and engagement radars, and all-terrain transporter-erector-launcher vehicles, slated for delivery two years after the contract is inked.

“All the five S-400 systems, which can even take on medium-range ballistic missiles, apart from cruise missiles, will be delivered in 54 months. The force-multiplier will change the dynamics of air defence in the region,” a defence ministry source said.

India’s final commercial negotiations with Russia after extensive field trials come at a time when China has already begun to get deliveries of six S-400 batteries – designated ‘SA-21 Growler’ by NATO – under a $3 billion deal inked in 2014.

There were, however, reports that some auxiliary components of the S-400 systems being shipped to China from Russia were damaged in a storm last week. Russia, which has deployed the S-400 in Crimea for airspace protection along the Ukraine border, is also set to sell the air defence systems to Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

India can deploy the highly-mobile S-400 system to protect a city during war, or even use it to neutralise Pakistan’s short-range Nasr (Hatf-IX) nuclear missiles. Pakistan often recklessly brandishes its Nasr missiles as a battlefield counter to India’s ‘Cold Start’ strategy of swift, high-intensity conventional attacks into enemy territory.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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The African and Power; Power and The African.

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Read Time:7 Minute, 11 Second

Proverbs. 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.   I am neither a psychologist nor an anthropologist, but my over sixty years of living with my people, studying them and researching them have led me to many conclusions about them. Of course, I may be wrong in my assumptions and hypotheses, since they are not backed by scientific facts and data, but nevertheless, these are my conclusions, based on objective observations and analyses.

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About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Corrupt People Cannot/Do not Make Good Leaders!

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Read Time:9 Minute, 37 Second

This statement by the late great Madiba, Nelson Mandela, a true African son and only one of its kinds is what I consider the apt title to this piece. It is an obvious and incontrovertible fact! Why we chose to notice and acknowledge it Nigeria is beyond me, because it is also an incontrovertible fact that most, if not all, our leaders are corrupt to the core. For me, I am yet to know a Nigerian leader since Independence who is or was not corrupt; and I am not limiting myself to the top leaders alone, but right from the top to the grassroots, i.e. local government, civil service, and even the private sector and businesses. Corruption is a curse on Nigerians. So if we go by Nelson Mandela’s statement above (and we must), then we should know we are in a real mess, and any meaningful development and progress in the country, which is hinged on having good leaders, is nought. It just won’t happen. Corrupt leaders are bad leaders. There is a very urgent need for good leaders in Nigeria. Many places in Nigeria are deprived of many simple basic amenities. Still many people are not getting equal rights. Small people are being oppressed everywhere. There is no guarantee for our present and future generation for full education, employment, good public health and medical care, entrepreneurship, technological advancement, agricultural self-sufficiency and food security, security of life and property, etc. Our leaders are just giving care towards their family and not to those who put their trust, and indeed, lives, in their hands and elected them to serve them and make their lives better. Our leaders are only interested in self-service and service to the people. A good leader gives the worth and strengths of his great experience. Yes, Nigeria needs good leaders to move this country full of potentials forward; leaders, not rulers, who are good by nature, attitude, and are sincere about the country’s development; who have the interest of the people at heart all the time; who have conscience; who have passion for bettering lives; whose action is service first and himself/herself last, or even none at all. We have been deluding ourselves that we can manage this corruption. If we want our country to be in the list of developed countries and progress well then it is the must for us to have good leaders. We all know the condition of our political system, many of the politicians are involved in criminal activities, they are corrupt, they just need wealth and power, bungalows, mansions, castles and cars, looting the treasury and carting the loot away to store in foreign countries; and they don’t take care of the demands of the public.   We need leaders who can look into the problems of the people and help in the solving their issues by their personal involvement, who can increase our trade with other countries, improve our foreign relations, and have a very good grasp of issues of good governance, economic improvement and technological development in a fast-moving world, international relations and all other areas of human endeavours and development. I strongly believe we can find such leaders (the current youth? Forget it!) in our country who can use their power for the progress of our country and also influence other people in this regard to take some steps for the improvement of our society. Yes, we need good leaders in Nigeria; that goes without saying. Corruption has dominated and warped our lives; every fabric of our society is corruption-ridden. It has affected even our psyche, thought processes, education, orientation and morals.  We need good leaders which push Nigeria in a good direction, which makes Nigeria corruption-free and bring back smiles to the faces of our impoverished and oppressed people. Leaders that will unite the peoples of this country, and not exploit religious and ethnic diversities; who will just not talk but have the ability to execute ideas. We have potentially good and great leaders in Nigeria but they have been suppressed by the negative vibes of their bad colleagues as well as the demands and vagaries of the larger society. Nigeria is in dire need of good leaders to assume governance; to take the reins of steering this country towards its full potential as a nation of resources and opportunities. Politics plays an important role in the development of our country but our leaders are not working for the development of our country. Most of the people elected the leaders by taking some money from the parties and corrupt, desperate politicians. To be the best leader (or at least, the good leaders we want) needs: 1. Those who will not fear of defeat because the purpose is to serve the country not to win the election or popularity competition. 2. High education is not mandatory but basis education to understand the country and it’s basic problems. 3. To do good always, whatever may be the impact. 4. To have in mind that money and power are not required, only will power. 5.  To be very much conversant with the problems of the country and that the country is getting down, not with bad and avaricious politicians, but that good and educated people are not daring to fight. 6. Encourage and motivate the young generation to join politics and to give a vision of a bright future to our coming generation. This can only be done by leading by example and creating genuine role models. 7. That good and honest persons are not expecting money from the people. 8. To let us know that our elected officials, through our votes that their present performance and our present condition are both unsatisfactory to us. Yes! Nigeria needs good leaders, but it is increasingly looking impossible because of the desperate and evil politicians whose only focus is what they will take from government and the system, and only benefit their family and their status. They do not care about anything else, especially what they are in government for – to govern  with complete altruism and make life better for their people and the society at large. There are three types of people in the politics. 1. Those who work with sincerity of purpose. (very rare in the present Nigeria) 2. Those that do not work at all and are there for the money and power only (majority of our politicians fall into this category) 3. Those that do not work honestly and create obstacle for those who are working with sincerity or intend to work with sincerity. (Again, majority of our politicians are in this category, and they are the most dangerous to our health, wealth and well-being) Government does have a place in society and our elected officials must remember that they are there because we elected them.  Granted there are issues that surface of which we may not know all the information when decisions are made and this is understandable.  The problem is centred on the fact that the voice of the people is not always reflected in decisions made in the National Assembly and in some cases by the Presidency.  This is one of the main contributing factors contributing to the National Assembly of Nigeria and the President having such low approval ratings. I am not condemning all elected officials for creating the perception of people versus the government.  There are good individuals on both sides of the island who have the best interest of the country in mind when they make decisions, but there doesn’t seem to be enough of them to make a difference in the way the public perceives the government. Our government should reflect the will of the people and too often this is not the case in Nigeria. What we notice are brazen corruption, nepotism, injustice, insensitivity to the plight of the people, impunity, and inequality. Nigerians are fond of (and seem to enjoy) embarking and wasting our energies on misplaced, unfocused priorities; waste of brains, energies, resources, efforts, intelligence, etc on mundane, futile, unworthy, and unproductive issues. Why would we waste energy on marching on Abuja demanding to see a sick President; or a counter-march supporting a sick President? Why am I debating Olubadan issue when there doesn’t seem to be any benefit in it in terms of real and weighable development for Ibadan people on the street, and the politicians seem to have their own agenda forced down everybody’s throats? And why is the Governor who is introducing this himself embarking on such a perilous and unpopular activity? Shouldn’t it be time to redirect the war against ignorance, poverty, diseases, and the ilk. Our energies must be redirected to match the Koreans, Japanese and Chinese of our world. Enough of these negative energies!!! a. The earth (like Nigeria) was created for development of the People. b. People were created to develop themselves and environment to have meaningful lives and existence. c. Leaders/governments are wise people who should understand and work towards achievement of (a) and (b) above. This is not understood by our current crop of so-called leaders yet. d. Equipment, environment, and resources to achieve this is primarily through education/knowledge. e. The best way to transfer knowledge and values is through visions, stories, articles, literature etc. f.  One can only transfer knowledge that is well thought out, organized, and designed for practical implementation/execution, otherwise it is useless. f. Since the above is missing in Nigeria, the people are unfocused and become social cannibals destroying one another through unhealthy competition. Hate, strife, and destruction become the order of the day. g. For progress, we need well-articulated thoughts that produce visions to give direction to our energetic masses. Directed energies will eliminate fear that comes from idle minds and bodies. This is the way to peace and positive development. In parting, I quote from an article titled “People vs Government” written by Dennis AuBuchon and posted on February 2, 2012. “Why do those we elect to represent us make 3-4x and upwards a yearly salary, PLUS benefits, and pensions, when the rest of us do not have anything even close to it. Why?” Because they have convinced us over the decades that they are doing God’s work. If we want the best and the brightest, we must pay for the best and the brightest. The problem with such a statement is that if a certified moron runs against an Ivy League graduate and the moron is running for the party of choice, the above statement is moot but the perception remains. As Murray Rothbard, Austrian economist, once remarked in a lecture,” I was told once that we need the best and the brightest in govt because it’s such an important job. I told the guy that we need the best and brightest in the private sector. What we need in govt is people who can’t even figure out how to work the doorknob to get into their offices. They do far less damage that way.” We are getting a very raw deal in Nigeria, and we do not deserve it, even though due to ignorance and cultural immolation, the followers are also culpable and encourage all these rots.   Let the Truth be told always!”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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The Animal Farm: Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop!

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Read Time:7 Minute, 44 Second

“Nigerian leaders on Friday (28 February 2014) called on Nigerians to work harder towards ensuring the country’s unity”, with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo averring that Nigeria will not break up. Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, said for Nigeria to have survived the first 100 years despite the various challenges of nation building, the country would not break up.   They should tell us what they mean by ”to work harder”? To me, this means that Nigerians should keep slaving and dying for their masters and oppressors to keep Nigeria one for them to continue looting! Also, recently, the Senate President, bemoaned the continuous activities of terrorists ravaging parts of the country and pleaded with citizens to revolt against the orchestrated plot to destabilise the country. Isn’t it absurd and crass irony that those destroying our nation are the same ones that lecture the poor masses to refrain from destabilizing the nation? They want the poor, common Nigerian that they have impoverished and debased to fight their war for them. They want us to be their cannon fodder while they stay in their comfortable mansions and drive around in their armoured cars. The same Nigeria that they love so much they plundered and are still plundering and failed to build into greatness has its citizens scavenging for food to survive. The same Nigeria, whose youths and young graduates are walking listlessly and idly on the streets without jobs; the same Nigeria where their people sleep on the streets; the same Nigeria where if you don’t have money to pay, doctors will not treat you in the hospitals; the same Nigeria where the students barely learn anything in the state schools because the classrooms are dilapidated and the laboratories are not equipped; the same Nigeria where when you drive on the roads in the morning, you are not sure of coming back home alive. They are living in the dream land. Our leaders are simply the greatest threat to the existence of Nigeria. Many Nigerians have lost hope in them. My concern is how to awaken the consciousness of the followers into action(s). It pains me a lot and wrecks my heart when I read utterances like these which smack of the highest hypocrisy and insincerity. It is the same Nigerian leaders who are messing the country up; looting the treasury, indulging in corrupt practices, insisting on power at all costs; instigating and promoting religious and ethnic animosities that can lead to break-up or destabilisation; disregarding the calls and cries of their people for betterment, succour, development, and progress, etc. These are the same people who, while decimating our education, build their own private schools and universities, and send their own children abroad for education with looted funds; who, neglecting the health sector, find it convenient to treat themselves and their families in overseas hospitals; who, refusing to maintain or construct our road networks, find it convenient to buy and fly in private jets; who, neglecting the development of our agriculture and food security have private multi-billion naira farms; who award our oil blocks to themselves and their friends and families, etc. They are the ULTIMATE HYPOCRITES!! They are the ones destroying and destabilizing Nigeria for a very long time with their greed, selfishness, ineptness, crave for power and wealth and corrupt practices; but listen to the tune they’re all singing now that election time is coming in 2019. Now they are calling on us – the despondent people whose lives they have plummeted into desperation and impoverishment and have refused to improve and uplift – to work harder. They are calling on us to continue to bear the brunt of their recklessness, bad leadership, and corrupt practices at all levels of government and so on. They are calling on us to continue to be tolerant as they continue their looting. I am very much convinced that God will not come down and save Nigerians (from their leaders) because He has given us everything to have a comfortable life but we are too passive, gullible and because we celebrate thieves and mediocrity. The alternative is that we continue in a shameless spiral of dependence. Quite frankly I don’t see how Nigeria can progress until Nigerians are cured of their self-hatred, or according to ex-President Obasanjo, restructure their attitude towards their country and how it is governed. It is this self-hatred; this self-deprecation that translates into the politicians’ and government’s contempt for the abilities or capabilities of Nigerians! We need to amend our laws to give teeth to the agencies which are supposed to fight corruption. Our laws are not strict enough to ensure that sentences are stiff even when the rare conviction is achieved. We also need legislation on Assets Forfeiture which places the onus on an accused person to prove that he rightfully earned the income with which he/she acquired properties which appear to be beyond his/her legitimate resources. If a public official cannot account for how he/she earned enough money to own companies, shares in quoted companies, hill-top mansions, fleet of cars etc., such properties should be forfeited to the Federal Government by a Court Order. Inasmuch as kidnapping and other social vices is a crime and must be condemned I will urge kidnappers to turn their attention to our (s)elected representatives! Because lack of visionary legislation is what is denying good utilization of our laws…you people kidnapping our money are killing us, and are the real rogues and enemies of the nation A former Senate President, once made a daft and inane comment that kidnappers are embarrassing Nigeria. How would kidnappers not embarrass the government when all what people in government (PIGs) do is to embezzle the resources that would develop security infrastructures and arm law enforcement agents with the best and sophisticated tools to combat crime? The hearts of Nigerian leaders are dark and evil. Nigerians must wake up, stand up, and hold their leaders responsible and accountable for their actions and inactions. Nigeria has become a mindless and mediocre-run country, built upon a cult of personality and enforced by a reign of corruption and insecurity. George Orwell, in his famous satirical book, Animal Farm, demonstrates how simple political dogma can be turned into malleable propaganda and the “seven commandments” are replaced with the maxims, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others” There’s a popular Nigerian pidgin slang/saying as “Monkey dey work, baboon dey chop”. Meaning: People in power putting in less work but eating off their minion’s labour. Nigerians would no longer accept a situation where some people would continue to feast on the sweat of the people in the country in order to fill their pockets. We must be relentless in our resolve to bring to an end the era of ‘monkey dey work, baboon dey chop’, which had characterized the abuse of the rights of the people of Nigeria. A politician who works for his own self-interest and not the interest of the people is known as a “snollygoster.”, especially a politician, who is guided by personal advantage rather than by consistent, respectable principles. So, snollygosters we have in 95% of our politicians in Nigeria, and let’s call a spade a spade, that’s what they are. “Monkey dey work; baboon dey chop”. They want the citizens to work hard so they can have more to loot. No, we don’t want Nigeria to break up; but the way the “Owners and Looters of Nigeria” are going, perhaps it is better if Nigeria breaks up sooner than later. They have to change their ways and show the way, the right way, and we will follow and work harder for ALL of us (Nigeria), not for them, the irresponsible and corrupt, opportunist rulers/leaders. For all the recycled politicians in our House of Representatives, the Senate, States’ Houses of Assemblies and other key positions, it won’t take long before their cups are full. Things can’t, must not be allowed to continue like this any longer. Young energetic bloods, if we can call them that, or trust them, are doing the work, but the weak old hags are getting the pay! How can unity, peace and progress be achieved in a climate of social, economic, and political deprivation, aberration, and injustice; a situation where merit and hard work count for nothing, and form takes precedence over substance, and there is an inverse relationship between effort and reward? Let us have a society that is peaceful, liveable, stable, sanitised, corruption-free, equitable and governed and rationally re-structured? This is the only way to progress and development that will take care of poverty, malnutrition, early death and infant mortality, economic depression, crime and corruption and fractionalisation due to tribe and religion. We cannot continue to do things that have not been working for us the same way and continue to hope we will get different results. There cannot be change without commitment and willingness to change. Let the TRUTH be said always!!!      

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Delhi High Court to hear plea on Chinese ‘plastic’ rice in India

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NEW DELHI: The Delhi high court on Wednesday agreed to hear a plea alleging that rice made out of plastic, imported from China, was being sold in the country and seeking testing of samples.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath said it will hear on August 20 the application which has alleged that the “plastic rice” was being sold by mixing it with real rice.

The application by advocate Sugriva Dubey, has sought that wholesale traders of rice, pulses and fruits be raided and samples be tested for adulteration to protect the common man.

It has said that plastic rice when ingested along with the real one is not digested and leads to serious gastric ailments.

“Due to globalisation, rice in large quantities is being imported from China and even pulses are being imported from different countries, but no quality test is conducted,” the application has said.

It has alleged that the rice imported from China also includes “plastic rice” and ordinary persons cannot differentiate between it and the real rice.

The plea has also alleged that fruits, like mangoes, are being ripened artificially by using calcium carbide or other chemicals.

Dubey filed the application in a PIL before the court on the issue of artificial colouring of fruits and vegetables as well as presence of banned pesticides in them.

Times Of India

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Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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Curfew imposed in a part of Gwalior in India

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Gwalior (MP), Oct 24: Curfew was imposed today in a locality of the city today following protest by an organisation over the route of Moharram procession. ”The administration has imposed curfew as a precautionary measure to prevent members of two communities from coming face to face,” a senior official told PTI. (read:Kejriwal targets Punjab Police over death of youths during protest)

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today went after the Punjab Police over the death of two Sikhs killed in police firing during anti-desecration protests at Faridkot and asked the SAD-BJP government to restore peace in the state. Kejriwal, who is on his first visit to Punjab since becoming the Chief Minister in February met the families of the two youths – Gurjit Singh (26) of Sarawan village and Krishan Singh (43) of Behbal Khurd village – and assured the all possible help.

He later told reporters that Gurjit was killed in police firing when he went to serve langar (a communal meal) to about 300 peaceful protesters. “As per rules, police fire warning shots in air and then into the ground…It was completely wrong,” he said.Keriwal demanded immediate arrest of those behind the sacrilege and strict action against policemen who opened fire on the protesters and their seniors who ordered firing.

“We condemn the incident of sacrilege. Punjab is burning and we appeal to the state government to arrest those behind the incident. I demand that a copy of the FIR be given to Gurjit’s family so that they could be aware of its contents,” the Delhi Chief Minister said.He said the state was on the “boil” after alleged incidents of sacrilege and asked the SAD-BJP government to take immediate steps to restore peace.

Gurjit and Krishan were part of the protests over the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and were killed in police firing on October 14. The incident provoked widespread criticism of the state government and Punjab Police.

In the wake of the incident, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal put Moga SSP Charanjit Sharma under suspension for “lapses” in the line of duty.Under pressure from several quarters, Punjab Police on Wednesday registered a case under various sections of the IPC in connection with the matter. It is being probed by a team led by ADGP Crime cum Director of Bureau of Investigation, Punjab, I P S Sahota. (image credits: twitter)

The organisation was protesting after a dispute about the procession route last night.Stone-pelting was also reported in the area, following which the curfew was imposed at around 4.30 pm, the official said. The situation was now under control, and there was no trouble elsewhere in the city, the official added. (image credits: twitter)

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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More die as violence and finger-pointing plague Israel, Palestinians

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 (CNN)Israeli authorities reported five knife attacks Saturday, all of them at the hands of Palestinians, as the spate of violence afflicting the two sides continued into the weekend.

According to Israeli Defense Forces, three of the attacks occurred in Hebron, one in Jerusalem and one in Qalandia. None of them were fatal, at least for the person stabbed; IDF said the Palestinian assailants in four of the five incidents were shot and killed.

But the official Palestinian version of events doesn't always match the account given by Israeli authorities.

Three of Saturday's stabbings occurred in the West Bank city of Hebron.

In the first, a Palestinian tried to stab an Israeli pedestrian, but according to the Israel Defense Forces, the armed civilian shot the assailant dead.

WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, reported the incident as a shooting death of a Palestinian teenager, it did not mention a knife.

According to WAFA, 18-year-old Fadhil Qawasmi was killed by a Jewish settler as he walked down the street. The settler pursued and harassed Qawasmi before shooting him dead as the teen tried to walk away, the news agency said.

Qawasmi was shot four times and "left to die by Israeli soldiers who prevented paramedics from administering medical assistance to him," according to WAFA.

Three of Saturday's stabbings occurred in the West Bank city of Hebron.

In the first, a Palestinian tried to stab an Israeli pedestrian, but according to the Israel Defense Forces, the armed civilian shot the assailant dead.

WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, reported the incident as a shooting death of a Palestinian teenager, it did not mention a knife.

According to WAFA, 18-year-old Fadhil Qawasmi was killed by a Jewish settler as he walked down the street. The settler pursued and harassed Qawasmi before shooting him dead as the teen tried to walk away, the news agency said.

Qawasmi was shot four times and "left to die by Israeli soldiers who prevented paramedics from administering medical assistance to him," according to WAFA.

Three of Saturday's stabbings occurred in the West Bank city of Hebron.

In the first, a Palestinian tried to stab an Israeli pedestrian, but according to the Israel Defense Forces, the armed civilian shot the assailant dead.

WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, reported the incident as a shooting death of a Palestinian teenager, it did not mention a knife.

According to WAFA, 18-year-old Fadhil Qawasmi was killed by a Jewish settler as he walked down the street. The settler pursued and harassed Qawasmi before shooting him dead as the teen tried to walk away, the news agency said.

Qawasmi was shot four times and "left to die by Israeli soldiers who prevented paramedics from administering medical assistance to him," according to WAFA.

Three of Saturday's stabbings occurred in the West Bank city of Hebron.

In the first, a Palestinian tried to stab an Israeli pedestrian, but according to the Israel Defense Forces, the armed civilian shot the assailant dead.

WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, reported the incident as a shooting death of a Palestinian teenager, it did not mention a knife.

According to WAFA, 18-year-old Fadhil Qawasmi was killed by a Jewish settler as he walked down the street. The settler pursued and harassed Qawasmi before shooting him dead as the teen tried to walk away, the news agency said.

Qawasmi was shot four times and "left to die by Israeli soldiers who prevented paramedics from administering medical assistance to him," according to WAFA.

They and four deaths Saturday are among 44 Palestinians killed this month in Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank, health ministry spokesman Osama al-Najjar told CNN. This figure includes those killed after carrying out attacks.

This is in addition to the more than 1,770 injured by live fire or rubber bullets in the same time period, according to al-Najjar.

Both sides have traded blame about who is responsible for the ongoing violence. Both sides have turned up gruesome video recordings to support their claims.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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