A trial by the London School of Hygiene

More than 100,000 households in England could be living in bed and breakfast accommodation and hostels by 2020 due to a critical housing shortage, a study showed on Thursday.

The report by charity group Crisis and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JFR) said current trends indicated the crisis would get worse as local councils battled to find homes for those in need.

It said 78,000 homeless households were in temporary accommodation so far in 2018, with Britain experiencing a housing crisis as homebuilding has declined since the 1970s, driving up property prices faster than wages.

High housing costs, low pay and insecure work are locking people in poverty restricting their choices: with councils finding it harder to help, more families are being forced into temporary accommodation, JRF Chief Executive Campbell Robb said in a statement.

Government data shows about one in six properties in England, or 4 million homes, are social housing, a figure that has stagnated for a decade.

The Crisis and JFR report, which is published each year, said 70 percent of local councils said they struggled to find social housing for homeless people last year.

About 89 percent of local authorities surveyed said they had also found it difficult to secure private rented accommodation with more landlords not wanting to rent to people on welfare.

It is pretty much impossible to access the private rental sector. The cost of doing so is prohibitive and the solution is unsustainable because of the massive disparity between LHA (local housing allowance) rates and market rent, one council in the Midlands said in the report.

Sleeping on the streets or rough sleeping has risen in England for seven consecutive years, according to government figures, with more than 1,000 homeless in London and more than 4,100 nationally, a 134 percent jump since 2010.

Britains parliament last year passed the Homelessness Reduction Act, which was designed to ensure that local councils increased obligations towards homeless people.

The government has set an ambitious target of building 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s.

*Reported by Thomson Reuters Foundation

Source: NAN

The Court of Appeal in Ado-Ekiti, on Thursday overturned the one year imprisonment imposed on 75-year-old Azeez Apempe.

Apempe had challenged his conviction by a magistrates court, which was affirmed by an Ekiti High Court, for allegedly giving false information to the police.

The magistrates court and the high court convicted Apempe of the charge preferred against him by the police.

Apempe reported about a case of theft on his farm.

Justice Ahmad Belgore, who delivered the judgment on behalf of the three-member appeal panel, set aside the verdicts of the two lower courts.

Belgore resolved all issues in favour of Apempe and discharged and acquitted the septuagenarian.

He described the trial and conviction of Apempe by the lower courts as a nullity.

Apempe, a popular printer and politician, had reported one Sunday Akoe and his family members to the police for alleged theft of his yams and destroying the farm in the process.

He had in his statement of claim, averred that the police turned him from being the complainant to an accused, and charged him to court for giving false information.

The magistrates court in arriving at its judgment, held that the appellants statement at the police station could not be found.

Apempe was subsequently sentenced to a one-year imprisonment or N5,000 option of fine, which he paid.

He appealed to the high court which also affirmed the one-year imprisonment by the magistrates court.

At the Court of Appeal, his counsel, Mr Magnus Ejelonu, argued that the two lower courts erred in law by entering judgment against the septuagenarian.

Ejelonu contended that: His statement at the police station that was missing should be resolved in his favour.

Source: NAN

President Donald Trump is now blowing cold over his missiles threat against Syria, as he became evasive Thursday over when the United States might fire missiles at Syria in retaliation for an alleged chemical weapons attack.

He now said the missiles could come at any time.

One day after warning regime-backer Russia that missiles will be coming to Syria, Trump in another early morning tweet storm wrote: Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!

Tension was mounting among top world powers over the alleged chemical attack against civilians in the Syrian town of Douma.

Frances Emmanuel Macron said Thursday he had proof that the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had used chemical weapons, and would respond to it at a time of our choosing.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was due to hold an emergency cabinet meeting amid speculation she will support US action against the Syrian regime.

Germanys Angela Merkel said it was obvious that Syria hadnt eradicated its chemical arsenal as it had earlier claimed.

Meanwhile opponents of unilateral US action called an emergency closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council for Thursday.

The White House has said that Trump holds Assads regime and its military backers Russia responsible for an alleged attack on Douma on Saturday, which rescue workers said killed more than 40 people.

Trump on Wednesday slammed Russia for its military alliance with Assad, saying it should not be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it.

US officials have refused to rule out direct military engagement with Russia, with the White House saying that all options are on the table.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday the Pentagon was ready to provide options for a Syria strike but that the US and its allies were still assessing the intelligence on the suspected chemical attack.

A special hotline for the US and Russian militaries to communicate about operations in Syria is active and being used by both sides, Moscow said Thursday.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned that it was crucial to avoid any steps that could lead to heightened tensions in Syria, saying this would have an extremely destructive influence on attempts to resolve the conflict.

Assad warned on Thursday that threats of Western military action will only contribute to further destabilisation in the region.

Russia has warned the United States against carrying out a military intervention on fabricated pretexts, and has accused the White Helmets civil defense organization in Syria of staging a fake chemical weapons attack in Douma.

The Russian army declared early Thursday that the Syrian state flag was flying in Douma, where the alleged chemical attack took place.

Moscow said this a significant event in the history of Syria, meaning that the whole of Eastern Ghouta had come under government forces control.

Rebels in Syrias Eastern Ghouta surrendered their heavy weapons and their leader left the enclave, while the Syrian flag was raised over the central mosque, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said.

However Douma residents told AFP that a dispute subsequently erupted with shots fired and the flag was taken down from the mosque.

Source: NAN

Germanys biggest music awards have become mired in controversy over a rap song which refers to the concentration camp Auschwitz.

Rappers Kollegah and Farid Bang remained in contention for the Echo awards on Thursday evening in two categories despite hefty criticism of their lyrics and accusations of anti-Semitism.

The criticism focuses on a line in one of their songs that translates as my muscles are more defined than an Auschwitz inmates (in the German original: Mein Koerper definierter als von Auschwitzinsassen).

The International Auschwitz Committee has described the rappers participation in the awards as a slap in the face for concentration camp survivors and shameful for Germany.

Bang has apologized for hurting anyones feelings and stressed that he and Kollegah distanced themselves from any and all form of anti-Semitism and hate against minorities.

Organizers of the prize ceremony see an absolute borderline case at play.

The controversy comes after a band called Frei.Wild was stricken from the list of Echo prize nominees amid allegations that it stood close to Germanys right-wing scene.

The 27th Echo awards take place in Berlin and are shown live on German TV, with such stars as Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora and Helene Fischer scheduled to perform this year.

The prizes cover 22 categories, with nominations based on sales figures in Germany.

A lifetime achievement award will be handed to graphic artist and musician Klaus Voormann. A friend of the Beatles, he designed, among others, the British pop groups famous album cover for Revolver.(dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN

Roma staged a stunning comeback from 1-4 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions quarter final pairing with Barcelona to beat the former champions and the Spanish leaders 3-0 and qualify for the semi-finals on goals aggregate and away goals.

The last time the Italians qualified for this stage of the competition was in 1983/84.

Bosnias Edin Dzeko started Roma revival in the 6th minute, when he beat the offside trap and latched onto a perfected weighted through ball from Daniele de Rossi.

In the second half, Captain De Rossi scored via a penalty and Manolas completed the coup de grace with a stunning header in the 82nd minute.

Romas Kostas Manolas headed the decisive third goal in the 82nd minute, putting the Italians in the last four for the first time since they reached the European Cup final in 1984.

The early goal lifted the hopes of the boisterous home fans in the Olympic Stadium. And the unexpected victory turned the fans into wild jubilation.

Liverpool at Etihad Stadium completed their demolition of Manchester City, cruising to the semi-finals on 5-1 goal aggregate, after surviving a nightmarish first half, in which City scored their only goal in two minutes.

The victory marked the first time since 2008 that Liverpool would qualify for the semi-final of the competition.

Source: NAN

Mohamed Salah ensured Liverpools return to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in a decade as a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday took them through 5-1 on aggregate and ended Manchester Citys European dream for another season.

On a night of high frustration for free-spending City, manager Pep Guardiola was sent off at half-time for taking his furious protests towards Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz too far.

City led the quarter-final, second leg 1-0 on the night at that stage after Gabriel Jesuss second-minute opener, but the hosts felt aggrieved after Leroy Sane had a second goal wrongly disallowed just before the break.

Salah ensured there was to be no stunning comeback when he coolly chipped home his 39th goal of the season 11 minutes into the second half before Roberto Firmino sealed a comprehensive aggregate triumph for the five-time winners.

Guardiola admitted beforehand that his side needed the perfect performance and the hosts got the perfect start as they opened the scoring after just 117 seconds.

Liverpool were unhappy at Mateu Lahoz in what was to be the start of a controversial night for the Spaniard when Virgil van Dijk claimed he had been pushed by Raheem Sterling in the lead-up to the goal.

The referee was unmoved, though, and with the Dutchman out of position, Fernandinhos through ball found Sterling and his low cross was swept home by Jesus.

Liverpool fans would have been forgiven if memories of their 5-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season came flooding back.

City were helped signficantly that September afternoon by a first-half red card for Sadio Mane and the home fans were screaming for the Senegalese to be dismissed again on 14 minutes for a late challenge on Nicolas Otamendi.

However, Mateu Lahoz settled for a yellow card and a booking for City goalkeeper Ederson, who rushed from his goal to push Mane persistently in retaliation.

Salah had been an injury doubt after limping off in the first leg, but Liverpool were unable to spring the Egyptian free in the first 45 minutes as City peppered the visitors box with crosses without finding the final touch.

Bernardo Silva saw a deflected effort spin just wide and then rattled the post with a deflected long-range strike.

Firmino seals it

The turning point came seconds later when Sane turned into an empty net after Loris Kariuss punch came back off his own player James Milner.

Mateu Lahoz wrongly ruled the goal out for offside, sparking City and, in particular, Guardiolas anger.

Liverpool could have delivered the knockout blow even before the break had Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain managed to maintain his balance instead of firing high and wide after rounding Ederson.

Guardiola ran onto the field to pull his protesting players away from the official before embarking on his own rant at Mateu Lahoz that saw him watch the second half from the stands.

City understandably failed to maintain the intensity of their first-half display in a third huge game in six days after also blowing the chance to win the Premier League in a thrilling 3-2 Manchester derby defeat on Saturday.

Unsurprisingly it was Salah who got the decisive away goal and in some style.

Just like his opener in the first leg, Salah followed up after Ederson had denied Mane with a wonderfully-judged chipped finish past the despairing Otamendi in the 56th minute.

City were condemned to a third straight defeat for the first time in Guardiolas near two-year reign 13 minutes from time when Otamendi was caught in possession and Firmino slotted in off the far post to the delight of the Liverpool fans gathered behind Edersons goal.
*Reported by AFP

Source: NAN

Some lawmakers in Oyo State have thrown their weight behind the governorship aspiration of Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo North), saying he possesses the necessary credentials to succeed Gov. Abiola Ajimobi.

Reps. Abiodun Olasupo(APC-Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa/Kajola) and Segun Ogunwuyi(APC-Ogbomoso South/North/Oriire) made the disclosure in separate interviews on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports that Buhari, who hails from Ogbomoso area of the state is the Senate Committee Chairman on ICT and Cybercrime.

NAN reports that Buhari has declared his intention to succeed Ajimobi in 2019.

The lawmakers based their support for Buhari on his political experience, academic qualifications, exposure, success in private business and unparalleled human relations.

They stated that the qualities stood Buhari out from other aspirants jostling for the same position.

Olasupo said that Buhari is the most capable, qualified and accomplished on all fronts to continue the strides of the current Ajimobi administration.

We have so many people that have shown interest in becoming the next governor of the state. Among those persons, Buhari is the most qualified considering all criteria.

In terms of academics, exposure, he holds a PhD. He has travelled far and wide and is a successful businessman. He has served as Commissioner, Special Adviser, member of the House of Representatives and now a Senator.

He has accomplished a lot and if you place his pedigree side by side with every other aspirant, making fair judgement, Buhari stands out, Olasupo said.

Similarly, Ogunwuyi said Buhari enjoys good relationship with the party, politicians and people across the state.

Buhari as a politician is someone we can relate with. He has been in the legislature and the executive arm of government.

I dont think anyone can showcase the kind of credentials he has. I have no iota of doubt that he should be the next governor of Oyo state, Ogunwuyi said.

In his response, Buhari said he possesses the required ability to deliver good governance in the state as a governor.

He stated that he has served in both the legislative and executive arm of government, which he said has empowered him more than any of his co-aspirants.

I have offered myself to run and I am sufficiently experienced to be the next governor of Oyo state. If you have worked in both the executive and legislature, you already know the rudiments of what it takes to lead.

I hope and pray to God Almighty that I will excel in 2019 so as to contribute my quota to the development of our state.

Anybody can decide to run, to aspire, but the determination of who becomes what, lies with the people. I am only offering myself to the people of the state that I have what it takes to turn this state around, he said.

In another development, Segun Odebunmi, a member of the House of Representatives(APC- Surulere/Ogo Oluwa) has urged indigenes of Ogbomoso to be actively involved in mainstream politics by supporting the APC at all levels for continuity beyond 2019.

He urged Ogbomosho indigenes to back the political aspirations of fellow indigenes in the forthcoming elections, saying such would guarantee the zone better infrastructure, appointments and other dividends of democracy.

Source: NAN

Two political parties, Accord Party and the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo state are already day-dreaming about wresting political power from the All Progressives Congress(APC) and President Muhammadu Buhari, following Buharis declaration that he would run for a second term in 2019.

The secretaries of the two parties said Buharis announcement of his plan to to seek re-election has brightened the chances of their parties.

Mr Wasiu Emiola, the Secretary of PDP, said that President Buharis declaration has further made it easier for the PDP to defeat APC in the 2019 presidential election.

Mr John Igbinsola, the state Secretary of Accord party, described President Buhari as a joker.

Igbinsola claimed some cabals were pushing the president to re-contest because of their selfish interest.

President Buhari is acting the scripts of certain politicians that want to further enslave the masses through anti-people policies.

But Accord party will present credible presidential candidate that will wrest power from the APC government, come 2019, he said.

Emiola of the PDP said the APC led Federal government had lost its credibility due to its poor performance in the last three years.

He alleged that APC government was characterised by nepotism, adding that the anti corruption war of the Buhari administration was below the expectations of Nigerians.

President Buharis re-election bid will not get the support of the masses as against what it was in 2015. Emiola predicted

Meanwhile, Mr Emmanuel Ajayi, an Ibadan based lawyer, said that it is the constitutional right of the President to re-contest for second term.

Ajayi said the people have the voting power to choose who govern them and tasked opposition parties to do their homework effectively in choosing personalities that would slug it out with the ruling party.

He described the declaration as the beauty of democracy, saying the development would enliven political ambience towards the 2019 general elections.

The lawyer cautioned politicians against inciting statements that could heat up the polity. He urged them to play politics in accordance with the rules

Source: NAN

By Ifeanyi Nwoko

The National Assembly has endorsed the commencement of Higher National Diploma course in Official Reporting at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).

The programme will commence in June, following its approval by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

The Institute is the research arm of the National Assembly.

Director General of NILDS, Prof. Ladi Hamalai, stated this on Monday while declaring open a two-week certificate training programme on Official Reporting.

The event was put together by the Institute for staff of Anambra and Ogun State Houses of Assembly.

Represented by the Director of Research and Training in the Institute, Adeyemi Fajingbesi, Hamalai said the training was specifically designed to acquaint participants with information, methods and modern tools to report parliamentary practices and proceedings accurately.

The DG said topical issues to be discussed at the training include: Principles and Elements of Speed Writing/Shorthand Development, Hansard Styles Manual, ICT in Official Reporting, Editing, Keyboarding as well as Record Management and Archiving of Parliamentary Reports.

The central role of the legislature in the overall development of the nation particularly in the areas of law-making for the good governance of the country, oversight of other arms of government and representation of their respective constituencies cannot be overemphasized.

The present certificate programme is therefore part of NILDS efforts to assist the State Houses of Assembly to develop skills of Official Reporters to meet the present global challenges especially in the area of the use of modern technology, Hamalai said.

Source: NAN