UNAIDS is elated with mid-way results from two studies that show a vaginal ring releasing long-acting antiretroviral medicine to prevent HIV infection in women.

Reports say that the results show that studies is up to 54 per cent effective in preventing HIV.

The ring, which is replaced monthly, slowly releases the antiretroviral medicine dapivirine and could give women an additional HIV prevention option that is discreet and that they can control.

Michel Sidib, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said: These results are significant. Structural, behavioural and biological factors make women more vulnerable to HIV infection.

So it is extremely important that they have the opportunity to protect themselves from HIV, on their own terms.

The interim results are from two large open-label studies conducted in South Africa and Uganda, which trials enrolled women between the ages of 20 and 50 years.

Open-label studies are studies in which the participants know which medicine is being used; that is, no placebo substance or treatment with no active therapeutic effect is used.

The HOPE trial, which began in August 2016 and enrolled more than 1,400 women by October 2017 the time of the interim review found a 54 per cent reduction in HIV risk.

This means that the rate of new HIV infections was 1.9 women newly infected for every 100 participants in a given year.

Based on statistical modelling, the researchers determined that the rate of new infections would have been 4.1 for every 100 had the women not been offered the ring.

The DREAM trial, which enrolled 940 women from July 2016, had similar findings, with a 54 per cent reduction in the HIV incidence rate.

However, the final results from both studies are expected in 2019, according to the UN HIV/ AIDS agency.

UNAIDS said adherence was shown to be high in both of the trials, although the measures of adherence were not able to determine whether the women used the ring all of the time, most of the time or just some of the time.

It said the DREAM study showed that more than 90 per cent of the women in the study used the ring at least some of the time, based on residual drug levels, and the HOPE study showed that 89 per cent of returned rings indicated that the ring was used at least some of the time within the previous month.

This is the first time that efficacy of more than 50 per cent has been observed in HIV prevention trials involving only women.

Two previous phase III trials presented in 2016 ASPIRE/MTN-020 and the Ring Study/IPM 027 which did include a placebo group showed only modest protection (30 per cent) against HIV infection for women.

Women from both ASPIRE and the Ring Study were included in the HOPE and DREAMS trials, UNAIDS explained.

Other scientific advances in HIV prevention presented in recent years, according to UNAIDS, included the PROUD and IPERGAY studies, which in 2015 reported an 86 per cent reduction in HIV acquisition among HIV-negative men who took antiretroviral medicines to prevent HIV.

Another is the 2011 HPTN 052 trial announcement, which showed that early initiation of antiretroviral therapy can reduce the risk of transmission to an uninfected partner by 96 per cent.

Similarly, the 2011 Partners PrEP and TDF2 studies, showed that a daily antiretroviral pill taken by people who do not have HIV infection can reduce their risk of acquiring HIV by up to 73 per cent.

Finally, the South Africa Orange Farm Intervention Trial, funded by the French Agence Nationale de Recherches sur le SIDA (ANRS) and published in 2005, demonstrated more than a 60 per cent reduction in HIV infections among circumcised men.

These important breakthroughs show just how critical it is to continue to invest in research and development into new and effective HIV prevention options, Sidib said.

The latest reports show that in 2016, funding for HIV prevention research and development was its lowest level in a decade, with no indications that investments are set to increase.

UNAIDS stressed that in spite of the recent scientific discoveries, there was still no single method that was fully protective against HIV.

To end the AIDS epidemic, UNAIDS strongly recommended a combination of HIV prevention options.

These could include the correct and consistent use of male or female condoms, waiting longer before having sex for the first time, having fewer partners, and voluntary medical male circumcision.

Other options are avoiding penetrative sex, the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis for people at higher risk of HIV infection and ensuring that all people living with HIV have immediate access to antiretroviral medicine. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Kenyan health officials have issued an alert after samples taken from patients confirmed the presence of H1N1 prototype 9 influenza virus.

The samples were taken from the patients suffering from flu in Laikipia County, central Kenya, reports.

Mr Donald Mogoi, a chief officer in charge of health in the area, said a child is suspected to have died of the flu two weeks but the deadly virus was confirmed on Tuesday by the National Public Health Laboratories.

The five-year-old boy died at the Nanyuki Cottage Hospital and was being treated for pneumonia, his dad said.

Mrs Evelyn Obongo, a clinical officer at the regional hospital, Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital, said Wednesday that her team is attending to at least 60 cases with 15 cases already admitted to the wards.

Most of the patients are children, Mrs Obongo said.

Cases of the flu have been on the rise in the last two weeks, she added.

The diseased is characterised by high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, dry cough and general body weakness.

Source: NAN

Eleven ships laden with various products, including petrol, are at the Lagos ports waiting to berth, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said on Tuesday.

The NPA, in its daily bulletin Shipping Position said nine of the vessels, carrying petroleum products, were already waiting to berth.

It said that two other ships with bulk fertiliser and containers would also berth at the ports.

According to NPA, 31 other ships laden with petroleum products, food items and other goods are expected at Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports between March 6 and March 24.

The expected ships are carrying containers, steel products, containers, bulk sugar, empty container, crude palmolein, bulk gypsum, bulk fertiliser, diesel and petrol, NPA said. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Africas richest business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday described Lagos as the most convenient and peaceful state for doing business.

I am not advertising for Lagos, but try another state, you will see hell, he said in a terse remark at the forum of `Lagos Means Business.

He also supported the Governor Akinwumi Ambodes appeal to Lagos residents and business community to continue to pay tax.

You should pay your taxes to Lagos state, Dangote said.

During the question and answer session, Ambode assured every Lagosian that he would make their taxes work for them with a transparent and incorruptible government with good value for taxes paid.

We are not true citizens until we become responsible tax payers.

If the vision of a prosperous Lagos is to be achieved, the State must retreat from borrowing to finance its infrastructure and pay back later in the future with high interest rate.

He also appealed to residents to embrace the Land Use Charge and ensure that commercial property owners pay the charge.

The governor explained that pensioners, owner occupiers, NGOs, churches and Mosques are exempted from the payment of Land Use Charge.

The good part of the arguments trailing the Lagos Land Use Charge is that the State Government is ready for dialogue and will welcome the complaints of dissatisfied members of the public in this regard.

The good part of the arguments trailing the Lagos Land Use Charge is that the State Government is ready for dialogue.

Business owners paying Land Use Charge should see it as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities.

He also urged citizens to have a change of orientation on how governments properties were handled.

The properties should be protected so that resources expended on repairs could be channelled to other areas of needs.

Although the state spends a large chunk of its revenue on recurrent charges, but could not retrench civil servant.

They are only about 103,000 taking care of 24 million people. They help to keep the social fabric together, he said.

Source: NAN

Buhari Media Support Group (BMSG) has commended President Mohammadu Buharis refusal to sign the Peace Corps bill as a decision in national interest.

The group said the action of the president was anchored on the need to avoid proliferation of security agencies and unnecessary overlapping of their functions.

BMSG emphasised the need for Nigerians and federal lawmakers to appreciate the restraint exercised by Buhari in refusing assent to the 2017 Peace Corps Bill, and to shun any form of dissention against the action.

The Coordinator of the group, Mr. Austin Braimoh and Secretary, Mr. Cassidy Madueke, stated on Tuesday in Abuja they the group stood by the reasons adduced by Buhari for rejecting the bill.

Taking into cognizance his concern of Peace Corps, if created
by law, would in no small measure, duplicate the functions of the Nigerian Police which constitutional role of providing security at the grassroots is already being complemented by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

To us, the President could not have accepted to impose additional financial burden with the government through a new security outfit being canvassed, given that the existing security agencies have at the moment been struggling with financial constraints.

The group appealed to sponsors of the Peace Corps Bill in the House of Representatives to reconsider their threat of working to over-ride the Presidents veto of the Bill.

As doing so will expose them as having ulterior motives in ensuring that the Bill becomes law by fire by force.

BMSG said the Peace Corps has been in existence since 1998 when it got registered by one of its founders, with the stated objectives of capacity building for youth development, empowerment in agriculture; peace, education and conflict resolution.

We believe that nothing stops it from continuing to operate as a voluntary organisation to fulfil its aims.

In advanced economies, organisations such as Peace Corps operate on voluntary basis, making huge impacts in the societies in very diverse ways without necessarily transmuting into government outfits.

Peace Corps over the past few years of its existence has been enmeshed in crises and controversies, getting into conflict with security agencies, which viewed its existence as questionable.

This is needless in a country like Nigeria that is currently battling with security challenges.

It is against this background that we salute the courage of President Buhari to withhold assent to the Bill on Peace Corps, his action having demonstrated that he has a good grasp of the incongruities surrounding efforts to pass the Bill into law.

Source: NAN

Liverpool strolled 5-0 into the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in nine years despite settling for a goalless draw with Porto, in an uninspiring last 16, second leg at Anfield on Tuesday.

Sadio Mane inflicted most of the first-leg damage on the Portuguese league leaders with a hat-trick and came closest to breaking the deadlock with a first-half effort that came back off the post.

With the job done three weeks ago, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could even afford the luxury of starting top-scorer Mohamed Salah and club-record signing Virgil van Dijk on the bench with one eye on Saturdays vital visit to Manchester United in the Premier League.

Klopps men have made a habit of fast starts in Europe this season, but took time to warm to their task with the German having made five changes in all from the side that beat Newcastle at the weekend.

It took 17 minutes for the hosts to threaten when Joe Gomezs cross was acrobatically flicked towards goal by Mane, but looped just over the bar.

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao made 10 changes from the first leg, but top-scorer Vincent Aboubakar was one of those to come back into the side having missed the first leg through injury.

And the Cameroonian showed what Porto missed in their heaviest-ever European home defeat as he got in behind the Liverpool defence only to be denied by Loris Karius rushing off his line to mop up the danger.

Mane was inches away from his fourth goal of the tie on the half-hour mark when he controlled James Milners lofted pass on his chest before smashing the inside of Iker Casillass far post.

Dejan Lovren then headed narrowly over as Liverpool threatened to raise the pulse of an understandably more subdued Anfield than is customary on a European night.

Casillas was given a standing ovation by the Liverpool fans in the Kop end as he took to the field after the break on his record 167th and possible farewell appearance in the Champions League.

However, that was one of few moments that got the home fans off their feet as Liverpool settled on their substantial lead.

Milner sliced a good opening wide just two minutes into the second half, whilst at the other end Karius was stretched to turn Majeed Wariss shot behind.

Roberto Firmino had one clear chance to add to his seven Champions League goals this season when his shot was blocked by Porto captain Felipe before the Brazilian was protected by Klopp for the weekend as Danny Ings was introduced for the final half hour.

Salah was given 15 minutes to find the winner when he replaced Mane.

The Egyptian had one opportunity to extend his scoring streak to eight straight games, but Casillas smothered his low effort.

And the Spanish veteran made his best stop of the night two minutes from time to deny Ings and hold onto his clean sheet.

Speaking about Portos opponents on Tuesday, Porto coach Srgio Conceio said: Liverpool are definitely one of the teams who can win the Champions League this year. They might not have been at their best this evening, but theyre definitely one of the contenders to win the competition.

Source: NAN

Justice Mojisola O. Dada of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, refused the bail application of notorious fraudster, Emmanuel Nwude, who allegedly conspired with two others to tamper with a property that had been forfeited by a court order.

Nwude alongside Emmanuel Ilechukwu and Rowland Kalu were, on March 2, 2018, arraigned on a 15-count charge bordering on forgery and dealing in forfeited property.

One of the counts reads: That you, Emmanuel Nwude, Emmanuel Ilechukwu and Rowland Kalu, on or about 12th day of January 2011, at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, conspired to forge a Power of Attorney dated 12th day of January 2011, issued in the name of Mankris Venture Limited purporting that Mankris Venture Limited is the owner of Plot Y, Mobolaji Johnson Street, Oregun, Alausa Lagos, whereas you knew that the property was forfeited to the victims of crimes as restitution in the judgment delivered on 18th day of 2005 by Honourable Justice Joseph Oyewole in ID/92c/04- FRN vs. Emmanuel Nwude

Vice President: Of course, our health system has long suffered. That is one of the chief concerns that we have been focusing on; getting the diaspora to work with us to improve our health system. We are also looking at how healthcare insurance can improve it. I agree that if all of us put our resources and our time in local medical care, we will improve it. I have no doubt in my mind that our local healthcare system is what most of us subscribe to at least, and our doctors are some of the best in the world. But thats one of our commitments to make it work.

.

First of all, the dialogue started in 2016 and it continues. We began to dialogue with all the groups in the Niger Delta and we hold very regular meetings with PANDEF, which is the umbrella body. We also hold regular meetings with many of the groups in the Niger Delta and they are all actively involved with us.

I dont know whether you are familiar with the Maritime University. The Maritime University has taken off, you know. Only a few days ago, the announcement was made that they are eligible for JAMB (the University was recently granted approval by the National Universities Commission (NUC) to commence undergraduate degree programmes effective from the 2017/2018 academic session). Interviews are taking place for the Maritime University, forms have been provided and we are talking to all of the principal parties in that zone who are interested in the work the Maritime University is doing. Many people are involved in that process. That is the kind of thing we are talking about to provide the kind of facility to help people in the Niger Delta, especially in Maritime University.

Also, look at modular refineries, 38 licensed modular refineries investors have indicated interests (10 of the licensed refineries are at an advanced stage of development). One, of course, has started in Bayelsa; another is being shipped in at the moment. There are about three or four different engagements with modular refineries operators. So we are putting that together, and one of the critical things with modular refineries is that we are trying to ensure that, first of all, it is private-sector driven. Government has to provide the licenses, but also there is community involvement; communities also have a stake in the modular refineries. So we are doing that as well. We are working very hard on that.

(Also read:

I dont know when Chief Clark made that statement. I think that, by and large, all of what Im saying is being done. It is obvious for everyone to see. Ive no real problem demonstrating this, but as a matter of fact, if you look on our website (www.ndnewvision.gov.ng), on the all of the Niger Delta issues, we have almost a blow-by-blow account of what we are doing, including the Ogoni clean up.

I think there is a lot going on. You cant address all of the problems at once. We have provided plenty of information. We have Inter-ministerial meetings where the different stakeholders meet constantly with leaders of the Niger Delta. I think you can imagine development is something that no one can be completely satisfied with at any point in time; thats why its called development.

.

: I think it was for those people that we designed our visa-on-arrival policy. It is for people who are bringing in their resources and money.

Not necessary. Let me explain what we are trying to do with visa-on-arrival: you apply online so you get a visa, and this is where we are issuing the I-Step so that there is passenger information ahead of your arriving in Nigeria. That is one of the infrastructure we are putting at the airport now. You arrive at our port, we can give you a visa right there; that is what Singapore and other countries do, irrespective of where you are coming from you can get the visa there. When you arrive in Nigeria we have advance passengers information, even the visa-on-arrival thats where we are heading. The most important thing is that there is a record.

: Let me just say that the President has pointed out that the South East wasnt the region that voted heavily for the APC, but that is not in any way stopping the President from appointing four senior ministers from that part of the country. He could have appointed junior ministers. By appointing four senior ministers, I think that it shows that he is interested in the South East region of Nigeria.

Secondly, previous government merely talk about the second Niger Bridge. We have moved to site, we are working on the second Niger Bridge. Weve provided for the second Niger Bridge in our budget we have also provided infrastructure fund for the second Niger Bridge. Also, we are doing the Lagos-Calabar Rail. The Lagos-Calabar Rail goes through the South East region, thats one of the very important thing we are doing and we put money behind it. The President himself negotiated the loan from the Chinese government. He actually went to China to negotiate and these are ongoing projects.

Ariaria market today is possibly the largest MSME hub in the whole of West Africa. The Federal Government, with the private sector, is powering Ariaria market so that every of the 21,000 shops in Ariaria market has power. The roads to the market are in the budget. Lets bring it down to what we are doing; the first of our MSME clinics was in Aba and we are committed to ensuring Aba is a hub that it ought to be.

This is where we spend a lot of time and energy to move regulatory agencies so that they actually have a one-stop centre there, so that NAFDAC, SON can move into that place. There is a lot of work thats going on. The truth is that we do what needs to be done. We were elected to do the right thing by everyone and we are doing it. Ive gone to the South East several times. Ive visited Nnewi and many parts of Anambra as well, where we look around and look at ways of supporting industries there and we are still committed to that zone.

: Let me say that one of the very important things for me, I think we could have done far more in terms of jobs, direct jobs now, because weve done enough. We first created jobs in agriculture. Perhaps we are hoping we would be able to provide by now 500,000 of our N-power jobs, but because of the income we are able to provide 200,000. We have another 300,000 waiting to be employed. So maybe a year into our government, we could have done 500,000. So for me I think if we have the kind of resources that people had 10 years ago when oil was $115 per barrel we could have provided far in excess.

I also think that, perhaps in the area of power, especially trying to do much more, but power is privatized. A lot of the power companies, a lot of the GENCOs, the DISCOs in particular, simply dont have the resources to replace assets, so they slow down. How I wish they have more funds to pump into assets and we hope they have more resources to do so. Weve put in place the over N700 billion payment assurance scheme, but that is insufficient.

Thats not true. Let me put it this way; first lets take the Magu example. One of the things that the President decided to do is to ensure that every agency does its work without direct interference from the President. So the President does not call the EFCC, and say, Go and arrest Mr Ekpeyong, no. And thats one of the most important things about the style of this government, and we want the agencies to do their work. No one has showed up and called Magu and say, Look go and arrest. Thats what it is.

While you will find, for example, that the DG, SSS, upon the request by the Senate, wrote a security report and sent it, yet it is up to the President to decide whether hes going to present this candidate. Interfering with the process of a security report is not leadership, thats obstructing. He is not supposed to interfere. If you say, Send your report, whatever report you want to send, the man defends himself, and we still believe he is the right person for the job. That is the position that we took when he was presented the second time.

Of course, the Senate has had their own say on that and they are entitled to take some of the positions they are taking. But the President believes that this is the right man for the job, so he presented him the second time.

With respect to the arrest of DG, NIA, and some of what took place, I think the fair thing to say is that the President has said that the EFCC has the absolute right to go ahead and do whatever it needs to do to ensure that anybody who has committed a crime, or who is suspected to having committed a crime, is brought to justice, and thats the position that the EFCC has taken. You know the EFCC has issued a notice for the DG, NIA, and SGF to attend interview with the EFCC; but we are sure that that process would be followed to a logical conclusion.

To ensure that you allow government agency do their business, thats very important; thats institution building. Look at what is happening in the US today; the President is sometimes angry with the FBI because the FBI is doing its independent work, and thats what we hope to achieve: when you see countries where agencies are doing their work the way they are supposed to do it.

Source: NAN

Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma, former Nasarawa state governor, is dead. He was aged 75.

He died in an Israeli hospital, according Mamman Alakayi, his information commissioner when he governed the state..

I got a call from the late governors son, Umar, this evening, that Baba Doma died in an Israeli hospital at about 7:45 p.m. Nigerian time, he said.

Alakayi said that the former governor had gone to the hospital to treat an undisclosed ailment three weeks ago.

We are currently making arrangement for some family members to travel to Israel and convey the remains back home for burial, he said.

NAN reports that Akwe was the governor of Nasarawa State from 2007 to 2011, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Born on Sept. 1, 1942 in Doma Local Government of Nasarawa State, Akwe attended theUniversity of Ibadan from 19641966, and also attendedAhmadu Bello UniversityZaria in 1976.

The former governor obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration fromAmbrose Alli University,Ekpoma in 2002.

He worked in the old Plateau civil service from1976 to 1983, and rose to the position of a Permanent Secretary.

a Deputy Governor of Plateau State, and was later elected Governor of Nasarawa State(NAN)

Source: NAN

U.S. White House National Economic Council Director Gary Cohn, is set to resign from his post following President Donald Trumps planned tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum.

Cohn departure would increase the number of White House officials who had either been sacked or resigned from the Trumps administration.

Reports say Cohn who opposed Trumps planned tariffs, hinted the White House about his resignation last week, and reportedly tried getting the president to change course.

Cohn who served as President Trumps chief economic adviser since the beginning of the administration, would likely step down from his post in few weeks from now after several weeks of talk with the president.

It has been an honor to serve my country and enact pro-growth economic policies to benefit the American people, in particular the passage of historic tax reform, Cohn said in a statement to Fox News.

I am grateful to the President for giving me this opportunity and wish him and the Administration great success in the future.

Cohns policy portfolio included tax and retirement, infrastructure, the financial system, energy and environment, healthcare, agriculture, global economics, international trade and development, and technology, telecommunications and cybersecurity.

Source: NAN

A mysterious fire has destroyed over 300 tents at Ajiri Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mafa Local Government council of Borno.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the fire started at about 5:30 pm on Tuesday and gutted the entire camp settlement, which provided shelter to hundreds of persons displaced by Boko Haram insurgency.

A witness, Bukar Abba, told NAN that the fire rapidly spread and engulfed the entire camp due to the strong wind.

Abba said that the fire ravaged tents, thatch houses, household utensils, dresses and other property, adding that there were no causalities in the incident.

The cause of the fire has not been ascertained. It destroyed the camp. The affected families now stay in the open, he said.

Abba noted that the affected persons had returned and took shelter at the camp following the liberation of the community from the insurgents control.

He called on the state government and humanitarian organisations to assist the victims to alleviate their sufferings.

The national and state emergency management agencies are yet to comment on the incident. (NAN)

Source: NAN

Rwanda has shut 714 churches in different parts of Kigali over the last one week for failure to meet minimum standards.

New Times of Rwanda reported that the churches were found to lack basic infrastructure, hygiene, safety standards and had issues related to their legal status.

The crackdown is being carried out by respective urban district authorities in partnership with the Rwanda Governance Board, the newspaper said.

Justus Kangwagye, the Head of Political Parties and Civil Society Department at the Rwanda Governance Board, said places of worship are required to meet basic requirements in terms of safety, hygiene, infrastructure and legality which those affected were found to be lacking.

Kangwagye said most of the affected places of worship were asked to halt operations until they meet the expected standards.

Worshiping should be done in an organised way and meet minimum standards. Exercising your freedom of worship should not encroach on other peoples rights. They have been asked to halt operations until they meet the requirements, he said.

Some may not be able to resume operations any time soon, he said.

Kangwagye said some premises exposed worshipers to risks.

For instance, if the infrastructure is deemed likely to cause danger to those worshiping, it is obvious that it fails to meet the requirements, he explained.

Others were found to have inadequacies such as lack of parking lots which would lead to their members parking by the roadsides and causing traffic jam.

Other churches which were closed operated from tents.

Churches that are hosted in tents were also asked to review their premises before they can continue their operations. As for hygiene and sanitation, you cannot have a gathering where there is no water for washing hands, no toilets among other issues, he said.

Others, he added, were warned on the lack of safety and security installations and asked to look into it or risk closure.

Kangwagye explained that setting up a church, requires a temporary certificate which expires after 12 months.

Read More In :

Source: NAN

Crown-wearing worshippers of World Peace and Unification Sanctuary in Pennsylvania, United States scared the hell out of people and a school on Wednesday, when they arrived the church, each clutching an AR-15 rifle.

Brides were clad in white and grooms in dark suits, all arriving with dozens of AR-15s, though unloaded.

Inside the church, they drank holy wine and exchanged or renewed wedding vows in what was called a commitment ceremony, which alsodoubled as an advertisement for the Second Amendment.

Though the state police kept watch as the ceremony unfolded, neighbours were not at ease.

A smattering of protesters stood outside the church and anearby school cancelled classes, the AP reported.

The church, which has a worldwide following, believes the AR-15 symbolizes the rod of iron in the book of Revelation, and encouraged couples to bring the weapons. An AR-15 was used in the Florida high school massacre on Feb. 14.

The Rev. Sean Moon, who leads the church, prayed for a kingdom of peace police and peace militia where the citizens, through the right given to them by almighty God to keep and bear arms, will be able to protect one another and protect human flourishing.

Moon is the son of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon, a self-proclaimed messiah who founded the Unification Church, which critics regard as a cult. The younger Moons congregation is a breakaway faction of the Unification Church, which had distanced itself from Wednesdays event.

An attendant checked each weapon at the door to make sure it was unloaded and secured with a zip tie, and the elaborate commitment ceremony went off without a hitch. Some worshippers wore crowns made out of bullets.

Tim Elder, Unification Sanctuarys director of world missions, said the ceremony was meant to be a blessing of couples, not inanimate objects, calling the AR-15 a religious accoutrement.

But Wednesdays event, coming on the heels of the high school massacre in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17, rubbed emotions raw.

Its scaring people in the community, one protester told a church member. Are you aware of that?

The ceremony prompted Wallenpaupack Area School District to move students at an elementary school down the street to other campuses.

Lisa Desiena, from Scranton, protested outside the church with a sign that called the group an armed religious cult.

She said she owns a gun, but I dont need a freaking assault weapon to defend myself. Only thing theyre good for is killing. Period. Thats all that weapon is good for, mass killing. And you want to bless it? Shame on you.

But Sreymom Ouk, 41, who attended the ceremony with her husband, Sort Ouk, and came with their AR-15, said the weapon is useful for defending her family against sickos and evil psychopaths.

People have the right to bear arms, and in Gods kingdom, you have to protect that, she said. You have to protect against evil.

Reported by AP

Source: NAN

Saudi Arabia began issuing licences Thursday to operate cinemas in the kingdom ahead of their reopening after a decades-long ban was lifted as part of a far-reaching liberalisation drive.

The move is another step towards opening the Saudi market to regional and international theatre chains, which have long eyed the kingdom as the Middle Easts last untapped mass market.

The culture and information ministry said it had finalised the terms of licencing to restore cinema in Saudi Arabia.

Licencing commences immediately, the ministry added in a statement.

The news comes as Dubai-based VOX Cinemas, the leading operator in the Middle East, launches its first public screening in Saudi Arabia, which runs through Saturday and aims to raise awareness about Alzheimers disease.

The screening in Riyadh will feature content from local producers including Myrkott Production and Telfaz Company, VOX said.

Major cinema chains are seeking to break into the market of more than 30 million people, the majority of whom are under 25.

In December, US giant AMC Entertainment signed a non-binding agreement with Saudi Arabias vast Public Investment Fund to build and operate cinemas across the kingdom.

AMC will still face stiff competition from regional heavyweights, including VOX.

The move to reopen cinemas is part of a modernisation drive by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is seeking to balance unpopular subsidy cuts in an era of low oil prices with more entertainment options despite opposition from religious hardliners.

The reform stems partly from an economic motive to boost domestic spending on entertainment as the kingdom reels from a protracted slump in oil prices.

Saudis currently splurge billions of dollars annually to see movie shows and visit amusement parks in neighbouring tourist hubs like Dubai.

Source: NAN

There has been an outpouring of rage in the social media after a neurosurgeon at Kenyas largest hospital performed brain surgery on the wrong patient.

The Kenyatta National Hospital, which admitted the horrific error has suspended the doctor, as well as two nurses and an anaesthetist, according to a statement on Friday.

Health Minister Sicily Kariuki also suspended the Chief operating officer of the hospital, Lily Koros, over the blunder. Lily Koros had suspended the four medics.

It was the latest scandal to hit the hospital in recent weeks, after allegations of staff sexually assaulting patients, and the theft of a baby.

An investigation by the Daily Nation newspaper revealed that two men had been taken to the hospital last Sunday.

The two men were wheeled into the hospital unconscious. One needed head surgery to remove a blood clot in his brain, while the other only required nursing and medication to heal a trauma swelling in his head, medically known as closed head injury.

Hours into the surgery doctors discovered there was no blood clot in the brain of their patient, and that they were in fact operating on the wrong man, the newspaper reported.

The hospitals chief operating officer, Lily Koros, issued a statement announcing the suspension of four medics who were at work on that night. The hospital also expressed regret over the incident.

The hospital deeply regrets this event and has done all it can to ensure the safety and well being of the patient in question, read the statement from the hospital, adding the patient was in recovery and progressing well, Koros said.

Kenyatta National Hospital is Kenyas oldest and largest hospital, and also serves as a teaching hospital.

AFP

Source: NAN

Britains food industry was challenged by the government Tuesday to reduce the amount of calories in products used by families by 20 percent as part of a new strategy to cut childhood and adult obesity.

Health officials say if the 20 per cent target is met within five years, more than 35,000 premature deaths could be prevented.

Officials also said that around 12.5 billion U.S. dollars in National Health Service (NHS) healthcare and social care costs could be saved over a 25 year period.

The calorie drive follows new evidence revealing overweight or obese boys and girls consume up to 500 and 290 calories too many each day respectively.

The food industry has been given three ways to reduce calories, changing the recipe of products, reducing portion sizes or encouraging consumers to purchase lower calorie products.

Categories of food covered by the program include pizzas, ready meals, ready-made sandwiches, meat products and savoury snacks.

The new major steps to cut excessive calorie intake were unveiled by Public Health England (PHE) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

PHE says too many children and most adults are overweight or obese, suffering consequences from bullying and low self-esteem in childhood, to type II diabetes, heart disease and some cancers as adults.

An obese parent is more likely to have an obese child, who in turn is more likely to grow up into an obese adult, said PHE.

A PHE report includes new data on childrens daily calorie consumption.

Depending on their age, overweight and obese boys consume between 140 to 500 calories too many each day and for girls, it is 160 to 290 when compared to those with healthy body weights.

Adults consume on average 200 to 300 calories too many each day.

A PHE report includes new data on childrens daily calorie consumption. Depending on their age, overweight and obese boys consume between 140 to 500 calories too many each day and for girls, it is 160 to 290 when compared to those with healthy body weights. Adults consume on average 200 to 300 calories too many each day.

Duncan Selbie, chief executive of PHE, said: Industry can help families by finding innovative ways to lower the calories in the food we all enjoy and promoting UK business leadership on the world stage in tackling obesity.

Steve Brine, parliamentary under secretary of state for public health and primary care, said: Obesity is now one of our greatest challenges.

It is fuelling an epidemic of preventable illnesses like type II diabetes and cancer.

These not only shorten lives but put unsustainable pressure on our health service.

Our calorie reduction program, the first of its kind from any country in the world, will continue to build on the progress of our world-leading childhood obesity plan, which has led to positive steps by industry.

Dr Alison Tedstone, chief nutritionist at PHE, said: Its hard for people to make healthy food choices. Thats why we are challenging the food industry to take 20 percent of the calories out of everyday foods.

The NHS spends around 8.3 billion U.S dollars a year treating obesity-related conditions. (Xinhua/NAN)

Source: NAN

Unai Emery may well be packing his load tonight as coach of the expensively Paris Saint Germain team, after they were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by holders Real Madrid in Paris.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Casemiro got the goals for Real Madrid as the holders won 2-1 away to a Paris Saint-Germain side missing Neymar to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday.

The defeat was like rubbing more salt into the wounds for PSG, who had not lost any of their previous 51 home games in all competitions, a run going back two years to before the start of Unai Emerys reign as coach.

This defeat is likely to hasten the end of his time in charge.

Ronaldo had scored twice including his 100th goal for Real in the competition as they won 3-1 in the first leg in Spain last month, and his header early in the second half at the Parc des Princes effectively ended the French clubs hopes of progressing.

Edinson Cavani equalised on the night for PSG, but only after they had Marco Verratti sent off, and Casemiros late goal secured an ultimately comprehensive 5-2 aggregate victory for Zinedine Zidanes side.

PSG never looked like turning the tie around in the absence of the injured Neymar, and it was a horribly flat way for them to exit the competition.

As they limp out, Reals dream of becoming the first team in more than 40 years to win three successive European Cups remains alive.

A year after their spectacular collapse against Barcelona in the last 16, when they were humiliated 6-1 away in the return after a stunning 4-0 win at home, PSG had hoped to produce a memorable comeback themselves this time.

Yet, shorn of the worlds most expensive player, who is back in Brazil recuperating from a foot operation, they struggled to create chances, and the night will be remembered just as much for the stupidity of a section of their supporters.

Flares were lit en masse on several occasions at one end of the ground, once even leading to a brief stoppage in play, and PSG will face punishment from UEFA as a result.

Without Neymar, this was Angel Di Marias big chance to shine after he was left on the bench for the entirety of the first leg, but nothing came off for the Argentine against his former side, his performance symbolic of a wider malaise in the home ranks.

They had only made Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas work once in the first half, from Kylian Mbappes shot in the 43rd minute.

In contrast, Alphonse Areola had kept the home side in the game with two fine saves to deny Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema before the interval.

That just delayed the inevitable. Having come close with a header moments earlier, Ronaldo broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, heading in a Lucas Vazquez cross for his third goal in the tie.

The goal had come from an error by Dani Alves initially, and it completely punctured PSG and the atmosphere.

The tie had escaped them before Verratti was sent off midway through the second half, picking up a second yellow card for dissent.

Substitute Javier Pastores header deflected into the net off Cavani in the 71st minute to level the scores on the night, but more poor defending allowed Real to make it 2-1 with 10 minutes left.

Unable to clear their lines in their own area, PSG saw Casemiros shot go in via a Marquinhos deflection.

With Marco Asensio and Isco both hitting the post in the second half for Real, the visitors more than deserved their win on the night, as well as in the tie.

Source: NAN

Justice Mojisola O. Dada of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, refused the bail application of notorious fraudster, Emmanuel Nwude, who allegedly conspired with two others to tamper with a property that had been forfeited by a court order.

Nwude alongside Emmanuel Ilechukwu and Rowland Kalu were, on March 2, 2018, arraigned on a 15-count charge bordering on forgery and dealing in forfeited property.

One of the counts reads: That you, Emmanuel Nwude, Emmanuel Ilechukwu and Rowland Kalu, on or about 12th day of January 2011, at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, conspired to forge a Power of Attorney dated 12th day of January 2011, issued in the name of Mankris Venture Limited purporting that Mankris Venture Limited is the owner of Plot Y, Mobolaji Johnson Street, Oregun, Alausa Lagos, whereas you knew that the property was forfeited to the victims of crimes as restitution in the judgment delivered on 18th day of 2005 by Honourable Justice Joseph Oyewole in ID/92c/04- FRN vs. Emmanuel Nwude

A Nigerian Olawunmi Bayode has set a new Guinness Record in the Longest Marathon Reading Aloud Category.

Bayode, father of three kids, logged 120 hours at 15.30 today at the YouRead Library Yaba in Lagos, beating the previous record set by Nepali Deepak Sharma Bajagain.

The latter had 113 hours 15 minutes in 2008.

Another Nepalese, Tudikhel Ground tied the record.

Bajagains book reading began on September 19 and ended on September 24, 2008.

He recited 17 different books from 13 authors during his record attempt.

Bayode began reading at 1:30 PM on Monday, February 26, 2018 and ended it 15.30 on Saturday.

He announced the record on his Facebook page, saying:

Hello everybody, something just happened right now! My name is Bayode Treasures Olubunmi(Olawunmi) I have just finished reading aloud for 120 hours non-stop!

I did it for the CULTURE!.

Bayode studied at Osun State Polytechnic, Iree and Comprehensive High School, Ketu in Lagos.

I have always loved to read good materials right from when I was in secondary school. I am doing this for the youths, he wrote on twitter, before he began the record setting reading marathon.

Source: NAN

In order to forestall the outbreak of diseases in the country, the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) has urged government at all levels to beef up veterinary extension services, surveillance and public health service delivery.

Dr Godwin Abonyi, President of the association, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the ongoing associations annual summit in Abuja on Friday.

He however, decried the rate of outbreak of zoonotic diseases such as Lassa Fever, Monkey Pox, brucellosis, rabies, and Avian Influenza, blaming it on poor surveillance system.

He noted that about 75 per cent of emerging and infectious diseases originated from animals, adding that beefing up surveillance and public health services delivery among others would assist in reducing the burden and associated deaths.

NAN reports that zoonotic diseases are transmitted from animals to humans through various means.

He identified some of the means to include through consumption of contaminated food and water, exposure to pathogens during preparation, processing or by direct contact with infected animals or humans.

The president, who described the menace as worrisome, urged members of the association to put in their best professionally to salvage the situation.

The recent increase in the number of outbreaks of some zoonotic disease such as Lassa Fever and Monkey Pox among others are becoming increasingly worrisome.

Government at all levels should beef up veterinary extension, surveillance and public health service delivery to forestall these menace from becoming endemic in Nigeria,Abonyi said.

Similarly, Abonyi urged government to facilitate the transition from nomadism to ranching, to improve animal husbandry and put an end to farmers/herdsmen clashes and associated death toll.

According to him, as a matter of urgency, federal and states governments should put necessary machinery and intervention in place in livestock industry.

These, he noted, would further safeguard lives and properties arising from herdsmen/farmers clashes and also improve food production and livestock yield.

Abonyi urged members to educate and enlighten stakeholders on the need for peaceful coexistence and the inherent benefits of ranching to livestock farmers.

Source: NAN