The heirs of Lee Kun Hee, the chairman of the telecommunications giant Samsung who died in October, will pay more than 12 trillion won (1.08 billion dollars) in inheritance taxes.

The heirs said on Wednesday.

The Lee Family said in a statement released via Samsung Electronics that the inheritance taxes would amount to more than half the value of the late chairmans total estate.

According to them, the inheritance taxes are one of the largest ever in Korea and globally.

According to the family, the amount is equivalent to three to four times the Korean governments total estate tax revenue in 2020.

News agency Yonhap reported that the tax will be the largest-ever in South Koreas history.

The Lee family said it would pay the amount in six installments over five years starting from April.

It is our civic duty and responsibility to pay all taxes, the family said.

The chairmans heirs also said they would donate one trillion won to efforts to help overcome infectious diseases, childhood cancer as well as some 23,000 art pieces including works by Marc Chagall, Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet.

The statement did not say how the Lee family will divide the inheritance, which includes shareholdings in Samsung Electronics.

Lee, who had been South Koreas richest man since 2009, was survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

His assets were estimated to be worth more than 25 trillion won when real estate is counted, according to Yonhap. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Irelands Foreign Ministry on Wednesday confirmed the killing of a citizen in a Monday attack in Burkina Faso together with two Spanish journalists.

The ministry said in a statement that Rory Young was part of a group that on Monday morning was attacked by unknown assailants in the eastern part of Burkina Faso.

The statement said that the Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney learned of Youngs death with deep dismay and that he condemns in the strongest possible terms the actions of those who are responsible for this attack.

Yong was the co-founder and president of an anti-poaching organisation called Chengeta, according to the Irish Times.

A day earlier, Spanish Foreign Minister, Arancha Laya had confirmed the death of the two Spanish journalists, saying the site of the attack was in a dangerous area, a field of action for terrorist groups, poachers, criminals and jihadists.

According to Spanish media the journalists had been part of a group of correspondents accompanying officials from Burkina Fasos environmental protection agency and the military during an operation targeting poachers.

The convoy of about 40 people was attacked by an unidentified armed group on the road between the cities of Fada NGourma and Pama in the south-east of the country on Monday evening, according to the reports.

One Burkinabe was reportedly kidnapped or injured during the attack.

The western African country is located in the Sahel, where several terrorist groups were active, some of which have pledged allegiance to the Islamist militias al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

Burkina Faso has seen a significant increase in terrorist attacks since 2015. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

Indias COVID-19 death toll on Wednesday crossed the grim milestone of 200,000, as globally record-breaking daily infection numbers had overwhelmedthe health systems.

In the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry recorded 3,293 deaths related to coronavirus infection, bringing the total to 201,187.

At the same time, 362,567 new infections were reported in the highest single-day surge of cases worldwide for seven days straight, taking Indias total caseload to 17.9 million.

India ranks second behind the United States 32.1 million cases, while its fatalities count ranks fourth behind the U.S., Brazil and Mexico, which have all crossed 200,000 deaths.

But with about 300,000 cases and 3,000 deaths recorded per day, India is likely to cross more bleak milestones in the future.

Ten states in the worlds second-most populous country account for 74 per cent of cases, including in the hotspots of Maharashtra and New Delhi.

The capital and other affected areas were under lockdown, as infections have crippled the health system and overburdened funeral sites.

Shortages of beds and medical oxygen have been blamed for dozens of deaths across states.

Video footage showed relatives of patients outside hospitals pleading or getting angry over the lack of medical care.

The situation has prompted many countries, including the U.S., to send ventilators, oxygen plants and anti-viral drugs.

Experts attribute the rapid spread of cases to more infectious variants, including a so-called double mutation, and peoples failure to observe safety measures.

Several countries have banned flights from India, including Australia, Malaysia, Germany, Belgium and Italy. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

The European Parliament have voted to ratify the Brexit trade deal between the European Union and Britain, the last major step in the pacts approval.

Out of the 697 EU lawmakers who cast their vote, 660 were in favour, five were against and 32 abstained, the legislatures President David Sassoli announced on Wednesday.

The huge agreement, covers not just commercial relations, but also competition rules, fishing arrangements, and the future terms for cooperation on policing and justice, transport and energy.

The more than 1,000 page treaty is now expected to take force on May 1.

The trade deal was being provisionally applied since the beginning of 2021 to allow EU lawmakers time to scrutinise and ratify the deal.

This grace period runs out on April 30, as per an agreement between the two sides.

The British parliament gave its green light back in December, shortly after the deal was struck.

EU lawmakers had previously threatened to further delay ratification because of an ongoing dispute with London about the special trade rules agreed for Northern Ireland in the withdrawal agreement in 2019.

In a debate ahead of the vote on Tuesday, most EU parliamentarians said they would back the deal with a heavy heart, and hoped for more constructive cooperation in the future. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN News

A former Kano State governorship aspirant, Alhaji Abdulsalam Zaura popularly known as A. A. Zaura, has defected from the Green Party of Nigeria (GPN) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection of Zaura, Founder of A. A. Zaura Foundation, according to a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Zauras media aide, Mr Al-Amin Ciroma, followed consultations with stakeholders,

According to the statement, the defection was facilitated by Gov. Abdullahi Gandujes Special Adviser on Solid Minerals, Balaraba Ahmed and other APC chieftains in the state.

The statement also added that Gov. Ganduje commended Zaura for his contributions to the growth and development of his community and the state as a whole.

He described A. A. Zaura as a youth whose coming into the party would lend credence to the fact that the APC is youth-friendly.

The APC Chairman in Ngoggo Local Government Area, Abdullahi Ramat, who earlier received Zaura into the party, described him as a youth politician who has the interest of his people at heart.

According to him, the APC has a big catch in Mr Zaura who will not only add value to the party but the state as a whole.

In his response, Zaura described his defection as homecoming, and pledged to work towards developing the party in the state.

He called on all the GPN members across the state to join the APC, saying that the party is a youth-friendly platform.

He promised to, within his powers to advance the successes recorded by the APC in the state. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Monday Ijeh

The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) says there is no report of attack by bandits on the University of Abuja.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, ASP Mariam Yusuf said this in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said the clarification followed purported reports in some sections of the social media that the institution was attacked by bandits.

The command wishes to debunk the viral message in some sections of the social media purporting that the University of Abuja has been attacked by bandits.

We wishes to state categorically that there is no record of such incident as at 2200hrs of Tuesday.

Members of the public are therefore enjoined to disregard the message which is not only mischievous but intended to cause tension amongst residents, she said.

She said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Mr Bala Ciroma had ordered uninterrupted patrols around schools within the territory.

Yusuf enjoined residents to remain calm, laws abiding and verify every information they received to avoid causing panic among the members of the public.

She reaffirmed the undeterred resolve by the command to protect lives and property within the FCT.

The PPRO urged residents to report all suspicious movements, emergency or distress to the command through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, 08028940883.

She said the conduct of Police Officers, could be reported to the Public Complaint Bureau (PCB) through a mobile number of 09022222352. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Suleiman Shehu

The owner of Agbo Hotel, Ogbomoso in Oyo State, Mr Oyedokun Oyeniyi, his wife, Busayo Oyedokun and seven others that were kidnapped on Saturday have been released by their abductors.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the victims were released on Tuesday after payment of an undisclosed amount as ransom.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the release of the abductees.

Yes, they have been released, he said.

Osifeso did not, however, disclosed whether ransom was paid before the release of the victim.

It would be recalled that the kidnappers visited the hotel in Ogbomoso at about 10 p.m. on Saturday pretending to be lodgers and shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping the victims.

The kidnappers had demanded for N32 million ransom for the release of the abductees. (NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Olasunkanmi Onifade

The Minister of State Science and Technology, Mohammed Abdullahi, has urged stakeholders in the construction industry to develop technologies that would address housing and infrastructural deficiencies using local available resources.

Abdullahi said this at the 10th Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBBRI) international conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

The conference had the theme: Circular Economy in the Built Environment for Enhanced Performance of the Nigerian Construction Industry.

He said the locally available resources should be able to meet the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals target of providing affordable and decent housing for citizens.

This will not just enhance the performance of the construction industry but will also boost the economy as one of the major ways of increasing governments revenue.

It will also improve the countrys Gross Domestic Product through research and development.

The aim should be at cost reduction, zero waste and income generation that would eventually translate to improved standard of living of our citizens, Abdullahi said.

He, however, said the platform should be used to sensitise professionals and experts in the building industry on the opportunities offered by the Presidential Executive Order 5 and to support its full implementation.

Abdullahi said the forum was apt and would expose stakeholders to the the latest trends in the building sector that could reduce the dangers associated with erosion, building collapse and persistent flooding.

The NBBRIs Governing Board Chairman, William Wadni, said Nigerian construction industry had been identified as one of the fast growing sector around the world.

Wadni said for Nigeria to maintain an impressive performance, it was imperative for the industry to be well positioned to compete with its contemporaries globally.

He said that in line with its mandate, the institute had developed many innovations from intensive research work over the years, which made vital impacts on the building and road construction sectors.

The Nigerian construction industry is vibrant and characterised by continuous change, mainly due to the fluctuating dynamics of the economy which influences the socio-economic, physical and psychological needs of an average Nigerian.

The industry, though fast growing with a lot of challenges, is yet to attain the desired level in spite of efforts and funds committed, he said.

The President of Council of Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Engr. Ali Rabiu, who was represented by Engr. Felix Atume, said that the depleting resources in the construction industry need to be addressed.

A member of the Australian Institute of Building, Mr Olabode Ogunmakinde, who spoke virtually, said the industry must rely on research through adequate grants and collaboration with other institutions of higher learning.
(NAN)

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

The U.S. government has pledged support and absolute solidarity to combat the lingering and growing insecurity in Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin Region.

Mr Anthony Blinken, U.S Secretary of Sates disclosed this in a virtual interview with newsmen as part of his activities during his virtual visit to Africa on Tuesday.

Blinken made the pledge following questions on the growing insecurity in the region, across Nigeria and the death of Idriss Derby, Former President of Chad who died on the fields while fighting rebels.

He said that the U.S is committed to supporting Nigeria address these challenges through resources, information sharing, capacity building, equipment, amongst other ways.

Blinken however noted that it is important to work together using a comprehensive approach to address the situation.

And I think it is fair to say that the challenges that Nigeria faces when it comes to security are quite extraordinary.

And you referenced them whether its terrorism, whether its banditry and criminality, whether its piracy. All of these are real challenges.

The good news is this: One, we are in absolute solidarity between us in trying to address these challenges together.

And the United States is committed to supporting Nigeria as it meets these challenges. And what that involves primarily is helping Nigeria continue to build its capacity.

Through training, through resources, through information sharing, through equipment, and all of that done, very importantly, with full respect for human rights.

But its also important that we work together, as we are, to address some of the drivers or facilitators of violence and instability that we know those engaged in these activities can sometimes feed on.

And thats why you have to have a comprehensive approach to these challenges. Its not the security piece is vitally important, but its insufficient, and so economic development, progress, opportunity is hugely important, Blinken said.

Blinken said it is also important to deal with the other drivers that lead to conflict, violence and extremism in the Lake Chad Basin Region.

So, too, are dealing with some of the other drivers that sometimes produce conflict, violence, and extremism. And one of the things thats striking, of course, is the Lake Chad basin.

And there weve seen over time, as you know, the erosion of the basin, including because of climate change.

And that, in turn, can produce conflict over resources, new migratory patterns that put people in conflict, food insecurity, the more easy spread of disease.

All of which can produce an environment in which terrorism, criminality, other forms of violence are more likely.

So I think its vital that we address these, as I know President Buhari is very focused on, Blinken added.

Blinken added that on this note, that was why it was so important to have President Buhari as well as President Kenyatta from Kenya take part in the climate summit that President Biden convened last week.

He explained that the Summit was a very powerful manifestation of the broad international commitment to address the challenges posed by climate change, which in turn, he thinks will address some of the drivers weve seen of conflict which in turn can feed extremism.

So its a long way of saying I think we have to see the big picture, the comprehensive picture obviously focus on the hard security collaboration that we have.

And strengthen that, but also not lose sight of some of the bigger pieces of this that we have to address together as well, Blinken further stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Blinkens virtual trip to Africa is another important step by the Biden-Harris administration to strengthen the U.S relations with African countries.

Source: NAN News

By Lizzy Okoji

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken says the Biden-led administration is keen on supporting efforts of countries to recover from economic downturns caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Blinken made this known during a virtual interview with newsmen as part of his activities of virtual visit to Africa on Tuesday where he also met with President Muhammadu Buhari and President Uhuru Kenyata of Kenya.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major dual crisis; a health crisis and an economic crisis and U.S President, Joe Biden is keen on supporting countries bounce back better, Blinken said.

He said that the U.S government has supported with facilities to restructure debt, looking at supporting programmes

We have had this dual crisis, a health crisis and an economic crisis, and there too, unless and until we find ways to support efforts of countries around the world.

And economies around the world to bounce back economically from COVID, we wont have fully addressed the problem either.

And by the way, thats also in our interest, because we want strong trading partners, we want strong investment partners, and it makes sense to make sure that were doing what we can to be helpful.

And as were looking at this, I think there are a number of things that are important. Weve supported, for example, facilities to restructure debt, because as countries emerge from the economic crisis with debt obligations, that can be challenging in normal times.

Its incredibly more challenging if youre in the midst of or emerging from the economic downturn that was the result of COVID. So we are very strongly supportive of flexibility there, restructuring there.

Were looking at a variety of other support programs. And as well, I think being able to move forward with trade, with investment, with partnerships, that too is going to make difference, Blinken said.

Blinken said it is also best to take advantage of the moment with real opportunities that would help in recovery of economies.

I also think we have to, as we are doing this, try to take advantage of the moment as well. There is a necessity, but there is also some real opportunity.

President Biden talks about this in terms of building back better. How do we make new investments in our economies, as we are working together.

How do we do it in a way that promotes greater equity? How do we do it in a way that actually advances the effort to combat climate change?

And there, there may be real opportunities in terms of, for example, green technology that can actually create and sustain good, strong jobs.

All of these things are on the agenda and were looking at them, I think, together very creatively both in our bilateral relationships but also multilaterally, including through the international financial institutions, Blinken added.

Responding to questions on strict visa procedures in Nigeria that has limited a lot of Nigerians to getting visas, Blinken said the Biden Administration have removed some strict restrictions placed by the previous administrations.

Blinken said that appropriate legal foundations to ease immigration policies are already in place but moving forward, the U.S government is also mindful of the COVID-19 challenges and how it affects travel.

With regard to visas, et cetera, we are also doing two things. We removed from the books some of the restrictions put in place by the previous administration, so the appropriate legal foundation is there.

But we also now, in moving forward, have to be very mindful of the challenges we all face, including the fact that COVID-19 is still with us.

And so we all want to get back to travel quickly, to trade quickly, to enabling legal migration, but we have to do it in a way that is cognizant of the ongoing challenges of COVID-19.

So that it is safe and secure, and we make sure were at a place where we can do that with the virus under control, so that we dont risk regenerating it and creating another cycle.

So all of that were factoring in in a very practical way to our ability to move forward with travel as well as with immigration, Blinked added.

Source: NAN News