When a helicopter rushed an unconscious Czech woman who had suffered a severe stroke to hospital in April, her chances of survival were slim - and those of the fetus she had carried in her womb for 15 weeks little better.

And yet, on Aug. 15, against all odds, a healthy baby girl was born by cesarean section - weighing 2.13 kg (4.7 lb) and measuring 42 cm (16.5 inches) - to her brain-dead mother, setting a new record in the process, Brno’s University Hospital said on Monday.

It said the 117 days that she had been kept alive in the womb - a process fraught with potential complications - were believed to be a record for the longest artificially sustained pregnancy in a brain-dead mother.

The mother, whose identity was not revealed, had been declared brain-dead shortly after reaching the hospital, upon which doctors immediately began the struggle to save her child.

They put the 27-year-old woman on artificial life support to keep the pregnancy going, and even regularly moved her legs to simulate walking to help the child’s growth.

After the delivery in the 34th week of gestation, with the husband and other family members present, medical staff disconnected the mother’s life support systems and allowed her to die.

“This has really been an extraordinary case when the whole family stood together ... without their support and their interest it would never have finished this way,” Pavel Ventruba, head of gynecology and obstetrics at the hospital, told reporters.

Japan may not win their home Rugby World Cup but they have already proved themselves world beaters when it comes to toilets.

Going to the loo is a much more futuristic experience in the Land of the Rising Sun and touring fans have been fascinated by their visit to these high-tech “washlets”.

These Japanese toilets offer a wide variety of functions. Some open automatically when you approach them and many offer a warm seat for a bit of comfort on cold winter nights.

The numerous options on the control panel, however, can be confusing.

Two hours after landing at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, French fan Alex Weimer would not call his first experience a great one.

“There were something like 15 buttons in Japanese and I didn’t know which one to press. there were strange symbols with sprays going into every direction...” he said.

The flush was on the other side, I frantically pressed all the buttons and it made strange noises.

It certainly is not to everyone’s liking.

“A bit too sophisticated for me. I just like the simple one, push the button without all the other experiences,” said All Blacks fan Brent York, although his friend Bernard James felt differently.

“I think when you first encounter them it’s a bit intimidating but we’ve been to Japan many times, now we’re used to them,” said James.

“Japan leads the way in toilets technology.”

Hygiene is very important in Japan. People wash their bodies before entering a bath and they take off their shoes when entering their home.

Washlets can be found everywhere in Japan — in public toilets, hotels and in people’s homes.

Known for being a tech-savvy population of over 126 million, the market for washlets is huge.

At toilet manufacturer Toto’s showroom in Tokyo, the latest toilet technology is on display. From the bog standard one to the most advanced, there’s a choice for everyone.

But it can be expensive. From a starting price of around 25,000 JPY (US$232) some go well over 1 million JPY (US$9,300).

In any case, come the end of the World Cup, some of the expected 500,000 visitors may be wishing they could take a little part of Japanese technology home with them.

An Australian snake catcher was called to a rifle shooting range on the outskirts of the northern city of Brisbane on Wednesday to capture a huge red-bellied black snake, which he named "Chonk" for its healthy condition.

The 1.8-metre (6-ft) -long male reptile was probably hunting for suitable mates as the breeding season began, snake catcher Bryce Lockett told Reuters, after it slithered out of a large creek system where fish and frogs would have kept it well-fed.

It was common to find snakes during the breeding season as males travelled further to find a mate, though snakes of this size were rare, Lockett said.

"Every now and again they pop up," he added. "I named him 'Chonk' just because he was very fat and healthy."

Red-bellied black snakes, common in wetlands along Australia's eastern coasts, are some of the most handsome but least venomous of its reptiles, with no recorded fatalities.

They typically grow to about 1.5 m to 2 m (5 ft to 7 ft), according to the Australian Museum, which said the largest on record was 2.55 m (8.4 ft).

By Ifeanyi Olannye

The House of Bishops of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) is set to elect a new Primate for the Church, two senior bishops confirmed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Asaba.

Rt. Rev. Justus Mogekwu, the Anglican Bishop of Asaba, told NAN the tenure of the current Primate, Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, would end by March 2020.

According to him, Okoh was elected Primate of the Church in September 2009 and presented in March 2010.

He said under the Constitution of the Church, a successor Primate would emerge at least six months before the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent.

Mogekwu, whose Diocese is hosting a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Church, hinted that the Episcopal Synod of the Church would likely meet on the margin of the meeting to take a decision on the matter.

We are hoping that the election of a new primate will take place during this meeting and the exact date we are not sure yet but most likely Thursday.

Nobody applies for this position (Primate) but nominations are done prayerfully though you cannot rule out persuasions.

But the point is that we pray about it.

I think the most important quality is that such a person must be evangelical and committed to the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We also have this problem of the new move in the Anglican World Gays.

We cannot accept that. So, whoever is going to be Primate must be ready to affirm our stand according to the Bible standard without looking left or right, he said.

The cleric explained that the Standing Committee is the highest decision making organ of the Church and convenes twice a year.

Also speaking on the issue, the Rt. Rev. Gbenga Babatunji, Bishop of Osun Diocese, said the big news that could emerge at the end of the meeting at St Peters Cathedral Church, Asaba would be the election of the 5th Primate for the Church.

The Standing Committee works for the Church of Nigeria and comprises House of bishops, clergy and House of Laity.

It works for the General Synod, it is in charge of the administration and the running of the Church of Nigeria.

There are other matters that will come up in the meeting and I also guess that this meeting may elect the next Primate.

If a new Primate emerges, then that will be the big news from this meeting, though it has not been announced.

NAN reports that a highpoint of the gathering of Anglicans in the capital of Delta was the consecration of six new bishops and presentation of a new Archbishop of the Province of the Niger on Tuesday.

The new bishops are: Foluso Taiwo for the Diocese of Oke-Osun, Gbenga Babatunji for the Diocese of Osun, Geoffrey Ibeabuchi for the Diocese of Umuahia, Seyi Pirisola for the Diocese on the Coast, Benjamin Okeke for Orlu Diocese and Ndubuisi Obi for Nnewi Diocese.

While Bishop Alex Ibezim of the Diocese of Awka was presented as the new Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger

NAN also reports that the Primate, Nicholas Okoh presided over the consecration ceremony which marks the beginning of a week long activity as the members of the committee arrived Monday.

Mogekwu, while congratulating the new bishops cautioned that coming into the bishop fold was a call to duty and a battle field.

Every ordained man of God should know that it is a warfare and that there is a battle to be fought.

They must not look for personal comfort or gratification because there are lots of temptations that you must face as a bishop. They must live a life of self denial, he said.

Source: NAN

Former Minister of State for Niger-Delta Affairs, Festus Keyamo has given reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari redeployed him from the Ministry of Niger Delta to the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Keyamo, a senior advocate of Nigeria, while reacting to the development, wrote on Twitter, On the move again: Two portfolios in two months!

Just been redeployed to the Ministry of Labour and Employment to work with my long-time big brother, H.E, Chris Ngige.

Thank you, Mr President for finding me versatile enough to move around. Always ready to serve in any capacity.

Keyamo swapped positions with Minister of State, Labour Tayo Alasoadura who moves to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

This was disclosed in a statement from the Director of Information at the Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Willie Bassey.

Bassey said President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the swap.

According to him: President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate redeployment of two Ministers of State as follows.

Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs is to move to Ministry of Labour and Employment as Minister of State.

Senator Tayo Alasoadura is to move to Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as Minister of State. This redeployment takes effect from today, Tuesday Sept. 24, 2019.

Source: NAN

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Most Revd. Henry Ndukuba on his emergence as the Primate-elect of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

Archbishop Ndukuba was elected at the Episcopal Synod of the Church of NIgeria, Anglican Communion, which held in Asaba, Delta State on Tuesday, September 24.

In a statement issued by Femi Adesina, (Media

BritainsPrinceHarryand his wifeMeghan Markleon Wednesday met Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, a prominent anti-apartheid activist, with their 4-month-old son Archie also making his first public appearance in South Africa.

The couple were spending their last day together in the South African city of Cape Town before the prince sets off later Wednesday to Botswana as part of their10-day tour of southern Africa, while Meghan will remain with Archie in South Africa.

Meghan held Archie in her arms as she and Harry were greeted by Tutu and his daughter Thandeka.

Tutu and his wife Leah hadcalled the meeting with the Duke and Duchess of Sussexa rare privilege and honour in a statement issued last week by the Desmond andLeah Tutu Legacy Foundation.

The meeting took place at the foundation, which is housed in a historic building in Cape Town built by slaves.

The foundation is the global rallying point for the Archbishops values in respect of people and the earth.

We are enormously grateful to welcome the Duke and Duchess to our magnificent space, said Niclas Kjellstrom-Matseke, its chairman.

On Wednesday afternoon, Meghan will then meet female entrepreneurs and investors working in technology.

In Botswana, Harry will on Thursday plant trees in the Chobe Forest Tree Reserve, visit an HIV projectand dedicate an area of Chobe National Park to the Queens Commonwealth Canopy, anetwork of forest conservation initiatives.

After stops in Angola and Malawi, he will reunite with Meghan on Oct. 1 in the South African city of Johannesburg, where they will wrap up their trip. (dpa/NAN)

Source: NAN

By Ikenna Uwadileke

Dr Akinwumi Adesina, President, African Development Bank (AfDB) has revealed plans to scrap coal power stations across Africa and switch to renewable energy.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the bank, Adesina revealed the plan during climate talks at the sideline of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly.

Addressing a gathering of leaders and officials from 200 countries in New York, Adesina outlined efforts to shutter coal-fired power plants and build the largest solar zone in the world in the arid Sahel belt.

Coal is the past, and renewable energy is the future. For us at the AfDB, were getting out of coal, Adesina said.

He emphasised that the banks 500 million dollars green baseload scheme would be rolled out in 2020.

According to Adesina, the scheme is set to yield five billion dollars of investments that would help African countries transition from coal and fossil fuel to renewable energy.

Adesina also pointed out plans for 20 billion dollars of investments in solar and clean energy that would provide the regions 250 million people with 10,000 MW of electricity.

There is a reason God gave Africa sunlight, said Adesina.

On his part, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, stressed the need to reduce heat-trapping gas emissions and slow the global rise in temperatures.

He said: It is still not too late to keep the global rise in temperatures below the benchmark figure of 1.5 degrees Celsius.

But it will require fundamental transformations in all aspects of society; how we grow food, use land, fuel our transport and power our economies.

We need to link climate change to a new model of development with less suffering, more justice and harmony between people and the planet.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the UN said that mankind must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming to about 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures to stave off the worst-case predictions of scientists. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Lizzy Okoji

The Venezuelan Government has called on World Leaders attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to stop Trumps illegal sanctions of Economic blockade on Venezuela, Cuba and other countries.

Ms Lidice Altuve, Director, Coordination of Culture and Solidarity of the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Ministry made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

She spoke to NAN on the sidelines of the 6th African Continental Conference of Solidarity with Cuba holding in Abuja from Sept. 23 to Sept. 25.

Altuve said that the call from the Venezuelan government to the UN was a bid to protect the sovereignty, democracy, human rights of the people of Venezuela and Cuba.

She said that the delegation from Venezuela to the Conference was to join voices with that of Cuba in a global solidarity to stop the U.S economic blockade imposed on Cuba for over sixty years and recently on Venezuela.

We came in this delegation to participate in this African Continental Conference of Solidarity with Cuba and we are representing our government here.

It is a platform where twenty nine African Countries are working in solidarity with Cuba and one of the expected outcomes of the meeting is specific solidarity with Cuba from Africa.

This meeting is a common struggle against the economic blockade of Cuba, fundamentally in two key points including to denounce criminal blockade against Cuba.

And secondly is the legitimate demand of Cuba territory of Guantanamo illegally occupied by the U.S Military.

Venezuela is joined to this group and talking about this blockade not just on Cuba but to Venezuela which is a violation of the international rule of law and the human rights.

Venezuela and Cuba are under attack, we are a victim of unconventional war against our government, our political system and the UN Assembly will be the place where we defend our sovereignty, our peace, political system.

This economic measures against our countries is above the international rule of law and a violation of our rights.

Nigeria is very powerful in solidarity movement and always on the front line playing a special role in this kind of movement especially from the labour movement, that is why we appreciate Nigerias support.

Altuve said that Venezuela was a peaceful country and can resolve its problems without the intrusion from countries like the U.S, adding that there was already a peaceful resolution with the government and opposition groups.

Also speaking to NAN, Ms Anahi Arizmendi, Director, Bicentenary Front of Women in Venezuela, said that the conference was an important forum for Venezuela to show its support to Cuba because of their historical ties.

Arizmendi said that was important for the United Nations to rule against U.S economic blockade on other countries and to tag it a criminal action against people.

She said explained that if one county is allowed to governise the world with actions like this, it would make the world ungovernable.

For the Venezuelan Woman Movement, this conference is very important because we are very grateful to Cuba, with all the social support that they gave to our revolution.

That is why when there is a solidarity meeting with Cuba, Venezuela will be there because we have a historical relationship.

We have deep relations with all the countries of Africa and because women are constitutors of peace, we build peace, we do not want war in the World.

So when we see aggressive actions of the government of the United States not only to Venezuela but against the world, women are in the front line so we are calling for the respect of the International Law.

What happened now is very dangerous and when you block countries like Venezuela, that is why we also come to this meeting because we are both countries that have been criminal blocked and it has affected our nation.

And affect principally woman because woman is the maker of the family, so now the blockade makes it difficult to get access to food, health and we have to work together and raise our voices to the United Nations.

Blockade is not only violating woman rights but a humanity crime and that is why it is important for the people to know the truth of our nation and in the case of Venezuela, we are a peaceful people.

In his remarks, Mr Jhonny Gutierrez, Coordinator, Pan-African Movement of Venezuela said that the historical relations with Cuba, Venezuela and the African Continent cannot be overemphasized.

Gutierrez explained the relationship as the reason for the solidarity of Africa against the human crimes of the U.S against Cuba and Venezuela which has affected the people and economy of both countries.

He commended Africas support for Venezuela and Cuba at such a trying time adding that the relations between the countries of the Caribbean and the African Continent would continue to wax stronger.

NAN reports that on Oct. 19, 1960, the U.S placed an economic blockade on Cuba and on Aug. 6, President Donald Trump announced the total U.S economic blockade of Venezuela

With the U.S economic blockade, all entities within the United States, whether individual or government are prohibited from engaging in any economic, commercial or financial transaction with Cuba and Venezuela. (NAN)

Source: NAN

By Chinyere Omeire

A 30-year-old lawyer, Bayo Adedokun, on Wednesday appeared in an Igbosere Magistrates Court, Lagos, for allegedly threatening to kill Sen. Buruji Kashamu and Alhaji Muniru Ogunleyetwo over land disagreement.

Adedokun, whose address was not given, is charged with four counts of conspiracy, attempted murder and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.

He, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Prosecution Counsel, Insp. Steven Molo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in August at Ogombo village in Eti-Osa area of Lagos.

Molo alleged that the defendant hired 10 thugs to kill the complainants claiming that a portion of land they were occupying belonged to his family.

He said the defendant conducted himself in a manner likely to cause breach of the peace.

The offence, he said, contravenes the provisions of sections 56(a), 168(d), 230(1) and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Magistrate O.O. Oshin admitted the defendant to bail on self recogintion and ordered him to deposit his certificate of Call to Bar to the court.

Oshin adjourned the case until Nov. 14 for mention. (NAN)

Source: NAN