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Friday, October 22, 2021

October 22, 2021

IPOB: Group insists on fair hearing for Nnamdi Kanu.

 

As the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) resumes on October 21, the Greater Igbo Forum has called for a fair hearing in court.

The group demanded that he be produced in court and be given an opportunity to air his own views as is expected of a democratic setup.

Founder of Greater Igbo Forum, Obinna Chikelu Kingsman, who made the call also charged the government of the day to decisively deal with the raging problems of insecurity and also the economy in the interest of Nigerians.

He said the forum stands for all Nigerians as it is not an ethnic group, but for all Nigerians that have an affiliate with the Igbo race either by the mother, by the father, or by marriage or by adoption.

“Having said that, the pertinent issue concerning the Nigerian nation today is about the Nnamdi Kanu’s detention, I can say the first part of it is the equity and justice he deserves to be given a fair hearing in the competent court. As there’s a program tomorrow there’s no question of bringing him or not, he should be allowed to appear in court and then have the opportunity to air his own view and the state too will air their own view that is the right of every individual that is detained by the state, and that is the beauty of democracy and the Rule of Law.

“So my suggestion is to give Nnamdi Kanu a fair hearing, produce him first of all at the court tomorrow and hear him and at the same time look squarely on the way to go about the insecurity issues which a lot of things have come to play, unemployment is there, hunger is there and at the same time the feeling of not belonging that is beside, the Igbo’s are seeing it now.”

Kingsman also said the distribution of the national leadership structure is supposed to represent the Federal Character System.

This, he said, gives everybody a fair level ground where everybody can showcase their talent and strength. “I mean this is a simple thing that calls for justice and implementation and I know there are competent hands everywhere,” he said.

He said though there are competent people everywhere, the country has remained at a level where a section is neglected in terms of being given the opportunity to lead to avoid friction.

“The factors that divide us must be taken into cognisance when we’re looking for peace, that is in terms of ethnicity and religion, and at the same time the people especially the South Easterners, my brothers I plead to them, let us give peace a chance. You don’t get anything through violence, violence destroys but that is why the Greater Igbo Forum stands for dialogue. I believe when all heads are cool, we sit down together and we talk out issues and nobody will play arrogant when the truth is being said,” he said.

Hon. Levi Ezeorah, National President of Greater Igbo Forum also reechoed the call that Kanu be provided in the court and given a fair hearing, which he said would douse tension.

“No matter how you see him, he has followers, he has sympathizers and the issue is, what is this young man clamouring for? We’ve spoken of marginalization, without marginalization there could have been nothing like his struggle, there are people, no matter how you take it there are people that see him as a freedom fighter. What we need to ask is, is there marginalization? If there is, is there any against the Igbo people? If there is, like my forum believes in dialogue is it not necessary to approach the whole thing with dialogue? What is this young man clamouring for? Bring the stakeholders from that region to discuss that, I think that is what will now bring down the tempo and reduce the crisis.

“The continual detention of Nnamdi Kanu in the cell does not solve any problem, it does not, and the Federal Government will do the people good by providing Nnamdi Kanu in the court. A lot of people are receiving the heat and even the IPOB people have been infiltrated by people who are even using that to create a crisis and the moment Nnamdi Kanu is tried properly I think we will reduce the tension.

On his part, award-winning journalist, Mr Ben Okezie, said as far as Nnamdi Kanu is concerned, the government should embrace transparency in dealing with the IPOB question.

“The government should be open, they shouldn’t in anyway twist the arm of justice against him, they should allow justice to prevail and then, I also believe that the judge that is handling the case will be fair and will not in any way allow any government to dictate what they should do. But every eye is open, the world is watching, he’s a freedom fighter and a freedom fighter should not be subjected to the type of injustice that we’re perceiving that the government is trying to inflict on him.

“But nonetheless, I believe that the Federal Government of Nigeria will be fair in everything they’re doing with Nnamdi Kanu whether they’re going to bring him on that day depends on the information that the security agencies must have gotten, if they find out that the atmosphere or environment will not be very very clear for him, then I think they’ll not produce him. But if they find out that everywhere will be secured then I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t bring him to the court for ruling But this what one expects that they should be fair in everything they’re doing with Nnamdi Kalu, there shouldn’t be like using a sledgehammer to kill an ant,” he said.

October 22, 2021

#EndSARS: Panels’ recommendations should be incorporated into police training – ex-AIG.

 




A retired assistant inspector-general of police, Wilson Inalegwu, says the recommendations of the #EndSARS panels should be incorporated into police training.

Following the nationwide protests for the disbandment of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS), the national executive council (NEC) headed by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo in October 2020 asked states, including the federal capital territory (FCT) to establish judicial panels to investigate cases of police brutality and compensate victims.

Speaking on the conduct of the police at the #EndSARS memorial, Inalegwu said the recommendations of judicial panels should be incorporated into the training scheme of the police so as to give them a sense of direction.

He advised NEC to set up an inter-ministerial committee that will critically implement the recommendations into the training process of the Nigerian Police Force.

“Looking at the EndSARS report, and having the minister of police affairs, the minister of justice, the chairman of police service commission and IGP, critically, they can set up an inter-ministerial committee to look at the report,” he said.

“When you look at those factors, you will incorporate them in the training and you see to the implementation, using the AIGs of the zones.”

Thursday, October 21, 2021

October 21, 2021

TOP THREE PLATFORMS TO TRADE YOUR CRYPTOCURRENCY IN GHANA

   

TOP THREE PLATFORMS TO TRADE YOUR CRYPTOCURRENCY IN GHANA

Local banks in Ghana have several problems like slow operations, lack of security, and small

profits. Ghanaians want to profit even from saving their money, but local banks provide little to

no profits, hence the need for an alternative way of saving and investing. The best alternative, as

we have come to know, is cryptocurrency.

Cryptocurrency, also called "crypto", is an electronic currency that the government of any

country does not control. It is decentralized and doesn't require any intermediaries for its

operations. Cryptocurrency works by using a technology known as blockchain to connect several

computers and people worldwide by managing, regulating, and recording all transactions.

You can use cryptocurrency to buy goods services online and in real life through exchange

platforms on the internet. Owning crypto is like owning virtual cash as you cannot see it, and it

only exists online.


TOP THREE PLATFORMS TO TRADE YOUR CRYPTOCURRENCY IN GHANA


With cryptocurrency, all the barriers associated with physical cash and your local banks are

averted. For example, crypto uses powerful encryption technology to ensure that all transactions

are secured.

There are more than 10,000 different cryptocurrencies globally, with over 1000 being used in

Ghana today. The prices of these cryptocurrency increases and decreases over time due to the

supply of the coin, cost of producing the coin through the mining process, number of competing

cryptocurrencies, and the regulations governing its sales. Even with its unstable value,

cryptocurrency is still the best option for long term investment. For example, let's take bitcoin

and ethereum, which cost a dollar or less when first introduced into the market. Now, bitcoin and

ethereum cost over 50,000USD and 3000USD, respectively, which is over 100% profit.



CLICK HERE TO 

VISIT DART AFRICA AND SELL BITCOIN



If you want to gain from cryptocurrency and gain huge profits, patience is key, and you have to

learn how to trade right. Yes! If you don't trade right, you'll run at a loss. To trade right, you need

an exchange platform that sells cryptocurrency. Although several exchange platforms are

springing up every day in Ghana, not all of them are legit. Hence, it would help if you were

careful of the platform you chose and researched them thoroughly. To help limit your research,

here are three of the best exchange platforms to sell gift cards in Ghana.


Dart Africa

Dart Africa is the best cryptocurrency trading platform in Ghana. It became the best by offering

Ghanaians with high-quality trading experience. Hence, you don't need to bother about getting

scammed when you use the platform. The platform is easy to use and versatile as it allows the

sales of Bitcoin, ethereum, Litecoin, and Dogecoin.

Dart Africa has set itself apart from the other platforms by encompassing all the good features of

a perfect exchange platform. It has recorded over 2000 successful trades since its inception.



CLICK HERE TO 

VISIT DART AFRICA AND SELL BITCOIN



When you sell your cryptocurrencies on Dart Africa, there is no delay in payment. Immediately

your transactions are verified and confirmed; you get paid instantly.

Dart Africa uses world-class security technology on their platform to safeguard all its customers'

financial and personal information. By so doing, hackers cannot easily gain access to your

account. They also have a responsive customer service team that attends to your every need 24/7.

To get started on Dart Africa, all you need is a valid email address and phone number, and you

can easily create an account with the platform.

Another unique feature of Dart Africa is that it allows you to calculate the rate of the coin you

want to sell with its rates calculator. The rate calculator is a feature on the website and is always

updated with the current rates.



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VISIT DART AFRICA AND SELL BITCOIN



Binance

Binance prides itself as the first and most successful exchange platform globally and recently

became available in ghana. Unlike Dart Africa, Binance allows you to use a peer-to+peer system

to trade your cryptocurrency instead of selling it to the site directly. With Binance, you are

allowed to choose from a list of multiple buyers before you can sell your cryptocurrencies.

Binance supports over 166 cryptocurrencies and accepts deposits in several currencies but only

permits few payment options. The platform is secure, and you don't need to bother about getting

scammed. The speed of the transaction depends on whoever you choose to sell to. To get started

on the Binance platform, you need to create an account and complete the level 2 identity

verification.



CLICK HERE TO 

VISIT DART AFRICA AND SELL BITCOIN



Paxful

Paxful is another amazing platform where you can trade your cryptocurrency successfully. It

supports peer-to-peer exchange and supports over 300 payment methods.

The Paxful platform is easy to use and very intuitive. It supports a wide array of cryptocurrencies

and sells at the best rate. With Paxful, your coins and funds are safe because the creators used

top-notch security technology in creating the platform. They also have a responsive customer

service team that attends to your need promptly.

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

October 19, 2021

Tiwa Savage Receives Massive Support From Fans And Celebrities Online

 The latest trend on the Nigerian social media space in the past two days have been the leaked s*x tape of popular songstress Tiwa Savage. However this challenge, a lot of celebrities and fans have made comments and videos to express their support.

While it’s still unknown to the public who leaked the tape in the first place, a lot of people have said it had to be the guy in the video which she refers to as her boyfriend.

People online aren’t buying the story of him uploading the video as a mistake and someone hijacking it before he took it down. However Tiwa stated clearly during her interview with Power 105.1 FM that she’s sure her boyfriend didn’t leak the video.

Celebrities like Nedu the comedian, Harrysong, OAP Moet and former BBNaija stars Tochi and Angel have expressed their support for Tiwa Savage in this difficult time. Many of her fans have also come out to stan their love for her regardless.

October 19, 2021

Tiwa Savage Reacts To Her Trending S£X Tape

 

“I Enjoyed The D*Ck” – Tiwa Savage Reacts To Her Trending S£X Tape (See Video)

Tiwa Savage finally reacts to her alleged s£x tape trending on the net.

The Nigerian singer, Tiwa Savage while performing at the Eko On Show event at the weekend, said she enjoyed the d*ck but said s£xtape will never be seen.

This is coming after she claimed she was being blackmailed over a s£xtape by her ex-lover, adding that she won’t pay the ‘ransom’.

In the event, Tiwa admitted to have enjoyed the d*ck but added that the tape will never leak.

October 19, 2021

Security Update: Over 50 Bandits Neutralized In Birnin Gwari LGA.

 

Security Update: Over 50 Bandits Neutralized In Birnin Gwari LGA.


In an inspiring success for the security forces, over 50 bandits have been neutralized during a combined ground and air assault in the Saulawa-Farin Ruwa axis of Birnin Gwari LGA. 

According to operational feedback to the Kaduna State Government from the Command of the Joint Operations, a Nigerian Air Force helicopter gunship provided close air support to ground troops advancing from the Dogon Dawa-Damari-Saulawa axis. 

Following extensive scans, bandits were spotted on five motorcycles, about 4km east of Saulawa, waiting to ambush the ground forces. They were engaged vigorously by the helicopter gunship, and were wiped out.

After this, armed bandits on about 50 motorcycles were sighted fleeing towards Farin Ruwa, and were struck effectively by the gunship. Fleeing remnants were mopped up by ground forces. 

A second helicopter gunship joined the operations, and many more fleeing bandits were neutralized by precise strikes. Assessment revealed that more than 50 bandits were neutralized during the joint operation. 

Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his satisfaction at the operational feedback, and congratulated the ground troops and gunship crews on the rout. He urged them to sustain the momentum and bring even more bandits to their bitter end.

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

October 06, 2021

Hundreds of Afghans gather outside passport office as Taliban resumes issuing travel documents.

 Hundreds of Afghans gathered outside a passport office in Kabul on Wednesday, a day after Taliban officials said that the country would resume issuing travel documents, ending a months-long suspension that had further diminished the already limited ability of Afghans to leave their war-torn country.

Afghanistan's passport ranks poorly in terms of visa-free access for its holders.© NurPhoto/NurPhoto via Getty Images Afghanistan's passport ranks poorly in terms of visa-free access for its holders.

Alam Gul Haqqani, acting head of the passport office, told reporters Tuesday that up to 6,000 passports would be issued daily. The Taliban government would also release 25,000-plus new passports that had previously been paid for, he said at a news conference.

In Wednesday’s chaotic scenes, Taliban guards beat back people trying to apply for passports in an attempt to maintain order, Reuters reported. The Taliban plans to start issuing passports on Saturday and isn’t yet taking new applications, according to the news agency.

The passports will continue to be issued under the name of the former government, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. No country has officially recognized the Taliban, which has renamed the country an Islamic Emirate, as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.

Afghans gather outside the passport office after Taliban officials announced they will start issuing passports to its citizens again, following months of delays that hampered attempts by those trying to flee the country after the Taliban seized control, in Kabul, Afghanistan October 6, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva© Thomson Reuters Afghans gather outside the passport office after Taliban officials announced they will start issuing passports to its citizens again, following months of delays that hampered attempts by those trying to flee the country after the Taliban seized control, in Kabul, Afghanistan October 6, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

The reopening comes as the Taliban struggles to govern a country that is facing a major brain drain. Many educated Afghans fled following the Taliban takeover of the country in August, fearing that the regime would implement its severe interpretation of Islamic law. While the Islamist militants have pledged to govern more moderately than during their brutal 1996 to 2001 reign, many remain deeply skeptical of such promises.

In the past two months, the passport office received at least 170,000 applications, local media reported.

A Taliban spokesman had previously said educated Afghans should stay because it was “time for people to work for their country,” though the militants have agreed to let citizens with valid visas freely leave, according to Western officials.

There are no restrictions on who can apply for a passport, Interior Ministry spokesman Qari Saeed Khosti said at the news conference. But he urged former government officials and professionals “to come forward as the nation has invested in” them and “to play their part in rebuilding” Afghanistan.

Afghans gather outside the passport office after Taliban officials announced they will start issuing passports to its citizens again, following months of delays that hampered attempts by those trying to flee the country after the Taliban seized control, in Kabul, Afghanistan October 6, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva© Thomson Reuters Afghans gather outside the passport office after Taliban officials announced they will start issuing passports to its citizens again, following months of delays that hampered attempts by those trying to flee the country after the Taliban seized control, in Kabul, Afghanistan October 6, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

Afghans with valid passports still face difficulties leaving the country. Afghanistan sits at the bottom of the 2021 Henley Passport Index, which ranks travel documents based on the number of places holders can visit without having to obtain a visa. Afghanistan has been in last place for most of the past 16 years, and many embassies that issued visas have relocated out of the country since the Taliban seized power.

However, even the prospect of being able to leave Afghanistan has led to some relief. Kabul resident Najia Aman told Reuters that she was “very happy” to hear about the resumption of passport issuance, because it meant a family member could go to Pakistan for medical treatment.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Ahmad Khan said in an interview that his country could only process visas on valid passports and that “passport renewal is an Afghanistan issue.”

A Taliban soldier carrying a weapon speaks to Afghans gathered outside the passport office after Taliban officials announced they will start issuing passports to its citizens again, following months of delays that hampered attempts by those trying to flee the country after the Taliban seized control, in Kabul, Afghanistan October 6, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva© Thomson Reuters A Taliban soldier carrying a weapon speaks to Afghans gathered outside the passport office after Taliban officials announced they will start issuing passports to its citizens again, following months of delays that hampered attempts by those trying to flee the country after the Taliban seized control, in Kabul, Afghanistan October 6, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

But it wasn’t immediately clear if Afghans outside Kabul, the capital, would be able to easily apply for passports. Many regional passport offices were damaged in fighting during the Taliban takeover, according to a resident of Helmand Province, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution.

“Maybe now, it is only in the capital Kabul that people could get their passports,” the person said.

The Taliban is also allowing some female employees at the Interior Ministry to return to work so that they can process paperwork submitted by women applying for a passport, Khosti said. He noted, however, that the female staff “will come to the office through a separate entrance.”

The vast majority of female Afghan government employees have been told to stay home from work, though the Taliban has said such a move would be temporary.

October 06, 2021

Buhari’s promise of teachers’ new retirement age, salaries not with National Assembly – Minister.

 Grace Edema, Deborah Tolu-Kolawole, Solomon Odeniyi, Abiodun Nejo, Olufemi Olaniyi, Daud Olatunji and Gbenga Odogun

Published 6 October 2021

Nigerian teachers on Tuesday joined their counterparts all over the world to commemorate this year’s World Teachers Day just as the Federal Government promises more welfare for teachers.

At a programme organised to commemorate the day in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the harmonised bill for the new retirement age of teachers which was promised by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), last year “has yet to be presented to the National Assembly for approval.”

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari speaks during a visit to the Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri on June 17, 2021.© Photo by Audu Marte / AFP. Photo by AUDU MARTE/AFP via Getty Images. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari speaks during a visit to the Maimalari Barracks in Maiduguri on June 17, 2021.

Recall that the President announced a new salary scale for teachers, as well as increased the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.

But Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, at the Tuesday event said, “The draft bill for harmonised retirement age for teachers/education officers in Nigeria 2020 was presented and approved by the Federal Executive Council on January 20, 2021 and is awaiting presentation to the National Assembly.

“I assure you all that frantic efforts are being made to implement the resolutions to complement the delivery of effective and equitable sound education that will foster development and contribute to the evolution of a strong, democratic, egalitarian, prosperous, indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation.”

On new promises, Echono said the President had rolled out plans to increase teachers’ quality through payment of stipends and offering automatic employment after graduation for graduates of education courses.

He said “The ministry will collaborate with the state governments to ensure automatic employment, undergraduates of B.Ed/B.A.Ed/ BSC.Ed in public institutions are to receive stipends of N75,000 only per semester, while NCE students will receive N50,000 as stipends per semester.”

Echono added that the government, through partnership, would build low-cost houses for teachers in rural areas, engage teachers in trainings and also reintroduce bursary award for NCE students.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.), has assured teachers and students that the federal and state governments are working to ensure they are protected.

The minister spoke at the ministry’s Teachers Day celebration and award presentation to teachers in Armed Forces Schools.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Istifanus Musa, the minister said, “Nigeria have keyed into the safe school programme.

“That means we are taking the necessary steps to make sure every student is protected. As parents and teachers we may have certain feelings but many state governments are already keying into the programme and taking steps by moving students from unsafe areas to safe ones.”

Fayemi restates commitment to teachers’ welfare

Also in Ekiti, Governor Kayode Fayemi reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of teachers.

Fayemi said, “As a responsible government, we shall continue to improve teachers’ welfare and ensure improved conditions of service. We are committed to fulfilling our pledge of clearing outstanding arrears of salaries from the last administration”.

The governor, who spoke during the celebration of World Teachers Day, presented a car to Mr Olasoji Bamidele of Isan Secondary School, Isan Ekiti, who emerged the best teacher in the public secondary schools and Mr Jimoh Akanbi of AUD Nursery and Primary School, Otun Ekiti, who emerged the best teacher in public primary schools category.

Cash prizes were also given to first and second runners up in both categories as well as other categories in the technical education and private schools.

Oyo lauds teachers

The Oyo State Government has applauded the steadfastness and dedication of teachers in the state.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Adeniran, who said this in a statement on Tuesday to celebrate the World Teachers Day, also asked the teachers to show more commitment to their job.

He reiterated the commitment of the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration to the welfare of teachers, especially in the areas of training and re-training, prompt payment of salaries and conducive environment for teaching and learning in public schools.

Kogi ASUSS decry teachers’ shortage

The academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS has expressed serious concern over shortages of teachers in Kogi Stateschools.

The Chairman of the union, Ojo Ranti in a speech said it “is painful that the issue of teachers’ recruitment has remained outstanding for many years despite year-in-year-out calls.

“Distinguished guests and respected colleagues, we will be failing ourselves as a union, failing beloved students in particular and the society in general, if we shy away from presenting the challenge of abysmal shortage of teachers in our schools as it is.”

Abiodun gift Ogun best teachers cash, houses

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has fulfilled house and cash donations to the best teachers in the state.

Abiodun fulfil the promise promise he made during the 2020 World Teachers Day, the governor on Tuesday , exactly one year after.

The governor gave a semi-detached bungalow to the best overall teacher for year 2020 in the state.

He also rewarded this year best teachers in the state with cash prizes ranging from N1m to N2m .

He also gave a two-bedroom detached bungalow to Mr Kehinde Oladapo , a teacher in Sapara Junior Secondary School, Ijebu Igbo.

Oladapo also received a donation of N2.5m for being the overall best teacher in the state.

Abiodun announced this while addressing members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers and the Academic Staff Union Secondary Schools in Abeokuta.

He noted that since assumption of office, the government had ordered the release of promotion letters to deserving primary and secondary school teachers due for promotion.

Lagos hails teachers

Also in Lagos, the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo at the 2021 World Teachers Day Celebration in Ikeja, said, “We are indeed proud of you in Lagos State, and we will continue to hold you in high esteem because we have seen your impacts on the quality of teaching as reflected in the performances of our students across the state.

“Our administration shall continue to reward excellence and productivity of exceptional teachers with cars and other prizes and we will continue to provide better working environment.”

October 06, 2021

Maryam files plea in IHC for annulment of Avenfield verdict

 PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court, seeking the annulment of the verdict related to the Avenfield Apartments reference, a private TV channel reported on Tuesday.

In her petition filed through Advocate Irfan Qadir, Maryam maintained that the verdict was a ‘classic example of outright violations of law and political engineering hitherto unheard of in the history of Pakistan’. “Supreme Court supervised the entire process of the investigation of the case and monitored the prosecution,” she maintained. “Filing three separate references in the case of assets is also a violation of the law,” she said, adding that the accountability court judge would know why he didn’t notice these facts.

Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and leader of an opposition party, addresses supporters while leaving her home to attend a rally in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. Pakistani opposition parties are staging a rally in the eastern city of Gujranwala to kick off their campaign against Prime Minister Imran Khan to force him step down over what they say is his failure in handling the nation's ailing economy. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)© ASSOCIATED PRESS Maryam Nawaz, daughter of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and leader of an opposition party, addresses supporters while leaving her home to attend a rally in Lahore, Pakistan, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. Pakistani opposition parties are staging a rally in the eastern city of Gujranwala to kick off their campaign against Prime Minister Imran Khan to force him step down over what they say is his failure in handling the nation's ailing economy. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Maryam contended that the apex court’s “role in the constitution is neither that of the investigator nor that of the prosecutor”. “NAB is bound to conduct the investigations with transparency,” she maintained.

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The plea also referred to former IHC judge Shokat Aziz Siddiqi’s address to the bar. “The judge remarked that the chief justice of Pakistan had been approached: we won’t let Nawaz Sharif and his daughter get released till the elections,” the petition quoted judge Siddiqi as saying in the address. According to the plea, Siddiqi’s remarks created doubts that the verdict of the case was biased.

Maryam’s petition stated that former accountability judge Arshad Malik’s video was also a proof that the cases against Sharif family were ‘influenced’.

The petition urged the IHC to take notice of the ‘serious violations’ and nullify the Avenfield Reference verdict while acquitting all the convicts.

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Meanwhile, the IHC registrar imposed two objections on Maryam’s petition. The registrar office maintained that Maryam made the same appeal as to that in the main petition challenging the Avenfield reference verdict. Secondly, the petitioner can acquire fresh grounds only with the court’s permission.

The lawyers representing Maryam have been informed about the objections, and a special bench – comprising Justice Amir Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani – will conduct a hearing on the petition today.

October 06, 2021

Deuba still struggles to appoint ministers

 Kathmandu, Oct. 6 -- It's been almost three months since Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba was elevated to the country's top executive position but he is still struggling to appoint all ministers.

During Tuesday's meeting of the four top leaders of the ruling coalition, Nepali Congress leaders claimed that a tentative agreement was made on the allocation of ministries but the leaders of the coalition partners have not yet agreed on them.

Nepal's newly appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addresses the parliament asking for a vote of confidence in Kathmandu on July 18, 2021. (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP) (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP via Getty Images)Nepal's newly appointed Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba addresses the parliament asking for a vote of confidence in Kathmandu on July 18, 2021. (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA / AFP) (Photo by PRAKASH MATHEMA/AFP via Getty Images)

"Actually there was no agreement today," said a leader close to Madhav Nepal, chairman of the CPN (Unified Socialist). "Though Nepali Congress leaders have said an agreement has been reached, we have not agreed on the allocations yet."

Janata Samajbadi Party Chairman Upendra Yadav said they reached a tentative agreement on the allocation of ministries and it would be finalised by Wednesday evening so that the ministers could be appointed on Thursday. He said the number of ministries for his party would also be finalised on Wednesday.

Yadav had briefed the meeting of his Parliamentary Party at Singha Durbar that his party will get four to five ministries.

One of the members in the five-party alliance of the coalition partners-Rastriya Janamorcha having only one member in the House of Representatives-has announced its plan not to join the government.

According to leaders, the meeting of the coalition partners decided to allot at least four ministries to Janata Samajbadi Party and CPN (Unified Socialist) each and five ministries to the CPN (Maoist Centre) and six to the Nepali Congress.

Currently, the Deuba government has five ministers-three from Nepali Congress-Balkrishna Khand (Home), Gyanendra Bahadur Karki (Law) and Narayan Khadka (Foreign)-and Maoist Centre has two ministers-Janardan Sharma (Finance) and Pampha Bhusal (Energy)-and the state minister for Health Umesh Shrestha from the Congress.

Prime Minister Deuba has been leading 16 ministries.

The Nepali Congress has claimed eight ministries including the prime minister. Congress is laying claim to ministries such as defence; communications and information technology; women, children and senior citizens; health and population; and youth and sports. The party already controls home, foreign and law ministries. However, the Law Ministry will go to the CPN (Unified Socialist).

The CPN (Maoist Centre) will get water supply; land management, cooperatives and poverty alleviation; and education, science and technology ministries. The party already has finance and energy ministers.

However, some ministries including education are also claimed by the Janata Samajbadi and the CPN (Unified Socialist).

The Janata Samajbadi Party has laid claim to physical infrastructure and transport portfolio besides agriculture and livestock development; forests and environment; and federal affairs and general administration. Party leaders are also claiming the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies.

But the prime minister wished to allocate four ministries each to the CPN (Unified Socialist) and Janata Samajbadi Party besides one each state minister to them and six ministries to the CPN (Maoist Centre).

As per a tentative agreement, the CPN (Unified Socialist) will get culture, tourism and civil aviation; urban development; labour, employment and social security; and law, justice and parliamentary affairs portfolios.

Prime Minister Deuba and Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal are reportedly pressing Madhav Nepal to have a lawyer-probably Govinda Bandi-as the law minister on his party's quota. Currently Congress leader Gyanendra Bahadur Karki is leading the law ministry.

CPN (Unified Socialist) leaders have not yet agreed and have claimed that they would rather remain outside the government if they were not given at least four ministries excluding the law. If the parties could forge an agreement, Law Minister and government spokesperson Gyanendra Bahadur Karki will become the defence minister. But CPN (Unified Socialist) is not happy with the ministries allocated to the party.

"Our chairman [Nepal] will meet Prime Minister Deuba and Maoist Centre chair Dahal to lodge the party's discontent," said a leader close to Nepal asking not to be named.

Lawmaker Metmani Chaudhary of CPN (Unified Socialist) said his party would get five ministries-defence, urban development, youths and sports, culture, tourism and civil Aviation, and industry and commerce.

According to leaders close to the prime minister, the government is preparing to end the ongoing ninth session of the House of Representatives and the tenth session of the National Assembly within a day or two and come up with an ordinance related to the administration of oath to ministers.


October 06, 2021

Kristen Stewart calls Princess Diana 'one of the most unknowable people'

 Kristen Stewart has described Princess Diana as "one of the most unknowable people in history".

The 31-year-old actress with portray the late Princess of Wales in upcoming drama 'Spencer' and she has opened up on the amount of research she did to get an understanding of her role.

She told Entertainment Weekly: "There are contradictory materials from the horse's mouth.

a girl standing in front of it: Kristen Stewart© Bang Showbiz Kristen Stewart"She doesn't always say the same thing in every interview, you know? There was a fickle nature, obviously, to a lot of the facts.

"She is, very sadly and very ironically, one of the most unknowable people in history, when all she wanted was to just be closer to people and bare herself."

Kristen acknowledged not everyone will think she's perfected her performance, but she's confident she's tackled the role in the right way.

She added: "There was something just in absorbing her completely over the last six months leading up to this.

"I knew that I had hit some kind of elemental energy. If people have a lot to say about it not being a perfect impression, that's so okay with me."

While the 'Twilight' star was just seven years old with Diana died in a car accident in 1997, she had no doubts about accepting the part.

She explained: "I knew even before I read the script. I was like, 'You're not going to say no to this, because who would you be in that case?'

"I absolutely would have felt like such a coward. Especially given that I'm such an outsider. I'm not from the UK, I don't have any particular investment in the royal family.

"So I was kind of this really clean slate, and then could absorb her in a way that actually felt very instinctive, you know?"

Meanwhile, Kristen recently suggested the spirit of Diana gave her a "sign-off" for her performance.

Asked whether she had ever had a paranormal encounter, she said: “No. But I felt some spooky, spiritual feelings making this movie.

"Even if I was just fantasising. I felt like there were moments where I kind of got the sign-off.”