The Israeli PM declares, "We will enter Rafah."

Clara James |1st May, 2024.

The aftermath of Israeli airstrike attack in Gaza on Monday.Photo Credit: AP/Mohammad Jahjouh

Despite calls for restraint, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to start an offensive in Rafah, in southern Gaza, after reports surfaced that airstrikes overnight killed Palestinians in their homes.

He declared that "with or without a deal," which is presently being debated in Cairo, Israel will eliminate Hamas' battalions there.

A cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas aims to release hostages and provide some respite to the besieged Palestinian enclave.

It is implausible that we will end the war before it accomplishes all of its objectives. Netanyahu stated, "With a deal or without a deal, we will enter Rafah and we will eliminate Hamas’ battalions there to achieve the total victory." The meeting was with the families of captives held by militants in Gaza.

Prior to this, the US increased its pressure on Hamas to reach a truce in Gaza in the face of further Israeli airstrikes and proposals.

Ahead of his trip to Israel this week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed Hamas to accept the most recent approach, describing it as "extraordinarily generous" on Israel's behalf.

The conditions remained undisclosed. However, Israel has reportedly changed its stance, reducing the number of captives it wants Hamas release during the first six weeks of the ceasefire in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians being released from Israeli prisons, according to an Egyptian official and Israeli media.

Whether that will be sufficient to allay Hamas's worries about the second phase of the truce is one question.

Hamas has requested guarantees that Israel's nearly seven-month-long assault on Gaza will end completely and that its troops will evacuate from the severely damaged region upon the ultimate release of all detainees.

Israel has only proposed a protracted stop, promising to restart its offensive after it is over. Throughout months of negotiations, the matter has continually impeded efforts by US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators.

Strikes on Monday morning and throughout the night levelled at least three Palestinian extended families' homes.

According to hospital records and an Associated Press reporter, among the deceased were nine women and six children, one of whom was just five days old.

Mahmoud Abu Taha, whose cousin was slain together with his wife and their year-old child in a residence where at least ten people perished, claimed that "everyone was sleeping in their beds." "They are unrelated to anything at all."

Egypt has increased its efforts to mediate a truce in the hopes of preventing an attack on Rafah, which is located on Gaza's border with Egypt.

According to an Egyptian official, Israel has reduced the number of hostages it wants released in the first phase from its previous demands of forty. The new number was not specified by him.

According to Israeli media, in exchange for the release of 900 Palestinian detainees, it now wants the freedom of 33 hostages. It's estimated that Hamas is housing about 100 Israelis in Gaza.

Mahmoud Abu Taha, whose cousin was slain together with his wife and their year-old child in a residence where at least ten people perished, claimed, "Everyone was sleeping in their beds." "They are unrelated to anything at all."

Egypt has increased its efforts to mediate a truce in the hopes of preventing an attack on Rafah, which is located on Gaza's border with Egypt.

According to an Egyptian official, Israel has reduced the number of hostages it wants released in the first phase from its previous demands of forty. The new number was not specified by him.

Neither Israeli officials nor Hamas responded right away.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials seemed more and more worried that the country's leaders would get arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court.

What initially raised the suspicions was unclear. The International Criminal Court began an investigation three years ago into potential war crimes by Israel and Palestinian terrorists during the 2014 Israel-Hamas conflict.

The investigation also looks into Israel's establishment of settlements in occupied area that the Palestinians desire to become their future state.

The court remained silent on Monday and has not indicated that warrants are likely to be issued in this instance.

However, Israel's Foreign Ministry announced late on Sunday that it had notified Israeli diplomats of "rumours" indicating that key military and political figures could be the subject of warrants.

Although neither the US nor Israel recognise the ICC's jurisdiction, any warrants might increase the possibility that Israeli officials would be detained abroad.

Additionally, they would be a significant criticism of Israel's conduct at a time when pro-Palestinian demonstrations are becoming more widespread on US college campuses.

The current conflict in Gaza is being investigated by the International Court of Justice, a distinct organisation. A decision is anticipated in the coming years. The investigation concerns whether Israel has committed acts of genocide. In addition to accusing both international tribunals of bias, Israel has denied any wrongdoing.

The attack, spearheaded by Hamas, occurred on October 7, when militants broke into southern Israel's army outposts and farmland towns, murdering over 1200 people—mostly civilians—and kidnapping nearly 250 more.

As per the Health Ministry of Gaza, who does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in their count, Israel's air, sea, and land offensive in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 34,488 Palestinians, primarily women and children.

US House Democrats vow not to back any move to remove the Speaker Mike Johnson if put to a vote.

Jossy Jacob | 30th April, 2024.

If a resolution to remove Republican Speaker Mike Johnson is put to a vote, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of the U.S. House Democrats would not back it, he stated in a statement on Tuesday.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right Republican who is upset that Congress authorised aid to Ukraine, is threatening to move to remove Johnson from the speaker's chair. This is the same legislative manoeuvre that resulted in Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy being removed from office for the first time in American history last year.

Greene's action, nonetheless, has not garnered the same amount of support as the motion against McCarthy. In the run-up to the U.S. general election on November 5, the House Freedom Caucus, a group of far-right Republicans that spearheaded the effort to remove McCarthy, has stated that they do not believe House Republicans would benefit from such a move.

Following Tuesday morning's normal caucus meeting of House Democrats, Jeffries made a statement indicating that, in the unlikely event that a resolution to remove Johnson is ever taken to a vote, it will be shelved.

Citing the recent $95 billion international aid package passed on April 23, Jeffries remarked, "House Democrats have put people over politics and found bipartisan common ground with traditional Republicans in order to deliver real results." Meanwhile, House Democrats have responded to MAGA fanaticism with great force. We'll keep doing exactly that.

Johnson responded that he had not seen Jeffries' statement during a weekly press conference, but he did point out that the last time there was a motion to vacate, the House was closed for three weeks—an event that the nation cannot afford to repeat.

"A functioning Congress is what the nation needs right now," he declared. "They require a Congress that functions effectively, collaborates with others, and doesn't impede its own capacity to address these issues.”

An ex-CBN employee tells the court in a novel twist, "How I Collected N826m Bribe for Emefiele".

Timmy Mabs | 30th April, 2024.

A new development in the ongoing legal struggle concerning the prosecution of former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele has been brought about by a former employee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 

After eight years of employment at the bank, the employee testified in court regarding how he helped Emefiele obtain a $600,000 bribe. 

In order to determine if the new witness was participating in the plot or under pressure, the court postponed the case until a later date.

In the case against Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, a new witness has surfaced, offering the court additional information. 

On Monday, April 29, Mr. John Ayoh, the former Director of Information Technology at the apex bank, gave a testimony before the Ikeja Special Offences Court. 

Ayoh revealed that he worked at the national supreme financial institution for eight years. 

When Ayoh was brought before the court by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the prosecutor for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, he disclosed that the anti-graft agency had contacted him about two business transactions that he had helped to arrange through Emefiele, according to the Daily Trust. 

He told how the first money, $400,000 in all, arrived at his Lekki Phase One home in an envelope. Ayoh went on to say that he acquired the second sum at the CBN's Tinubu Head Office. 

Ayoh told the court that: "The man to deliver the second transaction came to our office in Lagos and I informed the governor but he said he did not want to see a third party that I should bring the envelope myself." He said that he delivered the money by himself, following the Emefiele's instructions. 

The witness reported to the court that the payment was made by the vendor in charge of the architectural and infrastructure services for Netapp Storage.

Bribe collection under duress,

The witness gave the presiding court, Justice Rahman Oshodi, proof of his statement and claimed that he operated under duress during the transactions. 

Ayoh clarified that he was released on administrative bail when he said that the EFCC had invited him on February 17 but that he had not been detained. 

The judge postponed the case until May 3 in order to continue the cross-examination after this testimony. 

According to a government investigation, nearly half of the asylum seekers who were supposed to be sent to Rwanda are nowhere to be found.

Timmy Mabs | 30th April, 2024.

According to a government investigation, nearly half of the asylum seekers who were supposed to be sent to Rwanda are nowhere to be found.

The government's own impact assessment states that the Home Office is unable to trace more than half of the asylum applicants assigned for removal to Rwanda.

Just over 2,000 of the almost 6,000 applicants who were supposed to receive a "Notice of Intent" stating that their asylum claim was rejected can still be located.

Only 2,143 of the 5,700 asylum seekers from the UK who are admitted by the Home Office in a new document "can be located for detention," despite the country's government having "in principle" consented to receive them.

The 3,557 asylum seekers who have vanished are either victims of administrative mistakes brought on by switching between taxpayer-funded accommodations or have fled into hiding to avoid deportation.

In this group are only asylum seekers who came between July 1, 2022, and June 29, 2023, and who have already received a letter informing them of the Rwanda plan.

Since July of this year is when the first flights are scheduled to take place, that means that those who arrived in Britain on a tiny boat the previous year will not be travelling.

Home Office workers "may be overwhelmed" and there will probably be "significant attention from MPs" to specific cases, according to the policy document.

It states that "delay or removal to be cancelled pending a response" could happen as a result of this.

Deportations are typically halted until members of Parliament obtain a response to their inquiries on a case.

The procedure for hearing asylum seekers' claims is also outlined in the recently released departmental guidelines.

Those who are granted asylum in Rwanda will remain there and cannot return to the United Kingdom; however, the document also states that "no individual...will be removed from Rwanda."

This implies that those whose claims were denied would still be living in the African nation.

Nevertheless, it won't be automatic for the new powers to disregard temporary injunctions issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) to stop flights from taking off.

Rather, the Home Secretary will have the authority to "evaluate, on a case-by-case basis."

Breaking: Public Funds Stolen During Abacha Regime, U.S., and Atiku Bagudu's Family Request Extension From Court to Reach Settlement On Tinubu Minister's Money Laundering Case.

The United States (the plaintiff) and Ibrahim Bagudu (the claimant) asked for more time in the joint status report that was submitted by and via their respective attorneys to finish their settlement or to conclude that there is no chance of a settlement.

In a joint status report, the US government and Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the brother of Nigeria's Minister of Budget and Economic Planning of the Federation, advised the US District Court for the District of Columbia on the progress of their negotiations.

The United States (the plaintiff) and Ibrahim Bagudu (the claimant) asked for more time in the joint status report that was submitted by and via their respective attorneys to finish their settlement or to conclude that there is no chance of a settlement.

Thus, in order to "extend the stay to July 5, 2024," the parties asked.

They requested that the stay in place for this litigation be extended by the court until July 5, 2024.

The United States and Ibrahim Bagudu had taken legal action to settle a lawsuit over more than $140 million purportedly pilfered from the Nigerian government.

Since 2013, the U.S. Justice Department has attempted to take control of four investment portfolios that were held in trust for the former Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Bagudu, and his family. Despite the accusations of money laundering against him, President Bola Tinubu named Bagudu as a minister in August 2023.

The minister is accused by the United States of being a member of a network run by the late military dictator Sani Abacha that embezzled billions of dollars from the government in the 1990s and sent the money abroad through a web of offshore corporations.

Similar to what Bloomberg had reported, on August 3, 2022, the United States and Ibrahim filed a joint motion to halt the ongoing case in a federal court in Washington, DC. They stated that they had "agreed upon the principal terms of a settlement" on July 19 and that they "believe a brief stay will allow the parties to reach a final agreement resolving the litigation." After granting the request, the judge gave the parties until November 2 to submit a status report on their talks. The move, however, omitted any information regarding the specifics of the proposed settlement.

The United States of America signalled in January 2024 that it was prepared to settle the litigation brought against the return of Abacha wealth, implying that Tinubu's controversial minister might receive an additional $30 million.

According to documents obtained by the Peoples Gazette, on January 5, 2024, Atiku Bagudu, through his attorney Ibrahim Bagudu, and American authorities stipulated in a joint status report to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Washington, D.C., that the parties had come to an agreement regarding money that was stuck in a bank account associated with the Bagudus.

It has been determined that the assets of Doraville Properties, which the Bagudus owned and operated on the British island of Jersey under Deutsche Bank's jurisdiction, were taken from the Nigerian government during the military coup of the 1990s.

This concerned any assets held in the Doraville Properties Corporation account (number 80020796) at Deutsche Bank International Limited in Jersey, Channel Islands, as well as any interest or assets that might be traced back to the account, among other things.

According to "Sahara Reporter" a new court filing, dated April 26, 2024, was, nevertheless, provided by S. Chartey Quarcoo, Joshua L. Sohn, and Alison A. Yewdell of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the plaintiff (the United States). This document was obtained by SaharaReporters.

It was completed on Ibrahim Bagudu's behalf by Baker & Hostetler LLP attorneys Jonathan R. Barr, Jonathan B. New, and Patrick T. Campbel.

A new court filing, dated April 26, 2024, was, nevertheless, provided by S. Chartey Quarcoo, Joshua L. Sohn, and Alison A. Yewdell of the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the plaintiff (the United States).

It was completed on Ibrahim Bagudu's behalf by Baker & Hostetler LLP attorneys Jonathan R. Barr, Jonathan B. New, and Patrick T. Campbel.

The text says, "Pursuant to the Court's March 4, 2024, minute order, Plaintiff, the United States of America, and Claimant, Ibrahim Bagudu, respectfully file the joint status report below, informing the Court of the parties' settlement negotiations, through their respective attorneys.

"The parties further seek that the Court extend the stay now in effect in this process to July 5, 2024, to provide the parties the extra time they need to finalise their settlement or decide that no settlement is possible.

"In this case, fact discovery is finished. On July 19, 2022, the parties settled the dispute by agreeing on the main conditions during expert depositions.

After coming to this understanding, the parties decided to postpone the last few expert depositions and requested a stay of the proceedings until November 9, 2022 on August 3, 2022.

"The purpose of the delay requested by the parties was to give them a chance to finish their settlement without having to invest a lot of time and money in expert discovery and summary judgement petitions.

"The Court granted the parties' request for a stay on August 3, 2022, postponing the proceedings until November 9, and mandating that the parties submit a joint status report on the negotiations for a resolution by November 2.

Since then, it has approved eight more stays extensions. The stay in place will end on May 3, 2024. As previously, the joint status report, which is due today, needs to state whether the situation justifies a second extension.

As of the most recent progress report, the parties had received proposed settlement documents from the plaintiff, which they had then reviewed and revised together. The parties have met and further advanced papers relevant to the U.S. case throughout the last two months.

The resolution of two related proceedings in the United Kingdom (UK) would also be part of the "proposed settlement, as detailed in prior filings," it stated.

"More time is needed for the parties to finalise and obtain authority to execute all of the settlement documents, as well as for them to receive and review documents specific to the UK proceedings from their foreign counterparts, given the multifaceted nature of the resolution," the statement stated.

After considering the aforementioned, the parties concluded that, at this point, it would be more beneficial to work towards a final settlement agreement or come to the conclusion that settlement is not feasible, rather than devoting a substantial amount of time and resources to finishing expert discovery and filing motions for summary judgement.

"A proposed schedule for the remaining proceedings in this case would also be included in the joint status report if the parties decide that they are unable to finalise the settlement and the litigation should resume," they continued.

In accordance with the agreement, the parties must submit a joint status report to the court by June 28, 2024, with the purpose of providing guidance on two options: (i) extending the requested stay beyond July 5, 2024, given the significant progress made towards finalising the settlement; or (ii) requesting that the requested stay expire on July 5, 2024, and resuming litigation if the parties are unable to reach a settlement.

le government if new agreement on Gaza ceasefire is approve

Prince Harry to celebrate Invictus Games anniversary in London.

Timmy Mabs | 28th April, 2024

 

Prince Harry will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of his Invictus Games at a service in St Paul’s Cathedral in London on May 8, making a rare visit back to Britain for the international sporting event he founded.

Harry, who lives in the United States with his wife Meghan and two children, launched the Games in 2017, a multisport event for military personnel wounded in action.

Harry, the youngest son of King Charles, served as a military helicopter pilot in Afghanistan.

The service will celebrate the event and include readings by Harry and the British actor Damian Lewis. Wounded veterans and members of the Invictus community will also attend.

It will mark “a decade of changing lives and saving lives through sport,” organizers said.

Harry has only returned to Britain on a few occasions since he quit working as a member of the royal family in 2020, arriving for major events such as the 2022 funeral of Queen Elizabeth and his father’s coronation in May 2023.

He was last seen in Britain in February this year for a brief meeting with his father after the monarch announced that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

American International School: "We Have Returned Ex-Gov Yahaya Bello's Children's Advance Fees To EFCC."

Timmy Mabs | 27th April, 2024.

As part of its respect for the national institutions in the nation, the school said it had nothing to hide and has been working with the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to resolve the issue.

The American International School in Abuja, which has faced criticism for supporting corruption, has responded to the outcry over the purported advance payment of $760,000 for school fees made by Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, for his children enrolled in the institution.

New Cuban Ambassador to the Commonwealth of Dominica presented his credentials to the President, Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton.

Tommy George|27th April, 2024.

April 26, 2024, Roseau. Ambassador Miguel Manuel Fraga Gonzalez presented the Letters of Credence designating him as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to the Commonwealth of Dominica to H.E. Mrs. Sylvanie Burton today in a solemn ceremony held at the Presidential Palace of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The government and people of Dominica, often known as the "island of nature," were greeted by the Cuban diplomat who started the speech exchange during the ceremony. Fraga emphasised that both countries have strong connections that are built on a long history of cooperation and solidarity. He also conveyed his appreciation for Dominica's government's unwavering stance against the financial, commercial, and economic embargo that the US administration had placed on the people of Cuba. The President of Dominica, for her part, also mentioned the advancements in the two countries' relations and conveyed her appreciation for Cuba's collaboration, particularly in areas like health and education. In international forums, she reaffirmed that Dominica will stand behind Cuba and urge an end to the blockade.

Following a cordial conversation between the President and the new Ambassador, the meeting came to an end.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit extended an official greeting to the Cuban ambassador during a later cordial encounter. Aspects of mutual interest were explored during the fraternal exchange.

On May 18, 1996, the Commonwealth of Dominica and the Republic of Cuba established diplomatic ties. Bilateral ties are now being expanded in a number of areas, most notably cooperation. Miguel Fraga is the sixth Cuban diplomat to serve as ambassador to Dominica since that date.

    

Yahaya Bello: New Development as the EFCC Chairman is summoned by the Kogi Court.

Timmy Mabs  | 26th April, 2024.

• Ola Olukoyede, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has been called by a Kogi State High Court.
• On Monday, May 13, 2024, the EFCC chairman is scheduled to appear in court regarding an alleged contempt charge.
• Olukoyede is being called for allegedly violating an injunction issued by the court on Friday, February 9, 2024.

On May 13, 2024, Ola Olukoyede, the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), is scheduled to appear before the Kogi State High Court on charges of contempt. 

Olukoyede is being charged with contempt for having followed through on orders from the court prohibiting its agents from making an attempt to apprehend Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi.

Why court summoned EFCC chairman

The EFCC operatives laid siege on the Bello's residence to arrest him, despite a court order restraining them from taking such action, Channels Television reports.

The former governor, via his attorney, M.S. Yusuf, submitted a motion ex parte, upon which Justice I. A. Jamil based his decision. TheCable stated that Bello's attorney requested an order from the court directing the issuance of a Form 49 Notice to the Respondent, the EFCC Chairman, asking him to explain why he did not want an order of committal placed on Olukoyede.

Yahaya Bello reacts to EFCC’s allegations

As previously reported, Bello refuted allegations that, shortly before leaving office, he took money out of the state government account to cover his kids' tuition at the American International School in Abuja.

Bello claimed that the EFCC's claim regarding the payment of his children's tuition was false. He said that his kids had attended the school long before he was elected governor and had always paid their tuition.

Global: FIFA sponsorship deal with Saudi Aramco covering World Cups raises human rights concerns.

Following FIFA's announcement of a four-year worldwide agreement with Saudi Aramco, which will see the state-owned fossil fuel firm sponsor both the women's World Cup in 2027 and the men's World Cup in 2026, Amnesty International's Head of Economic and Social Justice, Steve Cockburn, noted:

Salma al-Shehab and Manahel al-Otaibi are two examples of women who peacefully advocated for gender equality and are still imprisoned in Saudi Arabia. It is a sad irony that a state-owned firm in Saudi Arabia could be deemed suitable to sponsor the Women's World Cup.

“Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s biggest fossil fuel producers, last year posted the largest annual profit ever made by a company of more than US$161 billion. Amnesty International has urged that income from Aramco should not be deployed to finance human rights abuses, cover them up, or try and gloss over them through sports washing.” 

"It is past time that Saudi Arabia acted in the best interests of humanity, backed the fossil fuel industry's phase-out, and contributed to financing a human rights-based transition to renewable energy, which is crucial for averting additional climate damage.”  

Background

Saudi Arabia has invested billions of dollars in racing, martial arts, football, golf, and other sports across the globe. More than 98% of Saudi Aramco is owned by the Saudi Arabian government and the Public Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund. As a result, the business plays a significant role in generating income, wealth, and influence for the Kingdom through taxes and dividends. The United States, Canada, and Mexico will host the men's World Cup in 2026. The 2027 women's tournament's venue is still up in the air.

Probe: Kaduna Assembly requests that the Ministry provide El-Rufai's financial records.

Timmy Mabs|April 24th, 2024.

The state's Ministry of Finance has received a letter from the Kaduna State House of Assembly requesting information on financial transactions that took place between 2015 and 2023 while former governor Nasir El-Rufai's administration was in office.

This was related to the state assembly's investigation into all financial matters, loans, and contracts awarded during the El-Rufai administration.

The state Assembly's investigation was launched several weeks after Uba Sani, the current governor of Kaduna State, expressed regret over El-Rufai's massive debt load.

Speaking at a town hall gathering in Kaduna, Sani said he could not pay employee salaries because he inherited a little treasury.

Sani declared: "We are determined to lead Kaduna State towards growth and sustainable development, even with the enormous debt load of N587 million, N85 billion, and N115 billion contractual responsibilities that were regrettably carried over from the previous administration.
Subsequently, the Kaduna State House of Assembly agreed to probe El-Rufai’s administration, leading to an inauguration of a fact-finding committee.

Sakinatu Idris, Clerk of the Assembly, wrote to the Finance Commissioner to demand memorandum and documents related to financial transactions between May 2015 and May 2023.

In the letter, the House directed the ministry to forward all the transaction details to the fact-finding committee set to probe all finances, loans and contract projects awarded under El-Rufai’s administration.

It read, “I am directed to request that you forward to the Ad-Hoc Committee Memorandum the under-listed documents and all other documents you consider relevant to the assignment of the Committee:

“Total Loans from May 2015 to May 2023 with the approvals of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, the Accounts into which the loans were lodged and drawn as recorded by Project Finance Management Unit (PFMU) & Debt Management Office (DMO).

“Relevant State Executive Council Minutes of meetings, Council’s Extracts and Resolutions with regards to the LOANS. (c) Payments and Outstanding Liabilities to Contractors from May, 2015-May, 2023.

“Reports of Salaries paid to Staff from 2016-2022. (e) Dloyd Reports on KADRIS from 2015 to 2023. (ii) Terms, Purpose and Conditions on those LOANS. (iii) Appropriation items related to the LOANS. (iv) All Records of payments made to all Contractors engaged by the State Government and relevant documents from May 2015 to May 2023 including Bank Statements.

“(v)Modalities for payments of contracts. (vi) Documents of all payments made to the contractors. (vii) Sales of Government Houses/Properties and Accounts the proceeds were lodged and how the money was expended.

“Thirty(30)copies of the Memo/documents should reach the office of the Clerk to the Legislature on or before Thursday, 25th April 2024 by 10:00 am, please. 4. Accept the highest regards of my office, please.”

Deadly shooting at the West Richland school: "Woman killed," gunman escapes, and authorities cordon off the area.

Tommy James | 23 April, 2024.

Shooting at West Richland Elementary School prompts critical lockdown, suspect still on the loose.

Police responded to a shooting near a West Richland Elementary School on Monday.

There have been reports of a horrifying occurrence at West Richland Elementary School today. According to reports, there was a tragic gunshot that claimed the life of one woman. Since the culprit is still at large, the school campus is under a serious lockdown. The woman's identity has not yet been released, however Claire Venema of the Richland Police Department reports that the shooting took place near West Richland's William Wiley Elementary School.

The incident happened in West Richland, Washington, on April 22. The incident, according to the neighbours, happened at approximately 3 PM, when pupils were supposed to return from school. The suspect's home is currently under lockdown by West Richland police, according to a Richland school district alert. The district's priority is bringing students back to their families.

There are still questions about certain aspects of the incident at West Richland Elementary School. A severe lockdown has been put in place, requiring staff and pupils to seek cover within the building, even though authorities haven't confirmed the identity of the 'dead' woman—whether she was a parent picking up a child or a passerby shot by chance. The parents received several updates regarding the safety of their children from the school districts.

"There was a shooting at West Richland's William Wiley Elementary School during departure today. The criminal is currently on the loose. A major lockdown was imposed on schools. We'll provide you updates." Parents received a notice, according to NBC News.

According to witnesses, the suspect fled the scene. Police are looking for the suspect at a home along South Highlands Boulevard close to the school.

"Every event and activity scheduled for West Richland schools has been cancelled. The city of Richland has forced practices and events at its schools to take place indoors. There will be more updates soon." The notice further said.

Taiwan Rocked By 6.3 Magnitude Quake, No Immediate Reports of Damage.

Timmy Mabs | 23 April, 2024.

Buildings in Taipei, the capital, were shaken by the earthquake. The weather agency said that the earthquake was 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) deep.

Taiwan's eastern Hualien region was also the epicentre of a magnitude-7.4 quake in April 3, which caused landslides around the mountainous region.

Taiwan's weather agency said that a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the eastern county of Hualien on Tuesday; no immediate reports of damage were made.

Taipei, the capital, was rocked by the earthquake. According to the weather agency, the earthquake was 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles) deep.

Following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that shook Hualien earlier this month, hundreds of aftershocks have battered Taiwan.

Khamenei greets Iranian forces and commends them for their strike against Israel.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamanei is pictured talking with Iranian troops on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Ali Khamenei/Twitter.

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, met with Iranian soldiers on Sunday and applauded Iran's counterattack against Israel, which was carried out in response to Israel's unjustifiable aggression in Damascus, Syria. The strike was mainly prevented by the iron dome.

"I truly value the military's endeavors and successes in Operation 'True Promise,' which was executed against the Zionist government," Khamenei posted on social media.

"During Operation True Promise, the armed forces presented a positive image of the Iranian people as well as their strength and skills. They demonstrated, too, the strength of the Iranian people's resolve on a global scale.

According to Khamenei, the accomplishments of the Iranian military have "created a sense of splendor and magnificence" among foreign guests. The supposed Israeli airstrike on the Iranian city of Isfahan on Friday was not mentioned in his remarks.

Living in an illegal settlement in the West Bank, Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right Israeli lawmaker, had denounced the attack on Isfahan as "weak."

Following Iran's 300 missile and drone launches in response to Israel's unilateral decision to bomb a consulate facility in Damascus, killing a senior Iranian general, Israel issued a threat to strike again.

Israel has been raising wider tensions with its Middle Eastern neighbors during the Gaza War, to the point where even the US has called for moderation.

But in response, the US imposed more restrictions on Iran for its retaliation against Israel.

Corpses discovered at a hospital in Gaza while Israel promises to "increase pressure" on Hamas.

Palestinian health workers stand next to unearthed bodies buried by Israeli forces in Nasser hospital compound in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.

 

Gaza's civil defence said Sunday dozens of bodies had been found buried at a Gaza hospital complex previously raided by Israel, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to ramp up military pressure on Hamas.

Netanyahu, who threatened action "in the coming days" but did not specify, has repeatedly said the Israeli army will launch a ground assault on Rafah despite international concern for civilians who have taken refuge in the southern city.

The premier's latest remarks came a day after US lawmakers approved $13 billion in new military aid to close ally Israel, even as global criticism mounts over the dire humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas, whose October 7 attack triggered the Gaza war, said the US aid was a "green light" for Israel to "continue the brutal aggression against our people".

Gaza's civil defence agency said its teams had discovered 50 bodies since Saturday buried in the courtyard of the Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza's main southern city of Khan Yunis.

"We are continuing the search operation today and are waiting for all graves to be exhumed in order to give a final number of martyrs," Mahmud Bassal, spokesman for the civil defence agency, told AFP.

"There were no clothes on some bodies, which certainly indicates (the victims) faced torture and abuse," Bassal said.

Israel's military said it was checking the reports.

Hamas in a statement said the 50 bodies were exhumed from what it called a "mass grave of those executed in cold blood and buried with military bulldozers in the hospital's courtyard".

The Israeli army said it was checking these reports.

Israel pulled its ground forces from Khan Yunis on April 7 after carrying out what it called a "precise and limited operation" at the hospital, one of Gaza's biggest.

Hospitals in Gaza have faced the brunt of the Israeli assault, with the military accusing Hamas of using the facilities as command centres and to hold hostages abducted in the October 7 attack, claims denied by the Palestinian militants.

On Sunday, an AFP photographer saw civil defence crews exhuming human remains from the courtyard, while grieving relatives collected bodies wrapped in white.

'Woke up to a nightmare' 

Netanyahu, in a video statement on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, said Israel "will deliver additional and painful blows" to Hamas.

"In the coming days we will increase the military and political pressure on Hamas because this is the only way to free our hostages," he said.

Israel estimates 129 captives remain in Gaza after the October 7 Hamas attack, including 34 who the military says are dead.

The army has said at least some of the hostages are held in Rafah, so far been spared an Israeli invasion and where most of Gaza's 2.4 million people have sought shelter.

Earlier this week, the G7 group of developed economies said that it opposed a "full-scale military operation" there, fearing "catastrophic consequences" for civilians.

Israeli forces had already been carrying out regular strikes on the city.

The civil defence agency said Israeli strikes hit two homes in Rafah overnight, killing at least 16 people, mostly children.

Resident Umm Hassan Kloub, 35, said her children screamed when they "woke up to a nightmare of an explosion".

"Every second we live in terror, even the sound of Israeli aircraft doesn't stop," she said.

Hamas's attack that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 34,097 people in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.

 US boosts Israeli defences 

Violence has also flared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where a two-year surge in clashes has further escalated since the Gaza war broke out.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said Saturday that at least 14 people were killed during an 40-hour Israeli raid on Nur Shams refugee camp in the northern West Bank.

A resident who declined to give his name told AFP that the West Bank had become a "second Gaza".

Much of the new military assistance approved by the US House of Representatives on Saturday was expected to be used to reinforce Israel's air defences.

Israel welcomed the aid, and Hamas condemned it as "a confirmation of the official American complicity and partnership in the war of extermination".

The boost for Israel's defences comes after almost all of the more than 300 missiles and drones that Iran launched towards the country a week ago were intercepted, according to the Israeli military.

Israel vowed to respond to Iran's first-ever attack on its territory, which was itself retaliation for a deadly April 1 strike on Iran's embassy consular annex in Damascus.

Israel's response appeared to come on Friday when explosions were reported in the central Iranian province of Isfahan.

However fears of wider war breaking out in the Middle East eased somewhat after Iran appeared to downplay the situation.

Israeli officials have made no public comment, while Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Tehran would not respond unless there was a further Israeli attack.

On Sunday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised the "success in recent events" of his country's armed forces, in his first comments since the attack on Israel. 

"The issue of the number of missiles fired or the missiles that hit the target" was "secondary", he said.

Netanyahu has faced pressure within Israel, with an anti-government rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday demanding action to secure the release of hostages.

Ofir Angrest, whose brother Matan was kidnapped on October 7, called for Jewish Israelis to leave an empty chair at their Seder meals, marking the beginning of Passover on Monday, to remember the captives.

 

The President of Ukraine said, "We Are Doing Everything to Enhance Protection of the Sky."

Timmy Mabs | April 21, 2024. 

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

A few key points for today.

Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi has just delivered a report on the hottest spots of the frontline. Chasiv Yar and other key directions in the Donetsk region: Pokrovsk, Kurakhove. Also, Kupyansk direction in the Kharkiv region. Our positions, our results. I am grateful to every soldier, every commander, to all our combat units that are truly efficient and resilient. Today, the Commander-in-Chief also reported on the destruction of targets in the occupied territory – the operations carried out and the preparation of planned ones. The Russian army has to suffer losses every day, and every such day of Russian losses brings us closer to the much-needed peace. I also spoke with Defense Minister Umerov, mainly about air defense. We are doing everything possible, contacting all available partners to enhance the protection of the sky by increasing the number and quality of air defense systems at the disposal of our warriors. Every leader and country assisting us in this are real life savers.

And of course, we are now continuing our contacts with the American side. At all necessary levels. The Senate's prompt decision in support of the Ukrainian package is crucial for us now. So, at the level of the Office, at the level of our diplomats, we are actively working to ensure a positive political outcome in the quick approval of the package, as well as a positive outcome in the package itself – so that it contains exactly what our warriors at the front are waiting for. The time between political decisions and the actual destruction of the enemy at the front, between the approval of the package and the strength of our guys, should be as short as possible. And the strength should be the one that can really change the situation on the frontline. Frontline air defense is as crucial as the protection of our cities and villages. Our long-range capabilities. Our artillery. Our ability to expand the area of our control. Every day is important now – important in communication, in politics, in logistics. And I am grateful to all our friends in the United States, to each of our partners in the world who, like us in Ukraine, understand common opportunities and common tasks. Together, using all methods, we must stop Russian terror, limit Russia's war potential, and force Putin to acknowledge the obvious: this war will gain him nothing.

I thank everyone who is with Ukraine and in Ukraine! Thank you to all who fight for our state and people, to everyone who helps, and to everyone who contributes to Ukrainian strength and protects lives.

Glory to Ukraine!

Attorneys argue that Florida law discriminates against Chinese nationals trying to buy homes

Jerry Thomas |19th April, 2024.

A Florida law that was controversially passed last year and prohibits Chinese citizens from purchasing real estate in most of the state was challenged by an attorney on Friday before a federal appeals court. The attorney claimed the law violates the federal government's authority to decide foreign affairs and is discriminatory.

Representing four Chinese citizens residing in the state, attorney Ashley Gorski declared before a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals that "Florida is unlawfully restricting housing for Chinese people." The law prohibits the purchase of real estate close to military installations and other "critical infrastructure" by Chinese nationals and citizens of other nations Florida deems a threat.

She likened it to long-repeated restrictions from the early 1900s that prohibited Chinese people from purchasing real estate.

"It is discriminating against individuals from specific nations in a manner that is incompatible with the current guarantees of equal protection," Gorski informed the court.

Judges Charles Wilson, Robert Luck, and Barbara Lagoa were informed by state attorney Nathan Forrester that the legislation is consistent with the Biden administration's concerns about national security, including the dangers presented by the Chinese government.

"It has nothing to do with race," Forrester stated. This bill is intended to address the Chinese government, which is the source of worry. The Chinese government's manipulation is the cause for alarm.

At the time, DeSantis referred to China as the nation's "greatest geopolitical threat" and said that by passing the bill, the Chinese Communist Party—which he had repeatedly targeted in his abortive bid to win the Republican presidential nomination—was being opposed. Citizens of Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Russia, and North Korea are also impacted by the law. The worst punishments, however, are meted out to Chinese nationals and those who sell real estate to them.

DeSantis appointed Luck and Lagoa to the Florida Supreme Court, where they both served in 2019. Later that year, then-President Donald Trump nominated Luck and Lagoa to the federal court. In 1999, Wilson was nominated to the court by President Bill Clinton.

Luck questioned how explicitly Gorski's clients had been affected during the arguments, expressing doubt about whether they had standing to file the claim.

In response, Gorski stated that the law declares "some kind of economic war" against China and forbids Chinese citizens from obtaining home mortgages in Florida. It may have important ramifications for international policy, she added.

She stated, "Because it's a big decision with big foreign policy implications, Congress only gave the president the power to forbid a transaction."

However, Luck retorted, claiming that the state had drafted the statute using U.S. policy as a guide. "Florida piggybacked on what the federal government was doing," he claimed.

Forrester noted that the Biden administration didn't file a brief in support of Gorski's clients.

Wilson said that the term "critical infrastructure" is broad and that there are around two dozen military bases in Florida. He questioned Forrester about whether any property in Florida would still be available for purchase by a citizen of the prohibited nations in light of such restrictions. According to Forrester, maps were still being created.

The lawyers for Yifan Shen, Zhiming Xu, Xinxi Wang, and Yongxin Liu contended in the initial complaint i to the Tallahassee district court last May that the law unconstitutionally "casts a cloud of suspicion over anyone of Chinese descent who seeks to buy property in Florida," in violation of the equal protection and due process clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

However, Trump appointee U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor declined to stay the bill, stating that the Chinese nationals had not demonstrated that the Legislature was driven by a "unlawful animus" based on race.

Chess: Tunde Onakoya, a chess champion, aims to break the global record for the longest chess marathon in New York City’s Times Square.

Timmy Mabs | 19th April, 2024.

The current chess marathon record is 56 hours, 9 minutes and 37 seconds, achieved in 2018 by Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, both from Norway.

Tunde Onakoya, a chess champion and child education advocate, plays a chess game in Times Square, New York, on April, 18, 2024. Onakoya is attempting to play chess nonstop for 58 hours to break the global record for the longest chess marathon.

The world record for the longest chess marathon is being attempted to be broken by a Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate who plans to play chess continuously for 58 hours at Times Square, New York City.

To support children's education throughout Africa, 29-year-old Tunde Onakoya is attempting to raise $1 million. Under the rules set forth by the Guinness World Record, which stipulate that a record attempt can only be broken by two players who play nonstop for the whole length, he is facing off against American chess champion Shawn Martinez.

By 10:00 a.m. GMT on Friday, Onakoya had played chess for 42 hours. The scenario is receiving more and more support on social media, and a mix of African music is entertaining spectators and fans with yells and clapping.

The record attempt is "for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education," according to Onakoya, who established Chess in Slums Africa in 2018. At least one million children living in slums throughout the continent are to have their education supported by the organisation.

Following the players' 24-hour mark on Thursday night, Onakoya remarked, "My people are here supporting me with music, so my energy is at 100% right now."

Onakoya's cuisine features jollof rice, a well-known dish in West Africa, along with copious amounts of water.

Onakoya and his opponent receive a mere five-minute rest for every hour of gameplay. Onakoya uses the breaks, which are occasionally clustered together, to catch up with the Nigerians and New Yorkers who are supporting him. He occasionally even joins in on their dance.

According to Taiwo Adeyemi, manager of Onakoya, $22,000 was raised in the first 20 hours of the attempt.

"The support has been overwhelming from Nigerians in the U.S., global leaders, celebrities and hundreds of passersby," remarked the president.

In Nigeria, where he frequently hosts chess tournaments for young people living on the streets to further his cause, Onakoya's endeavour is keenly watched. The nation in West Africa has one of the highest rates of child absences in the world, with over 10 million kids not attending school.

Celebrities and public officials who have openly backed him include Yemi Osinbajo, the former vice president of Nigeria, who wrote to Onakoya on X, the former Twitter platform, saying, "Remember your own powerful words: 'It is possible to do great things from a small place."

Regarding Onakoya's attempt, which might last up to 58 hours by Friday at midnight, the Guinness World Record organisation has not yet made a public statement. The organisation occasionally needs weeks to validate a new record.