Nollywood Actor Sentenced For Child Sexual Assault

A Nigerian actor has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor between 2013 and 2014.

The trial of Olanrewaju Omiyinka at a special offences court in Lagos lasted a year.

The 49 year old is popularly known as Baba Ijesha in Nollywood – as Nigeria’s film industry is called.

The judge ruled that Omiyinka should be sentenced to 16 years in total for the four charges of which he was found guilty.

However, as he is to serve the sentences at the same time, he will spend a maximum of five years in prison.

Two counts of sexual assault were dropped because of a lack of sufficient evidence.

Last year, Omiyinka admitted in court to molesting the victim, but said it was in the context of a role he was playing in a film campaigning against child sexual abuse.

Women and child rights activists say the ruling will serve as an example to anyone intending to take advantage of a child.

His lawyers are planning to appeal against the judgment.

………………………………………………………

Africa Facing Growing Animal-To-Human Disease Risk – WHO

P

The World Health Organization is warning that Africa is facing a growing risk of outbreaks of diseases that spread from animals to people.

It says these zoonotic outbreaks have increased by more than 60% over the last decade with a large spike recorded since 2019.

Most of the cases have involved the Ebola virus, other viral haemorrhagic diseases, dengue fever, anthrax and monkeypox.

The WHO’s Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti said there was a need to act now to stop Africa becoming a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases.

The WHO says among the reasons behind the spread of these diseases are rapid population growth, increased demand for food derived from animals and encroachment on wildlife habitats.

 

………………………………………………………

Sri Lanka political dynasty ends as Rajapaksa quits

Gotabaya Rajapaksa has resigned as president of Sri Lanka after fleeing to Singapore in the face of mass protests at home over his rule.

He is believed to have wanted to leave Sri Lanka before stepping down in order to avoid the possibility of arrest under a new administration.

The cost of food, fuel and other basic supplies has soared for Sri Lankans.

In the capital Colombo, delighted demonstrators greeted news of the president’s departure with dancing.

“We are beyond happy but also beyond relieved so we can take a break and go back to our lives,” Viraga Perera told the BBC.

“At this stage we are so exhausted because of all the flip-flopping, that we consider this moment substantial enough as a victory.”

Mr Rajapaksa arrived in Singapore earlier on Thursday after first flying to the Maldives on Tuesday night. Reports say he is accompanied by his wife and two bodyguards.

Singapore’s foreign ministry said Mr Rajapaksa had not asked for asylum or been granted asylum. “Singapore generally does not grant requests for asylum,” it added.

The acting president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, does not formally become interim president until he is sworn in.

After that, Mr Wickremesinghe – who was appointed acting president by President Rajapaksa after the latter fled – has 30 days for parliament to endorse him. If they do not, MPs need to hold a vote for a new president.

Read Full Story …. HERE >>> :   

…………………………………………………

Euro And U.S. Dollar Have Equal Value For First Time In 20 Years

 For the first time in almost two decades, one U.S. dollar is equal to one euro. After nearly 20 years of the euro being superior to the dollar, both currencies reached parity on Tuesday, July 12.

As at Tuesday, 1 EUR equals 1 USD. The shift means European companies and consumers will pay more for the goods and services they import, while European exports become immediately cheaper in international markets.

The euro has experienced a dramatic loss of value since early February when it was worth over $1.13.

……………………………………………………………

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘Is Offered £250Million Megadeal To Sign For a Saudi Arabian Club

 Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been offered a £250million megadeal to finish his career in Saudi Arabia.

With the Portuguese star’s Manchester United future uncertain, an unnamed Middle East club have apparently offered the 37-year-old an eye-watering amount of cash to join them.

The lucrative package also includes £20m for Ronaldo’s representative Jorge Mendes.

United paid Juventus an initial £12.85m to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford last summer, with the player signing a two-year contract with the option of a third.

Despite the 24 goals scored by Ronaldo in all competitions, United endured a difficult season and could only qualify for the Europa League by finishing sixth in the Premier League.

It has resulted in Ronaldo asking to be sold this summer if the right offer comes in although United manager Erik ten Hag has insisted he isn’t for sale.

Ronaldo is not currently with the rest of the United squad on their pre-season tour of the Far East and Australia on compassionate grounds.

Ten Hag refused to discuss Ronaldo’s future when asked in a press conference as United arrived in Melbourne for two fixtures.

‘We made a statement and nothing has changed,’ said Ten Hag ahead of Friday’s friendly match against A-League outfit Melbourne Victory at the MCG.

Speaking before United’s 4-0 win over Liverpool in Bangkok earlier this week, Ten Hag slammed the door shut on Ronaldo’s attempts to leave Old Trafford.

Read Full Story …. Dailymail.co.uk >>> :   

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

…………………………………………………………

Mysterious Ebola-Like Illness Kills Three In Tanzania

 Three people have died from a mysterious Ebola-like disease in Tanzania.

Authorities in the East African nation — just south of Kenya — have called the outbreak ‘strange’.

Health chiefs have now been dispatched to investigate the illness, which has struck 13 people in total.

Symptoms include fever, headaches, fatigue and bleeding — especially from the nose.

Tanzania has never before recorded a case of Ebola or Marburg, two deadly viruses known to cause bleeding.

Yet neighbouring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, have in the past.

None of the 13 Tanzanian patients, who live in the southern Lindi region, have tested positive for either of the haemorrhagic viruses.

Covid swabs also came back negative, according to the country’s ministry of health.

Tanzania’s chief medical officer Aifello Sichalwen said one of the patients had fully recovered while the others were being isolated.

He added: ‘The government formed a team of professionals who are still investigating this unknown disease.’

Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan said the ‘strange’ disease may have been caused by ‘growing interaction’ between humans and wild animals.

Both Marburg and Ebola, known to spread between humans, can be carried by fruit bats.

Ghana — located on Africa’s west coast — last week reported two suspected cases of the Marburg virus, which kills up to 90 per cent of infected patients.

The patients were not known to each other, suggesting the disease is spreading more widely.

Source: Dailymail.co.uk

…………………………………………………………

COVID-19, Russia-Ukraine War Affecting Ghana’s Economy – IMF Delegation Head

 

Carlo Sdralevich, leader of the IMF negotiation team in Ghana, has reaffirmed the government’s narrative that Ghana’s economic hardship is partly a result of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sdralevich, after meeting the various stakeholders in the country concluded that Ghana's fiscal and debt situation has severely worsened following the COVID-19 pandemic.

He admitted that Russia's invasion of the territories of Ukraine is also hitting hard at a time when the country is still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic shock.

Carlo Sdralevich said, “Ghana is facing a challenging economic and social situation amid an increasingly difficult global environment. The fiscal and debt situation has severely worsened following the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, investors' concerns have triggered credit rating downgrades, capital outflows, loss of external market access, and rising domestic borrowing costs.

“In addition, the global economic shock caused by the war in Ukraine is hitting Ghana at a time when the country is still recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic shock and with limited room for manoeuvre. These adverse developments have contributed to slowing economic growth, accumulation of unpaid bills, a large exchange rate depreciation, and a surge in inflation.

Sdralevich expressed commitment “to support Ghana at this difficult time, consistent with the IMF’s policies”.

The team from the International Monetary Fund (I\MF) have been in Ghana after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo called the Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, seeking an extended credit facility for the country.

The Carlo Sdralevich-led team arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, July 5 and started engagements the following day.

They met Vice President Dr Alhaji Mahamudu Bawumia, staff of the Ministry of Finance, and the sector minister, Ken Ofori-Atta.

The team also met with the Parliament’s Finance Committee, civil society organisations, and development partners, including UNICEF and the World Bank, to engage in social spending.

Source: ghanaweb.com

……………………………………………………