Tag Archives: Bans

Thailand Bans Cheering At World Cup Qualifier

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Thailand’s football association said Friday it would ban cheering at next month’s World Cup qualifier against Australia as the nation mourns the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Thailand initially tried to change the venue of the November 15 match after the Thai king, the world’s longest reigning monarch, died last Thursday, plunging the kingdom into grief.

But Australia refused the request, according to the Football Association of Thailand (FAT). The committee mulled banning spectators but has decided to allow fans with restrictions on cheering and dress, said FAT spokesman Patit Suphaphongs.

“All cheering and props such as drums, amplifiers and banners will be banned inside the stadium,” he told AFP. Fans will also be barred from showing which team they support.

“They must wear black, white, grey or other sombre colours,” said Patit, adding that donning black ribbons will also be acceptable. Most Thais have been dressed in similar mourning attire since the king’s death, with government staff ordered to forgo colours for an entire year.

Thailand’s military has asked the public to “tone down” entertainment for at least 30 days, triggering the cancellation of dozens of sporting events, concerts and other festivals.

Australia are currently second in Group B of final Asian qualifying for a place at Russia 2018, while Thailand are desperate for a win after failing to earn a point after four games.

The FAT has already cancelled the remainder of the domestic football season and said league rankings on October 14 will determine the champions and relegation candidates.

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http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/10/thailand-bans-cheering-world-cup-qualifier/

South Africa Bans Anti-gay US Pastor

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South Africa on Tuesday banned a Holocaust-denying, anti-gay American pastor from entering the country, after an outcry from rights groups over his characterisation of gays as “sodomites” and “paedophiles”.

Steven Anderson, who in 2009 infamously prayed for US President Barack Obama’s death, had planned a “soul-winning” visit to South Africa at the weekend.

But Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba declared the Christian preacher a “prohibited person” following objections over his “hate speech”.

“Steven Anderson and members or associates of his church are prohibited from entering the Republic of South Africa,” Gigaba said at a press conference in Cape Town.

“We have a duty to prevent harm and hatred, in all forms, against LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and intersex) as against any other person in a democratic state,” the minister said.

Anderson has frequently courted controversy through his Arizona-based Faithful Word Baptist Church, which preaches a literal reading of the Bible.

A Holocaust denier, he prayed for the death of US President Barack Obama in 2009 over his pro-choice stance on abortion, and called the victims of the November 2015 attack on the Bataclan nightclub in Paris “devil worshipers”.

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http://leadership.ng/news/550323/south-africa-govt-bans-anti-gay-us-pastor

Government Bans Purchase Of Transformers By Electricity Consumers

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The Federal Government has outlawed the procurement of transformers by electricity consumers, maintaining that it remains the duty of distribution companies (Discos).

It also charged operators in the nation’s power sector to improve investments in order to upgrade their networks.

The government equally expressed readiness to offset the electricity bills owed by ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) put at N97 billion by the Discos.The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, who made the disclosures during a meeting with officials of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (ANED), however, noted that a careful verification of the debts was being carried out to ascertain the exact amount, considering that the sum stretches to several years.

He welcomed any information that could expedite the exercise.

He said: “You must continue to make distribution asset investments. Private purchase of transformers should stop. That is the responsibility of the distribution companies. We still have cases of people buying transformers themselves. This should not be the case.”

Fashola charged the operators to improve customer relationship as well as close the metering gap and educate consumers on energy conservation.

“Since the distribution companies are now owned by private enterprises, you need to make it easy for people to reach you. Let us all understand that the problems we have are not technical. They are manmade,” he noted.

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http://guardian.ng/news/government-bans-purchase-of-transformers-by-electricity-consumers/

ISIS Bans Burka In Northern Iraq After Veiled Woman Kills 2 Jihadists

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In a seeming U-turn, the Islamic State (Isis) has reportedly banned women wearing the burka in northern Iraq after claiming that its fighters have been targeted by a veiled female. The hard-line faction has previously beaten and killed women for not wearing a veil covering their face and hair in public.

Now, IS (Daesh) has outlawed women wearing veils entering their security centres near their stronghold of Mosul after a number of commanders were killed by an unknown assailant. In neighbouring Syria, the feared IS al-Hisbah — or ‘religious police’ — have meted out punishments to woman who left their face uncovered.

Last week, in the occupied Saladin Governorate south of Mosul, IS put out a warning to members to beware of a veiled woman who killed two of their fighters. The attacks happened in Al-Shirqat, which has been under IS control since the extremists overran the region in June 2014.

An IS fighter was also attacked in Mosul, the second most populous city in Iraq, prompting the terrorists to take precautionary measures, according to a source in the province who informed the Iraqi News network. However, claims that the extremists were “surprised” by an attack could not be verified by IBTimes UK.

Sharing details, the source said, “A veiled woman carrying a pistol killed two members of ISIS who were standing in a checkpoint in Sharqat, north of Salah al-Din. The incident surprised the organisation and forced them to issue an alert of similar attacks.”

In August, the Syrian city of Manbij was liberated from IS control and scenes of women burning the black clothes they were forced to wear and men shaving off their beards were witnessed. Around 550 women are believed to have entered IS’s self-declared caliphate.

Often thought of as “jihadi brides” some have even been used as fighters in the ‘Al-Khansaa Brigade’, an all-female police force. According to reports from Syria, the Al-Khansaa Brigade was formed “in early 2014 and charged with policing the public morality of women in Raqqa city.”

Credit: IBTimes

Federal Government Bans Collection Of PTA Levies In Unity Colleges.

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The Federal Government has banned the collection of development levies by Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA) in the 104 unity colleges across the country, the Federal Ministry of Education says. The ministry in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday said the ban, aimed at alleviating the sufferings of parents, would take effect immediately.

 

The statement was signed by Mr Bem Goong, Deputy Director, Press, in the ministry.

 

“No PTA of any unity college is allowed to initiate any development project in any of the unity colleges without the express or written authorisation of the Federal Ministry of Education.

 

“The new measures are aimed at arresting the shocking trend where development levies imposed on parents by PTAs are becoming higher than the school fees charged by government which established the unity schools,’’ the ministry said.

 

The ministry said that the Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu, had noted excessive PTA levies in Kings College, Lagos, and Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba, Lagos.

 

It said that in the two schools, fees charged for JSS1 in the first term was N69, 400 while the PTA collection was N70, 000 at Kings and N74, 000 at Yaba.

 

“This brings the total paid by parents in these two schools to N139, 400 and N143, 400 respectively.

“With the reduction on development levies and ban on charges for new projects as well as pegging of the development levy to a maximum of N5, 000, parents of JSS1 in these two schools will now pay N88, 000.

 

“I acknowledge the complementary roles played by parents and the support provided by the PTA to the colleges but I will not allow the PTAs to constitute themselves into a government within a government at the level of unity schools and at the expense of parents,’’ the ministry quoted Adamu as saying.

 

It said that Adamu expressed concern that PTAs in unity colleges had formed themselves into national associations and said that running additional organisations, such as National Parents and Teachers Association of Federal Government Colleges (NAPTAFEGC), increased the burden on parents.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that NAPTAFEGC recently rejected an alleged 300 per cent increase in school fees of unity schools.

 

Dr Gabriel Nnaji, National President of NAPTAFEGC, had told newsmen that the alleged increase from N20, 000 to N75, 000, was unacceptable to parents.

 

He said that an average parent with more than a child in unity schools would not be able to afford the cost. However, Adamu on Tuesday denied knowledge of the increment in fees.

Buhari Bans Distribution Of Souvenirs At Govt. Events

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The Federal Government has banned the procurement and distribution of bags, T-shirts and other souvenirs at events such as Conferences and Seminars funded by Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

In a statement on Sunday in Abuja by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Finance, Salisu Dambatta, said President Buhari had approved the ban following recommendations by the Efficiency Unit.

It said the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, forwarded the directive to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministers of Finance and Budget and National Planning, for implementation.

According to the statement, the ban was in continuation of the on-going cost-cutting and efficiency drive in the utilisation of public funds by the present administration.

President Buhari had set up the Efficiency Unit to review all federal government’s overhead expenditure to reduce wastage, promote efficiency and ensure quantifiable savings for the country.

The Minister of Finance, Head of Service of the Federation, Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General of the Federation and Director, Budget Office of the Federation are members of the Unit.

The Unit identified procurement as the area to begin the execution of its mandate of reducing overhead costs and wastage resources.

The Efficiency unit had already recorded success in cutting government overhead cost in areas such as travels, welfare, honorarium, sitting allowance, training, adverts and publicity as well as refreshments.

It had gone a step further to relocate some of federal government’s MDAs into recovered looted properties as ways to reduce overhead cost.

“The directive which is a recognition of the fact that in a period of lean financial resources unnecessary expenditure on overheads such souvenirs are luxuries that the government must eliminate.

“This will enable release of funds for infrastructure and services such as health and education that would have direct positive impact on the well being of the citizenry and promote economic development.

“The directive also contained specific guidelines that would reduce the cost of printing Invitation Cards, Programme of events, Brochures, Folders and Note Pads.

“Among the guidelines are that they should be in black and white and limited to only one page and in the case of Brochures they should be streamlined to contain only essential information,” it said.

Also, the statement said the printing of unnecessary publications and books of short shelf life which have no real value to the concerned public institutions or the citizens has also been banned.

“MDAs were encouraged to save costs by uploading such publications on their websites which has the added benefit of wider visibility,” it said.

Credit: NAN

Olympics: FINA Bans Seven Russian Swimmers From Rio

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Swimming’s world governing body on Monday banned seven Russians from competing at next month’s Rio Olympics in the fall-out from Russia’s state-run doping.

FINA was the first sport to impose bans in light of Sunday’s IOC decision, which ruled against a blanket ban on all Russian competitors in Rio, instead leaving it up to each sports federation to decide whether to accept Russians.

Vladimir Morozov and Nikita Lobintsev, both 4x100m freestyle bronze-medal winners with the Russian team at the 2012 Olympics, and Yulia Efimova, another 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, were among the seven banned.

Credit: AFP

Indonesia Bans Police, Troops From Playing Pokemon Go

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Indonesia has ordered police not to play Pokemon Go while on duty and will soon ban military personnel as well, officials said Wednesday, as the defence minister warned the smartphone game was a security threat.

Indonesians have joined the frenzy for the game, which has become a worldwide hit since launching two weeks ago and has has already been blamed for a wave of crimes, traffic violations and complaints in cities around the globe.

Despite Pokemon Go not yet being officially available in Indonesia, many have downloaded it illegally and taken to the streets to hunt for virtual “pocket monsters”.

But its popularity has caused concern among the security establishment’s top echelons, with officials suggesting its high-tech capabilities could be put to use in spying.

“Spying can come in different forms,” said hardline Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu.

“At first, it (Pokemon Go) appears cute but the longer you see… it is just not right.”

The military will soon issue an order banning all personnel from playing Pokemon Go during work hours as it seeks to protect high-security sites, military spokesman Tatang Sulaiman told AFP.

The order will note concerns that devices being used to play the game can send data over the Internet to other countries.

The announcement came after a Frenchman was briefly detained this week when he accidentally wandered onto a military base on Java island as he played Pokemon Go.

Police officers across the country were already sent an order on Tuesday banning them from playing the game while on duty, a spokesman said.

“We are worried that police officers may become addicted and we don’t want that because a police officer’s duty is to serve the public. The job requires hard work and concentration,” said national police spokesman Boy Rafli Amar.

He also said police had been instructed to be on heightened alert for terror threats. Earlier this month, a suicide bomber attacked a police station in the city of Solo, injuring one officer.

Pokemon Go uses smartphone satellite location, graphics and camera capabilities to overlay cartoon monsters on real-world settings, challenging players to capture and train the creatures for battles.

Credit: Guardian

China Bans Ramadan Fasting In Muslim-Majority Region

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China has marked the start of Ramadan with its customary ban on civil servants, students and children in a mainly-Muslim region from taking part in fasting, government websites said as the holy month started on Monday.

China’s ruling Communist party is officially atheist and for years has banned government employees and minors from fasting in Xinjiang, home to the more than 10 million strong mostly Muslim Uighur minority. It has also ordered restaurants to stay open.

The region sees regular clashes between Uighurs and state security forces, and Beijing has blamed deadly attacks there and elsewhere in China on militants seeking independence for the resource-rich region.

Rights groups blame tensions on religious and cultural restrictions placed on Uighurs and other Muslim minorities in the vast area, which abuts Central Asia.

Several local government departments in Xinjiang posted notices on their websites in the last week ordering restrictions on fasting during Ramadan.

During the holy month, the faithful fast from dawn to dusk and strive to be more pious.

“Party members, cadres, civil servants, students and minors must not fast for Ramadan and must not take part in religious activities,” a notice posted Thursday on the government website of central Xinjiang’s Korla city said.

“During the Ramadan month, food and drink businesses must not close,” it added.

A Uighur official in the city’s Tiekeqi township named Ahmatjan Tohti told a group of men wearing traditional doppa hats at a meeting last Monday that officials should “resolutely stop party members, civil servants, students and minors from entering mosques for religious activities” during the festival, a separate report posted on the website last Tuesday said.

A website run by the education bureau of the regional capital Urumqi’s Shuimogou district posted a notice last Monday calling for “prevention of students and teachers from all schools from entering mosques for religious activities”, during Ramadan.

In the northern city of Altay, officials agreed to “increase contact with parents”, to “prevent fasting during Ramadan”, according to a post Friday on the state-run China Ethnicities Religion website.

Islamic threat-Meanwhile the website of the Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County government in northwest Xinjiang said Monday that restaurants in the area would be instructed to stay open during Ramadan to “ensure that the broader masses have normal access to cuisine”.

Dilxat Raxit of the World Uyghur Congress, an exile group, condemned the restrictions in an email Monday, adding: “China thinks that the Islamic faith of Uighurs threatens the rule of the Beijing leadership”.

China keeps tight control over religious groups, though Beijing often says it grants citizens broad freedom of belief.

China’s State Council on Thursday released a white paper which declared that religious freedom in Xinjiang “cannot be matched by any other period in history”.

“During the month of Ramadan, Muslim restaurants can decide whether they want to do business. There will be no interference,” it said.

“Local governments ensure that all religious activities during Ramadan go on in an orderly manner,” it added.

 

Credit: International Business Times

CAF Bans Giwa, 4 Others For 5 Years

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Confederation of African Football, CAF, has slammed a five-year ban on embattled Chris Giwa and four four of his disciples thereby confirming and extending the same five-year ban placed on them by the Amaju Pinnick- led Nigeria Football Federation. The four others affected by the continental ban are Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong.

In a letter signed by CAF’s Secretary-General, Hicham El Amrani and dated May 27th 2016 and copied to NFF’s President Amaju Pinnick, the letter stated that the ban forbids them from all football related activities for 5 years.

Credit: vanguardngr

Sex Workers Kick, As France Bans Paying For Sex

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French MPs have passed a law that makes it illegal to pay for sex and imposes fines of up to €3,750 (£3,027, $4,274) for those buying sexual acts, reports the BBC. Those convicted would also have to attend classes to learn about the conditions faced by prostitutes. It has taken more than two years to pass the controversial legislation because of differences between the two houses of parliament over the issue. Some sex workers protested against the law during the final debate.

The demonstrators outside parliament in Paris, numbering about 60, carried banners and placards one of which read: “Don’t liberate me, I’ll take care of myself”, the AFP news agency reports. Members of the Strass sex workers’ union say it will affect the livelihoods of prostitutes, estimated to number between 30,000 and 40,000. But supporters of the law have said it will help fight trafficking networks.

It will also make it easier for foreign prostitutes to get a temporary residence permit in France if they agree to find jobs outside prostitution. “The most important aspect of this law is to accompany prostitutes, give them identity papers because we know that 85% of prostitutes here are victims of trafficking,” Socialist MP Maud Olivier, who sponsored the legislation, told the Associated Press news agency.

The law was passed in the final vote on the bill in the lower house of parliament by 64 to 12 with 11 abstentions, France’s Le Monde newspaper reports.

Credit: vanguardngr

Ghana Bans First Class Travel For Public Officials

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G?hanaian government on Tuesday announced ban on public officials from first class air travel.

The government said that the measure was part of renewed efforts to cut wasteful spending as the country began the implementation of an International Monetary Fund aid deal.

Communications Minister Edward Boamah, who announced this in Accra, said the presidency issued the directive, asking all ministers and other top officials to avoid unwarranted foreign trips on the public purse.

According to Mr. Boamah, inappropriate spending would likely be a top campaign issue as Ghana is preparing to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in 2016.

The opposition in the country had accused government officials of inflating contract sums.

Ghana, a major producer of cocoa, gold and oil, began a three-year program with the IMF in April to fix its economy, which has been dogged by high deficits, a widening public debt and unstable local currency.

Mr. Boamah also said the cabinet was discussing a financial accountability bill which would impose penalties such as dismissal or jail term for public officials who were found to violate it.

Credit: PremiumTimes

El-Rufai Bans Shi’ites, Others From Blocking Roads; To Set Up Commission Of Inquiry

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The Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai, says he will set up a judicial commission of inquiry into last weekend’s deadly clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Shi’ia Islamic Movement, which left more than 60 people dead.

The army said troops used force after members of the group barricaded a road in Zaria and attempted to kill the chief of army, Tukur Buratai.

The exact number of casualties is still unclear, but majority of the victims are believed to be members of the Shi’ia sect.

Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, the sect’s leader, was arrested by the military, after his wife and son were killed in the violence, the group said.

The killings have sparked international condemnation, with calls for a transparent investigation.

In a broadcast Thursday, Mr. El-Rufai announced a ban on processions — in all parts of the state — that could result in roads being barricaded.

He also said a judicial commission of inquiry would be set up by the state government to look into the incident in Zaria.

The governor said the composition and terms of reference of the commission would be announced within two weeks.

He assured the people of the state that the government was committed to securing the state and upholding the rights of every citizen.

“We have witnessed sad events in Zaria,” the governor said. “There have been tragic consequences and needless loss of lives, and we extend our condolences to the families that have been affected.”

“In this sombre moment, the government has directed that steps be taken to address the humanitarian fallouts of the security operations,” he said.

Credit: PremiumTimes

India Bans James Bond Movie, Spectre, Over Long Kissing Scenes

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The Mumbai-based Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has reined in the fictional British spy’s famously lusty romantic life by cutting the length of two passionate embrace scenes, its chairperson told AFP.

“We have reduced them,” CBFC head Pahlaj Nihalani said, referring to separate kissing scenes between Daniel Craig, who plays Bond, and his co-stars Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux. “Our work is for censoring the movie according to the rating of the film so we have done that,” Nihalani said of “Spectre”, which hits screens in India on Friday.

Nihalani said the film had been given an unrestricted adult rating, which means parental guidance is required for children under 12 years old. A source at Sony Pictures Entertainment confirmed to newsmen that the edits had been made. “Two kissing scenes have been reduced by a few seconds,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that two swear words had also been deleted.

Nihalani said the film’s promoters had the right to object to the edits but had not done so. However, It’s the country that gave the world the Kama Sutra.

Credit: Vanguard

Gov. Wike Bans Biafra Protests In Rivers

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The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday banned protests by “some unauthorised group” calling for the release of the director of a pirate radio station, Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a state broadcast, Mr. Wike banned all forms of street protests, demonstrations, rallies or unlawful gatherings associated with the agitations for the secession of any group from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“For the second time within a month individuals and groups purporting to represent the indigenous people of Biafra have held unauthorized protests on the streets in Port Harcourt.

“Majority of these individuals have come from neighbouring states and in the course of these protests, disrupted social and economic activities, damaged properties, assaulted and inflicted injuries on other citizens going about their lawful endeavours.

“While individuals and groups are free to exercise their freedom of expression, they must do so peacefully and strictly within the bounds of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“No individual or group has the right, whatsoever, to disturb public peace and order, threaten the safety of the public and create fear and an atmosphere of insecurity in the state or any part thereof.

“The right of any group of persons to agitate for their perceived rights cannot be allowed to infringe on the rights of other Nigerians, especially the people of Rivers State to remain an integral component of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Our government was elected on a mandate, and has sworn to an oath, to defend the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Therefore, the Rivers State Government will not fold its arms and allow members of the indigenous people of Biafra or any other group to turn the State or any part thereof into a hotbed of unlawful protests against the unity and peaceful co-existence of the various peoples and ethnic groups within the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Consequently, after due consultations with the members of the State Security Council, and in exercise of my constitutional responsibility to preserve the safety, security and corporate integrity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is hereby ordered that all forms of street protests, demonstrations, rallies or unlawful gatherings associated with the agitations for the secession of any group from the Federal Republic of Nigeria are banned in Rivers State.

“Any person or group who violates this ban or acts in any manner prejudicial to the interest of peace and security would be arrested and prosecuted.

“While we commend the security agencies for their maturity in handling the situation foisted on us, I call on the people and residents of Rivers State to be more vigilant and report any further activities that threaten public peace, order, safety and security to any of the law enforcement agencies for immediate action.

“Finally, let no one be in doubt of the resolve of the Rivers State Government and the security agencies to maintain law and order at all cost within the State and preserve the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Thank you. God bless Rivers State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the governor said in the broadcast.

Credit: PremiumTimes

Tribunal Sacks Lawmaker, Bans Him From Politics For Life

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The National and State House of Assembly Election Tribunal for Plateau State has nullified the election of a member of the state House of Assembly representing Langtang South, Mr Vincent Bulus.

The tribunal also banned the lawmaker from contesting for any election for life.

Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11 House of Assembly Election. Mr. Jackson Danladi, had filed a petition before the Tribunal challenging the victory of Bulus in the election, alleging that the lawmaker was an ex-convict.

Delivering judgment, Chairman of the tribunal, Justice O O Akeredolu, said the respondent was not qualified to contest the election having been convicted of an offence in line with Section 107(1)(d) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

Justice Akeredolu said: “The respondent, having been convicted of an offence involving fraud and dishonesty by a court of law, was not qualified to contest the election into the Plateau State House of Assembly to represent Langtang South constituency.

“That the election and return of the first respondent as member of Plateau State House of Assembly to represent Langtang South is a nullify.”

Credit: Tribune

NFF Bans Social Media In Camp

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has hinted that Super Eagles players will be restricted on their use of social media while on international duty following the face off between Sunday Oliseh and Vincent Enyeama last Tuesday.

NFF supremo Amaju Pinnick made this known after a meeting in Belgium on Saturday with the main protagonists involved in the dispute.

Lille numero uno Vincent Enyeama made headlines last week after he took to Instagram to express his disappointment on how he was mistreated by Sunday Oliseh.

“No player launches his career through the social media. When players are at their clubs, they don’t broadcast camp situation on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, ” Pinnick said.

Read More: thenationonlineng

EU Bans Nigeria From Exporting Beans, Dried Fish, Meat, Others

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Some agricultural food exports from Nigeria have been suspended by the European Union (EU).

The food items banned from Europe till June 2016 are beans, sesame seeds, melon seeds, dried fish and meat, peanut chips and palm oil. The European Food Safety Authority had said that the rejected beans were found to contain between 0.03mg per kilogramme to 4.6mg/kg of dichlorvos pesticide, when the acceptable maximum residue limit is 0.01mg/kg.

Senator Joshua Lidani (PDP-Gombe South) who has raised alarm over the health implication of the consumption of foods containing a high concentration of pesticide among Nigerians with newsmen on Monday in Abuja  therefore, called on regulatory agencies in the country to rise up to the occasion and save Nigerians from the dangers of consuming foods containing unacceptable levels of chemicals.

“The EU ban should not have come as a surprise to us because they have very rigorous standards of checking food import especially with the shift towards organic foods. “Unfortunately we do not have similar standards in Nigeria especially as it affects the food we consume.

“We do not have standards of determining whether the foods we consume are noxious; whether they have chemicals that are harmful “NAFDAC and Standards Organisation of Nigeria are supposed to regulate but there is a limit to what they can do. “We are yet to realize the enormity of the problem; so unless we look into the effects of these harmful substances, we may end up having a population that is threatened by diseases such as cancer…”

Read More: vanguardngr

China Bans Ramadan Fasting In Muslim Region

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China has banned civil servants, students and teachers in its mainly Muslim Xinjiang region from fasting during Ramadan and ordered restaurants to stay open.

Most Muslims are required to fast from dawn to dusk during the holy month, which began on Thursday, but China’s ruling Communist party is officially atheist and for years has restricted the practice in Xinjiang, home to the mostly Muslim Uighur minority.

“Food service workplaces will operate normal hours during Ramadan,” said a notice posted last week on the website of the state Food and Drug Administration in Xinjiang’s Jinghe county.

Officials in the region’s Bole county were told: “During Ramadan do not engage in fasting, vigils or other religious activities,” according to a local government website report of a meeting this week.

Read More: aljazeera

France Bans Muslim Girl From School For Wearing Black Skirt

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The case of a Muslim girl who has been banned from class twice for wearing long skirt has sparked outcry in France. Earlier this month, the girl identified as Sarah, was stopped from going to class in the northeastern town of Charleville-Mezieres by the head teacher, who reportedly thought the long black skirt “conspicuously” showed religious affiliation, something that is strictly forbidden by France’s secular laws.

“The girl was not excluded, she was asked to come back with a neutral outfit and it seems her father did not want the student to come back to school,” Patrice Dutot, a local education official, told AFP on Tuesday.

The 15-year old student, however, told local daily newspaper L’Ardennais that her skirt was “nothing special, it’s very simple, there’s nothing conspicuous. There is no religious sign whatsoever.”

Sarah’s story has been trending on Twitter in France with the hashtag  #JePorteMaJupeCommeJeVeux, translated into English as “I wear my skirt as I please.”

According to the Committee against Islamophobia in France, known by its French acronym CCIF, some 130 students were banned from class last year for wearing outfits considered as too openly religious. France has an extremely strict law forbidding displays of religion deemed ostentatious.

Credit: presstv