Zimbabwe: Lessons From Land Reform

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No subject is off limits in the first ever global talk show hosted from Africa in which Redi Tlhabi talks frankly to inspiring and intriguing personalities from across the world. In the 1980s Zimbabwe became the poster-child for African independence. Twenty years later, violent land grabs pushed white farmers off their land, and the economic turmoil caused unprecedented hyperinflation, resulting in the ultimate crash of the Zimbabwean currency. Food production collapsed and one of the continent’s strongest economies reduced to half its previous size.

While the West was quick to dismiss Zimbabwe as another failed African state, new research shows that Zimbabwe is actually recovering, and that land reform is working.

This week on South2North, Teresa Smart, one of the authors of the book, Zimbabwe Takes Back Its Land, speaks about the rise of food production in Zimbabwe.

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SEE How This Man Defused This Bomb On A Suicide Bomber [LOOK]

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A member of the Afghan bomb disposal unit approaches a suicide attacker after his vest was defused in Jalalabad province on Sunday.

 Not this time.

An Afghan bomb technician played peacemaker Sunday, donning a heavily armored suit to diffuse a would-be suicide bomber's vest. The risky maneuver, gone Hollywood in the Oscar-winning drama "The Hurt Locker," required a deft touch — and a willingness to go face-to-face with powerful explosives.

Sunday's bomber in Jalalabad attempted to detonate his device before being apprehended and hog-tied. Then, the Afghan soldier, clad in a padded suit topped with a large helmet, approached the subdued terrorist and disabled the device. A photo after the all-clear was given shows the would-be bomber, clad in brown pants and shirt, lying on the ground next to a rifle and three grenades. A red wire is shown threaded through the vest, its three pouches filled with explosives.

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Woman Falls To Her Death While Performing Acrobatics In The Air

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A dancer plummeted to her death in the middle of a Cirque du Soleil performance in Las Vegas — the first such casualty in the acrobatic show's 30-year history.

Sarah Guyard-Guillot, a dancer in the Cirque production of “Ka” at the MGM Grand, died Saturday night after a gruesome fall from the production’s stage, the Las Vegas Sun reported.

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Patience Jonathan’s Excesses Must Be Curbed - Report

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A report written by Punch Editorial Board

Each time the wife of the President, Patience Jonathan, hits the road with her long motorcade, including bulletproof and bombproof limousines, or is having a whale of a time at an event, drivers and commuters who find themselves on her routes always have to live with the bitter experience of the encounter. As police empty the roads of traffic, forcing drivers to wait as her glamorous convoy drifts by, motorists are trapped in traffic for hours on end, while social and economic life of the affected community is brought to a halt abruptly. 

The recent visit of Mrs. Jonathan to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, in which her security details forcibly grounded the movement of residents, is the latest of such excesses that Nigerians have been forced to endure for the past three years. This impunity must stop.

Acording to newspaper reports, Mrs. Jonathan’s security arrangement paralysed activities in the Port Harcourt Government Reservation Area for the four days of her visit. Armoured personnel carriers were deployed at two points, while gun-wielding operatives manned the points leading to her private residence. Many people missed their appointments because they were prevented from moving in and out of their houses. 

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Founder of New Wine Church Dr Tayo Adeyemi dies at 49 - R.I.P.

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Pastor Tayo Adeyemi, the founder and senior minister of UK based New Wine Church has passed on. The bible scholar and motivational speaker died yesterday afternoon Sunday June 30th in a hospital in the UK. He's survived by a wife and three sons. 

Nigeria controls largest construction market in Africa – Lafarge WAPCO boss

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With an estimated market potential of cement consumption of running over 50 million metric tons per annum, the structure behind the growth in the sector could be traced to the cement market where Nigeria’s cement producers and investors alike are spearheading expansion and growth of the country cement sector.
Managing Director of Lafarge Cement  Wapco,  Mr. Joe Hudson, who disclosed this in Abuja,  stated that its financial accounts for three months ended 31 March 2013 show as follows :  Profit After Tax (PAT) grew  49 per cent  year on year ,y/y to N6.1 billion with modest sales of N23.3 billion; Its profit before tax (PBT) grew 21 per cent y/y due to a number of factors such as a gross margin expansion of 181bps to 42.8 per cent, flattish opex and a 35 per cent decline in net interest income.

A lower tax rate of 15.7 per cent compared with 31.8 per cent in first quarter 2012 resulted in profit after tax growing faster than profit before tax, the sales grew 29 per cent  quarter on quarter q/q, while profit before tax and profit after tax advanced by 46 per cent and 56 per cent q/q respectively.
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President Goodluck Jonathan Violates Nigerian Laws, Corners N3Billion

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The Federal Government does not build general hospitals but President Goodluck Jonathan has waived two vital rules to establish a princely N2.8 billion new general hospital for his hometown, Otuoke, effectively placing the coastal community as an exclusive beneficiary of a strange largesse not known to federal laws, according to Premium Times.

It is not clear how and when the federal government first conceived the hospital project, as it was not listed in federal budgets between 2009 and 2011, and even after.  But the Federal Executive Council meeting of August 17, 2011, presided over by Mr. Jonathan, gave approval for the project, and a N2.8billion contract was hurriedly awarded to Messrs Avandale Limited. The job was projected to last only 12 months; and indeed, unlike the usual delay government projects face, it was delivered on time.

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Serving PDP Senator Pius Ewherido 50, Dies - R.I.P

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A serving senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly under the platform of DPP, Pius Ewherido, has passed on. Senator Ewherido died today at the National Hospital in Abuja after suffering a stroke.   The late senator was the Vice chairman Senate committee on Marine Transport, and was a member of the committee on Trade and Investment.

Father gets 40 years jail after allowing other men to rap-ё his boy

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A man was arrested charged, and convicted after allowing numerous men to rap-e his little boy, according to court proceedings in Indiana. Jail cell illustration Now, the man has been sentenced to 40 years in jail after pleading guilty to child rap-e charges. The man, who was identified by police as an Australian native, was accused of using his little son for publishing online pornography. He has been sentenced in a U.S. court after authorities discovered child porn video streams being downloaded from his computer in Indiana. The 42-year-old, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to child exploitation. The Indiana judge said he accepted the plea agreement Friday because the crime was too horrible for a jury trial.

 Federal prosecutor Steve DeBrota said the defendant and his companion took the child to different countries and allowed other men to sexually abuse him. Prosecutors said that the crimes occurred in Australia, the U.S., France and Germany. During Friday’s hearing, the man told the judge he was sorry, and that he loved his son. The man has purchased the child for $8,000 in a foreign country and has used false adoption documents to adopt the child in the U.S. The sexual abuse occurred when the child was as young as 2-years-old. The judge also ordered the man to pay $400,000 in restitution to the abused boy.

I Have A Man I'm Enjoying But Marriage May Not Be For Me ––Actress Funke Adesiyan

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Singer Waje is known for her daring outfits but it seems she revé-aled too much in a recently photo that was used on the cover of a magazine. See the photo below and decide if she é-xposed too much or not:

Jonathan Not A Weak President —Allison-Madueke

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External factors and local impediments tried to scuttle President Goodluck Jonathan’s ambition of repositioning the country in the first two years of his administration, a book edited by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke has stated.

In the book titled, “Goodluck Ebele Jonathan: Champion of Women,” the minister also said Jonathan was neither a weak nor indecisive president.

It said the psyche of Nigerians who held that view had been affected by long years of military rule that made them believe that leaders must be aggressive.

It added that with his consuming passion for the progress of the country, there was no doubt that the President was leading Nigeria to a good place.

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''I Have Had $-éx With 5 Different Men Since I Got Married 3 Years Ago, My Husband Has No Idea''

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I know my story will lead people to attack me but I will appreciate any help I can get.

I got married to my loving husband in April 2010. Although at first, I was not really in love with him, but because I was growing older, and I could not find worthwhile man from my religion and tribe, my parents introduced me to him and pressured us into marriage.

Initially I had an affair, it absolutely was a mistake. I ran into my ex and we exchanged Blackberry pins. We chat all the time and at that time, I was not really happy in my marriage so I encouraged him. Right after, we started to hang out and started sleéping together. He eventually moved from Lagos to Abuja so that ended our affair.

Since that time, I experienced several flings with four more men including my friend's husband. I currently have two children with my husband but Personally i think unsatisfied.

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Just In: Former Super Eagles star, Thompson Oliha, Is dead ( R.I.P.)

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Former Super Eagles midfielder, Thompson Oliha, is dead. Oliha who was born in October 1968 in Benin City, Nigeria, died in the early hours of Sunday.

Until his death, Oliha was one of the coaches at the Kwara State Football Academy in Ilorin. Sam Elijah, former teammate and colleague at Kwara Academy, confirmed Oliha’s death to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone chat.

A retired Nigerian midfielder, Oliha played for clubs in Africa and Europe during a career marred by injury. He played for Bendel Insurance (1985-1987), Iwuanyanwu Nationale (1988-1991), Africa Sports (1992-1993), Maccabi Ironi Ashdod F.C. (1993-1994) and Antalyaspor (1994-1995).

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Tragedy: Masquerade 'Accidentally' Stabs Innocent Man To Death

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Enugu Police Arrest Masquerade for Alleged Murder
The police in Enugu on Friday arrested a masquerade for allegedly stabbing a 60-year-old man, Emma Nnamani, to death.

The Public Relations Officer of the state command, Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement that the masquerade allegedly stabbed the man on Thursday.

He said investigations had shown that the masquerade was worn by one Chinedu Iyioke of Umuofiagu Ukehe in Igboetiti Local Government Area.

“Emma Nnamani was stabbed in his lower abdomen for a yet to be identified reason,” Mr. Amaraizu said.

5 Habits That Produce Extraordinary Relationships

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Some may be questioning whether or not it is actually possible to experience an extraordinary relationship. I believe it is. We already know good ones exist and there are even some really great partnerships. But, how many of us strive for extraordinary? I would never deceive anyone into believing it’s a breeze to obtain. I will, however, challenge everyone reading this to understand whatever we put time, energy and effort into will eventually become remarkable.
If an exceptional marriage or relationship is what you’re after, explore these 5 habits to assist you in getting there:

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Snowden’s revelations just tip of NSA spy scandal iceberg

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Like Julian Assange, Edward Snowden is a media-trumpeted whistleblower hero. Like Assange, Snowden has striking, TV-star good looks. Like Assange, Snowden is involved in a dramatic TV-style chase across countries and continents.

It's almost like Assange and Snowden are starring in their own reality-TV shows. 

With all the hoopla about Snowden (and before him, Assange), it's easy to forget all of the other whistleblowers who have revealed even more explosive information. 

Consider two other NSA whistleblowers: Russ Tice and James Bamford. 

Russ Tice is a former NSA intelligence analyst who has also worked for the US Air Force, the Office of Naval Intelligence, and the Defense Intelligence Agency. He was a real US intelligence insider, many pay grades above rookie contractor Edward Snowden. 

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Bloomberg plays hoax against Obama

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A bizarre Bloomberg story, citing what was represented to be one of the biggest intelligence leaks in US history, hit during the G8 conference and the critical meetings between US President Obama and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

The purpose of the story by Bloomberg News, now exposed as a hoax, was to hamstring and humiliate President Obama in his meetings with Putin and show American weakness and indecision on Syria, not just that but demonstrate American recklessness and disregard for international law.

US intelligence officials tell us they see a strong pattern of “planted” news stories, and phony “leaks,” all meant to sell a “war of deception” they say is part of an hostile operation against the US by a foreign intelligence agency. 

Lavrov responds 

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Brzezinski: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, their western allies orchestrated Syria crisis - former US national security adviser

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The former US national security adviser says the ongoing crisis in Syria has been orchestrated by Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and their western allies.

“In late 2011 there are outbreaks in Syria produced by a drought and abetted by two well-known autocracies in the Middle East: Qatar and Saudi Arabia,” Zbigniew Brzezinski said in an interview withThe National Interest on June 24.

He added that US President Barack Obama also supported the unrest in Syria and suddenly announced that President Bashar al-Assad “has to go -- without, apparently, any real preparation for making that happen.” 

“Then in the spring of 2012, the election year here, the CIA under General Petraeus, according to The New York Times of March 24th of this year, a very revealing article, mounts a large-scale effort to assist the Qataris and the Saudis and link them somehow with the Turks in that effort,” said Brzezinski, who was former White House national security adviser under Jimmy Carter and now a counselor and trustee at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a senior research professor at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University. 

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£3000 Visa Bond: UK Will Be The Bigger Loser - Abike Dabiri

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The Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Diaspora, Abike Dabiri-Erewa has claimed that the United Kingdom will pay dearly if its conservative government goes ahead with the planned 3,000 Pounds visa bond that will be required by some travelers from Nigeria.

Mrs Dabiri-Erewa while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily demanded that a policy of reciprocity by the federal government on all British travelers to Nigeria, adding that they should “even be made to pay a lot more.”

According to the lawmaker, some level of politics is involved in this policy as she claimed the ruling Tory party which seeks re-election, might be using the immigration policy to drive up sentiments ahead of the polls to help, “but it’s probably going to hurt them more” she warned.

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OMG!! Benin Criminals: Man Rap-éd Housewife, Inserted Bottle In Her Priva-té Part

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Last Monday June 24, 2013, Benin City residents woke up without knowing that a hang man was in town to snuff life out of four death row prisoners: Chima Ejiofor, Daniel Nsofor, Osarerenmwenda Aigbonkhan and Richard Igagu.

Their journey to death began on 26th September 2012, when Governor Adams Oshiomhole signed the death warrants of two of the convicted criminals, Daniel Nsofor and Aigbonkhia; while former Governor Lucky Igbinedion signed that of two others.

The prison where in actuality the gallows was situated is along the busy Sapele Road and while the environmental surroundings may look peaceful, on that fateful day, the prison wardens and the hang man were busy organizing the execution of the convicts.

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