January 2, 2020

Trump Outpaces Democratic Rivals In Election Fundraising

Donald Trump’s re-election team on Thursday revealed that he sits atop a staggering campaign war chest, underlining the scale of the challenge facing the US president’s Democratic rivals at the start of an election year.

The sprawling Democratic field meanwhile lost another candidate when Julian Castro, the only Hispanic in the 2020 field, announced he was ending his bid.

That leaves 14 candidates still in the running to take on Trump — and competing for much-needed donations that keep a campaign’s all-important ground game and advertising operations going.

In the fourth quarter of 2019, even as Trump was mired in …

Belgium Suspends Extradition Case For Catalan MEPs

A Belgian judge on Thursday suspended consideration of a Spanish warrant seeking the return of two Catalan separatist leaders to face trial, their lawyer said.

Exiled former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont and his health minister Toni Comin were elected members of the European Parliament in May last year.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled last month that they enjoy immunity from prosecution unless Spain requests this be removed and their fellow MEPs agree.

On Thursday, Puigdemont’s Belgian lawyer Simon Bekaert told AFP the European Arrest Warrant levelled against the men by the Spanish court should now be rejected.…

Hillary Clinton Named Chancellor Of Belfast University

Former US secretary of state and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was appointed Thursday as the new chancellor of Queen’s University Belfast.

Clinton will serve for five years in the largely ceremonial role, the Northern Irish institution announced.

“It is a great privilege to become the chancellor of Queen’s University, a place I have great fondness for and have grown a strong relationship with over the years,” Clinton said in a statement.

“The university is making waves internationally for its research and impact and I am proud to be an ambassador and help grow its reputation for excellence.”

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AI Beats Human Breast Cancer Diagnosis

A computer programme can identify breast cancer from routine scans with greater accuracy than human experts, researchers said in what they hoped could prove a breakthrough in the fight against the global killer.

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women, with more than two million new diagnoses last year alone.

Regular screening is vital in detecting the earliest signs of the disease in patients who show no obvious symptoms.

In Britain, women over 50 are advised to get a mammogram every three years, the results of which are analysed by two independent experts.

But interpreting the …

Edo: Obaseki Clashes With Oshiomhole Over Godfatherism

Governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, has vowed to end godfatherism in the state’s politics.

Obaseki stated this while hosting ward leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oredo local government area of the state.

According to him, he came into office to fight godfatherism, but is facing resistance from former Governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, who he claims is “reneging on the mandate” .

Obaseki said: “Comrade Oshiomhole came to me, asking that we join forces to fight and bring an end to the practice of godfatherism in the state.

“The partnership helped us in changing

Google Celebrates Amaka Igwe With A Doodle

Google’s doodle is today dedicated to late Nigerian filmmaker and broadcasting executive Amaka Igwe who was born on this day in 1963. She was the owner of Top Radio 90.9 Lagos and Amaka Igwe Studios.

Read Also: PDP: Buhari’s New Year Message Is Uninspiring, Tasteless

She was recognized as one of the second generation filmmakers who helped begin the video film era of Nigerian cinema. She remained a prominent figure in the industry until her death in 2014.

 

NAN

Governor Sule Speaks On APC Considering Buhari For 3rd Term

The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has disclosed why the All Progressives Congress, APC, never thought of presenting a third term agenda to President Muhammadu Buhari.

Sule stated that the APC was aware that Buhari will never accept such a move, hence the party never thought of a third term agenda.

Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the governor said there are some people who belong to the school of thought that owing to his respect for the rule of law, Buhari will never accept to maneuver and change the constitution in order for him to remain in power.

He

FG Directs Discos To Stop Cash Payment From Consumers

The federal government had regulated electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to utilise electronic platforms for the payment of energy bills across the country.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) declared the motility is to lessen the aggregate technical, commercial and collection losses the DisCos are battling with.

The commission asked the DisCos to leverage available banking channels approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure prudence in the utilization of market funds.

While the power firms have until January 31 to migrate industrial and commercial customers to their cashless electronic platforms, they have till March 31 to move …

Ekiti: Why I Didn’t Sack PDP LG Chairmen – Fayemi

The Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi, has explained why his administration did not sack the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) local government chairmen elected during his predecessor, Ayo Fayose’s tenure.

He said it was because of his administration’s strict adherence to the rule of law.

According to Fayemi, his administration had to allow the PDP council chairmen to complete their tenure, in spite of the allegations against some of them after their probe by the House of Assembly.

Fayemi stated this while inaugurating newly elected chairmen and vice-chairmen of the 16 local government councils.

According to him, he took the

Police Arrest Mastermind Of First Bank Abuja Robbery

The mastermind of the foiled robbery of First bank in the Mpape area of Abuja has been arrested.

The suspect is being held at the FCT Command Headquarters by old CBN building, Garki, Abuja.

Ernest, a barman, was arrested at his hideout by police detectives, the Nation reports.

THISDAY recalls that a Customer Service Officer with First Bank at Mpape, Abuja, Larry Ehizo had narrated how he helped robbers gain access to the bank.

He and others were paraded by the FCT Police command for the operation foiled by a

Enugu Airport To Be Opened Before Easter -Aviation Minister

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, today inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu with the Enugu State Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Federal House of Respresentatives, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu, the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji and the delegation from the South East Governors Forum’ Enugu Airport/Palliative Works Committee, among others.

Read Also: PDP: Buhari’s New Year Message Is Uninspiring, Tasteless

Briefing newsmen after the inspection, the minister expressed …

PDP: Buhari’s New Year Message Is Uninspiring, Tasteless

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday described President Buhari’s New Year message as completely uninspiring, tasteless, repetitive, vacuous, saying it failed to “galvanize any form of hope for a despairing nation like ours.”

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan which was made available to IgbereTV, the party said President Buhari “should have the courage to issue a fresh new year message to show remorse for the corruption, incompetence, and misrule of his administration as well as admonish the APC against “its crass insincerity, violence and divisive machinations that have brought so much pain, anguish, and despondency to …